The stories don’t always end when an episode is released. Sometimes, that’s when they truly begin.

This week on Roots & Shadows: The Real Appalachia Podcast, I’m on the road for a personal trip, but I couldn’t let another Saturday pass without spending some time with all of you.

In this special update episode, we revisit two recent stories after listeners reached out with information that adds an entirely new perspective.

First, I share an important correction and additional historical context to last week’s episode on Tom Dula (Tom Dooley), details that help paint a clearer picture of one of Appalachia’s most enduring true crime legends.

Then we return to The Thing at the End of the Holler, where a listener whose family once lived near the property contacted me with memories and experiences passed down through his family. What began as a confusing conversation about two differently named hollers eventually revealed we were talking about the very same house. The stories he shared offer a fascinating new chapter to one of our most talked-about episodes.

One of the greatest parts of producing this podcast is hearing from the people who know these places firsthand. Every email, message, and family memory helps preserve the real history of Appalachia and reminds us that these stories are still alive through the people who lived them.

If you’ve ever had a family story, local legend, historical account, or unexplained experience you’d like to share, I’d love to hear from you. Many of the best additions to this podcast have come directly from listeners.

Thank you for joining me for another journey through the mountains, where every root tells a story, and every shadow hides one.

Topics: Tom Dula, Tom Dooley, Wilkes County, North Carolina history, Appalachian history, Appalachian folklore, haunted houses, listener stories, Rich Valley, Virginia, true crime, local legends, Roots & Shadows podcast.