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Episode 144

What happens when you wander just a little off the main path in Seattle?

Seattle is famous for coffee, the Space Needle, and grunge music, but the real magic of the Emerald City shows up when you lean into curiosity. In this episode, we explore the quirky landmarks, pop culture filming locations, and creative spaces that make Seattle a city that rewards side quests.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

• How Seattle’s geography shaped its creative and independent spirit
• Iconic side quest stops like MoPOP, the Fremont Troll, and Gas Works Park
• Hidden gems, filming locations, and playful food stops that go beyond the obvious

If you’re planning a trip or just love discovering what makes a city feel unique, this episode is your guide to Seattle’s curious side.

You ready? Let’s roam.

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Episode 143

There are many things people prioritize when visiting a new city, such as landmarks, restaurants, and museums. Me? I like to find the grocery store.

And my favorite one so far? Jungle Jim’s International Market in Cincinnati.

What started as a roadside produce stand in the 1970s has grown into a 200,000-square-foot international food playground complete with animatronics, a fire truck in the hot sauce aisle, a shark hanging over seafood, a monorail track overhead… and yes, a full bar inside the grocery store.

In this Snack Society episode, I share why grocery stores are one of my favorite travel side quests, what makes Jungle Jim’s so delightfully over-the-top, and why it’s absolutely worth the stop, even if you don’t need groceries.

Grab a cart. Trust me. You’ll need it.

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog.

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Episode 142

Did you know there are real places across the United States where the world of Peanuts comes to life?

From the California hometown where Charles Schulz created the comic strip to a few surprising side quests across the country, this episode explores destinations where Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the rest of the Peanuts gang still leave their mark.

In this episode of Pop Culture Passport, we’re following the trail of Peanuts through real places you can visit — including the museum dedicated to Schulz’s life and work, the ice rink he built for his community, and even a few unexpected stops tied to Snoopy’s most famous daydreams.

In this episode:

• Visiting the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, California

• Charles Schulz’s early life and inspiration in St. Paul, Minnesota

• The surprising connection between Snoopy and NASA

Whether you’re a lifelong Peanuts fan or just love discovering quirky pop culture destinations, these stops offer a fun way to connect with one of the most beloved comic strips ever created.

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog.

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Episode 141

Are Peeps a nostalgic springtime favorite… or just sugary packing peanuts? In this episode of Snack Society Snack Files, we’re diving into the surprisingly strange history of one of Easter’s most divisive treats. From hand-piped marshmallow chicks in Pennsylvania to scientific experiments, pop culture chaos, and our own Spring Break taste test, Peeps have a much bigger story than you might expect.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Peeps began at the Rodda Candy Company before Just Born turned them into a candy powerhouse
• The invention that cut production time from 27 hours to just 6 minutes
• The bizarre science behind why Peeps are so weirdly durable
• Our Peep taste test, including favorites, disappointments, and the fresh vs. stale debate

Whether you’re Team Fresh, Team Stale, or firmly anti-Peep, this episode is a fun look at how a tiny marshmallow chick became a seasonal icon.

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog.

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Episode 140

Philadelphia is famous for its rich history, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and its role as the birthplace of the United States.

But the Greater Philadelphia area also tells another story: one about the people who decided that culture, fandom, and everyday memories were worth saving.

In this episode of Pop Culture Passport, we explore quirky and fascinating side quests across the Philly region — from a museum dedicated entirely to the Three Stooges to a warehouse packed with vintage Americana, a historic theater where The Blob still comes to life every year, and of course, one of the most iconic movie locations in the country.

Along the way, we’ll also talk about the food traditions that Philadelphians fiercely protect — from cheesesteaks to soft pretzels.

If you’re visiting Philadelphia for the 2026 World Cup or just planning your own pop culture road trip, these stops show a different side of the city: one built not just on what Philly created first, but on what it cared enough to keep.

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog.

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Episode 139

Have you ever unwrapped a piece of hard candy and suddenly felt eight years old again?

In this week’s Snack Society: Snack Files episode, we’re diving into the surprisingly deep history of hard candy, from early American port cities to mid-century candy dishes and the iconic sweets that quietly shaped our memories.

In this episode, we explore:

• Gibraltar candy and early American sugar craft
• Rock candy as both a science experiment and a Victorian spectacle
• The rise of the mid-century candy bowl era
• The mystery of strawberry candies (you know the ones)
• Butterscotch discs, Werther’s, and portable nostalgia. Root beer barrels and pharmacy-era soda culture

Hard candy isn’t flashy. It doesn’t trend, but it carries centuries of trade, chemistry, hospitality, and memory in one small, dissolving bite.

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog.

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Episode 138

Candy stores aren’t just about sugar. They’re about memory, place, and tradition.

In this episode of Pop Culture Passport, we’re traveling across the country to explore some of America’s most iconic candy stores, from one of the oldest candy companies in the country to neighborhood nostalgia archives and full-scale candy destinations.

In this episode, we explore:

• The maritime roots of American candy at Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie in Salem, MA
• How Economy Candy in NYC became a living archive of American sweets
• The longest candy counter in the world at Chutters in Littleton, NH
• A full-scale candy destination at b.a. Sweetie Candy Company in Cleveland, OH
• How Hershey, PA, built an entire town, and tourism industry, around chocolate

These destinations remind us that candy has always been about more than sugar. It’s been about community, ritual, celebration, and the feeling of finding a tiny piece of your childhood in a glass jar.

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog.

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Episode 137

What happens when a small Pennsylvania town becomes one of the biggest snack producers in America?

In this Snack Society Report, we head to Hanover, Pennsylvania — a place where pretzels and potato chips aren’t just snacks… they’re part of the town’s identity.

In This Episode

• How Hanover became the Snack Food Capital of the World
• The history of Utz Quality Foods and Snyder’s of Hanover
• The confusing (and fascinating) story of Snyder’s of Berlin
• What it’s like shopping at the Utz Outlet Store

From legacy snack giants like Utz and Snyder’s of Hanover to old-school pretzel bakeries and outlet stores packed with snack seconds and cult favorites, this is a salty, crunchy side quest worth taking.

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog.

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