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50 States in the Rearview

50 States in the Rearview

di Erin

Storia Società e cultura

Stagione 2

15: Arkansas - Give it a Chance

Erin and Ike head south to Arkansas—a state Erin had never really given much of a chance. But before they even reach Little Rock, the hills and curves of the Ozarks begin dismantling nearly every assumption she brought with her. At the Arkansas State Capitol, a beautiful lawn reveals a much more complicated story. From roses, bauxite, and an unexpected gold-topped dome to Confederate memorials, the Little Rock Nine, and an ongoing fight over the Ten Commandments, these grounds ask visitors to do more than admire the view. They ask them to slow down, look closer, and decide how history should be remembered. Arkansas may be easy to overlook, but it isn’t simple—and sometimes a place can surprise you only after you finally give it a chance.

14: Colorado - Everyone Wants a Piece

Season Two begins in Denver, Colorado—the capital city where Erin was born and the place she still calls home. From the gold rush and the Mile High Capitol to explosive growth, changing neighborhoods, and the mountains that continue to draw people west, this episode explores the Colorado dream—and what happens when everyone wants a piece of it.

Stagione 1

13: Alaska - Where the Road Ends

In this season finale of 50 States in the Rearview, I leave Ike behind and trade the open road for the open ocean as we head to Juneau, Alaska—the only state capital on the North American mainland that cannot be reached by road. Along the way, we explore the Inside Passage, the understated Alaska State Capitol, Juneau’s gold-mining roots, and the complicated history behind Seward’s Folly. We travel to Sitka, once the capital of Russian America, and look at the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian traditions that shaped Southeast Alaska long before Russia or the United States arrived. From monumental cedar poles and canoe routes to Denali, earthquakes, salmon runs, and the limits of modern technology, Alaska keeps returning to the same lesson: people may build the roads, write the laws, and draw the maps—but here, the land still sets the terms. Grab a Diet Coke, head for the water, and join me for one final trip in season one.

DETOUR: I Like Ike

In this special episode of 50 States in the Rearview, Ike and I leave the state capitols behind and head to Abilene, Kansas—the hometown of America's 34th president, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Walking through his presidential library and museum, we trace the remarkable journey of a small-town boy who never planned to become a five-star general or president, but who met every opportunity with humility, preparation, and quiet determination. From West Point and World War II to D-Day, the Interstate Highway System, NASA, and the Civil Rights Movement, we explore how one man's character shaped the course of history. Grab a Diet Coke and join us as we discover why, sometimes, the greatest leaders aren't the ones who seek greatness—they're the ones who simply answer the next call to serve.

12: Wyoming - Built to Bend, Not Break

In this episode of 50 States in the Rearview, Ike and I roll into Cheyenne, Wyoming—a place shaped by relentless wind, wide-open land, cowboy culture, and the constant reminder that nature is still in charge. We explore the sandstone State Capitol, Wyoming’s identity as both the Cowboy State and the Equality State, and the people who helped shape its complicated Western story, from Chief Washakie and Esther Hobart Morris to Nellie Tayloe Ross. Along the way, I revisit childhood memories of Cheyenne Frontier Days, pancake breakfasts, rodeo nights, and the country music that helped plant the West in my imagination. Grab a Diet Coke, hold onto your hat, and join us as we discover why Wyoming’s real strength is not controlling the land—but learning how to move with it.

11: New Hampshire - Granite, Grit, and Going First

In this episode of 50 States in the Rearview, Erin and Ike head to Concord, New Hampshire — a capital city where independence is more than a motto. From the charm of Main Street and the restored clock at Eagle Square to the granite State House known as “the People’s House,” this episode explores how New Hampshire’s famous “Live Free or Die” spirit shows up in its history, landscapes, and people. Along the way, we meet figures like Franklin Pierce, John Stark, Daniel Webster, John Parker Hale, Christa McAuliffe, and Alan Shepard — each one showing a different side of a state built on self-reliance, responsibility, and the courage to go first.

10: North Carolina - The Quiet Giant

In this episode of 50 States in the Rearview, Ike and I roll into Raleigh, North Carolina, expecting to find another state capitol—but discovering a city whose story stretches far beyond the halls of government. We explore the understated beauty of the historic Capitol, uncover the origins of the Tar Heel State, and walk through a downtown where museums, universities, and public spaces tell the story of a state built on education, innovation, and community.

09: Missouri - A Patchwork That Holds

In this episode of 50 States in the Rearview, Ike and I roll into Jefferson City, Missouri—a capital built not from growth, but by design. From barbecue rivalries and baseball pride to the deep currents of the Missouri River, we explore a state that doesn’t agree with itself—and somehow thrives because of it. We trace Missouri’s role as the gateway to the West, its place at the center of America’s toughest conversations, and the quiet strength behind a simple phrase: “Be just and fear not.” Grab a Diet Coke, hit the road, and join us to discover how a patchwork of identities doesn’t fall apart—it holds.

DETOUR: Fort Clatsop

No capital this time—just a detour to a rain-soaked log fort at the very edge of the continent. Erin heads to Fort Clatsop to trace where the Pacific Northwest became American, sharing stories of true survival, absolute tolerance, and the incredible bond of a crew stuck in a 50-by-50 wet wooden box. It’s a look at a legendary turnaround point that reminds us that while the destination is what gets you moving, it’s the journey—and the people in your corner—that matters.

08: Washington - The Capitol of Duality

In this episode of 50 States in the Rearview, Ike and I roll into the Evergreen State to explore Olympia, Washington. Trading the coastal mist for a walking tour of a magnificent 54-acre park campus, we dive into the state's rich history—from the sustainable economies of indigenous nations to the fierce self-reliance of free African American pioneer George Bush. We explore a city where the monumental Capitol dome isn't a sterile seat of government, but an approachable monument completely woven into a flowing sanctuary designed by the visionaries behind Central Park. We’ll discover how a massive system of water powers everything from vital salmon runs to data-hungry tech titans, all while sitting right on top of an active tectonic grid. Grab a Diet Coke, leave the bustle behind, and join us to find out how the innovative, nature-reverent spirit of the people anchors a cutting-edge future in a deeply rooted past.

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