I just listened to a couple of Germanpod101 Audio Blogs and they have interesting topics such as Cole mining, introducing cities/areas with its history, culture activities and so on (haven't listened to all of them) and they are way more interesting and educational (though I am German) then the Audio Blogs here.
I know that The US doesn't have that much culture as i.e. European countries because it is a young country but there has to be something that is more cultural then BBQ and Play Dates. Those are topics one can cover as cultural points in lower lessons.
Why not talk about homesteaders, the civil war, black right movement, Amish people,.. something like that.
