This summer has been filled with the latest blockbuster hits and drama-inducing reality TV shows; however, on the social media side, one YouTuber, Ryan Trahan, took on the challenge of vlogging daily as he travelled to all 50 states in just 50 days. Trahan, a YouTuber with over 21 million subscribers, embarked on this journey with his wife and fellow YouTuber, Haley Pham.
Along with seeing each state’s beauty, they focused on their greater mission to raise over $1 million for St. Jude’s Children Hospital to support cancer research and save lives. What they did not know when they started on Day 1 was the significant impact they would make. Beyond averaging around 3 million views per episode, their real achievement was raising more than $11.5 million for St. Jude’s Children Hospital.
From Airbnbs to Jammy Time: How Ryan and Haley Made Every State a Must-Watch Moment
This daily series began in their home state of Texas, zigzagging throughout the East Coast all the way to the West Coast, and ending their 50-state challenge overseas in Hawaii. Throughout their journey, they kept a running tradition of giving each Airbnb a ‘coolness ranking.’ Their stays ranged from multiple Frank Lloyd Wright houses, treehouses to nuclear missile silos, and even a giant potato (in Idaho, obviously)
As they debated their Airbnb rankings, other daily traditions began to emerge, like ‘jammy time’ when Ryan and Haley changed into pajamas to read donations every night. Ryan took on extra daily feats, including running a mile in every state, riding a Lectric eBike each day to secure an additional $10,000 donation from the company, and buying candy from his own brand, Joyride, in almost every state.
All these fun routines, combined with the ever-changing scenery, captured viewers’ attention and created a sense of community with each daily vlog. New episodes dropped around 8 a.m. PST, and viewers’ donation messages revealed how far the vlogs reached with many families, even multigenerational households, tuning in together every evening to watch.
A Summer of Positivity: The Series That Captivated Everyone
The community built along this series highlighted the positives of this world and showed just how generous people can be in supporting Ryan and Haley’s mission to raise money for St. Jude’s. That impact became even more personal in episode 39 in Minnesota, when Ryan ran his daily mile with St. Jude patient Gideon, showing why this cause meant so much to both him and Haley.
The series resonated with audiences across the globe, proving just how meaningful Ryan and Haley’s mission for St. Jude’s really was. From T-Mobile to Airbnb, brands joined in, boosting awareness for the charitable cause. The enthusiasm surrounding the mission kept the series as relevant as ever.
The Next Era of Vlogging: Authentic Content with Impact
As Ryan’s series came to an end, it left many viewers craving more content that was just as engaging and inspiring. We’re still seeing what the future holds for vlogs on YouTube, but it’s clear that authentic vlogs are continuing to gain momentum.
This rise in genuine vlogs allows creators’ personalities to shine, giving viewers a deeper look at who these YouTubers are as people and what they value. Ryan Trahan’s connection to St. Jude was clear all summer, and we can expect more creators to share the causes that matter to them – showing that sincerity and purpose are what truly resonate with audiences today.