Peter Santanello begins this video in Bluefield, West Virginia, where he meets a local guide and sets out to better understand life in the heart of Appalachia. Traveling through former coal boom towns, he explores places like Matoka, walking through partially abandoned downtowns and residential areas that once thrived during the height of the coal industry. These early scenes focus on how economic decline reshaped entire communities, leaving behind empty storefronts, aging homes, and a small population determined to remain.

The journey continues deeper into southern West Virginia, particularly Wyoming County, one of the state’s most remote regions. Santanello visits former coal camps and small towns such as Itmann and New Richmond, filming company houses, old company stores, rail infrastructure, and consolidated schools that reflect the area’s industrial past. Along the way, locals explain how coal shaped every aspect of life, from housing and wages to healthcare, and how its decline left long-lasting social and environmental consequences.

In the final portion of the video, Santanello explores what locals call “deep Appalachia”, venturing into remote hollers and mountain roads far from main highways. He documents tight-knit communities, family gardens, and off-road trail areas where tourism and ATV culture have become new economic lifelines. The video concludes with visits to secluded businesses and gathering spots deep in the woods, presenting a nuanced portrait of Appalachian life that emphasizes resilience, local pride, and adaptation rather than stereotypes or nostalgia.