
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
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 216 | Founded | 11 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | DocumentarySociety & Culture | |||

The story of one family who lived off grid in a yurt for years in the no man’s land of the Mesa outside Taos, New Mexico. Now that her kids are all grown, Janelle has come full circle. She bought some land and a new yurt and re-adopted this life in h... more
Celeste and Gary Havener seem to have a perfect homesteading story: the horses, the garden, the honeybees, an amazing mountain view from every window. But theirs is actually a cautionary tale of enduring cancer, COVID and multiple forest fires. At 70... more
We talk with Pulitzer finalist Ted Conover about his book Cheap Land, Colorado: Off Gridders On America’s Edge. Ted bought land in an area outside of Alamosa where he and his neighbors lived off grid with few social safety nets. His take away? It’s a... more
Paul Menjares moved to Frisco, Colorado to live the good life as a musician. But when his landlords kept canceling his leases to turn his apartments into short term rentals, he made a crazy decision. He moved into his car. That was three years ago. N... more
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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
This podcast has been wonderful & I have learned a lot about the settling of the West!
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.
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.
Wyoming Public Media - and Melodie Edwards in particular - always offers insightful, challenging ways to explore Wyoming’s western corner of the world. This series adds new depth and current texture to a complicated and, candidly, not honorable history. Simply amazing. A must listen podcast.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #219 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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This series provides an insightful exploration of the evolving identity and complexities of the American West. It combines rich storytelling with personal narratives, often focusing on the experiences of individuals and communities navigating contemporary challenges tied to housing, cultural identity, and resilience. The episodes tackle pressing issues such as off-grid living, affordable housing crises, and the struggles of local journalism, portraying the harsh realities and aspirational stories of life in rural America. The format leans heavily on personal anecdotes, expert interviews, and community voices, making it a thought-provoking reflection on the region's past, present, and future.
Uniquely, this series not only addresses the rom... more
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The Modern West launched 11 years ago and published 216 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on The Modern West include:
1. Janelle Cassidy
2. Ted Conover
3. Kevin Cox
4. Casey Bruder
5. Cali O'Hare
6. Melissa Cassutt
7. Rod Miller
8. Annie Eisenberg
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