Almost Heaven, Always Us

Almost Heaven, Always Us

Almost Heaven, Always Us is a love letter to West Virginia — told one story at a time. Hosted by a husband-and-wife duo from Morgantown, this podcast explores the Mountain State’s people, places, history, culture, and folklore. Some episodes dive deep into local legends and unsolved mysteries. Others feature heartfelt interviews with West Virginians who are building something special in their communities. And sometimes… it’s just us, laughing through a good story or remembering what it’s like to grow up Appalachian. Almost Heaven isn’t just where we’re from. It’s how we live, Always Us!

Episodes

August 11, 2025 42 mins

The West Virginia State Fair 2025 just celebrated its 100th anniversary, and we went all-in to see if it really lives up to the hype. From fried food favorites like cinnamon rolls, strawberry shortcake, donuts, pizza, funnel cakes, nachos, and the famous corn on the cob… to midway rides that’ll test your stomach, adorable farm animals, and one-of-a-kind shows like Sea Lion Splash and the Moogician (yes, that’s magic + cows)… we tri...

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Join Corey and Kelsey as they uncover one of West Virginia’s best kept secrets — Audra State Park. Tucked away in the rolling hills of Barbour County, Audra offers a mix of adventure, history, and natural beauty that few places can match.

In this episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us:

  • We set up camp right on the Middle Fork River, with the kids riding bikes and scooters through the campground like it’s the summer of ’95.

  • We hike the...

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What will West Virginia look like 20 years from now?

In this brutally honest episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us, Corey and Kelsey Kimble explore the future of West Virginia and what life could look like in 2045. From shrinking populations and aging communities to disappearing jobs and struggling small towns, we take a clear-eyed look at the challenges ahead — and where we still see hope.

You’ll hear us break down:

  • Why West Virgin...

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Ep31: West Virginia's Weirdest Toy Craze + “Am I the Jackwagon?” + Cryptids Write In To Reddit?We kick things off with a heated Appalachian family debate — Elkins' man writes in wondering if he’s the Jackwagon for refusing to lend his prized smoker to his sister-in-law. Selfish… or safeguarding the brisket?Then we dive into the creepiest-cute collectible craze sweeping West Virginia — Labubu. These bizarre little gremlin-lo...

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🎥 West Virginia Is AMAZING For These 30 Reasons!Welcome to the ultimate love letter to the Mountain State! Whether you’re a proud West Virginian or just caught feelings for Appalachia… this video breaks down 30 jaw-dropping, hilarious, heartfelt, and underrated reasons why West Virginia is one of the most unique places in America.From wild festivals and haunted asylums to towns of millionaires, national parks, and THAT song we all...

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What if the key to restoring your hometown… isn’t reinvention, but remembrance?In this episode, we visit Bramwell, West Virginia — once a coal boomtown, now a living example of what happens when people refuse to let their past be forgotten.At the heart of it all is Betty Goins, a lifelong resident who’s spent decades preserving the town’s beauty, history, and spirit. From millionaire mansions to ATV tourism, Bramwell’s revival show...

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Join us on an unforgettable journey to Bramwell, West Virginia — once home to more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in America! In this episode, we explore what makes this tiny Appalachia town one of the Mountain State’s most fascinating hidden gems.From Gilded Age mansions to ATV culture, peaceful streets to deep coal heritage, Bramwell offers a blend of history and adventure that feels both surreal and deeply grounded. ...

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In this episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us, we share our personal journey across five West Virginia towns—Petersburg, Scherr, Keyser, Huntington, and Morgantown (twice)—and how each one helped shape our relationship, our identity, and eventually this podcast.Whether you're from the Mountain State or just curious about what it's like to live in West Virginia, this is a real, heartfelt look at small towns, big moves, and the...

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We’re tackling the question that’s divided West Virginians for decades:Is the Eastern Panhandle really part of West Virginia? 🤔 Spoiler: We say yes!We risk it all and visit Reddit 🤯 to try to figure out if the Eastern Panhandle really belongs to WV 🏔️ or if it’s basically Maryland in disguise 👀. And Reddit responds with Big opinions, wild comments😤 and one mysterious troll who might know us personally?? 😳We also start the pep...

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If you know, you know!...You ever been personally victimized by a WV pothole?Or judged a stranger based solely on where they get their pepperoni rolls?Or played cornhole at a wedding, while wearing camo and singing country roads?Then this list is for you.In our 25th episode, we’re counting down 25 things only true West Virginians understand—the inside jokes, funny habits, and hometown truths that will make you say....if you know, y...

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Big Ugly. Booger Hole. Odd.Yes, these are real places in West Virginia—and they’re just the beginning.In this episode, we rank the strangest, funniest, and most head-scratching community names in the Mountain State. From the haunted hills of Booger Hole to the tasty tale behind Pie, WV, we’re exploring the wild side of West Virginia geography.This episode will have you laughing, cringing, and googling, and planning a trip.Hit play ...

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Don’t let summer slip away — this is your ultimate West Virginia bucket list.From mountain festivals to river floats, pepperoni rolls to porch sittin’ — we’re giving you 10 unforgettable ways to make the most of Almost Heaven this summer. Whether you're a lifelong local or just passing through, this guide is packed with real places, real dates, and real WV charm.✅ Festivals you can’t miss✅ Secret swim spots✅ Must-try food stops...

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What do people REALLY want to know about West Virginia? From moonshine and Mothman to pepperoni rolls and country roads, this episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us is your one-stop-shop for the most Googled, misunderstood, and downright hilarious questions people ask about life in the Mountain State.We brought in our Montana-born friend to read off real questions from outsiders — and we answered them with unfiltered Appalachian hones...

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Chad Nicholson is on a mission to visit all 55 counties in West Virginia—with his wife and kids in tow.

In this episode, we sit down with Chad, a Morgantown dad and logger, who’s already explored 47 counties and uncovered some of the Mountain State’s best-kept secrets. From backroad gems to unforgettable food spots, Chad shares the stories, laughs, and lessons learned from the road.

Whether you're a lifelong West Virginian or jus...

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🔥 “You Might Be From WV If…” | 20 Hilarious Signs You’re a True West Virginian 🔥Are you a Mountain State native or just passing through? In our 20th episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us, we’re counting down 20 unmistakable signs you were born and raised in West Virginia. From floating the river in a tube to swearing sweet tea is a human right—this one’s packed with laughs, nostalgia, and all the little quirks that make us who we a...

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We’re putting WV’s strangest legends head-to-head! In this episode, we draft our teams from the state’s most famous (and infamous) monsters, then simulate a battle to find out who comes out on top. Who gets Mothman? Who drafts Sheepsquatch? Will Bigfoot carry the squad, or does Flatwoods Monster float to victory? Grab a snack and join us for this hilarious, over-the-top showdown—then cast your vote for the champion!#WVCryptidDraft ...

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They Swear It Happened
Five stories from the hills of West Virginia.
Three are absolutely true.
Two are completely made up.

In this special episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us, I present five wild, mysterious, and dramatic stories pulled from West Virginia’s folklore, history, and imagination. My wife has to guess which ones are real — and which ones I cooked up.

We’ve got:
• A woman who came back to life before her own f...

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55 Counties, 55 Voice Series: Monongalia CountyWhat happens when someone follows a calling to a place they barely know?In this episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us, we sit down with Pastor Jason Sheffstall, who moved to Monongalia County over 20 years ago and founded more than just a church — he found purpose, community, and a home in the hills of West Virginia.We talk about what makes Mon County more than just a college town, the s...

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We taste-tested some of the wildest West Virginia chip flavors ever created — and yes, one of them is literally MOTHMAN flavored. 🦇From Biscuits & Gravy to Pepperoni Roll, and even mysterious flavors like "304 Style" and "1951 Recipe", we put these legendary Mister Bee chips to the test and tier-ranked them for all of WV to judge.Things got heated, our taste buds got confused, and honestly... WV might disow...

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🎶West Virginia has a rich musical heritage, and few capture its soul quite like Joe Crites. A singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Petersburg, WV, Joe weaves the stories of the Mountain State into his songs, making every lyric feel like home.In this episode, we dive into Joe’s journey—from his early days in music to performing on local stages and writing songs that embody the heart of West Virginia. We talk about the power of st...

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