Wise About Texas

Ken Wise
  • 4.9 (1.1K)
  • History

If you think you know Texas history, think again. This is the podcast that goes beyond the textbooks — rigorously researched, compellingly written, and delivered with a relaxed storytelling style that makes even the most serious history feel like sitting around a campfire. Your host is Justice Ken Wise: a scholar with a gift for narrative and a knack for finding the stories that surprise you. Texas history, Texas legends, Texas characters — all told the way they deserve to be told. Subscribe for new episodes and prepare to see the Lone Star State in a whole new light.

  1. 2d ago

    How to Start a War- The Warfield and Snively Raids

    Show Notes The 1842 Mexican invasions of Texas and their aftermath, including the Mier expedition and the Black Bean Incident. Sam Houston's use of privateer-style commissions, authorizing Charles Warfield and later Jacob Snively to raise private forces against Mexican trade on the Santa Fe Trail. Warfield's failed raid near Mora, New Mexico, and his men's 200-mile walk back to Bent's Fort after losing their horses. The unrelated robbery and murder of Santa Fe merchant Antonio José Chávez, and its effect on U.S.–Texas–Mexico relations. Snively's Battalion of Invincibles, their march to the Arkansas River, and their lopsided victory over Governor Manuel Armijo's advance scouts. Armijo's retreat to Santa Fe and the U.S. Army's intervention under Captain Philip St. George Cooke, including his disputed disarming of the Texans. The diplomatic fallout: Santa Anna's closure of the Santa Fe Trail, Texas's formal protest, and the military court of inquiry into Cooke's conduct. The shift from Lamar's aggressive New Mexico policy to Houston's peace-seeking approach, and how the boundary dispute was eventually settled in the Compromise of 1850. The later lives of the expeditions' key figures, including Jacob Snively, Charles Warfield, and Captain Philip Cooke. Follow the Show Stay up to date with new episodes and Texas history extras between shows: ● Twitter/X: @WiseAboutTexas ● Instagram: @WiseAboutTexas Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts, and if you enjoy the show, leave a five-star review — it helps other Texas history lovers find us. Support the Show on Patreon Wise About Texas is a labor of love dedicated to preserving and promoting Texas history. If you'd like to help support that work, become a patron: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/WiseAboutTexas

  2. Aug 3

    Ep. 152: Teeing off with Wise About Golf!

    Episode 152 — Introducing Wise About Golf Golf reached Texas before the automobile did — back when men who remembered San Jacinto were still walking around. Ken introduces Wise About Golf, a new Texas golf history podcast, and makes the case that golf is not a break from Texas history but a way into it. Then episode two of the new show plays in full. In this episode ● Eleven years of Wise About Texas ● Why there is now a second podcast — and why you are the reason ● The argument: golf as a way into Texas history ● Golf in Texas before Spindletop and before automobiles ● The 1887 clergyman who invented the modern Saint Bernard ● An army post, a port, a railroad, the 1900 Storm ● How the two shows will work together ● Wise About Golf episode 2, attached in full ● Coming next: Galveston Country Club Find Wise About Golf ● Search "Wise About Golf" in your podcast app — own feed, own website ● Instagram and Facebook: Wise About Golf ● Twitter/X: @wiseaboutgolftx ● Ideas and interviews: golf@wiseabouttexas.com ● Wise About Texas, as always: host@wiseabouttexas.com One more thing Eleven years, and this show has never been built on advertising — only on listeners telling other listeners. If you enjoyed it, pass it along.

  3. Jul 16

    Ep. 151: A Road Trip Through the Republic

    We think and talk a lot about the Republic of Texas (I hope). But what are we talking about? Most of the early settlement in Mexican Texas was east of the Colorado River and extended up the river as far as La Grange. The battles of the Texas Revolution took place in San Antonio and ended at San Jacinto. So we have a Republic, but how big is it? What are its borders? Well, it depended on who you asked. Here’s a fun fact: If you go to Colorado this summer, as so many Texans do, you’re probably never leaving the old Republic of Texas. But a claim isn’t enough–you better control it. Find out if your summer vacation ever really involves leaving Texas in the latest episode of Wise About Texas.

  4. Jul 3

    Ep. 150: Happy 250th Birthday America!

    250 years ago, the “American Experiment” began, with the result being the freest and most successful nation in the history of the world. The American Revolution, like the Texas Revolution, was the unlikeliest of victories. But a victory it was, and Texas played a significant role. This episode celebrates America’s birthday by looking at the role Texas played in one of the most transformative events in world history.

  5. Jun 22

    Ep 149: Up the River (road)

    There is nothing prettier than a river flowing gently through the canyons of the Texas hill country. But traveling along the river can be treacherous. The canyon walls are steep and rocky. The path is narrow and the drop steep. Is the beauty worth the pain? The German settlers sure thought so. In this episode, we discuss just one of many “river roads” in Texas and the rich history that unfolds along the trail. Load up for a Texas road trip in this episode of Wise About Texas.

  6. Jun 11

    Bonus: A notice to subscribers

    The podcast has a good problem. There are so many listeners and downloads I had to move the podcast to a new RSS feed. There should not be any interruption, but if you notice that you may not be getting all the new episodes, please go re-subscribe through your desired podcast platform. Thanks for listening to Wise About Texas!

  7. Jun 1

    Ep 148: Governor Richard Coke, Texan: An interview with Rosser Coke Newton

    Governor Richard Coke was sworn in at the point of several guns. His supporters protected his impromptu ceremony on the second floor of the Capitol from his defeated opponent’s supporters on the first floor. But once in office, he changed Texas for the better. Balanced budgets and Texas A&M, among other things. Learn more about this influential Texan in this interview with his descendant, Rosser Coke Newton, author of the new book “Richard Coke: Texan.”

  8. May 20

    EP. 147: Teeing Off With Texas Golf

    Here at Wise About Texas world headquarters we love our golf. Texas has made, and continues to make, an outsized impact in the world of golf. With over 100 yers of Texas golf history, I plan on doing some episodes on the subject and share the story of Texas golf. In this episode, you’ll hear about why this matters and what you can do to help the effort. Give it a listen and let me know your thoughts at golf@wiseabouttexas.com.

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About

If you think you know Texas history, think again. This is the podcast that goes beyond the textbooks — rigorously researched, compellingly written, and delivered with a relaxed storytelling style that makes even the most serious history feel like sitting around a campfire. Your host is Justice Ken Wise: a scholar with a gift for narrative and a knack for finding the stories that surprise you. Texas history, Texas legends, Texas characters — all told the way they deserve to be told. Subscribe for new episodes and prepare to see the Lone Star State in a whole new light.

Information

  • Creator
    Ken Wise
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    173
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All content copyright Ken Wise
  • Show Website
    Wise About Texas