E Pluribus Motto

It's MaxFunDrive. And here, for the first time, we give you an exclusive look (well, listen) at the craft of podcasting: presenting Casters on Casters.

Jesse Thorn and Judge John Hodgman know a thing or two about podcasting, and in this very important podcasting event, they reveal ALL the tricks of the trade. They're joined by podcasting veterans Stuart Wellington & Dan McCoy (The Flop House). It goes without saying these four gentlemen have a very funny, and delightful, conversation. But they also get vulnerable. What does that mean? You'll have to listen to find out!

If this glamorous, in-depth journey into what makes your favorite hosts tick inspires you, support them by joining as a member at maximumfun.org/join.

Edited by Marissa Flaxbart and Produced by Jennifer Marmor for Maximum Fun.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

Prospector Janet Varney and John Hodgman are ready to talk about all the GOLD in them thar hills!

That’s right; the show is back on the west coast, to spotlight California; everything from gold, bears, and even a cryptid or two.

In fact, California is on its way to having an official cryptid– Big Foot. But this is a monster that other states may feel a stronger claim to, even if the legislation is completely pushed through.

But no matter how that shakes out, let’s appreciate that amazing motto. Whether you’ve just pulled a shiny nugget or you’re just feeling good, it sure is fun to shout, “Eureka!”

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

For all things E Pluribus Motto, visit maximumfun.org/mottos-info.

Want to tell Janet & John something about an upcoming state? Or send a voice memo, photo, or cherished memory? There are lots of options:

Email - [email protected]

Voice Message  - speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

Social Media: Instagram and TikTok.

And if you want to purchase Bulletin Board as a small business in any state this season, you can do so here.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

It’s season 3 of E Pluribus Motto!

Janet Varney and John Hodgman are back with a brand new collection of states and their mottos, iconography, animals, and so much more.

Our first state of this season… isn’t a state at all! It’s the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, birthplace of legends like Rita Moreno, Ricky Martin and Bad Bunny, whose INCREDIBLE Superbowl performance showcased the island’s rich culture.

Puerto Rico is also home to adorable frogs, delicious cuisine and one of the most iconic cryptids of all time: The Chupacabra.

Season three is starting off with a bang. Sorry, season three is starting off with una explosión. 

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

For all things E Pluribus Motto, visit maximumfun.org/mottos-info.

Want to tell Janet & John something about an upcoming state? Or send a voice memo, photo, or cherished memory? There are lots of options:

Email - [email protected]

Voice Message  - speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

Social Media

Instagram and TikTok.

And if you want to purchase Bulletin Board as a small business in any state this season, you can do so here.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

Season 3 of E Pluribus Motto begins March 31st with Puerto Rico! After that, expect new episodes of the show every other Tuesday. 

Here's the full schedule:

March 31: Puerto Rico

If you'd like to get involved in the show with everything from emails, voice notes and bulletin boards, just go to maximumfun.org/mottos-info.

Plus, you can follow us instagram and tiktok

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

Can't wait for Season 3 of E Pluribus Motto? Neither can we!

And the first stop of the next season of the show will be Janet and John recording a LIVE episode of the show at SF Sketchfest.

They'll be giving the spotlight to the state of California, talking all about mottos, symbols, cryptids and more. And they'll be joined by Adam Savage, of "Mythbusters" fame!

Tickets are available now. We hope we'll see you there. 

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

Janet Varney and John Hodgman are ready for the season finale of the podcast! And where better to visit than a state full of slot machines, deserts, ghost towns and cryptids (possibly): Nevada!

There’s so much to get into here, including Janet doing her best to get through the pronunciation of said state and John recounting a heroic tale that involves a slot machine that Peter Dinklage graced with his voice.

All of this and so much more including the last cryptid of the season (awwwwwww). It’s time for the Silver State to receive the spotlight!

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.

And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to [email protected]. You can also leave a voice message for us at speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

Janet Varney and John Hodgman celebrate the first non-state and non-commonwealth  in the brief history of the podcast: The capital of the United States, Washington D.C.

And if there’s one problem with the perception of D.C., it’s a failure to understand that it’s a real city with a lot of cool people who call it home. We try to push beyond the monuments and motorcade and make sure to highlight that.

Plus we give a shoutout to everything from D.C.’s role in the straight-edge punk movement, the cryptids that (supposedly) roam its streets, and just what it means to be a mason. Plus, this place has a really cute official bird.

Cover Art Photos provided by:

Russell Burrell

Alejandrina Burrell

Shaadee Ahmadnia

Marissa Serafini

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to [email protected]. You can also leave a voice message for us at speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

Janet Varney and John Hodgman have arrived in the keystone state! First order of business: What on Earth is a keystone anyway?

If nothing else, it’s one of the many things that Pennsylvania uses to identify itself as. Its other symbols include (but are not limited to) Benjamin Franklin, hoagies, the liberty bell, Rocky and so much more. 

And we’ve gotten tons of Pennsylvanians from far and wide to tell us why they love to call this commonwealth home. 

Episode cover art provided by:

Dana Jones

Elizabeth Yu

Payton Hotz

Greg Price

Clair O’Hanlon

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.

And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to [email protected]. You can also leave a voice message for us at speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

Janet Varney and John Hodgman are on to the Hawkeye State! And while there are some very respectable hawkeyes to take sight of, our hosts will also talk about some vaguely disturbing Hawkeyes as well (sorry Herky!).

And we’ve got to stay on brand and talk about that motto as well– it’s quite a mouthful. But Iowa proudly showcases it on its seal and its official state flag.

We even got John Darnielle from the Mountain Goats to give the motto a good read– and tell us which of his songs most represents Iowa. 

Episode cover art provided by:

Aaron Cox

Joey Smith

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.

And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to [email protected]. You can also leave a voice message for us at speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

Janet Varney and John Hodgman visit their first state in the Pacific Northwest: Oregon! There’s a Latin motto and so much flora and fauna to discuss; including some wonderful Douglas-fir and those amazing beavers.

Speaking of beavers, they are the namesake of Oregon’s unofficial nickname, “The Beaver State.” And those animals happen to be on the second-side of the state flag– yes, this is that rare state flag that is TWO sided.

But, lest we forget that beautiful motto, it translates to “She flies with her own wings.” So where does it land on our ranking scale?

Plus, we could use your help deciding which cryptid should designate Oregon as its official home. 

Episode cover art provided by:

Christina Harkness

Nathan White

Rebecca Beaver

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.

And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to [email protected]. You can also leave a voice message for us at speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto