Dust and Dispatches

Dust and Dispatches

History EN ↓ 22 episodes

A historical narrative podcast about starting new lives. Each season, we explore the life stories of a different group of real people as they begin again and shape new identities. In Season 1, we're following the lives of five people—and their families, friends, colleagues, and rivals—as they navigate a new start in the American West after the Civil War. While these people lived and died a century or more ago, they grappled with many of the same questions we're tackling today: who gets to be an American? Whose rights matter? And what are we willing to give up to start over? Join us and find ou...

Author

Dust and Dispatches

Category

History

Podcast website

www.dustanddispatches.com

Latest episode

May 12, 2026

Where to listen?

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Episodes

Season 1, Episode 20: 1895 12.05.2026

Charlie works the range while Louis Monaco looks for opportunities farther west. Tone continues his search for riches buried deep underground. Plus, we find out what happens next in the lives of the people we've followed.  Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-20-transcript/

Season 1, Episode 19: 1885 05.05.2026

Charlie meets someone new, while Thomas Detter embarks on a journey and Louis Monaco pays tribute to a personal hero.  Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-19-transcript/

Season 1, Episode 18: 1880 28.04.2026

Charlie embraces a new path, Thomas Detter confronts town politics, and Louis Monaco rebuilds. Matilda Ashim makes a decision that will change the course of her journey out west.  Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Thomas Detter narration by Michael Spencer  Please note: this episode contains descriptions of violence.  Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-...

Season 1, Episode 17: 1879, Part 2 21.04.2026

Eureka grapples with the aftermath of the events at Fish Creek, and Louis Monaco learns some important lessons about his town. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Louis Monaco narration by Kurt Elftmann Please note: this episode contains descriptions of violence.  Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-17-transcript/  

Season 1, Episode 16: 1879, Part 1 14.04.2026

The town confronts two disasters: one natural and one human. Matilda Ashim recovers while Louis Monaco speaks out. Written, edited, and scored by Matt Hansen Louis Monaco narration by Kurt Elftmann Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-16-transcript/

Season 1, Episode 15: 1878 07.04.2026

Charlie's band faces even more suspicion in town, while Thomas Detter experiences a moment of celebrity. Matilda Ashim tackles a difficult reality and Tone considers an alternate direction. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Thomas Detter narration by Michael Spencer Please note: this episode contains descriptions of violence and historically offensive language.  Transcript and citations...

Season 1, Episode 14: 1877 31.03.2026

Today, a dispatch from Eureka, Nevada, 1877. Charlie and his band find moments of joy, while Thomas Detter grapples with a controversial election. Matilda Ashim makes a big decision, while Louis Monaco and Tone learn who really has influence and control in town. Please note: this episode contains descriptions of drug use.  Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Transcript and citations: http...

Season 1, Episode 13: 1876, Part 2 24.03.2026

Today, a dispatch from Eureka, Nevada, 1876. Matilda Ashim and her family start to make Eureka a home, while Louis Monaco learns more about the Italian immigrants in town. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Please note: this episode contains discussions of sex work.  Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-13-transcript/

Season 1, Episode 12: 1876, Part 1 17.03.2026

Charlie's band wonders how much time they have left on their land, while Thomas Detter celebrates a new chapter in his life. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-12-transcript/

Season 1, Episode 11: 1875, Part 2 10.03.2026

Matilda Ashim and her family experience an unexpected crisis, while Louis Monaco welcomes a new family member to town and Tone confronts national law.   Please note: this episode contains descriptions of violence. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-11-transcript/

Season 1, Episode 10: 1875, Part 1 03.03.2026

Charlie and his Western Shoshone band are caught up in a march to battle, while Thomas Detter marks a major breakthrough.  Please note: this episode contains descriptions of violence. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Thomas Detter narration by Michael Spencer  Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-10-transcript/

Season 1, Episode 9: 1874, Part 2 24.02.2026

Matilda Ashim picks up the pieces from disaster, while Tone pursues success on the mountain. Meanwhile, Louis Monaco starts to worry about his fellow immigrants in town. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-9-transcript/

Season 1, Episode 8: 1874, Part 1 17.02.2026

Charlie and his band of Western Shoshone try to navigate new pressures and old traditions, while Thomas Detter grapples with life-altering changes.  Please note: this episode contains descriptions of death and loss.  Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Thomas Detter narration by Michael Spencer Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-8-transcript/

Season 1, Episode 7: 1873, Part 2 10.02.2026

Matilda Ashim and her family leave one town behind to start again in Eureka, while Tone and Louis Monaco push for new opportunities.  Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-7-transcript/

Season 1, Episode 6: 1873, Part 1 03.02.2026

Charlie is born into an uncertain moment for the Western Shoshone, while Thomas Detter confronts challenges to his family and the town of Eureka itself.  Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Thomas Detter narration by Michael Spencer  Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-6-transcript/

Season 1, Episode 5: Louis Monaco, 1872 27.01.2026

Meet Louis Monaco, a photographer who sees beyond the surface of Nevada's mining towns. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-5-transcript/

Season 1, Episode 4: Tone, 1872 27.01.2026

Meet Tone, a miner from China who is digging for a future in Nevada. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-4-transcript/

Season 1, Episode 2: Thomas Detter, 1872 20.01.2026

Meet Thomas Detter, a writer looking for solace in the mining towns of Nevada.  Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Thomas Detter narration by Michael Spencer Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-2-transcript/

Season 1, Episode 3: Matilda Ashim, 1872 20.01.2026

Meet Matilda Ashim, a woman making a living in the boomtowns of Nevada. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-3-transcript/

Season 1, Episode 1: Charlie, 1872 13.01.2026

Meet a young boy who lives under a vast sky in a place that's changing fast. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-1-transcript/

Season 1 Intro 12.01.2026

Why do the stories of 5 people living in the high desert of Nevada more than 150 years ago matter to us today? It turns out we have more in common than we might think.   

Season 1 Trailer 07.12.2025

In Season 1, we're following the lives of five people—and their families, friends, colleagues, and rivals—as they navigate a new start in the American West after the Civil War. While these people lived and died a century or more ago, they grappled with many of the same questions we're tackling today: who gets to be an American? Whose rights matter? And what are we willing to give up to start over?...

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