Wild West Podcast

Michael King and Brad Smalley have been at this since 2016, building up 283 episodes that separate documented history from popular legend. That distinction matters, because so much of what people think they know about the Old West comes from Hollywood rather than archives. The duo regularly pulls apart iconic narratives to show what actually happened -- episodes on frontier town economics, cattle trail origins, and John Brown's execution go beyond the usual gunfight stories. Michael's narration has an authentic quality that listeners appreciate, though some reviews mention the pacing can be quick and the background music occasionally competes with the vocal track. Fair warnings worth knowing before you hit play. The show updates monthly now, which means each episode tends to be more substantial. With a 4.5-star rating from 126 reviews, it's well-regarded even if it doesn't have the massive audience of some competitors. What it does have is a genuine commitment to getting the history right. If you've ever wanted to know how brothels, saloons, and gambling houses actually functioned as economic engines in frontier towns, this is your show.