The Roadtrip Nation team begins in Las Vegas to interview Rob Bollinger, artistic director of Cirque du Soleil and Julian Serrano, chef, Picasso Restaurant at the Bellagio hotel. Next the team interview Pavel Brun, artistic director of the Celine Dion Show.
The team arrives in Phoenix to sit down with Jerry Colangelo, owner of the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks. Then they're off to Boulder to interview David Jacobs, founder and owner of Spider Ski Apparel.
In Boulder, the team interviews Kim Walker, founder of Outdoor Divas. Then in Aspen they sit down with Pat O'Donnell, CEO of Aspen Skiing Company. In Salt Lake City, they talk to Dennis Halsam, general manager of the Utah Jazz.
In Washington, the team meets everyone from Bob Brisbois, Tribal Council Secretary of the Spokane Tribe, to Jonathan Poneman, founder of Sub-Pop Records.
En route to San Francisco, the Roadtrip Nation team interview Mike Thorn, coordinator for Maximum Rock n' Roll magazine. The team heads to Carmel to meet with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jane Smiley.
The team heads to San Francisco to interview Minister Cecil Williams of Glide Memorial Church. Then they talk to Jim Mitchell, visual effects supervisor for the Harry Potter movies, and Gary Rydstrom, sound director at Skywalker Sound.
The Roadtrip team arrives to Los Angeles to interview Larry Weintraub, co-founder of Fanscape. Next the team interviews freelance photographer Jeremy Weiss and Jill Soloway, writer and producer of HBO's Six Feet Under.
In Los Angeles, the Roadtrip Nation team interview Jehmu Green, executive director of Rock the Vote. Next they meet with Mason Gordon, creator of Slamball and Ric Birch, executive producer for the Sydney Olympic Ceremonies.
The first stop for the Central route team is Newport Beach to interview Richard Woolcott, co-founder of Volcom. Then their off to Santa Monica to sit down with Nic Harcourt, host of Morning Becomes Eclectic.
The Southern route team heads to Beverly Hills to interview Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy Enterprises. In Santa Barbara, the Central Route team meets with Al Merrick, founder of Channel Island Surfboards. The team then heads off to San Francisco to interview Devorah Major, poet laureate.
In Seattle, the Northern route team interviews John Richards, radio DJ, KEXP radio. In San Francisco, the Central route team visits the Exploratorium to interview Shawn Lani, exhibit builder. Later in Albuquerque, the team sits down with Tina Nenoff, an environmental scientist at the Scandia National Laboratory.
The next stop is New Orleans where the Southern route interviews Gene Bourg, food critic. In Alta, Wyoming, the team interviews rancher Meredith Wilson. Next, the team heads to Mount Rushmore to interview Gerard Baker, Mt. Rushmore Park Superintendent.
The Northern route team stops in Wyoming to meet with Lisa Eckert, superintendent of Devil's Tower National Monument. Meanwhile in Minneapolis, the Central route team visits Terrence Payne, artist and founder of Rosalux Gallery. The Northern route team heads off to Kansas City, home of the monster truck, to interview Bob Chandler, creator of Bigfoot. The Central route team continues on to Peoria, Illinois to interview Mary Bell, VP of Logistics for Caterpillar.
Continuing in Nashville, the Southern Route team interviews Keith Stegall, singer/songwriter/producer. In Chicago, the Central route team interviews Rita Simo, founder of People's Music School and Jim Derogatis, pop music critic for the Chicago Sun-Times.
On the streets of Chicago, the Central route team meets Mark Johnson, a street performer also known as the Bucket Man. In Atlanta, the Southern route team interviews Patricia Janiot, Senior Anchor of CNN en Espanol. Meanwhile in Chicago, the Northern route team visits Walter Homles, former couture designer turned yoga guru.
In Chicago, the Central route team interviews Charna Halpern, founder of Improv Olympic. The Northern route team heads to Detroit to interview Grace Lee Bogs, movement activist and writer. The Southern route team continues their journey in Florida to interview Mary Spio, satellite engineer turned magazine founder.
In Washington, DC, the Central route team interviews John Passcantado, executive director of Greenpeace. Next they interview Lahkshmi Singh, newscaster for NPR and My Harrison, section chief for the FBI.
In Boston, the Northern route team interview Jim Koch, founder of Samuel Adams and take a tour of the brewery. En route to Washington, DC, the Southern route team meets with Ann Tenales, Pulitzer Prize- winning political cartoonist. In DC, the Central route team sits down with Gabriel Garcia, independent filmmaker.
The Central route team heads east to New York City to interview Maribel Leiberman, founder of Mariebelle Fine Treats and Chocolates. In Boston, the Northern route team interviews photographer Abellardo Morell. The Southern route team braves New York City traffic to interview Atoosa Rubenstein, editor-in-chief of Seventeen Magazine.
In New York City, the Southern route interview Joel Klein, Chancellor of NYC Schools. Also in New York City, the Central route team interviews Chris Wink, founder of the Blue Man Group. The three teams reunite in Union Square to share their experiences.
The US Team begins their roadtrip in Boston and head out to New York City to interview David Neeleman, CEO of JetBlue. Later they sit down with Tracy McKnight, music supervisor and president of Commotion Records. Also in New York, the team interviews Sam Ross, founder of Green Chimneys Children's School.
Continuing in Washington DC, the US team visits Paul Goble, senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Next they interview William Albert Allard, photographer for National Geographic. Then it's off to Chicago to interview Marilyn Halperin, Director of Education and Communications of the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.
Still in Chicago, the US team interviews Ira Glass, host and producer of This American Life. The team then heads to Denver to sit down with Lieutenant Firefighter Levi Ortiz. Later in Cheyenne, the team meets with Jeremy Sparks, a professional bullfighter. The team heads west, stopping in San Francisco to interview Ana Hortillosa, event coordinator for the Asian Art Museum.
In Davis, the US team visits Lee Walthall, owner of the Delta of Venus Cafe. Next it's off to Los Angeles where they sit down with actor and stand-up comedian Wanda Sykes. The team arrives to their final interview with Dr. Linda Li of the TV show, Dr. 90210.
The UK team cross the Atlantic and begins their adventure in New York City where they interview Gillian Caldwell, program director of Witness.org. The team later sits down with Joe Quesada, Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics.
Next stop is Washington, DC where the UK team interviews Frederick Gregory, Deputy Administrator for NASA. While in DC, the team has the opportunity to meet Dr. Andrew Steele, an astrobiologist who is proving the possibility of life on Mars. The team heads to Kentucky to interview journalist turned filmmaker Sonja Devries.
In Austin, the UK team interviews Cliff Antone, owner of the famous Antone's Blues Club. En route to Phoenix, the team makes a pit stop to talk with truck driver Darius. Finally in Phoenix, they meet with Pam Gaber, founder of the non-profit group Gabriel's Angels.
Next stop is Yosemite where the UK team interviews Ken Yager, a rock climbing instructor. The team heads to San Francisco to interview Nathan Grey, founder and CEO of Earthtrain. Next it's off to Los Angeles, where the team interviews David Banks, a freelance filmmaker and award-winning photojournalist. The UK team returns home with six weeks worth of memories that will forever change their lives.
The first stop for the Canadian team is Philadelphia to interview Pat Croce, former president of the 76ers basketball team. The team then heads to Washington DC, where interview Pat Schroeder, former congresswoman of Colorado and Kevin Klose, president and CEO of NPR.
The Canadian team reaches New York City where they interview Damon Dash, hip hop mogul and entrepreneur. Next they interview Ray Kelly, NYPD police commissioner. The team also has the opportunity of meeting with Richard Meir, architect of the Getty museum. The team heads back to Philadelphia to interview Ahmir (Questlove) Thompson, drummer for The Roots.
Continuing on to Vancouver, the Canadian team sits down with Kalle Lasn, founder of Adbusters Magazine. Later they interview Rob Feenie, owner and executive chef of Lumiere restaurant. In Whistler, the team interviews Ross Rebagliati, an Olympic snowboarder.
In Seattle, the Canadian team interviews Paula and Lorenz Eber, who biked around the world to raise awareness for asthma. Then their off to Portland to sit down with Scott MacEachern, sports marketing director of Nike and of Lance Armstrong's Livestrong brand.
The Roadtrip Nation team begins their trip in LA, visiting Jan Robinson Flint, a social activist, who relates her story of growing up in Chicago during a time of great social change and how this helped her discover her passion. The team then heads to Hollywood to interview actor and former teen idol, Joshua Jackson. Jackson offers advice about following passions, taking chances, and testing their character in order to feel a greater sense of accomplishment in what they do.
In New Mexico, the Roadtrip Nation team interviews Baron Wolman, the first photographer for Rolling Stone magazine. Wolman went to spy school during the Vietnam War to avoid the draft and was stationed in Berlin when the Wall went up. In Austin, TX they interview Mike Henry, poetry slam artist, and Bev Kearney, head track and field coach at UT Austin.
In a restaurant at the Grand Canyon, the Roadtrip Nation team unexpectedly books an interview with a documentary filmmaker named Bennie Klain in Texas. Then they head to New Orleans to interview jazz musician Irvin Mayfield. After this interview, the team heads across the bridge to the Ninth Ward, where they talk with Jim Pate, the executive director for Habitat for Humanity in the city, and then help to build houses.
The Roadtrip Nation team heads to Memphis to speak with Beverly Robertson, the executive director of the national Civil Rights Museum. In St Louis, the team sits down with Marshawn Evans, an attorney and CEO, and former contestant on The Apprentice. Next they interview activist Chairman Fred Hampton Jr, and then stop in Washington DC where they have to opportunity to talk with artist Cheryl Foster.
In Philadelphia, the Roadtrip Nation team climbs to the top of the clock tower at city hall to meet Andrew Lins, a conservation preserver working on restoring the Liberty Bell. Next up is an interview with Billy King, team president of the Philadelphia 76ers. After traveling to New York, they interview "Cousin" Jeff Johnson, a social and political activist with his own show on BET.
In New York, the Roadtrip Nation team interviews Kate White, Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan, and Wendy Williams of the Wendy Williams Experience. At the end of the trip, Abel, Kisura and Cairo go home with advice to make changes in their lives to get where they want, no matter how terrifying it may seem.
The Roadtrip Nation team gets ready to hit the road! Their first stop is in San Francisco where they interview Craig Newmark, the founder of craigslist.org, and then on to Dreamworks for a fun interview with Rex Grignon, the head of character animation.
In Bolinas, CA, the Roadtrip Nation team gets a bit lost on their way to film editor and Academy Award winner Walter Murch's house. Then it's off to Quincy, Oregon for the High Sierra Music Festival where they interview founder David Margulies and ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro. They then head north to Seattle to interview William Morris, a glassblower and artist.
Continuing in Seattle, the Roadtrip Nation team has the opportunity to interview Whit Alexander, the co-founder of the board game Cranium. Later in St Louis, they interview Steve Schankman, the founder of Contemporary Productions. The next stop on the road is Chicago and the Busy Beaver Button Co. to interview founder Christen Carter. They also interview Katrina Markoff, founder of Vosges Haut-Chocolate.
En route to Manchester, New Hampshire, the Roadtrip Nation team sits down with Dean Kamen, an inventor and founder of DEKA Research and Development. Next it's off to Boston to interview Bert and John Jacobs, founders of the clothing company Life is Good. In Boston they interview Dave McGillivray, a Boston Marathon runner who, in 1978, ran across the entire United States.
In Washington DC, Warren Brown, founder of the Cake Love Bakery, tells the Roadtrip Nation team about how he left his job as a lawyer to pursue his passion for baking. Also in DC they have the opportunity to interview Dr. Steven Rosenberg, a pioneer in cancer research. After DC the team heads to, New York City, where they interview David Fricke, music editor at Rolling Stone.
The Roadtrippers visit Rolling Stone magazine, interviewing film critic Peter Travers. Next they interview Ross Klein, president of Starwood Luxury Brands before taking the subway over to Broadway for their final interview with choreographer, Marlies Yearby. After six weeks on the road, Ally, Leah and Charlie head back home, ready to define their own roads in life.
Roadtrip Nation's first international series begins in Brisbane, Australia. Bruce, Kay and Brynn meet each other and the RV Spud for the first time. The team hits the road, interviewing transgender health advocate Amanda Dean and environmentalist Tim Winton along the way.
Fashion designers Juliana, Angela and Roweena Foong offer a unique perspective to Kay, who struggles with family expectations as the child of immigrants. The Roadtrip Nation team meets with professional surfer Layne Beachley, and member of the Stolen Generation Vicky Elwood.
The Roadtrip Nation team's interview with Minister of Parliament Tanya Plibersek leads to a breakthrough for Kay. The team then meets with Father Chris Riley, founder of Youth Off the Streets, along with radio host Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki.
Bruce snags a last-minute interview with actor/director Jo Turner and gets to do some improv as well, while human rights lawyer Julian Burnside reminds Brynn about the importance of training. Dance school founder Scott Cupitt teaches Bruce and Brynn to swing dance and Kay learns more about her heritage during an interview with Debra Salvagno of the East Timorese Women's Association.
Roadtrip Nation team meets with conservation scientist John Read and learns about the desert's delicate ecosystem, then heads to Uluru to sit down with aboriginal leader Bob Randall to talk about loss and letting go before they say their goodbyes.
Meet Sean, Tim and Christina from the University of Miami as they prepare for their roadtrip across the US. In their first days on the green RV, they meet with jazz percussionist Bobby Thomas Jr., who admonishes them to never say 'if,' only 'when.' The team then heads to New York to talk to Bust magazine Editor-in-Chief Debbie Stoller and listen to how she built Bust into what it is today.
The Roadtrip Nation team spends time in New York, interviewing graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister. Then they head across town to meet with Thomas Kale and Anthony Veneziale of theatre company Backhouse Productions and get to freestyle rap. In Boston, sportswriter Joe Haggerty reminds the team that paying your dues plays a big role in getting to do what you love.
In Cincinnati, the Roadtrip Nation team meets with La Rosa's Pizzeria founder Buddy LaRosa, who tells them you can't get your feet wet unless you jump into the water. They spend time in the Midwest at Iowa's Corn Palace and at Mount Rushmore, then it's off to the Pacific Northwest to meet with worldchanging.org's Executive Editor Alex Steffen and classical radio host Edmund Stone.
As their five weeks on the road wind down, the Roadtrip Nation team heads toward San Francisco and interviews Author and Political Analyst Michael Parenti, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, and Zen Master Bon Soeng of the Empty Gate Zen Center. As they prepare to part ways, Sean, Tim and Christina talk about what they've learned, and Tim realizes there's lots to think about, but nothing to worry about.
Three young Americans fly to New Zealand to embark on a four-week roadtrip on the other side of the world. Meeting up in Los Angeles, Ray, Fawna, and Allison fly to Auckland. Upon arrival, they paint their RV home and experience the challenge of driving on the other side of the road. Their first interview is with adventurer and mountain climber Peter Hillary. Then they meet up with fashion designer Trelise Cooper and hip-hop and graffiti artist DLT.
The team visits a Maori museum and executive chef Kate Fay before interviewing dub and hip-hop musician Tiki Taane. On the way to Coromandel, the team interviews potter and railway engineer Barry Brickell, and horse trainer Tina Fagan. Finally, they head to Gisborne, where they spend time with organic winemakers Geoff & Nicola Wright.
After a Zorbing adventure, the team is at the halfway point of their roadtrip. In Rotorua, they meet with Doug Tamaki, local personality John "Bertie" Cocking, and political blogger David Farrar. After a ferry ride to the South Island, the team meets with mountaineer Mark Inglis. They head to Christchurch where they talk with Robin Judkins, an artist, author, and creator of adventure racing events.
Beginning the final week of their roadtrip, the team interviews Vicki Buck, former mayor of Christchurch and founder of a sustainable energy company. Heading to Queenstown, the team interviews helicopter pilot Louisa "Choppy" Patterson. The team's final interview is with bungee legend Henry Van Asch, after which the team decides to take a huge risk and bungee jump, themselves. As they head back to Auckland to fly back to the United States, the team leaves New Zealand with a new perspective and a new outlook on their futures.
Three young Australian women head to the United States and roadtrip across the country. After arriving in Los Angeles, Mariana, Camilla, and Su-Yin learn to drive an RV and acclimate to life on the road. The team heads to San Diego for their first interview with members of the band Switchfoot. The team then drives to Orange County where they meet activists and philanthropists Augie and Lynn Nieto.
The RV breaks down as the team heads from Los Angeles to San Francisco before they interview law professor and children's rights activist Thomas Nazario. Then they go to Golden Gate Park to talk with David Miles, Jr., the "godfather of skating." Driving east into Utah, they visit the Great Salt Lake and talk with theater owners Eric and Sandy Jensen. The team pushes on to New Mexico and meets up with Christina Heyniger, an adventure tourism consultant.
In Santa Fe, the team interviews Celine Cousteau, a filmmaker and granddaughter of famed explorer Jacques Cousteau. Then they drive into West Texas and visit with Doug Baum, owner of Texas Camel Corps. Driving east to Austin, they interview Terry Lickona, producer of the television program Austin City Limits, and finish up their tour of Texas in Houston where they talk with blogger and author Gwendolyn Zepeda.
The team drives north to Chicago. They interview chef Homaru Cantu and go to a White Sox baseball game-a first for the Australians. Then they drive to Cleveland and interview Terry Stewart, president of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The team drives east to New York City to visit with tattoo artist Eli Quinters and pianist and tae kwon do champion Elaine Kwon.
Still in New York City, the team interviews a capella musical director and musician Roger Thomas. Arriving in Boston, the team visits inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil before driving on to Portland, Maine, their last stop. In Maine, they interview sailor Bruce Schwab, who is the first American to complete the round-the-world Vendée Globe Race. Wrapping up their roadtrip, the team reflects on six weeks of eye-opening and life-changing experiences and prepare to head back to Australia to define their own roads in life.
Meet Team "Tabula Rasa" and follow their first attempts at cold calling, from local restaurants to the White House, hoping to speak with Michelle Obama. They meet each other and their RV for the first time in Southern California, before heading to interview Christian Jacobs, lead singer of The Aquabats, and co-creator, writer, and director of the hugely popular Yo Gabba Gabba pre-school television show.
Traveling up Highway 101 to San Francisco, the team takes in the iconic sights of the West coast, from sea lions to the Golden Gate Bridge, before stopping to speak with Aleks Zavaleta, Executive Director of Loco Bloco, a community outreach program. In Sebastapol they interview Jay Shafer, designer of Tumbleweed Tiny Houses, sustainable homes as small as 65 square feet, whose home makes the RV seem spacious. Continuing into the Pacific Northwest, the team is invited into the home of Lori Pappas, CEO of Global Team for Local Initiatives, an Ethiopian aid organization.
The team drives into Canada to meet Heather Cameron, prop stylist and story producer, in Vancouver, British Columbia, to discover how she created her own path in life, combining nature, home, beauty, and photography. From there, they travel to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where they have a chance encounter with cowboy and horse trainer, Grant Golliher of the Diamond Cross Ranch, who challenges them to face their fears and discover more about themselves.
In Fort Collins, Colorado, Calvin, Tina, and Vanessa stop to have a pint with Jennifer Orgolini, Sustainability Director, and Bryan Simpson, Media Relations Director, of New Belgium Brewing Company. The team then proceeds to Kansas City to interview Greg Carroll, CEO of the American Jazz Museum. Across town, they are also able to connect with Michelle Dreher, printmaker, owner, and operator of Two Tone Press.
Team "Tabula Rasa" winds up their Roadtrip with a series of final interviews. In Asheville, North Carolina, Kitty Love, tattoo artist, talks about the unusual path that led her to become an Arts activist and community organizer. On their way to Philadelphia, they have a conversation with The Knux, hip-hop artists, performing at the All Points West Music & Arts Festival in New Jersey. Their final interview is with Daniela Romero, ESL Coordinator at the Nationalities Service Center.
The second Roadtrip begins with three friends from Stevensville, Montana. Aaron, Liz, and Autumn, Team "Poor Lazy Overachievers," want to get out of the "velvet coffin" of their small town. They begin their Roadtrip across the US in Los Angeles. Their first interview is with Kary Mullis, Nobel Prize-winning chemist and author of Dancing Naked in the Mind Field.
The team drives east and stops in Santa Fe, New Mexico to interview Glenna Goodacre, a renowned sculptor, before heading into Roswell, the UFO Capital of the World, to speak with actor Malcolm McDowell, who starred in Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange. In New Orleans, the team munches on beignets and spends a long afternoon with Matthew Nolan, poet and author of Crumpled Paper Dolls. The artists they visit during this period have a significant impact on Autumn, who wants to be a writer.
Aaron, Liz, and Autumn settle into life on the Road, enjoying each other and the cities that they visit. Driving on to Georgia, they interview Kyle Maynard, a young man born with congenital amputation, who became a college award-winning wrestler and an entrepreneur. From there, the team heads into Tennessee to speak with Dr. Bill Bass, forensic anthropologist, which is a significant moment for Liz. In Cleveland, they visit with Van Taylor Monroe, sneaker artist, whose custom-painted Obama sneakers were donated to the Smithsonian Museum.
The team sits down with Rep. Barney Frank in Washington D.C. After taking in the sights of the nation's capital, the team travels to Norfolk, Virginia to watch a roller derby scrimmage and interview Margaret Wagner and her fellow skaters, hoping to gain insights into how to become fearless. Finally, it is on to New York City to visit with Liz Mandarano, former lawyer-turned-yoga instructor and studio owner.
The finale of Season 7 finds the team seeing the sights of New York City before interviewing singer-songwriter Zee Avi, as she relates her road from YouTube posting to successful recording artist. Their final interview is with Nathan Vincent, crochet artist. The team reflects on the places that they visited and what they learned on the road.
Meet Antoine, Hannah, and Nika of team Crazy, Babbling, Sunshine. Antoine has never left Southern California, but feels that he's ready to get out and explore. Hannah left her job as a weather broadcaster in South Korea to move back to the U.S. to figure out what she really wants to do with her life; while Nika grapples with whether she should transfer to a performing arts school or do what is expected of her. After the Roadtrippers meet for the first time in Southern California, they hop into the Green RV and head to their first interview with LiNK (Liberty in North Korea) president Hannah Song who tells them to "tap into their inner passions." After their conversation, the team is inspired and ready to take on their next interview in Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles, Calif., the Roadtrippers make their way to Amoeba Music, one of the largest indie record stores in the U.S., to meet co-owner Karen Pearson. Next, the team speaks with Joe Rogan, a stand-up comedian, who tells them to do what you do because you love it, not for money. Just as the Roadtrippers are leaving their interview, they snag an impromptu and unexpectedly musical interview with actor Craig Robinson. Playing the piano and in a sing-songy voice, the actor of the The Office empowers Nika to not be afraid to pursue her dream as a performing artist.
After arriving in Las Vegas, Nev., the Roadtrippers meet up with Rex Doty, a toy maker that creates toys for children in need, who inspires the team through his passion for giving. Next, the team heads to the restaurant Rick Moonen's rm Seafood to speak with none other than its charismatic chef and owner, Rick Moonen. Afterward, the team gets back on the road where-after taking in the picturesque scenery at the Grand Canyon-they head to Phoenix, Ariz., to speak with Larry Colbert, a blind motivational speaker and author. The Roadtrippers hear Larry's moving story of overcoming obstacles to do what made him happy, despite others not believing in him.
The Roadtrippers start out in hot Tempe, Ariz., where they speak with Todd McFarlane, the creator of the best-selling comic book series Spawn, and Antoine's personal hero. The team is given encouraging advice by Todd to move away from the idea that they "need to have everything now." Next, the team heads to Albuquerque, N.M., where an unfortunate event happens-an unexpected mechanical issue leads the Green RV to catch fire. The Roadtrippers pull over and no one is seriously injured; but emotions are high as the stark realization sets in as to whether they'll be able to continue their journey.
The Roadtrippers are in Albuquerque, N.M., salvaging what they can from their burnt Green RV-the aftermath of a mechanical fire that caused the vehicle to burn down. After they decide that they want to continue their Roadtrip, a few of the Roadtrip Nation staff arrive and they're given a new Green RV named "Norm." Moving onward to Atlanta, Ga., they speak with notable portrait artist Ross R. Rossin. Next, in Chicago, Ill., they meet with entrepreneur and famed business executive Alana Ward Robinson. The Roadtrippers hear her story of struggle as an African-American female trying to make it in the burgeoning (and mainly white male) tech industry.
While in Chicago, the team encounters a roadblock-the Green RV's transmission breaks. After leaving the RV at a mechanic, the Roadtrippers meet up with Food Network host and chef Gale Gand who greets them with home-baked muffins. Gale tells the team about her life of traveling, working in France, and meeting Julia Child. Afterward, the Roadtrippers meet with Alex Ross, a comic book artist who tells them about his incredible luck in his career, but stresses that anyone can do anything they want-they just have to put in the effort. Afterward, the team hears bad news: the RV won't be fixed in time for their next interviews. So, they decide to book flights to their next stop in Washington, D.C...despite that Antoine has never been on a plane before.
While in Washington, D.C., the Roadtrippers head over to the International Child Art Foundation's headquarters to meet with its founder, Dr. Ashfaq Ishaq. He tells them about the importance of nurturing creativity in young minds. Then the team moves on to the popular D.C.-based restaurant Busboys and Poets to speak with its owner, Andy Shallal. The Roadtrippers hear about learning from failures, and they leave feeling uplifted. From there, they fly back to Chicago to pick up the Green RV from the mechanic to hit the road to New York. In New York City, they meet with dance legend Judith Jamison and catch a performance at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Central Park.
It's the last week of the team's six-week Roadtrip-and also Hannah and Antoine's first time in New York City. While there, they meet up with MMA (Mixed Marital Arts) reporter Ariel Helwani who talks about his beginnings as a shy kid to becoming one of the most notable MMA sports reporters in the world. At the end of their conversation, he stresses to the team, "don't give up on your dreams." Antoine, Hannah, and Nika then move on to their last interview at the CNN headquarters where they meet with anchor Soledad O'Brien who talks about the hard work it takes to follow a dream. Afterward, the team reflects on the events of the trip and the people they met before signing the Green RV and saying their goodbyes.
Meet team Here, There, Everywhere-Denise, Carolyn, and Sarah-and follow their six-week cross-country journey as they search to learn more about themselves and their futures. Denise, a hair stylist, wants to break out and explore what the world has to offer. Carolyn left her steady job at an advertising agency to find out how she can use her skills for more humanitarian causes, while Sarah, who wants to do something creative, is still learning to not let fear hold her back from trying new things. Traveling to San Francisco, Calif., the team meets Jesse Jacobs, owner of Samovar Tea Lounge, and then hears powerful words from poets at Youth Speaks who encourage them to listen to their hearts.
While in Seattle, Wash., the team connects with Miss Indigo Blue, a renowned burlesque instructor and performer, and discovers why she decided to take up the bold art form. Her story particularly intrigues Carolyn who finds Miss Indigo Blue's confidence and fearlessness desirable. In Santa Fe, N.M., the Roadtrippers link up with Kenny Ausubel and Nina Simons, co-founders of Bioneers, an organization that brings scientific innovators together to promote social and environmental change. Their story of risk-taking resonates with Sarah who realizes that maybe she "doesn't have to play it so safe."
At the University of Oklahoma, the team meets Mike Biggerstaff, a professor of meteorology, where they learn what it is about weather that lights him up. Moving on to Houston, Texas, they visit Jennifer Arnold, a 3-foot, 2-inch-tall doctor and star of the reality series, The Little Couple, where they hear her story of overcoming personal obstacles to realize her dreams. Finally, in New Orleans, La., the team talks with Charline Gipson, a corporate lawyer, and discovers what 'success' means to her and the steps she took to achieve it. Charline's story of taking her own path despite others' disapproval inspires Denise who realizes she can do the same in life.
In Atlanta, Ga., wrapping up their last series of interviews, the Roadtrippers meet the first all-female, all-African American flight crew to operate a commercial jet in the U.S to learn how they got to where they are. Then the team talks with Penny Brown Reynolds, a judge and ordained minister, where they are energized by her story of perseverance and determination. Afterward, the friends travel to Outer Banks, N.C., where they share their final thoughts on what they learned about themselves and their futures before ending their journey of self-discovery together.
A new team of Roadtrippers is brought together by their desires to search for something bigger in life. Brooklyn, who left an unfulfilling job in New York City to move back in with her parents, hopes this Roadtrip will "jumpstart" her life. Elliott, a former high school teacher, gets out of the classroom to figure out his next step. Nekeed escaped a rough childhood in N.Y., where he lost a brother to gang violence. Now, as the first male in his family to graduate college, he wants to define his next steps in life. At the New Skete monastery in New York, they interview Brother Stavros, co-founder of the monastery who also works with its famous German Shepherd breeding program.
The team lands at the doorstep of the MIT Media Lab, where they speak with a graduate assistant in the robotics department. Next, they talk with two women who founded sOccket, a soccer ball that generates electricity, and the co-founder of Bamboo Bike Studio. The Roadtrippers also stop at the USA Shaolin Temple in New York City, where they meet founder Shi Yan Ming who is known for his super-human abilities-such as breaking rocks with his skull. They end the week with Nat Paynter, director of water programs at Charity Water.
Arriving in Philadelphia, the crew meets with Rosemarie Certo, the owner of Dock Street Brewing Co., where they get a taste of her award-winning beer and her passion for the craft. Next, the team travels to Chicago to speak with Grammy Award-winning children's folk singer Ella Jenkins, who teaches the Roadtrippers a song. The team also meets with Paolo Davanzo and Lisa Marr-a happy-go-lucky couple that shares their love for filmmaking by helping students learn the art through affordable film and media arts classes.
While in St. Louis, the team lets their imaginations run free at the City Museum, an architectural marvel and playground made out of found objects from the city. Afterward, they sit down with founder and creator Bob Cassilly to learn what inspired him. In Idaho, they speak with sought-after expedition photographer Jimmy Chin, who opens up about his fears on failing and the dangers of extreme missions. "Fear is healthy," he reminds the Roadtrippers.
After traveling more than 4,500 miles in 30 days, the Roadtrippers book a last-minute interview with Randii Wessen, an engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Los Angeles. Randii shares his story of constant determination-wisdom that resonates with Nekeed. The last interview ends with Laura Danly, curator at the Griffith Observatory. Laura shares her story of arduous schooling to land a job as a NASA astronomer-only to realize she's happiest when she shares her astronomical knowledge with others. Ending their journey with a better sense of themselves and their futures, the team shares their final reflections and says their goodbyes.
A new team of Roadtrippers embarks on a cross-country Roadtrip to interview innovative leaders about their roads in life. Starting their 7-week journey in Southern California, the team interviews Dr. Graeme Rae, the Chief Scientist for Surfline.com.
In Hollywood, the Roadtrippers interview Dr. Valerie Weiss, who abandoned her Ph.D in Biophysics to make films. Later, at Facebook headquarters, the team meets Director of Data Operations Delfina Eberly before embarking on a zipline tour through Redwoods at the Mount Hermon Outdoor Science School.
The Roadtrippers interview food scientist Elise Benstein at the Jelly Belly factory before speaking with Nuclear Engineer Deon Clark about his rough childhood in South Side Chicago. Later, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Paul Salopek shares his non-linear life experiences.
At Texas Instruments, the Roadtrippers interview Process Integration Engineer Byron Williams before heading to the ATT Foundry to meet Senior Marketing Manager Tracey Parrish. Later, at the National Space Biomedical Research Center, Deputy Chief Scientist Dorit Donoviel talks about shifting careers.
In Chicago, the Roadtrippers interview Zach Kaplan, the CEO and Co-Founder of Inventables, a company that connects product developers with novel materials. The team then heads to Chicagoland Skydiving Center to interview skydiving instructor Ward Hessig and do a skydive of their own.
In New York, the Roadtrippers interview Radiolab radio show host Jad Abumrad, who discusses his unsuccessful attempts at other careers. Jad's story teaches the team that they might not end up where they planned in life, but their ultimate road could be even better than what they expected.
In New York City, the Roadtrippers interview Mariette DiChristina, Editor-in-Chief of Scientific American. Later, the team meets Vicki Smith, a game designer at Vicarious Visions who forged a path in video games after feeling unfulfilled as an engineer.
The Roadtrippers finish up their cross-country journey in Massachusetts, speaking with MIT Biophysicist Jeremy England, and Juan Enriquez, a life sciences researcher. For their final interview, the team meets Lydia Villa-Komaroff, a molecular biologist and the 3rd Mexican-American woman to earn a Ph.D in science in the U.S.
A new team of soul-seeking young adults embarks on a cross-country road trip to interview inspiring leaders about their life journeys. Starting their 8-week journey in San Francisco, the team interviews Jakob Laggner, an outdoor expedition guide who left a traditional desk job to found his own company.
The team's search for wisdom continues in San Francisco, where they interview Roy Remer, a volunteer coordinator at the Zen Hospice Project. Moving on to Southern California, community is the topic of discussion with Omar Cardenas, a youth organizer for the Children's Defense. Later, in L.A., the team is moved by the story of Ian Harvie, a transgendered stand-up comedian, who urges them to have conviction in their identities.
In Palm Springs, the road-trippers interview Adam Steltzner, a NASA engineer with an unlikely life path who directed the landing of the Curiosity rover on Mars. Later, in Taos, New Mexico, the team discusses going with the flow of life with Sherry Grathler, a river guide who backed out of a career in law to pursue the outdoors.
In New Orleans, the team experiences the undeterred spirit of the city when they speak to a chef, a graphic designer, a chimp veterinarian, and an alligator wrestler. Later, in D.C., they interview Ben Drexler, who left the non-profit sector to become a poi (fire) spinner. Ben reflects on his bold career transition and urges the road-trippers to find their own burning passions.
In Washington D.C., the road-trippers interview human rights attorney Brittan Heller who speaks about "connecting the dots" of one's inklings instead of forcing life into a direction. Later, in Philadelphia, the team speaks to race car mechanic Sal Donato before interviewing Christine Borelli and Stacey Cruise, two educators who worked to revitalize a crime-ridden school.
The road-trippers make their way to New York City, where they interview Staceyann Chin, a spoken word poet and LGBT rights activist. Staceyann encourages the road-trippers to take risks and feed their spirits-advice the team heeds when they decide to adventurously jump in the ocean despite the pouring rain.
The road-trippers interview writer Beverly Donofrio at her home in Long Island before they head on to Detroit, where they talk to spoken word poet Airea Dee Matthews about possibility and growth in an unlikely place. In Chicago, Tele'jon reconsiders his reservations about going back to school when the team interviews Professor David Stovall.
The road-trippers head to their last interview, with founder and CEO of the nonprofit Growing Power, Will Allen, who tells them that passion is born of patience-and hard work. As the road-trippers reach the end of the road, they reflect on the stories and the lessons along the way. And as they leave the Green RV for the last time, they move ahead knowing that everything is possible.
The keys to the Green RV go to three new road-trippers, all interested in design, who kick-start their cross-country journey of self-discovery with a visit to the art-tech spectacle of Two Bit Circus, where founders Brent Bushnell and Eric Gradman share their story of dabbling across domains and finding inspiration at the intersection of their interests.
The East Coast born-and-bred road-trippers experience a totally foreign way of life—laidback and Californian—as they ride jet packs, talk to the creator of Frozen’s Elsa in L.A., and venture north to Ventura where Patagonia designer John Rapp instructs them in the relaxed ways of West Coast work-life, finding what you love and digging in, and creating balance wherever you are.
In Oakland, Snap Judgment host Glynn Washington tells a story of fleeing his comfort zone and moving to Japan, where he found an unexpected teacher and an unexpected calling when he accidentally bought dog food for dinner one night. Santa Cruz Guitar founder Richard Hoover shares his philosophy of teaching and service and leads the road-trippers into Santa Cruz’s misty, magical redwood forest.
The road-trippers head to Skywalker Ranch, where Star Wars sound designer Ben Burtt recounts driving cross-country to California twice before his dreams of being a sound designer beat back his fear of change; plus Pixar animator Ralph Eggleston on getting beyond the world you inhabit and going deeper into what interests you, and Janice Levenhagen-Seeley of ChickTech on challenging the status quo.
The road-trippers explore the Experience Music Project in Seattle, where experience designer Andrea Weatherhead advises that the best path toward happiness is getting to know yourself. In Colorado, the team meets interior designer Eiko Okura, who urges them to stop overthinking and see what emerges, and Michael Franti, who advocates for making lots of decisions and seeing what sticks.
The road-trippers try their hand at spinning molten glass with glassblower Jessica Schimpf. The world isn’t looking for you, she says, you have to go out and find it--she left a big-time welding gig to follow her dreams. In Texas, the team interviews Austonites on the street and goes for beignets and palm readings in New Orleans before hitting crowd-powered T-shirt purveyor Threadless in Chicago.
In Chicago, the team meets exhibition designer Olivia Castellini, a physics Ph.D. whose job combines her super-varied interests in science and the arts. In NYC, unstoppable inventor-turned-entrepreneur Ben Kaufman recounts flying to China to make his first product before he’d even graduated from high school and shares why it’s important to strike the right balance between jerk and pushover.
The trip ends in NYC as the team meets designer Tina Roth Eisenberg, who left her tiny village in Switzerland to find her people in New York. Last up, Helvetica director Gary Hustwit on the philosophy that connects all design: moving things forward. Though the road-trippers’ forward movement on the Green RV ends here, nothing about what they’ve learned on this journey is over.
Meet Natalie, Robin, and Zoed, three computer science students from three very different backgrounds, all of which are underrepresented in tech. This season, the team will embark on a cross-country road trip to meet and interview trailblazing leaders in their field. Their journey begins in sunny Los Angeles, where they visit NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab and meet infamous computer hacker, Samy Kamkar.
The team starts to bond as they drive the Green RV into the heart of Silicon Valley, a major hub for innovation in technology. While there, they talk to Phillip Loya of CODE2040 and Laura Gómez of Atipica about using computer science to advance each of their respective communities. They also visit Netflix HQ, where Sabry Tozin, a first-generation Congolese immigrant, tells them, “Don’t fit in.”
The road-trippers take a much-needed meditative break in Yosemite National Park before continuing on to DEF CON, a Las Vegas conference that dispels some of their misconceptions about “hackers.” Then it’s off to Denver, where the team lets loose at Sphero, a robotics company that puts an emphasis on fun. In Chicago, 3D printer Dima Elissa encourages the team to embrace their unique identities.
The final week of the trip begins in New York, where the team sits down with the co-founders of New York on Tech, an organization providing tech-based training to low-income students in Brooklyn. The last leg of the journey takes the Green RV to Boston, Natalie’s hometown. After conducting their final interview at MIT, the team reflects on the friendships and lessons they’ll take home with them.
Follow the journeys of four young people—all first in their families to go to college—as they road-trip across the country to interview inspiring individuals who were also first in their families to pursue higher education.