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!
#36 trending · Music
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
#25 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
#30 trending · Music
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
#20 trending · Music
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
#15 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
#19 trending · Music
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
#21 trending · Music
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
#29 trending · Music
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
#31 trending · Music
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
#17 trending · Music
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
#16 trending · Music
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
#16 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
What listeners say
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
Throughout my listen to this podcast, I couldn’t help but think about the story of Dolly as told here, connections made and my own personal history. If you grew up in a remote location, listened to her music and identified with the variety of themes presented here and in the music, you can’t help wondering how this music shapes you. Her story is our story. Such a beautiful tribute to an iconic entertainer.
Dedicated to fitness · Sep 2026
I was surprised that the announcement of Dolly Parton’s passing hit me as hard as I did. She was always around but I didn’t realize how much she was always around, a part of my life. Online someone recommended this podcast, and I’m so glad they did. It’s very well done and it helps to know this person who has always been in my life. It’s wonderful.
Rizzlefacia · Aug 2026
My daughter found this first and we both binged it, then listened to it again. Jad is a brilliant interviewer who did the best deeply informed conversation with Dolly. Dolly is unique and surprisingly engaging. The international audience was incredible in their appreciation of her as a representative of world experience and feelings.
Kgbreno · Aug 2026
Just doesn’t get better! Truly a podcast for someone wanting deeper insight into the evolution of Dolly Parton as a person!
Very satisfying to the intellectually curious! I learned so much about so much!
I will definitely be giving this podcast series a second listen!
And I will be making a financial donation!
Jad…you can’t be beat❣️
FNOMINL · Aug 2026
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
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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.
