Backstory Sessions

John and Anna

In our Valentine’s Day edition of Backstory Sessions: Love Stories, we sit down with John and Anna, whose journey reminds us that love has no expiration date and no single timeline. Their story is filled with unexpected turns, deep devotion, and the kind of connection that proves it’s never too late for your life to change in the most beautiful way.
 
You’ll hear how they found each other, what sustained them, and why their love continues to work. It’s honest, raw and a powerful reminder that the greatest stories aren’t written —they’re lived.
 
Join us for a conversation that will make you smile, reflect, and believe in love all over again.
 
🎙 Backstory Sessions: Love Stories — Valentine’s Day Edition
Guests: John and Anna
📅 February 14, 2026
 
Because every love story deserves to be told.

Jeff and Camille- Out of This World Love

What are the odds that a quick stop at a gas station turns into a lifelong love story? For Jeff and Camille, it was destiny—with a soundtrack by Sting and a little help from the universe.
 
In this episode, Jeff and Camille share the unforgettable story of how they met during an ordinary moment that became anything but. Bonding instantly over their shared love of Sting, their first date quickly revealed something deeper: a mutual curiosity about the world, bold predictions about the future, and yes… a fascination with aliens. 👽
 
From cosmic connections to music-fueled romance, this love story proves that sometimes the universe nudges you exactly where you’re meant to be—right next to pump number three.
 
It’s quirky, heartfelt, and full of wonder. Buckle up for a love story that’s truly out of this world.

Gary and Gwyn - Before You

February is for love and Gary and Gwyn will make you want a love like theirs.
 
Some love stories are loud.
Some are dramatic.
And some are quietly powerful.
 
Gary and Gwyn’s is the kind that grows stronger with time.
 
In this episode, they share their journey — the early days, the challenges, the laughter, the lessons, and the deep commitment that has carried them through the years.
 
It’s a story about choosing each other.
About growing together.
About learning how to love better — even when it’s hard.
 
If you believe in real love…
the kind built on patience, faith, friendship, and forgiveness…
this episode is for you.
 
🎧 Listen now to hear Gary & Gwyn’s beautiful backstory.
 
#BackstorySessions #LoveStories #FebruaryLove #RealLove #MarriageJourney #StorytellingPodcast #AppalachianStories #LongLove #FaithAndFamily #HeartStories #podbean

Chayton Hudson

We end our January author's month with 11 year old Chayton Hudson. Chayton has published 16 books available on amazon. Hear all about The Adventures of Chaycat and Jordy Rabbit.

Miles Spencer - Legacy

Miles Spencer, founder and CEO of Reflekta.ai. Throughout my journey as an entrepreneur, media creator, and mentor, I've witnessed the immense value of preserving stories. I speak with my dad daily, even though he passed away eight years ago, because Reflekta allows us to share dynamic, spontaneous conversations just like we did before. As we talk, his responses continue to evolve, and our connection actually deepens over time.
One core mission behind Reflekta is to help Seniors and Veterans record their stories in a living, interactive way so their legacy can be cherished and passed down by families for generations. I've seen firsthand how powerful this is for groups looking for meaningful ways to connect across time and distance. With the right info, bringing a loved one's voice and stories to life takes less than twenty minutes, and I'd be thrilled to demo this process live for your listeners or even help you create your own loved one to connect with on air.

Bill McCann - Yearnings: A Memoir In Prose and Poetry

The Cove Schools was the first of its kind in the nation—a school for those who (in 1948) were referred to as brain-injured children. My own difficulties are a pretty good cluster of the issues many Cove students were dealing with: low IQ, poor coordination, medical conditions, hyperactivity, distractibility, behavioral issues, and learning disabilities. There were no programs, much less schools, for such students in Kentucky in the spring of 1962. Yet by the fall of 1962 such children were enrolled in special education classes throughout the Fayette County Public Schools system.. 
Consequently, it is important to point out that since this school was unique—the only school of its type in the United States—the school was performing a service by training both teachers how to teach and parents how to nurture their children.
The first half of this memoir, "Yearnings," was written primarily in the form of a Japanese haibun—a form that utilizes a combination of prose and poetry. So clearly this is not an attempt at writing a traditional memoir. Neither is it a traditional haibun, particularly since it contains poems beyond just haiku. Even elephant jokes are included here, as are some family photographs. Yet I wrote this part of the book largely in the haibun form because it is best able to tell the story. 
Finally, this memoir is built around many documents from the period 1948-1966. Some 'errors' are due to the fact that some spelling conventions (class room, work books, etc.) and grammar conventions have changed over time. In other instances, the spelling errors are due to the author's misspelling of words (Sonday instead of Sunday) in letters home (ages 7-11). And in both instances corrections have not been made and there are neither in-text recognition of those errors nor footnotes. Please assume errors in this text exist for one of those reasons.

Gary Bryant

Join our conversation with creative Gary Bryant. We discuss his many projects.
Ace of Hearts 
The sequel (Things Aren't What They Seem, also published)
In progress: Missing (the third and final book of the series)
Currently conducting interviews for the book about the tornado.
Ace Johnson: Mysteries with Heart (My audio theatrical adaptation of
Ace of Hearts)
Regional Book Fair,

New Year- New You

What are your resolutions or goals for 2026? What do you give yourself permission to let go of in the new year? Tune in as Cat and Willie discuss some top resolutions and why they might be successful or not.

Colin Stough: Best For You

This week, Colin Stough joins us for a candid conversation about his journey, staying grounded through change, and the stories that shape his music. Guest host Willie Carr helps guide a thoughtful discussion on creativity, resilience, and what it means to grow in the public eye.
 
We also dive into Colin's new song, "Best For You," and the personal meaning behind this powerful release.

Inside the Manor: Louie James on Time Loops, Indie Grit, and Ghosts

Catch a cozy, no-filter chat with Louie James as he opens up about growing up near London, how classic American cinema lit his imagination, and the wild adventures of indie filmmaking that shaped his career. We dive into his intense roles, physical stunts in River of Blood, and the twists of performing in the new time-loop horror Manor of Darkness — releasing December 9th.Louie talks acting training, the power of honest collaboration, why darker stories still hold a glimmer of humanity, and even his thoughts on ghosts, guardian angels, and how tech (including AI) can help indie filmmakers punch above their weight. It’s like hanging out with a thoughtful, slightly dramatic friend — intimate, honest, and a little spooky.