Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park (Home to a Conspiracy)

This episode welcomes an exceptional guest - Josh Eilert, the head coach of West Virginia University men's basketball. As we journey through his life, from a small town in Kansas to leading a Division 1 team, be prepared for a lesson in resilience, determination, and the beauty of sports. Hearing about his experiences as an interim head coach and the heartfelt advice he offered his team - is truly inspiring.

Get ready to learn about the intricacies of building a successful basketball program. We go beyond the basketball court, discussing Josh's invaluable role in fostering strong relationships within the program and navigating the waters of recruiting high-profile players. Also, don't miss out on our discussion about the late starters in college basketball recruitment and the impact of the new Big 12 schedule.

Lastly, we delve into the art of creating a unified basketball team. Gain insights from Josh's extraordinary visit to Rayquan Battle's reservation and learn about the dedication it took to ensure his transfer to West Virginia University. Discover information on top talents like Kerr Crease and Jesse Edwards. This episode is a treasure trove of information that any sports enthusiast or admirer of leadership skills will find invaluable. Don't miss your chance to listen to the new coach and an even better man, Josh Eilert.

Join us as we uncover the intriguing history and luxurious offerings of West Virginia's premier destination, the Greenbrier Resort, with special guest Cam Huffman, the Director of Public Relations. Prepare to be amazed by the resort's rich history, dating back to 1778, when the healing properties of the White Sulphur Springs first attracted visitors, leading to the development of the now 11,000-acre property. From golf and spa treatments to the mysterious Cold War-era bunker tour, there's something for everyone at this iconic destination.

Our exploration with Cam dives into the Greenbrier's connection with legendary golfer Sam Snead and the wide range of accommodations and amenities available for guests of all types. Discover how the resort caters to both casual and formal guests while maintaining its family-friendly atmosphere. As we uncover more about the property, you'll be captivated by its unique offerings, such as the ancient sport of falconry and the hidden-in-plain-sight bunker built to house the US government during a nuclear attack.

To bring this fascinating conversation to a close, we challenge Cam and James to a West Virginia trivia showdown, proving their knowledge of the state. With laughter and friendly competition, this lively debate puts both their trivia skills to the test. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about the Greenbrier Resort and the wonders it has to offer. So sit back, relax, and join us on this exciting journey through one of West Virginia's hidden gems.

Located in the Ohio River is one of the most unique state parks that West Virginia has to offer.  While some of the standard state park attractions such as hiking and fishing will draw some visitors in, it is the history of this fascinating island that will draw most of the visitors.  Home to Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett in the late 1800's, a replica of their home stands today.  The real draw comes from their partnership with Aaron Burr who was full of scandalous events including a major step towards treason according to some at this very island.  So, join us as we head to Parkersburg, WV for this exciting trip.

This episode takes us to Heritage Farm.  Founded in 1973 by Mike and Heriella Perry this former farm has become one of the most intriguing places to visit in our great state.  From touring any of the seven museums to having an adventure with one of their many outdoor activities, this place has it all.  This is definitely a great place for the entire family since it has something for everyone and will keep you occupied all day.  If you would like more information on this fantastic location go to Heritage Farm website.

Located in the hills of West Virginia stands the world's largest radio telescope.  The Green Bank Observatory has been one of the most sought-after locations for radio research in the world.  Since the 1980's many new space discoveries have been made at this facility, and it is definitely a location that needs to be on your bucket list of places to travel to.  Join James and Jerry as they bring you more information of this amazing place.

In this first episode of Season 3, James and Jerry journey to Mineral County, West Virginia.  Why Mineral County?  This is where the city of Fort Ashby is located and home to the Ashby's Fort Museum.  After taking in this historical location built during the French and Indian War, we had the fantastic opportunity to interview Randy Crane who is a volunteer curator for the museum.   What we found out on our visit was, although it is a small-town museum, it provides a wealth of information to any and all who visit. For more information about the location, hours of operation, and directions we have attached their website.  Simply click this link for quick access to their site: Fort Ashby.

On this episode, we focus on a small village with a whole lot of history that is still on display to this day.  Built by immigrants from Switzerland and Germany in 1869.  This village and its citizens pressed through many uphill battles to exist.  Thanks to those strong people, the traditions and village are proudly on display to this day by their ancestors.  From celebrations to food and from hard work to the buildings still standing Helvetia stands as a historic tribute to those who built it.

For this episode, we wanted to have a little fun as we are now in October and Halloween is quickly approaching.  Our main focus of this episode is some of the creatures (monsters) that have become part of our state's folklore.  We will not only talk about these creatures but also share where they were spotted in case you would like to visit the area yourself.  Also included is the number 1 haunted location in our state to visit along with a list of other spooky places in our great state.  We hope you enjoy this lighthearted episode as much as we did.

In our final podcast of season 2, we end with one of the most famous soldiers from West Virginia.  C. Carwood Lipton was a member of "Easy Company" that was portrayed in the HBO hit series "Band of Brothers".  We were very excited for his son to join us on this episode to help give more detail to not just the soldier but the man.