Best R2 Studios Podcasts (2024)

1
Episode 8: The Trade 1:14:56

27d ago1:14:56

1:14:56

At the dawn of a new era after the Seven Years’ War, British officials envision commerce and colonies as the key to British independence and its rising glory, but trade in commodities and manufactured goods comes at an awful price. Featuring: Emma Hart, Scott Miller, Ann Smart Martin, Hannah Knox Tucker, Hannah Farber, and Zara Anishanslin Voice Ac…

1
The End of the Trail 27:28

2M ago27:28

27:28

Today’s episode is bittersweet because we have reached the end of our hike. After three years and 50 episodes, we are wrapping up The Green Tunnel with something a little different. Every episode of The Green Tunnel has focused on some aspect of the history of the Appalachian Trail, but today we’re looking forward. What will the AT’s future look li…

1
Episode 7: The Divide 1:01:26

2M ago1:01:26

1:01:26

With a blueprint in place for transforming British America into an empire of order, George III's goverment begins sending an army of cartographers to map North America, while diplomats in the colonies open negogiations with native nations to draw a boundary line between British and Indigenous America. Featuring: Max Edelson, Maeve Kane, and Alexand…

1
Hogs, Chipmunks, and Bears, Oh My! 33:11

2M ago33:11

33:11

On today’s episode of The Green Tunnel, we are exploring a central reason why hikers head to the Appalachian Trail in the first place, to see wildlife. We’ll also talk about how the animals along the trail are changing the way hikers experience the AT and the ecology of the mountains the AT passes through.…

1
Iconic Locations: The Katahdin Sign 14:14

3M ago14:14

14:14

What long-distance AT hiker hasn’t dreamed of reaching that sign on the summit of Katahdin at the end of their hike? Today, we are headed to the top of the mountain to explore the history of the iconic sign.By R2 Studios

1
Trail Writing 30:35

3M ago30:35

30:35

The Appalachian Trail winds its way through Appalachia which is a place where people make sense of their world through stories. Stories of their lives in the mountains. Stories of the land and its riches. Stories, both fiction and non-fiction, about their journeys. In this episode of The Green Tunnel, we are exploring the history of writing about t…

1
Episode 6: The Proclamation 1:05:39

3M ago1:05:39

1:05:39

Against the backdrop of Pontiac's War in North America, George III's ministers in London draw on lessons learned in colonial Nova Scotia to begin drafting a blueprint for transforming British America into an empire of order. Featuring: Fred Anderson, Matthew Dziennik, Max Edelson, and Alexandra Montgomery Voice Actors: Grace Mallon and Beau Robbins…

1
Iconic Locations: Priest Mountain Shelter 12:09

4M ago12:09

12:09

Did you know a significant number of hikers confess their sins in the logbook in the shelter on Priest Mountain? Why do they do this and what do they confess? Find out on today’s Iconic Locations episode.By R2 Studios

1
Becoming a National Park 28:24

4M ago28:24

28:24

Benton MacKaye wanted to be sure that anyone who chose to spend a few hours, a few days, or a few weeks on the trail would have the opportunity to really get away from civilization. However, most of the lands MacKaye hoped to route his future trail through were in private hands, owned either by individuals or corporations. If an Appalachian Trail w…

1
Iconic Locations: Delaware Water Gap 8:38

5M ago8:38

8:38

The Delaware Water Gap is one of the most breathtaking spots along the entire Appalachian Trail and has been a favorite subject of landscape painters since at least the middle of the 19th century. It's an important marker for northbound hikers, but it's also a torturous landscape that many hikers call "Rocksylvania."…

1
Episode 5: The Uprising 1:14:27

5M ago1:14:27

1:14:27

As the British began to assert control over North America in the wake of the Seven Years' War, the actions of British American settlers and the messages of a native prophet convinced some Indigenous peoples throughout the Ohio Country and beyond that resistance through force was the best way to preserve their sovereignty and usher in the revitaliza…

1
Wayfinding 31:24

5M ago31:24

31:24

There is no better way to turn a good hike into a bad hike than taking a wrong turn and hiking miles out of your way. Especially if that means you climbed an extra mountain or two. Today, we are exploring the history of blazing, signing, and mapping the trail from Georgia to Maine.By R2 Studios

1
Iconic Locations: Bear Mountain Bridge 9:33

6M ago9:33

9:33

Bear Mountain Bridge sits just north of the oldest section of the entire Appalachian Trail and on today's Iconic Location episode we are what was once the world’s longest suspension bridge.By R2 Studios

1
Episode 4: The Empire 1:11:48

7M ago1:11:48

1:11:48

Great Britain's conquest of New France in North America and its victory in the Seven Years' War inspired British subjects on both sides of the Atlantic to look forward to a future they could see but through a glass darkly, as they struggled to make sense of the world that lay ahead, and the cost of the war they had won. Featuring: Fred Anderson, Ch…

1
Constructing the Trail 31:53

7M ago31:53

31:53

Today we’re going back to the earliest days of the Appalachian Trail to learn more about the critical role that the Civilian Conservation Corps played in making the trail a reality.By R2 Studios

1
Iconic Locations: Charlies Bunion 12:55

7M ago12:55

12:55

Have you ever wondered who Charlies Bunion was named after or why there are two balds with the same name? On today’s Iconic Location episode, we are exploring the mystery of Charlies Bunion.By R2 Studios

1
The Perfect Tree 35:39

8M ago35:39

35:39

The American Chestnut was one of the most magnificent trees in North America. On today’s episode of The Green Tunnel, we’re going to explore how it lived, how it died, and how – with the help of scientists, non-profit organizations, and passionate volunteers – it just might repopulate the Appalachian Mountains once again.…

1
Episode 3: The Triumph 1:19:28

8M ago1:19:28

1:19:28

Following three years of stinging defeats in the Seven Years' War, the British begin to turn the tide against the French in North America in no small measure because Indigenous peoples decided the war should end. Featuring: Fred Anderson, Christian Ayne Crouch, Matthew Dziennik, Julie Flavell, John McCurdy, and Serena Zabin. Voice Actors: Dan Howle…

1
Iconic Locations: Dragon's Tooth 8:39

8M ago8:39

8:39

While no one has ever seen a dragon along the Appalachian Trail, hundreds of thousands of hikers have seen a dragon’s tooth. Viewed from a distance this geological formation looks like one very large, very snaggly fang sticking up out of Cove Mountain.By R2 Studios

1
Episode 2: The Nadir 1:20:40

9M ago1:20:40

1:20:40

Following the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in North America, the British and French begin mobilizing for war and appoint commanders-in-chief to lead the war effort, only to clash with colonists over how power, authority, and honor should be used in the colonies. Meanwhile, Indigenous peoples like the Haudenosaunee and the Delaware weigh their o…

1
Geological Time 24:54

9M ago24:54

24:54

This season the history we’re starting with is really, really old. We are exploring the geological history of the rocks and mountains the Appalachian Trail runs through. We will also answer the age-old question, are the mountains actually getting taller?By R2 Studios

1
Season Three: The Natural History of the Trail 1:30

9M ago1:30

1:30

On Tuesday, October 17th, The Green Tunnel will be back with Season Three! This season we’re exploring the natural history of the Appalachian Trail. We’ll dig deep into the trail’s geological past, climb chestnut trees, follow some critters down unexpected paths, and consider the history of the trail’s future. We’ll also highlight iconic locations …

1
Episode 1: The Balance 1:11:35

9M ago1:11:35

1:11:35

In the 1750s, tensions between the British, the French, and Indigenous peoples over control of the Ohio Country in North America lead to the outbreak of a global war with revolutionary consequences. Featuring: Fred Anderson, Christian Ayne Crouch, Max Edelson, Patrick Griffin, George Ironstrack, and Maeve Kane. Voice Actors: Norman Rodger, Alexandr…

1
Season One Trailer: The Crisis 3:00

10M ago3:00

3:00

Season One of Worlds Turned Upside Down, "The Crisis," follows the stories of American colonists, Indigenous peoples, and Europeans as they grappled with the revolutionary consequences of Great Britain's victory in the Seven Years' War (1756-1763). After celebrating Britain's triumph over the French in the war, Americans began questioning British n…

1
Hiking Connecticut with “Jester” Section Hiker 30:29

11M ago30:29

30:29

Planning section hikes can take a lot of work. Luckily, every section hiker out there has a go-to podcast to help with that planning. Julie Gayheart hosts the “Jester” Section Hiker podcast and there is no better resource for anyone interested in section hiking the Appalachian Trail. Today, Julie walks us through what it takes to hike the Connectic…

1
A Life Crafted for the Outdoors with Orange Blaze 1:04:08

12M ago1:04:08

1:04:08

Today we’re headed to Florida. While the AT doesn’t run through Florida, the state has a lot of great trails, including the Florida Trail. And one of the best ways for you to learn about the FT is by listening to Orange Blaze. This podcast highlights the experience of hikers along the Florida Trail and is hosted by Misti ‘Ridley’ Little.…

1
Introducing Worlds Turned Upside Down 1:31

12M ago1:31

1:31

Introducing Worlds Turned Upside Down, a podcast about the history of the American Revolution. Coming fall 2023 from R2 Studios. Learn more at www.r2studios.org. Worlds Turned Upside Down tells the story of the American Revolution as a transatlantic crisis and imperial civil war through the lives of people who experienced it. For many modern citize…

1
50/50 20:50

1y ago20:50

20:50

When the Appalachian Trail project began, volunteer clubs up and down the length of the trail committed themselves to first scouting, then building, and then maintaining the trail. In the last episode of season two, we are digging into the critical role women played in the early years of the AT. They played such a big role, some trail clubs limited…

1
Iconic Locations: Fontana Dam 13:16

1y ago13:16

13:16

Today, we’re hiking on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, to the site of Fontana Dam. It’s the tallest dam east of the Rocky Mountains. Constructed in the 1940s, the dam and its resulting reservoir flooded four towns and affected the daily lives and memories of many people. So, why was the dam built and what lies beneath the cool blue wate…

1
The Weight of History 39:45

1y ago39:45

39:45

The Appalachian Trail is a much more diverse place in 2023 than it was as recently as 20 years ago. But if you spend much time on the trail, you know it’s still a pretty white place. There are many stories about the challenges faced by members of marginalized communities who hike the AT, and we need a lot more research to better understand how the …

1
Iconic Locations: Harpers Ferry 13:19

1y ago13:19

13:19

Long before Harpers Ferry, Virginia became the emotional halfway point for Appalachian Trail thru hikers, it was the site of one of the most important events in 19th century American history. In the fall of 1859, the abolitionist John Brown and 22 of his compatriots attacked the federal arsenal there, hoping to spark an insurrection against slavery…

1
The Call of the Trail 20:57

1+ y ago20:57

20:57

Throughout its history, the Appalachian Trail has been a place many hikers go for peace, for inspiration, for community, for physical challenge, and in some cases, as a sort of personal spiritual journey. In our show today, we’re taking a close look at the history of these inner motivations to hike.By R2 Studios

1
Iconic Locations: Center Point Knob 8:15

1+ y ago8:15

8:15

Have you ever wondered where the center point of the Appalachian Trail is? If you guessed Center Point Knob, Pennsylvania you would be wrong. But it was the location of an infamous crime. Well sort of.By R2 Studios

1
Finding Virginia’s Lost AT with Dakota Jackson and Mills Kelly 32:14

1+ y ago32:14

32:14

On this special episode of The Green Tunnel, Dakota Jackson, Director of Visitor Experience at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, talks with Mills Kelly about his new book, Virginia's Lost Appalachian Trail. Dakota and Mills explore the process of digging up the story of Virginia's Lost AT in the archives, and in the memories of the people who reme…

1
The Lost AT 34:29

1+ y ago34:29

34:29

Today, we’re going to tell you a story from the earliest days of the Appalachian Trail, a time when trail scouts were still trying to find a complete route north or south through what was sometimes unmapped wilderness. It’s a story about a 300-mile-long section of the Appalachian Trail you almost certainly have never heard of.…

1
Iconic Locations: Damascus, Virginia 10:37

1+ y ago10:37

10:37

Today we're exploring one of the more famous trail towns along the Appalachian Trail, Damascus, Virginia.By R2 Studios

1
Native Persistence 26:44

1+ y ago26:44

26:44

Hikers don’t often realize they’re passing through the traditional homelands of many Indigenous nations. In today’s episode, we’re focusing on some of the Indigenous lands the Appalachian Trail runs through as a way of helping to recover at least some of the Indigenous history along the trail’s route.…

1
Iconic Locations: Roller Coaster 8:52

1+ y ago8:52

8:52

Today, we explore one of the most infamous sections of the Appalachian Trail. Get ready for the ups and downs of Northern Virginia's Roller Coaster.By R2 Studios

1
Crappalachian Trail 30:21

1+ y ago30:21

30:21

Today, we’re going to be talking about something everybody does, but not everybody’s comfortable discussing. There’s no nice way to say this, other than to just get right to it. Today’s episode is about pooping along the Appalachian Trail. And yes, even that has a history.By R2 Studios

1
Iconic Locations: Monson, Maine 7:30

1+ y ago7:30

7:30

The AT originally ran right through Monson, Maine, fueling its economy, but when the trail was moved and things threatened to change, the community established itself as a hiker haven.

1
Uprooted 29:43

1+ y ago29:43

29:43

Today we’re going to tell you the story of the people who lived in the Shenandoah mountains traversed by the Appalachian Trail before Shenandoah National Park.

1
Iconic Locations: Mount Greylock 6:43

1+ y ago6:43

6:43

Today we’re taking you to the highest peak in Massachusetts, Mount Greylock which despite being very far from an ocean has an iconic lighthouse.

1
Gear Up 30:20

2y ago30:20

30:20

Regardless of their background, their age, or how long they plan to be on the trail, gear is one topic that every hiker has in common with every other hiker. But the gear you see on the Appalachian Trail today is radically different from what hikers carried in the 1930s, the 1950s, or even the 1970s.…

1
Season Two Trailer 1:15

2y ago1:15

1:15

In season two of The Green Tunnel, we have some fantastic new stories for you on the history of the Appalachian Trail. We’ve interviewed hikers in the wild, people who take care of the trail, historians, authors, and many others to bring you some new perspectives on America’s oldest and most iconic long-distance hiking trail.…

1
Craving Community 15:28

2y ago15:28

15:28

This episode of The Green Tunnel focuses on the rich culture surrounding places to eat along the Appalachian Trail and their connection to the economy within trail towns. It also contains some pretty good restaurant suggestions!By R2 Studios

1
Music of the Mountains 25:16

2y ago25:16

25:16

In this special bonus episode of The Green Tunnel podcast, we sat down with The Green Tunnel’s own musicians to hear from them about their connections to the traditions and music of the Appalachian mountains.By R2 Studios

1
Hiking McAfee Knob with Virginia Outdoor Adventures 45:23

2y ago45:23

45:23

In this episode of The Green Tunnel, we present an episode of the Virginia Outdoor Adventures podcast hosted by Jessica Bowser. To learn more about this great show and for the latest episode, visit virginiaoutdooradventures.com. Often referred to as “one of the most spectacular hikes in the US,” McAfee Knob attracts hikers from across the world and…

1
Final Report Transmission 29:24

2y ago29:24

29:24

After two seasons, we have a lot to reflect on! We wanted you to hear the voices of the team, who have been working mostly behind the scenes for the past two seasons, and hear about their experiences working on Consolation Prize. Here, we have the honor to transmit to you our final report on our show about consuls. Show notes available at consolati…

1
Twelve Foreign Men 29:20

2y ago29:20

29:20

In our final episode of Consolation Prize, we return to 1844 Hawai'i, where we look at another case involving vice consul William Hooper. In his efforts to gain power for the United States, Hooper may have made the lives of actual Americans more difficult. Hear how Hooper got involved in a legal case about a sexual assault, to the detriment of the …

1
The Consul and I 25:22

2y ago25:22

25:22

In this episode of Consolation Prize, we meet two Americans in 1860s Thailand. Reverend Dan Beach Bradley was a Christian missionary and a newspaper publisher, and Captain James Madison Hood was the US consul to the Kingdom of Siam. These two men could not be more different from one another, but they both craved power in their own ways. In their qu…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

R2 Studios Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide