The Modern West

Wyoming Public Media
  • 4.6 (280)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • SEMIMONTHLY SERIES
The Modern West

Exploring the evolving identity of the American West. Produced by Wyoming Public Media and PRX, The Modern West takes you on a sound-rich journey into some of America's most iconic landscapes. Guided by host Melodie Edwards' personal connection to the region, it's an unflinching look at the American West--its problematic history, its modern-day struggles and resilience, and how its present and future are being shaped.

See All

  1. EPISODE 1

    The Rancher of the Future: Bonus 1 of The Great Individualist Reboot

    We're back with a new season of Modern West. Listen to the first episode of The Great Individualist Reboot now!

    18 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    The Rolling Stone: Bonus 2 of The Great Individualist Reboot

    The Rolling Stone: The Modern West is re-sharing our ranching series The Great Individualist. This time, we explore our deep abiding love for the cowboy. "If you get out there and bust your butt taking care of cows and even putting up hay, it’s so rewarding. I can get on a saddle horse and ride all day." But how that infatuation sometimes gets us in trouble.

    28 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    Se Benefician De Ella

    The Abeyta family has been driving sheep down from the mountains of southern Colorado for generations. But it hasn’t been easy to keep that tradition alive – they’ve had to fight for it. Through their eyes, we trace back the beginnings of the cowboy to the Mexican vaquero and find out how those adventurous roots are still very much alive in the American southwest.

    35 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    Cows = Civilization

    The history of how we brought the pastoral cow to live on the arid lands of the west is a violent one. Jim Elliot grew up in the shadow of that history and his stories are quintessential cowboy, full of guns, death and hard winters. But even Jim recognized the tragedy of the attempted annihilation of Indigenous culture and bison to make way for cows. But now, there’s growing hope among tribes as bison make a comeback.

    40 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    Nothing Heals

    We head to Wyoming’s Red Desert - and hear the history of the 19th century range wars. They led to laws requiring grazing fees and regular land health check-ups. But over a century later, some say these regulations haven’t done enough to protect our wild spaces. Not to mention our climate.

    35 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    Big is Fragile

    We follow the cow’s journey from the mountain pasture to the feedlot and eventually the slaughterhouse. Along the way, we hear from animal welfare advocate Temple Grandin and cattle handlers who all want a fairer, more humane market – and one not so monopolized by large corporations.

    34 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    The Ranch Kid

    Ranchers are having a really hard time these days. They’ve got more drought, more conflict, expensive land, high rates of suicide, just to name a few. But this fall the University of Wyoming launched a new agricultural leadership degree. The goal is to re-envision the rancher of the future. This summer, a Wyoming kid named Ethan Mills became the first registered student in the program. We tag along as he attends a ranch camp.

    26 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    Only One Bite

    The Rardins are father and son cowboys watching climate change threaten their way of life. They’ve given up on the old idea of “get big or get out” and joined the regenerative ranching movement. Inspired by how bison improve the land, they raise cattle to protect grasses and reduce emissions. But for many, it's still a financial risk.

    34 min

  9. EPISODE 9

    A Promise Never To Plow

    A few years ago, the May family set off on a trailblazing path to protect their land, and the carbon it stores, by selling carbon credits on the global market.  By promising to never plow the land, the Mays store carbon and protect native wildlife. But with diminishing margins and the looming threat of fire, the road hasn’t been easy.

    34 min

  10. EPISODE 10

    The Wide Open: Five Billboards Outside Livingston, Montana

    The Endangered Species Act helped bring the Yellowstone-area grizzly population back from the brink of extinction. It also sparked controversy over a question that looms over more species than just grizzly bears: How do we balance the needs of endangered wildlife with the needs of humans?

    45 min

  11. SEASON 10 TRAILER

    Great Individualist Reboot Trailer

    It's a new season of the Great Individualist - new episode premieres on August 21st.

    3 min
See All Season 10 (11)

Trailers

Hosts & Guests

4.6
out of 5
280 Ratings

About

Exploring the evolving identity of the American West. Produced by Wyoming Public Media and PRX, The Modern West takes you on a sound-rich journey into some of America's most iconic landscapes. Guided by host Melodie Edwards' personal connection to the region, it's an unflinching look at the American West--its problematic history, its modern-day struggles and resilience, and how its present and future are being shaped.

Information

  • Creator
    Wyoming Public Media
  • Episodes
    190
  • Seasons
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021 The Modern West
  • Show Website
    The Modern West

More From Wyoming Public Media

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada