Payphone Diary

Payphone Diary

From American Miles: A Roadtrip Podcast by Josh Colvin

April 9, 2026 · 48 min

About this episode

Josh Colvin explores the nostalgic world of payphones, sharing personal stories and cultural reflections.

In this episode, host Josh Colvin explores the nostalgic world of payphones, sharing personal stories, calling strangers across the country, and reflecting on the cultural significance and decline of payphones in America. The episode also features interviews with phone prankster Brad Carter, a call to Texas cowboy hat expert, an essay called "I Made My Mom a Clay Ashtry in School" by Todd Kashdan, and a musical performance by Rambler Kane. 02:17 Trucker Andy: 1980s Billboard Felines 06:27 Storytelling: Moving Furniture and Other Crimes 13:50 Payphone Diary: Calling Strangers Across America 20:17 Interview with Brad Carter: Phone Pranks and Red Boxing 30:23 Todd Kashdan "I Made My Mom a Clay Ashtray in School" 37:48 Visit to McKinney, Texas: Cowboy Hats and Local Culture 42:30 Musical Performance by Rambler Kane: Gone Brad Carter's Snowplow Show Todd Kashdan's Provoked Substack Rambler Kane's Music McKinney Hat Company

People in this episode

Host: Josh Colvin

Guests: Brad Carter, Todd Kashdan

Topics covered

  • payphones
  • nostalgia
  • cultural significance
  • phone pranks
  • storytelling

Keywords

  • phone prankster
  • Texas cowboy hat expert
  • musical performance

Mentioned in this episode

Products: McKinney Hat Company

Books & works: Payphone Diary, I Made My Mom a Clay Ashtry in School, Storytelling: Moving Furniture and Other Crimes, Payphone Diary: Calling Strangers Across America

Places: America, Texas, McKinney

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