88 episodes

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 future are being shaped.

The Modern West Wyoming Public Media

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.6 • 273 Ratings

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 future are being shaped.

    Courage is a Muscle - Part One of High Altitude Tales

    Courage is a Muscle - Part One of High Altitude Tales

    Exactly 100 years to the day after a woman named Eleanor Davis became the first recorded woman to ever climb the Grand Teton – a nearly 14,000 foot-tall mountain that’s the namesake for Grand Teton National Park – an all-female group of climbers is summiting the peak to celebrate her legacy. Hannah Habermann tagged along for the adventure.

    • 31 min
    The Sixth Boom - Part Two of High Altitude Tales

    The Sixth Boom - Part Two of High Altitude Tales

    Take a bike ride into a tiny forgotten historic mining town that sits at the intersection of two beloved through trails. For hardcore bikers and hikers, this town is an oasis. And for a community used to cycles of boom and bust, there's hope this boom could last.

    • 37 min
    Wolves #2101 and #2301: Part Three of High Altitude Tales

    Wolves #2101 and #2301: Part Three of High Altitude Tales

    The story of two wolves in Colorado’s North Park, a father and a son, and how the community is – or is not – coming to terms with their presence.

    "Wolves represent a lot of what farming and ranching is about, which is like, you have no control ultimately."

    Wolves #2101 and #2301: episode 3 of our series High Altitude Tales.

    • 40 min
    High Altitude Tales Trailer

    High Altitude Tales Trailer

    Miss us? We're back for Season 8 of The Modern West - High Altitude Tales. High Altitude Tales drops on April 3rd on all of your favorite streaming platforms.

    • 3 min
    The Winter Fire

    The Winter Fire

    It’s the most expensive fire in Colorado History. Listen now.

    • 24 min
    Solastalgia

    Solastalgia

    Ariel returns to see the burn scar that was once her childhood home. She feels strangely…homesick. “Imagining one’s home place meet its end – envisioning just what this neighborhood looked like engulfed in flames – I wonder if this is all part of the feeling of solastalgia.”

    • 43 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
273 Ratings

273 Ratings

B Lyttle ,

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.

RichardG ,

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.

oops read ,

Important history lesson

I’m enjoying listening to this podcast. Very sad story of how we “ white men” do horrible things to people not like us. Thought provoking for sure.

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