HerdCon PopCast

We recorded several conversation with HerdCon 2023 attendees last year and wanted to share some of those with everyone. This particular conversation was with BJ Fraily of the The Dressing Room, who happened to catch us on the Friday of HerdCon last year, and was going to be missing that Saturday to help with an amazing program that provided formal wear for area teens for prom.

In this episode, your hosts Meghan Sexton-Harness and Dr. Cody Lumpkin continue their Appalachian Literature discussion series with Homer Hickman's Coalwood Way.

In this episode we did an impromptu interview with two of our of Upward Bound students from last summer. Olivia and Louie were both a part of our summer work study program and were great to work with. Our last day, I was able to arrange a tour of the iCenter podcasting studio (at it's previous Corbly Hall location), and Paige Leonard started recording while we chatted.

WMUL 88.1 FM is a student run radio station at Marshall University. Join Dr. Charles G. Bailey, Faculty Manager, Makaylah Wheeler, Station Manager, and David Adkins, Continuity Director as they discuss WMUL’s history, fan favorite events, coverage, specialty shows, and even partnerships! Follow WMUL-FM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wmul_radio?igsh=MWwzZ3BkdXJhcW9pNw== (https://www.instagram.com/wmul_radio?igsh=MWwzZ3BkdXJhcW9pNw==) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wmulfm?mibextid=kFxxJD (https://www.facebook.com/wmulfm?mibextid=kFxxJD) Twitter/X: https://x.com/wmul_radio?s=21&t=AlOnBjQ7NlJkgL_kCCnQdg (https://x.com/wmul_radio?s=21&t=AlOnBjQ7NlJkgL_kCCnQdg) or visit them online at https://www.marshall.edu/wmul/ (https://www.marshall.edu/wmul/) to learn more or to get involved!

In this episode, hosts Nate Harrah & Zeus Zamudio, interview Louie DeGeorge of Game Grove, a gaming store located in Teays Valley WV. You can check out their website at https://gamegrove.gg or on social media at www.facebook.com/GameGrove304/

In this episode we met with members of the Marshall University Vex Robotics Team to talk about their current projects and fundraising to take them team to competitions in the coming year. You can find out more about how to help them reach their goals on their GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/f/vex-robotics-club-at-marshall?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet-first-launch&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

In this episode of the HerdCon MiniCast, Meghan Sexton-Harness and Dr. Cody Lumpkin discuss the book, Coffin Hollow by Ruth Ann Musick. Links for further information https://bloomsite.wordpress.com/2020/11/09/ruth-ann-musick-feature/
https://www.fairmontstate.edu/folklife/default.aspx

In this episode we interviewed three local authors that are working with local publisher, the Henlo Press. Stephen Bias, Amanda Hooser, and Caitlyn Pace (whom we've interviewed before) joined our host, Michelle Alford-Tyler, to discuss their recent and upcoming book releases. We hope you enjoy the witty humor and banter from these three amazing people as much as we enjoyed interviewing them. Stephen Bias is the author of Afterwords (available at local bookstores in Huntington WV, Barboursville WV, and Ashland KY, as well as through Amazon), will be releasing his second novel closer to Christmas called 304 Monsters. Amanda Hooser is locally well known for her sticker art featuring local landmarks of years past which can be found at shops like the Red Caboose, but also has a series self published romance novels out. She recently released the first book in her Perth Paranormal Mystery young adult series through the Henlo Press titled, A Shade of Winter. You can find her YA titles under the name A. B. Hooser. This book is currently available in local bookstores as well as through Amazon. Caitlyn Pace is a student at Marshall University and author of Mumblings (which we discussed in a previous episode), and is soon releasing Camp Meltaway. Camp Meltaway is the first is a series Caitlyn and her mom have been working on blending slasher movie horror with the ability to make decisions that will impact your story. This is slated to be out for October sometime, so be on the lookout! Stephen and Caitlyn will be attending Scarefest in Lexington KY this month with the Henlo Press to discuss their books. Be sure to check them out if you happen to be there.

This is the first of our Minicast series featuring host Meghan Sexton-Harness and Dr. Cody Lumpkin discussing Appalachian Literature. This episode they discuss Storming Heaven by Denise Giardina published 1988.

In this episode, guest host Meghan Sexton-Harness interviews Marshall University professor, Dr. Cody Lumpkin about Appalachian Literature, discussing Homer Hickman's Rocket Boys in comparison to JD Vance's Hillbilly Elegy along with other regional works.

This episode will be kicking off a series of mini podcasts exploring Appalachian Literature with Dr. Lumpkin so be sure to keep an eye out for future updates!

In this episode we interviewed Travis Reynolds, organizer for the Charcon gaming convention in Charleston WV (July 14-16, 2023), and vice president for Queen Games. We talk about board gaming, table top RPGs, regional gaming conventions and more. Be sure to follow Charcon on their social media, or stop by their website to get more information about this year's convention coming up mid July at the Clay Center in Charleston WV. https://www.facebook.com/CharConWV https://www.charcon.org/ You can also check out Queen Games online to see some of the games we discuss during the podcast, including Escape: the Curse of the Temple and Marrakesh from the Stefan Feld City Collection. https://queen-games.shop/

In this episode we interviewed local zine creator and author, Elliot Stewart of Porch Beer Zine and Porch Beers Press. Elliot is a native of WV, and has been writing and publishing Porch Beers Zine for several years, and has recently begun publishing zines for others. During this episode we talk a bit about the background and history of "zines" which are self published magazines, as well as themes common in Elliot's writing as well as topics like Appalachian culture, wrestling, food (regional hot dogs in particular), and upcoming events like Loud & Proud and the WV Book Festival both of which Porch Beers Press will be present. You can pick up copies of Porch Beers Zine locally in WV at the Red Caboose in Huntington, Booktenders in Barboursville, and Taylor Books in Charleston, or you can order them online through Elliot's Etsy page. https://www.etsy.com/shop/PorchBeersZine You can also follow Elliot and Porch Beers Press at the following social media links. https://www.tiktok.com/@porchbeerspress https://www.instagram.com/porchbeerszine/

In this episode we meet up with the team from the South Charleston Public Library's Reel Opposites. Join us as we discuss movies, MiniCon (coming up May 6th), and libraries with Josh, Aaron and Tobey. Be sure to check out their podcast on all major podcasting platforms, or follow them on Facebook or YouTube. https://www.facebook.com/ReelOpposites/ https://www.facebook.com/scplwv

In this episode we interviewed Marshall University student, and WV author, Caitlyn Pace about her book, Mumblings: Horror Stories from West Virginia. We discuss Caitlyn's connection with WV and how her love of folklore inspired the stories in this collection, as well as her experience working with local publisher The Henlo Press. You can follow Caitlyn for updates on her next book, a choose your own adventure style slasher horror that should be out this fall. https://www.tiktok.com/@caitlyn_pace https://www.instagram.com/caitlyn_pace02/ https://a.co/d/aUzlokf

In this episode we interviewed Vienna WV Indy Author, Joshua EB Smith about his current book project, Necromancer's Bullet, his charity work with C8Cosplay and the WV Ghostbusters, his hometown con-Classic Plastics Toy Expo, and of course his upcoming visit to HerdCon March 24th & 25th 2023.

In today's episode we interviewed local drag kings, Richard Long and  Aero Space Smith about how they got started in drag, neurodiversity,  drag culture and acceptance in our local community, and the lower  visibility of drag kings in the drag community. We also touch on our  upcoming Song Along event for HerdCon 2023.  Enjoy!  

The MU Makeup Club link: https://herdlink.marshall.edu/organization/gotthebeat 

You can find Richard: https://www.tiktok.com/@sparkletimeuwu 

https://www.instagram.com/sparkletimeuwu_

You can find Aero: https://www.tiktok.com/@_safetoslay_

In episode 9 we met up with the new librarian for the Marshall  University Health Sciences Library located at Cabell Huntington Hospital and Marshall Un. School of Medicine, Anna Hughes. Aside from her work as a librarian, Anna is also an avid fan of Legos and has a collection of pieces on display at her office in the Health Sciences Library.  So join us as we get to know our newest librarian, and we nerd out over Legos, research and cookies.  

You can also check out close ups of the Lego set Anna brought in for this video on our website, www.marshall.edu/herdcon/popcast or on our social media.

One today's episode we interviewed Alexis Belt and Aurora Porter, the  president and vice president of the Marshall University Cherry Blossom  Cosplay Club.  Join us as we discuss the club, upcoming plans for  HerdCon, fandoms and pop culture in general.

In this episode we interviewed Sabrina Thomas of the Marshall University  Libraries to discuss their upcoming spring 2023 art exhibition,  Optimism in Appalachia.  This exhibition is open to all, whether you are  a Marshall student, staff, or faculty member, or are just a member of  the community at large.  This is a part of an annual exhibition series,  each spring, that can be viewed in the Drinko Libraries on the Marshall  Un. main campus in Huntington, WV throughout each spring semester.    

You can view the prospectus for this exhibition at: https://libguides.marshall.edu/libraryevents/spring2023exhibition  

Submissions for the spring 2023 exhibition can be dropped off at the  Drinko Library on Dec. 8th & 9th from 8:30am-5pm.  Please direct  questions to sabrina.thomas@marshall.edu for anything to do with this  exhibition.    

An opening reception will be held in the Drinko Library Atrium on  February 2nd at 4pm to kick off the exhibit and give the artists a  chance to be on hand to talk about their work.  The theme is Optimism in Appalachia, and we are hoping to see  submissions that help demonstrate hope and optimism in the region.

In today's episode we are meeting with Deacon Stone of the Huntington WV RCBI (Robert C. Byrd Institute) and Skyler Clagg AmeriCorps Vista to RCBI and the Katherine Johnson NASA IV&V Education Resource Center. We will be discussing the upcoming Makers Festival being held by RCBI on the Marshall University Huntington Campus on Nov. 4th 2022, the Makers Vault here at the Huntington RCBI, and the NASA IV&V robotics programs here in WV and how you can get involved. 

You can find the websites and videos discussed and viewed in this episode at: 

https://youtu.be/CABiC_OFsSg - David Kalinoski video 

https://www.robotevents.com - RobotEvents 

https://www.robolink.com 

https://www.roboticseducation.org - RECF 

https://www.creality3dofficial.com 

https://www.rcbi.org/2022-west-virginia-makes-festival/

https://www.rcbi.org/maker-vault/membership/

https://www.rcbi.org/drone2022/ 

And you can contact our guests at 

Deacon Stone Office: 304.781.1659 Cell: 304.690.1197 Fax: 304.781.1623 Email - dstone@rcbi.org 

Skyler Clagg Mobile- 681-203-6939 Email- Skyler.Clagg@fairmontstate.edu 

As always you can learn more about the HerdCon PopCast, HerdCon Pop Culture Convention, and our guests at www.marshall.edu/herdcon and www.marshall.edu/herdcon/popcast.

In this episode we interviewed Marine Corp Veteran Corey Clark about his  organization, Blue Falcon Board Gaming which aims to make board gaming  accessible to more people in the community by hosting game nights  throughout the region.  Corey's group also promotes the use of board  gaming for mental wellness and their page includes information on mental  health resources.  You can learn more about Blue Falcon Board Gaming on their website,  www.bluefalconboardgaming.com  or check out their Facebook page for the latest board gaming interviews  with Corey.  www.facebook.com/BlueFalconBoardGaming

Episode 3, Host Heather Lauer, with guest host Meghan Sexton-Harness, and guest Hallie Knipp (Marshall University Alum) are discussing the Gilmore Girl series.

For this episode we interviewed Professor Tijah Bumgarner from Marshall  University's School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and  Coordinator of the Video Production Program in the College of Fine Arts  and Media, along with actress Lauren Ould about their work on the pilot  episode for Her Hope Haven, a comedy drama about women in recovery here  in Appalachia.  You can view the trailer of Her Hope Haven on their website,  www.herhopehaven.com.  From their site you can also contact them about arranging for  screenings, and learn more about the cast and crew, as well as future  plans for the pilot and possible series.

Learn more about Her Hope Haven and future screenings at https://www.facebook.com/HerHopeHaven

This is our introductory episode of the HerdCon PopCast, a podcast discussing pop culture themes and connections to our Marshall University campus and community.  In this episode, HerdCon co-chairs and co-hosts, Michelle Alford and Heather Lauer will be interviewing Dr. Ben Eng of the Marshall University College of Business and discussing podcasting, the iCenter Content Creation Studio, where we will be doing our recording sessions, Star Wars theories, and some general pop culture.  

Be sure to watch for future episodes which we plan to release every 2 weeks.