‘Creepalachia meets Taser Girl’ – Anna Knapp pays a visit to West Virginia’s spookiest new podcast

By Anna Knapp, RealWV

This latest article comes to you because I was simply scrolling through social media, and I saw a familiar face. Ron Miller, of Miller’s Nightmare Haunted Farm, was on a youtube channel that I hadn’t heard of before, so I started digging. 

Creepalachia, I quickly found out, is a YouTube channel dedicated to all things spooky in West Virginia, and I knew I had to try and bring attention to this local spooky reporter. So, after sharing the post, The RealWV reached out to me about writing an article about Creepalachia But as with most things, it took an unexpected turn when JD, the owner of the channel, asked me to be featured on his podcast in my very own episode. 

So off I went to Beckley to get the story I wanted in a way I didn’t expect…

I was very nervous about this opportunity, but my nerves calmed once I arrived and was greeted by JD and his 3 hairless cats. I knew right then that JD was my kind of people! We made our way down to the studio he built in his basement and began recording the episode.

Since I was invited on the podcast to get to know JD better for this article, the episode was a little different than his normal podcast. We decided to do it interview style so his audience got a chance to get to know me better, as well. I was given the opportunity to talk about being a scare actor in West Virginia, my love for all things Halloween related, and my experiences traveling around the state visiting haunted attractions. 

JD is from Ashland, Kentucky and has lived many lives to get him to where he is now. From working at McDonalds as a teenager, to being a coal miner/heavy equipment operator for nine years in Boone County and Coal Mountain, West Virginia. While JD expressed gratitude for his time spent as a coal miner, he did not feel fulfilled in those nine years. So, with the encouragement and support of his wife, he quit driving a coal truck. 

He is a self taught video editor, and he created his first YouTube channel, “Skank Entertainment,” where he has posted a handful of short films. His love for creating landed him a job as video production editor for an automotive company making car commercials. Having this job helped prepare him in developing his own marketing agency called JJN MultiMedia in 2016. 

All of this led to JD creating Creepalachia! 

JD wanted to have a space where he could share stories about things he is interested in, but also have people from all other backgrounds share their interests, experiences, and life stories. JD stated that while he was recording his episode with his father in law talking about ghost stories, he felt somehow musical. I can completely understand where he is coming from because I am the same way when I am creating something for Taser Girl or doing something Halloween related.

Creepalachia has many upcoming new ideas in the works, but my favorite is them starting to explore abandoned properties to see if they can encounter paranormal activities. They will be traveling to Salem Massachusetts and staying in the second most haunted bed and breakfast called the Henry Derby House. JD said they are pulling his favorite parts from Youtube channels into this series for inspiration. He is excited to see where this series goes, but stated he has “prayers rangers” on speed dial if something goes awry.   

What I love about Creepalachia is the awareness it is bringing for local true crime cases. JD and his team have posted several episodes about the Natalie Cochran case that took place in Beckley, West Virginia and the missing persons case of AJ Sloan in Quinwood, West Virginia. While these have been heavy topics to cover they have resulted in getting the Michael Brandon Cochran House Resolution passed in the West Virginia Legislation and has helped get the word out further to help find AJ Sloan. 

Being on a podcast was a bucket list item for me and I am so glad I had the chance to be a part of this growing channel. Creepalachia is doing great things for Appalachia by sharing unique stories from all around the state. The hard work JD and his team is putting into this has not gone unnoticed by the fans of the show and I look forward to seeing what new adventures they have in store. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a guest on this growing show. 

Keep it creepy, Creepalachia.