Need a dose of inpsiration? Well, we can help with that! The spring lineup of guests on Coffee With Jim ensures that in April and May you can kick off the week with a healthy dose of inspiration, a smile or two, and some great fodder to spark some lively conversation.
Spring is in the air and the open road is calling. And here at Jim Hinckley’s America, the coffee’s on, the road trip inspiring conversations are rolling, and we are chomping at the bit to talk with these guests that are writing new chapters in the American story.
The spring lineup of guests for our weekly podcast, Coffee With Jim on Podbean, will provide lots of inspiration for a summer road trip. It’s a celebration of Route 66, the great American road trip, creativity, and preservation.
But, as you know, this isn’t just a podcast. It’s a virtual front porch where we visit with old friends while fireflies dance at dusk. It’s a roadside diner where we sit and talk while sharing hot coffee and a slice of fresh apple pie. It’s a shared adventure, and a friendly chat under a vintage neon glow.
And this season’s guests? They’re dreamers, doers, and storytellers, each contributing to the history of the Main Street of America’s second century.
Here’s a look at what’s coming down the pike of Coffee With Jim between April 13 and June 1, 2025:
🎼 April 13 – Professor Nolan Stolz
Composer of the Route 66 Suite
We kick off things with a flourish when Professor Nolan Stolz joins us to talk about his Route 66 Suite, a stunning symphonic composition created in celebration of the Route 66 Centennial. Nolan is a music professor and accomplished composer whose work bridges classical form with modern themes.
The Suite captures the spirit of Route 66. It’s a sensory celebration of the people, the cutlure, the landscapes, the communities, and the history that define America’s Main Street, iconic Route 66. This is the kind of program that may even inspire a detour along your favorite stretch of this old road.
Need a teaser? On Nolan’s Route 66 Suite YouTube channel you can listen to the Oklahoma City University Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jacob Campos give a preview of the second movement of Nolan Stolz’s Route 66 Suite, “26 Gas Stations.”
🍳 April 20 – Linda Ly Taylor
Author of The Route 66 Cookbook
Need a bit of inspiration in the kitchen? The magic of a memory-making Route 66 odyssey is the people met along the way, the time capsule diners, and the meals shared with friends and fellow adventurers. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could keep those memories fresh or share them with friends after the trip along the Main Street of America ends?
Well, that is exactly what Linda Ly Taylor makes possible with The Route 66 Cookbook, a delightful blending of history, trivia, and the special recipes that have transformed some Route 66 treasures into must-stop destinations for the Route 66 traveler. This is no mere cookbook. It is the ultimate souvenir for the Route 66 enthusiast or armchair traveler who wants to bring a bit of the Route 66 magic into their kitchen.
📚 April 27 – Jim Ross & Shellee Graham
Authors of Route 66: The First 100 Years
Historian Jim Ross and photographer/author Shellee Graham are no strangers to the Route 66 scene. They are pioneers in the Route 66 renaissance movement. Their combined contributions to the preservation, chronicling the history and the culture of Route 66 have been instrumental for decades.
On this episode, we dive into their brand-new book, Route 66: The First 100 Years—a sweeping visual narrative history of the road that built a nation and that continues inspire adventurers. The book is scheduled for release on June 15, but this program is a sneak peek of the deep insights, fascinating anecdotes, and the legacy they’re helping preserve for the next hundred years with this book.
📸 May 4 – David Schwartz
Photographer Behind Pics on 66
Photography has a way of freezing the soul of a place, and David Schwartz, the creative mind behind Pics on 66, has made it his mission to document the quirky, colorful, and heartfelt world of Route 66, small-town America, and the great American road trip through his lens. From neon signs to rusted-out relics, David’s work captures the heartbeat of the highway and the open road. Join us as we talk inspiration, technique, and the timeless allure of the great America road trip.
🔐 May 18 – Jim Featherstone & Olivia Golaszewski
Cybersecurity for Small Businesses
Now, we shift gears and move away from road trip inspiration to talk with Jim Featherstone and Olivia Golaszewski, rising authorities in cybersecurity and tech communications. Together, they’ll shed light on the growing threats small businesses face in the digital world. This promises to be a very important conversation for the small business owner.
It’s a critical conversation—because while we work to preserve history, we also have to protect our future. If you order online, or use email or online banking services, this program is for you.
🎉 May 25 – Wade Bray
AAA Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Wrapping up May, we’re joined by infectiously enthusiastic Wade Bray, the mastermind behind the AAA Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This celebration is again shaping up to be one of the must-attend events of the year. From vintage cars and live music to storytelling, food, and family fun, Wade gives us the inside scoop on how this festival is becoming a cornerstone for the upcoming Route 66 centennial.
☕ About Coffee With Jim
Launched as part of our mission to share America’s story and inspire road trips by telling people where to go, Coffee With Jim has become a cornerstone of Jim Hinckley’s America. It’s where we celebrate the people, places, and stories that embody the spirit of the open road. Past guests have included:
- Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association
- Vickie Ashcraft, owner of Enchanted Trails Trading Post and RV Park, president of the Route 66 Association of New Mexico, and a Route 66 treasure
- Austin Coop, owner of Two Lane America and road trip connoisseur
- Gary Sosniecki, Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 advocate
Each episode is a chapter in an unfolding travelogue—written with heart, humor, and a passion for building a sense of community.
🛣️ About Jim Hinckley’s America
At Jim Hinckley’s America, we’ve been on a mission for years: to tell stories that matter, honor the past, and encourage the kind of exploration that brings people and communities together. Whether it’s sharing the history of Route 66, inspiring road trip tips, or supporting tourism development in small towns, Jim Hinckley’s America fosters a sense of community and purpose. Through our podcast, our blogs, books and feature articles, and our speaking engagements, we inspire others to explore the past, create vibrant tourism economies, and preserve the cherished stories that shape our nation.
With 22 books, countless miles logged on forgotten roads, and a growing audience that includes fellow travelers, dreamers, and preservationists, Jim Hinckley’s America isn’t just about the destination—it’s about the journey. And this shared adventure is just getting started.
🚗 Meet the Sponsors of Coffee With Jim
None of this would be possible without the support of our amazing sponsors. These incredible businesses are helping to fuel our journey and share America’s story far and wide:
- Two Lane America – The ultimate resource for road trip enthusiasts and lovers of Route 66.
- Wagon Wheel Motel (Cuba, Missouri) – A historic Route 66 motel that’s been welcoming travelers since 1937.
- Cactus Inn Motel (McLean, Texas) – A classic Route 66 stop for weary road trippers.
- Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park (Albuquerque, New Mexico) – An iconic Route 66 business with a rich history and a commitment to preserving the highway’s charm.
- RouteTrip USA – Your trusted partner for planning unforgettable adventures across America.
- Roadrunner Lodge Motel (Tucumcari, New Mexico) – A hidden gem offering comfortable accommodations with a classic Route 66 vibe.
- Gilligan’s Route 66 Tours – Experts in Route 66 tours, bringing the history and legends of the road to life.
🙏 Why Patreon Support Matters
And here’s where we tip our hats to you, our Patreon patrons. You’re the gas in the tank, the ones who make this journey possible. Your support helps us:
- Record, edit, and host Coffee With Jim as well as In Search of Lost Highways, our video series on YouTube
- Travel for interviews, research, presentations, programs, and photography
- Develop educational programs for communities
- Share the stories that are too often forgotten and provide a spotlight for storytellers, authors, artists, and photographers
Every dollar helps us shine a light on the people, places, and projects that embody the spirit of America. And for that—we’re deeply grateful.
So pour yourself a cup, fire up the podcast app, and come share an adventure with us. Because the stories we’re about to share are smile inducing, road trip inspiring adventures.
With gratitude and a good dose of wanderlust we invite you to come along for the ride.
“Telling People Where to Go… and Sharing America’s Story.” Jim Hinckley’s America
Thank you. Shared adventures are the best adventures.