Talking Texas History

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US, July 4th gets marketed as a party, but the history underneath it is sharper, stranger, and more relevant than the fireworks. What are we celebrating on Independence Day, and why is it the Fourth that gets the spotlight?  Gene and Scott reflect on the meaning of the US in this episode. Our nation's anniversary should be about more than food and...

In this episode, we trace the Texas origins of Juneteenth from Galveston to a holiday now recognized across the United States and beyond. Juneteenth didn’t become powerful because the paperwork was poetic. It became powerful because people made it a public declaration that freedom had to mean something real.  We walk through the moment General Gordon Granger issues General Order No. 3 on June 19,...

If you listened to our six-part series on turning-point documents in Texas history, Gene and Scott now lay out a listener-friendly reading list with suggestions on what to pick up when you’re ready for deeper analysis and debate. If you're looking to build your Texas history bookshelf, this episode is for you. We have a list of the books we discuss in the links below, but this is just the sta...

We complete our series on documents that made Texas history by looking a  president who was full of contradictions and still could tell the truth at exactly the right moment. Lyndon B. Johnson’s March 15, 1965 address to Congress, “The American Promise,” delivered in the shadow of Selma and months before the Voting Rights Act of 1965 becomes law. If you’ve never read “The American Promise,” click...

In this episode Scott and Gene wrap up their conversation on the Farmer's Demands.  Farmers wanted company workers to get paid in real money instead of company scrip, stop railroad rebates that favored the rich and powerful of their day, end convict leasing, and force the country to look honestly at wages and living conditions. That sounds like a modern platform, but it’s Texas history and it...

In this episode, we look at an 1886 newspaper article that captures a moment when Texas farmers stop grumbling and start drafting demands. From the small town of Cleburne, the Farmers Alliance lays out an early blueprint for American populism, and we use that document to follow rural life in the late nineteenth century.  If you like primary sources, Texas political history, or the roots of the Peo...

As we continue our look at important documents in Texas' past, John H. Reagan's letter of 1865: the Civil War was lost, secession was finished, slavery was over, and survival meant embracing a new order. We unpack John H. Reagan’s prison letter—its stark realism, its calls for legal protections for freedpeople, and its blueprint for rebuilding Texas through reconciliation, immigration, a...

Continuing with our series on important documents in Texas history, we take listeners inside the Travis letter and explore how a brief plea from a besieged commander helped turn the Alamo into a powerful legend that still shapes Texas identity and American memory.  If you care about Texas history, public memory, or how documents shape nations, this conversation delivers depth without the dust. Sub...

A shipwreck on a hostile shore. A handful of survivors. And a narrative that forced an empire to look again. We kick off a new series through the eyes of Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, the first European to leave a detailed account of life among indigenous peoples along the Texas Gulf Coast. This conversation isn’t about polishing heroes or condemning villains; it’s about evidence. We trace how a sur...

Season four opens with a road trip through the strange side of Texas—equal parts folklore, architecture, and outsized personality. We start where rumor meets headline. If you love Texas history with edge, folklore with purpose, and characters who complicate the line between rumor and record, this one’s for you. Tap play, subscribe for part two of our Texas weird tour, and share your favorite legen...

During the Feast of the Assumption on August 15, 1988, thousands gathered for an outdoor Mass in Lubbock where many reported seeing miraculous signs when the clouds parted and sunlight broke through. The apparition of the Virgin Mary drew 15,000 people to this West Texas church, yet it's a largely forgotten moment in Texas religious history. In this episode, we discuss  how the Catholic Churc...

The Battle of San Jacinto might be the most consequential 18 minutes in Texas history that hardly anyone talks about. While the Alamo casts a long shadow over Texas history, it's San Jacinto that actually secured Texas independence and set in motion events that would reshape North America forever. Join Gene and Scott as they examine why this pivotal battle deserves to take its rightful place...

In this episode, we talk with George Cooper, who founded the Texas New Deal Symposium. George explains how a small historical gathering has evolved into a vital 12-year tradition examining one of America's most transformative periods bringing together diverse scholars exploring everything from banking reforms to infrastructure projects that still shape Texas communities today. The engine of m...

Ever wondered what really happens when Catholic cardinals gather to elect a new pope? In this  episode, we continue our conversation with canon lawyer Benedict Nguyen of the University of St. Thomas in Houston. The timing couldn't be more perfect—recorded during the recent papal conclave, our conversation explores the fascinating tension between Hollywood portrayals (like the trending film &q...

The passing of Pope Francis on April 21, 2023 set in motion ancient protocols refined over two millennia of Catholic Church history. For the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide—including approximately 40% of Texans—this moment represents a pivotal transition guided by traditions few outside the faith fully understand. Religion is an important part of culture and history for many Texans, yet often over...

From department stores to frontier towns, the Jewish experience in Texas reveals a fascinating but often overlooked dimension of the state's cultural landscape. In this conversation with Dr. Bryan E. Stone, professor at Del Mar College and author of The Chosen Folks: Jews on the Frontiers of Texas , we'll learn about Jewish Texans as an often overlooked story. Despite their small numbers...

Part 2 of our  conversation with Joe Lansdale, an award-winning author and screenwriter, as he unpacks the influences of East Texas history on his storytelling. Lansdale shares insights on writing for screen adaptations and reflects on the evolution of characters across various mediums, all while urging listeners to remember past lessons as they weave their personal narratives.

Award-winning author and storyteller Joe Lansdale -- screenwriter ( Bubba Ho-Tep ) and novelist ( Hap and Leonard series), discusses his East Texas roots and eclectic influences in our latest episode. Joe discuss growing up, and his life and literary influences. This episode offers a rich tapestry of narratives that are both personal and universal. Tune in to hear Joe reflect the art of storytelli...

We hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! As we recover, we're continuing our discussion on podcasting.  Our podcast platform AI suggested the topic for this episode be "Overcoming Perfectionism in Podcasting." That's not an inaccurate description! Join us as we share our own podcasting mishaps and triumphs and the lessons we learned that underscore the importance of progress...

What does it take to start your own podcast? We're pulling back the curtain in the third season of Talking Texas History to share our own rollercoaster ride of surprises and successes in the world of podcasting. Whether it's picking your unique niche or understanding the magic connection between podcasting and traditional radio, we're here to light the path for aspiring podcasters e...

In this episode, Gene and Scott get ready to hear students interview the esteemed former State Historian of Texas, Bill O'Neal. A noted storyteller, Bill shares his lifelong passion for Texas history and talks about Texas symbols. Tune in for engaging anecdotes about Texas traditions and gain a renewed appreciation for the symbols that shape the Lone Star State.

Charles Waite, who teaches Texas History at UT-RGV, joins Gene and Scott to survey the fascinating landscape of teaching Texas history, academia, and personal anecdotes. Our conversation is steeped in nostalgia, as we reminisce about our shared experiences at Texas State University - San Marcos (Southwest Texas State) left an indelible mark on our academic journeys. Our conversation with Chuck dem...

Join us on Talking Texas History as we sit down with Whitney Blankenship. Whitney takes us through her career in history education. We delve into the differences between teaching in public schools and universities, tackling important issues like the complexities of teaching civil rights history and the impact of technology on education. See her book, Teaching the Struggle for Civil Rights , 1948–1...

How have hurricanes shaped the history, culture, and political landscape of Texas? Join us as we continue the discussion on the profound effects  these powerful storms have had on the Lone Star State.

How have hurricanes shaped the history, culture, and political landscape of Texas? Join us on this episode of Talking Texas History as we unravel the profound effects  these powerful storms had on the history of the Lone Star State. This a must-listen episode for anyone interested in starting to understanding the multifaceted impact of weather on Texas.