Invisible Ground

Latest Episodes:

Sam's Gym Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

For this episode, we recorded a visit to the country's oldest boxing gym, Sam's Gym, in Glouster, Ohio. I spent some time walking around there with Sam Jones, who has run the place since 1960, and Bob Garbo, talking about all the important stuff: boxing, baseball, hot dog sauce, family, and Glouster history.
MUSIC:
Todd Jacops - "Rain Spring"
Nate Scheible - "Untitled"
Taylor Conrad - "Mountain Stars III"
David Colagiovanni - "Mining Sounds - Sticks"
UNDERWRITERS:
Ohio University Central Region Humanities Center and its 2026 biennial conference, 250 Years: The Promises and Legacy of the Declaration of Independence,” September 10-13, 2026 in Athens, Ohio. Here's the program and schedule.
WOUB Public Media: more information can be found at woub.org

Nelsonville Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

Our 20th episode is all about Nelsonville, Ohio, which is home to our two newest Immersive Historic Sites: the Nelsonville Brick Kilns and the city's historic Public Square. They join our previous site at Stuart's Opera House (featured in episode 15). We will talk about both places in this episode and learn more about the town’s Black History, its connection to professional baseball, and its industrial roots.
MUSIC:
Todd Jacops - "Rain Spring"
Taylor Conrad - "Remaining"
The Peel - "Weird Times"
Daniel Bachman - "I"
Jacops/Koscho/Lampela - "Landmark Boat"
Dead Winds of Summer - "Invisible Ground 2"
Todd Jacops - "Already Eating Easter"
Weedghost - "Morning 04"
Disjointed Mike - "grounding a+b"

Immersive Historic Sites II Jan 25, 2026

Show notes

For this episode of Invisible Ground, we spotlight the other big piece of this project, our series of Immersive Historic Sites, now at 17 sites around the region. Hear all eight of the newest audio pieces from the Invisible Ground app, one for each of the new markers since the last time we did this. Each audio interpretation welcomes you to the location and lets you hear the story from someone directly connected to it. These can all be found in the Invisible Ground app for Apple and Android. You are encouraged to go use the app in person at these locations to view these historic images in augmented reality on your smartphone. This episode's sponsors include some of our other business sponsors and supporters who are not underwriters, including: Tony's Tavern, Just a Jar Design Press, Crane Hollow Nature Preserve, The Standard Salon, Athens Real Estate Company, West End Ciderhouse, Fullbrooks Cafe, Blue Eagle Music, Good Good Video, WOUB Public Media, and The Retreat at Willow Creek.
MUSIC:
Todd Jacops - "Rain Spring"
Daniel Bachman - “The Ache of August”
David Colagionvanni - “Woods” (live in New Mexico)
Dead Winds of Summer - “Mud Sock Cemetery, Amesville Ohio January 5, 2025”
Brian Harnetty - “Sophia Mitchell, Mayor”
Brian Harnetty - “Tecumseh Lake”
Todd Jacops - “Country Reprise”
Bill MacKay - “Setting the Stage”
Bill MacKay - “Twilight”
The Peel - “Creekside”

Athens Armory Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

This episode is all about the Athens Armory, covering everything from the National Guard's early days to the historic building itself and the people who passed through its walls. We learn about Black soldiers from southeast Ohio in World War I, go back to when the lot was part of the Athens Brick Company and hosted a few tent revivals before construction on the Armory began, and the connections of all of this to the First Christian Church which is now home to our friends at the Southeast Ohio History Center—lots to explore in this episode.

MUSIC:
Todd Jacops - "Rain Spring"
Bill MacKay - "Setting the Stage"
Bill MacKay - "Twilight"
Todd Jacops - "Country Reprise"
Disjointed Mike - "Equinox"
Todd Jacops - "Piece of Light"
Brian Harnetty - "Murray City"
Actual Maps - "Untitled 2"
Bill MacKay - "Lay of the Land"
Weedghost - "Live at NMF 2023"
Todd Jacops - "Solliloquoy"
Dead Winds of Summer - "(false memories)"
Weedghost - "Morning 04"
PRODUCTION:
Produced, mixed, and recorded by Brian Koscho
Assistant Producer - Aidan Neal
Audio Editing - Taylor Burnette, Tommy Stumpp, and Laccolith Media via Chad Reich
This episode's underwriters are WOUB Public Media and The Retreat at Willow Creek.

Amesville Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

For this episode, we head to the village of Amesville in Athens County, where this small town boasts a significant history, including one of Ohio’s first libraries, the American Revolution, the Underground Railroad, and some fascinating stories of people, places, and events.

MUSIC:
Todd Jacops - "Rain Spring"
The Peel - "Sunset Circus"
Sportfishing USA - "Feeling So Strange"
Dead Winds of Summer - "Mud Sock Cemetery, Amesville Ohio January 5, 2025"
The Peel - "Creekside"
Nate Scheible - "Untitled"
The Peel - "Woods"
Weedghost - "Ghost of a Weed"
Natural Sway - "57"
Todd Jacops - "Soliloquy"
PRODUCTION:
Produced, mixed by Brian Koscho
Recorded by Brian Koscho and Nicole Musgrave
Assistant Producers - Nicole Musgrave and Aidan Neal
Audio Editing - Taylor Burnette, Tommy Stumpp, and Laccolith Media via Chad Reich
This episode's underwriters are WOUB Public Media and COAD's Energize Appalachia
This episode is part of a project (with Immersive Historic Sites) funded in part by the Mayors Partnership for Progress, the Revada Foundation of the Logan Family, Athens County, Visit Athens Ohio, along with all of the supporters and contributors to the Invisible Ground project. Special thanks to Gary and the Village of Amesville!
This episode is dedicated ot the memory of my father Ken Koscho.

Rendville Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Invisible Ground we visit Rendville, a small town in Perrry County, Ohio a historic Black community. Hear about this community's story and the important people who called it home, and the work being done to preserve that legacy well into the future.
MUSIC:
Todd Jacops - "Rain Spring"
Brian Harnetty - "Rendville"
Daniel Bachman - "Blue Ridge Turnpike"
Brian Harnetty - "Corning"
Dead Winds of Summer - "Sunrise Carves Our Shadow Across the Face of Solaris"
Nate Scheible - "Untitled"
Dead Winds of Summer - "Untitled"
Brian Harnetty - "Adam Clayton Powell, Pastor"
Pete Fosco - "Ghost Loops One"
Disjointed Mike - "Invisible 1"
PRODUCTION:
Produced, mixed, and recorded by Brian Koscho
Assistant Producer - Aidan Neal
Audio Editing - Chad Reich, Tommy Stumpp
This episode's underwriters are WOUB Public Media and Casa Nueva and Cantina.
This episode is part of a project (with Immersive Historic Markers) funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Revada Foundation of the Logan Family, along with all of the supporters and contributors to the Invisible Ground project. Thank you.

Stuart's Opera House Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

We head to Stuart's Opera House in Nelsonville, Ohio, a 145 year old historic theater and performing arts center that is the cornerstone of that town's Public Square. Dedicated to the arts and its community for its existence, learn about George Stuart and his Opera House, and the incredible stories of that building's history.
MUSIC:
Todd Jacops - "Rain Spring"
Bill MacKay - "Plaza Serenade"
Natural Sway - "Lying in the Grass"
Bill MacKay - "Setting the Stage"
Nate Scheible - "Piano Thing"
Dead Winds of Summer - "Snacks"
David Colagiovanni - "Improvisation 1" (live in New Mexico)
Lazy Susan - "Rock Andy"
Natural Sway - "New Moon"
Weedghost - "Live at Stuart's Opera House, 11/17/23"
David Colagiovanni - "Woods" (live in New Mexico)
Nate Scheible - "Phone Sesh Drone"
Natural Sway - "The Delaware Lightning Bug"
Pete Fosco - "Ghost Loops One"
PRODUCTION:
Produced, mixed, and recorded by Brian Koscho
Audio Editing - Chad Reich, Tommy Stumpp
Thanks to Aidan Neal for helping with Stuart's interpretative audio

Immersive Historic Sites Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

For this episode of Invisible Ground we spotlight the other big piece of this project, our series of Immersive Historic Sites at eight locations around Athens County. Hear all eight of the audio pieces from the Invisible Ground app, one for each of the markers. Each audio interpretation welcomes you to the location and allows you to hear the story from one person, someone who is directly connected to the story, place, and history. These can all be found in the Invisible Ground app for Apple and Android. You are encouraged to go use the app in person at these locations, to see these historic images in augmented reality right there on your smartphone or tablet device. This episode's sponsors are O'Nail Hartman Insurance and the 51st annual Athens International Film and Video Festival.
MUSIC:
"I Wonder (for Michael)" by Yasmin Williams*
"Amazing Grace" by Daniel Bachman
Gospel Voices of Faith recordings
"Untitled" by Dead Winds of Summer
"Winter" by Matthew J. Rolin
"Blue Ridge Turnpike" by Daniel Bachman
"Lost and the Saved" by The Peel
"Aster Blooms" by Powers/Rolin Duo
"Plaza Serenade" by Bill MacKay
"Song for the Setting Sun II" by Daniel Bachman
"Oakes Quarry" by Weedghost
*from the album Urban Driftwood (Spinster Records) licensed for use from Marmoset LLC

Athens Asylum Jan 10, 2024

Show notes

For this episode, we head to a very special place: the grounds of the Athens Asylum. It has held its place on a hill overlooking Athens and Ohio University for over 150 years, and its grounds and buildings, as well as the people who called it home, have many stories to tell. We will just scratch the surface this time, join us to learn more about Levi Scofield, the early days of the Asylum, Radar Hill, its cemeteries, and more.
Music:
Todd Jacops - "Rain Spring"
Matthew J. Rolin - "Winter"
The Peel - "Autumn"
Bill MacKay - "Setting the Stage"
Weedghost - "Carillion Park"
Keith Hanlon - "Blackburn Arms"
Bill MacKay - "Lay of the Land"
Dead Winds of Summer - "Zarek at the Door"
Daniel Bachman - "Untitled"
The Peel - "Jaunt"
Matthew J Rolin w/ Pete Fosco - "Glacier"
Powers/Rolin Duo - "Aster Blooms"
Cold Snack - "Edge of the Sea"
Todd Jacops - "Baritone 2"
Dead Winds of Summer - "Snacks"
Disjointed Mike - "Eternal Wind Above Us"
Photo courtesy of the Southeast Ohio History Center Digital Collections

Chauncey Dec 22, 2023

Show notes

We head up to the village of Chauncey in Athens County for this episode. We talk about the coal mine and tipple once found where the Chauncey-Dover Community Park (and soon an Invisible Ground Immersive Historic Marker) is today and its impact on the landscape past and present. There's a huge mine strike, Ivy League University presidents, retired Civil War generals heading to the bar, explosions, machine guns, murders in a cemetery, and even a fen full of skunk cabbages in this episode. Chauncey has some fantastic stories to tell, you just have to make sure you say the name of the town right.
Music:
Todd Jacops - "Rain Spring"
Brian Harnetty - "Glouster"
The Peel - "The Lost and the Saved"
Bill MacKay - "Plaza Serenade"
Powers/Rolin Duo - "Aster Blooms"
Weedghost - "Oakes Quarry"
Brian Harnetty - "Millfield"
Disjointed Mike - "The Unending Cycle"
The Peel - "Air Above"

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