Roadtrip Nation

Rattle The Cage

The road-trippers meander through the South, eventually stopping in New Orleans, where they interview a range of individuals, including a chef, a graphic designer, and a veterinarian at a chimpanzee sanctuary. Later, on an airboat tour through the swamps of Lafitte, the team is surprised to learn that their boat operator is also an alligator wrestler whose involvement with the sport is rooted in a Native American tradition that dates back hundreds of years. Next, the road-trippers make the drive up to St. Louis, Missouri, where they participate in a Zombie Fun Run. Olivia reflects on her affinity for life on the road, noting her appreciation for the way that traveling shakes you out of your habits and "rattles the cage." Moving on to Washington D.C., the road-trippers interview Ben Drexler, a former non-profit professional who left his traditional 9-to-5 to become a poi (fire) spinner. Ben encourages the road-trippers to think about life as a gift, and challenges them to find their own niches that allow them to express who they are. After learning a bit about the craft, Ed and Tele'jon both give fire spinning a whirl, finding liberation in confronting their fears.