Rednecks Rising

This episode is the audio edition of I Saw God in the Anarchists: On Surviving Helene, Building Heaven on Earth, and Seeing God in Each Other, an essay that was published in September of 2025.For more work by Rednecks Rising Media, and to support our work, you can find us at rednecksrising.com and on our linktree.We would love to work with you! Please reach out about joining us for an interview on the podcast, or submitting your work for sharing on the substack, by sending an email to rednecksrising@proton.me.--------Resources included in this episode:- A Paradise Built in Hell by Rebecca Solnit- "What the flood waters left" by Maddie Ellis- Another Carolina Anarchist Bookfair Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

This episode is extra special, featuring a guest who has been partnering with us to amplify the voices of Helene survivors by helping us to collect, curate, and publish our stories through our anthology project From the Holler to the Sea: Cheyanne Leonardo, out of East Tennessee.Cheyanne & I discuss the role of art as vital tool for both healing and revolution, and critique the myths of "perfectionism" and "one right way" that are upheld in the realm of academia and prevent so many of us from reclaiming our right to creativity. We dig into the modern reality of global polycrisis and explore the concepts of global solidarity and global liberation.You can support us in bringing From the Holler to the Sea: The Anthology to life via our kickstarter at kck.st/3ECbgjsSubmit your written or visual art contributions to be included in the anthology by emailing dithyrambler@dandelionscribes.com.---------Resources mentioned in this episode:From the Holler to the Sea Digital Collection, published February 2025Rachel Clift -- rcliftpoetry.com | instagram: @r.cliftpoetryMore on Pratt & Whitney in Buncombe CountyMore from the report disclosing the impact of P&W's construction on the French Broad RiverMore on P&W's role in the defense industryMore on the USA's foreign military financing program Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

It's Mutual Aid March for our third episode of 2025! We sit down with friends out of West Virginia who tell us about their super cool project known as "The Holler House," where they are reclaiming culture and crafting space that serves as a portal for community from birth to death and all that comes in between. Our conversation explores the idea that almost everybody (including you--yes, you!) is already doing mutual aid in one form or another, they just don't call it that necessarily. And we talk about the key ingredient of mutual aid magic: human relationships, with all their messiness and vulnerability.You can support this podcast at www.ko-fi.com/rednecksrising; for all the places you can find us, check out our linktree. If you want to share your story on the show, get in touch with us at rednecksrising@gmail.com.To stay in touch with today's guests and support their work at the Holler House, contact them at hollerhouse@proton.me.For more on Mutual Aid Disaster Relief, check out their website: mutualaiddisasterrelief.org. Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

For our second episode of the year, we spend our time (maybe predictably?) on a soapbox almost entirely about Hurricane Helene. Chelsea sits down with our friend Alice to vent about the social infrastructure that was already failing prior to the catastrophe caused by the storm, and which was almost entirely wiped out by the storm's impact. Alice shares the government's recently announced plan to surface mine the French Broad River in order to restore access to I-40 as soon as possible, and we roast the American dependency on personal motor vehicles.You can support this podcast at www.ko-fi.com/rednecksrising; for all the places you can find us, check out our linktree.If you want to share your story on the show, get in touch with us at rednecksrising@gmail.comREFERENCES FOR TODAY'S SHOW:Britannica: Hurricane HeleneUSA Today: Helene was one of the deadliest storms in recent history. How it devastated the SoutheastIPCC Report, March 2023FCC Helene DashboardNC Health News: Rural water utilities in North Carolina are still reeling from HeleneAP News: Millions still without power from Helene as flooding continues Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

Hey guys! It’s Sierra. This won’t be a typical episode or even very long, but this will hopefully be the first of the daily updates I’m hoping to share here directly from Chelsea. Thank you for listening, love you guys. Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when the very land we live on exposes the multigenerational trauma being experienced at the hands of white supremacist state violence? What is it called when peaceful protestors are murdered by law enforcement to protect state interests? How do we respond when even the most “progressive” politicians end up bought out by the very entities they claim to stand against?We had to jump through hoops to get this episode to publish for listening -- multiple digital transfers, various friends helping with editing, files mysteriously corrupting. It was worth every second and every helping hand -- in this episode, we hear from powerful organizers and faith leaders on the frontlines of the Stop Cop City movement: Reverand Keyanna Jones Moore, Minister Matthew Johnson, musician River-Michael, and the mother of the late activist known as Tortuguita, Belkis Terán. They share with us a 101 introduction to what's happening in so-called "Cop City" in Atlanta (as just one of many such training facilities in 47 states across the United States of America) and we explore the state's strategy that combinescreating more poverty by divesting from communities and unraveling safety net programs;criminalizing poverty with "crack downs" on homelessness, substance use and addiction, etc. and;increased militarization of law enforcement*TRIGGER WARNING - this episode contains dialogue related to historic racial trauma, police brutality, state violence, and mental health. Please take care of yourself when choosing to take in heavy content, and proceed with mindfulness.*You can support this podcast at www.ko-fi.com/rednecksrising; for all the places you can find us, check out our linktree.If you want to share your story on the show, get in touch with us at rednecksrising@gmail.comFOLLOW, LEARN FROM, SUPPORT OUR GUESTS:Reverend Keyanna Jones Moore: InstagramBelkis Terán: InstagramMinister Matthew Johnson: InstagramRiver-Michael: Instagram, Music, Alt Insta, Mixdeity Media, Solidarity SoundscapesTortuguita Healing CenterStop Cop City website Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

Starting off April on the right foot: no fools here, just Chelsea and Tiara sitting down for what was supposed to be a primer on the situation in Palestine, but turned into a conversation that had to go on for two whole days and six hours of content.This is the first of the episodes that came from that content, and in this episode, we get to know Tiara better as a fresh face to cohost the podcast with us. She tells us about the grief that compelled her to stand in at a direct action in solidarity with Palestinians in October, and how that vulnerability in sharing her grief has transformed the lives and hearts of her own family members. We do our best to pull on the threads that are woven between Appalachia and occupied Palestine, and touch on the importance of paying attention, holding space, and reciprocity. We start to dig into the geopolitical history of the land and its people that led to the current genocide, but we cover that much more in depth in next week's episode.*TRIGGER WARNING - this episode contains dialogue related to genocide, settler colonialism, white supremacy, anti-semitism, and violence against human beings (including children)*You can support this podcast at www.ko-fi.com/rednecksrising; for all the places you can find us, check out our linktree.If you want to share your story on the show, get in touch with us at rednecksrising@gmail.comRESOURCES & FURTHER READING:'Jihad' is not a dirty wordWhat Does 'Jihad' Really Mean to Muslims?What does the term 'jihad' mean?PBS Resources for Teaching about IslamWere Israelis Detained on Sept. 11 Spies?More on Israel and 9/11 ConnectionsFalse Flag A series of CIA memos describes how Israeli Mossad agents posed as American spies to recruit members of the terrorist organization Jundallah to fight their covert war against IranPEOPLE TO FOLLOW ON THE GROUND:Motaz Azaiza Saleh AljafarawiIsmail Al DahdouhBisan OwdaWael Al DadouhPlestia Alaqad Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

SEASON TWO is back, this time with two new cohosts to make the show extra fun!In this episode, we introduce our new cohosts that are joining Chelsea on the show: Sierra (from episode 8) and Tiara, two additional loudmouthed and badass Appalachian women to raise hell and make good trouble with us. We declare ourselves a fullblown conspiracy podcast as we touch on everything from Amazon to Kate Middleton to AIPAC to Epstein to the Irish Prime Minister and on and on. As we tend to do in the show, we bring it all full circle around the idea that our liberation is inherently interconnected and none of us are free until al of us are free.*DISCLAIMERS: This podcast SHOULD NOT be considered legal advice at all, even if one of our hosts works for a Public Defense office. If you need legal office, please reach out to a lawyer. Also, this show is for entertainment purposes only; all of our comments are based on the reporting of others and solely represent our opinions, which are not to be represented as factual when we comment on individuals, organizations, or structures.*TRIGGER WARNING: We cuss a lot, so you probably don't want to listen to this on the speakers at work. This episode in particular touches on topics which may be sensitive for some individuals including gun violence, state oppression, and the genocide in Palestine. You can support this podcast at www.ko-fi.com/rednecksrising.If you want to share your story on the show, get in touch with us on socials or at our email, which you can find at linktr.ee/rednecksrising Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

Get ready for SEASON TWO of the Podcast! We've been recalibrating, recentering, and we're back with a helluva episode to kick off the latest round of rabblerowsing redneck comraderie.In this episode, I sit down with friends & neighbors Max and Hil to talk about the community organizing that was catalyzed in Haywood County, NC following a hate-filled attack campaign against our trans neighbors. We describe in detail how effectively and quickly community can come together to show solidarity and create the version of reality that we want to live in. Community Organizing Is For Everyone. May you take in the content of today's episode and start your own journey of holy conspiracy with the folks in your own hollers.*TRIGGER WARNING - this episode contains dialogue related to transphobia, hate and violence, and trauma*Show some love to Hil's cosplay at @sewingsenpai.You can support this podcast at www.ko-fi.com/rednecksrising.If you want to share your story on the show, get in touch with us at rednecksrising@gmail.comRESOURCES & FURTHER READING:More info on NC's HB2 legislation - https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article68401147.html#storylink=cpyMore info on the recent Town Hall/Rec Center scenario in Haywood County - https://smokymountainnews.com/news/item/36091-waynesville-unites-against-hate-and-bigotry-after-false-trans-allegations Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

After a long, unexpected hiatus, the SHOW IS BACK! And on the anniversary of our launch one year ago, no less! In today's anniversary episode, I sit down with Whitni Resides & Mark Brown, the screenwriters of Redneck Army -- a proposal to bring the story of the Battle on Blair Mountain to live on the silver screen. With a focus on all the people involved (including the women and children who made the largest worker rebellion in US history possible), they counter mainstream media's simplification and stereotypical portrayl of Appalachian people and this piece of our history. Don't forget to show them some love on their socials @redneckarmy.You can support this podcast at www.ko-fi.com/rednecksrising Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Black History Month, friends! In today's episode, we kick of this month by sitting down with one of my personal heroes: the brilliant Desiree B. Stephens. Desiree is an antiracist educator, counselor, and coach who creates community & fosters the healing work that is required for somatic decolonization -- she makes shi(f)t happen! In our conversation, Desiree digs into the idea behind her work, "who were you before you were white?" We explore the importance of taking back our power as the collective & ridding ourselves of the shame that comes from being at the bottom of a systemic hierarchy that we have inherited but have not consented to.Please follow & support Desiree at: desireebstephens.com and ko-fi.com/desireebstephensFollow & support this podcast at: linktr.ee/rednecksrising Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's belated episode, we go for more adventures down the rabbit hole of race & labor -- but this time, we brought liquor and fast cars! We travel back to the 1600s together and follow the journey of homemade liquor throughout time and space, and just about every war since colonization began. We touch on the Whiskey Rebellion, the role of Roy Hall in the development of NASCAR, the political campaigns that led to the prohibition era, and just about everything else that we can squeeze into an hour.If you enjoy what you hear in this episode, you can support the show at: http://linktr.ee/rednecksrisingResources & References:1) Take Action with Ash of West Virginia2) Republican states aim to restrict transgender health care in first bills of 20233) Cryptomine in Murphy4) MOONSHINE: A Cultural History of America’s Infamous Liquor by Jaime Joyce5) Tar Heel Lightnin': How Secret Stills and Fast Cars Made North Carolina the Moonshine Capital of the World By Daniel S. Pierce6) Real NASCAR: White Lightning, Red Clay, and Big Bill France By Daniel S. Pierce Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

In our second episode of 2023, we bring Ash Orr onto the show to give us a breakdown of what’s going on in the state legislature in places like West Virginia right now, where the old white dudes with too much power are going wild. Then, we sit down with Jasmine Sherman -- a self-proclaimed Fat, Black Socialist based out of Charlotte, NC who is taking on the system by running as a candidate in the 2024 election for President of the United States.If you enjoy the content of this episode, you can follow & support the show at: linktr.ee/rednecksrisingYou can learn more about Jasmine Sherman's campaign & The Unicorn Party at: fatblacksocialist.comFor updates on the WV state legislature, check out:Ash in WVBlack By GodKyle VassACLU of WV Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

In today's episode, we kick off the new year by digging into the history of the for-profit adoption industry in America. We touch on key players like the Orphan Trains, Georgia Tann, and Appalachia's own Dr. Thomas Hicks. But first! We have some exciting announcements that you don't want to miss, and I take my first swing at covering some current events taking place in West Virginia.This week's episode contains a TW for content related to child trafficking/abuse and issues related to adoption/reproduction/abortion/infertility.If you enjoy the content of this episode, you can support the show at: http://linktr.ee/rednecksrisingResources & References:1) Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate2) https://news4sanantonio.com/news/nation-world/deputy-is-on-leave-after-fatally-striking-13-year-old-with-his-police-cruiser?fbclid=IwAR0-TjItVgNadl1YwNYmn81Jg64v0v-IfJwAa1foNI9YjCNPoX_o7s8GRCE#3) https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/programs/child-welfarechild-labor/orphan-trains/4) https://familytofamilysupport.org/2020/01/29/georgia-tann-legacy/5) https://iu.pressbooks.pub/perspectives4/chapter/the-black-market-behind-adoption-in-modern-america/6) https://www.chattanoogan.com/2020/3/8/404422/Jerry-Summers-Copperhill-McCaysville-s.aspx7) https://www.adoptionbirthmothers.com/adoption-truth/adoption-industry/8) https://shepherdexpress.com/news/features/exposing-the-for-profit-adoption-industry/9) https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2021/10/adopt-baby-cost-process-hard/620258/10) https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2022/07/when-abortion-was-illegal-adoption-was-a-cruel-industry-are-we-returning-to-those-days/11) https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Eugenics-and-Scientific-Racism12) https://ihpi.umich.edu/news/forced-sterilization-policies-us-targeted-minorities-and-those-disabilities-and-lasted-21st13) https://www.chsamerica.org/history Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

In today's episode I chat with my long-time friend, neighbor, & co-conspirator -- Trevor Gates. Trevor is a visually-impaired/blind Appalachian, an aspiring therapist, and an incredible advocate for disability justice & deconstructing ableism in Appalachia and beyond. Our conversation touches on everything from Trevor's personal experiences in advocacy, to the recent election results, the concept of the curb-cut effect, and of course there's so much more.You can find & support Trevor at http://studentsrecover.org as well as on all social media platforms with the handle @thecaneman430You can contribute to keeping Trevor's lights on by throwing some money his way:cashapp - $MrTG23venmo - @MrRoboEyespaypal - @HippieCyborgYou can support this podcast at http://linktr.ee/rednecksrising Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

This bonus episode is a tribute to Transgender Week of Awareness & Transgender Day of Remembrance. In this episode, I talk with Alex Vance -- the author and illustrator of upcoming children's book, "My Wings Are Wrong." Alex speaks on his own experience growing up transgender in West Virginia, how this children's book came to life, his first PRIDE experience, his love for the tight-knit artistic community that comes along with Appalachia, and more.To support and follow Alex: https://www.mywingsarewrong.com/ Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

I sat down with my friend and neighbor, Artie, earlier this week to have a conversation about the past & present of Transgender Appalachians. We touch on the history of gender & gender roles in Appalachia and the influence of Indigenous perspectives of gender in this area. We pay tribute to the stories of Transgender Appalachian ancestors who came before us, like Lucy Hicks Anderson, Carlett Brown Angianlee, & Robert Eads; and we touch on the current political landscape in regards to Queer and Transgender rights and recognition in Appalachia.Please consider taking time to contribute to the Indigenous Peoples of the land on which you find yourself currently listening to this podcast, and learn more about colonialism and decolonization at: https://resourcegeneration.org/land-reparations-indigenous-solidarity-action-guide/---Find & support Artie’s work at:- Pride Education Services Website - (https://www.prideeducationservices.com/)- Project Embodied Welcome - (https://www.facebook.com/embodiedwelcome/?ref=py_c)Purchase a Copy of “Capitalism Stole My Virginity” by J. Santino - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/capitalism-stole-my-virginity-j-santino/1142639506 ---References from today's episode:- “Well we’re fabulous and we’re Appalachians, so we’re fabulachians.” - (https://www.southerncultures.org/article/well-fabulous-appalachians-fabulachians/)- Gender Issues in Appalachia: A Conversation on Changing Attitudes in the Region - (https://www.100daysinappalachia.com/2017/07/gender-issues-appalachia-conversation-changing-attitudes-region/)- Triple Roles of Appalachian Farm Women: Household, Farm, and Wage-Earning - (https://jrre.psu.edu/sites/default/files/2019-07/2-2_4.pdf)- Working-class women are too busy for gender theory - but they’re still feminists - (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/25/feminism-working-class-women-gender-theory-dolly-parton)- Opinion: Appalachia is a Matriarchy - (https://www.breezejmu.org/opinion/opinion-appalachia-is-a-matriarchy/article_e9d160b2-76d2-11eb-8a1d-7b060cd2e9d4.html)- ASEGI STORIES: CHEROKEE QUEER AND TWO-SPIRIT MEMORY BY QWO-LI DRISKILL - (https://apmtbooks.com/collections/lgbtqia/products/cherokee-queer-and-two-spirit-memory-by-qwo-li-driskill)- Invisible History Project (video) - (https://invisiblehistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IHP_Lead_cut-compress.mp4?_=1)- “Trans people have a long history in Appalachia – but politicians prefer to ignore it” - (https://theconversation.com/trans-people-have-a-long-history-in-appalachia-but-politicians-prefer-to-ignore-it-169013)- Rosemary Ketchum and Transgender History in Appalachia - (http://expatalachians.com/rosemary-ketchum-and-transgender-history-in-appalachia)- LGBTQ POLICY SPOTLIGHT: MAPPING LGBTQ EQUALITY IN THE U.S. SOUTH - (https://www.lgbtmap.org/policy-and-issue-analysis/regional-south-tally)---Support this podcast at: http://linktr.ee/rednecksrising Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

In today's episode, I sit down with Andy from the Poor Prole's Almanac Podcast. We dig into the idea of community as the key ingredient to successful, sustainable solutions moving forward as human beings from basic food systems to decision-making and caretaking. Of course, building community with our real neighbors as they are (as opposed to how we wish they were) is where the real challenge lies, and we talk about that, too.You can learn more, as well as support & listen to Poor Prole's at https://linktr.ee/PoorProles---Don't forget to support this podcast at https://linktr.ee/rednecksrising Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe

In today's episode, I sit down with South Asian Appalachian filmmaker, Sujata Day and her debut feature-length film "Definition Please." You might also be familiar with Sujata from The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, or HBO's Insecure. Sujata shares her experiences growing up in Western Pennsylvania and why she loves it so much, and even chose to shoot her film in her hometown. She talks with me about her lifelong love for the arts and how that love was fostered by her community, and the risks she's taken along the way in bringing her film to life. Available only on Netflix, make sure to give "Definition Please" a watch!Support the film & Sujata:- https://www.sujataday.com/- https://twitter.com/sujataday- https://www.instagram.com/sujataday/- Watch Definition Please on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81562958-----You can follow/support this podcast at http://linktr.ee/rednecksrising Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribe