Cigarette Mom Podcast with Sarah Beth Terry

On the first evening of fall, Sarah Beth steps onto the porch 34 pounds lighter, running slightly low on energy and still determined to keep showing up.

The September 22 Porch Paper moves from the United Nations, Iran and Washington’s approaching midterms to artificial intelligence, college rankings, West Virginia hunting season, Kentucky fall festivals and Ella Langley’s record-breaking run with “Choosin’ Texas.”

Back at SBT headquarters, Morgan the Great receives an official promotion, Florida preparations continue and Sarah unveils her rapidly expanding loaded-Bible project—complete with watercolor inserts, study materials, highlighters, ribbons and handmade Bible chains.

In the Feral Christian Minute, Galatians 6:9 becomes a message for anyone doing the right work without seeing immediate results: planting and harvesting do not always happen in the same afternoon. Keep going faithfully. The roots may already be forming underneath.

Plus: the Farm Aid anniversary, ten genuinely new facts, questionable neighborhood surveillance, a property-owning porch cat and an important reminder that progress is still progress—even during a heavy month.

Content note: This episode contains strong language and affiliate promotions.

Courtney Jo joins Sarah Beth on the porch for an evening of country music, questionable animals and the Appalachian panic-cleaning ritual that happens whenever company is coming.

After running through headlines from around the world, Washington, West Virginia and Kentucky—including heavy-rain warnings, unclaimed property and the arrival of unpredictable fall weather—Sarah and Courtney talk honestly about life as independent country artists. They discuss bypassing Nashville’s traditional gatekeepers, finding an audience online, hearing future song lyrics in ordinary conversations and the time, money and mental load hiding behind every release.

In the Feral Christian Minute, Galatians 6:9 becomes a reminder to keep planting, loving and showing up even when the harvest isn’t immediate. Sarah also unveils her new “loaded Bibles,” explains why she wants Scripture to feel approachable and lived-in, and reveals the 13 songs selected for her next album.

Plus: new merchandise, Goodwill discoveries, Aunt Charlie’s historically confusing tombstone, an extremely literal five-year-old and a bee determined to make its television debut.

Content note: This episode contains strong language and affiliate promotions.

Catch this morning’s live episode of Cigarette Mom for candid conversation, fresh stories, hot takes, and a little chaos to start the day.

It’s the Wednesday evening edition of The Porch Paper, and Sarah Beth Terry is sorting through a packed news day—from Canada’s possible new relationship with the European Union and political prisoners released in Belarus to Russia sanctions, cryptocurrency legislation, rising retail sales, and the Federal Reserve’s latest rate hike.

Back on the porch, Sarah covers West Virginia and Kentucky headlines, Dolly Parton’s upcoming television tribute, Sheryl Crow’s all-star celebration, fall folklore, historical anniversaries, strange facts, and the eternal mystery of the missing church casserole dish.

She also shares the story behind her new Bible watercolor collection, explains how another innocent hobby became a family business, and opens Ecclesiastes for a Feral Christian Minute about recognizing when a season has ended.

Because the world may be loud—but your house doesn’t have to be.

This episode contains strong language and affiliate promotions.

Sarah Beth checks in from the car after a shower, a Walgreens run and a successful trip to the nail salon. Next up: water, protein, vitamins, new workout shorts and the Planet Fitness “shake and bake.” It is a quick Cigarette Mom visit about attempting to feel human again, forgetting what day it is and appreciating every member of the porch tribe. Remember: you look good. Go do things.

At seven in the morning—with the sun rising over the West Virginia hills and a possum eating cat food on the porch—Sarah Beth looks back at how much life can change in twelve months. The year since writing “Like Charlie” and “Send Me” brought national attention, the Grand Ole Opry, sold-out comedy shows, the birth of Feral Christian, watercolor paintings, changing friendships, a health journey and more grief than she would have chosen. Through stages, kitchen tables, hospitals, churches, farm chores and heartbreaking goodbyes, Sarah has learned to keep bringing God what she has. It has been a beautiful year and a hard year. Most real years are both.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of illness, grief and the loss of several beloved animals.

Sarah Beth arrives hot and unfiltered after a disastrous nail-salon visit, then settles in for the September 16 Porch Paper. Today’s stories include the Iran war-powers vote, the human cost of the conflict in Gaza, growing concern over AI data centers, AM radio’s return to new vehicles, Kentucky’s measles outbreak, medical-debt relief, and West Virginia’s historic land-conservation project. Plus: a newly announced celebration of Dolly Parton, an inexplicable LFO earworm, the Porch Almanac, watercolor prints traveling across America, and a reminder that getting your life back rarely happens with trumpets. Sometimes taking a shower, drinking some water, mailing the prints, and making it through Wednesday is enough.

Sarah Beth wakes up to fifteen watercolor-print orders and a timely reminder that small beginnings may be bigger than they appear. This September 15 evening edition covers the Federal Reserve, oil prices, election security, West Virginia and Kentucky headlines, Taylor Swift’s latest songwriting honor, and the biggest moments from Emmy night—including Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, Reba McEntire, and Dolly Parton. Plus: the Porch Almanac, neighborhood gossip, a Feral Christian message about bringing God what you have, and a runaway chicken who becomes the episode’s unplanned special guest.

Sarah Beth wakes up to fifteen watercolor-print orders and a timely reminder that small beginnings may be bigger than they appear. This September 15 evening edition covers the Federal Reserve, oil prices, election security, West Virginia and Kentucky headlines, Taylor Swift’s latest songwriting honor, and the biggest moments from Emmy night—including Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, Reba McEntire, and Dolly Parton. Plus: the Porch Almanac, neighborhood gossip, a Feral Christian message about bringing God what you have, and a runaway chicken who becomes the episode’s unplanned special guest.

Sarah Beth Terry delivers Monday’s Porch Paper Evening Edition, covering attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure, fuel prices above $100 a barrel, mounting artificial-intelligence fears, the court fight over mail-in ballots, President Trump’s proposed $5,000 payments, cryptocurrency regulation, John Brennan’s subpoena and an anxious week for interest rates and financial markets.

Closer to home, Sarah checks in on West Virginia healthcare, broadband, football and fall tourism; remembers legendary designer Bob Mackie; celebrates pop-tarts and The Golden Girls; and introduces Dash, a five-week-old kitten rescued from the interstate.

Along the way, she confronts a frustrating number on the scale and remembers the number where she started. Progress may jiggle. It may resemble a roller coaster, paint beneath your fingernails or simply surviving a week you didn’t particularly enjoy.

The important thing is that you’re still moving.