Dust and Dispatches

Charlie meets someone new, while Thomas Detter embarks on a journey and Louis Monaco pays tribute to a personal hero. 

Charlie embraces a new path, Thomas Detter confronts town politics, and Louis Monaco rebuilds. Matilda Ashim makes a decision that will change the course of her journey out west.  Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Thomas Detter narration by Michael Spencer  Please note: this episode contains descriptions of violence. 

Eureka grapples with the aftermath of the events at Fish Creek, and Louis Monaco learns some important lessons about his town. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Louis Monaco narration by Kurt Elftmann Please note: this episode contains descriptions of violence. 

The town confronts two disasters: one natural and one human. Matilda Ashim recovers while Louis Monaco speaks out. Written, edited, and scored by Matt Hansen Louis Monaco narration by Kurt Elftmann

Charlie's band faces even more suspicion in town, while Thomas Detter experiences a moment of celebrity. Matilda Ashim tackles a difficult reality and Tone considers an alternate direction. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Thomas Detter narration by Michael Spencer Please note: this episode contains descriptions of violence and historically offensive language. 

Today, a dispatch from Eureka, Nevada, 1877. Charlie and his band find moments of joy, while Thomas Detter grapples with a controversial election. Matilda Ashim makes a big decision, while Louis Monaco and Tone learn who really has influence and control in town. Please note: this episode contains descriptions of drug use.  Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen

Today, a dispatch from Eureka, Nevada, 1876. Matilda Ashim and her family start to make Eureka a home, while Louis Monaco learns more about the Italian immigrants in town. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Please note: this episode contains discussions of sex work.   

Charlie's band wonders how much time they have left on their land, while Thomas Detter celebrates a new chapter in his life. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen

Matilda Ashim and her family experience an unexpected crisis, while Louis Monaco welcomes a new family member to town and Tone confronts national law.   Please note: this episode contains descriptions of violence. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen

Charlie and his Western Shoshone band are caught up in a march to battle, while Thomas Detter marks a major breakthrough.  Please note: this episode contains descriptions of violence. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Thomas Detter narration by Michael Spencer 

Matilda Ashim picks up the pieces from disaster, while Tone pursues success on the mountain. Meanwhile, Louis Monaco starts to worry about his fellow immigrants in town. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen

Charlie and his band of Western Shoshone try to navigate new pressures and old traditions, while Thomas Detter grapples with life-altering changes.  Please note: this episode contains descriptions of death and loss.  Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Thomas Detter narration by Michael Spencer Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-8-transcript/

Matilda Ashim and her family leave one town behind to start again in Eureka, while Tone and Louis Monaco push for new opportunities.  Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-7-transcript/

Charlie is born into an uncertain moment for the Western Shoshone, while Thomas Detter confronts challenges to his family and the town of Eureka itself.  Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Thomas Detter narration by Michael Spencer  Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-6-transcript/

Meet Louis Monaco, a photographer who sees beyond the surface of Nevada's mining towns. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-5-transcript/

Meet Tone, a miner from China who is digging for a future in Nevada. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-4-transcript/

Meet Matilda Ashim, a woman making a living in the boomtowns of Nevada. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-3-transcript/

Meet Thomas Detter, a writer looking for solace in the mining towns of Nevada.  Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Thomas Detter narration by Michael Spencer Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-2-transcript/

Meet a young boy who lives under a vast sky in a place that's changing fast. Writing, editing, and scoring by Matt Hansen Transcript and citations: https://www.dustanddispatches.com/season-1-episode-1-transcript/

In Season 1, we're following the lives of five people—and their families, friends, colleagues, and rivals—as they navigate a new start in the American West after the Civil War. While these people lived and died a century or more ago, they grappled with many of the same questions we're tackling today: who gets to be an American? Whose rights matter? And what are we willing to give up to start over? Join us and find out how they answered those questions then—and how we might answer them now.