Unpacking America
John Easterling is an Australian living in the United States who seeks to understand more about the country he now calls home. Throughout the many conversations he's had in America since his arrival, John has discovered more and more that he wants to unpack with people. This podcast seeks to understand Americans from across the country; their points of views, their beliefs, their ambitions, and their fears.
Episodes
22 episodes
Ticking Every Box
For the penultimate episode of season 3 John is joined by Jessamyn Dodd; news anchor, influencer and centralist. A conversation about ticking all the boxes, trying to find the balance between the left and the right, and living in an increasingl...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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57:37
The Experience Of Others
John is joined by Ebony for a no holds barred conversation about the prevalence and power that race has in everyday American life, history and, culture. You can follow Ebony
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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58:08
Extremely Joyful
John talks to Ginny about growing up in rural Alabama, the joy of being in a loving relationship, the power of art and performance, and the changing conversations around sexuality.
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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55:55
What Hill Are You Willing To Die On - Part 2
John and Anthony continue their conversation about the growing presence of misinformation online, in what Anthony refer to as the 'War On Words'. Check Anthony's TikTok out here:
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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45:16
What Hill Are You Willing To Die On - Part 1
Season 3 begins with a two part special as John is joined by special guest Anthony Hyland (@ispeak1906). As a serving member of the United States Navy, a spoken word artist, an author, and a social media influencer, Anthony has a lot to share a...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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51:31
Very Important On A Galactic Scale
Aliens! Ghosts! Join John and Emma for the season two finale of Unpacking America as they deep dive into America's relationship with the paranormal and the psychology behind explaining the unexplainable.
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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1:11:07
Struggle Bus City
John talks to Marc, a public school teacher from inner city Chicago, about the education system in America, the changes in the classroom post-Covid, and the worrying trends being seen in high school students.
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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1:07:35
Their Failed Statistic
John talks to Elizabeth about her experiences surviving domestic violence, drug addiction, and being incarcerated. This is a story of survivalism and empowerment as Elizabeth has risen up to fight against a system that has failed her and so man...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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55:37
The Value Of My Debt
John is joined by Ryan who talks about his experience growing up in a Sundown Town, surviving child abuse and, how he took the steps to build the life he wanted for himself.
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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1:01:31
Multiple Truths
Dr. Julie Pham, CEO of CuriosityBased, joins us to talk about her experience coming to America via boat in the aftermath of the Vietnam War and shares her perspectives on curiosity, truth, and history.
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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58:19
We're All In This Together
Reverend Roger and John talk about the changing nature of religion in the US, how to stay sane in an increasingly polarized world, and the nature of morality.
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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43:38
The Fear Of Equity
John is joined by Dr. DeWayne Williams to talk about equity, racism, Captain Planet, and the great state of Ohio.
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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1:07:30
The Opportunities Are There
John is joined by Funny Medicine host Julia Brunet to talk about the state of the medical system in America, Cuban-American culture, and exploring the country. Check out Funny Medicine here:
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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59:46
Us vs. Everybody
Season two of Unpacking America is here and it starts with a bang. Join John and Antonio as they talk conspiracy theories, recovering from mental illness, and how to have difficult conversations. Check out Antonio's book ...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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1:05:19
The Seventh Fire
In the final episode of season one, John talks to Rio about the Native American experience, the duality of being Native and Catholic, and how a culture endures and survives in the face of adversity.
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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1:07:35
We Don't Trust Each Other Anymore
John and Shiri discuss the rising cultural and political divides in the United States and where we go from here.
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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1:06:35
It's Time To Wind Back The Clock
Author, federalist, and legal history professor Stephen B. Presser joins John for a conversation about state's rights, religious morality, and constitutional history.
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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1:06:59
Find Joy In Struggle
John sits down with Crystal to talk about growing up black in North Carolina, her experiences with racism in America, and her relationship with her country.
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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1:09:58
Your Status Doesn't Define You
John talks to Rudy about his experience immigrating to a US-- a country he has lived in since he was 3 years old-- and the 35 years it took him to become a permanent resident.
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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1:00:32
Dirty Hands, Clean Money
Join us for our third episode as John talks to Ryan about conservatism, libertarianism, religious morality and growing up in rural California.
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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1:08:02