The Mississippi Valley Traveler Podcast
Exploring the Environment, Characters, and Places of the Great River
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.
Support the Show
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.
Episodes
Episode 38: Crooked Old River: Trapper Haskins’ Mississippi River Voyage
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 24: Swamp Whisperer: Going Deep into Honey Island with Guide Jessica Gauley
Episode 21: Michael Anderson on Celebrating the Mississippi River with River Days of Action 2023
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