Best Sharp Woolston Podcasts (2025)

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

1
62) Isaac Murphy Part 2: Governor Harris Flanagin 39:17

Play Pause

14d 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

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

21d 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.

1
60) David Leong & Springfield-Style Cashew Chicken 53:18

28d ago53:18

53:18

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

1
59) Samuel Hudson 23:21

1M ago23:21

23:21

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

1
58) William Lovely & Lovely's Purchase 38:54

2M 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

1
57) A History of Lake Taneycomo 48:43

2M 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

1
56) The Cane Hill Murders of 1839 39:16

3M 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

1
55) Arkansas's 1977 Sodomy Law 48:38

3M 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

1
54) A History of Marvel Cave 59:25

3M 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!

1
53) Yocum Coins Part 3: Yocum Coins 45:30

3M 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

1
52) Yocum Coins Part 2: Delaware Town 30:10

3M 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…

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

4M 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…

1
50) Mike Meyer Disfarmer 32:14

4M ago32:14

32:14

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

1
49) Picher, Oklahoma: The Most Toxic Town in America 30:40

4M ago30:40

30:40

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

1
48) Joe Ellis & An Incomplete History of Johnson, Arkansas 21:12

4M 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…

1
From Our Patreon: What's in a Name? Bug Scuffle & Hogeye 20:25

5M 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…

1
47) The Little Rock Bus Strike 56:41

5M 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…

1
46) The All-American Red Heads 53:02

5M 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

1
45) The Purple Martin Massacre 34:24

6M 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

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

6M 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…

1
Show Announcement - Taking a Couple More Weeks Off & We Have a Patreon Now! 2:11

6M 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…

1
43) The Angel of Ava 35:17

7M 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

1
42) Ernest "By Golly" Schilling 26:41

7M 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.

1
41) A History of Beaver Lake 46:10

7M 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

1
40) John Battenfield & the Incoming Kingdom Missionary Unit 38:40

8M 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

1
39) Jean Wallace, the Mountain Maid of Roaring River 54:37

8M 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

1
38) Cabin Orgy Deaths + Show Announcement 30:58

9M 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.

1
37) The Oklahoma Octopus 41:12

9M 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

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

9M 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

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

9M 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

1
34) Orval Faubus Part 3 - Governor Faubus 55:27

10M ago55:27

55:27

Back to the main story of Orval Faubus, this week focuses primarily on his first term as governor, which is more politically progressive than not. We meet the White Citizens Council, a racist political group that ultimately influences Orval into the segregationist camp, and, as usual, talk lot about rural Arkansas high schools.…

1
33) Commonwealth College 1:06:11

10M ago1:06:11

1:06:11

This week, we take a brief detour from Orval Faubus to discuss Commonwealth College, a short-lived leftist radical labor college in the rural Arkansas Ouachitas. I know the timing of this release is odd, in the middle of a series, but it makes sense! Orval Faubus is an alumni of sorts, after all

1
32) Orval Faubus Part 2 - The Pre-Governor Years 59:46

10M ago59:46

59:46

In the second episode about the life and times of Orval Faubus, we learn about his short-lived attendance at Commonwealth College, a left-wing work college in the rural Arkansas Ouachitas, followed by his experiences in Europe during World War Two. Then, we learn about his early political career, culminating in his election as Arkansas Governor in …

1
31) Orval Faubus Part 1 - Meet the Faubuses 1:06:07

10M ago1:06:07

1:06:07

This is the first episode of a full series on Orval Faubus, the 36th governor of Arkansas. Orval's legacy rightfully focuses on his staunch segregationist policies, but if you look at his story, you can clearly see how American politics has always and will always be the same. This episode focuses more on Orval's father Sam, a prominent member of th…

1
30) Round Top Mountain Plane Crash 58:00

10M ago58:00

58:00

In our loosest episode to date, we hear the story of a B-25 bomber that crashed on a mountain in rural Arkansas, on a site that is now a hiking trail. We also learn about a few more plane crashes in Arkansas and beyond. We also just chit chat for a lot longer than usual, discussing baseball, hiking trails throughout the Ozark National Forest, donke…

1
29) Maud Duncan 54:09

11M ago54:09

54:09

The story of Maud Duncan, the first woman to be elected mayor in the state of Arkansas, as well as her role as the long time editor of the Winslow American newspaper. We also discuss rural Arkansas school consolidation, the Olympics, sports in general, and Daniel's long-standing dislike of horses/horsepeople. In fact, from about 16:00-24:00, we are…

1
28) Bullfrog Valley Gang 26:52

11M ago26:52

26:52

This week, down a cohost, we discuss the history of Bullfrog Valley, an area of the Southern Ozarks in Arkansas and the valley's most famous occupants, a gang of counterfeiters known as the Bullfrog Valley Gang. Also some discussions of headless horsemen and Quiz Bowl

1
27) The Lost Radium Mine of Butler Hollow, Missouri 34:05

11M ago34:05

34:05

This week, we learn about and discuss a found, hidden and lost radium mine, somewhere deep in the Mark Twain National Forest in the Southern Missouri Ozarks. (Specifically, the Piney Creek Wilderness area of the Mark Twain Natoional Forest)

1
26) Henry "Doodie" Tennison 37:32

11M ago37:32

37:32

In this episode, after an overview of Ghost Mountain, an allegedly haunted mountain near Fayetteville, we get into the story of Doodie, a student at the University of Arkansas and suspect in the infamous, unsolved Texarkana Moonlight Murders. We also talk about Fayetteville food trucks for a while

1
25) Dinosaur World 31:09

12M ago31:09

31:09

After the opening five minutes, mostly discussing Daniel's work injury history, we get to the story of Dinosaur World, a now abandoned sculpture park in Beaver, Arkansas. We also learn the history of the town of Beaver itself

1
24) The Widows of Seneca, Missouri 40:48

12M ago40:48

40:48

Some slight audio issues in this episode, which is the story of how Seneca, Missouri became a haven for widows in the early 20th century. Also some fun facts about quartz, radio stations and liquor store side-hustles

1
23) Valentine Tapley and His Beard 29:27

12M ago29:27

29:27

Down a host and outside of the Ozarks in northeast Missouri, we tackle the tale of Valentine Tapley's beard. We also supplement the last episode a little bit, despite no connection between the stories

1
22) Hallie's Rest Stop and Zoo 48:05

1y ago48:05

48:05

This episode is essentially a short, incomplete history of logging in the Ozarks, from the early 20th century through to the modern impacts of the industry, disguised as one man's attempt to build a tourist trap in the middle of the very rural Arkansas Ozarks. Smokey the Bear makes a guest appearance…

1
21) Hornet Spooklight 1:01:53

1y ago1:01:53

1:01:53

This episode is everything you need to know about the Hornet Spooklight, from fact to fiction to folklore. Also a couple of ghost stories from the guys

1
20) Tuscumbia Space Penguins 58:27

1y ago58:27

58:27

The story of a supposed alien encounter in the rural Missouri Ozarks. Also, some history for some communities in Miller County, Missouri, topped off with a bit of UFO/cryptid talk from the boys

1
19) The Wizard of Oto 42:48

1y ago42:48

42:48

The story of the Wizard of Oto, a mysterious, unknown man in the rural Missouri Ozarks, who, much to the disappointment of the co-hosts, did his best to provide medicine and healing to locals and wasn't a literal wizard

1
18) Old Mike 28:34

1y ago28:34

28:34

In our first episode completely outside of the Ozarks, we tell and discuss the story of Old Mike, a mysterious traveling salesman throughout south Arkansas in the early 1900s and the bizarre story of what happened after his death in Prescott, Arkansas

1
17) The Tutt-Everett War Part 2 58:37

1y ago58:37

58:37

The violent conclusion of the Tutt-Everett War, followed by the story of two of Hamp Tutt's sons. The tale Davis Tutt and his infamous shootout with Wild Bill Hickok on the Springfield square, concluded by Lewis Tutt, from his childhood in bondage to his role as an influential member of Springfield, Missouri's Black community post-Civil War. We als…