By the People Podcast
Explore 250 years of our nation’s cultural life and imagine our shared future through fascinating conversations with the people celebrating and preserving local culture and history.
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.
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.
How to Listen
By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is available on all major podcast platforms. Listen on your browser by visiting the episode pages below and using the built-in player or find your preferred platform here.
Episodes
Blues and Community in Small-Town Georgia (By the People Podcast Episode)
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.
Before Wyoming: The West in 1776 (By the People Podcast Episode)
What was going in the West while the thirteen colonies fought for independence?
Mariachi and Son Jarocho in Washington (By the People Podcast Episode)
Guests in this episode 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.
