In this episode of 50 States in the Rearview, Ike and I roll into Cheyenne, Wyoming—a place shaped by relentless wind, wide-open land, cowboy culture, and the constant reminder that nature is still in charge. We explore the sandstone State Capitol, Wyoming’s identity as both the Cowboy State and the Equality State, and the people who helped shape its complicated Western story, from Chief Washakie and Esther Hobart Morris to Nellie Tayloe Ross. Along the way, I revisit childhood memories of Cheyenne Frontier Days, pancake breakfasts, rodeo nights, and the country music that helped plant the West in my imagination. Grab a Diet Coke, hold onto your hat, and join us as we discover why Wyoming’s real strength is not controlling the land—but learning how to move with it.

In this episode of 50 States in the Rearview, Erin and Ike head to Concord, New Hampshire — a capital city where independence is more than a motto. From the charm of Main Street and the restored clock at Eagle Square to the granite State House known as “the People’s House,” this episode explores how New Hampshire’s famous “Live Free or Die” spirit shows up in its history, landscapes, and people.

Along the way, we meet figures like Franklin Pierce, John Stark, Daniel Webster, John Parker Hale, Christa McAuliffe, and Alan Shepard — each one showing a different side of a state built on self-reliance, responsibility, and the courage to go first.

In this episode of 50 States in the Rearview, Ike and I roll into Raleigh, North Carolina, expecting to find another state capitol—but discovering a city whose story stretches far beyond the halls of government. We explore the understated beauty of the historic Capitol, uncover the origins of the Tar Heel State, and walk through a downtown where museums, universities, and public spaces tell the story of a state built on education, innovation, and community.