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PODCAST

The American Southwest

Thomas Wayne Riley

This is a podcast of the people, places, and things of the American West. Think cowboys and Indians, bison and cactus, national parks and ghost towns, Mormons and prospectors, nukes and aliens, Tombstone, the Anasazi, Route 66, and everything in between. I’ll dive deep into historical people and events and the cultures and policies that helped shape this area of the American frontier world that’s left so many of the rest of the planet in envy of the mythic American Southwest.

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All Episodes

02:24:49

The Mexican War: The Conquest of California, Part 6

The American Southwest ·

2026/10/01

This is part six in my ongoing series over the Mexican War of 1846 to 1848.In this episode, we step back from Mexico and head to California. I talk about the lead up to the conquest in Californian politics, Kit Carson, John C Fremont, their third expedition, The Bear Flag Republic, Commodore Stockton, and a whole lot more.

en-US

02:33:15

The Mexican War: The Battle of Monterrey, Part 5

The American Southwest ·

2026/08/18

This is the fifth episode in my ongoing series over the Mexican War of 1846-1848.In this episode I extensively cover the incredible and incredibly bloody three day battle of Monterrey, Mexico. Taylor and his army of Regulars and Volunteers attack the heavily fortified city from the east and the west simultaneously as the Mexicans put up extremely stiff resistance. Sam (Ulysses S) Grant, Jefferson Davis, Longstreet, Worth, Meade, Dirty Shirt Scurry, Thomas Green, Samuel Walker, McCulloch, Jack

en-US

02:13:53

The Mexican War: An Adventure in Imperialism, Part 4

The American Southwest ·

2026/07/27

In this episode, I cover the capture of Dragoons by Mexican forces which kicks off the War itself. I then go into detail about the first two battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma before covering the arrival of the volunteers, the horrid conditions in camp, the politics in Washington DC, and the eventual march to Monterrey. The Texas Rangers, Jefferson Davis, Winfield Scott, and many more are introduced in this episode

en-US

02:07:31

The Mexican War: War is a Blessing

The American Southwest ·

2026/07/01

This episode focuses on the decade following the Texas Revolution with Mexican reprisals, international intrigue, the annexation of Texas, and the coming war between Mexico and the US. It includes Sam Houston, Lamar, the Black Bean incident, President Polk, Sam Grant, and a whole lot more. It is the final episode in the lead up to the Mexican War of 1846-1848.

en-US

02:24:22

The Mexican War: The Texas Revolution

The American Southwest ·

2026/06/02

This is part two in my ongoing series over the Mexican War of 1846-1848.This episode covers the period immediately after the Alamo. I talk about Goliad, Houston’s retreats, and the Battle of San Jacinto which sees the Texans gain their Independence from Mexico

en-US

03:17:34

The Mexican War: Remember the Alamo

The American Southwest ·

2026/05/12

This is the first episode in a long series over the Mexican War from 1846 to 1848. I begin the series where it all started: The Louisiana Purchase. I talk about the filibusterers such as Nolan, Long, and others. I then tell the story of Austin and his Old Three Hundred before marching headlong into the beginning of the Texas Revolution with Sam Houston and William Barret Travis. I end the episode with the assault on the Alamo.

en-US

00:59:35

The Earthen Dark with Author Brad Kelly

The American Southwest ·

2026/04/24

I am joined by Author Brad Kelly to discuss his incredible book The Earthen Dark. We also discuss archaeology, anthropology, Man Corn, Chaco Canyon, the Maya, all the fun stuff under the earth, and more.

en-US

01:32:40

The Quest for Confederate Treasure: The South(west)...

The American Southwest ·

2026/04/15

After a few rewrites and edits, I have finally finished the third and final episode in the series over Confederate Treasure.Instead of telling the rest of the Rebel Gold story like I had planned, I decided to summarize a few parts without ruining it. I briefly talk about Bob’s adventures with the Wolf Map treasure of Oklahoma and the Lost Dutchman Mine in Arizona before imploring listeners to purchase Rebel Gold and reading it. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still a ton of fun information and

en-US

02:41:26

The Quest for Confederate Treasure: Jesse James & His...

The American Southwest ·

2026/04/01

This is Part 2 of 3 in the series over buried Confederate Treasure.I open the episode with Bob Brewer’s adventures in Arkansas as he continues to uncover clues and even more treasures. I then tell the complete history of Jesse James before diving into the theory that he faked his death and lived a very long life while burying treasure throughout the nation for the KGC.

en-US

02:23:36

The Quest for Confederate Treasure: Arkansas Secrets...

The American Southwest ·

2026/03/18

This is the first of three episodes over the Quest for Confederate Treasure which follows Bob Brewer as he hunts for Rebel Gold.I open the episode with Bob Brewer and his upbringing in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas where he learns of his family’s ties to buried treasure. I then move to the complete history of the Knights of the Golden Circle from their beginning to the time they go underground after the Civil War. This episode takes place entirely in the East and South but by the third

en-US

02:09:50

The Imperial Adventure of Zebulon Montgomery Pike:...

The American Southwest ·

2026/02/17

This episode opens with an outline of Aaron Burr and his Conspiracy to form a new Empire. I then continue the adventure of Zeb as he travels from Presidio Carrizal through the interior of New Spain (Mexico), through Texas, and finally back to the US. There are many adventures and intrigue along the way.I close the episode with the fate of the main cast: the men Pike was forced to leave behind, Wilkinson, Doc Robinson, and Pike. I also talk about the adventure’s lasting impact.

en-US

01:52:34

The Imperial Adventure of Zebulon Montgomery Pike:...

The American Southwest ·

2026/02/08

This is Part Three of a Four Part Series over the Explorer and Spy Zebulon Montgomery Pike.In this episode, Pike and his men get escorted from their stockade on the Conejo River down to Santa Fe where they meet the governor. Along the way they stop at many a pueblo and town which Pike describes in detail. From Santa Fe, the group rendezvous with Robinson before heading to Old Mexico. There’s intrigue, political discussions, Apaches, and more as they travel on the Royal Road.

en-US

01:51:31

The Imperial Adventure of Zebulon Montgomery Pike: A...

The American Southwest ·

2026/01/30

In this episode, Pike and his men leave the Pawnee village and traipse through the Great Plains until they reach the Arkansas River where Lt. Wilkinson and a few other soldiers will take canoes down to Louisiana. Meanwhile, Pike will reach the Mexican (Rocky) Mountains where he will attempt to climb Pike’s Peak before finding the headwaters of the Arkansas and Platte Rivers. But as winter settles in and his men’s strength weakens, he fatefully decides to cross the Sangre de Cristos in an attempt to

en-US

01:57:18

The Imperial Adventure of Zebulon Montgomery Pike:...

The American Southwest ·

2026/01/21

In this episode I cover the rising tensions between the United States and Spain after Jefferson’s acquisition of the Louisiana Territory which nearly brought us to war with the Catholic Kingdom.Zebulon Montgomery Pike is selected by the Governor of Upper Louisiana Territory, US General, and Spanish spy James Wilkinson to explore the Great Plains & find the headwaters of the Arkansas River. This mission is a ruse though, and the real plan was for Zeb to get captured by the Spanish and be given a

en-US

01:31:27

Rumorosa with Author James Bandy

The American Southwest ·

2026/01/17

New Interview Episode is out! Bandy and I talk about his awesome novella Rumorosa, a must read. We also discuss the American Southwest in writings and art. We talk about Apaches, California, the Vietnam War, Cormac McCarthy, King of Dogs, our glorious Public Lands and how we must protect them, the Civil War in the Southwest, and everyone’s favorite topic: Man Corn.

en-US

01:06:42

Hollywood Samizdat with Author Rambo Van Halen

The American Southwest ·

2025/11/27

Rambo & I discuss his new book Hollywood Samizdat, a collection of stories from his time in Hollywood. We also discuss fly fishing, the decline of LA & the business, the managerial elite, winter sports, New Mexico and the Mountain West, Mormons, helicopter rides, movies, rock climbing, and more.

en-US

01:03:15

Billy the Kid: The Life Behind the Legend with Author...

The American Southwest ·

2025/11/19

The incredible author George R Matthews and I discuss his most recent book over Billy the Kid. He clears up some things, corrects some of my series, and we have a great conversation.

en-US

01:19:11

Billy the Kid & The Lincoln County War: The Boss...

The American Southwest ·

2025/11/12

This is the eleventh and final episode over Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War.In this Episode, Billy travels from Mesilla to Lincoln before being put up in the Lincoln County House’s Jail. He’s not there long though, before he makes his most famous jailbreak. After returning to Fort Sumner, Billy is eventually hunted down by Pat Garrett yet again. I finish the episode with the rest of Pat Garrett’s life, as well as the remaining living participants of the story I’ve told thus far. Stay tuned

en-US

01:02:42

Billy the Kid & The Lincoln County War: Advise...

The American Southwest ·

2025/11/05

This is the tenth episode of eleven that will discuss Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War that took place in New Mexico.In this episode, Billy the Kid, Billy Wilson, Rudabaugh, and Tom Pickett are taken from Stinking Springs to Fort Sumner before heading to Las Vegas and then to Santa Fe. There is a tense moment on the train platform in Las Vegas. The men are interviewed by various newspapers. The Governor still ignores Billy & his pardon as the men sit in the Santa Fe jail. Finally, Billy’s

en-US

01:24:05

Billy the Kid & The Lincoln County War: Take Your...

The American Southwest ·

2025/10/29

This is the ninth episode of eleven that will discuss Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War that took place in the 1870s in New Mexico.I open the episode with Pat Garrett’s life and background before catching up to the story of Billy the Kid. A Secret Service agent is sent at the behest of Dolan and the House to New Mexico to investigate Billy’s new friends and the noose around our hero’s neck tightens. Billy does ultimately break bad when he murders a man in cold blood which results in two

en-US

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