Month 1: Dolly Parton’s America Podcast (Episodes 1-4)
- Details: Found on spotify, apple, and most streaming services
- Episodes include “Sad Ass Songs; I Will Always Leave You; Tennessee Mountain Trance; and Neon Moss”
- Kid-friendly option: I Am Dolly Parton: Ordinary People Change the World book
Discussion Points
- How did the podcast affect your perception of Dolly as an artist and a person? Did it change or reinforce thoughts you already had?
- “Sad Ass Songs” explores the line between vulnerability and exploitation in art – any thoughts on this in Dolly’s work and other work?
- Discuss the risks Dolly took by leaving her partnership? Are there modern day examples of this?
- How does the importance of physical place and tradition contribute to Dolly’s career?
- How does music play a role in culture (especialy Appalachian culture)?
- How do themes related to migration and belonging (and community) come across in the podcast?