50 States in the Rearview

Philadelphia may have the Declaration of Independence, but was America actually born in Boston? In this episode of 50 States in the Rearview , Erin and Ike head to Boston, Massachusetts, a city where revolutionary history, stubborn personalities, and centuries of American stories collide. From the historic Boston Common to the gold-domed Massachusetts State House, Erin explores the people and monu...

Atlanta is loud, sprawling, ambitious—and full of contradictions. In this episode of 50 States in the Rearview , Erin heads to Georgia’s capital to explore a city shaped by both difficult history and constant reinvention. From Confederate monuments and the Original 33 to Martin Luther King Jr. and Jimmy Carter, the Georgia State Capitol tells a story about who held power, who fought for a seat at...

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, th...

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.

Taking a quick pit stop between seasons for a little Q&A! 🚗 We’re talking solo travel, road-trip snacks, state capitols, my very strong opinions on full albums, why Ike has basically become a member of the family, and a few lessons I’ve picked up somewhere along the way. Nothing too serious—just a fun 24 minutes from the road before we jump into Season 2.

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 trav...

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,...

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...

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....

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...

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’...

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...

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 monumen...

In this episode of 50 States in the Rearview , Ike and I roll into America's Dairyland to explore Madison, Wisconsin. Ditching the truck for a walking tour of the unique, lake-bound isthmus, we dive into the rough-and-tumble history of the "Badger State" miners to trailblazing civil rights icons. We explore a city where the massive Capitol dome isn't just a seat of government—it's completely woven...

Erin takes a moment to honor the meaning behind the holiday—and the lives that made everyday freedom possible.

In this episode of 50 States in the Rearview , we head to West Virginia and explore the story behind Charleston’s gold-domed capitol. Often reduced to stereotypes, West Virginia reveals itself as something far deeper—a place built on independence, resilience, and quiet pride. From its unlikely birth during the Civil War to the coal miners and communities that helped power America, this episode unc...

Most people come to Nashville for the music, the neon lights, and nights that don’t end until sunrise. But just a few blocks away, sitting high above it all, is something most visitors never even notice—the Tennessee State Capitol. In this episode of Fifty States in the Rearview , Erin explores the surprising contrast between Nashville’s vibrant, welcoming culture and a capitol building that feels...

No capital this time—just one of the most incredible places in America. Erin heads to the Grand Canyon for a few days off the grid, sharing stories from the trails, the people met along the way, and what it’s like to experience a place that doesn’t exactly want you there—but changes you anyway.

In Episode 4, Erin and Ike head into the heart of the Sonoran Desert to see if they can survive the "Valley of the Sun". Phoenix isn’t like the older, greener capitals of the East; it’s a sprawling metropolis engineered to defy the desert. From the "hostile" heat of the open road to the surprisingly modest State Capitol, Erin explores a city that values the future more than the past. But amidst th...

In Episode 3 of 50 States in the Rearview , we head deep into the heart of Louisiana—where the air is thick, the culture runs deeper than the Mississippi, and Baton Rouge tells a story you can’t ignore. From French colonization and the rise of Cajun culture to the towering legacy of Huey P. Long, this episode explores how a place shaped by water, exile, and resilience became one of the most unique...

Dover, Delaware might be easy to overlook—but it was the first to shape a nation. In this episode of 50 States in the Rearview , we explore the quiet capital of the First State, where colonial streets, historic greens, and everyday life all intersect. From the legendary overnight ride of Caesar Rodney to the moment Delaware became the first to ratify the Constitution, this is a story about more th...

Meet Erin and her Ford F-150, Ike, as they kick off a journey through the heart of the American story. > 50 States in the Rearview isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about the transformation that happens between the mile markers. From the "stone history" of our state capitols to the comfort of a Diet Coke and a familiar hotel chain, this episode sets the stage for a podcast dedicated to grounded c...

The road stretches across the Kansas prairie, where endless sky meets a quiet city with a powerful past. In this first episode of 50 States in the Rearview , Erin and her trusty truck Ike roll into Topeka to explore the Kansas State Capitol and the stories that shaped the Sunflower State. From the prairie women who helped build frontier communities to the violent clashes of “Bleeding Kansas,” and...

Most people travel to get somewhere. They’re chasing reservations, five-star reviews, or passport stamps. I spent the last few years chasing something else. I’ve stood on the granite steps of all 50 state capitols, and along the way, I fell in love with the parts of America most people pass by too quickly—the places that actually shape us. 50 States in the Rearview is a podcast for the history ner...