Faiths in Appalachia: Hidden Stories of Searching for Truth

Jessica Hall was your average teenager in Eastern Kentucky when addiction ripped her life apart. She ended up homeless and near death, until God moved dramatically in her life. This is a conversation with Jessica Hall. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please click: https://www.arccenters.com/ This podcast was filmed at Hemphill Community Center which is home to the Black Sheep Bakery in Lecther County, found out more about their great work at: https://blacksheepbrickoven.org/ “Funding has been provided by Kentucky Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or Kentucky Humanities.”

Daxon Caudill is born and raised in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky yet Christianity never connected to him especially after a family tragedy. Tibetan Buddhism however led him to a place of inner peace, tranquility, and a life of service to others. Now he is a social worker helping people find their center and using meditation and other spiritual practices for therapeutic support. To learn more about Buddhism and a famous teacher that Daxon makes reference to, click here: https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh “Funding has been provided by Kentucky Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or Kentucky Humanities.”

Rev. Judy Yunker is now a retired Episcopal priest, yet for first the 52 years of her religious life, she was a Roman Catholic Nun who started a religious community in Eastern Kentucky. For many years she taught and was even a Roman Catholic missionary teacher in South America. In this time, as a female, God was calling her to the priesthood… To learn more about the monastery that Judy helped found in Martin Kentucky, click here (Mt. Tabor Dwelling Place): https://mtabor.com/ “Funding has been provided by Kentucky Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or Kentucky Humanities.”

Urantia is not a philosophy that many have heard of yet for George Thornbury it has been his life for the past 50 years. In this episode, you hear from George about Urantia, its origins, the importance of its practice, and how he navigates this for a life of faithful service to others. To learn more or read the Urantia book please click here: https://www.urantia.org/ “Funding has been provided by Kentucky Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or Kentucky Humanities.”

Jan was your average LDS mom, house wife, and neighbor. Her whole life was shaped around the activities of her local Latter Day Saints churches, until at 47, she walked away. She stopped going to the church…this conversation explores her journey. To learn more about the LDS church click here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng To hear more about people who have left the church you can check out: https://www.4mormon.org/ex-mormon-testimonies/ “Funding has been provided by Kentucky Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or Kentucky Humanities.”

Brother Christian is a dedicated Roman Catholic monk, openly trans, and devoted to spiritually supporting those working in the Fine Arts. He has a hermitage in Eastern Kentucky. To learn more about how to support and affirm Trans Catholics, please click here: https://belovedbygod.faith/#:~:text=We%20pledge%20to%20make%20an,Catholic%20Church%20and%20the%20world.&text=If%20you%20would%20like%20to,contact%20operations%40dignityusa.org “Funding has been provided by Kentucky Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or Kentucky Humanities.”