Our Americana

Catch up on all things Studio BOTH/AND for the month of February (and beyond).This month's news:• New tours and events • Unsafe Spaces update • The Karen & Ellen Letters update • True Crime Bullsh** update • New projects • Our Americana update • Studio BOTH/AND Launch Party follow-up in The Berkshires this October • What's happening on Patreon this month Links: • True Crime Podcast Festival, use promo code JOSH for 15% off • Studio BOTH/AND Patreon

A man ahead of his time, built an entire town around the timber industry. A century later, the town is building itself around and in support of a local nuisance. Finding comedy in stress, it turns out, has been a decades-long tradition in Longview, Washington. Plus, the best way to survive a volcano eruption; and how fun, industry, and ecology can thrive in symbiosis. This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothandWritten, edited, and produced by Josh Hallmark Research by Vanessa YorkGuest: Patrick KubinMusic by Borrtex, Podington Bear, Broke for Free, Cheribum / Courtesy of Free Music Archive

A four-person support group, for parents of children with autism, inspires an entire community to become Canada's first Autism-Friendly Town. This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothandWritten, edited, and produced by Josh Hallmark Guests: Joan Chaisson, Cathy Lomond, Cindy Goudie-LaPolla, Wanda Merrigan, Candace Matthews Featuring "Welcome Home, Son" by Radical FaceOther music by Lee Rosevere, Borrtex, Scott Holmes, Chris Zabriskie / Courtesy of Free Music Archive

In this collaboration with The Story Behind podcast, we explore the story behind Roadside Attractions. We take a look at how three Roadside Attractions have impacted and been impacted by community: including the world's largest beagle, the world's (former) largest cherry pie pan, and the Unclaimed Baggage Center (a museum of lost luggage). This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothand Written, edited, and produced by Josh Hallmark & Emily ProkopMusic by Utidur, Mike Durek, and Ryan Andersen / Courtesy of Free Music Archive

When a rural town's only high school is in jeopardy, the community comes together to change it in some very radical ways. And then the school, in turn, changes the community.This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothandWritten, edited, and produced by Josh HallmarkMusic by Jon Luc Hefferman, Kai Engel, Mike Durek, Squire Tuck, Broke for Free, David Hilowitz, and Lee Rosevere / Courtesy of Free Music Archive

A tornado forever changes the rural town of Greensburg in the most unexpected way. And we separate ideas and movements from the constraints of politics. This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothandWritten, edited, and produced by Josh Hallmark Research Assistance by Torey Griffith Music by Saito, Chris Zabriskie, Kai Engel, David Mumford, Lee Rosevere, Idmonster / Courtesy of Free Music Archive

A rural town, known as The Troll Capital of the World, unites over the attempted banning of a book reading and its very close-to-home consequences. This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothandWritten, edited, and produced by Josh Hallmark Research by Vanessa York, Nicola Jezequel, Shannon DeFilippas, Jennifer Menges Guests: JoEllen Graber, Amy Lyle, and SarahLibrary recordings from: Carly Fisher, Jane Burns, and Julie Plotkin Featuring "Legend of the Wild Horse" by Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton Other music by Lee Rosevere, Borrtex, Ketsa, Derek Clegg, Chris Zabriskie / Courtesy of Free Music Archive

We head to South Florida to take a very candid look at the struggles of drug addiction and recovery through the lens of a listener.This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothandMusic by: El Perro del Mar, Chris Zabriskie, Lee Rosevere, and Freya Ridings

Hot off the heels of #VanLife, we stick to the open road and explore American Roadside Attractions. Manatees, vacuums, Big Fish, and some listener stories.This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothandMusic by: Drake Stafford, Broke For Free, Three Chain Links, Maxim Kornyshev, Will Bangs, and Cloudjumper

Josh catches up with the four #VanLifers who he chatted with last July. Jennifer and Josh talk about the privilege of experience. Alex finds solace and liberation in a disconnected life. And we find out whether Giddi and Jace made it back out onto the road after having their baby.This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothand

Seth tries to uncover how exactly the epidemics began and continue to occur. Jesse comes through recovery and starts the long road to creating a new life for himself. Holli, once a beacon for hope in Austin, struggles with the intersections of religion, media, and welfare; and then ultimately loses hope, herself.This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothand

We pause the story in Austin, to talk more personally about HIV.Music by Chris Zabriskie & Luke Pigott.This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothand

In a small, rural Indiana town, what started as a drug epidemic became an HIV crisis. Government, religion, public health, the community, and the media coalesce in their various attempts to help a town in peril.This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothand

In a town with no radio or cellular waves, with no wifi or cable, life is wonderfully quiet. We examine our strange relationships with technology and meet a woman who suffers from electromagnetic sensitivity so bad, she spent a year living in a Faraday cage.This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothand

In a rural Iowa town rooted in Transcendental Meditation and home to the microcommunity movement, community-building and intention have been redefined.This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothand

A northern Minnesota town, struggling to find its economic identity, gets a little help from an unlikely resident and his uncanny routine. Plus, turtle racing.This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothand

Our Americana listener Adrienne walks us through her hometown. We talk about how tragedy shaped her, politics and conversation in North Carolina, and life in a town full of memories. Plus, a song about bears.This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothandOur Americana is produced & hosted by Josh Hallmark. Featured Music: Rho - Long Drive Home; Scott Holmes - Childhood Memories; Luke Pigott - Mourning Breathing; Ballpen - The Hometown Dream; Podington Bear - Clouds Pass Softly Deux; Podington Bear - Little Do; Podington Bear - Sunset Stroll; Adrianna Krikl - Know Where Music available at: www.freemusicarchive.com

In 2013, hundred dollar bills started mysteriously appearing throughout Salem, Oregon; in diaper boxes, tip cups, people's cars. This is the story of the mysterious person hiding them, and how their generosity became contagious.This week's guests:Heather Martin, JoAnn Culbertson, and Rob WhelanOur Americana is produced & hosted by Josh Hallmark. Learn more at www.ouramericanapodcast.comSponsor Our Americana at www.patreon.com/ouramericana -or- www.ouramericanapodcast.comSpecial thanks to Night Cadet for the use of their song "Seaside."Other Featured Music: Dave Depper - Perspective; Will Bangs - The Soft Glow of Christmas Lights; David Szesztay - Take Care; Dave Depper - Acoustic 2; Will Bangs - You Make My Heart Sing So Loud; Dave Depper - Wholesome 1; Josh Woodward - Thanks for Coming (Instrumental); Steve Combs - Thank You (Remix) Music available at: www.freemusicarchive.com

It's how this whole thing started. When we set off on the open road that May evening, we knew our lives were about to change; we had no idea exactly how. We had no idea exactly how much, how wonderfully; how it would take us to right here, right now. #VanLife is, of course, bigger than just us and our travels. And so, I reached out to some of our fellow roadtrippers to see how life on the road has changed them and their perspective on America. And, just like with any great roadtrip, some music for the ride. This week's Insta-guests:Alex @agirlandhervanJace & Giddi @wheninvanJennifer @treeoftravel This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothandSponsor Our Americana at www.patreon.com/ouramericana -or- www.ouramericanapodcast.comFeatured Music: Dave Depper - Perspective; Terry Jackson - A Portion of Foxes; The Impossebulls - Road Warriors; Westy Reflector - The Long Road Ahead; The Bowmans - On The Road; Rho - Shady Ridge Row; Josh Woodward - Follow The Road; Jack Kotz - I'm The Only Road You Know; Ze Trigueiros - Big Road Of Burravoe; Will Bangs - I'm So Glad You Exist; spinningmerkaba - The Stars Look Different Music available at: www.freemusicarchive.com

A high desert ghost town is revitalized as an unincorporated, off-the-grid artists' community. In this ungoverned, un-policed town of 219, law enforcement consists of a self-appointed, five-person Intervention and Safety Team. This town and its governing by volunteerism will change the way you think about law enforcement, guns, ethics, and their impact on community.This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:www.ouramericanapodcast.com / www.bothand.fyiFor an ad-free experience or to support the show: www.patreon.com/studiobothandThis week's guests:Connie Mayhew: Connie owns and operates Madrid's one and only roadside attraction, a donation-based photo park. Mike T: Mike is the self-appointed head of a volunteer security team, in a town with no police.Our Americana is produced & hosted by Josh Hallmark. Featured Music: Dave Depper - Perspective; Charles Atlas - Demus; Nowhere Home - Happy The Playground Chimes; Alex Fitch - Secret Place Music available at: www.freemusicarchive.com