Desert mysteries and Pony Express dreams are some of the American stories we shared recently at Jim Hinckley’s America. We are believers in the sharing of adventures. And we are pretty passionate about inspiring an adventure or two.

On Coffee With Jim, our weekly podcast on Podbean, we visit with dreamers and adventurers. And we invite you to saddle up, kick the dust, and join us for the ride. At Jim HInckley’s America history isn’t just remembered… it’s experienced.

Blurring The Line

On recent programs about desert mysteries and Pony Express dreams listeners were treated to a journey across the west and through time. It was a delightful visit with author Will Grant. His remarkable book The Last Ride of the Pony Express: My 2,000 Mile Horseback Journey Into The Old West set the stage for a very fascinating conversation.

The book about Grant’s adventure was more than a travelogue. This book is about a deeply personal odyssey that blends journalism, horsemanship, history, and a lifelong fascination with the mythology of the American West.

Grant’s ride retraced the path of the legendary Pony Express, that short-lived but enduring mail service of 1860–1861 that stitched a young nation together. And in his telling, the line between past and present grows quite thin.

That conversation was followed by a hard left turn into the dark shadows of history.

Author Steve Reyes book Four Miles East of Bagdad is a gripping exploration of a 19th century murder, racial tension and prejudices, and delayed justice in the Mojave Desert. Drawing on his background in law enforcement and the courts, Reyes peels back the layers of a forgotten desert drama tied to forgotten Route 66 oasis.

Together, these stories remind us of something essential. The American story is not one tale, but a thousand. Some are heroic, some are haunting but they are all worth telling.

Pull Up a Chair—Coffee’s On

At its heart, Coffee With Jim is a virtual diner. It is a place where stories are shared, laughter comes easy, road trips are inspired and curiosity is always welcome. It’s a weekly gathering spot for historians, adventurers, authors, and dreamers. We are united by a fascination for the diverse and inspiring American story as well as an infectious enthusiasm for road trips.

Designated an official Route 66 Centennial program, our podcast continues to grow as a hub for inspiration, conversation, and community. Whether you’re planning your first road trip or your fiftieth, there’s always a fresh perspective waiting over that next cup of coffee.

In mid May we will be taking the program to a new level. As Podbean has announced that they will discontinue the live stream option we will be shifting to our YouTube channel. This will be a bit of a reversal. Instead of Podbean program audio being shared to the YouTube channel, we willbe sharing YouTube audio to the Podbean channel.

The Road Ahead: Events & Appearances

Spring is shaping up to be a lively season of storytelling and shared adventures here in Jim Hinckley’s America.

• Sounds of Kingman – Kingman, Arizona – March 28, 2026, 1:00 – I will be sharing the fascinating and colorful history of trails, rails, highways and aviation in northwestern Arizona
• Lake Elsinore Historical Society – Lake Elsinore, California – March 25, 2026, 7:00 – drawing from my laest book, Route 66: 100 Years, I will be talking about the origins of Route 66 and the highways evolution into an icon with international fan club.
• Sharlot Hall Museum – Prescott, Arizona – April 18, 2026, 1:00 – I will again be sharing the story of Route 66 from prehistory to the era of renaissance.
• Route 66 Road Fest – Tulsa, Oklahoma – June 26, 27 – The first program will be about the supernatural on Route 66 as well as tales of murder and mayhem. I will be sharing he stage with Joey Madia. In the second program I will be sharing the fascinating history and prehistory of Route 66 in the southwest.

And if you like your history with a side of neon and nostalgia, don’t miss the First Friday celebration in the historic heart of Kingman, Arizona on April 3 from 4:00 to 6:00. I will be signing books and answering your Route 66 questions at Mr D’z Route 66 Diner Gift Shop located within the historic Dunton Motors dealership.

Lights, Camera… Adventure!

If you haven’t taken a spin through the Jim Hinckley’s America YouTube channel lately, you’re in for a treat. We are still WAY behind in developing full length videos. But we are sharing reels as fast as possible.

Lots of adventures are being shared. And we are providing inspiration for road trips and exploration. I think of them as bite-sized inspiration perfect for planning your next getaway or just fueling that wanderlust on a quiet evening.

Stories That Work Behind the Scenes

Beyond the podcast and videos, we are providing a steady stream of storytelling through blog posts crafted for clients of Talisman Magic Marketing. These pieces blend history, travel insight, and SEO savvy. That helps communities, tourism offices, and businesses tell their stories in ways that attract visitors and build lasting connections.

This is storytelling with a purpose.

Join the Adventure

Here’s the plain truth. None of this works without you. We are a community. And we are a networkof cooperative partnerships.

The Jim Hinckley’s America Facebook page is closing in on 16,000 followers. That is a growing community of road trippers, history buffs, and folks who believe that America’s story is best experienced one mile at a time.

So pull up a chair.
Subscribe to the podcast.
Follow along on YouTube and Facebook.
Share the stories.

Because this isn’t just content. It’s a shared adventure.

And there’s always room for one more traveler down the road.