All My Memes Gather Round Her
As West Virginians, we’ve witnessed how our state has been portrayed by the internet and popular media through the years, and we’ve seen how damaging... Read More
a new email series designed by young people for young people around topics that matter to us
Cultivate Community Like A Boss Babe
Everyone has a network around them, but how do we harness that community to empower each other and ourselves? In 2017, I launched Boss Babes... Read More
The Intersection of Work and Heart 📝❤
I’m suspicious of productivity. And I’m obsessed with it. I’m a product of my generation, and for us productivity matters. We live in a world... Read More
☀🌳 Ready for spring? 🌳☀
Gabby Scrofano wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail (AT) to disconnect from the world for a while. She planned it to be a solo trip,... Read More
💰 💪 take your wallet to the gym in 2018 💪 💰
There are lots of blogs and books out there that attempt to “Teach You How To Be Rich,” but let’s be honest: most of us... Read More
More than beers with Bourdain 🍻
Q: Why does West Virginia need to diversify its economy? And why is agriculture part of the answer? A: We have all heard the grim... Read More
An Artist’s Journey: From West Virginia to the World and Back 🌏
Nellie Rose Davis was spending a lot of time at home. The textile artist, trained in the Japanese dyeing tradition known as shibori, had recently... Read More
Want to run for office? Here are some first steps
I’ve loved government since I was 10. The first time my Roane County high school class traveled to the state capitol, I remember sitting down... Read More
Should you even care? Part Two
When you think of community revitalization work, what comes to mind? Improving your downtown? Encouraging new businesses to move in? Maybe building a new park?... Read More
Buckle Up: The Ultimate WV Fall Road Trip 🍁
Fall doesn’t officially begin until late September, but there’s already a tantalizing crisp in the air. If you’re itching to get out into the mountains... Read More
LISTEN: Why West Virginia music is more than just banjos
Joni Deutsch does more than spin West Virginia tunes. She geeks out over it (check out wvpublic.org/wvmusic), and she wants you to do the same.... Read More
5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Running for Office
This past spring, I did something I’ve never done before: I ran for public office. Since moving to Lewisburg in 2014, I decided I wanted... Read More
Stop. Work. Caffeinate.
My job takes me to a lot of places. And when I’m traveling around West Virginia, I’m always looking for a cozy, local coffee shop... Read More
How to be the Youngest Person in the Board Room
If you’re under 40, or remember when you were, you’ve probably been there – You walk into a board room and glance around, wondering if... Read More
Rebecca Kiger – Documenting Appalachia
“At the heart of documentary photography is a process of observation, acceptance of people/places/situations, creativity, endurance, and hopefulness – values we can aspire to cultivate.”... Read More
Can you really be too organized?
Lillian Graning is back with some helpful tips and strategies on how to keep your $#*t together in the dog days of summer. Because nothing... Read More
It takes more than free cupcakes
My name is Madison Settle, and I can’t dance. I can’t keep up with the latest fashion trends. I can’t drive long distances without a... Read More
Discovering a new way to work … Digital-nomad style
Q: What does it mean to be a digital nomad? A: Among a group of designers, developers, and entrepreneurs I met while traveling in Asia... Read More
What’s Next, West Virginia?
When I was in the third grade, my class got some pretty exciting news: We were going to Safety City! For those who didn’t grow... Read More
🌄 Taking the long way home 🌄
Since June of 2007, I’ve embraced the unknown. It’s part of what excites me for the next phase of my life. A decade ago, I... Read More
Who is Keebie Gilkerson?
I’m in Huntington looking for Keebie Gilkerson. His real name is Charles, but nobody calls him Charles. I mean, he didn’t even know his real... Read More
Feeling Young, Happy and … Sick?
Courtney Susman is reminded of her condition every time she speaks. Six months ago, she could have walked into Rainelle Elementary’s gymnasium and made every... Read More
Historic Tax Credits & Why They Matter
Little excites me more than a community finding a modern use for a historic building. Nerdy, I know. But just check out this church turned... Read More
The Madness Behind My Brother My Brother & Me
The McElroy brothers just wanted to stay in touch. Travis, the middle child, and Griffin, the youngest of the three boys, had recently moved to... Read More
Social Enterprise, say what?!
Anyone who knows me knows that I am all about social and environmental justice. Seriously. Talk to me about any social or environmental issue, and... Read More
👂 say it out loud 👂
Neely Seams is used to standing in front of a crowd. A longtime performer at Greenbrier Valley Theater, Neely has entered a stage many times,... Read More
😍 🏀 🏆 how sweet it is 🏆 🏀 😍
March madness is upon us and while the team at UpThink is busy getting psyched to watch the Mountaineers take on Gonzaga for a spot... Read More
💪 There’s no growth in comfort 💪
The mountains began to glow a reddish hue as the sun made its slow farewell over the Red River Gorge. The day, our weekend camping... Read More
Do You Know Sean Hornbuckle?
Sean Hornbuckle is a young member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing Cabell County in the 16th district. A graduate of Huntington High... Read More
🎨 West Virginia Eye Candy 🎨
On Valentine’s Day, I ate dinner with my husband using pieces of West Virginia-made artwork. As part of the team at the Tamarack Foundation... Read More
👂Have you heard the curious chatter?👂
Dan Davis and Hillary Harrison contemplated renting a theater. If they were going to start a speaker series, they would need plenty of seating, maybe... Read More
💘 WV = bae 💘
Roses are red, violets are blue… Yo West Virginia, we sure love you! In honor of Valentine’s Day we had some of our favorite UpThinkers... Read More
🚨 Nerd Alert! Nerd Alert! 🚨
Guys, today is the first day of the 2017 Legislative Session! Now, I’ll happily admit that I am a policy nerd. But I really only... Read More
📷 Sam Owens – Behind the Lens 📷
Sam Owens is one of the state’s most celebrated photojournalists helping to tell West Virginia’s story. She was recently chosen among Time Magazine’s 51 Instagram... Read More
🐸 Eat the frog before the frog eats you 🐸
The holiday decorations have been put away, New Year’s champagne is *uhum* gone, and you might be feeling like life (and all your stuff) is... Read More
Lessons From MLK We All Could Use
1. Be bold with your dreams. Never apologize for setting high standards for yourself. 2. Never limit yourself. Ignore people that tell you that you... Read More
🍝 Spaghetti and meatballs changed my life 🍝
( or How to Not Lose Your Mind in the New Year ) We live in a productivity-obsessed world, and I’m a child of it:... Read More
📚 A librarian’s guide to 2017 📚
As the director of the Putnam County Library, I’m surrounded by books all day, every day. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean I get to read... Read More
💪 5 qualities leaders need 💪
Good leadership requires focus and passion. Whether at the top of the food chain or looking to get there, great leaders understand what they’re working... Read More
Not Your Average Email
As a young person living and working in the Mountain State, it’s easy to feel outnumbered. You’re not alone in trying to figure out what... Read More