Happy MaxFun Drive!This show is supported by our beloved MaxFun Members! To become one yourself as part of the #MaxFunDrive, go to maximumfun.org/join and set up a recurring monthly contribution (or an annual prepay) for as little as $5 a month. Janet Varney celebrates MORE state cryptids from our wonderful E Pluribus Motto listeners. Some of them are spiritual, some are disturbing but we love hearing about them all. Not only that, but we’ll get to hear even more about the effect that these cryptids have on you as listeners who share a state with them. Produced by Julian Burrell.Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org.
Happy MaxFun Drive!This show is supported by our beloved MaxFun Members! To become one yourself as part of the #MaxFunDrive, go to maximumfun.org/join and set up a recurring monthly contribution (or an annual prepay) for as little as $5 a month. Janet Varney and John Hodgman explore the legendary, creepy, adorable and mysterious cryptids that (possibly) exist across this country.The bipedal creatures with wings of bats, fur, jurassic flippers or glistening fangs are out there… possibly. And several will get a spotlight on this wonderful exploration. Produced by Julian Burrell.Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org.
Janet Varney and John Hodgman chat about the start of the #MaxFunDrive!This episode is being released on the first day of the drive– March 17th. Now is the time to go to maximumfun.org/join to become a MaxFun Member. For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure that this podcast continues and earn great gifts in the process.Then, it’s Janet’s full conversation with filmmaker Amy Holden Jones. We’ll learn more about how a very specific location in Connecticut inspired the title of Amy’s film Mystic Pizza, why it was important for her to make a movie about women coming of age and what she thinks about Connecticut’s all-too-complicated motto.Produced by Julian Burrell.Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org.
John Hodgman and Janet Varney are pouring some lovely Tennessee tea on the season finale of E Pluribus Motto!That’s right, Tennessee is the final state and motto of season one. So does it have a strong, compelling and rich phrase to close us out strong? No!But there’s still a lot to discuss, including some personal travel stories through the state, what its flat top shape makes us think of, and… the national treasure that is Dolly Parton.Plus, a chat Tennessee’s own Mark Gagliardi from the podcast “We Got This,” who will be quizzed about his knowledge of his home state.Episode art provided by: TrishJillian St. CharlesKevin LamProduced by Julian Burrell.Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org.
John Hodgman and Janet Varney are calling for freedom from the juventocracy as they visit Illinois!It’s got a motto that makes you think but a state seal that’s very confusing and unappealing. But the pair promise to be fair judges.How do you decide what food and critters are good enough to be official representations of your home? Let the children decide of course! That’s right, Illinois allowed the… admittedly middling opinions of elementary school kids to decide on a variety of state symbols.We’ll get into all of those and even discuss some of the famous nicknames for the cities of the Illinoisans.Justice for the 13 striped ground squirrel!Episode art provided by: Hannah OwensClaire O’HanlonRob BondAndroo GardnerProduced by Julian Burrell.Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org.
John Hodgman and Janet Varney are ready for an episode as sweet as a peach: Georgia! Up until now we’ve dealt exclusively with official mottos. But Georgia just had to buck tradition with an UNofficial motto. Thankfully we’ve still got a lot of symbols that did make the cut. From frogs, dogs, whales and fruit. Episode art provided by: Kevin LamRyan LloydC.N. JosephsProduced by Julian Burrell.Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org.
There’s a bit of maple in the air because this week John Hodgman and Janet Varney visit Vermont! Green mountain boys and sea monsters await.Plus: A motto so good that it makes us rethink our opinions about the other mottos we’ve graded so far. (Sorry New York– looks like “Excelsior!” might be inferior).And you know what this episode pairs great with? A big ol’ plate of pancakes with some freshly tapped Vermont maple syrup.Episode art provided by: Jayne KennedyJackie GrayKate ThomasProduced by Julian Burrell.Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org.
John Hodgman and Janet Varney are heading ever upward! This week is all about New York!We’re going through a bunch of the Empire state’s historical highlights, from the compelling to the goofy. The two will reminisce about how New York has personally touched their lives and explain why this motto is so Amazing, Spectacular, Incredible and Fantastic. Plus: Beavers!Episode art provided by: Lizzie BarteltCookie LeiblerLiam JeffriesRisa StrobleGerald J. SmithProduced by Julian Burrell.Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org
John Hodgman presents to Janet Varney the state that’s obsessed with having an excessive amount of mottos: South Carolina!It features two mottoes, two official state drinks, two official state marine mammals and more. And that’s before we discuss how busy the state seal is.Yet for all that, the state has a very tastefully reserved flag and a really charming fondness of the creatures like the wolf spider.So settle into your little burrow and grab a pile of boiled peanuts.Produced by Julian Burrell.Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org.
Janet Varney presents to John Hodgman the commonwealth of Virginia!What a creature filled state! Everything from tiny bats with big ears, directional cardinals and water-based horses. But before we can get to any of that we have to discuss that motto. Sure it’s a little aggressive and has some unfortunate historical baggage; but you’ll hear why it’s actually a very hopeful message. Plus, we’re joined by Dimitry Pompée, one of the hosts of the MaxFun podcast “Eurovangelists,” which is all about the song contest: Eurovision. He’s also a longtime resident of Viriginia. And even though he’s loved living elsewhere, he’ll tell us why he just can’t quit the Mother of States. And before you ask… yes, this podcast is for lovers.Special thanks to Laura Kicklighter and Denise Sumiel for supplying episode art this week!Produced by Julian Burrell.Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org.
John Hodgman presents his home commonwealth to Janet Varney. It’s time to spotlight Massachusetts!Keep your Boston accents to yourself (for now) because we’ll learn more about how its motto was born from was born from an incredibly aggressive guest book entry and the numerous songs that have fought status within Massachusetts.Plus, John will chat with Kate Lorch. As an elementary school student she struck a major political victory: getting Massachusetts an official state muffin. Special thanks to Denise Falbo for supplying episode art this week!Produced by Julian Burrell.Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org.
It’s Janet Varney’s turn to present to John Hodgman; it’s the biggest little state in the union: Rhode Island!While Rhode Island does have a limited presence in pop culture, it still has a lot of great songs devoted to it. And we’re happy to showcase a few.We’ll find out what exactly a “stuffy” is and why this state motto is so simple and yet perfect.Plus, we’ll hear from Julian Fellowes, creator of the shows “Downton Abbey” and “The Gilded Age.” The latter is filmed in Newport, Rhode Island. We’ll learn more about why Julian was so taken with the location and what he thinks of the Rhode Island state motto.Special thanks to listeners Ryan Michney and Thomas Westgate for providing photos for this episode art. Produced by Julian Burrell.Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org.
It’s the very first episode of E Pluribus Motto!John Hodgman and Janet Varney’s first stop on their tour of every state, commonwealth and territory in the United States is Connecticut. Why Connecticut first? They’ll explain.Hear more about its legendary rich, sandy loam, the grape-filled seal, and its many attempts to create a state motto that sticks.Plus, Janet speaks with Amy Holden Jones, creator of the film Mystic Pizza. Amy will tell us about how her movie was directly inspired by Connecticut… and give her own suggestions for a new state motto.Produced by Julian Burrell.Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org
Listening to E Pluribus Motto is like taking a road trip with friends Janet Varney and John Hodgman. In each episode, they spotlight one state and chat about its motto, bird, beverages, songs, and–occasionally–muffins. Plus, you'll hear from residents and guests whose lives or work have been inspired by that state. This podcast is a celebration of regional culture and an homage to the love we all seem to have for the place we call home. Pack your snacks and jump on in!
Becky Manry
john needs to be less pretentious. when it comes to the us a state and a commonwealth are the same thing!