This Conversation

This conversation with "Eric" begins a four part series focusing on alcoholism. Many estimates say that one adult in ten of American adults is an alcoholic.

Eric's story is one of a high-functioning alcoholic who operated mostly under the radar until a serious health issue ultimately led him to Alcoholics Anonymous and sobriety.

He learned that alcoholism is a disease. He agreed to this interview in the hopes of broadening understanding of the struggles of alcoholism -- and, perhaps, to help a listener who might recognize the symptoms and get help before hitting rock bottom.

In part 2, "Sally's" story is a stark contrast to Eric's. In Sally's case, she was controlled by the disease from the very first drink and behaved in very dangerous behaviors as a result. Her story about how she decided to get help is powerful and profound, but the struggle continued.

In part 3, we talk with "Jane" whose story is not about being an alcoholic. It's about living with and loving others who are alcoholics and learning ways to cope.

We conclude the four-part series by talking with an expert on addition. We'll talk about the ways in which alcoholism is a disease and what strategies may or may not work with getting sober.

If you -- or someone you know -- may be looking for help in dealing with alcoholism, please contact Alcoholics Anonymous, Al Anon, or ACoA (Adult Children of Alcoholics).

There are weekly meetings everywhere, available through searching for the organizations above, and help is also available thru Zoom meetings for those who prefer.

Mentioned in this episode:

WEHC 90.7 FM is the Voice of Southwest Virginia.

Police in Saltville arrested a man for disorderly conduct for trying to sit at a table designated for "Press" at the Saltville Town Council Meeting on July 9, 2024. David Huff said he was a reporter. The police officer did not accept the Press Pass he showed that identified him with a website. Mr. Huff was given approval for a court-appointed attorney at his arraignment date on July 17, 2024. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 4, 2024 in Smyth County District Court in Marion, VA.

This interview explores the question, "Who is a reporter?"  The guest is Megan Rhyne, Director of the Virginia Coalition on Open Government. 

Here is a link to video taken during the arrest.

https://youtu.be/44vlcmd9MYQ?si=BTnSEOl5nb7Kw0uq

Mentioned in this episode:

WEHC 90.7 FM is the Voice of Southwest Virginia.

Odd connections: St. Paul attorney, activist and author Frank Kilgore died on Sunday, July 14. On July 15, former president Donald Trump picked JD Vance as his VP running mate for the Republican ticket in the Presidential race for November 2024.

This show is a rerun of the October 2022 interview with Frank Kilgore about his book JD Vance is a Fake Hillbilly. Kilgore's book was in response to JD Vance's 2016 book Hillbilly Elegy.

Kilgore believed that Vance's book presented unfair stereotypes of people in the coalfields of Appalachia. He didn't like the book -- and made that very clear, both in his book and in this interview.

Since we, unfortunately, could not ask Kilgore to do an interview about Vance's selection as Trump's running mate, this rerun will have to serve.

Mentioned in this episode:

WEHC 90.7 FM is the Voice of Southwest Virginia.

Scientists are constantly searching for ways to reduce the amount of carbon in the air to help combat climate change.

In this episode, Dr. Alex Lewis talks about Electro-Active Technologies, the company he co-founded in Knoxville, TN, and the initiative to produce carbon-free hydrogen energy. The sophisticated process relies on microbes eating massive amounts of food waste.

Electro-Active Technologies has been awarded major support from the Department of Energy as the company looks for weighs to scale up the process for industrial and municipal use.

Alex shares his scientific and personal journey -- and his connection to Washington County Virginia -- in this wide-ranging conversation.

Mentioned in this episode:

WEHC 90.7 FM is the Voice of Southwest Virginia.

The Mel Leaman Free Medical Clinic is located in Marion, Virginia and serves those without insurance from Washington, Smyth, and Grayson Counties.

The Mel Leaman Free Clinic offers general medical care and includes oral surgery, orthopedic care, mental health counseling, flu shots, free lab work, and free medicines. Volunteer professors and clinicians from Emory & Henry's College of Health Science work at the clinic and allow supervised graduate students to work with patients.

The clinic is located at 601 Radio Hill in Marion, Virginia -- behind the emergency entrance of the former Smyth County hospital. Patients are encouraged to walk in for help and may also call the clinic at 276-781-2090 for an appointment and/or more information.

Mentioned in this episode:

WEHC 90.7 FM is the Voice of Southwest Virginia.

Appalachian Sustainable Development is bringing a new $12 million dollar farm to Washington County, Virginia.

In this conversation, ASD Director of Development Sylvia Crum brings to life the vision of helping farmers expand the market for their products to the entire Northeast region -- so they make more money, farming practices are improved, and the regional economy grows.

Mentioned in this episode:

WEHC 90.7 FM is the Voice of Southwest Virginia.

Pop Quiz:

What's the difference between a county attorney and a commonwealth attorney?

That's how this interview begins and moves on to the duties of a county attorney, including responsibilities related to Washington County's proposed solar farm.

Brandon Snodgrass walks us through his journey to the County Attorney's Office and the reward he finds in his work.

Mentioned in this episode:

WEHC 90.7 FM is the Voice of Southwest Virginia.

Why would a D-I coach take a paycut for a job at a small university in southwest Virginia? You'll find the answer in This Conversation with Emory & Henry's new head basketball coach Jimmy Allen.

According to Emory & Henry news:

"Jimmy Allen ’93 has been selected as the next Head Men’s Basketball Coach. Allen returns to his alma mater with 31 years of coaching experience and a career head coaching record of 195-182 in 13 seasons.

A four-year letterwinner for the Wasps between 1989-93 under legendary head coach Bob Johnson, Allen led the Wasps to four-straight NCAA Division III Tournament berths including a Sweet 16 appearance as a senior. He was inducted into the Emory & Henry Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. Allen received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in accounting from E&H in 1993.

Allen joins the E&H staff after spending the 2023-24 season as the Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach at the University of New Hampshire alongside head coach Nathan Davis who was part of Johnson’s staff at Emory & Henry in 1997-98.

Before his time in Durham, N.H., Allen was the head coach for Army West Point for seven seasons. In Allen’s last four seasons, he guided Army to a 59-57 overall record and a 36-32 Patriot League record, which signified the first four-year class to graduate with a winning league record since Army joined the Patriot League in 1979. The Black Knights won 17 games in Allen’s final season at Army – the second most wins since 1978. "

Mentioned in this episode:

WEHC 90.7 FM is the Voice of Southwest Virginia.

Chris Kolakowski is Director of Wisconsin Veterans Memorial and author of three books on military history. He's also a graduate of Emory & Henry College.

In this interview, Chris traces his path from growing up in Fredericksburg, Va. through Emory & Henry and into the world of presenting history to the public.

Mentioned in this episode:

WEHC 90.7 FM is the Voice of Southwest Virginia.

Karen Baker, a current resident of Floyd County, Virginia, brings a background as a trial lawyer and an Administrative Law Judge to her campaign to unseat Virginia's 9th District Congressman Morgan Griffith.

In this interview, she talks about her desire to serve people with examples of national laws she helped change related to age discrimination -- and how she prepared for nursing school while serving as a law judge.

In this episode of This Conversation, she addresses major national issues related to the Israel-Gaza war, student protests, reproductive rights, and the major differences she sees between Republicans and Democrats.

Mentioned in this episode:

WEHC 90.7 FM is the Voice of Southwest Virginia.