

Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Bannister.
Hi Megan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been a lover of words since a young age and always knew I would be a writer. After getting my Bachelor’s degree in journalism, I worked at various publications, nonprofits, and marketing agencies where I used my writing skills. In 2012, I started my blog Olio in Iowa to share the road trips I was taking and the offbeat adventures I was having in my new home state of Iowa. Since then, I’ve become a full-time freelance writer focusing on telling travel-related stories and sharing hidden gems across the Midwest and beyond. Olio in Iowa focuses on roadside attractions, unique destinations, and the world’s largest things. I’m also working on a forthcoming podcast, which will be called Wandering the World’s Largest.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The decision to become a full-time writer and traveler wasn’t an easy one. But I’m fortunate to have a supportive partner in my husband, Josh. He’s always been my biggest cheerleader and encouraged me to follow my dream of pursuing writing as a full-time gig.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Over the years I’ve definitely realized that my niche is the weird and wacky places that exist along the backroads of America. In addition to my blog, Olio in Iowa, I’m also the author of the book Iowa Supper Clubs, which features classic eateries — both past and present — across Iowa. The book was released by Arcadia Publishing in August 2020 and has been a great way to share the unique dining culture of the Midwest. I’m currently working on a second book through Reedy Press, which will be called Secret Iowa.
I’m typically the friend on a road trip suggesting detours off the interstate or forcing the car to stop at random attractions whose signs we spotted on the side of the road. Within the last year, I’ve started to lean into “world’s largest” things as one of my major content areas. In early 2022 I started a Tiktok series called World’s Largest Wednesday, where I feature a different “world’s largest” thing every Wednesday. The series has started to take off, and my video on the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville, Illinois, has more than 2.1 million views. In the coming months, I’ll also be launching a podcast called Wandering the World’s Largest, which will be a more in-depth spotlight on these roadside oddities. While my content niche tends to separate me from other travel content creators, I think my passion for these weird attractions and the people who create and maintain them sets me apart. There are so many interesting stories behind these strange attractions, and I feel honored to share them with my followers and the readers of publications I write for in print and online. Above all else, I’m most proud of leaning into the places and spaces that excite me most — even if some people may not get it or think they’re worth pulling over for.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success is being happy and fulfilled through the various ways that I choose to spend my time. Being successful means waking up every day excited to dive into the things I’m working on and inspired to explore and embrace the world around me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://olioiniowa.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olioiniowa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olioiniowablog/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/OlioinIowa
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@olioiniowa
Image Credits
Megan Bannister | Olio in Iowa