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Waco History Podcast

Rogue Media Network
Waco
Baylor University
Waco History
Civil War
Texas
World War II
World War I
Mclennan County
Cameron Park Zoo
Waco, Texas
Waco Tornado
Oral History
Civil Rights Movement
Waco Mammoth National Monument
Brazos River
Chisholm Trail
Cotton Industry
Cameron Park
Dr. Pepper
Texas Cotton Palace

Dr. Stephen Sloan of Baylor’s Institute for Oral History and Department of History explores the people, places, and stories that have shaped Waco, Texas.

Through interviews, local-history insights, and narrative storytelling, the podcast highlights both well-known events and lesser-told community histories—helping listeners learn more about Waco and its place in broader Texas history.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes193Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationHistory

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Artwork for Waco History Podcast

Latest Episodes

Born in Waco in 1937, folk singer Carolyn Hester became a major figure in the 1960s folk revival, recording an influential early version of “The House of the Rising Sun” in 1961 that helped establish her reputation as the “Texas Songbird.”

See Priva... more

Waco History Mixtape: Whacko from Waco by Billie Joe Shaver

See Privacy Policy at art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Crush Collision March by Scott Joplin was a live performance with a twist. It was a backing track of a spectacle of purposely crashing two trains together, all in Waco.

See Privacy Policy at art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic... more

Ol' Man River was featured in the original stage production Show Boat (1927) by Waco Native Jules Bledsoe, and has been covered multiple times since.

See Privacy Policy at art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at art19.com/... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Jim Benninghoff
Professor of music from Baylor University
Baylor University
Episode: Waco History Mixtape: Ol' Man River by Jules Bledsoe
Wes Cunningham
Musician commissioned to write/perfrom a special song for the event
Independent artist
Episode: Waco 175 Finale at Vitek's BBQ!
Rick Tallis
Guest host participating in discussions about Waco's history
Episode: Waco 175: 1900 to 1925: Number 4
Rick Tullis
Guest host on the Waco History Podcast
Episode: Waco 175: 1850 to 1875: Number 5
David Lacy
Fourth generation bank president in Waco, Texas, and member of the Texas Bankers Hall of Fame.
Community Banking Trust
Episode: "Banking in Waco: A History with David Lacy"
Hank Josephs
Former owner of a pawn shop, sharing his experiences during World War II.
Episode: Living Stories: Pawn Shops
Robert Cogswell
Guitarist who reflects on his experience with pawn shops in the 1970s.
Episode: Living Stories: Pawn Shops
Robert Lewis Gilbert
The first black teacher to be hired in a white school in Waco
Episode: Living Stories: First Black Teachers in White Schools
Maggie Washington
Pioneered teacher integration in Midland Independent School District
Episode: Living Stories: First Black Teachers in White Schools

Host

Stephen Sloan
Host of the show; director of the Baylor Institute for Oral History and history professor; long-running anchor and primary researcher and narrator.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 57 ratings
  • Lots to learn!

    I lived in Waco for a few years in the late ‘90s and recently moved back after a 25-year absence. I started listening to this podcast to refresh my memory about the place. I initially enjoyed the deep dives of the episodes dedicated to particular topics and then skipped ahead to the 175-year overview so I could be caught up with the newer episodes. The Waco 175 season is a great overview—highly recommended for newcomers! I suspect even some lifelong Wacoans can learn new things from it. I’m look... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fruitless
    United States8 months ago
  • A Snobbish Take on Religion and Power

    Can’t get past the profound snobbery behind these claims. “Could only happen in America…” like the Windsors and other monarchs haven't spent thousands of years carefully manipulating Brits into thinking they’ve been chosen by god to be hollow figureheads and justify the same sort of violence to colonize the rest of the world. Let’s not throw stones here, UK, especially when your own recent history isn’t so pure.

    One only has to visit any British museum to witness the hypocrisy ingrained in suc... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    shellythewest
    United States5 years ago
  • Fascinating local history

    Having lived in Waco for nearly 20 years now, I’d like to think I’m not knowledgable about local history than most — and yet, this podcast is regularly delivering both new details on stories I thought I knew, and new stories/subjects I’d never heard at all!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    astrosjeff
    United States6 years ago
  • Excellent podcast!

    I really enjoy this podcast! Having attended Baylor in my youth and having an affection for Waco and its past, this podcast has been very informative and interesting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nessa1958
    United States6 years ago
  • Wonderful and thoughtful

    I really enjoy this podcast, it is so fun to learn all of the detailed history about Waco through the years. I have particularly enjoyed the shows that focused on the geology and natural features of the area, but really all of the stories combined make for a rich tapestry in the collective narrative about this town’s crazy journey.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Griz84
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Live events and special seasons are highlighted as particularly engaging and informative.
Listeners appreciate the deep dives into Waco's past and the way episodes connect local stories to broader Texas history.
Many praise the storytelling and archival detail, finding new details in familiar topics.
Guests and hosts are viewed as credible and engaging, with a strong sense of community pride across episodes.

Top Education Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Waco 175 Finale at Vitek's BBQ!
Q: What year was McLennan County founded?
1850 (the county was founded in 1850 while the village of Waco was founded in 1849 and the city in 1856).
REWIND: The Waco Tornado
Q: Was there any sort of warning about the tornado?
No, there was minimal warning, and people believed local myths about Waco's safety from tornadoes.
REWIND: The Waco Tornado
Q: When did the tornado touch down?
Approximately at 4:30 PM, with the tornado actually touching down at 4:36 PM.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About Waco History Podcast

What is Waco History Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on local history, culture, and notable figures tied to Waco, Texas, using a mix of historical analysis, storytelling, and interviews. Episodes cover a wide spectrum—from deep dives into individual historical episodes and local institutions to retailing biographies of musicians, educators, and civic figures connected to Waco's development. A notable strength is its ability to connect small-town history to broader Texas and American narratives, often weaving in archival material and first-person perspectives. The format blends scholarly context with accessible storytelling, and live events or special seasons showcase civic life, urban development, and the region's evolving identity.

Where can I find podcast stats for Waco History Podcast?

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How many listeners does Waco History Podcast get?

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What are the audience demographics for Waco History Podcast?

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How many subscribers and views does Waco History Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Waco History Podcast 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 Waco History Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Waco History Podcast:

1. The Bible Recap
2. Morning Wire
3. Freakonomics Radio
4. Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life
5. This American Life

How many episodes of Waco History Podcast are there?

Waco History Podcast launched 8 years ago and published 193 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 Waco History Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Waco History Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on Waco History Podcast?

Recent guests on Waco History Podcast include:

1. Jim Benninghoff
2. Wes Cunningham
3. Rick Tallis
4. Rick Tullis
5. David Lacy
6. Hank Josephs
7. Robert Cogswell
8. Robert Lewis Gilbert

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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