Thomas Wayne Riley
The American Southwest
This is a podcast of the people, places, and things of the American West. Think cowboys and Indians, bison and cactus, national parks and ghost towns, Mormons and prospectors, nukes and aliens, Tombstone, the Anasazi, Route 66, and everything in between. I’ll dive deep into historical people and events and the cultures and policies that helped shape this area of the American frontier world that’s left so many of the rest of the planet in envy of the mythic American Southwest.
Author
Thomas Wayne Riley
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 1, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
The Mexican War: War is a Blessing 01.07.2026 2:07:31
This episode focuses on the decade following the Texas Revolution with Mexican reprisals, international intrigue, the annexation of Texas, and the coming war between Mexico and the US. It includes Sam Houston, Lamar, the Black Bean incident, President Polk, Sam Grant, and a whole lot more. It is the final episode in the lead up to the Mexican War of 1846-1848.
The Mexican War: The Texas Revolution 02.06.2026 2:24:22
This is part two in my ongoing series over the Mexican War of 1846-1848. This episode covers the period immediately after the Alamo. I talk about Goliad, Houston’s retreats, and the Battle of San Jacinto which sees the Texans gain their Independence from Mexico
The Mexican War: Remember the Alamo 12.05.2026 3:17:34
This is the first episode in a long series over the Mexican War from 1846 to 1848. I begin the series where it all started: The Louisiana Purchase. I talk about the filibusterers such as Nolan, Long, and others. I then tell the story of Austin and his Old Three Hundred before marching headlong into the beginning of the Texas Revolution with Sam Houston and William Barret Travis. I end the episode...
The Earthen Dark with Author Brad Kelly 24.04.2026 59:35
I am joined by Author Brad Kelly to discuss his incredible book The Earthen Dark. We also discuss archaeology, anthropology, Man Corn, Chaco Canyon, the Maya, all the fun stuff under the earth, and more.
The Quest for Confederate Treasure: The South(west) Will Rise Again 15.04.2026 1:32:40
After a few rewrites and edits, I have finally finished the third and final episode in the series over Confederate Treasure. Instead of telling the rest of the Rebel Gold story like I had planned, I decided to summarize a few parts without ruining it. I briefly talk about Bob’s adventures with the Wolf Map treasure of Oklahoma and the Lost Dutchman Mine in Arizona before imploring listeners to pur...
The Quest for Confederate Treasure: Jesse James & His Many Names 01.04.2026 2:41:26
This is Part 2 of 3 in the series over buried Confederate Treasure. I open the episode with Bob Brewer’s adventures in Arkansas as he continues to uncover clues and even more treasures. I then tell the complete history of Jesse James before diving into the theory that he faked his death and lived a very long life while burying treasure throughout the nation for the KGC.
The Quest for Confederate Treasure: Arkansas Secrets & The Knights of the Golden Circle 18.03.2026 2:23:36
This is the first of three episodes over the Quest for Confederate Treasure which follows Bob Brewer as he hunts for Rebel Gold. I open the episode with Bob Brewer and his upbringing in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas where he learns of his family’s ties to buried treasure. I then move to the complete history of the Knights of the Golden Circle from their beginning to the time they go undergrou...
The Imperial Adventure of Zebulon Montgomery Pike: Defend My Memory 17.02.2026 2:09:50
This episode opens with an outline of Aaron Burr and his Conspiracy to form a new Empire. I then continue the adventure of Zeb as he travels from Presidio Carrizal through the interior of New Spain (Mexico), through Texas, and finally back to the US. There are many adventures and intrigue along the way. I close the episode with the fate of the main cast: the men Pike was forced to leave behind, Wi...
The Imperial Adventure of Zebulon Montgomery Pike: The Handsomest Views In New Mexico 08.02.2026 1:52:34
This is Part Three of a Four Part Series over the Explorer and Spy Zebulon Montgomery Pike. In this episode, Pike and his men get escorted from their stockade on the Conejo River down to Santa Fe where they meet the governor. Along the way they stop at many a pueblo and town which Pike describes in detail. From Santa Fe, the group rendezvous with Robinson before heading to Old Mexico. There’s intr...
The Imperial Adventure of Zebulon Montgomery Pike: A Terrestrial Paradise 30.01.2026 1:51:31
In this episode, Pike and his men leave the Pawnee village and traipse through the Great Plains until they reach the Arkansas River where Lt. Wilkinson and a few other soldiers will take canoes down to Louisiana. Meanwhile, Pike will reach the Mexican (Rocky) Mountains where he will attempt to climb Pike’s Peak before finding the headwaters of the Arkansas and Platte Rivers. But as winter settles...
The Imperial Adventure of Zebulon Montgomery Pike: Peace & Friendship 21.01.2026 1:57:18
In this episode I cover the rising tensions between the United States and Spain after Jefferson’s acquisition of the Louisiana Territory which nearly brought us to war with the Catholic Kingdom. Zebulon Montgomery Pike is selected by the Governor of Upper Louisiana Territory, US General, and Spanish spy James Wilkinson to explore the Great Plains & find the headwaters of the Arkansas River. This m...
Rumorosa with Author James Bandy 17.01.2026 1:31:27
New Interview Episode is out! Bandy and I talk about his awesome novella Rumorosa, a must read. We also discuss the American Southwest in writings and art. We talk about Apaches, California, the Vietnam War, Cormac McCarthy, King of Dogs, our glorious Public Lands and how we must protect them, the Civil War in the Southwest, and everyone’s favorite topic: Man Corn.
Hollywood Samizdat with Author Rambo Van Halen 27.11.2025 1:06:42
Rambo & I discuss his new book Hollywood Samizdat, a collection of stories from his time in Hollywood. We also discuss fly fishing, the decline of LA & the business, the managerial elite, winter sports, New Mexico and the Mountain West, Mormons, helicopter rides, movies, rock climbing, and more.
Billy the Kid: The Life Behind the Legend with Author George R Matthews 19.11.2025 1:03:15
The incredible author George R Matthews and I discuss his most recent book over Billy the Kid. He clears up some things, corrects some of my series, and we have a great conversation.
Billy the Kid & The Lincoln County War: The Boss Desperado & Man Killer of the Southwest 12.11.2025 1:19:11
This is the eleventh and final episode over Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War. In this Episode, Billy travels from Mesilla to Lincoln before being put up in the Lincoln County House’s Jail. He’s not there long though, before he makes his most famous jailbreak. After returning to Fort Sumner, Billy is eventually hunted down by Pat Garrett yet again. I finish the episode with the rest of Pat...
Billy the Kid & The Lincoln County War: Advise Persons Never to Engage in Killing 05.11.2025 1:02:42
This is the tenth episode of eleven that will discuss Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War that took place in New Mexico. In this episode, Billy the Kid, Billy Wilson, Rudabaugh, and Tom Pickett are taken from Stinking Springs to Fort Sumner before heading to Las Vegas and then to Santa Fe. There is a tense moment on the train platform in Las Vegas. The men are interviewed by various newspaper...
Billy the Kid & The Lincoln County War: Take Your Medicine 29.10.2025 1:24:05
This is the ninth episode of eleven that will discuss Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War that took place in the 1870s in New Mexico. I open the episode with Pat Garrett’s life and background before catching up to the story of Billy the Kid. A Secret Service agent is sent at the behest of Dolan and the House to New Mexico to investigate Billy’s new friends and the noose around our hero’s neck...
Billy the Kid & the Lincoln County War: I Would Not Like to be Killed Like a Dog Unarmed 22.10.2025 1:34:04
This is the eighth episode of eleven that will discuss Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War that took place in the 1870s in New Mexico. In this episode, what’s left of the Regulators get in a shootout with the Apache as they attempt to steal horses which will result in the death of an Indian Agent, although, not at the hands of the Regulators. The Regulators eventually flee Lincoln for Fort Su...
Billy the Kid & The Lincoln County War: The Big Kill 15.10.2025 1:24:20
This is the seventh episode of eleven that will discuss Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War that took place in the 1870s in New Mexico. This episode is the culmination of the troubles in Lincoln County which results in the Five Day War also known as The Big Kill. McSween & the Regulators return to Lincoln Town to occupy it while Peppin & his deputies are away. Upon the laws return, Peppin sum...
Billy the Kid & The Lincoln County War: Lively Times This Summer 08.10.2025 1:10:29
This is the sixth episode of eleven that will discuss Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War that took place in the 1870s in New Mexico. In this episode the tables are turned against McSween and the Regulators even after their decisive victory in court. The Governor gives more illegal proclamations, the Regulators lose their badges, the army pursues them, skirmishes occur, the Ring tightens its...
Billy the Kid & The Lincoln County War: Regulators Strike Blows in Defense of Justice 01.10.2025 1:09:03
This is the fifth episode of eleven that will discuss Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War that took place in the 1870s in New Mexico. In this episode I go over the long and storied history of Regulators before and after the signing of the Declaration of Independence and how the name made it out to the rugged men of the American Southwest. I then recount the sporadic violence that culminates i...
King of Dogs With Author Andrew Edwards 26.09.2025 1:01:14
Author Andrew Edwards & I discuss his incredible novel King of Dogs: Life is the Training Ground for Death. We also discuss writing, our literary influences, the American Southwest, The Pacific Northwest, hunting, a little history, his future novels, the Old Glory Club, and more.
Billy the Kid & The Lincoln County War: They Will Have to Kill Me First 24.09.2025 1:34:30
This is the fourth episode of eleven that will discuss Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War that took place in the 1870s in New Mexico. In this episode, I discuss the violent history of Lincoln County since its establishment after the Civil War. I then return to the story where we see the future Regulators, including Billy the Kid, gain badges and hunt down Tunstall’s killers. But immediately,...
Billy the Kid & The Lincoln County War: Murderers, Outlaws, and Desperate Characters 17.09.2025 1:12:22
In this episode I discuss Lincoln the town, Billy the Kid again, the growing feud, crooked Sheriff Brady, the Boys, McSween, and Tunstall. There is legal wrangling, posses formed, and the murder that starts the fire.
Billy the Kid & The Lincoln County War: Crookedness and General Rottenness 10.09.2025 1:17:55
This is the second episode of eleven that will discuss Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War that took place in the 1870s in New Mexico. This episode introduces Tunstall, Brewer, & McSween as well as Murphy, Dolan, & Riley of the “The House.” The episode opens with a theft of horses that will soon propel the town and county of Lincoln into war. Billy the Kid plays only a minor role in this epis...
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