Pop Culture Passport - Exploring Quirky & Cool Travel Destinations in the USA
Pop Culture Passport is your guide to quirky and cool travel destinations across the USA. Every other week, we explore unique things to do, from movie and TV filming locations and theme parks to roadside attractions, quirky museums, regional foods, and the fascinating stories behind the places you visit.
If you'd happily add 60 minutes to your trip to visit a filming location, the Jell-O Museum, a legendary roadside attraction, or a local spot with an incredible backstory, this podcast is for you.
I'm Beth Schillaci, aka the Roaming Yeti. I'm a travel content creator, pop culture nerd, and firm believer that the best discoveries happen when you layer a little curiosity on top of wherever you're already headed. I call them side quests: the detours, the unexpected stops, the "wait, THAT'S here?" moments that make any trip unforgettable and personal.
Whether you're planning a dedicated trip or looking for the perfect thing to add to somewhere you're already going, a work trip, a family visit, or a drive through a new city, there's always something worth the detour.
Think of this as traveling with your slightly nerdy, sort-of-cool friend who loves deep dives, unexpected discoveries, and finding the story behind the story.
Explore episodes about:
- Movie & TV filming locations
- Quirky museums & unique attractions
- Road trips & roadside attractions
- Theme parks & themed entertainment
- Regional foods, candy history & food tourism
- Day trips & weekend getaways
- Hidden history, origin stories & local legends
- Pop culture travel across the USA
Grab your Pop Culture Passport — let's roam.
Pop Culture Passport - Exploring Quirky & Cool Travel Destinations in the USA
Snack Society: King Cake, Fat Tuesday & The Foods That Connect Us
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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.
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