E Pluribus Motto

Latest Episodes:

Episode 15: New Mexico - “Crescit eundo” Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Janet Varney and John Hodgman are ready to talk all about “The land of enchantment”: New Mexico! Or as the locals call it, “The land of entrapment.”

Even if you know nothing about New Mexico, the one thing you’ll immediately recognize is its absolutely gorgeous state flag. But did you know that prior to its current flag, it also had one of the worst flags we’ve seen yet?

That’s just one other story we’ll hear today, including some stunning hot air balloon commentary, some scary insect stories, and so much more.

And hey, have you purchased some of the books that Philip Varney has written about ghost towns yet?

Episode cover art provided by:

Thien An-Vu

Laura Swisher

Marissa Flaxbart

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.

And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org. You can also leave a voice message for us at speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

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

Episode 14: Kentucky - “United we stand, divided we fall” Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

NOTE: A previous version of this episode erroneously stated that Kentucky was a Confederate State in the US Civil War. It was in fact, a Union State. This has been corrected Thank you to those who pointed out the error.

Janet Varney and John Hodgman are here and ready to talk all about some blue grass… sort of. It’s all about Kentucky and it’s slightly complicated branded with its iconography.

If you’re looking for excitement, steer clear of the seal and flag; pretty standard fare there. But Kentucky has an absolutely wonderful horse, gem, and soft drink that they’ve made official. Unfortunately the official beverage is milk. Such a shame!

Episode cover art provided by:

Alex Morris

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.

And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org. You can also leave a voice message for us at speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

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

Episode 13: Wisconsin - “Forward” Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

Janet Varney and John Hodgman are ready to yell, “On Wisconsin!” And no, that’s not the official state motto. The actual one is MUCH more boring.

But there’s still so much to love about Wisconsin; that includes a lot of really lovely history, landmarks and accents. Plus, what’s a conversation about Wisconsin without a lot of cheese chatter?

Episode cover art provided by:

Shaleigh Sugden

Laura Swisher

Megan Hauser

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.

And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org. You can also leave a voice message for us at speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

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

Minnesota - “L'etoile du Nord” Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

Janet Varney and John Hodgman are ready to dive into some lakes! And what better place to do that than the state with more than 10,000 of them?

That’s right, the next stop is Minnesota. It’s got a shiny new state flag and seal that’s ready for a proper review. Plus, we are so, so excited to showcase our very first FRENCH state motto!

Episode cover art provided by:

John Moe

Megan Sorenson

Allison Kelly

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org. You can also leave a voice message for us at speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto.

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

Maryland - “Fatti Maschii Parole Femine” Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

Janet Varney and John Hodgman are back with Season 2 of E Pluribus Motto.

They’ve chosen none other than Maryland to kick off this brand new tour of state mottos and iconography. Everything from the very busy state flag, the state song, the state spirit and more will be discussed.

Plus… what better way to get Season 2 started than with the return of a LATIN motto?

Episode cover art provided by:

Meaghan Harper

Jeff McLain (Unsplash)

Lenny Rogers (Pixabay)

Bruce Emmerling (Pixabay)

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.

And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org. You can also leave a voice message for us at speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto

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

Mail from around the states! May 27, 2025

Show notes

Janet Varney and John Hodgman are back! This is a brief reprieve from the wait for Season 2 of E Pluribus Motto.

The pair respond to a number of emails and voice notes from listeners. There’s plenty of corrections on previous episodes and information about all the states, commonwealths, and districts(!) that will be covered next season.

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.

And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org. You can also leave a voice message for us at speakpipe.com/epluribusmotto

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

#MaxFunDrive special – Even MORE State Cryptids Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

Happy MaxFun Drive!

This show is supported by our beloved MaxFun Members! To become one yourself as part of the #MaxFunDrive, go to maximumfun.org/join and set up a recurring monthly contribution (or an annual prepay) for as little as $5 a month.

Janet Varney celebrates MORE state cryptids from our wonderful E Pluribus Motto listeners. Some of them are spiritual, some are disturbing but we love hearing about them all.

Not only that, but we’ll get to hear even more about the effect that these cryptids have on you as listeners who share a state with them.

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.

And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org.

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

#MaxFunDrive special – State Cryptids Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

Happy MaxFun Drive!

Janet Varney and John Hodgman explore the legendary, creepy, adorable and mysterious cryptids that (possibly) exist across this country.

The bipedal creatures with wings of bats, fur, jurassic flippers or glistening fangs are out there… possibly. And several will get a spotlight on this wonderful exploration.

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.

And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org.

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

#MaxFunDrive special – Amy Holden Jones Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

Janet Varney and John Hodgman chat about the start of the #MaxFunDrive!

This episode is being released on the first day of the drive– March 17th. Now is the time to go to maximumfun.org/join to become a MaxFun Member. For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure that this podcast continues and earn great gifts in the process.

Then, it’s Janet’s full conversation with filmmaker Amy Holden Jones.

We’ll learn more about how a very specific location in Connecticut inspired the title of Amy’s film Mystic Pizza, why it was important for her to make a movie about women coming of age and what she thinks about Connecticut’s all-too-complicated motto.

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.

And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org.

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

Tennessee - Agriculture and Commerce Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

John Hodgman and Janet Varney are pouring some lovely Tennessee tea on the season finale of E Pluribus Motto!

That’s right, Tennessee is the final state and motto of season one. So does it have a strong, compelling and rich phrase to close us out strong? No!

But there’s still a lot to discuss, including some personal travel stories through the state, what its flat top shape makes us think of, and… the national treasure that is Dolly Parton.

Plus, a chat Tennessee’s own Mark Gagliardi from the podcast “We Got This,” who will be quizzed about his knowledge of his home state.

Episode art provided by:

Trish

Jillian St. Charles

Kevin Lam

Produced by Julian Burrell.

Senior Producer at MaxFun is Laura Swisher.

Find E Pluribus Motto on Instagram and TikTok.

And send us a voice memo, message or photo about an upcoming state to

Emailpluribusmotto@maximumfun.org

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