What is Appalachia? We’re giving our entire Inside Appalachia episode over to this question this week, with stories from Mississippi to Pittsburgh.

Appalachia connects mountainous parts of the South, the Midwest, the Rust Belt, even the Northeast. Politically, it encompasses 423 counties across 13 states — and West Virginia’s the only state entirely inside Appalachia.

That leaves so much room for geographic and cultural variation. This week, we ask people from five Appalachian states if they feel like they’re in Appalachia.

This week — too often, people with mental health challenges or substance use disorder wind up in jail. But crisis response teams offer another way.

Also, changes to the Endangered Species Act could benefit big business. They could also kill animals like the eastern hellbender.

And, in troubled times, a West Virginia writer says to find peace in nature. We talk about her collection of essays.

You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

This week, a look back at 2025. We met some fascinating people, like Aaron Dowdy of country rock band Fust.

Alos, central Appalachia continued to recover from Hurricane Helene. From the beginning, the recovery brought people together.

And we made a trip to Hillbilly Hotdog to take on The Homewrecker.

This week, Inside Appalachia dives into the holidays. We go a-wassailing in Asheville, North Carolina. It’s kind of like Christmas caroling, with a kick.

Also, family recipes bring generations together. But what happens when you’ve got grandma’s potato candy recipe, and it doesn’t have exact measurements?

And, a new book explores the magical dark side of nature.

This week, when you’re the only doctor in a rural mountain county, you’ve got to think ahead to keep your practice going.

Also, a West Virginia baker draws on her Finnish heritage to make a different kind of cinnamon roll.

And if you bought a live-cut Christmas tree this year, there’s a good chance it came from Appalachia.

This week, a poet and musician draws inspiration from a distant family connection to the Grand Ole Opry’s Little Jimmy Dickens.

Also, for 15 years, a Virginia library has been hosting a weekly Dungeons & Dragons game for teens. It can get wacky.

And, a taxidermist in Yadkin County, North Carolina found her calling before she could drive a car.

This week, one thing about Appalachians: we can get competitive.

We’re proud of our local food. Love a good hunt. And enjoy competition with friends.

We learn the rules and celebrate our victories.

But there’s more to competing than just winning or losing. In this show, we’ll also meet competitors who are keepers of beloved Appalachian traditions.

Our Common Nature is a new podcast from WNYC. It features cellist Yo-Yo Ma and producer Ana Gonzalez, as they explore America and talk to folks like West Virginia coal miners.

This week, we follow Yo-Yo and his team as they venture into Appalachia. And we talk with Gonzalez about meeting people where they are.