Episode 1: Barlo Kentucky 1917 Part One: The Path to The World of Men

Darkness comes to the tiny town of Barlo in the form of the worst mining disaster in Kentucky history. Young Sarah Avery runs.
Written by Steve Shell
Sound design by Steve Shell
Narrated by Steve Shell
Intro music: "The Land Unknown," written and performed by Landon Blood
Outro music: "I Cannot Escape the Darkness," written and performed by Those Poor Bastards
To learn more about Old Gods of Appalachia, visit our website at www.oldgodsofappalachia.com, and be sure to complete your social media ritual and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @oldgodsofappalachia, or Twitter and Tumblr @oldgodspod. If you'd like to support the show, you can join or Patreon at www.patreon.com/oldgodsofappalachia, or support us on Acast at supporter.acast.com/old-gods-of-appalachia. You can also find t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and other Old Gods merch in our shop at www.teepublic.com/stores/oldgodsofappalachia.
Old Gods of Appalachia is a production of DeepNerd Media. All rights reserved.

[@anachronisticappalachian]

The narrator's manner of speaking reminds me of every Baptist preacher from my childhood. It's oddly comforting.

[@kurtlangberg5886]

Cypher System is making a table top RPG for Old Gods of Appalachia, so I’m here to see what it’s all about. Seems interesting so far.

[@claudialitchfield5159]

Lve this series. My grandson got me into this broadcast. Spans generations . Love 💘this

[@cathrinewhite7629]

My grandpa was a coal miner in W Virginia. He knew it was bad as a career for a family man. Too many accidents. He became a logger and later moved my Pamaw and their 4 kids out to WA state.

[@joeyj6808]

So he went on off to a SAFER job? Logging? Lmao! At least his heart was pure! Good for him!

[@cathrinewhite7629]

@@joeyj6808 He logged until he broke his leg at age 71. Before that- no other accidents. Lived to 94, LOL😅

[@elaztec.aztecca]

Found the Witch Queen earlier tonight by sheer luck, then this magically appeared after hours of distractions, sort of like it was waiting... your writing and vibe and cadence is inspirational because yours is a lost art, almost lost. Thank you for tapping on my window then running past the yard as I came to look out, maybe it’s the new moon but I reckon you’ll be back. I’ll be waiting.

[@OldGodsofAppalachia]

This is years old and we have three seasons under our belt. And this isn’t a one man show.

[@evelanpatton]

Found you as a recommended likeminded podcast on YT that would meet w/ favor of the Tony Walker’s Ghost Stories / Detective Stories channel fans…Clicked around then clicked “oldest” and began the journey in this eastern mountain pastiche that beats with old blood. New land, with rich dirt, to tendril my mountain’s mushroom afar through a cast of storyteller’s guile, jest, blessings, & heart. Cheers!

[@kylemaynard6769]

Hey I was told to mention that Cam from Dixey Cryptid sent me your way , you have a great reading voice as well keep up the good work. Kyle

[@reginasoules2837]

Lol me too me too. Haha. Heard of you from Cams, Dixie Crypid on youtube

[@lisapaterson5711]

Sitting alone listening to these stories and the cat jumped off the shelf and scared the crap out of me love these stories

[@JT-fm7pb]

You do not take from The Mother...I LOVE THIS!!!

[@joshb7300]

Wow high quality content indeed. This guy can write.

[@andrewc.2952]

This needs to be a dadgum tv show on cable it's that good. Plus we need more of the witch queen type stories.

[@shawdawgkaveman5971]

These stories are too good for tv. Stories like these need to be told, not shown. LISTENED to, not watched. Part of what makes them so awesome, so powerful, is the interaction between what you're hearing and your own imagination, painting an image colored by your own experience. It's more intimate this way, and hearkens back to an older format, an Old Way, and there's power in that. Besides, television would water it down to reach a wider audience, would attempt to stretch this 16 minute story into half a season worth of 45 minute episodes. Now, that's not to say that it wouldn't be good watchin, but the story itself would be stretched, twisted, tortured into something....not the same. Sorry if I got a little rambly, or preachy, there. My ADHD kicked in something fierce and I'm not 100% sure I effectively communicated what I was trying to. But to reiterate, the core of my rambling, is simple. These stories are too good for tv.

[@FantasticDimensions]

This is so good! Steve is an amazing writer and narrator!

[@meredithahern-tamilio4667]

Dixie Cripid sent me ,WE ARE CAM'S PEOPLE AND IT'S A PLEASURE TO COME ON OVER AND LISTEN TO YOUR STORIES, THANK YOU. ...TIME TO LISTEN!!! Yes I subscribed to your channel. !!

[@kablopz]

My family is from Appalachia; I really enjoy this stuff.

[@cindyjohns6222]

Hi... Cam, at Dixy Cryptid, sent me and all his other subs over to you.. Cam, is the greatest guy!! I just subbed you, too.

[@thegirlontheboat1250]

I thought I was pretty desensitized to horror stuff, but this gave me chills, bravo!

[@jdanner46]

Excellent tales My MeMaw used to scare the shit out of us as kids with folk stories from her childhood. One comment wasn’t the Barlow mine in western Kentucky? No matter it still awesome

[@CorVids1031]

As a child, my librarian aunt shared a scary story with me called The Tailypo. Kept me up at night, but I still loved it to pieces. It was old and rustic, and I loved it for that. This podcast is my childhood looking under that Tailypo rock and finding something dark and inviting that I only dreamt could exist. Thank you for the excellent ghost stories. (The Tailypo can be listened to here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6iUXqSZgZ1nhdU)

[@kennyb3325]

Was your aunt a librarian on the Oregon coast? I remember hearing this tale from a librarian in Newport, OR, in a summer program. Thank you for sharing this!

[@CorVids1031]

@@kennyb3325 Nah she works as a high school librarian in nowheresville, Tennessee

[@kennyb3325]

@@CorVids1031 Huh, I guess librarians in general just tell that story to kids. More evidence that librarians are awesome and know what is good!

[@dioad1739]

I’m one of Cam’s people from Dixie Cryptid gonna give you a listen or two from Georgia, wait you sound like Bruce Hampton a musician he played in the movie sling blade he was in Dwight Yoakam’s band in the movie the poet song writer.

[@stevepuyear2738]

Another sent by Dixie, great stuff!!!

[@kaydle50]

Hey Mr Steve, Cam at Dixie Cryptids sent me over so I could get scared spotless! Wow 😳

[@lizarimostert8035]

Hi there from Cape Town, South Africa. Cam recommended your podcast and can't wait for part 2. Excellent!!

[@jayhernandez700]

Just stumbled upon this, time for a good listen!!

[@timothycollins959]

Just discovered this gem! Amazing story telling. SW PA here. The scenery reminds me so much of our area as well. Old coal country.

[@user-si5ds8xu9q]

I love 4:16 to 5:00 so much, I get chills every time I listen to it. It's so eerie and unsettling, but the way it describes the mines as some sort of god is strangely beautiful *chefs kiss

[@meganon637]

Cam sent me. Great story telling - can't wait til the next one!

[@cathrinewhite7629]

Dixie Cryptid makes great recommendations! Just subscribed. You have amazing voice and cadence. This is certainly one of your callings.😊

[@reginasoules2837]

So very NOT DISAPPOINTED

[@amandamays9373]

I listen this podcast to go to sleep at night. He sounds like my Pawpaw telling ghost stories. Soothing, comforting, scary.

[@5PenniesShaw]

Whooo Yah!!! Brilliant writing and Reading 😁 Here by Cam’s suggestion and be back again tomorrow!

[@magnusthered9635]

This is the perfect thing to listen to while exploring in fallout 76

[@margretmeade1]

Born and raised in southwest Virginia. This was excellent.

[@julieforrester8853]

Also here by way of Dixie Cryptid, hello!!😊

[@julieyang7]

LOVE the way you read. Voice is very.. Calming . comforting. Dixie Cryptid sent us

[@markbarrera6807]

Brilliant work.

[@rodney1818]

Dixie Cryptid sent me

[@educatedgypsee2351]

Me too!

[@suzanveldmaat]

Yes, me too saying hey from the Netherlands, thanxs

[@thatvampirelorraine]

Me too ! Worcester uk

[@alejandravega3438]

Me too !!! 👍👍👍

[@cookiedoe499]

Me too...from Wv.

[@kevo3985]

Born and raised in the mountains of south east ky

[@sherryarmstrong4683]

This was great! Dixie Cryptid sent me!

[@eliza7511]

wow. you're good. thank you. ps, i LOVE the song!!

[@eliza7511]

the intro song i mean. yeah.

[@michelewalburn4376]

I'm about 5 minutes in and I'm hooked.

[@jmcmanus5931]

Very well done. But to be expected when recommended by Mr. CAM from DIXIE CRYPTID.

[@anneN0221]

Hi I stopped by your chanel to check it out. Dixie Cryptid sent me ..Youre awesome. !

[@zuzufitz]

My first listen to your fine podcast. I was sent by Cam on over at Dixie Cryptids; you might want to thank him.

[@Companion92]

Love this

[@nathanhinote5291]

Here to check out what the new tabletop roleplaying game is based on. Excellent production.

[@tracygelder]

Dixie Cryptid sent me. Your accent is mesmerising....Big DC was right: I’m hooked 🥰

[@davidfishferrell]

Cam has the best channel on KZbin

[@michelewalburn4376]

Somehow I missed the message from Can on dixie cryptid until today. That's ok. I need this today.

[@alethearia]

Here I lay my votive offering as part of my social media ritual. May the gods of the algorithm smile their dark smiles with each like and comment.

[@meredithahern-tamilio4667]

Amen ,u don't take from Mother Earth and not give back ...so take some great advices .... give back twice as much ,with a song of gratitude..and bow your head in thanks ...🌏🙏🏼...

[@cliffreintzel9836]

God damn goosebumps! It's been a long time since something scared me like this. Doesn't help I grew in a northern Appalachian area in Ohio.

[@midlandernc7403]

Love it

[@kampmeier69]

I’m digging this

[@civiliantestifying]

Nicely done sir. Very, very, good story! Shelby county Kentucky is where I call home. No shortage of great tales to be told from the bluegrass state, that's for sure. I think I'll go ahead and click on subscribe, I'd like to hear more.

[@mammon_is_god]

These fools and their sacrifices.

[@rogerlimoseth4790]

Hillbilly cryptid oops i mean Dixie cryptid gave you a shout out so i thought id give you a listen. Nice story, well read.

[@lorendaemon7945]

*vibes with this hard*

[@figgiefigueroa7372]

Dixie Cryptids told me to stop by! Here we go.....

[@thatvampirelorraine]

Yeah here from Dixie cryptid

[@bigbabydoof7657]

This shit BANGS

[@jfrey5325]

Wow, awesome tale and beyond the pale presentation! I’m psyched DIXIE CRYPTID sent me your way. It’s horrific! Cheers from the PNW.

[@chefmookie3471]

Cam sent me

[@comeoninmykitchen82]

You dont take from the Mother without her taking back

[@kay6028]

Dixie cryptid sent me too:)

[@ednaking956]

Dixie Cryptid sent me! 🐔♥️🌺🦋

[@queenrae91]

My team lead sent me lol

[@christiangraham4579]

Dixie cryptid sent me!

[@loriegiebel9318]

Dixie Cryptid sent me!

[@TheNoSuchThingPodcast]

Dixie sent me too, via a friend

[@kevincarlson2531]

Dixie Cryptid sent us from utube!

[@1310Robbo]

Dixie sent me

[@red57dryad]

Dixie sent me!

[@SOLARIDAH]

Now ikno what Camera means!!!....CAM !!!.....era !!!!.....DIXIE CRYPTID sent me over!!!......"THESE ARE OUR PEOPLE!!!!!! "

[@mikereno1988]

Hooked

[@zindi1138]

Super natural? Silly word I mean everything in nature exists wether we believe it or not

[@burningdaylights]

But supernatural deals with what is outside the corporeal.

[@anglicanmarians6845]

A nun sent me.

[@TheOneUntakenName]

So Sarah's house got invaded by a pack of gross Predators?

[@Truthseaaker]

Like bent light and the size of a horse...sounds like the Predator

[@gypsyjade7170]

You see this is all well and good as a story but I’m from Appalachia -blue ridge and I know what lives in that land and it isn’t male. She still calls

[@berndog509]

Dixie Cryptid sent me