Welcome to The Mississippi Valley Traveler Podcast, a show hosted by Dean Klinkenberg that explores the rich history, culture, food, and travel experiences along the great Mississippi River.

Join me as I journey along the Mississippi, from its source in Minnesota, all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, I’ll dive into the fascinating stories of the people and places that make up this iconic waterway.

From the scenic bluffs of Minnesota and Wisconsin to the vibrant music scenes of Memphis and St. Louis to the mouthwatering cuisine of New Orleans, we’ll explore the unique cultures and traditions that have been shaped by the river’s world.

Through interviews with locals, historians, chefs, river rats, and other experts, we’ll gain insights into the diverse communities that have flourished along the river over the centuries. We’ll also go deep into the delicious foods that are famous along the Mississippi such as barbecue and catfish, as well as local specialties such as wild rice and gooey butter cake.

Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or a travel enthusiast, The Mississippi Valley Traveler Podcast has something for you. So grab a seat and ride with me on an unforgettable journey along one of America’s greatest rivers.

All of the episodes are listed below. Click on the episode name to see the show notes and listen to the podcast. You can also click on one of the buttons below to subscribe to the podcast or listen to episodes. The podcast is available in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, YouTube, and many other places, as well.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please consider showing your support by making a one-time contribution or by supporting as a regular contributor through Patreon. Every dollar you contribute makes it possible for me to continue sharing stories about America’s Greatest River.

Don’t want to deal with Patreon? No worries. You can show some love by buying me a coffee (which I drink a lot of!). Just click on the link below.

Episode 52: What Can the Mississippi’s Past Tell Us About Its Future? A Conversation with Historian John Anfinson

Episode 51: Traveling the Mississippi One Week at a Time: Anne Sherve-Ose’s 13-Year Journey Down the River

Episode 50: The Dark Side of Steamboat Travel: The Disasters that Claimed Thousands of Lives on the Mississippi River

Episode 49: Much More than Snakes: The Unexpected Beauty and Unique Ecology of Snake Road

Episode 48: Explorers, Egos, and the Search for the Elusive Mississippi River Headwaters

Episode 47: Winged Wonders: Unraveling the Mysteries of Dragonflies and Damselflies

Episode 46: When Change is Possible: General John A. Logan’s Journey from Defending Slavery to Advocating for Equal Rights

Episode 45: Iron and Immigrants: The Mesabi Range Story with Aaron Brown

Episode 44: Outdoor Enthusiasm: Will Collins’ Irrepressible Spirit for Adventure

Episode 43: Mississippi River Monsters

Episode 42: Boyce Upholt on the Making and Unmaking of the Mississippi River

Episode 41: A Refuge for All: 100 Years of Conservation and Recreation at the Upper Mississippi Refuge

Episode 40: Trouble in River City: Kevin Klinkenberg on Why So Many Communities Are Struggling

Episode 39: Introducing The Wild Mississippi: Your Guide to Understanding and Experiencing the Natural World of Old Man River

Episode 38: Crooked Old River: Trapper Haskins’ Mississippi River Voyage

Episode 37: The Fight for the Upper Mississippi: Steven Marking on Will Dilg and the Birth of a Refuge

Episode 36: Flowing with Creativity: Sculptor Florence Bird and the Mississippi River

Episode 35: Eclipse 2024: Getting the Most from the Experience in Missouri and Illinois

Episode 34: Ripples Through Time: River Travelers Take Us to the Mississippi’s Past and Present

Episode 33: Steering Through the Currents: Lee Hendrix’s Life Working on the Mississippi River

Episode 32: The River Life: Five Women Discuss Their Paths and Passions as Mississippi River Guides

Episode 31: The Storm that Took the Midwest by Surprise: Armistice Day’s Deadly Blizzard

Episode 30: Understanding the True Costs and Real Risks of Levees with Nicholas Pinter

Episode 29: Wolves in Myth and Reality with Matt Fox

Episode 28: Cruising the Culinary Mississippi: A Conversation with Chef Regina Charboneau

Episode 27: Cafe Connections: Finding Community and Connection Along the Great River Road

Episode 26: Navigating Stormy Waters, Part 2: General Galloway on Flood Policy 30 Years after the Great Mississippi River Flood of 1993

Episode 25: Navigating Stormy Waters, Part 1: General Galloway on Flood Policy 30 Years after the Great Mississippi River Flood of 1993

Episode 24: Swamp Whisperer: Going Deep into Honey Island with Guide Jessica Gauley

Episode 23: Vanishing Giants: Looking Back at the Legacy of the Great Pine Forests of the North and the Loggers who Brought Them Down

Episode 22: From Ancient to Modern: Exploring the Timeless Legacy of Canoes in North America with Mark Neuzil

Episode 21: Michael Anderson on Celebrating the Mississippi River with River Days of Action 2023

Episode 20: Kimmswick Mayor Philip Stang on Living in and Managing the Historic Mississippi River Town

Episode 19: Revisiting the Legacy of the Marquette and Jolliet Expedition 350 Years On

Episode 18: My Mississippi River: Five People on What the Mississippi Means to Them

Episode 17: Boundaries and Bridges

Episode 16: Winona’s Unique Community of Floating Houses

Episode 15: Spring Birding Hikes… and Beer!

Episode 14. The Remarkable Earthworks and People of Poverty Point

Episode 13: Hidden History, Facebook Photos Group, and River-Inspired Poetry

Episode 12: All About Bald Eagles with Ed Hahn

Episode 11. Jeff Grunwald on the New Madrid Earthquakes

Episode 10. Victoria Bradford Styrbicki on Running the Mississippi River

Episode 9: What If We’d Named the Mississippi Something Else?

Episode 8: Kim Williams on Fall Travel Along the Great River Road in Arkansas

Episode 7: Reggie McLeod on Fall Travel in the Driftless Area

Episode 6: Twin Tragedies: Cholera and Fire Devastate St. Louis in 1849

Episode 5: Boyce Upholt on the Plan to Rebuild Louisiana’s Coastal Marshes

Episode 4: Gregg Andrews on Growing up in the Mississippi River Bottoms near Hannibal, Missouri

Episode 3: Myths About the Mississippi River

Episode 2: Six Reasons to Travel Along the Mississippi River

Episode 1: How I Got Hooked on the Mississippi River