From Moonshine to the Skies: Danielle Parton’s Journey of Grit, Business, and Independence

In this episode of The Appalachian Tale Podcast, host Jimmy Proffitt sits down with pilot, entrepreneur, veteran, and distillery owner Danielle Parton for a candid conversation about determination, family heritage, and building a life on your own terms.

Danielle shares the remarkable story behind launching Shine Girl Moonshine, from trademark battles and business setbacks to opening a distillery in the heart of East Tennessee. Along the way, she reflects on growing up in Sevier County, her family's moonshining lore, serving 20 years in the Air National Guard, flying for a major airline, and what she's learned from a lifetime of taking the long road to success.

The conversation explores Appalachian storytelling, family legends, entrepreneurship, women in traditionally male-dominated industries, lessons learned from Dolly Parton, and the resilience required to keep moving forward when life doesn't go according to plan.

If you've ever dreamed of starting something of your own, preserving your heritage, or finding the courage to chase a goal that seems impossible, this episode is for you.

Topics Covered:

• The founding of Shine Girl Moonshine
• Appalachian moonshining history and family stories
• Life as a commercial airline pilot
• Serving in the Air National Guard
• Women-owned and veteran-owned businesses
• Trademark battles and protecting your brand
• Entrepreneurship in Appalachia
• Lessons from Dolly Parton's business philosophy
• Why playing the long game matters

Keywords:

Appalachia, Appalachian culture, Danielle Parton, Shine Girl Moonshine, Dolly Parton family, moonshine history, East Tennessee, Sevier County, entrepreneurship, women-owned business, veteran-owned business, commercial pilot, Air National Guard, Appalachian storytelling, small business success, Appalachian heritage, Tennessee distillery, Appalachian Tale Podcast.

In this episode of The Appalachian Tale, host Jimmy Proffitt shares the unexpected story of meeting six cast members of the iconic TV series when they came to The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for breakfast during Waltons Weekend of the Smokies. What followed was a mill tour, signed copies of his debut cookbook Seasoned in Appalachia, and a conversation about popcorn, sawmills, Nelson County, and the mountains they all share.

Jimmy reflects on each member of the Walton family — the quiet wisdom of John Walton Sr., the spiritual steadiness of Olivia, John Boy's writer's heart modeled after creator Earl Hamner Jr., the fierce tenderness of Grandma Esther, and his personal favorite, Grandpa Zeb, the storytelling, fishing, remedy-knowing mountain man Jimmy admits he might be becoming. He also gives a loving nod to the Baldwin sisters and their strictly medicinal "recipe," Ike and Corabeth Godsey's country store, and the Appalachian words and phrases the show gave him — reckon, youngins, fixing to, took poorly, and mike could — that he still uses today.

He also connects the show's setting of Walton's Mountain in Nelson County, Virginia to his own roots just twenty miles away in Scottsville, and shares the moment cast member Cami Cotler, who played Elizabeth Walton, knew exactly where he was talking about.

And if the Waltons ever come to a screen porch supper? Jimmy knows exactly what he'd ask them to bring.

In this episode:

• The morning the Waltons came to The Old Mill for breakfast
• A character-by-character walk through the Walton family and their Appalachian counterparts
• Earl Hamner Jr., Schuyler, Virginia, and Walton's Mountain
• Appalachian words and phrases from the show: reckon, youngins, fixing to, took poorly, mike could
• Olivia Walton's applesauce cake — and why it's better than his grandma's (sorry, Grandma)
• A teaser for an upcoming episode with Landon Bryant

Keywords: The Waltons podcast, Appalachian culture, Waltons TV show cast, Earl Hamner Jr., Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge Tennessee, Appalachian storytelling, The Old Mill Pigeon Forge, Seasoned in Appalachia cookbook, Waltons Weekend of the Smokies, mountain heritage, Southern food podcast, Appalachian words and phrases, Nelson County Virginia

Danielle shares stories from growing up in Sevier County as part of the Parton family — yes, that Parton family — and reflects on the colorful personalities, unforgettable funeral stories, and deep roots that shaped her upbringing in East Tennessee. From childhood trips to graveyards and historical libraries with her genealogy-obsessed mother to tales of Catons Chapel Partons, Dolly Parton’s siblings, and wild family humor, the episode feels like sitting on a porch listening to stories that get better with every telling.

Jimmy and Danielle also reminisce about their years working together at The Old Mill Restaurant, swapping stories about impossible tourists, heavy serving trays, and the kind of friendship built through long shifts and nonstop laughter.

The conversation then turns to Danielle’s remarkable career journey — from working in a fudge shop at Bell’s Mall and serving tables in Pigeon Forge to becoming a Hooters waitress, flight attendant, Air National Guard pilot, and eventually an American Airlines captain flying international routes on the Boeing 787. Along the way, Danielle shares candid stories about military service, combat deployments, aviation, and the grit it took to navigate male-dominated spaces while staying unapologetically herself.

Filled with Appalachian humor, family stories, and decades of friendship, this episode is the beginning of a larger conversation Jimmy plans to continue in future episodes with Danielle.

Topics covered: Appalachian granny witches, mountain folk magic, fortune telling in Appalachia, lye soap making, Shenandoah Valley childhood memories, Seasoned In Appalachia cookbook behind the scenes, Appalachian dialect, milk chocolate walnut bars recipe, bluegrass festivals, Appalachian storytelling and culture.

Here is a link to the playlist https://suno.com/playlist/606530f3-c68d-4f2e-aad2-424be182bc7d

In this episode of The Appalachian Tale Podcast: Deeper In The Holler, host Jimmy Proffitt gets real and conversational — just him, a few notes, and a whole lot of Appalachian memory. Jimmy kicks things off with a laugh about the "used bread store" — what Appalachians know as the day-old bread store — and what it meant to stretch a dollar growing up in the mountains. He goes deeper in the holler with more stories about his beloved neighbors Mary and Charlie: dandelion wine fermenting on the back porch, the cool earthy smell of a root cellar on a summer afternoon, geraniums by the front door, and sweet iced tea in nubby green glasses. Jimmy also introduces the Screen Porch Supper — his favorite warm-weather tradition — and teases his most-requested recipe: Dad's BBQ Chicken, the legendary Shenandoah Valley pit-style chicken that defined every church fundraiser and fire hall cookout in the Valley. Plus the Appalachian Word of the Week: cattle bat. You'll never look at a moth the same way again.

Topics covered: Appalachian food memories, day-old bread stores, dandelion wine, root cellars, Shenandoah Valley BBQ chicken, screen porch suppers, gardening updates, Appalachian dialect, and growing up in the mountains of Virginia.

Jimmy and Mick also discuss favorite travel destinations, including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and the Smoky Mountains, along with the joys of planning meaningful journeys rooted in curiosity and connection. Along the way, listeners hear about gardening traditions, screen porch suppers, beloved pets, and the everyday rhythms that make a house feel like home.

As part of the show’s recurring segments, Jimmy introduces Appalachian expressions and explores the idea of the Screen Porch Supper Club, where food, storytelling, and hospitality bring people together. This episode celebrates the beauty of simple living, Appalachian vocabulary, and the stories passed down through generations.

If you enjoy conversations about Appalachian culture, food traditions, storytelling, gardening, simple living, and meaningful travel, this episode invites you to pull up a chair, grab something to drink, and listen a spell.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Appalachian storytelling and family traditions
• Growing up with simple living values
• Travel inspiration in New England and the American South
• Gardening memories and heirloom growing practices
• Screen Porch Supper Club traditions
• Appalachian vocabulary and sayings
• Caring for family and navigating life transitions
• Creating meaningful routines and seasonal rhythms

Subscribe for more conversations exploring Appalachian foodways, traditions, and culture through the stories of the people who live them.

Together, they explore what it meant to grow up in the hills of Greene County, Tennessee, where country stores extended credit, roads were gravel, and indoor plumbing wasn’t always guaranteed. Through memories of family resilience, changing rural landscapes, and the simple realities of Appalachian life in the mid-20th century, this episode offers an honest look at the values of hard work, humility, and community that continue to shape the region today.

Jimmy and Mick also reflect on the journey they’ve built together — from early days of blogging to cookbook writing, book tours, and the creation of The Appalachian Tale. Along the way, listeners will hear stories of small towns, family traditions, memorable travels, and the quiet support that often makes creative work possible.

This episode reminds us that Appalachia isn’t just a place — it’s a way of seeing the world, shaped by memory, perseverance, and the people who walk beside us.

Pull up a chair, pour yourself something warm, and listen a spell as we go deeper in the holler.

Appalachia podcast
Appalachian culture
Appalachian storytelling
Appalachian history
Greene County Tennessee history
rural life stories
Appalachian traditions
East Tennessee culture
Southern storytelling podcast
heritage storytelling
country store history
Appalachian marriage stories
life in Appalachia
Appalachian voices
Greenhouse Studio podcast

In this episode, I'll talk a little bit about myself and what you can expect from this podcast.