Parkography

Parkography (formerly known as the America’s National Parks Podcast) is the new home for the powerful stories, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes of America’s national parks and public lands. Through immersive storytelling, vivid soundscapes, and in-depth research, we explore the people, places, and pivotal moments that shaped the wild places we cherish today. From iconic landmarks to hidden corners, Parkography brings the soul of America’s public lands to life—one story at a time.
Episodes
Episodes
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
The House That Shaped a Nation—and Vanished: The President's House of Philadelphia
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Just steps from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall lies the barely visible foundation of a house that once held the weight of a revolution, a presidency—and a deep contradiction.
This week on Parkography, we uncover the story of the President’s House in Philadelphia, a mansion that passed through the hands of a British general, a colonial governor, a wealthy financier, a traitorous American officer, and two U.S. presidents. But beneath its grand halls and bowed windows lived another story—one of enslaved people fighting silently for their own freedom in the shadow of a nation proclaiming liberty for all.
Join Jason Epperson as he walks through the rubble and history of the forgotten home at Sixth and Market, where the founding of the United States unfolded brick by brick—and where the legacy of freedom remains unfinished.
Written by Lizzie Tesch
Hosted by Jason Epperson
Find the Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography
Join the PARKography Facebook group to discuss this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parkography
Check out our other channels focused on RV travel: @RVMiles @RVMilesPodcast
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
37 Days in Yellowstone
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
In 1870, Truman Everts set out as part of an exploration of the Yellowstone wilderness. What followed was a harrowing 37-day survival story filled with fire, frostbite, mountain lions, and near starvation. Lost, alone, and presumed dead, Everts defied all odds to become one of Yellowstone’s most legendary figures.
Find the Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
In this episode, an update on the dramatic hydrothermal explosion at Yellowstone's Biscuit Basin, the Trump administration's fiscal year 2026 budget proposal for the National Park Service, and the opening of Voyager's National Park's Crane Lake Visitor Center. Also, Denali National Park's live puppy cam is back, and Disney announces a new Piston Peak National Park-themed expansion at Magic Kingdom.
Find the Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography
00:00 Introduction00:07 Yellowstone's Hydrothermal Explosion03:08 Sponsor Message: Slinky Stove03:47 Trump Administration's Budget Proposal05:53 Controversial Directives on Public Lands07:50 Voyager's National Park New Visitor Center08:24 Denali National Park Puppy Cam09:12 Disney's New National Park Themed Land10:17 Conclusion
Thursday May 29, 2025
The Wild True Story of the Man Trapped on Devils Tower
Thursday May 29, 2025
Thursday May 29, 2025
A $50 bet turned into a six-day national spectacle atop Devils Tower: The bizarre true story of George Hopkins—the daredevil parachutist who leapt onto the summit of America’s first national monument... and couldn’t get down.
Stranded on the iconic rock formation for nearly a week, Hopkins sparked a media frenzy, drew thousands of spectators, and prompted wild rescue offers from blimps to military helicopters—all thanks to a friendly wager.
Find the Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Massive job cuts at the National Park Service are paused while contract approval at the US Forest Service is slowing cleaning and maintenance. A bear that can flip 800lb dumpsters is euthanized, hunting and fishing are expanded in wildlife refuges, and a hiker tells her harrowing tale of being lost for 24 days, surviving on wild leeks and boiled snow.
Find the Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography
Comment on federal regulations here: https://www.regulations.gov/
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Behind the Lens: Capturing the Wild with the Creators of PBS's "View Finders"
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Tuesday May 13, 2025
In this episode of Parkography, I sit down with Chris Greer and Paul Daniel, the adventurous creators behind the PBS series View Finders. We dive into their creative journeys, the challenges of capturing the perfect shot in the wild, and their mission to inspire a deeper connection to nature through their work. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just someone who loves the call of the wild, this is an episode you won't want to miss.Hosted By: Jason Epperson
Guests:
Chris Greer: https://www.instagram.com/pauldaniel5010/
Paul Daniel: https://www.instagram.com/pauldaniel5010/
View Finders on PBS: https://www.pbs.org/show/view-finders/
View Finders on Instagram: @viewfinderstv
Find the Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography
Wednesday May 07, 2025
40% Cut To Park Service? National Parks Handed Over To States? Trump's Budget Proposal
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Wednesday May 07, 2025
In this National Park and Public Lands news roundup, we dive into the proposed 38% budget cut for the National Park Service, which could lead to the removal of some sites from the system. We cover the Interior Department's leaked plans to allow drilling, mining, and selling off federal land, as well as the potential reopening of Alcatraz as a federal prison. Updates on Yosemite's summer reservations, a tragic crash near Yellowstone, various park closures, and more.
Find the Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:35 Sponsor Message: Slinky Stove01:22 Trump Administration's Budget Proposal for National Parks03:09 Leaked Interior Department Plan for Federal Lands04:20 National Monuments and Endangered Species05:15 House Appropriations Bill and National Park Funding07:18 Staffing Issues and USACE Campground Closures11:26 Yosemite Summer Reservations13:01 Tragic Crash Near Yellowstone13:41 Theft at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park14:24 Jackson Hole Airport Achieves Dark Sky Status15:18 Conclusion
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
How One Piece of Litter Changed a National Park Forever
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
In this episode, we explore the surprising impact of litter in our national parks, beginning with a vivid story from Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Hear how a single discarded bag of Cheetos disrupted the delicate ecosystem of one of the largest limestone chambers and what it reveals about the broader issue of trash in parks. Discover the ongoing efforts to manage waste and tips on how you can minimize your footprint while enjoying these natural treasures.
Written By James Fester
Hosted by Jason Epperson
Leave No Trace: https://lnt.org/
Don't Feed the Landfills:
https://www.nationalparks.org/explore/programs/reducing-waste-sent-to-landfills
https://www.nps.gov/dena/getinvolved/zero-landfill.htm