Pop Culture Passport - Exploring Quirky & Cool Travel Destinations in the USA – Details, episodes & analysis

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Episode 108

What is it about giant versions of everyday things that makes them so unforgettable? From a massive ketchup bottle to a frying pan big enough to cook 365 chickens, we’re diving into the wonderfully oversized world of America's quirkiest roadside giants.

In this episode:

• Where to find the World’s Largest Ball of Twine (and why it's still growing)
• Which giant landmark made it into a Twilight movie
• The office chair so big it once had a spiral staircase
• A stop that’s literally a giant picnic basket

Whether you're road-tripping soon or just daydreaming from your desk, this episode will leave you smiling.

🎧 Plus: Yeti’s Pop Pick features the brand-new Quirky & Cool Travel Guide — your go-to directory for weird, wonderful stops across the U.S. See it at https://quirkyandcool.com

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog. 

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Episode 107

From giant crashing kites to a mythical Yeti stuck in disco mode, Animal Kingdom has had quite the glow-up since opening day.

In Part 2 of this two-part series on Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we’re picking up the story right where we left off—April 22, 1998. What started as a park with quiet trails and limited attractions has evolved into one of Walt Disney World’s most immersive and emotionally powerful experiences. But the road wasn’t always smooth.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

• What was open on Animal Kingdom’s opening day
• Guest confusion, early criticism, and the “half-day park” label
• The controversy around Kilimanjaro Safaris
• The Tree of Life’s hidden engineering (and creepy bug show)
• The rise of Asia and the Disco Yeti
• How Pandora – The World of Avatar changed everything

From Expedition Everest to floating mountains, Animal Kingdom has never stopped evolving—and it may have even more wild surprises in store.

Didn’t catch Part 1 yet? Go back and listen to the episode all about how Animal Kingdom came to life—from Joe Rohde’s vision to the park’s conservation mission.

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog.  

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Episode 98

Last week, we explored iconic candy factories across the U.S., from PEZ dispensers to Dum Dum Pops. But this week? We’re diving into something even more indulgent—chocolate! 

From bean-to-bar artisans to legendary brands like Hershey’s, these chocolate factories offer amazing tours, rich history, and, of course… plenty of samples. Some even take chocolate-making to the next level with unique flavors, ethical sourcing, and hands-on experiences.

In this episode, we’re visiting:

• Fannie May Chocolate Factory (Chicago, IL) – A Midwest favorite famous for Pixies, Mint Meltaways, and Trinidads.
• Taza Chocolate (Somerville, MA) – Stone-ground chocolate with bold flavors and ethical sourcing.
• Kimmie Candy (Reno, NV) – Home of ChocoRocks, candy-coated sunflower seeds, and an inspiring modern candy success story.
• Olive & Sinclair (Nashville, TN) – Southern-inspired, small-batch chocolate made with a 100-year-old stone mill.
• Ethel M Chocolates (Henderson, NV) – Founded by a Mars family legend, this factory includes a chocolate experience and a stunning cactus garden.
• Bonus: Hershey’s Chocolate World (Hershey, PA) – A chocolate lover’s dream with a fun, immersive tour, build-your-own candy bars, and a nostalgic ride through the Hershey’s chocolate-making process.

You ready? Let’s roam!

Get more info on the blog. 

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Like this episode? Share it in your stories and tag me @the_roaming_yeti

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Episode 8

In this episode, I speak with Julie Cohn about when and how to work with a Travel Advisor. Julie Cohn, the owner of Wander & Bloom Travel, has been a travel advisor and travel concierge for over 35 years in both the corporate and leisure travel world. In addition to being a travel advisor extraordinaire, Julie is a travel writer and social media marketing expert. She likes to cook, play board games, and stalk wiener dogs in her spare time. 

Are you ready? Let’s Roam!

You can find her at:

Wander & Bloom Travel - https://wanderbloomtvl.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wanderbloomtravel/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WanderBloomTravel

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Episode 7

In this episode, I speak with Lisa Dean about London to get an insider view of the city. Lisa has lived in London for 25+ years. She works in commercial real estate as a market analyst. She says at this point, she feels more British than American as she has lived more than half her life in London.

Are you ready? Let’s Roam!

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Episode 6

The podcast is back! Today I am giving you a quick update on what is happening at The Roaming Yeti and give you a preview of upcoming episodes. I have some great guests and some fun future plans, so make sure you are subscribed, so you don't miss an episode. If you haven't signed up for The Roaming Yeti BinGO, head over to learn more and sign up. 

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Episode 5

In this episode, I speak with Michelle Kershner about traveling in a trailer. Michelle lives in Frederick, Maryland, and loves to explore the area and travel with her husband, Zack, and two sons. They purchased their used 17’ Palomino Stampede hybrid camper during COVID and have traveled to Assateague State Park, Delaware Seashore State Park, Watkins Glen State Park, and even wineries and breweries.

You ready? Let’s Roam!

Harvest Hosts - https://harvesthosts.com/

You can find her at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mahker

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Episode 4

In this episode, I talk with Laurie Luck about her and her husband’s trips to the CM Ranch in Wyoming. The ranch includes lots of horses, beautiful scenery and of course some dogs.

Laurie loves running, dogs, and microbrews — but not necessarily in that order. She owns Smart Dog University where she offers board and training services for puppies 10 weeks to 5 1/2 months. In addition, she has raised over 20 puppies for service dog work. She and her husband love to travel and drink local beer wherever they go. Because of this fondness for local beer, they also run a lot. They have found that running when they travel allows them to see places they may not have otherwise seen.

Ranch Website: https://cmranch.com/

You can find her at:

Website: https://www.smartdoguniversity.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartdogu/ or https://www.instagram.com/danesandlabs

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Episode 3

In this episode, I talk with Joanne McCoy about her walk along the Camino de Santiago. I was unfamiliar with this pilgrimage until Joanne told me about her trip 5 years ago, and I am so glad she joined me on this episode to share this amazing adventure. The Camino de Santiago’s ancient paths begin in various locations throughout Europe. Still, they all end in the city of Santiago in Spain. People have been walking to Santiago from the 10th century onwards as a way to earn grace and forgiveness for their sins. The number of pilgrims increased dramatically In 1492 when Pope Alexander the 6th declared the Camino de Santiago one of the three great pilgrimages of Europe-- along with Jerusalem and Rome. While the origins of the Camino were religious in nature, over the centuries, people’s reasons for walking its various paths have changed a lot.

When Joanne is not visiting America’s National Parks, riding Amtrak’s historic train routes, visiting MLB stadiums across the country, fulfilling her quest to step foot on all seven continents, and exploring the beaches of the world, you will find Joanne McCoy and her husband Jim in the company of their extended family (including 10 grand kids between the ages of 2 and 16) and many interesting friends. In addition to traveling, she loves to read, play word games, watch baseball, study Irish history, listen to live music and watch independent films.

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Episode 2

In this episode, I talk with Amy Benton about Paris and how the city of lights has something to offer for every interest. You can truly choose your own adventure when in Paris.

Amy loves to travel and hates to fly. She's often planning her next adventure alongside her husband, Tom. If she's not traveling or planning a trip, she can often be found in her backyard entertaining friends, watching a movie, or obsessing over her garden. She's an active member of her community and is most proud of being a mother to her children, Hana, Skyler, and Chloe. Her latest love, her Granddaughter, Maya, is the cherry on top. 

Last year she launched Paris Is Calling, a personal blog site to channel her writing energy. She's taken a slight pause on that endeavor to start a new career with Goodwill Industries. She hopes to be writing again soon, as her upcoming trip to Paris is providing inspiration. 

You can find her at:

Website: https://www.parisiscalling.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paris_iscalling/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pariscalls

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