Via Podcast

Weirdly Wonderful Museums: Ancient Computers, Curious Scents, and a Poozeum

An Arizona museum devoted entirely to fossilized poop. A collection of more than one million items that washed up on one Washington beach. A Montana exhibit starring Old

Coast Through Skate Culture: From Outlaws to the Olympics

Grab your helmet and your grip tape for a ride through the surprising past and thrilling present of skateboarding, a sport that’s indelibly shaped West Coast slang, fashi

Dive into Mermaid Magic: From Underwater Cancan Shows to Kitschy Tiki Bars

Sporting a sparkling sky-blue tail, Rachel Smith goes to work every day as a professional mermaid. It turns out, you can find mermaids swimming all over the West—if you k

The Native Food Revival: Chef Crystal Wahpepah Shares Her Favorite Native Dishes and Where to Try Them

Taste the stories, history, and energy behind modern Native American cuisine with Chef Crystal Wahpepah. A member of the Kickapoo Tribe and key player in the recent resur

Searching for Sasquatch: History, Hoaxes, and the Hunt for a Camera-Shy Hominid

According to a 2025 survey, nearly one in three people believes in Bigfoot: that fantastical, forest-dwelling hominid, famously captivating yet camera-shy. And interest i

The Great Wolf Comeback: The Real Story of Their Remarkable Return

By the early 1900s, gray wolves had been hunted, trapped, and poisoned out of the West. Now, more than 3,000 wolves roam here. Our guest, wildlife biologist Diane Boyd, h

Discover the Real Route 66: A Murderous Zookeeper, a Secret Stairwell, and Feral Donkeys Galore

Pack the car! Route 66 turns 100 this year, and the Mother Road is still one weird and wild ride. We’re hitting the highway from the California border to the New Mexico h

Best of Season 2: Ghosts, UFOs, and Rodeos

Missed a stop? We’ve got you. This season’s recap rewinds our best moments. Join hosts Mitti and Michelle as they recall tales of haunted nights aboard the Queen Mary, cl

Haunted Hotels You Can Visit — and the Ghosts Who Never Checked Out

We visit haunted hotels you can actually book—from the Stanley Hotel (inspiration for The Shining) to Glacier National Park's Belton Chalet—with the hosts of National Par

Adventures with the World’s Best Birder: In Your Backyard and Beyond

Noah Strycker is the Indiana Jones of birding, willing to brave jungle heat and Arctic cold just to spot that rare bunting, owl, or hawk. In 2015, in a quest that spanned

Dive Into Hawaii Surf Culture: Catch a Wave Where Legends Roamed

Drop in to the world of Hawaiian surf culture—its deep roots in island history, why it’s the perfect place for beginners to learn, and how women are reclaiming their plac

Join a Literary Joyride: 2 Writers, Beloved Bookstores, and Jack London’s Ghost

Hit the road—and the stacks—with literary powerhouses Tommy Orange (Wandering Stars and Pulitzer Prize finalist There There) and Kaveh Akbar (National Book Award finalist

Hop on the Cheese Trail: Views, Moos, and One Cheesy Scandal

Brie for breakfast? Yes, please! Nibble fromage from dawn to dusk on the West Coast’s Cheese Trail. We’ll cuddle baby goats, sample hand-stretched Oaxacan-style cheese, a

The Black Rodeo Boom: Beyoncé’s "Cowboy Carter" Was Just the Spark

Hold on to your hats! From Beyoncé’s "Cowboy Carter" to rising rodeo stars, Black cowboy culture is having a major moment—and we’re saddling up for a closer look. Along t

Where to Savor the West’s True Flavor: From the Best Al Pastor Tacos to Truffle Garlic Noodles

Get ready to drool: Dungeness crab rolls, sumac-spiced chicken, coconut bread pudding—and those are just the appetizers. In this episode, Chef Preeti Mistry, host of the

Close Encounters with UFO Hot Spots: Area 51, Roswell, and the Great ET Road Trip

The truth is out West! We’re hopping on the ET Highway and venturing to the most notorious alien hot spots, including Roswell’s infamous crash site, Area 51’s eerie perim

The Southwest’s Wildest Outdoor Art: From Lightning Fields to Sun Tunnels

A secret field that summons lightning. A massive spiral that disappears into a salt lake. A celestial observatory carved into a volcano. Meet the wild—and sometimes explo

Via Podcast: Bonus Episode

Surprise: The Via Podcast is back with one last episode for the season. Join hosts  Michelle Donati and Mitti Hicks as they reflect on what they discovered about the Amer

Uncover Ghost Towns with Brent Underwood

On the season finale of the Via Podcast, hosts Michelle Donati and Mitti Hicks head into the high deserts of California and Nevada to visit ghost towns. They learn what i

Frolic in the Foliage with Lauren Oakes

Next up on the Via Podcast, hosts Michelle Donati and Mitti Hicks grab a sweater and head out into the forest for a leaf-peeping adventure. They discover a few great spot