Middle America Wendell Bauer/Jared Grabb

1. This first full episode of "Middle America" on January 15, 2019 marks the 339th anniversary of Fort Crevecoeur, one of the earliest European settlements in the American Midwest. Elements of this story set in a seemingly inconsequential small town in a fly-over state found its way into both Leonardo DiCaprio's "The Revenant" and Christian Bale's "Hostiles.""Middle America" is a podcast using history, storytelling, and music to talk about all of the issues and feelings brought on by the worl...

2. This episode starts to look at historic race and gender relations in Central Illinois through the life and work of the abolitionist Mary Brown Davis. Nat Turner's slave rebellion is discussed to give context (for more consider viewing the 2016 version of "The Birth of a Nation"). The narrator then discusses the idea of what it takes to give of yourself for another or to all."Middle America" is a podcast using history, storytelling, and music to talk about all of the issues and feelings bro...

3. The Shelton Brothers' Gang is introduced, with a focus on the youngest brother and muscle of the gang, Bernie Shelton. The narrator discusses the differences between fantasy and reality."Middle America" is a podcast using history, storytelling, and music to talk about all of the issues and feelings brought on by the world around us. "Middle America" is an access point to everything under the sun. Music in this episode:Jared Grabb “Best”Jared Grabb “Untitled (Doctor’s Office)”Fancy Ha...

4. Simon Trefzger, Jr.'s journey to America is recalled along with the early happenings at Peoria's Trefzger's Bakery. The narrator discusses the journey a son makes in outgrowing his father's shadow."Middle America" is a podcast using history, storytelling, and music to talk about all of the issues and feelings brought on by the world around us. "Middle America" is an access point to everything under the sun. Music in this episode:Jared Grabb “Prison Bars (Middle America Version)”Jared...

5. The narrator, Wendell Bauer, continues the story of the early French in Illinois, picking up from episode 1. He also discusses how the names we give to people and things affect what they are."Middle America" is a podcast using history, storytelling, and music to talk about all of the issues and feelings brought on by the world around us. "Middle America" is an access point to everything under the sun. Music in this episode:Jared Grabb “Through the Dark”Jared Grabb “Bronzeville Gate (...

6. Wendell tells the story of how Lydia Moss Bradley built monuments to her lost loved ones, providing Peoria with a park system, a university, a hospital, and more. Wendell also builds a monument of his own for a lost fellow musician."Middle America" is a podcast using history, storytelling, and music to talk about all of the issues and feelings brought on by the world around us. "Middle America" is an access point to everything under the sun.Music in this episode:Brett Conlin “Good Old Days...