Best Jameson Sharp Podcasts (2025)

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83) Russ Cochran of West Plains 49:39

Play Pause

5d ago49:39

49:39

Previously released on our Patreon, the life story of physicist, academic, comic book publisher, historical preservationist and Tarzan enthusiast Russ Cochran of West Plains, Missouri

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82) Ozarks Caves as Cold War Bomb Shelters 56:49

12d ago56:49

56:49

A sequel of sorts to our Wonderland Cave episode (44), we look at the planned use of caves in the Ozarks as bomb shelters during the Cold War. Also, a short history of Fantastic Caverns in Springfield, Missouri, and we read a couple of listener emails and reviews

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81) An Interview with Hope Ray & Jameson Hall of Handshake // The 19th Century Missouri Salt Industry 1:51:31

1M ago1:51:31

1:51:31

In a podcast first, we conduct an interview. Hope Ray & Jameson Hall are the co-owners of Handshake, a restaurant opening on December 6, 2025 in the Fayetteville Public Library. They tell us their origins, both as people and as business partners, and the pros and cons of opening a private business in a public space, among other things. After the in…

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80) Lizzie Rubart Gibson - Fruit Modeler 47:43

1M ago47:43

47:43

This week we talk about Lizzie Rubart Gibson, a woman who received international acclaim for her clay model fruits, used in science classes across the country. We also discuss an old Harrison Boys stomping ground in Pilot('s) Knob. Gus's computer is dying so in case you think something is wrong with your listening device, it's actually on our end. …

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A Review of Faith, Family, and Flag: Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America by Joanna Dee Das 53:22

1M ago53:22

53:22

Sharp and Ray review the wonderful, new book Faith, Family, and Flag: Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America by Joanna Dee Das. This was an earnest (and first) attempt at a book review on the podcast, but it ultimately turned into an extended conversation about Branson, The Ozarks, and how different aspects of culture are viewed from the per…

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From Our Patreon: Nimrod Menifee 26:18

1M ago26:18

26:18

The life and death of Nimrod Menifee, an early influential white settler into the southern fringes of the Arkansas Ozarks and Arkansas River Valley who was really, really into dueling Song at the end used with permission

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A WALTS Special Report: A Vampire Mayoral Candidate in Fort Smith 38:54

2M ago38:54

38:54

We discuss a potential Fort Smith mayoral candidate recently profiled in a Southwest Times Record article. We do not endorse. This Special Report also has a mini regular episode inside it, with some quick stories about several previous mayors of Fort Smith. (Akin to what you can find on our Patreon). Also, a lot of talk about TikTok grifters https:…

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79) Judge David Walker 56:48

2M ago56:48

56:48

The story of David Walker, an influential early settler into Fayetteville, Arkansas and Arkansas Supreme Court Justice, among other things and titles. This episode could also easily be subtitled "An Incomplete History of Slavery in Fayetteville"

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78) We Always Lie About Bigfoot 4: Bigfoot House 1:03:48

2M ago1:03:48

1:03:48

On the finale of WE ALWAYS LIE ABOUT BIGFOOT we find out the easiest route to home ownership in Fayetteville, Arkansas is finding Bigfoot. Find out how a news website comment section dispute escalated into a wager that would catch the attention of some of the most prominent voices in Bigfoot Hunting and Cryptozoology in Episode 4: BIGFOOT HOUSE…

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77) We Always Lie About Bigfoot 3: Bigfoot Creek 45:03

2M ago45:03

45:03

On part three of our miniseries we travel to one of the most popular destinations on the Buffalo River to find Bigfoot, but find some fines instead. Sasquatch and event permits contend this week in BIGFOOT CREEK, the Expedition of Steel Creek

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76) We Always Lie About Bigfoot 2: Bigfoot Men 42:40

3M ago42:40

42:40

This episode, Part 2 of our October miniseries, Gus leads us out of The Ozarks for a primer on one of the organizations dedicated to the hunt for Bigfoot. What does an expedition entail? We'll find out. What does this have to do with The Ozarks? We'll get there in the end

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75) We Always Lie About Bigfoot 1: Bigfoot Camp 45:34

3M ago45:34

45:34

October becomes Gustober, as Gus leads us through a 4-part series (at least) on Bigfoot in The Ozarks and the men that search for them. This week, we look into the Camp Orr legend of Smokey Joe, the last of the untouched (by us) Bigfoot-adjacent lore of The Ozarks proper, and touch on a couple of other historical wildman tales and the possibility t…

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74) Taum Sauk Reservoir + Failure 47:12

3M ago47:12

47:12

The story of the Taum Sauk Reservoir in southeast Missouri and the time the walls came tumbling down

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From Our Patreon: The Elkhorn Tavern 22:52

3M ago22:52

22:52

A supplemental episode from our previous Governor Isaac Murphy series, the story of the Elkhorn Tavern at Pea Ridge National Military Park

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73) The Harrison Railroad Strike Part 2: The Violence Escalates 1:19:37

4M ago1:19:37

1:19:37

The conclusion of the Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad strike in Harrison, Arkansas. It gets pretty dark

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72) The Harrison Railroad Strike Part 1: The Strike Begins 1:10:35

4M ago1:10:35

1:10:35

One of America's longest railroad strikes took place in The Ozarks and you've probably never heard about it. Maybe privatizing public goods isn't the best idea. We also read a couple listener emails

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71) A History of Corn Cob Pipes 36:41

4M ago36:41

36:41

We look at corn cob pipes, from their patenting in the northern Missouri Ozarks, to a small day to day look at a former factory in Everton, Arkansas

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70) The Branson Cross 58:21

4M ago58:21

58:21

The life story of B. Dean Brown and the Branson Cross

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A WALTS Special Report: That New Racist Commune in the Arkansas Ozarks 29:23

4M ago29:23

29:23

We discuss the New York Times article that was released today about that racist intentional community near Ravenden, Arkansas that's trying to expand into Missouri and across elsewhere in the South

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69) The Monster of Peter Bottom Cave 31:03

4M ago31:03

31:03

The story of a Bigfoot-type monster supposedly near War Eagle, Arkansas

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68) The Cobra Scare with Beyond the Breakers 1:51:04

5M ago1:51:04

1:51:04

In a podcast first, we have guests in the wonderful Beyond the Breakers podcast. Normally ones to focus on shipwrecks and maritime disasters, we pull them onto land and discuss one of the wackiest incidents in Springfield, Missouri history, The Cobra Scare.

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67) The Harmonial Vegetarian Society 45:35

5M ago45:35

45:35

The tale of a vegetarian religious sect (called the Grass Eaters by locals, accidentally left out of the script) that set up shop in the pre-Civil War rural Arkansas Ozarks. We have a Patreon, an Instagram, a Bluesky

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66) Damascus, Arkansas: Speed Trap 32:27

5M ago32:27

32:27

We discuss the history of Damascus, Arkansas and the time they got in trouble for issuing too many speed tickets

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65) Walter Majors // The Easter Lynchings of 1906 1:10:28

5M ago1:10:28

1:10:28

This episode involves a dark and heavy topic, with our first coverage of a lynching in The Ozarks. The primary focus this week is the life Walter Majors, an African American inventor from Springfield, Missouri, but we also discuss the Easter Lynchings of 1906, one of countless lynchings in The Ozarks between 1890-1910, and its lasting impact on the…

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64) The 1974 Ozark Music Festival 1:00:11

6M ago1:00:11

1:00:11

The story of music festival at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in.. Sedalia of all places?

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63) Isaac Murphy Part 3 & 4: Post-War & Reconstruction 58:46

6M ago58:46

58:46

The conclusion of our Isaac Murphy series, in one episode instead of two. A major focus of the episode is on Reconstruction, and we only barely scratch the surface of it's importance, both then and now

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62) Isaac Murphy Part 2: Governor Harris Flanagin 39:17

6M ago39:17

39:17

An episode on Harris Flanagin, the Governor of Arkansas prior to Isaac Murphy. A Civil War heavy episode. Ray also commits a cardinal podcasting sin by eating ice on mic. You've been warned

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61) Isaac Murphy Part 1: "I therefore vote no" 1:17:11

6M ago1:17:11

1:17:11

We are back to our Governors of Arkansas series and focus on Isaac Murphy, Arkansas's lone vote against secession and Arkansas's most defensible governor.

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60) David Leong & Springfield-Style Cashew Chicken 53:18

7M ago53:18

53:18

The life story of David Leong, a Chinese-born Ozarks icon, and his legacy, Springfield-style cashew chicken.

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59) Samuel Hudson 23:21

7M ago23:21

23:21

A look into the history and myth of Samuel Hudson, early settler into Newton County, Arkansas

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58) William Lovely & Lovely's Purchase 38:54

8M ago38:54

38:54

The story of William Lovely, an Irishman who became an Indian Agent and also a more in depth look into the arrival of the Cherokee into the Arkansas Ozarks, as touched on in many episodes prior

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57) A History of Lake Taneycomo 48:43

8M ago48:43

48:43

The creation and heyday of Lake Taneycomo in Taney County, Missouri. We also play a song at the end of the episode! If you like the song, hear more at thegasstationattendants.bandcamp.com

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56) The Cane Hill Murders of 1839 39:16

8M ago39:16

39:16

We dip our toes in the "true crime adjacent" pool as we discuss the mostly forgotten Cane Hill Murders of 1839. In this episode, we do a great job of showing why we will never become a true crime podcast

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55) Arkansas's 1977 Sodomy Law 48:38

8M ago48:38

48:38

A look into Arkansas's reactionary anti-LGBTQ law that was put onto the books in 1977. Sound familiar? Lots of talk about sex and genitals, and while it's mostly academic, we thought it was best to forewarn. We also read a listener email

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54) A History of Marvel Cave 59:25

9M ago59:25

59:25

An episode about the history of Marvel Cave, the Ozarks first show cave and attraction at the Silver Dollar City theme park. There's a handful of unexpected figures from history in this episode!

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53) Yocum Coins Part 3: Yocum Coins 45:30

9M ago45:30

45:30

We finally get to the stories surrounding the legend of Yocum Coins and if they ever truly existed or not. We actually stay pretty on point with this episode

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52) Yocum Coins Part 2: Delaware Town 30:10

9M ago30:10

30:10

In this rather loose episode, we continue to lay out the historical context of the southern Missouri Ozarks before the creation of Yocum Coins. The main focus is the arrival and settlement of the Delaware tribe from the eastern United States as well as the commerce and economy of the region, which was primarily based around the fur trade. We also g…

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51) Yocum Coins Part 1: The Spanish in The Ozarks 26:40

9M ago26:40

26:40

We begin our series on the most enduring legend of the southern Missouri Ozarks, Yocum Coins. Now, this episode is more a prelude to the story of the Yocum's and the Yocum Coins, but we really felt like some historical context was needed. We talk Hernando de Soto, French explorers, haunted mountains and doodlebugs We have a Patreon!We Always Lie to…

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50) Mike Meyer Disfarmer 32:14

10M ago32:14

32:14

The story of a photographer in the rural Arkansas Ozarks and his fame decades after his death

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49) Picher, Oklahoma: The Most Toxic Town in America 30:40

10M ago30:40

30:40

The rise and fall of Picher, Oklahoma, with some chat, of course

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48) Joe Ellis & An Incomplete History of Johnson, Arkansas 21:12

10M ago21:12

21:12

The story of Joe Ellis, the first postmaster of Johnson, Arkansas and a select, incomplete history of Johnson. We also finally have legitimate, professional recording setups for each of us, but unfortunately, Daniel recorded without using the professional setup, so a bit of sound issues from him. Otherwise, we are golden Find us on Patreon:We Alway…

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From Our Patreon: What's in a Name? Bug Scuffle & Hogeye 20:25

10M ago20:25

20:25

We got a little behind because Gus is getting married next month and us here at WALTS went to his bachelor party. Because of this, we will give you a taste our Patreon before getting back to regular programming next week. Thanks! This episode has a special theme song (the Patreon has a different theme) and features a lot of soda pop talk before tel…

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47) The Little Rock Bus Strike 56:41

11M ago56:41

56:41

This episode follows the overlooked bus driver's strike over wages in the Little Rock Metro area in the mid-1950's. We also learn a bit about the founding of Little Rock, North Little Rock and Cammack Village, as well as talk a little about Little Rock rap and a lot about the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad We have a Patreon. We should do more on ther…

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46) The All-American Red Heads 53:02

11M ago53:02

53:02

The story of the first women's professional basketball team, The All-American Red Heads, founded in the rural Missouri Ozarks. Also, a bit about the history of women's basketball Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/WeAlwaysLietoStrangers

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45) The Purple Martin Massacre 34:24

11M ago34:24

34:24

The early history of Jefferson City, Missouri, followed by a lot of talking about birds. An Ozarks ornithologist's dream! We have a Patreon, subscribe for more episodes! We Always Lie to Strangers | Patreon

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44) Wonderland Cave & An Incomplete History of Bella Vista 1:12:42

11M ago1:12:42

1:12:42

The history of the Wonderland Cave in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Also, a far from complete history of Bella Vista, which is mostly known now for what Tony Soprano would call "a retirement community". The Sopranos doesn't come up at all, but I had to make the joke. We have a Patreon! Here's the link! https://www.patreon.com/WeAlwaysLietoStrangers…

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Show Announcement - Taking a Couple More Weeks Off & We Have a Patreon Now! 2:11

12M ago2:11

2:11

Just a quick announcement! We are taking a couple more weeks off but we have a Patreon now! Click the link and sign up for a new episode that's an addendum to our previous Orval Faubus series! https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-episode-1-119364745?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link…

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43) The Angel of Ava 35:17

1y ago35:17

35:17

This episode, the "Christmas Special", tells the story of the Angel of Ava, a mysterious man who helped the people of Ava, Missouri in the winter into spring of 1940. We also give a brief history of Douglas County, Missouri and talk about Uline a lot more than I realized

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42) Ernest "By Golly" Schilling 26:41

1y ago26:41

26:41

The life story of a true Ozarks character, a man of somewhat mysterious origins who traveled extensively around the region working as a sign painter and artist.

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41) A History of Beaver Lake 46:10

1y ago46:10

46:10

This episode is exactly as the title suggests: a history of Beaver Lake. Beaver Lake is a reservoir of the White River (one of many) and provides drinking water for much of Northwest Arkansas