This week, we’re joined by Bo Vance, a veteran stand-up comedian with over 25 years of experience and a reputation for unfiltered, observational humor with an Appalachian twist.

From his accidental start in comedy at a North Carolina drag queen night, to finding his stride in black comedy clubs, and eventually headlining Pride shows and performing across the region, Bo shares candid tales from his journey on stage.

We talk about the evolution of his comedic style, memorable moments with audiences, the highs and lows of the local comedy scene, and why advertising and community support matter so much to comedians in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to Bo’s brand of honesty-meets-humor storytelling, get ready for an hour packed with laughs, behind-the-scenes insights, and a celebration of Tri State culture.

Moments

00:00 Introducing comedian Bo Vance

09:34 Meeting Jerry Seinfeld at Keith Albee

15:32 Discussing pronoun usage challenges

18:02 Parenting experiences in comedy

25:43 Making up funny stories

31:40 Concert night elevator encounter

33:12 Discovering Becky Robinson on TikTok

39:20 Comedian interacts with a passed-out audience member

46:13 Comedy show plans in West Virginia

50:58 Managing a big production team

57:19 Bombed joke recovery strategy

01:01:22 Comedian spotting himself on a billboard

01:06:38 Growing up with family music influences

01:14:20 Discussing language and inclusivity

Want more? Follow Bo Vance Comedy on all social media (except Pinterest!) and check out upcoming shows and other West Virginia comedy happenings at wvcomedy.com.

If you have a memory you would want me to talk more about, just send me an email at TSTM@mail.com. Or post a comment on the Tri-State Machine FB Group page.

Welcome to the Tri-State Time Machine.

I'm your host Vanessa Hankins. This is a podcast where my guests and I share our memories and present day stories of the Tri-State Area. That's West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Nothing too serious, no political views, and no ulterior motives.

We're just here to share our fun stories about this great area.

Whether you're a past resident or a current Tri-State resident, I think you're going to have fun with us.

So join in, press play on your podcast player, and welcome to the Tri-State Time Machine!

https://ts-time-machine.captivate.fm/episode/bo-vance-on-mixing-appalachian-roots-and-unfiltered-humor

Copyright 2026 Vanessa Hankins

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

But I am back, with a big ask from you, my listener.

If you have a memory you would want me to talk more about, just send me an email at TSTM@mail.com. Or post a comment on the Tri-State Machine FB Group page.

Welcome to the Tri-State Time Machine.

I'm your host Vanessa Hankins. This is a podcast where my guests and I share our memories and present day stories of the Tri-State Area. That's West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Nothing too serious, no political views, and no ulterior motives.

We're just here to share our fun stories about this great area.

Whether you're a past resident or a current Tri-State resident, I think you're going to have fun with us.

So join in, press play on your podcast player, and welcome to the Tri-State Time Machine!

https://ts-time-machine.captivate.fm/episode/i-disappeared

Copyright 2026 Vanessa Hankins

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

If you’ve ever felt the Appalachian mountains hold secrets just beneath the surface, or you want to hear firsthand how the region’s myths come alive in modern storytelling, this episode is for you.

On this episode of Tri State Time Machine, I sit down with Princeton, West Virginia, author Joshua Bish for an unforgettable journey into Appalachia’s folklore, haunted history, and the stories that shape our region.

As a campus police officer, veteran, and creative force behind horror novels like The Lady in the Flesh, Room 316, and Blood of Psalm, Josh shares how local legends, inherited trauma, and the supernatural atmosphere of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio influence his writing and his life.

Throughout our conversation, we talk about the power of storytelling—how family tales and community memories are passed down, why Appalachian horror feels so personal, and what it’s like to blend myth with real history. Josh opens up about his creative process, the origins of spooky stories that shaped him, and the truly wild experiences that have made their way into his books.

From campus ghost stories to the mysteries of the Appalachian hills, we explore the intersection of fear, imagination, and tradition.

We also talk about the importance of preserving our region’s stories, the lessons hidden in folklore, and how both of us find meaning in simple, homebody lives surrounded by family.

Plus, Josh shares a reading inspired by Camden Park’s legendary mound—a tale that will give you chills.

We unravel the strange, the nostalgic, and the magical threads woven through Appalachia.

If you have a memory you would want me to talk more about, just send me an email at TSTM@mail.com. Or post a comment on the Tri-State Machine FB Group page.

Welcome to the Tri-State Time Machine.

I'm your host Vanessa Hankins. This is a podcast where my guests and I share our memories and present day stories of the Tri-State Area. That's West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Nothing too serious, no political views, and no ulterior motives.

We're just here to share our fun stories about this great area.

Whether you're a past resident or a current Tri-State resident, I think you're going to have fun with us.

So join in, press play on your podcast player, and welcome to the Tri-State Time Machine!

https://ts-time-machine.captivate.fm/episode/josh-bish

Copyright 2026 Vanessa Hankins

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Mentioned in this episode:

Echoes in the Stone meeting Freeman

Room 316