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Artwork for The Modern West

The Modern West

Wyoming Public Media
Wyoming
Climate Change
Marshall Fire
Ranching
Affordable Housing
University Of Wyoming
Housing Crisis
Affordable Housing Crisis
Off-Grid Living
American West
Community Resilience
Louisville
Ranch Management and Agricultural Leadership
Local Journalism
Pinedale Roundup
Water
Women In Mountaineering
Animal Welfare
Agriculture
Covid-19 Pandemic

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 fut... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes223Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Modern West

Latest Episodes

One hundred and forty years after the Rock Springs Massacre killed 28 Chinese coal miners, descendants return to tell the story and dig up clues. The commemoration happens as the town reckons with new immigration tensions.

A new book, "The Westerners: Mythmaking and Belonging on the American Frontier," weaves together the stories of seven historical characters as they crisscross the American West in the 1800s. Some of them, like Sacajawea, you’ll recognize. Pulitzer-fi... more

Love stories set in the American West are often extra romantic and heart-wrenching because of all the moving around the lovers are forced into. Jenny and Brian Drollinger’s story takes them to every nook of the American West. But they actually met in... more

It’s not just human animals that migrate around the West. So do wildlife. We start this season learning about how humans are adapting to the expanding range of grizzly bears. We head out into the field with wildlife photographers, go toe-to-toe with ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Ricky Leo
Rock Springs descendant, family historian
Local residents of Rock Springs
Episode: They Came Back
Grace Leo
Rock Springs descendant, community organizer
Local residents of Rock Springs
Episode: They Came Back
Laura Ng
Professor leading the dig at Rock Springs site
Grinnell College / University team
Episode: They Came Back
Dudley Gardner
Local historian and monument advocate
Rock Springs community history
Episode: They Came Back
Ashley Garner
Local archaeologist
University/Local institutions
Episode: They Came Back
Tiao Lim Go
Poet and writer
Community library / literary community
Episode: They Came Back
Jenna McMurtry
Journalist reporting from KHOL Jackson
KHOL / Jackson, WY
Episode: They Came Back
Megan Kate Nelson
Author, The Westerners: Mythmaking and Belonging on the American Frontier
University of [unspecified] / Historian
Episode: The Westerners
Brian Drollinger
Couple featured in the love story
Self/The Drollingers
Episode: Love Songs

Host

Melodie Edwards
Host of The Modern West

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 337 ratings
  • More Cheap Dirt!

    I've been listening to The Modern West for a while, but the Cheap Dirt season is may favorite (I am biased). Melody found people across the West quietly building lives outside the conventional system — not as a political statement, but because they had to or wanted to. My family was part of the series (we live off-grid in a strawbale house outside Taos and write about it at Our Uncertain Future), and I was struck by how well she captured something that's hard to explain to people who haven't li... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    horntooter
    United States4 months ago
  • I love it!

    My wife and I love the west, in particular Wyoming, I leave in California for 14 years and are currently in Florida, but our goal is to move to Wyoming. This podcast left me with mixed feelings, I listened to all chapters and currently waiting for season 11 to begin. I have to say that listening to it left me feeling guilty at times, sad, happy, worried and hopeful. My wife and I are immigrants and have our share of hard times adapting to a different society and nowadays it is even more difficul... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Quique-Charrua
    United States9 months ago
  • Learning

    This podcast has been wonderful & I have learned a lot about the settling of the West!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Broadway 80
    United States2 years ago
  • Speak up

    I really want to love this podcast, but the editing is horrible in my opinion. I can’t hear anything but the host. All other audio is poor quality and just too quiet. Also long gaps between segments, I keep thinking what did they say?? Oh wait, is it over??

    You guys asked for feedback, here’s it is…get better audio, perhaps a new mic in the field and cut out the dead air.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    nickname bunts
    United States2 years ago
  • What We All Need to Hear

    Episode 6 of Season 6 brought me to tears. There is so much I don’t know. So much that other cultures can bring to us. I loved the little girl calling “Welcome Home!” To the buffalo. We all need to hear this, it helps us understand.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    B Lyttle
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Grounded, empathetic look at hard Western issues with real people.
Insightful, immersive storytelling that highlights regional realities.
Powerful narratives that illuminate local perspectives and resilience.
Thoughtful examination of Western life with strong reporting.
A mix of praised storytelling and some critiqued audio quality in spots.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Westerners
Q: Here's my conversation with Megan Kate Nelson. I wonder if you can just start by telling us a little bit about yourself and your own relationship to the American West and how that your background is related to this book that you ended up writing.
Nelson explains how her formative experiences between Colorado and the East Coast shaped her interest in Western identity, and how her book reframes the West by focusing on diverse figures beyond the traditional pioneer narrative, emphasizing mobility, multilingualism, and intercultural exchange as core elements of Western history.
The Flats
Q: What is the role of community reliance in these off-grid areas?
Community is built on mutual aid and being aware of each other's situations; people rely on each other for resources and companionship.
The Flats
Q: How did you find out about The Flats and why did you think it would be a good story to share?
I grew up in Denver and learned about people living off-grid in the San Luis Valley from my sister. I was intrigued by how people are deciding to live in an area that offers virtually no services.
The Teeny Tiny House
Q: Did you choose a tiny house more as a financial choice or for the lifestyle?
Eric mentioned that while he enjoys the lifestyle of living tiny, the economic aspect is the primary driver for their choice to live in a tiny house.
A Ghost Paper(ing) Update: Part II
Q: What did you hear from people around the community when they announced that they were going to close your paper?
Cali shared about the community's overwhelming support, with individuals wanting to offer help and advice after the news broke.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Modern West

What is The Modern West about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The series casts a thoughtful, ground-level lens on the American West, frequently centering conversations about housing affordability, off-grid and sustainable living, water rights, and resilience in small communities. Across episodes, listeners encounter intimate storytelling from families and individuals reinventing their lives amid market pressures, regulatory hurdles, and climate challenges, often framed through western identity, local journalism, and community collaboration. Unique strengths include high-quality field audio, richly detailed regional storytelling, and a willingness to tackle difficult topics—ranging from housing crises to the evolving role of local media—while inviting listener participation in shaping Western narrative... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Modern West?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Modern West:

1. Outside/In
2. Throughline
3. The Dirtbag Diaries
4. Points North | Great Lakes. Great Stories.
5. The Kitchen Sisters Present

How many episodes of The Modern West are there?

The Modern West launched 11 years ago and published 223 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Modern West?

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What guests have appeared on The Modern West?

Recent guests on The Modern West include:

1. Ricky Leo
2. Grace Leo
3. Laura Ng
4. Dudley Gardner
5. Ashley Garner
6. Tiao Lim Go
7. Jenna McMurtry
8. Megan Kate Nelson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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