This piece is sponsored by Travel South Dakota.
Whether you’re taking a summer road trip or just looking for an entertaining commute to work, there’s a South Dakota story waiting.
The story of legendary frontier town Deadwood.
The legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House on the Prairie.”
The Civil War-era influence at Fort Sisseton.
And the colorful tapestry that shaped the Badlands.
They’re just some of the voices and stories reaching listeners worldwide through a podcast produced for Travel South Dakota.
“The Travel South Dakota Stories” series currently features nine episodes, connecting listeners with rich history and memorable characters from across the state.
“Our goal is to offer a fresh, immersive way to share South Dakota’s story with a growing podcast audience,” said Katlyn Svendsen, senior director of global public relations and content services for Travel South Dakota.
“We recognized that podcast listenership was on the rise and saw this as a platform to deepen engagement. It’s since proven to be a powerful tool in our marketing mix, helping us reach audiences in a captivating format.”
Travel South Dakota partnered with industry-leading Armchair Productions to produce the series, which takes a journalistic approach to its content.
“They specialize in finding powerful, audio-rich stories that really connect listeners to a destination,” Svendsen said.
“For example, an episode like ‘The Greatest Show in the West’ vividly brings to life the sounds of hollering cowboys, cracking whips and galloping horses. Working with professionals who think like storytellers has added a distinct layer of authenticity and emotional impact to the series.”
One of her personal favorites is “The Fall and Rise of the Buffalo,” which covers the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup.
“It’s an event I’ve attended dozens of times, but hearing it narrated through the lens of a first-time journalist really renewed my appreciation,” she said.
“Another standout is ‘South Dakota on a Plate,’ which showcases our culinary scene across the state. It’s incredible how the storytelling in this episode and personal interviews with the chefs allow you to practically taste the dishes as you are listening.”
It’s not an entirely original idea, either – more like a modern twist on an older favorite. Travel South Dakota used to rent out CDs at interstate welcome centers, ideal for road trip listening. It was wildly popular, Svendsen said.
Now, listeners can tune in anywhere through Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music. Additionally, a dedicated podcast hub at TravelSouthDakota.com/podcast features all episodes with previews and full landing pages for each story, including photos and ways to engage with the series.
“We’ve been encouraged by the enthusiastic response from listeners. Many have shared how the immersive audio makes them feel like they’re right in the heart of the action,” Svendsen said.
“It’s been exciting to see how the podcast has sparked curiosity, planning and connection — even among those who haven’t yet visited South Dakota.”
They’re not done producing episodes, either.
“Podcasting continues to be a dynamic and growing space, and we’re excited about what’s next,” Svendsen said. “We’re currently gathering new content with partners throughout the summer and plan to release additional episodes by early 2026.”
The series “captures the essence of South Dakota in such a rich and transportive way,” she added.
“Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident, there’s something new to discover in every episode. We hope listeners will take the journey with us — and maybe even be inspired to plan one of their own.”
Listen and win
Travel South Dakota is offering a special giveaway inspired by “The Travel South Dakota Stories” podcast. Listeners can enter for a chance to win a vacation to South Dakota valued at $4,000. Full details and the entry form can be found at TravelSouthDakota.com/podcast/giveaway.
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