Episode 25 Pursing Fearless by Sharing Stories
with Mandi Sheffel
Show Summary
In this episode, Jessi talks with writer and bookstore owner Mandi Sheffel. Mandi’s own story of a 16-year battle deep in the opioid crisis is an inspiring example of triumph. The two discuss the power of claiming your full story, building community and modern stories of Appalachia.
Topics
- Starting a bookstore right before the start of a global pandemic.
- Having fantastic community support, not just verbal, but showing up, buying and supporting a local business.
- Discussions on regional and generational differences and how that impacts locally owned small businesses.
- How downtown revitalization helps, but it isn’t about the buildings. It is about the places that cause people to gather.
- Coming out of the opioid crisis that shook the region to the core.
- Helping to correct the narrative of Appalachia by telling her own story.
Resources
- Appalachian Writers Workshop
- Hindman Settlement School
- Coffeetree Bookstore
- Appalachian Arts Alliance
- Hazard Coffee Company
- Mandi’s Op-Ed
- Twilight in Hazard by Alan Maimon
- Southeastern by Jason Isbell
- Robert Gipe’s trilogy – Weedeater, Pop and Trampoline
- Clay’s Quilt by Silas House