Episodios

  • Ep. 075: Reflections on Europe, Forgotten America, and the Need for a Hall of Heroes

    Ep. 075: Reflections on Europe, Forgotten America, and the Need for a Hall of Heroes
    May 21 2024
    In this special solo episode, Garrett takes some time to reflect on recent conversations with guests of the Forgotten America podcast and his Spring vacation to Scottland & Ireland. The last few months of guests and travel have driven home the need for West Virginia to have a Hall of Heroes to celebrate its people and its past. This episode is a great reminder of the importance of loving the place you’re from and sharing your passion for it with others. Special Mentions: Edinburgh, Scottland https://edinburgh.org/ Similarities between Scottland and Appalachia https://www.ecoclimax.com/2021/05/the-appalachian-mountains-scottish.html Of course, Scottland would have a history of coal mining! https://edinburgh.org/event/before-and-after-coal/ Adam Smith: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Smith Cliffs of Moher – Ireland https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/ Galway (Irish Nashville) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galway The Burren https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/your-visit/beyond-the-cliffs-places-to-see/the-burren/ Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter
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    33 m
  • Ep. 074: Out of the Paw Paw Patch and into the Mountains

    Ep. 074: Out of the Paw Paw Patch and into the Mountains
    May 7 2024
    Tiffany Hoben is the Director of Education Partnerships & Strategy for the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy. She joins the Forgotten America Podcast to share her motivations for moving from the Sunshine State to the Mountain State, her passion for civics education, and her belief in the importance of feeling rooted in a local community. The Outpost: https://outpostnrg.com/ Florida Civics Standards: https://www.fldoe.org/civicliteracy/ Comments from the Civics Alliance on the 2024 Proposed West Virginia Social Studies Standards: https://civicsalliance.org/letter-comment-on-west-virginia-social-studies-standards/ New River Gorge: https://www.nps.gov/neri/index.htm Parrish, Florida: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parrish,_Florida Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter
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    52 m
  • Ep. 073: Homer Hickam: From McDowell County to Rocket Boy

    Ep. 073: Homer Hickam: From McDowell County to Rocket Boy
    Apr 23 2024
    Homer Hickam is a true West Virginia hero. Raised in Coalwood, a mining town in southern West Virginia, he went on to fight in the Vietnam War, work for NASA, and become a best-selling author. His book, Rocket Boys, was made into the popular movie October Sky. In this episode, he shares with Garrett stories from his life that reveal how his upbringing in West Virginia contributed to his success. Homer tells about the inspiration behind his books, expresses his love for the Appalachian mountains, and gives his thoughts about education, the importance of community, and so much more. He even gives a sneak peek into some upcoming projects that he is working on. Garrett’s conversation with Homer evokes a sense of both comforting familiarity and otherworldliness. This episode of Forgotten America will leave you in awe of how much things have changed since the 40s but also grateful for the resilience of the Mountaineer Spirit. Follow Homer’s work by visiting his website: https://homerhickam.com/ Get a copy of his newest book, Don’t Blow Yourself Up, here: https://homerhickam.com/project/dont-blow-yourself-up/ October Sky (movie adaptation of his memoir, Rocket Boys): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0132477/ Coalwood, WV: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coalwood,_West_Virginia Buddy Ebsen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Ebsen Jake Gyllenhaal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Gyllenhaal Carrying Albert Home: https://homerhickam.com/project/carrying-albert-home/ Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter
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    1 h y 2 m
  • Ep. 072: Hitchhiker’s Guide to Rural America

    Ep. 072: Hitchhiker’s Guide to Rural America
    Apr 9 2024
    This episode of Forgotten America opens with a brief walk down memory lane. Garrett shares how he first met Dr. Thompson at his Moral Foundations of Capitalism seminar at Clemson University. Dr. Thompson’s lecture was a catalyst moment for Garrett that led him down a career path that brought him home to run the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy, a free market think tank. Dr. Bradley Thompson was born in Canada, but he considered himself an American born in the wrong country from a young age. He tells the story of how hitchhiking through the United States was a formative experience for him and explains that he chose to explore rural America this way for two reasons: to discover America and to discover himself. This episode of the Forgotten America podcast explores the origins of Dr. Thompson’s Substack entitled Redneck Intellectual, how COVID impacted a generation of young men and women, what makes classical education unique, and the importance of fatherhood. If you enjoy thinking about the big questions of life, this episode is one that you won’t want to miss. The Well Trained Mind (online resource) https://welltrainedmind.com/ The Well Trained Mind: The Essential Edition (book) C. Bradley Thompson, Professor at Clemson University and Executive Director for the Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism https://www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/capitalism/cisc/bradley-thompson.html Dr. Thompson’s website: https://cbradleythompson.com/ The American Mountain People: National Geographic https://www.amazon.com/American-Mountain-National-Geographic-Society/dp/B00PAC6LMY The How and Why Book of the American Revolution https://www.amazon.com/How-Book-American-Revolution-Wonder/dp/B000BOZY3I The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fountainhead Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand https://aynrand.org/novels/atlas-shrugged/ Fathers and Sons, American Style https://cbradleythompson.com/fathers-and-sons-american-style/ LocoFoco Press https://cbradleythompson.substack.com/p/announcement-from-the-redneck-intellectual Twitter: @CBradleyThomps1 Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter
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    1 h y 9 m
  • Ep. 071: Into the Wild: Life in the Mat-Su Valley of Alaska

    Ep. 071: Into the Wild: Life in the Mat-Su Valley of Alaska
    Mar 26 2024
    Sarah Montalbano is the Policy Manager for the Alaska Policy Forum and a senior fellow with the Independent Women’s Forum. She was born and raised in Wasilla, AK, and her family has roots in the state from the era before Alaskan statehood. Sarah joins the Forgotten America podcast to share about the culture, natural beauty, and economic growth of the state. Garrett & Sarah discuss public policy challenges Alaska faces, art and culture, and the history of the native population as well as how Alaskans handle issues of conservation and responsible land development. Follow @SarahMontalban0 and at IWF, Young Voices, and Alaska Policy Forum. Additional Resources for This Episode Wasilla, Alaska: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasilla,_Alaska Alaska Policy Forum: https://alaskapolicyforum.org/author/sarahm/ Mat-Su Valley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanuska-Susitna_Valley Alaska Permanent Fund: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Permanent_Fund Endless Wall Trail in West Virginia https://www.nps.gov/places/endless-wall-trail.htm Hatcher Pass Alaska https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatcher_Pass 229 federally recognized federally recognized Alaskan native villages. Alaska Federation of Natives: https://www.nativefederation.org/ Alaska Native Corporations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Native_Claims_Settlement_Act 13 regional corporations that generate revenues and distribute them to shareholders Denali National Park: https://www.alaska.org/destination/denali-national-park Hobo Jim State Balladeer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobo_Jim Bus 142 from Into the Wild: https://www.uaf.edu/museum/collections/ethno/projects/bus_142/index.php Into the Wild (book): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Wild_(book) Firecracker Boys (book): https://www.amazon.com/Firecracker-Boys-Dan-ONeill/dp/0465003486 Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter
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    53 m
  • Ep. 070: Do The Best You Can With What You’ve Got: An Agricultural Ethic for Life

    Ep. 070: Do The Best You Can With What You’ve Got: An Agricultural Ethic for Life
    Mar 12 2024
    Jerry Apps is Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the author of more than 35 books. He is a storyteller and historian, joining the Forgotten America podcast to share about his life growing up on a dairy farm in rural, central Wisconsin. Born during the Great Depression, his youth inspired much of his subsequent work and his love for rural America. He joins Garrett to discuss his upcoming book, Farms & Rural Communities: An Agricultural Ethic for the Future. If you’ve ever enjoyed listening to a beloved grandparent tell stories of their childhood, you’ll particularly enjoy this episode which dives into the history of family farming and much of the forgotten history of rural life in America. Follow Jerry’s work at https://jerryapps.com/ Purchase a copy of his new book from Fulcrum Books. Signed copies are available. Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter
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    53 m
  • Ep. 069: Pulling Appalachia Back from the Precipice

    Ep. 069: Pulling Appalachia Back from the Precipice
    Feb 27 2024
    Nick Deiuliis is a chemical engineer, attorney, and business executive. During a career spanning 30 years, he served as the CEO or Chairman of the Board of five public energy companies. During that time, Nick has been on the front lines of the war being waged by elites against working men and women of Appalachia, the “doers” of the American economy, and the free-thinking individual. Nick is a lifelong Pittsburgher and considers himself a proud capitalist and free enterprise advocate. He joins Garrett today to discuss the city of Pittsburgh and its place among Appalachian cities, the energy industry’s role in society and the future of the region, and Nick’s book, Precipice: The Left’s Campaign to Destroy America. Nick shares about the thinkers who inspired his own personal philosophy and the path his career in the energy industry took. If you’re wondering what Appalachians can do to build a brighter future and fight back against coastal elites, you’ll want to listen to this episode of Forgotten America. Learn more about Nick’s work here. Buy and Read Precipice: The Left’s Campaign to Destroy America Reason Article Mentioned: https://reason.com/2005/10/01/rethinking-the-social-responsi-2/ Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter
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    57 m
  • Ep. 068: Don’t Be Afraid To Try Something New - The Supply Side of School Choice

    Ep. 068: Don’t Be Afraid To Try Something New - The Supply Side of School Choice
    Feb 13 2024
    Elyse Marcellino is the Director of Embark in Mississippi. Embark is a new schools accelerator that works with school founders to help them move from idea to doors open. They guide school founders through early planning and preparing to launch so they can successfully open new schools to serve students throughout the state. Elyse and Garrett start this episode by celebrating what West Virginia and Mississippi have in common and commiserating as residents of states that are often ridiculed by coastal elites.   Elyse shares about her experience with several types of education environments growing up which inspired her to make a career in the education reform movement. Sometimes supply needs a little help meeting demand - Garrett & Elyse discuss how we can improve education options outside of state legislatures by working alongside education entrepreneurs to meet the educational needs in our communities even in rural communities.   Embark Laurel, Mississippi Home Town on HGTV Mississippi Delta      Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter
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    56 m