By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/by-the-people-conversations-beyond-250 By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a national initiative developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Throughout 2026, humanities councils across the United States, its territories, and DC developed community-driven programs in collaboration with local partners as part of this initiative. In each episode of this podcast, the culture-bearers and community leaders behind these events bring them to a national audience. Find out what was going on in Wyoming in 1776, sit in on a conversation between Mexican folk music performers in Washington, explore music history from the front porch in Georgia, revisit a multi-cultural celebration in Maine, and so much more. Find more information, show notes, and transcripts at statehumanities.org/bythepeoplepodcast © 2026 Federation of State Humanities Councils 19cbd6b0-3c23-5b36-84aa-c145afb3f002 yes (Trailer) By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 en Wed, 21 Oct 2026 14:28:59 -0400 Wed, 21 Oct 2026 14:29:14 -0400 https://www.statehumanities.org/bythepeoplepodcast/ https://img.transistorcdn.com/nNBs5XMolzJXxAPHWi0ot7XSMn2LqV9l4UytOLDB474/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wODdm/MmM1Njk2YmM2YTI5/NTRlODhmNjZiMTUx/N2M5Mi5qcGc.jpg By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 https://www.statehumanities.org/bythepeoplepodcast/ episodic Federation of State Humanities Councils By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a national initiative developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Throughout 2026, humanities councils across the United States, its territories, and DC developed community-driven programs in collaboration with local partners as part of this initiative. In each episode of this podcast, the culture-bearers and community leaders behind these events bring them to a national audience. Find out what was going on in Wyoming in 1776, sit in on a conversation between Mexican folk music performers in Washington, explore music history from the front porch in Georgia, revisit a multi-cultural celebration in Maine, and so much more. Find more information, show notes, and transcripts at statehumanities.org/bythepeoplepodcast By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a national initiative developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. humanities, culture, dance, music, history, traditions, folklife, folkways, american culture Federation of State Humanities Councils connect@statehumanities.org No No A Cultural Confluence in Maine 6 6 A Cultural Confluence in Maine full f5cbc934-4530-474a-be3f-e288bf7bf1b6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/81f7db9e To celebrate the cultural confluence that has shaped Maine (or the Dawnland as it is called by the Wabanaki), Maine Humanities organized a night of food, music, and dancing called “Gather.” In this episode, Samaa Abdurraqib (Maine Humanities) talks with the event’s chef and two of its musicians about the ways that cultural traditions have carried through history, are sustaining us in this present moment, and can help move us into the future. Tune in for a conversation on reconstructing Indigenous foodways, the way the banjo connects Africa and Black Americans, how traditional songs of the Levant make space for grief and expression, and so much more. Show notes and transcript available at statehumanities.org/bythepeoplepodcast.   

]]> To celebrate the cultural confluence that has shaped Maine (or the Dawnland as it is called by the Wabanaki), Maine Humanities organized a night of food, music, and dancing called “Gather.” In this episode, Samaa Abdurraqib (Maine Humanities) talks with the event’s chef and two of its musicians about the ways that cultural traditions have carried through history, are sustaining us in this present moment, and can help move us into the future. Tune in for a conversation on reconstructing Indigenous foodways, the way the banjo connects Africa and Black Americans, how traditional songs of the Levant make space for grief and expression, and so much more. Show notes and transcript available at statehumanities.org/bythepeoplepodcast.   

]]> Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:15:48 -0400 Federation of State Humanities Councils Federation of State Humanities Councils 2183 To celebrate the cultural confluence that has shaped Maine (or the Dawnland as it is called by the Wabanaki), Maine Humanities organized a night of food, music, and dancing called “Gather.” In this episode, Samaa Abdurraqib (Maine Humanities) talks with the event’s chef and two of its musicians about the ways that cultural traditions have carried through history, are sustaining us in this present moment, and can help move us into the future. Tune in for a conversation on reconstructing Indigenous foodways, the way the banjo connects Africa and Black Americans, how traditional songs of the Levant make space for grief and expression, and so much more. Show notes and transcript available at statehumanities.org/bythepeoplepodcast.   

]]> maine, humanities, Wabanaki, cultural exchange, dance, music, banjo, dabke No BONUS: Whose 250 Years? Voices of Indigenous Peoples of California 5 5 BONUS: Whose 250 Years? Voices of Indigenous Peoples of California bonus 790b2a98-6567-4ffb-9453-98962470378f https://share.transistor.fm/s/12d05a3f As part of the national By the People initiative, several humanities councils created podcast series and episodes of their own. In between original episodes of this show, we are republishing episodes from the councils so you can meet even more culture bearers and history keepers from around the country…and discover new podcasts. This episode is titled "Whose 250 Years?" It is republished from the California Humanities series Reclaiming Our Stories: Voices of Indigenous Peoples of California, courtesy of California Humanities. Reclaiming Our Stories is part of a larger California Humanities initiative of the same name.  You can find more episodes of Reclaiming Our Stories and learn more about the initiative at at calhum.org/reclaiming-our-stories/. Show notes and a transcript for this episode are available here.  

Episode description: 

In “Whose 250 Years?”, Story Weaver Victorio Shaw (Hoopa Valley Tribe) is joined by Georgiana Sanchez (Chumash, O'odham) and Judge Abby Abinanti (Yurok) for a conversation that challenges dominant historical timelines and asks a central question: Whose years are being counted?

Through reflections on layered colonialisms in California, Indigenous governance, constitutional contradiction, and the endurance of Native communities, the episode explores how Indigenous peoples have carried truth, memory, and responsibility across generations.


Listeners are invited into conversations about Spanish, Mexican, and U.S. colonial impacts in California; regional differences between Northern and Southern California experiences; Indigenous sovereignty and legal invisibility; and the ways truth has survived through family, ceremony, story, land, education, and art.

An artistic interlude offers space for reflection and breath, holding the episode's emotional and historical weight without explanation.

Reclaiming Our Stories offers a living archive for present and future generations — rooted in narrative sovereignty, deep listening, cultural continuity, and the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples across California.

]]> As part of the national By the People initiative, several humanities councils created podcast series and episodes of their own. In between original episodes of this show, we are republishing episodes from the councils so you can meet even more culture bearers and history keepers from around the country…and discover new podcasts. This episode is titled "Whose 250 Years?" It is republished from the California Humanities series Reclaiming Our Stories: Voices of Indigenous Peoples of California, courtesy of California Humanities. Reclaiming Our Stories is part of a larger California Humanities initiative of the same name.  You can find more episodes of Reclaiming Our Stories and learn more about the initiative at at calhum.org/reclaiming-our-stories/. Show notes and a transcript for this episode are available here.  

Episode description: 

In “Whose 250 Years?”, Story Weaver Victorio Shaw (Hoopa Valley Tribe) is joined by Georgiana Sanchez (Chumash, O'odham) and Judge Abby Abinanti (Yurok) for a conversation that challenges dominant historical timelines and asks a central question: Whose years are being counted?

Through reflections on layered colonialisms in California, Indigenous governance, constitutional contradiction, and the endurance of Native communities, the episode explores how Indigenous peoples have carried truth, memory, and responsibility across generations.


Listeners are invited into conversations about Spanish, Mexican, and U.S. colonial impacts in California; regional differences between Northern and Southern California experiences; Indigenous sovereignty and legal invisibility; and the ways truth has survived through family, ceremony, story, land, education, and art.

An artistic interlude offers space for reflection and breath, holding the episode's emotional and historical weight without explanation.

Reclaiming Our Stories offers a living archive for present and future generations — rooted in narrative sovereignty, deep listening, cultural continuity, and the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples across California.

]]> Thu, 08 Oct 2026 14:29:05 -0400 Federation of State Humanities Councils Federation of State Humanities Councils 3263 As part of the national By the People initiative, several humanities councils created podcast series and episodes of their own. In between original episodes of this show, we are republishing episodes from the councils so you can meet even more culture bearers and history keepers from around the country…and discover new podcasts. This episode is titled "Whose 250 Years?" It is republished from the California Humanities series Reclaiming Our Stories: Voices of Indigenous Peoples of California, courtesy of California Humanities. Reclaiming Our Stories is part of a larger California Humanities initiative of the same name.  You can find more episodes of Reclaiming Our Stories and learn more about the initiative at at calhum.org/reclaiming-our-stories/. Show notes and a transcript for this episode are available here.  

Episode description: 

In “Whose 250 Years?”, Story Weaver Victorio Shaw (Hoopa Valley Tribe) is joined by Georgiana Sanchez (Chumash, O'odham) and Judge Abby Abinanti (Yurok) for a conversation that challenges dominant historical timelines and asks a central question: Whose years are being counted?

Through reflections on layered colonialisms in California, Indigenous governance, constitutional contradiction, and the endurance of Native communities, the episode explores how Indigenous peoples have carried truth, memory, and responsibility across generations.


Listeners are invited into conversations about Spanish, Mexican, and U.S. colonial impacts in California; regional differences between Northern and Southern California experiences; Indigenous sovereignty and legal invisibility; and the ways truth has survived through family, ceremony, story, land, education, and art.

An artistic interlude offers space for reflection and breath, holding the episode's emotional and historical weight without explanation.

Reclaiming Our Stories offers a living archive for present and future generations — rooted in narrative sovereignty, deep listening, cultural continuity, and the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples across California.

]]> humanities, california, indigenous voices, indigenous culture, hoopa valley tribe, chumash, o'odham, yurok, history, native american, 250th No Blues and Community in Small-Town Georgia 4 4 Blues and Community in Small-Town Georgia full 5cbda1e0-d1ff-4df0-aa62-10583b44b620 https://share.transistor.fm/s/824ed3a8 Hartwell, Georgia, has a story to tell, and on a hot day this spring, the community came together for an entire day dedicated to the stories, sounds, and traditions of this small town of 4,500 people. In this episode, the town’s economic development director and the owner of the local blues music venue, High Cotton Music Hall, come together to reflect on the themes of the Porch Songs & Public Voices Festival, what makes Hartwell special (spoiler: it’s the people), how the town came to be a destination for blues lovers, and how culture foster the sense of community that makes the town somewhere people want to live and visit. Show notes and transcript available at statehumanities.org/bythepeoplepodcast. 

]]> Hartwell, Georgia, has a story to tell, and on a hot day this spring, the community came together for an entire day dedicated to the stories, sounds, and traditions of this small town of 4,500 people. In this episode, the town’s economic development director and the owner of the local blues music venue, High Cotton Music Hall, come together to reflect on the themes of the Porch Songs & Public Voices Festival, what makes Hartwell special (spoiler: it’s the people), how the town came to be a destination for blues lovers, and how culture foster the sense of community that makes the town somewhere people want to live and visit. Show notes and transcript available at statehumanities.org/bythepeoplepodcast. 

]]> Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:41:18 -0400 Federation of State Humanities Councils Federation of State Humanities Councils 1687 Hartwell, Georgia, has a story to tell, and on a hot day this spring, the community came together for an entire day dedicated to the stories, sounds, and traditions of this small town of 4,500 people. In this episode, the town’s economic development director and the owner of the local blues music venue, High Cotton Music Hall, come together to reflect on the themes of the Porch Songs & Public Voices Festival, what makes Hartwell special (spoiler: it’s the people), how the town came to be a destination for blues lovers, and how culture foster the sense of community that makes the town somewhere people want to live and visit. Show notes and transcript available at statehumanities.org/bythepeoplepodcast. 

]]> humanities, georgia, hartwell, blues, music history, economic development, small town, community No Before Wyoming: The West in 1776 3 3 Before Wyoming: The West in 1776 full c8f640c6-58d5-4e4d-8fd3-c33f4bfe18b0 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b69e6136 What was going in the West while the thirteen colonies fought for independence? Over the summer, hundreds of people across Wyoming gathered at a series of community film screenings and panel discussions to find out the answer to that question. They came together to watch a new documentary from Wyoming PBS, Wyoming Humanities, and Caldera Productions called “Before Wyoming: The West in 1776.” Expanding the story of 1776 beyond the East Coast, the film explores thriving indigenous nations, early European influence, and the changing world of the West through historians, Native voices, artifacts, and the perspective of young people today. In this episode, we speak to the film’s producers and experts about the history it tells and nuances of telling this history. Show notes and transcript available at statehumanities.org/bythepeoplepodcast. 

]]> What was going in the West while the thirteen colonies fought for independence? Over the summer, hundreds of people across Wyoming gathered at a series of community film screenings and panel discussions to find out the answer to that question. They came together to watch a new documentary from Wyoming PBS, Wyoming Humanities, and Caldera Productions called “Before Wyoming: The West in 1776.” Expanding the story of 1776 beyond the East Coast, the film explores thriving indigenous nations, early European influence, and the changing world of the West through historians, Native voices, artifacts, and the perspective of young people today. In this episode, we speak to the film’s producers and experts about the history it tells and nuances of telling this history. Show notes and transcript available at statehumanities.org/bythepeoplepodcast. 

]]> Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:33:37 -0400 Federation of State Humanities Councils Federation of State Humanities Councils 1637 What was going in the West while the thirteen colonies fought for independence? Over the summer, hundreds of people across Wyoming gathered at a series of community film screenings and panel discussions to find out the answer to that question. They came together to watch a new documentary from Wyoming PBS, Wyoming Humanities, and Caldera Productions called “Before Wyoming: The West in 1776.” Expanding the story of 1776 beyond the East Coast, the film explores thriving indigenous nations, early European influence, and the changing world of the West through historians, Native voices, artifacts, and the perspective of young people today. In this episode, we speak to the film’s producers and experts about the history it tells and nuances of telling this history. Show notes and transcript available at statehumanities.org/bythepeoplepodcast. 

]]> humanities, wyoming, history, indigenous history, shoshone, 1776, american history No Mariachi and Son Jarocho in Washington 2 2 Mariachi and Son Jarocho in Washington full ccd57c16-cd22-40e2-959c-c2de2bc96873 https://share.transistor.fm/s/8b3feb87 Humanities Washington brought two Mexican musical traditions into dialogue through performance and discussion at an event in Wenatchee called “Traditions in Dialogue.” In this episode, Humanities Washington's Violeta Martin interviews two performers from the event, Dr. Yesenia Navarette Hunter and Yajayra Ramierez. The guests share the history and traditions of son jarocho and mariachi, discuss how their own identities and lives have been shaped through these practices, and reflect on how they are using this music to build community and connection in Washington state. Show notes and transcript available at statehumanities.org/bythepeoplepodcast.

]]> Humanities Washington brought two Mexican musical traditions into dialogue through performance and discussion at an event in Wenatchee called “Traditions in Dialogue.” In this episode, Humanities Washington's Violeta Martin interviews two performers from the event, Dr. Yesenia Navarette Hunter and Yajayra Ramierez. The guests share the history and traditions of son jarocho and mariachi, discuss how their own identities and lives have been shaped through these practices, and reflect on how they are using this music to build community and connection in Washington state. Show notes and transcript available at statehumanities.org/bythepeoplepodcast.

]]> Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:32:01 -0400 Federation of State Humanities Councils Federation of State Humanities Councils 2521 Humanities Washington brought two Mexican musical traditions into dialogue through performance and discussion at an event in Wenatchee called “Traditions in Dialogue.” In this episode, Humanities Washington's Violeta Martin interviews two performers from the event, Dr. Yesenia Navarette Hunter and Yajayra Ramierez. The guests share the history and traditions of son jarocho and mariachi, discuss how their own identities and lives have been shaped through these practices, and reflect on how they are using this music to build community and connection in Washington state. Show notes and transcript available at statehumanities.org/bythepeoplepodcast.

]]> humanities, mariachi, son jarocho, mexican folk, music, folkways, washington, central washington No (Trailer) By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 1 1 (Trailer) By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 trailer 2f18fa6f-8cca-436f-ad31-08e053d7f9ec https://share.transistor.fm/s/22c13138 Stayed tuned for the first three of eight episodes, which will be available on September 24. 

By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a national initiative developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 podcast was produced by the Federation.

There are 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils in the US, one for every state, territory, and DC. These nonpartisan nonprofits were established in 1971 by Congress to make outstanding public humanities programming accessible to everyday Americans. 

]]> Stayed tuned for the first three of eight episodes, which will be available on September 24. 

By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a national initiative developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 podcast was produced by the Federation.

There are 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils in the US, one for every state, territory, and DC. These nonpartisan nonprofits were established in 1971 by Congress to make outstanding public humanities programming accessible to everyday Americans. 

]]> Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:07:13 -0400 Federation of State Humanities Councils Federation of State Humanities Councils 104 Stayed tuned for the first three of eight episodes, which will be available on September 24. 

By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a national initiative developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 podcast was produced by the Federation.

There are 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils in the US, one for every state, territory, and DC. These nonpartisan nonprofits were established in 1971 by Congress to make outstanding public humanities programming accessible to everyday Americans. 

]]> humanities, culture, dance, music, history, traditions, folklife, folkways, american culture No