Public Television : Season 5

About Season 5

Roadtrip Nation's fifth season spans two continents. As one team of college students from the University of Miami crosses the United States, another team of young Australians hits the road "down under." Despite living half a world away, both teams of roadtrippers share a common quest: to connect with inspiring individuals who have discovered their own roads in life. Roadtrip Nation 2008 documents these journeys of self-discovery in a free-spirited, adventurous series that encourages people all across the globe to move outside their comfort zones and explore the world.

EPISODES

Episode 1: Brisbane - Byron Bay
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.
- Leaders Interviewed :
- Tim Winton
- Amanda Dean
Episode 2: Newcastle - Sydney
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.
- Leaders Interviewed :
- Angela, Juliana and Rowena Foong
- Layne Beachley
Episode 3: Sydney - Canberra
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.
- Leaders Interviewed :
- Karl Kruszelnicki
- Tanya Plibersek
Episode 4: Adelaide - Melbourne
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.
- Leaders Interviewed :
- Scott Cupit
- Julian Burnside
- Debra Salvagno
- Jo Turner
Episode 5: Roxby Downs - Alice Springs
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.
- Leaders Interviewed :
- Bob Randall
- John Read
Episode 6: Miami - New York City
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.
- Leaders Interviewed :
- Bobby Thomas Jr
- Debbie Stoller
Episode 7: New York City - Boston
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.
- Leaders Interviewed :
- Stefan Sagmeister
- Thomas Kail
- Joseph Haggerty
- Anthony Veneziale
Episode 8: Cincinnati - Seattle
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.
- Leaders Interviewed :
- Edmund Stone
- Alex Steffen
- Buddy LaRosa
Episode 9: San Francisco
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.
- Leaders Interviewed :
- David Provost
- Reed Hastings
- Michael Parenti
- Bon Soeng