Strong Sense of Place | Travel Through Books
Episodes
Our 2021 'Ask Us Anything' Episode
12 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In our recent survey, we invited our audience to ask us anything, and we got 153 excellent questions in response. The queries ran the gamut from 'what...
A Special Mini-Episode About Our 2021 Audience Survey
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On our show, we usually get curious about a destination somewhere in the world and take you with us on a virtual trip. In this mini-episode, we're get...
Ep 24 - Ireland: It's Not Good, It's Grand
08 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Divided in two by political and religious differences, the isle of Ireland comprises two fabulously green entities: Northern Ireland (part of the UK) ...
Ep 23 - Pennsylvania: Political Player, Potato Chip Maker
25 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Every four years when presidential elections roll around, Pennsylvania is a big deal: It's a swing state with 20 electoral votes. But it's been a powe...
One year anniversary mini-episode!
22 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's our Podiversary! Podcastiversary? Podcastersary? Let's just call it our 1-year Podcast Anniversary. In this mini-episode, we look back at our fi...
Ep 22 — Vietnam: Divided by War, Bonded by Family
11 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Vietnam has mostly been defined by its tumultuous history of border scuffles, invasions, and colonialism — which does this beautiful, graceful, colo...
A Mini-Episode to Wish You Holiday Cheer and a Happy New Year
21 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this mini-episode of our show, we talk about holiday traditions from around the world that we've added to our own celebrations... Our favorite Chri...
Ep 21 — Trains: Better than Planes and Cars. Fight Me.
14 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In the 200 years since trains first started clattering on the rails, they dramatically changed industry and commerce — and inspired technological in...
Ep 20 — Peru: Andes Adventures, Fusion Food, and Piles of Gold
30 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Peru is South America's geographical triple-threat with beach-front desert fronting the Pacific, the Andes mountains (the second-highest range in the ...
Ep 19 — Nigeria: Jollof Rice, Nigerian Pidgin, and So Much Hustle
16 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Located on the west coast of Africa, Nigeria is the seventh most populous country in the world — and one in six Africans is Nigerian. Its megacity L...
Ep 18 — Iran: Revolution, Poetry, Storytelling, and Spices
02 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Iran (formerly known as Persia) is the second-largest country in the Middle East, and its culture reaches back through the millennia. About 2500 years...
Ep 17 — Halloween: Costumed Revelry, Voices From Beyond, and YAY, Candy!
19 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's no surprise that most Halloween stories delve into the dark corners and shadows of life. That premise is in the very name of the holiday. Origina...
Ep 16 — New Zealand: Kiwis, Majestic Scenery, and Māori Mythology
05 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Head south to Australia and take a sharp turn east to arrive in New Zealand. It's a landscape both magical and majestic, surrounded by the turquoise w...
Ep 15 — The Library: Endless Books, Reading Nooks, and Lots of Possibility
21 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The library is a sacred and celebratory place, filled with objects, yes — but inside those objects are imagination and possibility, heartbreak and t...
Ep 14 — Alaska: Fresh-Caught Salmon, Cake Mix, and So Many Bears
07 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Alaska is the 49th and largest state in the union. It was derided as Seward's Folly when the US Secretary of State bought the territory from Russia in...
Ep 13 — Paris: It's Always a Good Idea
24 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When you daydream about Paris, whatever sparkling, romantic images you conjure are probably not too far off the mark. It is, after all, know as the Ci...
A Special Mini-Episode: Questions from Our Audience
20 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this mini-episode, we answer a variety of questions, including how we choose the books for our show, whether or not we really love everything we re...
A Special Mini-Episode: Survey Results and What We’re Reading Right Now
06 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this mini-episode, we share some of the results from our end-of-Season-1 audience survey, preview some of the changes we're making to the show, and...
A Special Mini-Episode About Our Audience Survey
22 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
There is no Strong Sense of Place without you, and now we're curious about what's on your mind. Where shall we go next? What can we do better? We've p...
Ep 12 — The Circus: Found Family and Daring Feats
11 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Feats of derring-do! Amazing acrobats! Clowns both ridiculous and poignant! Majestic animals from around the world! For centuries, the circus has tran...
Ep 11 — Cuba: Castro, Conga, Cars, and Cigars
27 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, with sparkling beaches, lush jungles, and mountainous forests populated by animals found nowhere else on ...
A Message from Self-Isolation in Prague
20 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're usually all about curiosity and fun facts and armchair travel and great books on our podcast. But in this mini-episode, we take a few minutes to...
Ep 10 — Sweden: So Happy, So Murdery
13 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As of April 2020, Sweden is the seventh-happiest country in the world. And it's no wonder! Its residents enjoy one of the highest standards of living ...
Ep 09 — Chicago: Baseball, Hot Dogs, Industry, and Infamy
30 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we armchair travel to the Windy City for a deep-dive into what makes Chicago different from every other city in America. We break the rules a l...
Ep 08 — Russia: Revolution, Hope, and Vodka
16 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Russia is the largest country in the world. And its culture is dominated by larger-than-life historical figures, giants of literature, and sweeping la...
Ep 07 — Morocco: Couscous, Camels, and the Kasbah
02 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Morocco can seem like something conjured from a dream. The twisty alleys of its old-town medinas hold secrets around every corner. Its markets are inf...
Ep 06 — The Sea: Tales of Poets and Pirates
17 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The sea is a metaphor for everything that's important to us: for adventure and creativity and love. It's fascinated humans since the beginning of time...
Ep 05 — Scotland: Wraiths, Rebels, and Royalty
03 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A rebellious national spirit, a predilection for ghost stories, an affinity for smart plaids, and an appreciation of a wee dram o' whisky — Scotland...
Ep 04 — Mexico: Folklore and Beachy Paradise
23 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mexico is an inspired background for stories that explore the joy (and challenges) of family and the magic of everyday experiences. In this episode, w...
Ep 03 — Japan: Family Honor and Super-Cute Stuff
22 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Rooted in tradition and family, the culture of Japan provides rich fodder for stories that grab hold of you and won’t let go. In this episode, we ta...
Ep 02 — Restaurants: Hot Stoves and Steamy Relationships
21 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In a restaurant kitchen, the chef is the ultimate authority, a figure that can inspire fear, rebelliousness, and a cult of personality. But it's not o...
Ep 01 — Prague: Castles and Cobblestones
20 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, home of the world's best beer, stunning architecture, and oh, yeah: ancient secrets. In this episode, we'...
ep 0: Introducing Strong Sense of Place!
10 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A well-told story can transport you to places you've never been. And if you enjoy books and travel, you will love our podcast Strong Sense of Place. W...