For nearly 100 years, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s stories have inspired generations with their vivid portrayal of pioneer life. Now, a new podcast brings those stories — and their enduring cultural impact — into a fresh, modern light. The Land of Laura podcast is an irreverent yet scholarly journey through the world of Wilder, where nostalgia meets critical inquiry, and history meets humor.

A Fresh Take on a Beloved Legacy

Created and hosted by Sandra Hume, Land of Laura: The Podcast brings together authors, historians, museum professionals, and researchers to explore the many layers of the Little House universe. Each episode uncovers something new — whether it’s the real weather events behind the blizzards in The Long Winter, the life of Wilder biographer William Anderson, or the cultural quirks of reading Little House in modern-day England.

Sandra is no stranger to the world of Laura Ingalls Wilder. She’s the author of the Land of Laura: Insider Travel Guide to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little Towns, a collection of guides that help families plan trips to the real-life locations from Wilder’s books — from Pepin, Wisconsin, to De Smet, South Dakota. Her decades of research, writing, and travel within the Little House community lend the podcast both authority and warmth.

Episodes at a Glance

From meteorological deep dives to literary origin stories, each episode offers a thoughtful, often surprising perspective on Wilder’s life and legacy:

• “Once Upon a Time, More Than 150 Years Ago” – The premiere episode introduces listeners to Land of Laura: The Podcast and its mission: to look at the Little House legacy through both a loving and critical lens.
• “William Anderson Origin Story” – William Anderson, the preeminent Wilder biographer, shares how he began his lifelong exploration of Laura’s world.
• “How’s the Weather? Wilder Weather, That Is” – Meteorologist Barb Boustead discusses her book Wilder Weather and how real historical storms shaped Wilder’s stories.
• “Gravy on Cookies? … And Other Challenges of Reading the Little House Books in England” – Two Brits share their experience of discovering Wilder’s world from across the Atlantic, revealing what can get “lost in translation.”

Where Scholarship Meets Heart

What makes Land of Laura: The Podcast unique is its blend of expertise and enthusiasm. It’s scholarly without being stuffy, humorous without losing respect for its subject. The show embraces the complexity of Wilder’s legacy — from her storytelling brilliance to the uncomfortable truths about race, gender, and mythmaking in her work.

Listeners will find themselves both informed and entertained as Hume and her guests peel back the layers of history behind the fiction. The result is a podcast that bridges the gap between academia and fandom, creating space for both reflection and celebration.

How to Listen

Land of Laura: The Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts – the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, and Rephonic. Whether you’re rediscovering the Little House books or encountering Laura Ingalls Wilder for the first time, this podcast invites you to join the conversation — to revisit the prairie with fresh eyes and a curious mind.