E Pluribus Motto

Latest Episodes:

Episode 30: North Dakota - "Liberty and Union Now and Forever, One and Inseparable" Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

It’s the season finale of E Pluribus Motto! Janet Varney and John Hodgman close out their journey with a trip to the rough rider state, North Dakota

We’ve once again stumbled onto a state with two mottos. One of them is in line with some of the others that we’ve heard on this show so far; the other is not only much better, but it was adopted in 2011.

We’re also joined by author, essayist and native North Dakotan, Chuck Klosterman who tells us about some of the gems of his home state.

Finally, we’ll officially list out the states that will be a part of season four… including one that is absolutely not a state.

To hear more conversations from Janet and John, become a MaxFun Member at maximumfun.org/joinmotto! It costs as little as $5 a month. And for that you get access to our bonus episodes and the satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped make this show possible.

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

For all things E Pluribus Motto, visit maximumfun.org/mottos-info

Want to tell Janet & John something about an upcoming state? Or send a voice memo, photo, or cherished memory? There are lots of options:

Email - Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org

Voice Message - speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

Social Media: Instagram and TikTok.

And if you want to purchase Bulletin Board as a small business in any state this season, you can do so here.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

Episode 29: Michigan- "Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice" Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

If you seek a pleasant podcast, look before you! Lakes, islands and peninsulas abound in Janet Varney and John Hodgman’s trip through Michigan.

That motto sure is a dandy, in latin or in english. Is it great enough to earn high marks on our grading system? We take a look. And then there’s all the islands within islands AND our wonderful Yoopers who we’re sure to give lots of time and care to.

Plus, we’re joined by the delightful Marc Evan Jackson who tells us all about how Michigan has affected his life and career. You can read about one big example, “The Coney.”

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

For all things E Pluribus Motto, visit maximumfun.org/mottos-info

Want to tell Janet & John something about an upcoming state? Or send a voice memo, photo, or cherished memory? There are lots of options:

Email - Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org

Voice Message - speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

Social Media: Instagram and TikTok.

And if you want to purchase Bulletin Board as a small business in any state this season, you can do so here.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

Episode 28: Ohio - "With God, All Things Are Possible" Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

Oi! Hi, Oh! Janet Varney and John Hodgman are off to the Buckeye State.

There’s a lot to say about that motto. Compared to all of the others that have been covered so far, this one is a relatively new one– it was just made official in the 50s. You’ll learn the story about the boy behind its establishment. Plus a TON of listener emails that we’re always so thrilled to read.

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

For all things E Pluribus Motto, visit maximumfun.org/mottos-info

Want to tell Janet & John something about an upcoming state? Or send a voice memo, photo, or cherished memory? There are lots of options:

Email - Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org

Voice Message - speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

Social Media: Instagram and TikTok.

And if you want to purchase Bulletin Board as a small business in any state this season, you can do so here.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

Episode 27: Washington - "Alki" (by and by) Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Janet Varney and John Hodgman cap off the West coast of U.S. states with Washington!

Get this– it’s the first motto that the show has featured… that is not official. So how shall it be examined? With a lot of music, cryptids, landmarks, listener mail and… apples. What else would possibly be more appropriate?

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

For all things E Pluribus Motto, visit maximumfun.org/mottos-info

Want to tell Janet & John something about an upcoming state? Or send a voice memo, photo, or cherished memory? There are lots of options:

Email - Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org

Voice Message - speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

Social Media: Instagram and TikTok.

And if you want to purchase Bulletin Board as a small business in any state this season, you can do so here.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

Episode 26: Nebraska- "Equality Before the Law" Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

Janet Varney and John Hodgman are ready to chew up some corn on this journey through Nebraska!

There’s a lot of history to sift through with this one… but I think you’ll see that we’ll eventually decide that this motto makes us stand up and yell “Oh Yeah!”

Plus we get some wonderful audio notes from some native Nebraskans, including one conversation that’ll leave you hungry for more.

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

For all things E Pluribus Motto, visit maximumfun.org/mottos-info

Want to tell Janet & John something about an upcoming state? Or send a voice memo, photo, or cherished memory? There are lots of options:

Email - Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org

Voice Message - speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

Social Media: Instagram and TikTok.

And if you want to purchase Bulletin Board as a small business in any state this season, you can do so here.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

Episode 25: Florida - "In God We Trust" Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

Grab that panhandle, Janet Varney and John Hodgman are cruisin’ through Florida!

If the state motto looks familiar that’s because it probably is! Our hosts are not terribly big fans of it and its lack of originality is only part of the reason why.

But thankfully, there’s so much more to appreciate on our journey through the sunshine state: oranges, gators, critters, and mammals… but there is action that must be taken IMMEDIATELY in the state bird department.

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

For all things E Pluribus Motto, visit maximumfun.org/mottos-info.

Want to tell Janet & John something about an upcoming state? Or send a voice memo, photo, or cherished memory? There are lots of options:

Email - Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org

Voice Message - speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

Social Media: Instagram and TikTok.

And if you want to purchase Bulletin Board as a small business in any state this season, you can do so here.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

Episode 24: Alabama - "Audemus jura nostra defendere" May 26, 2026

Show notes

Roll Tide? War Eagle? Dare to hear Janet Varney and John Hodgman on their journey through Alabama!

In case your latin is a little rough, the state motto of the Yellowhammer state translates to “We Dare Defend Our Rights.” And that absolutely raises some eyebrows. But you’ll learn why there’s a bit more to it than the loaded history of the South would suggest.

John will tell us more about the multitude of state symbols, including our first state cake and official state mascot! And then, be prepared for what may be the best collection of cryptids yet.

To hear more conversations from Janet and John, become a MaxFun Member at maximumfun.org/joinmotto! It costs as little as $5 a month. And for that you get access to the bonus content library and the satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped make this show possible.

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

For all things E Pluribus Motto, visit maximumfun.org/mottos-info.

Want to tell Janet & John something about an upcoming state? Or send a voice memo, photo, or cherished memory? There are lots of options:

Email - Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org

Voice Message - speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

Social Media: Instagram and TikTok.

And if you want to purchase Bulletin Board as a small business in any state this season, you can do so here.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

Episode 23: New Hampshire - “Live Free Or Die” May 12, 2026

Show notes

Our regularly scheduled season three journey has resumed. Janet Varney and John Hodgman are ready to visit the granite state of New Hampshire!

First of all, how about that motto? It’s certainly tough as granite! And it’s one those from the state take a lot of pride in. But how does it compare to some of the other great ones that have been discussed on this show?

Plus, there’s an abundance of symbols to look at, including the dangerous romance of the state spider. They’ll explain.

Then, Janet talks to not one, but TWO figures in New Hampshire: One retired teacher whose class helped establish the state beverage… and one state representative who aims to establish more symbols soon.

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

For all things E Pluribus Motto, visit maximumfun.org/mottos-info.

Want to tell Janet & John something about an upcoming state? Or send a voice memo, photo, or cherished memory? There are lots of options:

Email - Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org

Voice Message - speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

Social Media: Instagram and TikTok.

And if you want to purchase Bulletin Board as a small business in any state this season, you can do so here.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

#MaxFunDrive 2026: The State of the TV shows! Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

Turn on the tube! Janet Varney and John Hodgman are ready to celebrate the 2026 MaxFun Drive! Now is the best time to go to MaximumFun.org/joinmotto to become a MaxFun Member for as little as $5 a month. With that recurring contribution you’ve helped ensure that this show will continue and earned access to our bonus content library.

After wrapping up the movies that best represent each state, it’s time to move on to TV shows! But this time, they’re headed to the states in season one. Get ready for a discussion of famous settings that include everything from “Gilmore Girls,” to “E/R” to “Law & Order” and so much more.

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

For all things E Pluribus Motto, visit maximumfun.org/mottos-info.

Want to tell Janet & John something about an upcoming state? Or send a voice memo, photo, or cherished memory? There are lots of options:

Email - Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org

Voice Message - speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

Social Media: Instagram and TikTok.

And if you want to purchase Bulletin Board as a small business in any state this season, you can do so here.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto

#MaxFunDrive 2026: The State of the Movies! Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Janet Varney and John Hodgman are ready to celebrate the 2026 MaxFun Drive! Now is the best time to go to MaximumFun.org/joinmotto to become a MaxFun Member for as little as $5 a month. With that recurring contribution you’ve helped ensure that this show will continue and earned access to our bonus content library.

Our hosts will take a look at each state from season 2 to discuss which movies best exemplify them. There’s so many films to touch on and tons of time to explore them on this charming detour in the middle of season 3.

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

For all things E Pluribus Motto, visit maximumfun.org/mottos-info.

Want to tell Janet & John something about an upcoming state? Or send a voice memo, photo, or cherished memory? There are lots of options:

Email - Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org

Voice Message - speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

Social Media: Instagram and TikTok.

And if you want to purchase Bulletin Board as a small business in any state this season, you can do so here.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmotto