The Mountain Spirit

Today we hear from Aaron Thoms, manager of CAP's Operation Sharing program. Aaron shares his CAP journey and the origins of Operation Sharing. Over the course of 30 plus years, Operation Sharing has delivered more than $2 billion worth of donated materials to more than 1.5 million people across all 13 Appalachian states and two Ozark states, Arkansas and Missouri. The program receives gift-in-kind donations to distribute from caring partners and corporations at warehouses in Corbin and Paintsville, Kentucky. These donations often include, but are not limited to: food, office supplies, household supplies, furniture, beverages, building supplies, hygiene items, and clothing. CAP's Operation Sharing Program partners with a network of more than 1,300 nonprofit organizations, community-based agencies, schools, and churches throughout the Appalachian region to deliver hope to people in need through the distribution of essential items.  Learn more about Operation Sharing today: Become an Operation Sharing Partner | Christian Appalachian Project  Read about CAP's Christmas toy disribution.  Sign up to be a partner today. 

In today's episode of The Mountain Spirit, we sit down with Tom Vicini, President and CEO of Operation UNITE, to discuss the critical work being done to combat addiction and support recovery in Appalachia. With over 17 years of leadership at UNITE and decades of community service, Vicini shares insights into the challenges and successes of prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives in the region. Learn how innovative programs and grassroots efforts are making a difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by substance use, and hear Vicini’s vision for building healthier, drug-free communities. Visit Operation UNITE website: Operation UNITE

In this episode, we welcome Sandi Curd, Engagement Director at Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation and a trailblazer in community and economic development in Appalachia. Dr. Curd shares her wealth of experience working with local governments, nonprofits, and federal agencies to drive innovation and growth in Eastern Kentucky. Sandi discusses strategies for fostering collaboration as we address the region’s unique challenges. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about transforming Appalachia’s economic landscape and empowering its people. Visit Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation website: Home - KHIC | Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation

Today's guest is Robyn Renner, director of Disaster Relief at CAP. Robyn shares the ways she serves God during times of disaster, leaning on her faith to help others. She has been on the ground during hurricanes from Katrina to Helene, she has mucked out homes during flooding in her home state of Kentucky, and even built homes in Haiti and El Salvador. From facing disaster of her own to traveling across the world to help people in need, Robyn continues to live out her faith every day. 

Today's guest is Matt Smith, lead pastor of Believers Church in Johnson City, TN, professor of Sociology at Big Sandy Community and Technical College, and a life-long Appalachian. Matt shares his struggle with substance use, and how God's call has been weaved throughout different moments in his journey.  Visit Believers Church website here. Connect with Believers Church channels here.

Jackie Collier, CAP's first female chair of the board, kicks off Season 5 of The Mountain Spirit podcast. Today we get to hear about Jackie's leadership style and her career journey which led her into many positions of influence as the first woman in various leadership roles at both CAP and Berea College.

Today's guest is Dave Harl, an award-winning filmmaker and producer. Dave has traveled the world filming documentary films from interviewing World War II veterans in Japan to exploring non-profit work in India. Dave calls Kentucky home and has also produced years of video content for Christian Appalachian Project.  Visit Pinnacle Productions website here.  Watch Dave's videos on Vimeo. 

Our guest this week is Nate Clark, who works in the accounting department of Texas Roadhouse restaurants. Texas Roadhouse is a corporate sponsor of CAP's Hunger Walk event each September and has been sending corporate mission groups to volunteer in Appalachia every year since 2008. Having been on many of these service trips, Nate reflects on the impacts of volunteerism and his passion for taking care of others who are in need.  

Our guest this week on The Mountain Spirit is renowned photographer, Warren Brunner. Warren moved to Appalachia and captured important photographs of people and their struggles. He is known for his celebrated work documenting the War on Poverty in the 1960's. Listen to Warren describe his time in Appalachia photographing everything from coal mines to Mother Teresa, following Fr. Beiting as he worked on early CAP programing and capturing different places of worship across the entire region.  View Warren's work archives at Berea College  here.  View Warren's books here. 

This week's episode continues our Anniversary season of The Mountain Spirit with special guest Joyce Marks. Joyce is the director of the Jackson County Food Bank in McKee, KY. She and her husband came to Appalachia to work for Christian Appalachian Project during its earlier days, leading them to be instrumental in the construction of Camp AJ, and other early CAP initiatives. Together, they raised nine kids in Eastern Kentucky. Listen as Joyce shares what has sustained her passion for serving people in need in Appalachia. 

August 2024, Christian Appalachian Project turns 60 years old We are celebrating our anniversary with a special season of the podcast. Join us as we kick off season four with CAP's president and CEO, Guy Adams. Throughout his early adult life, Guy discovered the Appalachian heritage of his family and began to feel God equipping him for work in philanthropy, making a difference for people in need. Guy's journey came full circle when he was asked to become CAP's president, bringing hope to people in need through service. Hear more of his incredible journey and listen to the insight he has to share about leading in difficult times and remaining focused on service to others. 

Our guest today is Pastor Chris Kimbro, lead pastor of King’s River Worship Center and director of Community Bridge. Originally from Kentucky, Chris moved to West Viriginia, where he would become a pastor and start a family. Now Chris and his church have been transforming the lives of people in need in their community.  King's River Worship Center website Community Bridge website

Our guest is Jared Arnett, Pastor of Teaching and Leadership at New Beginnings Fellowship Church. Jared is a lifelong Appalachian who lives in the region by choice. He has been involved in several initiatives and has rarely had a job that existed prior to him stepping into it. Listen to Jared as he shares his journey as a leader in Appalachia, constantly creating new possibilities in the region.  Learn more about New Beginnings Fellowship Church Learn more about Jared and his ongoing endeavers Learn more about SOAR (Shaping Our Appalachian Region)

Michaela Fisher grew up in Appalachia, attending camp at CAP's Camp Shawnee, and cultivating a deep commitment to serving others. Now, she helps children and families in need as a mental health counselor with CAP's Family Life Counseling Services. Join us on this special episode as Michaela articulates the stigma surrounding mental health in Appalachia and how she is working to break the cycle of generational trauma in our region.  Read Michaela's story in The Mountain Spirit magazine. Watch Michaela speak about the importance of mental health during the holiday season. 

On today's episode of The Mountain Spirit, we hear from Lauren McCoart, Director of Prestonsburg Tourism in Prestonsburg, KY. Lauren is a lifelong Appalachian with a desire to expose others to the rich beauty of her region. Learn more about the attractions in Prestonsburg, KY and the larger Appalachian region.  Prestonsburg Tourism. Pikeville Tourism. Paintsville Tourism. 

Today's episode of The Mountain Spirit podcast features Elmer Whitaker, President/CEO of Whitaker Bank. Elmer talks with us about his family's legacy and how he is equipping leaders in Appalachia through Leadership Kentucky. Learn more about Leadership Kentucky here. 

Today's guest is Nicky Stacy. Nicky works at the Hazel Green Food Project in Hazel Green, KY. The Hazel Green Food Project serves countless participants who come to their facility from the immediate and surrounding counties. Listen to Nicky's stories of hope as she explains why she is here to serve. 

Today's guest is April Points, a Philanthropy Support Specialist with Christian Appalachian Project. April grew up in Harlan County hearing about the hardships of natural disaster, and jumped at the opportunity to help people in need when floods affected Eastern Kentucky in 2022. Volunteering with her church, April served her Appalachian neighbors in need. Volunteering led April to find even more opportunities to make a difference every single day.  Learn about the 2022 floods here. Read about volunteers and their impact during the 2022 floods in CAP's 2022 Annual Report.  

On this final episode of Season Two, our guest is Octavia Sexton, an Appalachian writer and storyteller. Octavia is an educator and advocate for preserving Appalachian culture, who challenges stereotypes of what it means to be Appalachian. Learn more about Octavia on her website. Also read about Octavia in The Mountain Spirit Magazine.   

This week's episode of The Mountain Spirit podcast features Chrysta Ghent from the East Kentucky Science Center and Varia Planetarium. Chrysta shares how her love of science propels her to provide science education to people in Appalachia. Join us in discovering the wonder of science taking place at this hidden gem in Eastern Kentucky.  Visit the East Kentucky Science Center and Varia Planetarium on Facebook. Visit the East Kentucky Science Center and Varia Planetarium's website.