The Land of the Free
The United States as a traveler offers immense diversity in landscapes (beaches, mountains, cities), cultures, and experiences, but its vastness means focusing on one region per trip is best. Explore National Parks, iconic cities, wine regions, beaches or experience American sports.
This series offers a comprehensive look at the “rich tapestry” of the United States, specifically focusing on food, music, and culture through video and long-form storytelling. Recent installments include deep dives into, featuring interviews with a guitar-maker, photographer, musician and special episodes on various other topics.
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Interviews
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The Land of Opportunity
Boston: History, Heroes, and Hot Dogs
This episode, takes us to historic, Boston, Massachusetts. From its 1630s Puritan roots to its modern-day sports frenzy, Beantown’s history is impossible to miss. Founded by English Puritans seeking religious freedom, the city eventually became the heartbeat of the American Revolution. You can’t talk about Boston without mentioning Benjamin Franklin. We couldn’t visit without a stop at Fenway Park.We ended our journey with a culinary tour. Why “Beantown”? It’s all about the regional specialty: Boston Baked Beans.
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Echoes of the Canyon: Mapping the Soundscapes of L.A.
What makes a city a “sacred place” for music? In our latest episode of the Name and Occupation Podcast, we journey through the rugged hills and neon-lit boulevards of Los Angeles to find out. From the folk-rock sanctuary of Laurel Canyon to the street knowledge of Compton, we explore how the geography of L.A. defined the soundtrack of a generation. We trace the “LA Sound” down the two-mile stretch known as The Strip.
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Los Angeles – What You Need to Know Before You Go
The Evolution of MISSISSIPPI BLUES
We also dive into the technical side of the blues—specifically the transition from acoustic to electric. While Les Paul is a household name for the solid-body guitar in 1952, we highlight earlier pioneers like O.W. Appleton, who created a solid-body prototype in 1941, and T-Bone Walker, who truly pioneered the electric blues sound. Whether it’s the soulful zap of a harmonica or the “monster” riffs of Freddie King on his iconic Flying V, the instruments carry the emotion of the lyrics. From Boogity-Woogie and Jug Band Blues to Muddy Waters and the “Queen of the Blues,” the genre is a vast map of human experience. As we explore these 35+ types of blues, one thing remains clear: if you have the blues, you aren’t just playing music—you’re sharing a soul.
New Orleans: The Birthplace of Jazz
In this episode, we are immersing ourselves in the “thick culture” of New Orleans—a city where history, flavor, and music blend so seamlessly that there is no separation between them. From the steam of a hot bowl of gumbo to the sounds of 7,000 musicians on 14 stages, the spirit of the Big Easy is undeniable. Interestingly, while the world eventually pivoted to the guitar, the piano remains the true instrument of New Orleans. Historically, the sound was perfected in the parlors of brothels, where musicians played to keep customers “pacified.” Today, that piano tradition carries the “coding” for the city’s entire musical heritage—from Ragtime to Stride.Whether you’re aiming for the moon or just looking for the best brass band on a front porch, New Orleans reminds us that music is a shared language.
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