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Artwork for The Modern West

The Modern West

Wyoming Public Media
Marshall Fire
Climate Change
Louisville
Housing Crisis
Women In Mountaineering
Grand Teton National Park
Wildfire Prevention
Eleanor Davis
Insurance
Marshal Fire
Home Rebuilding
Sustainability
Climbing
Wyoming Public Media
Green Building Codes
Green Building
Environment
Inclusivity In Sports
Wyoming
Community Resilience

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 monthlyEpisodes216Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Modern West

Latest Episodes

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

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Janelle Cassidy
Therapist and off-grid resident featured in the episode
Independent resident of Taos area
Episode: Outlawland
Ted Conover
Award-winning journalist and author of Cheap Land, Colorado, Off Gridders at America's Edge
Episode: The Flats
Kevin Cox
A house builder living in an RV in Wyoming
Episode: Embrace the Suck
Casey Bruder
A Trona Mine employee and father navigating off-grid living with his family.
Episode: The American Spirit
Cali O'Hare
Editor of the Pinedale Roundup
Pinedale Roundup
Episode: A Ghost Paper(ing) Update: Part II
Melissa Cassutt
Director of the Wyoming Local News Fund
Wyoming Local News Fund
Episode: A Ghost Paper(ing) Update: Part II
Rod Miller
Columnist for WyoFile
WyoFile
Episode: A Ghost Paper(ing) Update: Part II
Annie Eisenberg
Author and law professor at West Virginia University
West Virginia University
Episode: Reviving Rural America -- A Modern West Bonus
Terry Smith
Administrator of the Northern Arapaho Reentry Agency
Northern Arapaho Tribe
Episode: I Am What I Choose To Become

Host

Melodie Edwards
Host of a series exploring the evolving identity of the American West, with a focus on storytelling that highlights personal narratives and community issues.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 333 ratings
  • 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 States5 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 Statesa year 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
  • Heart opening

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RichardG
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the in-depth storytelling and personal connections to the subject matter.
The podcast is recognized for its unique perspective on the American West, often challenging stereotypes and highlighting lesser-known stories.
Some feedback suggests a desire for improved audio quality and editing in certain episodes.
The series is praised for shedding light on contemporary struggles while celebrating the resilient spirit of rural communities.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
A Ghost Paper(ing) Update: Part II
Q: How did you find out officially that, yes, somebody has stepped in to rescue these papers?
Cali described an emotional call where the principal had been signed, leading to excitement and relief among the displaced journalists.

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?

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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How many listeners does The Modern West get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Modern West has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Modern West?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Modern West:

1. Fresh Air
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. Throughline
4. Freakonomics Radio
5. On the Media

How many episodes of The Modern West are there?

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.

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. Janelle Cassidy
2. Ted Conover
3. Kevin Cox
4. Casey Bruder
5. Cali O'Hare
6. Melissa Cassutt
7. Rod Miller
8. Annie Eisenberg

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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