The Hatfield and McCoy feud, fought along the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River in West Virginia and Kentucky, left a trail of violence, betrayal, and tragedy that captured the nation’s attention — and still fascinates us today.

In this episode of The Southern Blueprint Podcast, we uncover the real story behind the Hatfields and McCoys:

• ⚔️ Civil War loyalties that fueled deep animosity.

• 🐖 The infamous Hog Trial that sparked the first sparks of violence.

• 💔 The doomed love affair between Roseanna McCoy and Johnse Hatfield.

• 🔥 The brutal Election Day Fight and New Year’s Night Massacre.

• ⚖️ The Battle of Grapevine Creek and the trials that followed.

• 👨‍👩‍👧 What became of Devil Anse Hatfield, Randall McCoy, Johnse, and other key figures.

We also look at how the feud shaped Appalachian history, what it meant for the communities caught in the crossfire, and how today the story lives on through festivals, historical sites, books, and the History Channel’s miniseries Hatfields & McCoys.

If you’ve ever wondered how this feud began, why it escalated so violently, and how it finally ended, this is the episode for you.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and leave a review to support the show. And if you’d like even more history and exclusive bonus content, join us inside The Hidden Pine Lodge on Patreon.

In the 1970s, Cullen Davis was the wealthiest man ever tried for murder in the United States — a Texas oil heir whose fortune, family drama, and criminal trials gripped the nation. Accused of killing 12-year-old Andrea Wilborn, wounding his estranged wife Priscilla Davis, murdering her boyfriend Stan Farr, shooting Priscilla's friend Bubba Gavrel, and later plotting a judge’s death, Davis faced two explosive trials… and walked away acquitted both times.

In this episode of The Southern Blueprint Podcast, host Matt Swift takes you deep into the Cullen Davis saga — from his oil-rich upbringing and scandalous affairs to the bloody night at Stonegate Mansion and the courtroom battles led by legendary defense attorney “Racehorse” Haynes.

Along the way, you’ll hear how money, power, and influence collided with the Texas justice system in a case that still sparks debate decades later.

Members of The Hidden Pine Lodge, our private $4/month community, get access to exclusive photos, additional details and behind-the-scenes research for this episode — plus articles, bourbon reviews, and our private Discord with channels for bourbon, folklore, history, hiking, fly fishing, and more. Join via Patreon and step inside the lodge.

Join here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/TheHiddenPineLodge

In this gripping true crime episode of The Southern Blueprint Podcast, we unravel the chilling mystery of John and Elizabeth Calvert—a wealthy Hilton Head Island couple who vanished without a trace on March 3, 2008. The last man to see them alive, their accountant Dennis Ray Gerwing, was found dead days later in a luxury hotel, covered in stab wounds and surrounded by suspicion.

Were the Calverts silenced after uncovering financial fraud? Was Gerwing’s violent death really a suicide—or something far more sinister? Join us as we dive deep into the timeline, theories, secrets, and Southern shadows behind one of the Lowcountry’s most haunting unsolved cases.

In this episode of The Southern Blueprint, we crack open one of the wildest true crime tales in bourbon history — the infamous case known as Pappygate. What started as a few missing bottles quickly unraveled into a sprawling investigation involving stolen barrels of rare whiskey, anabolic steroids, black-market dealings, and a close-knit Kentucky community blindsided by betrayal.

At the center of it all? Gilbert “Toby” Curtsinger — a longtime warehouse worker at Buffalo Trace, a devoted family man, gym rat, and recreational softball player, who quietly masterminded one of the most audacious organized theft rings the spirits industry has ever seen. Using his position inside one of the most respected distilleries in the world, Toby slowly siphoned off bottles and barrels of some of the rarest and most valuable bourbon on the market — including the legendary Pappy Van Winkle 20-Year and 23-Year — and sold them to friends, neighbors, and even teammates.

But this wasn’t just about missing bourbon. It was about legacy, trust, and the tightrope walk between small-town loyalty and personal greed. From the front lines of the investigation led by Sheriff Pat Melton, to the sensational headlines, media frenzy, and Toby’s 15-year prison sentence that was reduced to just 30 days thanks to Kentucky’s controversial “shock probation” law — this episode digs into every twist and turn.

We also examine the cultural impact of the heist, how it led to heightened security in the bourbon world, and why bottles of Pappy now feel more myth than spirit. Plus, we unpack the Netflix docuseries Heist, and how it shaped public perception of the man behind the barrels.

So pour a glass, settle in, and join us for a true story of stolen whiskey, Southern charm, and the fine line between a local legend and a criminal empire.

If you love bourbon, true crime, Southern storytelling, or just a damn good tale soaked in secrets and scandal — this one’s for you.

Step into the world of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, the true crime saga that captivated readers and filmgoers alike. In this episode of The Southern Blueprint Podcast, we take a deep dive into the book, the 1997 Clint Eastwood film, and the real-life murder of Danny Hansford at the infamous Mercer-Williams House in Savannah, Georgia.

We’ll explore Jim Williams’ four dramatic trials, the eerie presence of voodoo priestess Minerva, and the tragic deaths that have fueled Savannah’s haunted reputation. Plus, we unravel behind-the-scenes facts about the film, the unforgettable role of The Lady Chablis, and the mysterious legends surrounding the Mercer-Williams House.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ The true story behind Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
✅ How Jim Williams’ historic trials made legal history
✅ The secrets and ghost stories surrounding the Mercer-Williams House
✅ How voodoo and the supernatural played a role in the case
✅ Little-known facts about the book and movie

If you love true crime, Southern Gothic mysteries, and eerie real-life stories, this episode is for you! Tune in now and uncover the chilling tale that put Savannah on the map.

Step into the murky depths of Scape Ore Swamp as we unravel the tale of the Lizard Man, the legendary creature that gripped South Carolina in fear and fascination. From the first chilling encounter in 1988 to the countless sightings that followed, we dive deep into the history, the hype, and the lasting appeal of this mysterious cryptid. Why do people love stories like these, and what keeps the legend alive even today? Join us for a journey through folklore, fear, and the hunt for the unknown.

Join us as we explore the history, the eerie occurrences, and the haunting folklore that continue to keep the legend of the Witch of Yazoo alive. If you’re fascinated by Southern ghost stories, curses, and unexplained mysteries, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Southern Blueprint Podcast, host Matt Swift takes you on a captivating journey through the rebellious world of moonshiners and bootleggers during the Prohibition era. Learn how the 18th Amendment sparked a nationwide black market for alcohol, fueled by Southern ingenuity and the rise of illegal distilleries. We explore the fascinating stories of legendary figures like Amos Owens, Maggie Bailey, Junior Johnson, and Popcorn Sutton, and how their daring efforts not only kept the spirits flowing but also shaped the culture of the American South.

Plus, we’ll be reviewing Old Forester 1920, a bourbon that pays tribute to Prohibition-era whiskey, Southern Distilling Company's Old Hunting Creek Rye, an abandoned label from the late 1800's and sharing fun facts and the legacy of Southern moonshiners. We end the show with the eventual repeal of Prohibition. Tune in for a spirited deep dive into one of the most infamous periods in U.S. history. Cheers!

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Southern Blueprint Podcast!

In this debut episode, we plunge into one of the most intriguing treasure hunts of all time—Byron Preiss' "The Secret: A Treasure Hunt."

We first crack open a tasty Golden Ale from Lost Worlds Brewing called the Eucre and then take a closer look at the five treasure locations buried in the South: Charleston, Roanoke, Houston, New Orleans, and St. Augustine.

Whether you're a treasure hunter or just love Southern lore, join us as we explore these potential burial sites and the madness behind the Secret!

Be sure to visit our website:

⁠https://thesouthernblueprint.com/⁠

Follow us on Instagram:

⁠@thesouthernblueprint⁠

Lost Worlds Brewing:

⁠https://www.lostworldsbeer.com/⁠

Resources:

⁠https://12treasures.com/⁠

⁠https://thesecretatreasurehunt.com/⁠