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Sister Sharpens Sister
By Karen Vaughn, Dalena Smith and Shelon MilliganSociety & Culture
Sister Sharpens Sister episodes
- Legendary Women of Appalachia: Katherine Johnson, Her Hidden Figures
In this inspiring episode, we honor the extraordinary life of Katherine Johnson — the groundbreaking mathematician whose brilliant calculations made some of NASA’s greatest missions possible. Born in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, Katherine’s remarkable mind helped break barriers for both women and people of color in STEM careers.
We discuss her early life, education, and career, as well as her personal story — including her marriages, her children, and her deep love for learning. We also highlight her memoir, My Remarkable Journey, and explore the book and film Hidden Figures, which brought her incredible story to a global audience.
Katherine Johnson’s courage, determination, and genius continue to inspire future generations to dream bigger, reach higher, and never let obstacles define their limits.
🎧 Listen/watch now to learn how one woman’s work helped put humanity among the stars.
See ya soon!
Follow us on YouTube! Sister Sharpens Sister
Music and sound effects by Pixabay
Cover art designed in Canva
#KatherineJohnson #HiddenFigures #WomenInSTEM #STEMHistory #SpaceRace #NASAHistory #InspiringWomen #BlackHistory #WomenInScience
29 min - Legendary Women of Appalachia: Maggie Bailey, The Keeper of Secrets
Meet Maggie “Megs” Davidson Bailey (1904–2005) — a legendary figure in Appalachia known not just for moonshine, but for heart, grit, and survival. In this episode, we explore how this Appalachian woman built a legacy in the Kentucky hills: outwitting the law, feeding her community, and becoming a local hero. Discover the true story behind the Queen of the Mountain Bootleggers—and why Maggie Bailey still matters today.
Learn More:
- Maggie's Grave
- NPR
- Hooch and Hell Raisin'
- Women and Moonshine
See ya soon!
Follow us on YouTube! Sister Sharpens Sister
Music and sound effects by Pixabay
Cover art designed in Canva
#IronInHerBones #Appalachia #AppalachianWomen #MaggieBailey #Moonshine #WomenInHistory #MountainWomen #TrueStories
26 min - Petals & Purpose: The Science, Beauty, and Health Benefits of Flowers
Flowers do more than brighten a room—they tell stories, support ecosystems, and even improve our health. In this episode, we dig into the fascinating biology of a flower, explore pollination (including hand pollination tips for gardeners), and share how flowers can boost mental and physical wellness.
We also cover some of America’s most popular blooms and what they symbolize. Whether you’re a gardener, flower lover, or just curious about the meaning behind your favorite petals, this episode is full of insights and inspiration.
See ya soon!
Follow us on YouTube! Sister Sharpens Sister
Music and sound effects by Pixabay
Cover art designed in Canva
- Flower Parts
- Exploring the Process of Pollination
- How to Hand Pollinate: A Beginners Guide
- The Project Gutenberg eBook of Language of Flowers, by Kate Greenaway
- Gardening for health: a regular dose of gardening - PMC
- Dig into the benefits of gardening - Mayo Clinic Health System
- what medicines are derived from flowers - Google Search
#FlowerPodcast #FlowerMeanings #PetalsAndPurpose #BloomWhereYourePlanted #GardeningPodcast #FlowerWellness #Pollination #HandPollination #GardeningTips #PopularFlowers #MentalHealthAndGardening #FromSeedToSoul #PodcastForWomen #NatureHeals
44 min - 5 Things We Wish We Knew Earlier ...
Have you ever said, "I wish someone would have told me ..."?
Well friend, here it is on a digital platter ready for you to digest.
Today, we're opening up about things we wish we knew in our 20's. From managing money and learning to invest, to the truth about our bodies, and what it takes to really make meaningful connections with family and friends.
Whether you're 18 or 80, there's something here for every woman who's still learning, growing and choosing wisdom over regret.
Join us for this conversation full of heart, hope, and hard-won truths.
See ya soon!
Follow us on YouTube! Sister Sharpens Sister
Music and sound effects by Pixabay
Cover art designed in Canva
38 min - The Storytelling Challenge – Featuring Two Young Guest Authors!
What happens when one sister writes a story … then scrambles all the words and tells the rest of us to make up our own stories using only those random words? You get this episode of Sister Sharpens Sister!
Dalena kicked off a wild and creative challenge: she wrote a story, jumbled up the words, and sent them to the rest of us — only one point of instruction: take these words and make a story. Karen may have taken it way too far, while Shelon and her two daughters totally nailed the assignment like the brilliant minds they are.
We also dive into how storytelling strengthens memory, supports mental health, and even helps with fitness goals. Plus, don’t miss the debut of two amazing young guest authors who brought imagination and heart to the mic!
In this episode:
The origin of the story scramble challenge
Each sister’s (very different) approach
Two young writers join in and steal the show
How writing fuels creativity, healing, and brainpower
Laugh-out-loud reactions and honest sisterly feedback
Will this become a regular thing? We discuss!
☕ So grab your coffee, your favorite notebook, and let’s get into some creative chaos — together.
📚 Copyright Notice:
All stories shared in this episode are the original work and intellectual property of their respective authors. These works may not be copied, distributed, adapted, or reproduced in any form without express written permission from the author. Please respect the creative efforts of our storytellers — especially our youngest ones.- Writing Prompts on Pinterest
See ya soon!
Follow us on YouTube! Sister Sharpens Sister
Music and sound effects by Pixabay
Cover art designed in Canva
36 min - We Are Appalachian P3: Built by Blood, Timber & Grit
In this final episode of our We Are Appalachian series, we uncover how coal and logging industries shaped the identity, economy, and spirit of the Appalachian region.
We explore:
– Company towns and the control of workers through scrip
– The Mine Wars and the Battle of Matewan
– The formation of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)
– The environmental impact on the Appalachian rainforest
– A rare WV-native tarantula species
– The surprising origin of the word “hillbilly”This episode blends untold history with natural wonders to reveal the grit, resilience, and complexity of Appalachia’s story.
👉 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share if this episode moved you or taught you something new.
Plus a BONUS! Dalena teaches us how to make restaurant quality French fries!
Have a great week!
See ya soon!
Follow us on YouTube! Sister Sharpens Sister
Music and sound effects by Pixabay
Cover art designed in Canva
39 min - The WV Bigfoot Festival 2025: What We Loved (And What Could Be Better)
Join us as we recap our adventure at the WV Bigfoot Festival! From the things we loved to a few we didn't, we’re sharing honest thoughts and suggestions—because we’ll definitely be back next year. Bigfoot is one of our favorite cryptids and we had fun at this year's event!
Whether you’re a seasoned Squatcher or just curious, this one’s for you!
- WV Bigfoot Festival Facebook page
Have a great week!
See ya soon!
Follow us on YouTube! Sister Sharpens Sister
Music and sound effects by Pixabay
Cover art designed in Canva
15 min - We Are Appalachian P2: Cryptids & The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
Today we're covering some of the better known cryptids of the Appalachian Mountains and then we focus on The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, one of the creepiest places in these hills.
- Who Settled in the Appalachian Mountains?
- Appalachian Monsters
- Cryptids Create Curious Tales
- Bigfoot, Giants, and Mummies?| EP: 330 | Blurry Creatures
- Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
- Dr. Thomas Kirkbride
- WV Bigfoot Festival Facebook Page
- Sister Sharpens Sister (Instagram)
Have a great week!
See ya soon!
Follow us on YouTube! Sister Sharpens Sister
Music and sound effects by Pixabay
Cover art designed in Canva
54 min - We Are Appalachian P1: Foraging the Appalachian Way
Pull on your boots and grab a basket—this week we’re hittin’ the holler for a good ol’ chat about Appalachian foraging. From wood sorrel (a.k.a. sourgrass) and wild clover to yarrow, pine, and the dandelions you’ve been mowing down for years—we’re covering some of the wild goodies our ancestors used to know by heart. We talk where not to forage (nobody wants poison ivy tea), what to wear (tick armor, y’all), and what some of these plants were used for “back in the day.”
We mention mushrooms like morels and chicken of the woods, but don’t worry—we didn’t pretend to be experts. We also tip our hats to Whitney from The Appalachian Forager and shout out a few other folks who know their pawpaw from their pokeweed. There’s way too much to cover in one episode, but this one’s a good start for anyone curious about what’s growing right under their nose.
- Appalachian Forager
- Top 35 Foraging Influencers
- Three Camping Recipes With an Appalachian Twist
- Is Clover Edible?
- How to Harvest and Roast Chicory
- Dandelion Root Coffee
- American Pennyroyal
- Foraging in the Appalachian Mountains
Have a great week!
See ya soon!
Follow us on YouTube! Sister Sharpens Sister
Music and sound effects by Pixabay
Cover art designed in Canva
39 min - Where's the Ketchup?!? You CAN Get Organized!
Ever wonder how America ended up with more storage units than Starbucks? Or why organizing your junk became a full-blown career path? In this episode, we dig into the surprisingly massive world of organization—from binge-worthy YouTube queens like Cass from Clutterbug and The Minimal Mom to the Netflix-immortalized Marie Kondo (does it spark joy or just collect dust?).
We drop some Bible verses that might encourage tidiness (or at least guilt you into vacuuming), the hilarious realities of organizing with husbands who can't find the ketchup, and how your "organizational bug" might just change with your stage of life. (Spoiler: toddlers = tornado mode.)
Whether you're a Monica Geller at heart or just trying to clear a path through the laundry, this episode is your permission slip to laugh, purge, and maybe even take Cass’s bug quiz.
🎧 Click play and let's declutter the chaos—one junk drawer at a time!
- Largest Generation
- How to organize your fridge
- Over Organizing leads to clutter
- Top 5 Organizing Influencers
- What's Your Organizing Style?
- Clutterbug YouTube
- Do It On A Dime YouTube
- The Minimal Mom YouTube
- Top 35 Organizing Influencers in 2025
- How to become a Professional Organizer
- NAPO
Have a great week!
See ya soon!
Follow us on YouTube! Sister Sharpens Sister
Music and sound effects by Pixabay
Cover art designed in Canva
1 hr 3 min
About Sister Sharpens Sister
From the publisher's feed
Our podcast is inspired by Proverbs 27:17, which states, 'As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.' We hold the belief that when we come together and discuss our goals, we have the power to sharpen each other's abilities to help us become the women we aspire to be.
Real sisters. Real talk. Real life. We cover an array of topics including family, relationships, literature, marriage, children, and a whole lot more!
Formally known as: MY STRONG SISTERS