Ozarkian Folk Chronicles - Your Podcast About the Ozarks

Dr. Tom Kersen, associate professor of sociology at Jackson State University, came to the Ozarks in the '70s as the teenage son of Back-to-the-Landers. His experience was often grinding and sometimes grueling, but he became fascinated by the characters and quirks of folks coming to the Ozarks. Out of that fascination came his new book, Where the Misfits Fit; part sociological study and part memoir, Tom tells a story as wild as the people in it. Join the Chronicles for a memorable ride through the oddities, quiddities, and quirks of the Ozarks.

Eric Bogwalker, Dez Dino, Amelia LaMair, and Destiny Homer create the one and only Creek Stink sound at Flotsam Farm in the heart of Ozark County. Join the Chronicles for our discussion of life, farming, and music in an intentional community. In an age when everyone is bemoaning the sad effects of isolation, these folks go out of their way to create community, way out of their way! And they don't keep it to themselves: Flotsam Farm invites their neighbors, fellow travelers, and others who are just curious to join them in a variety of Ozarks arts, from making paper to cooking sorghum to playing music in the Flotsam barn. We hope you'll join us at Flotsam Farm, too, in another celebration of all things Ozarkian: the profane, the profound, the preposterous, and the impressive!

Dr. Jason McCollom, Associate Professor of History and Department Chair of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences at Missouri State University-West Plains, discusses the recently founded Ozarks Heritage Research Center, their current holdings and programs, and their plans for the future. You'll be inspired by Jason's passion for the Ozarks and his commitment to our history and culture! As long as the Ozarks have advocates like Jason, we're in good hands.

The Chronicles is excited to announce their new sponsor, the Bigfoot Fun Park, in Branson, Missouri! And we're equally excited to welcome Emma Hamilton from the Bigfoot Fun Park to learn more about their innovations in merging traditional storytelling with sophisticated technology. Storytelling will never be the same; in fact, it may be more fun and exciting than ever! If you are a creative in photography, writing, painting, or other media, this podcast is a must!

The 1970s were a, uh, magical time for music and musicians, and Sid Pierce had a front row seat for the spectacle. From drumming with his band, Levi Walker, to touring with Roy Clark, Sid was full throttle all the time, and he has the stories to prove it. Join us for this fun episode (Sid forbade us from calling it "special") with Sid. Maybe you'll recall some memories of your own, or if you're too young, you'll know what to ask your parents!

Daniel Woodrell published nine novels, most of which were set in the Ozarks, and in the process created a genre he called "country noir." Woodrell's books are gritty, dark, and often despairing, yet he gave a voice to the most marginal of Ozarkers: the dispossessed poor. His novel Winter's Bone was made into a movie that faithfully captured Woodrell's characters and launched the career of a young Jennifer Lawrence. Dr. Brooks Blevins, Noel Boyd professor of history at MSU, has taught Woodrell's novels and brings his own distinctive voice and insights to the works of Woodrell. Join the Chronicles as we pay homage to one of our own, Daniel Woodrell.