COOKEVILLE — WCTE PBS is proud to announce the premiere of a powerful new episode of its original series Where Stories Live: Healing the Whole Self. Set to air on April 24, this episode takes viewers deep into Upper Cumberland to explore alternative healing practices rooted in nature, culture, and generations of tradition.
From herbal remedies and iridology to sound healing, energy work, and Cherokee medicine, Healing the Whole Self highlights a variety of holistic approaches to wellness that are still practiced—and thriving—across the region today.
“We wanted to explore healing in a way that honors the past but also feels relevant to how people are taking care of themselves right now,” says Avery Hutchins, host of Where Stories Live.
“These are powerful stories of resilience, tradition, and transformation—passed down through generations and still making a difference today. Sharing these stories helps us reconnect with where we come from and rethink how we care for ourselves and each other.”
The episode features personal and powerful stories from individuals in the Upper Cumberland who have turned to these alternative modalities, not only for themselves but to help others in their communities. Viewers will meet:
• Jamie Cox, who studied iridology under an Amish practitioner and shares how reading the eyes can reveal what’s happening in the body.
• Renee Johnson, a local herbalist, whose personal health journey led her to the healing power of plants when conventional medicine offered few answers.
• Kitty Philips, a Ph.D. candidate at Tennessee Tech University, whose academic research focuses on the healing traditions of the Cherokee people and the ways early settlers used herbs to survive and thrive.
In addition to these insightful interviews, the episode also features a visit to a Southern Appalachian apothecary in Sparta, where traditional knowledge is finding new life through modern practices.
WCTE PBS continues to use Where Stories Live as a platform to elevate authentic local voices, showcase regional culture, and explore meaningful themes that connect the past and present. Healing the Whole Self offers both a thoughtful exploration of health and wellness and a reminder of the rich heritage found right here in the heart of Tennessee.
