Top Podcasts for Every US State (Plus D.C.)

America is a country of opportunities, contradictions, … podcasts. In fact, there is at least one standout podcast for every one of the 50 United States (and Washington, D.C. too)—niche shows covering everything from the Grand Canyon to food at the Minnesota State Fair. Each celebrates the voices and stories that make the United States so diverse. If you’re on a cross-country trip, you can listen to state-specific podcasts all the way. Here’s a list to get you started.

Alabama

Alabama Astronaut : Alabama songwriter Abe Partridge takes us into the Appalachian hills to introduce us to a genre of music that has never been heard before and is not fully documented. It’s the music of snake trainers, and it reveals a subculture so weird that it’s no wonder these songs (they’re good! You can listen to the album) are secret. Abe talks to people who drink poison and handle snakes to find out what makes them endanger themselves for their faith through music.

Alaska

Iditapod : During the Iditarod dog sled races, turn on the Iditapod , where Alaskan state media reporters grab the microphone from the sidelines to report behind-the-scenes news, news about the mushers (as well as the health—and fashion—of their dogs), and in-depth analysis of the races that will make you feel like you are up and cheering on the riders. It’s exciting and gives you a real look at what it’s like to push your body and mind (and a group of dogs with huge personalities) through 1,000 miles of snow. (If you can do it.)

Arizona

Behind the scenes : dams, hikes, backcountry, rangers: “Behind the scenes” will take you (gently) to the Grand Canyon to learn about all the elements and forces that make it one of the most beautiful places in the United States.

Arkansas

Ozark whispers : Vincent Vangetti is not a real person (he is a fictional journalist/paranormal investigator), but Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Ozark Whispers follows Vincent as he investigates strange events in this Victorian mountain village located in the Ozarks. The writing, storytelling and sound design are top notch and let your imagination run wild.

California

California Love : Part love letter, part memoir, California Love uses narrative storytelling and pop culture analysis to give a strong sense of place. The first season became Walter Thompson-Hernandez’s anthem for his generation growing up in Compton. In the second season of ‘K-pop Dreaming’, Vivian Yoon shares memories of her lifelong obsession with K-pop.

Colorado

Colorado Dream : The Colorado Dream sheds light on Colorados who are building a better life for themselves and their communities in the Century State, from focusing on Denver’s small urban school district educating tomorrow’s workforce to the story of one African immigrant giving us insight about what the black immigrant experience in Aurora is like.

Connecticut

Patient Zero : “True crime meets infectious disease” in Patient Zero , where host Taylor Quimby tells a short and frustrating story of Lyme disease that began in 1975 when children in Lyme, Connecticut complained of mysterious symptoms. It took two moms to get going and get the attention of the medical community.

Delaware

Saving Delaware History Podcast : Delaware is a place steeped in U.S. history, from forts to plantations to a major crossing point on the Underground Railroad. The Preserving Delaware History Podcast is your guide to people and places based on research from the Delaware Department of History and Culture.

Florida

Biscayne Tales : Welcome to Miami, a place full of natural wonders, fossils, burial grounds and pirate lore. Discover it all at Biscayne Tales , which takes you through Miami’s oldest neighborhoods and historic hotspots to learn about the city’s past.

Georgia

Fall Line : True Crime can often be seen as an exploitation of family trauma, and is known for focusing on the stories of a certain type of person. (Looking at you privileged white women.) Fallline focuses on ethical, in-depth coverage of missing people and unsolved murders of people you’ve never heard of—and the reason these cases went unnoticed the first time around. place.

Hawaii

They named me Hapa : “Hapa” is the Hawaiian word for a person of multiracial origin. In this short audio experience, the Smithsonian Asia-Pacific American Center partnered with Salted Logic, a female-led Indigenous media collective, to talk to eight students from Hawaii about what the word means to them, exploring the Hawaiian language, their identity . and culture.

Idaho

King Road killings : In 2022, four University of Idaho students were stabbed to death in their off-campus home on King Road. The King Road Murders is where you can get the latest news and the case of Brian Kochberger, a criminology graduate student charged with the murders.

Illinois

77 Flavors of Chicago : Chicago residents Sarah Fadda and Dario Durham walk the streets of all 77 of Chicago’s historic neighborhoods, pointing out history you can’t miss (but you could! If you didn’t have Sarah and Dario as your guides.) Meet people, learn about places and learn all about food.

Indiana

Trackside Podcast : Trackside is IndyCar’s best podcast, and hosts Kevin Lee and Kurt Kevin are the best in the business. Every day they take stock of what you may have missed and a preview of what’s coming next. Kevin and Kurt are great guys, they make great jokes and really know their stuff.

Iowa

Iowa Podcast : If you really want to know what’s going on in Iowa, listen to the people. The Iowa Podcast is an Iowan podcast created by Iowans in Iowa. Justin Brady talks to filmmakers, business owners and the general public to give you an idea of ​​the state’s zeitgeist. Foreigners are welcome.

Kansas

Hidden Kansas : From exotic livestock farms to haunted mansions and underground tunnels, Kansas has plenty of fascinating spots to explore. Hidden Kansas uses beautiful storytelling to shed light on state gems that will make you feel right at home, like at home on the training ground.

Kentucky

Midnight in Kentucky : Here’s a great podcast that uncovers all the weird things going on in Kentucky, from the occult and cryptids to spooky pasta and demonology, always asking the question: does the truth really exist? (In the Bluegrass State?) The focus is on small towns, not just big cities.

Louisiana

Floodlines : What happened to the August 29, 2005 dam failure in New Orleans? Floodlines is a story of mother nature’s arrogance, incompetence, and wrath, filled with the personal stories of people who have suffered. The beautiful storytelling and compelling reporting of the Floodlines, hosted by Vann R. Newkirk II, won him the 2021 Peabody Award.

Maine

Salts & Water : From the dashing Portland fishmonger to the sea spirit Searsport, Salts & Water is a six-part series created by award-winning producer Rob Rosenthal that focuses on Coastal Maine and the people who work and play there.

Maryland

Your Maryland : Rick Cottom presents quirky, interesting, and obscure stories about Maryland. Your Maryland will send you down the rabbit hole of accused witches, fires, treasure chests, heroes and villains.

Massachusetts

Remarkable Providences : Remarkable Providences dives deep into the Salem witch trials and the atmosphere of purity and resentment that has spawned one of America’s most enduring – and misunderstood – myths. Hosted by Keith Devorak, former Salem guide and current Salem botanist.

Michigan

Crossroads: Detroit : Get to know Detroit through the voices of its people. with personal poetic stories and original music by Detroit musicians.

Minnesota

There’s No Place Like Home : An audio documentary about a pair of Dorothy’s ruby ​​shoes that were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota in 2005. Oz. .

Mississippi

Eyewitness: The Devil in the Ditch : Journalist Larrison Campbell returns to his Mississippi hometown to reinvestigate the murder of his grandmother, Presh, and a relative who some people believe killed her. It’s about a family and community torn apart by scandal.

Missouri

Missouri Woods and Water : Avid athletes Nate Thomas, Micah Winstead and Andrew Homfeld have a passion for the outdoors of Missouri and talk about summer coyotes, hunting gear, conservation and more in interviews with Department of Conservation officials.

Montana

Line of Fire : Fires are natural, necessary, and beautiful. They are also catastrophic and terrible. Fireline shares stories and news about the experiences and perspectives of firefighters and land surveyors as they try to understand the history of fire management and the complexities associated with fires today.

Nebraska

Heartland Darkland : A mixture of casual conversation and deep dives into the murders, mysteries, disappearances and paranormal happenings in the Heart of America. Heartland Darkland sheds light on the stories of the various victims.

Nevada

Vital Vegas : Long and deep dives into the most exciting news, stories and rumors about Sin City. Host Scott Roben’s network of sources is second to none – he entertains and demonstrates a true passion for Vegas.

New Hampshire

Something Wild : From sugar mapping to birdsong, explore the science New Hampshire people see and hear in their backyard. It’s like a fun and nerdy nature walk that the whole family can enjoy.

New Jersey

New Jersey is the world : Comedian Chris Gethard, host of Beautiful/Anonymous , loves New Jersey. He interviews his New Jersey friends and shares weird secrets and stories for you to enjoy too.

New Mexico

I Love New Mexico Bunny Terry has blogged “I Love New Mexico” for 13 years and now talks about her love for New Mexico on her podcast of the same name , where she shares stories with New Mexicoers on where to get the best cheeseburger. with green chili and how to find a well-stocked thrift store or raft down the wildest stretch of the river.

NY

Not thrown away : ticket stubs, demo cake, stuffed alligator: these may seem like mundane items, but they tell fascinating stories about New York. Undiscarded shares these stories item by item.

North Carolina

Down the Blue Ridge Road Music Trails of North Carolina : Musician, folklorist, and storyteller Laura Businger tells stories about bluegrass and early music in North Carolina, talking about the performers and traditions of the state’s upland and foothill counties.

North Dakota

North Dakota State Historical Society : This now-defunct podcast shed light on North Dakota’s days gone by, highlighting North Dakota’s historic sites, exhibits, events, and heritage through interpretive tours and interviews with curators, archaeologists, and other history professionals.

Ohio

Who cares about rock hall? : Cleveland rocks. And who cares about rock hall? Joe Kwachala is trying to get his friend and Kristen Stadard to care about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as much as he does. Filled with information and fun conversation.

Oklahoma

Blindspot : Host KalaLea will take you back in time to the Greenwood neighborhood in 1921, then known as “Black Wall Street”, which was destroyed by a white supremacist mob on May 31 of that year. Hear the stories of the survivors, descendants and heirs of his legacy. This is a museum for your ears.

Oregon

The Quirky Oregon History Podcast : Cults! Serial killers! Exploding whale! Hear Oregon’s craziest true stories – the ones that weren’t in your textbooks.

Pennsylvania

Gettysburg Address : Hear Gettysburg’s unfiltered history through captivating narrative episodes, plus tune in to informative “Ask the Gettysburg Guide” segments and more.

Rhode Island

Crime City : Tune in to the first season, which takes a deep dive into the violent crime culture of Providence, Rhode Island, where organized crime has dominated every aspect of public life. Crime Town boasts fantastic reporting and production.

South Carolina

Carolina Crimes : Two South Carolina natives take on the most horrific crimes while offering a variety of lessons on the historical and cultural aspects of Palmetto State. You will learn not only about the crimes, but also about the areas in which they occurred.

North Dakota

History 605 : State Historian Ben Jones invites guests to talk about his books, museum pieces and artifacts, and the region’s historical sites. This is an open book about the history of South Dakota and the people of the past.

Tennessee

The Grand Ole Opry : Come to this weekly country music concert, featuring legends and current chart leaders performing country, bluegrass, folk, gospel and more. This is a portal to the past.

Texas

White Hats : The History of the Texas Rangers (Los Diablos Tejanos) and How They Became Such Enduring Texas Icons. They are praised for being American superheroes and despised for the violence they committed against Mexicans and Mexican Americans. Their story is heavy, complex and endlessly fascinating.

Utah

Spare Us Ervil : Journalist Jesse Hyde tells the story of Ervil LeBaron, the leader of a polygamous Mormon fundamentalist group who ordered the killing of many of his opponents, using his faith to justify the killings. This is a real crime story based on faith and history.

Vermont

Rumble Strip : A Peabody Award-winning show featuring conversations with Vermonters from journalist Erica Heilman. Erica’s ability to talk and listen to her characters about the everyday problems of her Vermont neighbors makes each story unique and unforgettable.

Virginia

Odd Virginia : Weird and intimate encounters come to life in Odd Virginia, a show that makes you feel like you’re sitting around a campfire.

Washington

DIRT: Audio Drama : A Strange Letter. Impossible sender. Secrets hidden in the earth. Set in present-day Washington state, this audio drama follows the journey of a man who tries to solve a family secret and how he gets more than he ever bargained for.

Washington

Side Door : Visit the Smithsonian from the comfort of your seat. Host Lizzie Peabody leads a tour of the museum’s relics with the help of biologists, artists, historians, archaeologists, zookeepers and astrophysicists who tell American history through items you can find in the museum’s corridors.

West Virginia

Inside Appalachia : Listening to “Inside Appalachia” is like flipping through a cultural magazine that introduces you to a variety of stories about the history, food, music, culture, and people of West Virginia. The episodes are educational and beautifully done. This show reminds us not to take an inch of West Virginia for granted.

Wisconsin

Beer, Cheese & Murder : The Beer, Cheese & Murder Gals deliver batches of breaking news from Wisconsin that makes you want to say “Oh my nerves!” From gruesome murders to more light-hearted news, this show offers colorful stories with lots of fun from the hosts.

Wyoming

The Modern West : Melody Edwards offers a thoughtful and honest look at the western corner of the Wyoming world, from its troubled history to contemporary wrestling. It is a leisurely and beautifully crafted film that deals with modernization, social responsibility, and the revisionist American West through the lens of a local.