Telling America’s story. Inspiring road trips by telling people where to go. Sharing the adventure. It’s what we do at Jim Hinckley’s America
Coffee With Jim is a virtual diner where folks gather over pie and coffee, share a few laughs, talk road trips, and listen to inspirational and thought provoking people. Jim Hinckley's America is a shared adventure so invite your friends, pour yourself a cup, pull up a chair, and join the conversation.
Need added incentive to share this adventure?
Well, we are proud to annouce that Coffee With Jim has been designated an offical Route 66 centennial program.
Guests on previous programs include:
Acclaimed documentary film producer John Paget -
Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Jonathan Bullington, a Chicago Tribune senior reporter -
Author and photographer, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and manager of the Preserve Route 66 Initiative at the National Trust For Historic Preservation, Rhys Martin -
Austin Coop, owner of Two Lane America -
Richard Lentinello of Crankshaft Magazine -
Vickie Ashcraft, owner of Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, and president of the Route 66 Association of New Mexico -
Wayne Pickerill, of the Pinke Elephant Antique Mall -
Episodes
Sunday Aug 24, 2025
Sunday Aug 24, 2025
Navajo code talkers. Route 66 as the quintessential American road trip. Small town America and big cities. The international fascination with Route 66, that highways future, and the endangered small business.
Our conversation with Jonathan Bullington, a Chicago Tribune senior reporter, on this episode of Coffee With Jim, the weekly podcast from Jim Hinckley's America, provides a different perspective on the Route 66 experience. Bullington recently wrote the first articles in a series about his odyssey along Route 66, and the people met along the way.
Jonathan Bullington is no stanger to the sharing of adventures, to finding people with fascinating stories, or to providing inspiration through the telling of a good story. He previously worked at The Times-Picayune in New Orleans and at The Courier Journal in Louisville where he was part of a team that won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news. Those experiences provided him with an ability to find stories often overlooked during his first Route 66 odyssey.
Today's program is sponsored in part by supporters of Jim Hinckley's America through Patreon. It is also sponsored by the Cactus Inn Motel, McLean, Texas, RouteTrip USA, iconic Wagon Wheel Motel, Roadrunner Lodge Motel in Tucumcari, Gilligan's Route 66 Tours, Enchanted Trails Trading Post and RV Park in Albuquerque, Deana Nelson - State Farm Insurance Agent, and Two Lane America.
Sunday Aug 17, 2025
Sunday Aug 17, 2025
Except for the savvy Route 66 (or Jefferson Highway) traveler, Joplin, Missouri may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of destination cities. But as we learned in this conversation with Patrick Tuttle, director of the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau, that is about to change. Just check out the Visit Joplin tourism website and discover why this charming old mining town is perfect for a memory making weekend. Add the diverse array of attractions in the area, and you have a vacation holiday destination. How's that for road trip inspiration!
But our wide ranging conversation was more than a focus on Joplin. We discussed fostering development of a sense of community, building a network of cooperative partnerships, the allure of Route 66, the Route 66 centennial, murals and public art, the power of team work, tourism and economic development, and the future of Route 66.
Take a listen. Chime in. What are your thoughts about Joplin, Route 66, road trips, and building a sense of community?
Today's program is sponsored in part by the iconic Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri. In 2026, the year of the Route 66 centennial, this venerable old gem turns ninety!
It is also sponsored by the Roadrunner Lodge Motel in Tucumcari, the Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park in Albuquerque, Gilligan's Route 66 Tours, Cactus Inn Motel in McLean, Texas, Route Trip USA, Two Lane America, and support of Jim Hinckley's America on Patreon. A special shoutout to our newest advertising partner - Deana M Nelson Insurance Agency Inc., State Farm Insurance, Kingman, Arizona
Sharing America's Story
It is a distinct pleasure to announce that the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership has awarded Coffee With Jim official Route 66 Centennial Certification.
Coffee With
In limited partnerships with the developers of Kingman Tours we are excited to announce that the official Coffee With Jim mug is now available on the websites Route 66 centennial gift shop! International shipping available.
Telling People Where To Go
Our team has been telling people where to go since 1990. We inspire, and share, adventures. We blur the line between past, present and future.
Our Valued Partners
Our valued partners are more than mere sponsors. They are valued members of the Jim Hinckley's America community. And they are highly recommended partners that will enhance your road trip adventure.
RouteTrip USA - Wagon Wheel Motel - Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park - Roadrunner Lodge Motel - Two Lane Americaa - Gilligan's Route 66 Tours - Deana Nelson, State Farm Insurance Agent in Kingman, Arizona
It is also made possible through support of Jim Hinckley's America on Patreon
Welcome to Jim Hinckley's America
We share America's story by introducing you to inspirational and fascinating people. We test the pillows and taste the enchiladas. We inspire road trips by sharing the adventure on backroad's, and two lane highways like iconic Route 66.
Come along for the ride.