Pop Culture Passport - Exploring Quirky & Cool Travel Destinations in the USA

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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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Connect with me on social: Facebook or Instagram.

Like this episode? Share it in your stories and tag me @the_roaming_yeti

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review, and let me know where you'd like us to roam next.

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Episode 136

If you’re traveling to Atlanta for the World Cup… will you only see the stadium version of the city, or will you side quest into the places locals actually love?

Atlanta is getting ready to welcome the world, and yes, the stadium energy is going to be incredible. But some of the most memorable parts of this city live outside the official fan zones.

While researching this episode, I kept coming back to one idea: many of Atlanta’s most beloved places exist because someone cared deeply about one specific thing, puppets, folk art, public art, secret cocktail culture, or even a giant roadside chicken, and decided to build something around it.

This episode is all about Atlanta side quests, the stops that make a trip feel personal, memorable, and very you.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• The Center for Puppetry Arts and why Atlanta became home to the Jim Henson Collection

• Doll’s Head Trail and how one person turned a dumping ground into powerful folk art

• Hidden and personality-driven stops like Tiny Doors ATL, Swan House, and the Red Phone Booth

• Atlanta filming locations (Marvel, Black Panther, Stranger Things, and more)

• Two iconic Atlanta food landmarks you can’t miss: The Dwarf House and The Big Chicken

Atlanta isn’t just a host city. It’s a city full of creativity, obsession, and personality, and those are usually the places that make the best travel stories.

If this episode inspires you to add a side quest to your next trip, even if it’s close to home, then it’s done its job.

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog.

Get your free Field Notes Travel & Snack Journal by signing up for the newsletter.

Connect with me on social: Facebook or Instagram.

Like this episode? Share it in your stories and tag me @the_roaming_yeti

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review, and let me know where you'd like us to roam next.

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Episode 135

Did you grow up with King Cake… or was Fat Tuesday pancakes-for-dinner night?

In this Snack Society episode, we’re opening both the Snack Files and the Test Kitchen to explore the foods Americans eat on the day before Lent — whether you call it Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, or Shrove Tuesday.

From Louisiana bakery culture to Pennsylvania Dutch kitchen traditions, this episode looks at how food helps us mark time, build community, and share one last moment of indulgence together.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• The history and symbolism of King Cake
• Regional Fat Tuesday foods across the U.S.
• My real-life King Cake Test Kitchen experience (including braid struggles and cinnamon sugar chaos)

Fat Tuesday foods may look different across the country — but the story is the same:

Food helps people gather, celebrate, and transition seasons together.

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog.

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Connect with me on social: Facebook or Instagram.

Like this episode? Share it in your stories and tag me @the_roaming_yeti

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review, and let me know where you'd like us to roam next.

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Episode 134

What if you could actually visit Hawkins, Dunder Mifflin, or the Double R Diner?

In this episode of Pop Culture Passport, we’re taking you on a TV pilgrimage to the real-life towns behind some of your favorite fictional places. From the brick-lined square that doubled as Hawkins, Indiana, to the shadowy forests of Twin Peaks, these locations aren’t just filming sites; they’re places you can walk through, eat in, and explore for yourself.

What You’ll Discover:

• Where to find the Stranger Things library, Joyce Byers’ workplace, and that Season 1 alleyway
• Why The Office’s Scranton is more real than you might think (even if it was shot in California)

Whether you’re a nostalgic 80s fan, a drama junkie, or a quirky road tripper, you’re going to want to add these spots to your must-visit list.

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog. 

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Like this episode? Share it in your stories and tag me @the_roaming_yeti

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review, and let me know where you'd like us to roam next.

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Episode 133

From English toffee at the Original Farmers Market to the best smash burger I’ve ever had, this Snack Society field report is a highlight reel of food and drink stops in LA that have us still talking. These are the spots we tried and loved during our LA trip—unexpected gems, neighborhood favorites, and breweries with serious food game.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Where to find melt-in-your-mouth English toffee and potato-filled crepes in LA
• A smash burger that now lives rent-free in my mind
• Four local breweries with excellent beer, food, and vibes
• Hidden gem pubs and taverns where the food deserves its own spotlight
• The turkey club trail I didn’t mean to start—but I’m not mad about it

Want more snack-fueled adventures?

Get your free Field Notes Travel & Snack Journal by signing up for the newsletter at https://theroamingyeti.com 

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog. 

Get your free Field Notes Travel & Snack Journal by signing up for the newsletter.

Connect with me on social: Facebook or Instagram.

Like this episode? Share it in your stories and tag me @the_roaming_yeti

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review, and let me know where you'd like us to roam next.

Ready for more from The Roaming Yeti now? Visit our website.

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Episode 132

Ever wonder where to shop or snack like a pop culture nerd in Los Angeles?

From iconic comic shops and vintage bookstores to on-screen diners and galactic cantinas, this episode is your guide to the quirky, cool, and cinematic side of LA, one bite and book at a time.

In this episode, I share:

• The bookstores and record shops where Hollywood history lives on
• Where to shop for actual TV costumes (with a scavenger-hunt twist)
• A legendary pub from The Office, plus a Star Wars-themed cantina you’ll want to nerd out in
• The perfect stops for film buffs, comic lovers, and pop culture explorers alike

Whether you’re planning your own LA adventure or love a good armchair side quest, this episode is packed with pop culture travel inspo and some seriously snackable detours.

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog.

Get your free Field Notes Travel & Snack Journal by signing up for the newsletter.

Connect with me on social: Facebook or Instagram.

Like this episode? Share it in your stories and tag me @the_roaming_yeti

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review, and let me know where you'd like us to roam next.

Ready for more from The Roaming Yeti now? Visit our website.

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Episode 131

Heading to the Finger Lakes, Niagara Falls, or even Buffalo? Don’t skip Rochester — this city’s full of side quests you didn’t know you needed.

In this episode, we’re heading to Western New York for a quirky detour through Rochester — a city that’s quietly cool, full of history, and packed with creative surprises. From legendary guitar stores and speakeasies to living art galleries, this stop proves you don’t need to travel far to find something extraordinary.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

• House of Guitars & Record Archive: Two legendary music stops with stories (and vinyl) for days.
• Marge’s Lakeside Inn & The Blind Pig: Dive bars, speakeasies, and cocktails with a side of local lore.
• Clock of Nations & ArtisanWorks: Nostalgia, reinvention, and immersive creativity in motion.
• Bonus Sip Stops: Favorite breweries and casual hangouts to round out your Rochester road trip.

If you love discovering destinations with heart and history, this episode will have you adding Rochester to your next Western NY adventure.

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog.

Get your free Field Notes Travel & Snack Journal by signing up for the newsletter.

Connect with me on social: Facebook or Instagram.

Like this episode? Share it in your stories and tag me @the_roaming_yeti

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review, and let me know where you'd like us to roam next.

Ready for more from The Roaming Yeti now? Visit our website.

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Episode 130

What were your favorite travel moments this year — the unexpected discoveries, weird details, or hidden gems that stuck with you?

In this final episode of 2025, I’m taking a look back at some of the quirky and cool destinations that weren’t in Los Angeles (shocking, I know). From ghost stories and blue ice cream to offbeat art museums, these moments stuck with me in the best way.

Plus, I’ll share what’s coming in 2026 — including a big year for the Snack Society, more Pop Culture Passport episodes, and a growing audio tour project that I’m really excited about.

In this episode:

• My Top 5 favorite travel moments outside of LA — including Gettysburg, Rochester, and EPCOT
• A nostalgic trip to Kings Island, complete with Smurf-blue ice cream
• My unofficial Country Bears Easter egg hunt inside a dark ride
• What’s next for the Roaming Yeti Snack Society in 2026

You ready? Let’s roam.

Links & Resources:

• Explore Snack Society blog posts. https://theroamingyeti.com/category/journal/snack-society/
• Sign up for the Roaming Yeti newsletter to get the Snack Society Field Agent Journal in January. https://theroamingyeti.com
• Listen to the Haunted Frederick Ghost Trail podcast. https://theroamingyeti.com/haunted-frederick/

Get your free Field Notes Travel & Snack Journal by signing up for the newsletter.

Connect with me on social: Facebook or Instagram.

Like this episode? Share it in your stories and tag me @the_roaming_yeti

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review, and let me know where you'd like us to roam next.

Ready for more from The Roaming Yeti now? Visit our website.

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Episode 129

What was your go-to candy in the 80s — and why do those flavors and wrappers still feel so nostalgic today?

In this episode, Beth sits down with Jason Liebig, one of the country’s top nostalgia experts and the self-described Indiana Jones of snacks. Jason is a brand historian, packaging archivist, and behind-the-scenes consultant for hit shows like Stranger Things, Mad Men, The Goldbergs, and more.

Together, they dig into the sweet, surprising world of 1980s candy — from iconic favorites like Nerds and Fun Dip to long-lost treats and the stories behind the wrappers.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Jason went from Marvel Comics to building the largest candy-packaging archive in the U.S.
• Why the 1980s were a groundbreaking decade for candy innovation
• How real packaging helps make shows like Stranger Things feel so authentic
• The wild evolution of Fun Dip, Pixy Stix, Big League Chew, and more
• An incredible story about a rare Kit Kat wrapper that survived World War II

Whether you grew up in the 80s or just love a good pop culture deep dive, this episode is packed with nostalgic fun and fascinating behind-the-scenes details.

You ready? Let’s roam.

Follow Jason on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/collectingcandy/

More info on the blog. 

Get your free Field Notes Travel & Snack Journal by signing up for the newsletter.

Connect with me on social: Facebook or Instagram.

Like this episode? Share it in your stories and tag me @the_roaming_yeti

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review, and let me know where you'd like us to roam next.

Ready for more from The Roaming Yeti now? Visit our website.