Smithsonian's Stories from Main Street

About Smithsonian's Stories from Main Street

Everybody has a story to tell. The Smithsonian's Stories from Main Street podcast shares the authentic voices and stories of people from small towns and rural communities across the United States. Gathered by the Smithsonian Institution's Museum on Main Street program, the stories featured in these curated episodes are raw, and real, and provide a unique window into the ever-changing, multi-faceted and diverse nature of America. Join the Smithsonian for a look at stories and issues that have an impact on rural communities. Listen in and hear the patterns and connections in the stories—there may be differences between the miles, but there are probably a lot of similarities, too.

Publisher

Smithsonian Institution

Category

education · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Aug 2020

Latest episode

2 Jul 2025

Latest episodes

29 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Jul 2025

   23: It's Summer in the USA

   This episode explores what the summer season means to Americans, highlighting stories of adventure, family connections, and appreciation for the natural world.

2. 

   5 Jun 2025

   22: Our Towns Are Our Passion: The Power of Community Service

   Community storytellers highlight the profound impact of local engagement, revealing how collective efforts enhance the quality of life and foster a sense of belonging.

3. 

   13 Mar 2025

   21: Varied and Vital: What Women Contribute to the Country

   "Too often, the women were unsung, and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achivements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built American was as vital as that oft eh men whose names we know so well." -- President Jimmy Carter, 1980 proclamation announcing Women's History Week. Since our country's founding, women have been at the forefront of community service and community engagement. American women contribute to the workforce: they are teachers, artists, engineers, scientists, ranchers, politician, and everything in between. Listen in as women talk about how their work contributes to their communities and has an impact on their lives.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

13 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 41 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

48

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

85

Contact Smithsonian's Stories from Main Street

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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