Fifty Nifty United States (with Lisa Elzey) | Episode 119

What happens when you spend a year chasing family stories across all fifty states?I'm Crista Cowan (known online as The Barefoot Genealogist), and for this special Season Two retrospective, I’m pulling back the studio curtain. I’m sitting down with my longtime friend, producer, and editor, Lisa Elzey, to look back on our epic cross-country journey—from a 150-year-old sourdough starter in Alaska to a gripping witch trial in Connecticut.We’re swapping behind-the-scenes secrets, revealing which interviews left us in tears, and unpacking the moments that surprised us most.Behind the Scenes of Season Two:The Milestones: Celebrating our 100th-episode milestone and the incredible community pitches that brought this season to life.The Discoveries: How a rediscovered ancestor tied to a Utah handcart rescue and a forgotten Oregon cemetery project taught us something new about courage and place.The Bloopers: The reality of eating legacy roadside cheese dip live on camera.Whether you've followed along since Episode One or you're just joining us as we head into Season Three, this retrospective is a reminder that every family—including yours—is carrying treasures worth sharing.Links & Resources Mentioned:Cookbook: To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes by Rosie GrantExplore More: Find A Grave Community ProjectsSupport the Show: If you loved our trip from sea to shining sea, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation in the YouTube comments!〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️  🎧 Ready to discover more stories that could transform your family connections? Subscribe to 'Stories That Live In Us' wherever you get your podcasts, and leave a review to help other families find their path to deeper connection through family history. Together, we're building a community of families committed to preserving and sharing the stories that matter most. 🖼️  Ready to get your family tree out of your computer and onto your wall? Visit FamilyChartmasters.com to create a family tree chart that will help your family share stories for generations.♥  Want more family history tips and inspiration? Follow me @CristaCowan on Instagram where I share behind-the-scenes looks at my own family discoveries and practical ways to uncover yours!