Best Sharp Woolston Podcasts (2025)

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

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11h 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

11d 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

13d 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

25d 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

30d 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

1M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

6M 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

6M 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

6M 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

7M 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

7M 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

7M 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

7M 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

8M 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

8M 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

8M 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

8M 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

9M 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

9M 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

9M 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

9M 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

10M 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

10M 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

10M 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

11M 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

11M 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

11M 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

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40) John Battenfield & the Incoming Kingdom Missionary Unit 38:40

12M ago38:40

38:40

This episode gives the history of Gilbert, Arkansas "the coolest in town in Arkansas" and the story of John Battenfield, a religious prophet who set up an intentional community on the banks of the Buffalo River in the 1920s

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39) Jean Wallace, the Mountain Maid of Roaring River 54:37

1y ago54:37

54:37

We discuss Jean Wallace, a self-claimed clairvoyant and homesteader of the rural southern Missouri Ozarks. A decent amount of discussion of Ozarks folk magic belief, including water witching/dowsing rods/divining rods (depending on who you ask) and dare I say, some high brow poop jokes

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38) Cabin Orgy Deaths + Show Announcement 30:58

1y ago30:58

30:58

A shorter episode today, about some scandalous deaths in Fayetteville, Arkansas, not long after the end of prohibition. Also, an announcement about how episode releases are going to slow down for a couple of months because we are all very busy.

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37) The Oklahoma Octopus 41:12

1y ago41:12

41:12

We have decided to go silly after the story of Orval Faubus. We discuss the Oklahoma Octopus, modern cryptozoology, octopuses in the Ozarks and the Lake Conway Monster. Also, the history of Cookson, Oklahoma and Tenkiller Ferry Lake

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36) Orval Faubus Part 5 - The Rest of the Story (It Doesn’t Get Better) 1:16:43

1y ago1:16:43

1:16:43

We finally see the end of Orval’s time as governor and the rest of his life, and it doesn’t improve. Murder, suicide, and torture all make a major appearance in this episode. But so does Fay Jones, so, have some fun

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35) Orval Faubus Part 4 - The Little Rock Crisis 1:08:40

1y ago1:08:40

1:08:40

This episode is about the defining legacy of Orval Faubus- violent resistance to integration in the Little Rock School District against federal orders after the Brown vs The Board of Education ruling