Dolly Parton elicits almost religious fervor from her fans—she’s as close as America has to a universally beloved figure. In this gem, Radiolab’s Jad Abumrad spoke with Parton in candid interviews, building a portrait of her life and legacy accompanied by her original music. It’s a show that felt of the moment in 2019, with discussions of what we owe those who have harmed us, but also feels uncannily relevant in 2025 as we see patterns reemerge in our culture. Biography podcasts often feel like histories, but Dolly Parton’s America stands out by making the story of Parton’s life as timeless and universal as her music. Through this serialized master class, the real “Tennessee Mountain Home” where she grew up becomes the conceptual home we all yearn for, and the series gives us a place to reflect, scored by her joyous, heartbreaking, and singular hits.

You can find all the episodes of this series below.