Welcome to Drew Explores, the podcast where history and place meet to tell extraordinary stories. In this episode, we follow the life of Anne Frank through the city that shaped her: Amsterdam. From her arrival as a young refugee escaping Nazi Germany to her years spent in hiding, Anne’s story is deeply tied to the city’s transformation during World War II. We examine how Amsterdam first offered refuge, then became a place of surveillance and betrayal under Nazi occupation. The episode explores the impact of anti-Jewish laws, life inside the Secret Annex, and how Anne’s diary survived to become one of the world’s most important records of the Holocaust. This is the interconnected story of a child, a city, and a war.

Welcome to Drew Explores, the podcast where history and place meet to tell extraordinary stories. In this episode, we explore how Antoni Gaudí and the city of Barcelona shaped one another. During a period of rapid growth in the late 19th century, Barcelona was redefining itself—balancing modernization with its Catalan identity. Gaudí emerged as a central figure in this transformation, blending Gothic, Moorish, and natural forms into a distinct architectural language. From early commissions like Casa Vicens to major works like Park Güell and Casa Milà, his designs pushed the boundaries of architecture. At the heart of his legacy stands the Sagrada Família—his unfinished masterpiece and a lasting symbol of both his vision and the city’s evolving spirit.

Welcome to Drew Explores, the podcast where history and place meet to tell extraordinary stories. In this episode, we explore the rise of Hershey, Pennsylvania, and how Milton Hershey helped shape the modern American chocolate industry. From rural farmland, he built not just a factory, but a company town grounded in accessibility, quality, and social planning. His approach to mass production brought chocolate to the masses and helped turn holidays like Easter into nationwide consumer events. We also look at how his legacy lives on through institutions like the Milton Hershey School and the lasting identity of the town itself. This episode connects the man, the place, and the vision that made chocolate a cornerstone of American life.