This was the first and only episode of your podcast I’ll listen to. So much for learning anything about New Mexico. Your naivety could have gotten you into this situation in any of the 50 states.

What a myopic slant on America and our politics. If you are trying to alienate listeners you’re doing a fab job. Getting an American history review from someone who lives in another country and clearly doesn’t understand our democracy is a waste of time. (Georgia episode). I won’t be recommending or listening further.

If you’re looking for a good deep dive into the insights of the many sides of the United States that takes an unbiased approach to seeing why things are the way they are this is the podcast for you. Ryan is very good at exploring all the crevices of the United States and really makes it enjoyable to explore with him. You’re really missing out if you’re not listening to this!

I love this podcast. Ryan does a phenomenal job of interviewing people and asking thought-provoking questions. This podcast does two crucially important things: 1. It focuses on different people with a range of political ideologies. It’s very easy to say that a person is bad because they have a certain political leaning. People have reasons for the things that they believe. When Ryan conducts these interviews, he allows us to listen to people who might believe different things than we do - and see how they got to that point. The experiences of people make them who they are, and these interviews allow us to see the people behind these ideologies. 2. It asks non-Americans their views about the USA and Americans The idea of American exceptionalism puts the country on a pedestal. This results in Americans seeing themselves as superior to other nations. It also results in Americans developing a blind spot in regards to the country. The USA has done some spectacular things, but it isn’t perfect - far from it. It has failed spectacularly in many areas. It’s a good thing to hear the thoughts and experiences of non-Americans. Their insights might help us think differently about the way we perceive situations. A non-American viewpoint is just as valid as ours and is a much-needed one for us to be able to understand the viewpoints of others. We shouldn’t exist in ideological vacuums - a well-informed person is someone who can listen to others and consider their views. This podcast is an excellent start towards achieving that.

Such wonderful, open conversations that often put the great States in an entirely new view. Ryan carefully treats his stately subjects with affection and respect each episode, which makes this such an interesting way to learn about new places. A must listen!!

Great to revisit this lucid gem of sanity

Great Podcast Gentleman. I live in a small town in NM. Not T or C thankfully. However, I’m aware of that town. I believe everything your saying. The way you talked about running ducking running like hide and seek. Coming from a small town like that one, I guarantee those guys were watching your every move. They know every nook and cranny and all residents and who lives there in their small community. They all know each other. Pretty scary.

Ryan’s podcasts are entertaining, informative, thoughtful and fair. It makes you look within yourself and see how you can understand other points of view from fellow Americans. Stereotypes of people based on where they live, their religion and politics, on both sides can, be so divisive and unfair. The surprise can be, if people can calmly and respectfully, listen, we can learn so much from each other. I had the pleasure of meeting him during his travels, and his thoughtful, kind demeanor is exactly how he is. One of Best podcasts series ever! The Mississippi/Alabama one is my favorite! S.L. Alabama !

America is in a moment of unprecedented division, but Ryan is doing the impossible—talking to people. In these episodes you will undoubtably hear from people you disagree with. What makes this podcast different is the common-ground approach that Ryan proceeds with. You’ll hear everyday stories ranging from Mayors to bartenders. Follow Ryan on his 50 State journey and learn how your neighbors and our communities may be the key to saving our democracy. If you’re looking for a shot of optimism about this country then 50 States of Mind is the podcast for you.

Ryan’s journey across the 50 states is inspirational and eye opening. I love hearing he and his guest speakers’ commentary about the 50 states, specifically the unique experiences and conversations he had along the way. It definitely gives me a new perspective to think about. I love listening to it on drives to work and at the office!

This podcast is GREAT! I I find myself feeling more informed and hopeful after each episode. Thank you for your work, Ryan!

Very much enjoyed listening to the different points of views and learned so much .Loved the personal stories. I’m a child of a 30 year Air Force Veteran who also joined the Air Force so I’ve traveled quite a lot but had no idea how narrow my point of view was . Thank you for sharing .

Really interesting podcast that looks at America from both an outside and an inside perspective. Ryan is a great host and brings on guests who teach me about both America and the places they are from. I look forward to each episode and can’t wait for more!

I can’t wait to get through the whole season. Ryan and his guests provide really interesting perspectives on a pretty wide range of topics. Well put together, and quite entertaining.

In a world of noise, this thought-provoking gentle series of conversations about the USA is exactly what the USA needs

So great to see the world through this new lens. Ryan is doing such an awesome job!

Ryan is an elegant orator. He clearly has genuine interest in changing America in a positive fashion. I was greatly moved by some of the interviews, mainly the restaurant owner in Ohio.

I expected this podcast to be about politics exclusively but was surprised to find something deeper: an exploration of our common search for meaning across all 50 states and the world. Highly recommend listening.

Bernsten and his team clearly have a great deal of care for the people they are meeting and their fears, vision for the future, and patriotism. My favorite parts are hearing about the personal stories from people they meet. It’s less ‘why did you vote this way’ and more ‘tell me about you’. I wish more political leaders and strategists would do the same

The cool thing about this podcast is it has value for both American and non-American audiences. As an American, I’m learning so much about my country I didn’t know through the eyes of people from every continent. a great listen on the commute to work.

This podcast is an extremely entertaining and incredibly specific look at the way in which people around the world continue to cope with the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election. Rather than giving us a one-sided POV or the usual Democrat vs Republican screaming match, host Ryan Bernsten provides listeners with glimpse into the many perspectives that exist through both casual conversation and intelligent debate.

This is my go-to commuting podcast. I loved learning about things like the Muslim faith, African politics, and British elections through the lens of the United States. Highly recommended. Best episodes are Ohio, Connecticut, Trump Rally, and Pennsylvania. 5 stars!

I love learning about international perspectives of the United States!

Ryan gives insight into different parts of the country and what it’s like to live in an area you may never visit in your lifetime. It’s a good mix of politics and genuine conversation with all walks of life.

Truly inspired by the interviewer, Ryan Bernsten, blending humor, foreign perspectives with his interesting and informative travels through the United States. Exceptional narrative. My favorite podcast

Wonderfully insightful in dissecting political opinions in and about America! Love listening to the international perspectives Ryan’s guests bring. Ryan’s interviews are informative and funny without losing any humanity. This podcast at its core is about generosity: we have to listen to each other to create a safe world for everyone. This podcast is a great place to begin.

Great podcast that introduces listeners to different perspectives and cultures throughout the country. Awesome to listen with, I dunno, your right wing mother when you yourself are a gay leftist. Who knows!

Ryan's journey across the country and throughful examination of the cities, towns and people is the kind of community-based thinking we need to be doing in 2019. He brings his wonderful sense of humor, his depth of political and governmental knowledge, and his kind kind heart to the podcast. It's not just another podcast for entertainment or a boring car ride - it's one that engages you and brings a thought provoking examination on the state of our country.

Ryan does some much-needed work as he gets to know America in a personal and honest way. I can't wait for the rest of the states to come out!

There are a million podcasts that deal with people trying to guess what might have driven working class, middle America to help vote Trump. Ryan is the first who had the revolutionary idea to just ask these people.

This podcast was recommended by a friend and, as a conservative, I enjoy hearing a reasonable discussion from an international perspective. There's a sense that this isn't just about politics, but rather about how to live a good life in America. I feel like our country is being represented well by Ryan and I can't wait to see what guests the future holds.

What Ryan does so wonderfully is present the America that few of us truly know in a raw and honest way. The underlying impetus of the podcast seems to be to inform, but it does so much more than that — it weaves together all of our collective stories to emphasis the thirst we all have to belong. ‘50 States of Mind’ does what so many people have failed to do, that is, accentuate the lives that people live in different states, cities, towns, and even countries, and not focus on political ideology. I recommend this to anyone that has ever wondered what life might be like in someone else’s shoes, or simply anyone that has ever wanted insight into the human condition.

Interesting conversations from a range of political and cultural perspectives. It is refreshing to hear in a time that can feel so decisive and overwhelming. Looking forward to more episodes and the coming book!

Such a great podcast to remember that its all in the details. It makes me feel hopeful about America’s future and Americans in general, across all sides of the aisle. Since listening I’ve begun to think more about getting involved in my local community and finding satisfaction by investing big on a ‘smaller’ local scale. I love hearing the international perspective and how Ryan can leave the guests speaking higher about the US in the end...it also teaches me about other governments proceedings. I love the tidbit in episode 2 about how the PM of GB goes to debate in front of Parliament frequently...wish we had some more of that in our own executive branch. Keep up the great work Ryan!

In a time where not just the 50 states seem divided but even the communities within them, this podcast takes a step back and just listens. Ryan Bernsten clearly has taken time to provide diversity in the interviewees he has chosen, producing a thought-provoking narrative of the current climate of the United States allowing the listener to enter into the perspective of more than just themselves and neighbor. "People talk just to talk and no one stops to listen" -- State #3 New Hampshire. 50 States of Mind is a must listen for the American looking for a reminder that there is a lot more good going on than we see in the news. It is truly a breath of fresh air in today's media climate. I cannot wait to hear their take on my home state of Minnesota!

A Mexican, an Englishman, and a Zimbabwean walk into a bar... And compare their countries with America. Ryan’s humor and chemistry with these guests and others make this a funny but deep podcast on what makes America tick.

An excellent example of thoughtfulness and optimism in these political times.

Ryan Bernsten goes state by state, listening to leaders talk about what makes their communities special, and you get an in-depth (and pretty funny) look at what’s going on in America post-2016. Ryan contrasts each state with an international perspective of America that’s both highly informative and surprising. If you’re looking to understand what’s really going on in this country, or maybe need some hope for where we’re going, this podcast is a must.

Ryan Bernsten is a talented interviewer. He clearly has been able to gather rich information from people throughout the USA while on his 50 states tour using his superb interviewing skills. He further demonstrates his communication acumen in this podcast as he talks about his experiences with Oxford colleagues. This is a podcast not to miss if you want to get real information from real people on politics and life Across America today.

I’m not exaggerating, this message is crucial for America in our current political climate. All we see in the media is Red v. Blue and sensationalism. Ryan meets the real people of America and gets their real stories on real issues. Well done.

Well-crafted conversations and interviews about a trip in search of deeper understanding of the many facets of the United States and its people. Funny and thought-provoking! I appreciated the combination of an American host and a non-American guest; their dialogue and questions for each other seems to model the mission of the trip - listening and learning. Looking forward to more!