Hey, ARIACode fans. My name is Anna Gonzalez and I work at QXR Sister Station, WNYC.

I'm reaching out because I've been working on a new podcast series that I think you might really like.

It is called Our Common Nature and it is a musical journey with me and cellist YoYo Ma through this complicated country.

We've been to Maine, Alaska, and the Great Smoky Mountains,

where Rianning Giddens actually played a song with Yo-Yo.

All of it was new to me.

We met extraordinary individuals.

This country is built off the shoulders of all of us.

It's very American.

You can transfer that energy onto people. You really can through music. And learned how they're working to protect their local lands, in part through music. I would love it if you listen to their stories. And you can do that by subscribing to the podcast, Our Common Nature, wherever

you listen, but you could also hear the third episode about the Great Smoky Mountains

right here, right now.

Pop a wheel, Anna.

I'm doing it, can you hear? I'm popping a wheelie.

There's a path in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that's closed to cars every Wednesday of the warmer months.

And today, the last Wednesday in May, my producer Alan and I are riding some bikes into the park.

Is this like Dylan? Like when I imagine a country escape, it is this moment.

Even when things got a little bit more wild than I'm used to.

There's a bear right down near this white truck, too.

Really?

Yeah.

American black bear, real one.

...