50 States in the Rearview

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...