What makes a song a good road trip song? This is something Katy has been musing over for several years now. What better person to ask than a musician who has crossed the country on tour numerous times? This week, Katy sits down with musician and podcaster John Roderick to talk about the allure of the American road trip, as well as what you should listen to while you are doing it. John talks about his experience hitchhiking across the US as a recent high school graduate, and even hopping on a freight train, and how it sparked a love for overland travel. Now that his band touring days are over, he has begun taking road trips again, this time with his 90-year-old mother and his 12-year-old daughter. He also describes how, as a native Alaskan, the continental US often felt like a foreign country growing up and how that was one of the things that encouraged him to begin exploring the country. He also shares his simple strategy for introducing both order and randomness into a road trip, as well as taking you places you wouldn't otherwise go. John Roderick is the co-host of Roderick on the Line and Omnibus with Ken Jennings. He is the lead singer and songwriter for The Long Winters and has also toured with the band Harvey Danger. You can find him on his website, Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. ------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us. JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon. TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!