Wild West Podcast

Michael King/Brad Smalley
  • 4.6 (131)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Wild West Podcast, winner of the 2026 Best of Western Podcast award, where fact and legend merge. We present the true accounts of individuals who settled in towns built out of hunger for money, regulated by fast guns, who walked on both sides of the law, patrolling, investing in, and regulating the brothels, saloons, and gambling houses. These are stories of the men who made the history of the Old West come alive - bringing with them the birth of legends, brought to order by a six-gun and laid to rest with their boots on. Join us as we take you back in history to the legends of the Wild West. You can support our show by subscribing to Exclusive access to premium content at Wild West Podcast + https://www.buzzsprout.com/64094/subscribe or just buy us a cup of coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/wildwestpodcast

  1. 4d ago

    A Voice from the Kansas Frontier

    Send us Fan Mail Step beyond official military dispatches to uncover the harrowing, forgotten world of the 19th-century frontier wife. In late 1866, Isadore Bowman Douglass journeyed 240 freezing miles across the plains to Fort Dodge with three young children, weathering the brutal winter inside a damp sod dugout carved into the Arkansas River bank. Drawing directly from author Michael D. King's groundbreaking release, Isadore Douglas: A Voice from the Kansas Frontier, this episode illuminates her intimate letters detailing frontier isolation, rising Kiowa tensions, and her courageous battle against the lethal 1867 cholera epidemic before her tragic death at age twenty-six. Discover this essential historical account today. Secure your copy of Isadore Douglas: A Voice from the Kansas Frontier by Michael D. King online at books.by/michael-d-king . Support the show If you'd like to buy one or more of our fully illustrated dime novel publications, you can click the link I've included.

    A Voice from the Kansas Frontier

  2. Aug 10

    Chapter One: The Shadow of the Blue Ridge

    Send us Fan Mail A Legacy of Hardship and Hope In the spring of 1870, the impoverished German family—led by Civil War veteran John German and his wife, Lydia—prepares to flee the ruined soil and lingering trauma of Fannin County, Georgia. Struggling with a severe battle injury, John faces the daunting task of raising seven children in a devastated region picked clean by wartime guerrillas. The primary catalyst for their departure is their seventeen-year-old daughter, Catherine, whose delicate health and persistent cough signal the onset of consumption. Believing that the dry air of the American West is the only cure that will save her from the suffocating dampness of the mountain hollows, John and Lydia pack their few remaining possessions into a single ox-drawn canvas wagon and head toward the horizon. The Arduous Journey Westward Over the next four years, the family's journey unfolds as a grueling ordeal marked by financial ruin, harsh weather, and relentless physical labor. To survive, John, his young son Stephen, and the elder daughters work exhausting manual jobs—from clearing fields in Tennessee to picking cotton in Arkansas—for meager wages. Drought ruins their attempt to farm in Missouri, eventually forcing them to surrender their homestead deed just to afford a fresh team of oxen. After settling briefly in Elgin, Kansas, Catherine's health deteriorates once again, prompting John to make a desperate final decision. In late 1874, abandoning their brief stability, the family turns their wagon toward the high plains of Colorado, risking everything on the hope that the mountain air will finally heal Catherine. If you'd like to add a physical or digital copy to your library, you can purchase the book online at books. by using the link provided in the description of this episode. Check out my new bookstore at https://books.by/michael-d-king. Explore the shop and pick up your next page-turner: https://books.by/michael-d-king Support the show If you'd like to buy one or more of our fully illustrated dime novel publications, you can click the link I've included.

    Chapter One: The Shadow of the Blue Ridge

  3. Aug 9

    Echoes of the High Plains:

    Send us Fan Mail Step into the brutal reality of the 1874 High Plains with the debut episode of The German Sisters: A Story of Survival, a gripping new audiobook series from Books on Tape, expertly brought to life through ElevenLabs narration. Drawing directly from preserved 1928 Kansas State Historical Society records, military dispatches, and primary memoirs, author Michael King strips away a century of cheap dime-novel exaggeration to uncover the raw, heart-wrenching truth behind the German family tragedy. When a peaceful journey toward Colorado turned fatal along the Smoky Hill stage road, four young sisters—Catherine, Sophia, Julia, and Addie—were thrust into a harrowing fight for endurance across the frozen Texas plains. This powerful premiere strips back sensationalized myths to expose both the unfathomable horror of the ambush and the unexpected acts of human empathy that emerged during five brutal months of captivity amidst the Red River War. Covering the book’s Introduction and Preface, this initial chapter sets the stage for a unique, dual-layered audio experience that seamlessly bridges objective historical documentation with vivid, immersive storytelling. Listeners will experience the frontier through a masterfully blended structure, feeling the crunch of parched earth under wagon wheels while tracing the strategic military campaign led by General Nelson A. Miles to bring the girls home. Born from four years of meticulous research and dedicated refinement, this definitive account captures the unbreakable will of two young girls left alone on the wilderness prairie. Available for a limited run of just one month as a serialized audio release, there is no better time to anchor this incredible piece of American history in your permanent library; listen to the opening chapter today, and purchase your complete copy online at books.by via the link https://books.by/michael-d-king.  Support the show If you'd like to buy one or more of our fully illustrated dime novel publications, you can click the link I've included.

    Echoes of the High Plains:

  4. Aug 3

    Unraveling the True Frontier: The Hidden Legacy of the Texas Longhorn

    Send us Fan Mail Step into the captivating world of the American frontier, where history, grit, and surprising truths converge to reshape everything you thought you knew about the Old West. In this engaging address, our speaker Dr. Frank Sharp peels back the layers of myth to reveal a astonishing reality: post-Civil War Texas was pulled from deep economic depression not just by hard-working cowboys, but by the legendary Texas Longhorn itself—a drive that infused what would be billions of dollars in modern currency into a devastated economy. Drawing on decades of firsthand research and vivid field experience, the narrative takes listeners from the original 1493 Spanish cattle imported by Columbus straight to the dusty trails of Fort Griffin and the iconic Western Cattle Trail. Yet, this isn't merely a nostalgic walk down memory lane; it is an urgent rally for historical preservation. Listeners will be hooked as the speaker exposes a startling modern tragedy: while hyper-selective breeding has filled associations with crossbred "freaks" valued solely for oversized horn spans, the true, genetically pure, small-bodied Texas Longhorn is actually on the brink of critical extinction. With a perfect blend of Third-Grade math, sharp wit, interactive banter, and authentic passion, Dr. Frank Sharp offers an unforgettable look at the animal that quite literally carried American civilization forward. Tune in to discover why saving the true Texas Longhorn means safeguarding the very heart of Western heritage. Support the show If you'd like to buy one or more of our fully illustrated dime novel publications, you can click the link I've included.

    Unraveling the True Frontier: The Hidden Legacy of the Texas Longhorn

  5. Jul 29

    Five Thousand Strong: Caught in the Stampede

    Send us Fan Mail Imagine standing atop Pawnee Rock in May of 1872, looking out over the vast, windswept plains of Kansas. As far as the eye can see, the earth itself seems to move—a living, breathing ocean of dark fur and thunder. Welcome to The Wild West Podcast. Today, we invite you to travel alongside Colonel Richard Irving Dodge: soldier, keen naturalist, and eyewitness to the final, awe-inspiring days of the American frontier. In this episode, written and produced by Mike King and narrated by Brad Smalley, Colonel Dodge takes us into the heart of the Great Plains. You'll hear his firsthand account of standing above a staggering buffalo herd—an unbelievable spectacle spanning twenty-five miles wide and fifty miles deep—and feel the pulse-pounding terror of being caught in a sudden stampede of five thousand charging bison. This remarkable chapter of history unfolds just two months before Colonel Dodge would take command of Fort Dodge on the north banks of the Arkansas River, a mere five miles from where the legendary Dodge City was about to be born. At the time, Dodge was stationed at Fort Larned—a crucial outpost serving as a disbursement point for Indian annuities and a vital shield for the workers laying track for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad. Step back in time with us to May 1872, and experience the frontier through the eyes of the man who lived it. Tune in now to The Wild West Podcast. Support the show If you'd like to buy one or more of our fully illustrated dime novel publications, you can click the link I've included.

    Five Thousand Strong: Caught in the Stampede

  6. Jul 25

    "Whiskey, Wagons, and Warning Shots: The Birth of Buffalo City”

    Send us Fan Mail Journey into the raw, untamed frontier of June 1872 with former buffalo hunter turned saloon owner George W. Brown. In this gripping episode, Brown details the chaotic birth of Buffalo City—a bustling boomtown sparked when a strict military ban on alcohol at Fort Dodge sent thirsty soldiers, hunters, and freight drivers searching for a new watering hole just beyond government lines. From makeshift tent bars and 25-cent whiskey shots to the rapid, wild rise of a frontier outpost, listen as history comes alive through firsthand accounts of ambition, lawlessness, and the men who built the Old West one wooden plank at a time. Expect high-stakes drama, authentic period storytelling, and an unfiltered look at true frontier grit. You'll hear how a military ban on whiskey sparked an entire town, how wagonloads of gamblers and dance hall girls transformed a desolate prairie, and how an explosive, bullet-riddled saloon shootout unfolded over a midnight feud. Whether you're a history buff or just love a compelling, cinematic story filled with larger-than-life characters, this episode offers an unforgettable front-row seat to the wildest days of the American West—hit play and tune in today! Support the show If you'd like to buy one or more of our fully illustrated dime novel publications, you can click the link I've included.

    "Whiskey, Wagons, and Warning Shots: The Birth of Buffalo City”

  7. Jul 24

    Buffalo Days: The Prairie Dog Business

    Send us Fan Mail Step back in time to the summer of 1872 and experience the raw, untamed spirit of the American frontier. Narrated through the vivid recollections of George W. Brown, this episode transports listeners directly onto the sun-drenched plains of Kansas, following the massive buffalo herds alongside legendary frontiersmen. Richly atmospheric soundscapes—from the crackle of evening campfires to the distant howl of coyotes—bring to life the gritty reality, unexpected humor, and rugged camaraderie of hunters like "Prairie Dog" Morrow and Thomas Nixon as they navigate a rapidly changing wild West. Whether you are a historical enthusiast or simply love a compelling, well-told story, this immersive audio journey offers an unvarnished window into the lives of the men who shaped frontier lore. Listeners will be captivated by the colorful anecdotes, sharp wits, and larger-than-life tales of early entrepreneurial ventures and epic hunts along the Arkansas River. Tune in to hear history brought to life through authentic voice acting and traditional acoustic instrumentation that will leave you feeling as though you're sitting right beside the campfire. Support the show If you'd like to buy one or more of our fully illustrated dime novel publications, you can click the link I've included.

    Buffalo Days: The Prairie Dog Business

  8. Jul 22

    Uncover the Truth of the Trail: The Wild West Podcast Takes You Inside Dodge City’s Longhorn Legacy!

    Send us Fan Mail Saddle up and tune in to this thrilling episode of the Wild West Podcast, hosted by Brad Smalley! The show shines a spotlight on an upcoming doubleheader event in Dodge City, Kansas, featuring Dr. Frank Sharp—an educator, author, cattleman, and lead educator for the State of Texas Herd of Longhorns at Fort Griffin. In a captivating interview, Dr. Sharp dismantles common misconceptions about Texas Longhorns, revealing the shocking truth that genuine historical longhorns are actually critically endangered—far closer to extinction than most realize due to modern breeding trends prioritizing extreme horn length over pure historical traits. It’s an eye-opening conversation that bridges the rich, shared history between Texas and Dodge City, leaving listeners eager to learn more about the true identity of these iconic animals. Beyond the rich livestock history, this episode delivers an irresistible invitation to a hands-on, high-energy community experience! Dr. Sharp previews his upcoming July 31, 2026 events at the Ford County Historical Society Museum, including an interactive morning session titled "Music on the American Frontier". Forget dry museum lectures—this session brings history to life by inviting adults and kids alike to grab spoons, maracas, or rhythm bones and jam along to authentic 19th-century cowboy trail songs. Between the fascinating frontier history, vivid historical artwork previews, and the promise of a foot-stomping good time, this podcast episode is a must-listen that will have you eager to dust off your boots and join in on the celebration! Support the show If you'd like to buy one or more of our fully illustrated dime novel publications, you can click the link I've included.

    Uncover the Truth of the Trail: The Wild West Podcast Takes You Inside Dodge City’s Longhorn Legacy!
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4.6
out of 5
131 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Wild West Podcast, winner of the 2026 Best of Western Podcast award, where fact and legend merge. We present the true accounts of individuals who settled in towns built out of hunger for money, regulated by fast guns, who walked on both sides of the law, patrolling, investing in, and regulating the brothels, saloons, and gambling houses. These are stories of the men who made the history of the Old West come alive - bringing with them the birth of legends, brought to order by a six-gun and laid to rest with their boots on. Join us as we take you back in history to the legends of the Wild West. You can support our show by subscribing to Exclusive access to premium content at Wild West Podcast + https://www.buzzsprout.com/64094/subscribe or just buy us a cup of coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/wildwestpodcast

Information

  • Creator
    Michael King/Brad Smalley
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    308
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Wild West Podcast
  • Show Website
    Wild West Podcast

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