Chris Ojeda, founder of the iconic metal band Byzantine, stopped by the studio and we went deep—over two hours worth—into his entire journey from small-town roots to global recognition. We walked through his childhood, the winding road through Texas, and that wild Waco connection (not his fault, I promise), and into the core of what makes Byzantine one of the baddest metal bands to ever come out of the hills of West Virginia.

We talked breakups, comebacks, creative breakthroughs, and the burden and beauty of building something real in the face of chaos. If you’re into metal, Appalachian grind, or stories of perseverance, this one’s for you.

Watch the full episode to dive into the lore, the discography, and the mind of one of Appalachia’s most legendary metal musicians.
Support Byzantine’s journey at: BYZANTINE

Long live Appalachian metal.

#Byzantine #ChrisOjeda #MetalFromTheMountains #WacoConnection #WestVirginiaMusic #HeavyMetalStory #BandJourney #AppalachianMetal #ByzantineDiscography #WVMusicians #Creepalachia #BehindTheMusic #MetalLegends #StudioSession #MountainMusicMetal #UndergroundMetal #ByzantineLive #DarkDaysBrightRiffs #OJInterview #MusicInAppalachia #CoalCountryMetal #MetalRevival #WVStorytellers #DreamInterview #fromtheashes 

Like this video, subscribe to Creepalachia, and comment your experience below!

Review the Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Follow Our Things! https://linktr.ee/Creepalachia
Merch! https://creepalachia.shop/
Website!  https://creepalachia.tv/

Other Interviews - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNIjb64yLAS3Z2N9YRDUGMz&si=pQEw9jDJAP_Z4_95

True Crime - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNql44CayXCCBsW-6zIeWsA&si=3teIk_jc4MrmsUUe

Solo Stories - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eOSFgB6XFmefueia2ZvRc4G&si=1wL1ft-UVhM_PiAN

Mysteries - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eN0mOcv-OBjI1MqeQgoMi9W&si=wA7zLRkT5MiUQIlC

Hauntings - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8ePTwq7hLiYjlzSs-UqWtrfp&si=ddRW_lx1pXQrxLUC

Creepalachia was started and will remain as a show diving into the dark, strange, unknown, tragic, and heroic stories of J.D. 's homeland. These hills have stories. LONG LIVE APPALACHIA!

Disclaimer:
The stories, views, and opinions shared by guests on Creepalachia are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or the show. Creepalachia does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of guest statements and is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to their content. All discussions are presented for storytelling, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Viewers are encouraged to research and form their own conclusions.

Support the show

Are you an Appalachian with a creepy experience to tell? Email us at [email protected] and tell us all about it. We could possibly get you on the show!

Homer Hickam is in the building! We spent 90 minutes walking through his early life in McDowell County, West Virginia—back when there was still a company store—through Virginia Tech, Vietnam, and all the way to The Rocket Boys and October Sky. (Did you know October Sky is an anagram of Rocket Boys? 🤯) This episode is full of wisdom, humor, and Appalachian grit from one of our state’s most inspiring voices.

To honor Homer and his incredible journey, I’m donating $1,000 to Big Creek People in Action. His story is a powerful reminder that where you start doesn’t define where you end up—and it meant so much to sit down with someone who came from the same county I did. If you’ve never heard Homer speak candidly, this is the one to catch.

Grab his books at https://homerhickam.com
 and stream this episode wherever you get your podcasts. #StayTuned

#HomerHickam #RocketBoys #OctoberSky #McDowellCounty #WestVirginiaProud #NASA #Appalachia #BigCreekPeopleInAction #WVHistory #SpaceRace #PodcastInterview #Creepalachia #Storytelling #WVVoices #AppalachianLegends #SouthernWriters

Like this video, subscribe to Creepalachia, and comment your experience below!

Review the Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Follow Our Things! https://linktr.ee/Creepalachia
Merch! https://creepalachia.shop/
Website!  https://creepalachia.tv/

Other Interviews - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNIjb64yLAS3Z2N9YRDUGMz&si=pQEw9jDJAP_Z4_95

True Crime - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNql44CayXCCBsW-6zIeWsA&si=3teIk_jc4MrmsUUe

Solo Stories - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eOSFgB6XFmefueia2ZvRc4G&si=1wL1ft-UVhM_PiAN

Mysteries - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eN0mOcv-OBjI1MqeQgoMi9W&si=wA7zLRkT5MiUQIlC

Hauntings - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8ePTwq7hLiYjlzSs-UqWtrfp&si=ddRW_lx1pXQrxLUC

Creepalachia was started and will remain as a show diving into the dark, strange, unknown, tragic, and heroic stories of J.D. 's homeland. These hills have stories. LONG LIVE APPALACHIA!

Disclaimer:
The stories, views, and opinions shared by guests on Creepalachia are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or the show. Creepalachia does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of guest statements and is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to their content. All discussions are presented for storytelling, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Viewers are encouraged to research and form their own conclusions.

Support the show

Are you an Appalachian with a creepy experience to tell? Email us at [email protected] and tell us all about it. We could possibly get you on the show!

This week, I’m diving into one of the most bizarre, beautiful, and ultimately broken places in West Virginia: The Palace of Gold.

Perched above the hills near Moundsville, what began as a spiritual sanctuary for Hare Krishna devotees became a national headline factory in the 1980s—complete with FBI raids, murder plots, fraud, racketeering, and one of the most surreal downfalls in religious history.

I’ll walk you through:
-How a WV hilltop became a marble-and-gold mecca built by hand
-The rise of Swami Bhaktipada (Keith Ham) and the New Vrindaban community
-The power, control, and devotion that blinded many followers
-The violence, manipulation, and financial corruption that eventually tore it apart

This is the story of faith, excess, betrayal, and collapse—all set in the heart of Appalachia.

Many thanks to Henry Doktorski, a former Hare Krishna devotee and New Vrindaban resident, who has published TWELVE nonfiction books about Hare Krishna history, including a biography of Swami Bhaktipada, and a history of the West Virginia Hare Krishna commune. His books are available on Amazon. For more, see https://www.henrydoktorski.com/author.html#HareKrishna.

#PalaceOfGold #NewVrindaban #HareKrishnaWV #Creepalachia #WestVirginiaMysteries #AppalachianTrueCrime #CultCrimes #SwamiBhaktipada #WVHistory #FaithAndCorruption #TrueCrimePodcast #HauntedAppalachia #WVStrangeHistory #DarkReligion #CreepyWestVirginia

Like this video, subscribe to Creepalachia, and comment your experience below!

Review the Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Follow Our Things! https://linktr.ee/Creepalachia
Merch! https://creepalachia.shop/
Website!  https://creepalachia.tv/

Other Interviews - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNIjb64yLAS3Z2N9YRDUGMz&si=pQEw9jDJAP_Z4_95

True Crime - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNql44CayXCCBsW-6zIeWsA&si=3teIk_jc4MrmsUUe

Solo Stories - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eOSFgB6XFmefueia2ZvRc4G&si=1wL1ft-UVhM_PiAN

Mysteries - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eN0mOcv-OBjI1MqeQgoMi9W&si=wA7zLRkT5MiUQIlC

Hauntings - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8ePTwq7hLiYjlzSs-UqWtrfp&si=ddRW_lx1pXQrxLUC

Creepalachia was started and will remain as a show diving into the dark, strange, unknown, tragic, and heroic stories of J.D. 's homeland. These hills have stories. LONG LIVE APPALACHIA!

Disclaimer:
The stories, views, and opinions shared by guests on Creepalachia are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or the show. Creepalachia does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of guest statements and is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to their content. All discussions are presented for storytelling, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Viewers are encouraged to research and form their own conclusions.

Support the show

Are you an Appalachian with a creepy experience to tell? Email us at [email protected] and tell us all about it. We could possibly get you on the show!

Brenda Gail Lambert disappeared in 1992 from Bluewell, West Virginia.

Her family has lived in hell ever since.

Now, more than three decades later, her sister Christy Kennedy is stepping forward with the full story, and she came by the studio to lay it all out—everything from the last day Brenda was seen, to false leads, mysterious postcards, and potential suspects who vanished themselves not long after.

After all these years of silence and pain, it’s time to bring Brenda home.

🧭 $10,000 REWARD OFFERED
We’re announcing a $10,000 reward for the exact location of Brenda’s remains.

$5,000 from me (J.D.), and $5,000 from her sister Christy.

Tips should go to [email protected]. You can remain anonymous

If your tip leads to Brenda’s confirmed remains, we’ll verify it through DNA and my legal team will handle the payout.
No games. No questions. Just closure.

We need your help. Somebody knows something. Let’s end this chapter for Brenda’s family. Let’s find her.

Brenda Gail Lambert: Missing Since 1992

#JusticeForBrenda #MissingPerson #WestVirginiaMissing #Creepalachia #UnsolvedMystery #BrendaLambert #TrueCrimeWV #BluewellWV #BringThemHome #AppalachianMysteries #AppalachianTrueCrime #RewardForBrenda #ColdCaseWV #PodcastAlert #missingwomen 

Like this video, subscribe to Creepalachia, and comment your experience below!

Review the Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Follow Our Things! https://linktr.ee/Creepalachia
Merch! https://creepalachia.shop/
Website!  https://creepalachia.tv/

Other Interviews - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNIjb64yLAS3Z2N9YRDUGMz&si=pQEw9jDJAP_Z4_95

True Crime - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNql44CayXCCBsW-6zIeWsA&si=3teIk_jc4MrmsUUe

Solo Stories - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eOSFgB6XFmefueia2ZvRc4G&si=1wL1ft-UVhM_PiAN

Mysteries - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eN0mOcv-OBjI1MqeQgoMi9W&si=wA7zLRkT5MiUQIlC

Hauntings - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8ePTwq7hLiYjlzSs-UqWtrfp&si=ddRW_lx1pXQrxLUC

Creepalachia was started and will remain as a show diving into the dark, strange, unknown, tragic, and heroic stories of J.D. 's homeland. These hills have stories. LONG LIVE APPALACHIA!

Disclaimer:
The stories, views, and opinions shared by guests on Creepalachia are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or the show. Creepalachia does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of guest statements and is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to their content. All discussions are presented for storytelling, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Viewers are encouraged to research and form their own conclusions.

Support the show

Are you an Appalachian with a creepy experience to tell? Email us at [email protected] and tell us all about it. We could possibly get you on the show!

Just wrapped one of the most eye-opening conversations I’ve had on the show.

Ashlen Hilliard, cult interventionist and creator of The Psychology of Cults
, joined me in the studio for a no-holds-barred deep dive into the mindset, manipulation, and madness of cult dynamics—past and present.

We broke down:
-Why “good” people join cults
-The devastating stories of Heaven’s Gate and Jonestown
-How cults evolve in real time—including ones you’ve never heard of
-The psychological hooks behind belonging and belief
-How to self-examine your own community dynamics
-What to do if you think someone you love is in one

This was more than a conversation—it was a mirror. Chilling, compassionate, and necessary.

🎙️ Our full episode drops October 16th
🎟️ If you’re in West Virginia, Ashlen will be LIVE at the Clay Center in Charleston TOMORROW (October 18th) as part of her national Psychology of Cults tour. Get ticket info here: psychologyofcults.com/events

#Creepalachia #PsychologyOfCults #AshlenHilliard #CultsExposed #HeavensGate #Jonestown #CultsAndControl #WVCultStories #CharlestonWV #ClayCenterWV #AppalachianStories #CultPsychology #MindControlTactics #CreepalachiaPodcast #TrueBelief #CultSurvivors #LiveEventsWV #DarkAppalachia #RedFlagCommunities

Like this video, subscribe to Creepalachia, and comment your experience below!

Review the Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Follow Our Things! https://linktr.ee/Creepalachia
Merch! https://creepalachia.shop/
Website!  https://creepalachia.tv/

Other Interviews - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNIjb64yLAS3Z2N9YRDUGMz&si=pQEw9jDJAP_Z4_95

True Crime - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNql44CayXCCBsW-6zIeWsA&si=3teIk_jc4MrmsUUe

Solo Stories - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eOSFgB6XFmefueia2ZvRc4G&si=1wL1ft-UVhM_PiAN

Mysteries - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eN0mOcv-OBjI1MqeQgoMi9W&si=wA7zLRkT5MiUQIlC

Hauntings - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8ePTwq7hLiYjlzSs-UqWtrfp&si=ddRW_lx1pXQrxLUC

Creepalachia was started and will remain as a show diving into the dark, strange, unknown, tragic, and heroic stories of J.D. 's homeland. These hills have stories. LONG LIVE APPALACHIA!

Disclaimer:
The stories, views, and opinions shared by guests on Creepalachia are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or the show. Creepalachia does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of guest statements and is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to their content. All discussions are presented for storytelling, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Viewers are encouraged to research and form their own conclusions.

Support the show

Are you an Appalachian with a creepy experience to tell? Email us at [email protected] and tell us all about it. We could possibly get you on the show!

What do 30+ horror and true crime books, a haunted house, a ghost train, and a juvenile detention sentence have in common?

Brian Bowyer.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Brian in the studio—and let me tell you, this man is one of the most captivating storytellers I’ve ever met. From a rocky past that included three years in the system as a teenager and battling severe alcohol addiction, Brian transformed his life through words.

In this two-hour October-perfect episode, we cover:

-His early days in juvie and how he discovered his love for reading
-The addiction that nearly took him under
-The decades-long writing journey that has earned him critical acclaim
AND the true ghost stories that followed him home

This ain’t just an October horror episode—its redemption wrapped in Appalachian weirdness.

🎙️ Tune in October 14th for one of our most unforgettable interviews: raw, real, eerie, and inspiring
📚 Grab his books here: https://shorturl.at/jnZyn

#Creepalachia #BrianBowyer #AppalachianAuthors #TrueCrimeWriters #HorrorWriters #GhostTrain #HauntedHouseStory #WVAuthors #RecoveryJourney #AddictionToArt #JuvenileJusticeSystem #AuthorInterview #RedemptionStories #DarkAppalachia #OctoberReads #HauntedTales #WritingToHeal #FromJuvieToPublished

Like this video, subscribe to Creepalachia, and comment your experience below!

Review the Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Follow Our Things! https://linktr.ee/Creepalachia
Merch! https://creepalachia.shop/
Website!  https://creepalachia.tv/

Other Interviews - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNIjb64yLAS3Z2N9YRDUGMz&si=pQEw9jDJAP_Z4_95

True Crime - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNql44CayXCCBsW-6zIeWsA&si=3teIk_jc4MrmsUUe

Solo Stories - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eOSFgB6XFmefueia2ZvRc4G&si=1wL1ft-UVhM_PiAN

Mysteries - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eN0mOcv-OBjI1MqeQgoMi9W&si=wA7zLRkT5MiUQIlC

Hauntings - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8ePTwq7hLiYjlzSs-UqWtrfp&si=ddRW_lx1pXQrxLUC

Creepalachia was started and will remain as a show diving into the dark, strange, unknown, tragic, and heroic stories of J.D. 's homeland. These hills have stories. LONG LIVE APPALACHIA!

Disclaimer:
The stories, views, and opinions shared by guests on Creepalachia are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or the show. Creepalachia does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of guest statements and is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to their content. All discussions are presented for storytelling, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Viewers are encouraged to research and form their own conclusions.

Support the show

Are you an Appalachian with a creepy experience to tell? Email us at [email protected] and tell us all about it. We could possibly get you on the show!

I knew talking rafting in the New River Gorge would be fun—but I didn’t expect it to be this good.

This episode took a deeper dive than I imagined. Rafting legends and river experts Melanie Seiler Hames, Charles Seay, and Ray Ray Fillpot joined me in the studio to talk about the early days of rafting in southern West Virginia—and everything the river has taught them since.

We covered the laughs, the risks, the magic, and the madness. We talked river culture, guiding techniques, permits, wages, wild tourist moments, and what it’s really like to make a living on whitewater. There’s a reason folks say the river doesn’t lie. And to respect that, we pulled no punches in this one.

It’s part oral history, part comedy show, and part river sermon.

🎙️ Listen in for a wild ride down memory rapids and muddy truths
🌊 The New River Gorge isn’t just a place—it’s a way of life

#Creepalachia #NewRiverGorge #RaftingWV #WhitewaterStories #RiverGuides #WVAdventure #AppalachianVoices #RiverLegends #OutdoorCulture #MountainStories #WestVirginiaLife #NPSNewRiver #RaftingCommunity #WhitewaterLife #MelanieSeilerHames #CharlesSeay #RayRayFillpot

Like this video, subscribe to Creepalachia, and comment your experience below!

Review the Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Follow Our Things! https://linktr.ee/Creepalachia
Merch! https://creepalachia.shop/
Website!  https://creepalachia.tv/

Other Interviews - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNIjb64yLAS3Z2N9YRDUGMz&si=pQEw9jDJAP_Z4_95

True Crime - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNql44CayXCCBsW-6zIeWsA&si=3teIk_jc4MrmsUUe

Solo Stories - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eOSFgB6XFmefueia2ZvRc4G&si=1wL1ft-UVhM_PiAN

Mysteries - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eN0mOcv-OBjI1MqeQgoMi9W&si=wA7zLRkT5MiUQIlC

Hauntings - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8ePTwq7hLiYjlzSs-UqWtrfp&si=ddRW_lx1pXQrxLUC

Creepalachia was started and will remain as a show diving into the dark, strange, unknown, tragic, and heroic stories of J.D. 's homeland. These hills have stories. LONG LIVE APPALACHIA!

Disclaimer:
The stories, views, and opinions shared by guests on Creepalachia are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or the show. Creepalachia does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of guest statements and is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to their content. All discussions are presented for storytelling, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Viewers are encouraged to research and form their own conclusions.

Support the show

Are you an Appalachian with a creepy experience to tell? Email us at [email protected] and tell us all about it. We could possibly get you on the show!

This one hits close to home. One of the most personal episodes I’ve ever done—and also one of the most honest.

Social workers Ashton Pritt and Miranda Morgan joined me in the studio for a raw, real, and at times hilarious conversation about the layered realities of parenting, trauma, drugs, life lessons, and what it means to hold space for others when your own life’s been anything but easy.

It’s not always pretty. It’s not always tied up with a bow. But it’s the kind of discussion that makes you reflect, rethink, and maybe even get a little uncomfortable—and that’s okay.

We need more of these conversations. And I’m grateful we got to have one on the record.

Are you in need of resources in West Virginia involving your family? https://www.help4wv.com/

🎙️ Watch the full episode for insight, irreverence, and real talk from the frontlines of social work

#Creepalachia #SocialWorkRealTalk #ParentingInAppalachia #AddictionRecovery #LifeLessons #MentalHealthWV #AppalachianStories #TraumaHealing #RuralSocialWork #HonestConversations #LifeUnfiltered #CopingAndCommunity #AppalachianParenting #recoveryjourney 

Like this video, subscribe to Creepalachia, and comment your experience below!

Review the Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Follow Our Things! https://linktr.ee/Creepalachia
Merch! https://creepalachia.shop/
Website!  https://creepalachia.tv/

Other Interviews - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNIjb64yLAS3Z2N9YRDUGMz&si=pQEw9jDJAP_Z4_95

True Crime - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNql44CayXCCBsW-6zIeWsA&si=3teIk_jc4MrmsUUe

Solo Stories - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eOSFgB6XFmefueia2ZvRc4G&si=1wL1ft-UVhM_PiAN

Mysteries - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eN0mOcv-OBjI1MqeQgoMi9W&si=wA7zLRkT5MiUQIlC

Hauntings - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8ePTwq7hLiYjlzSs-UqWtrfp&si=ddRW_lx1pXQrxLUC

Creepalachia was started and will remain as a show diving into the dark, strange, unknown, tragic, and heroic stories of J.D. 's homeland. These hills have stories. LONG LIVE APPALACHIA!

Disclaimer:
The stories, views, and opinions shared by guests on Creepalachia are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or the show. Creepalachia does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of guest statements and is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to their content. All discussions are presented for storytelling, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Viewers are encouraged to research and form their own conclusions.

Support the show

Are you an Appalachian with a creepy experience to tell? Email us at [email protected] and tell us all about it. We could possibly get you on the show!

Editors note: the population of Kanawha County is over 173,000. The population of Charleston is over 46,000. 

The kind of conversation I wish never had to happen. But I’m deeply honored to have sat across from James Harper’s family—his father, Chris Waddell, and his wife, Gabrielle Harper—and heard their hearts.

James was killed by a truck driver in April 2025 in West Virginia. You might’ve seen the headline. You might’ve recognized his face. But for his family, that pain didn’t stop when the news cycle moved on. They’ve been living the nightmare every day since.

This episode isn’t just about the tragedy. It’s about what comes next—what justice should look like, what safety reforms must be made, and how the memory of James Dean Harper will not be forgotten.

Chris and Gabrielle are fighting for change in West Virginia: stronger laws, better DOH safety protocols, mandatory death/injury notification reform, and true accountability for those responsible.

This conversation is raw. It’s real. It’s necessary. Because James deserved better. And so does every road worker risking their life to keep our highways safe.

Let’s fight for accountability. Let’s remember James.

Justice for James Harper isn’t just a hashtag—it’s a movement his family is leading. Let’s help them. #JusticeForJamesHarper

#Justice4James, #JamesDeanHarper, #Creepalachia, #RoadWorkerSafety, #WVDOH, #HighwaySafety, #AppalachianStories, #TragicLoss, #WVStrong, #CoalfieldsToCapitol, #InfrastructureAccountability, #AppalachianFamilies, #NeverForgetJames

Like this video, subscribe to Creepalachia, and comment your experience below!

Review the Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Follow Our Things! https://linktr.ee/Creepalachia
Merch! https://creepalachia.shop/
Website!  https://creepalachia.tv/

Other Interviews - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNIjb64yLAS3Z2N9YRDUGMz&si=pQEw9jDJAP_Z4_95

True Crime - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNql44CayXCCBsW-6zIeWsA&si=3teIk_jc4MrmsUUe

Solo Stories - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eOSFgB6XFmefueia2ZvRc4G&si=1wL1ft-UVhM_PiAN

Mysteries - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eN0mOcv-OBjI1MqeQgoMi9W&si=wA7zLRkT5MiUQIlC

Hauntings - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8ePTwq7hLiYjlzSs-UqWtrfp&si=ddRW_lx1pXQrxLUC

Creepalachia was started and will remain as a show diving into the dark, strange, unknown, tragic, and heroic stories of J.D. 's homeland. These hills have stories. LONG LIVE APPALACHIA!

Disclaimer:
The stories, views, and opinions shared by guests on Creepalachia are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or the show. Creepalachia does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of guest statements and is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to their content. All discussions are presented for storytelling, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Viewers are encouraged to research and form their own conclusions.

Support the show

Are you an Appalachian with a creepy experience to tell? Email us at [email protected] and tell us all about it. We could possibly get you on the show!

The Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster is a scar that will never fully heal in the heart of West Virginia. On that devastating day in 2010, twenty-nine coal miners were taken far too soon, and two others were left injured—physically and emotionally—for the rest of their lives.

Before Creepalachia ever began, I worked on a self-funded project called UBB: A Coal Miner’s Story. That five-hour documentary podcast taught me a lot—but most of all, it introduced me to people whose strength could only be forged by the fire of unimaginable loss.

One of those people is Kim Lane. Her husband, Richard Lane, was one of the miners killed in that explosion.

Kim came by the studio and graciously sat with me to tell her full story again. We talked about grief, accountability, healing, and the power of never letting silence become the final word. I’m humbled by her honesty and proud to share this episode with you.

We owe it to the memories of those 29 men to never stop talking about UBB, to hold truth to power, and to make sure tragedies like this never happen again.

🎙️ Watch the full interview with Kim Lane on October 6th, a conversation about love, loss, and the hard road of healing.
🎧 Listen to UBB: A Coal Miner’s Story anywhere you get your podcasts (search the full title) – a non-monetized, five-hour audio documentary produced before Creepalachia.

#UpperBigBranch #UBBDisaster #CoalMinersStory #WestVirginiaMining #MineDisasterSurvivors #RichardLaneUBB #KimLaneInterview #Creepalachia #AppalachianTragedies #NeverForgetUBB #MineSafetyMatters #MiningAccountability #JusticeForMiners #WVStrong #AppalachianFamilies #CoalCountryVoices #GriefAndHealing #UBBPodcast #CoalMinersWidow #AppalachiaRemembers

Like this video, subscribe to Creepalachia, and comment your experience below!

Review the Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Follow Our Things! https://linktr.ee/Creepalachia
Merch! https://creepalachia.shop/
Website!  https://creepalachia.tv/

Other Interviews - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNIjb64yLAS3Z2N9YRDUGMz&si=pQEw9jDJAP_Z4_95

True Crime - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eNql44CayXCCBsW-6zIeWsA&si=3teIk_jc4MrmsUUe

Solo Stories - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eOSFgB6XFmefueia2ZvRc4G&si=1wL1ft-UVhM_PiAN

Mysteries - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8eN0mOcv-OBjI1MqeQgoMi9W&si=wA7zLRkT5MiUQIlC

Hauntings - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxM_meUps8ePTwq7hLiYjlzSs-UqWtrfp&si=ddRW_lx1pXQrxLUC

Creepalachia was started and will remain as a show diving into the dark, strange, unknown, tragic, and heroic stories of J.D. 's homeland. These hills have stories. LONG LIVE APPALACHIA!

Disclaimer:
The stories, views, and opinions shared by guests on Creepalachia are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or the show. Creepalachia does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of guest statements and is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to their content. All discussions are presented for storytelling, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Viewers are encouraged to research and form their own conclusions.

Support the show

Are you an Appalachian with a creepy experience to tell? Email us at [email protected] and tell us all about it. We could possibly get you on the show!