In this intensely divided moment, one of the few things everyone still seems to agree on is Dolly Parton—but why? That simple question leads to a deeply personal, historical, and musical rethinking of one of America’s great icons. Join us for a 9-episode journey into the Dollyverse. Hosted by Jad Abumrad. Produced and reported by Shima Oliaee. Dolly Parton’s America is a production from OSM Audio and WNYC Studios.
Latest episodes
Showing 12 · updated from the feed
She's Alive!
#14 trending · Music History
As Dolly will tell you, so much of who she is - her creativity, her music, her stance on life - emanates from her faith, but what exactly is that faith? The answer is dee
Dec 31 2019 26 min
Traveling Creatures: live music from the series
#42 trending · Music History
In this second bonus music episode, we play two live songs we recorded, sung by bluegrass musicians Nora Brown and Amythyst Kiah.
You can find Nora on facebook @norabro
Dec 24 2019 12 min
Dixie Disappearance
#13 trending · Music History
This episode delves into the controversy surrounding Dolly Parton’s Stampede (formerly known as “Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede”)—a dinner theater that presents the Civil
Dec 17 2019 38 min
Dolly Parton's America
#11 trending · Music History
At the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, we drop in on a history class called “Dolly Parton’s America.” (We borrowed the name for our series!) Taught by Dr. Lynn Sacc
Dec 3 2019 40 min
Dolly's Wildflowers: live music from the series
#32 trending · Music History
Music performed by:
Justin Hiltner (@hiltnerj, http://justinhiltner.com) Esther Konkara (@esther_konkara) Steph Jenkins (@slhjenkins, http://www.stephaniejenkins.info)
Nov 26 2019 30 min
The Only One For Me, Jolene
#12 trending · Music History
One of Dolly’s most iconic and successful songs is “Jolene,” a song that, at first listen, is about a romantic rival trying to steal her man: a prime example of the class
Nov 19 2019 36 min
Dollitics
#10 trending · Music History
Dolly Parton and politics have always had an interesting relationship. On the one hand, she wrote 9 to 5, the anthem for working women and the theme song for a movie insp
Nov 12 2019 44 min
Neon Moss
#7 trending · Music History
In this episode, we go back up the mountain to visit Dolly’s actual Tennessee mountain home. But, can you ever go home again? Dolly tells us stories about her first tri
Nov 5 2019 41 min
Tennessee Mountain Trance
#9 trending · Music History
We journey into the Dollyverse dimension: "Tennessee Mountain Home."Like all law abiding Tennesseans, Jad grew up with the song on a loop. He hadn’t planned to talk with
Oct 29 2019 40 min
I Will Always Leave You
#8 trending · Music History
Porter Wagoner led the most successful country music television show of its time, and in 1967 he needed a new “girl singer.” He turned to a 21 year old songwriter named D
Oct 22 2019 53 min
Sad Ass Songs
#6 trending · Music History
We begin with a simple question: How did the queen of the boob joke become a feminist icon? Helen Morales, author of “Pilgrimage to Dollywood,” gave us a stern directive
Oct 15 2019 57 min
Dolly Parton's America Trailer
#36 trending · Music History
In this intensely divided moment, one of the few things everyone still seems to agree on is Dolly Parton—but why? That simple question leads to a deeply personal, histori
Oct 3 2019 1 min
Chart trend
Position in the Music History chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#4#7JulAugSepOct
#1
all-time peak
262
days in the top 3 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where Dolly Parton's America ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 8, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
This made me fall in love with Dolly even more. I’ve since listened multiple times since her passing and sent to anyone who mentions Dolly. This now is a beautiful tribute to who she was.
Paigemarie1234 · Oct 2026
I didn’t know much about Dolly Parton, especially as an immigrant to the USA. But they didn’t just talk about her life. The links to music traditions, their personal lives, the students, it is so cleverly constructed as a tapestry that eventually gives us such an interesting take on Dolly’s life. The part about the links to Jad’s father’s life were really moving. I am listening to it a few weeks after she passed away and the last episode has even more meaning now. Thank you for this gem.
Eoos82 · Sep 2026
I listen to a fair number of podcasts and Dolly Parton’s America did not disappoint. It was wonderful to learn more about her career, her personally, and the choices she has made. Jad does a great job (I enjoy most RadioLab episodes as well) and I found that he explored each topic thoroughly. His self reflection throughout the series only adds to journey. Thank you for a wonderful series!
ImpulseSelfie · Sep 2026
This series was beautiful and amazing. What a fantastic story of the host’s connection to Dolly and the deep dive into her life and music. I was a bit surprised that there was no mention of her enduring marriage. They talked more about possible homoerotic subtext than her actual marriage of a bajillion years. Kind of like how the host shied from the topic of religion until the end… was talking about marriage off the table? Anywho… great podcast in any event I feel lucky to have heard it.
Lady Hawking · Sep 2026
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Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Dolly Parton's America, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
