Dutch journalist spending week in Washington, KS, as part of podcast tour

WASHINGTON, KS — Laila Frank is seeing America one Washington at a time. The latest stop for the Dutch journalist puts her in the heartland.

“I always wanted to go to Kansas. I have never been," Frank said. "Sometimes, it’s just easy like that.”

The easy choice to visit Kansas is part of an ambitious project to visit eight places named Washington for a podcast called "Welcome to Washington." She aims to put a spotlight on people creating change far from the nation’s capital.

“In Europe if people want to know about America, they primarily look at Washington D.C. It’s an important part of the puzzle but it’s only part of it," Frank said. "I’ve come to know America as so much more and as a place where there’s beauty and where people try to change whatever they need to change.”

Washington, KS, is stop number six on her tour, after Washington state and communities in California, Utah, Louisiana and Georgia. She says she’s found commonalities between most Washingtons.

“People care about each other, they take care of each other, they’re welcoming, they’re heartwarming and very friendly,” Frank said.

In Kansas, Frank hopes to learn about ag production and rural healthcare. In the podcast, she hopes to broaden listeners’ understanding of the country.

“Nothing is black and white," Frank said. "I just like to add different layers and different perspectives to what people think they already know and I hope they learn something from it.”

The podcast is being produced in part for Dutch Public Radio and will be available on podcast apps in The Netherlands. You can contact her directly to receive a copy of the podcast in America.