05: Tennessee – The First to Say Yes
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 anything but accessible. From its roots as the “Athens of the South” to the complicated legacy of presidents like Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson, this stop reveals a different side of Music City.
It’s a story about power and people, history and identity—and how sometimes the real heart of a place isn’t found where decisions are made, but where life is actually lived.
DETOUR: The Grand Canyon
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.
04: Arizona – The City that Shouldn’t Exist
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 the modern tech giants and the endless grid, she finds a deep, emotional core at the Capitol Mall—honoring the unbreakable code of the Navajo Nation and the enduring memory of the USS Arizona.
Is Phoenix a welcoming oasis or a land that forces you to adapt or leave? Erin shares her “hot take” on why this capital feels more like a test than a home—and why she’s already looking toward the horizon.
03: Louisiana- French Roots in the Bayou
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 corners of America. Along the way, we walk the grounds of Louisiana’s striking capitol, uncover the meaning behind “Red Stick,” and discover why this state refuses to be defined—or controlled.
Love it or hate it, Louisiana leaves its mark. And once you feel it, you don’t just pass through… you carry it with you.
02: Delaware- The First to Say Yes
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 than history—it’s about identity.
Because here, the past isn’t preserved behind glass—it’s still part of the present. And from its earliest days to the way it operates today, Delaware has built a legacy on one simple idea: when the moment comes, don’t wait—decide.
01: Kansas – To the Stars Through Adversity
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 from Abraham Lincoln’s connection to the territory to the landmark Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education, Kansas has stood at the crossroads of American history more than once.
Along the way, we’ll reflect on life on the prairie, the quiet resilience of small towns, and why some people still choose to build their lives under the biggest skies in America.
Because here in Kansas, the motto says it all:
Ad Astra Per Aspera — To the stars through adversity.
So climb in, buckle up, and take the long way with us.
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