Rick McLaren breaks ground in the DMR, and on the world wide web. It doesn’t take long for his followers to come running up the mountain. With guns. The authorities start paying attention, and local media takes note. Rick’s neighborhood grudges intensify to their breaking point.  Flavors of this episode: fax machines, tin sheds, Thelma and Louise, rolling chairs, guns, toothless cronies, and blood on the floor.  Reported and produced by Zoe Kurland. Edited by Liza Yeager. 

There are these bumper stickers everywhere – a Texas flag with a big word printed at the top: SECEDE. What’s the story of Texas independence and how has it been told? What captivated Rick McLaren and his new country mates? Flavors of this episode: lobby music, bumper stickers, technicolor, racoon hats, glossy brochures, cotton gloves, and Walt Disney.  Reported and produced by Zoe Kurland. Edited by Liza Yeager. This episode features additional field recording by Carlos Morales. 

Back in ‘90s, in the mountains of Far West Texas, one man started his own nation. Reporter Zoe Kurland decides to find out what happens when the myths of the frontier crash violently into reality.  Flavors of this episode: piney woods, donkey musk, frozen mice, alarms clocks, Prius engine covers.  A Whole Other Country is produced and reported by Zoe Kurland and edited by Liza Yeager.  Donate to Marfa Public Radio at https://www.marfapublicradio.org/

How did Rick McLaren, an enthusiastic magazine reader from Ohio, become the leader of a secessionist nation in Texas? Zoe dives into the archives to find out.  Flavors of this episode: tennis balls, Chenin Blanc, dusty records, hot dogs, microfilm, courthouse carpet, iPads. A Whole Other Country is produced and reported by Zoe Kurland and edited by Liza Yeager.  Donate to Marfa Public Radio at https://www.marfapublicradio.org/

A new podcast from Marfa Public Radio Studios. Coming October 8th.