Episodes

  • Trailer: Boomtown

    Trailer: Boomtown
    Dec 2 2019
    In a rugged corner of West Texas, billionaire wildcatters and roughnecks are fueling an oil boom so big it’s reshaping our climate, our economy, and our geopolitics. Boomtown is a 10-part podcast series, with new episodes publishing every Tuesday starting December 10, 2019. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    5 mins
  • Highway To Hell | Chapter 1

    Highway To Hell | Chapter 1
    Dec 10 2019
    Host Christian Wallace takes us back to his hometown in the Permian Basin, which is nearly unrecognizable to him today. We meet a few of the people whose lives have been upended by the biggest oil boom in U.S. history. Upstart: Find out how low your Upstart rate is at Upstart.com/Boomtown. Native: Get 20% off your first purchase at NativeDeodorant.com, using promo code BOOMTOWN at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • Rise of the Permian | Chapter 2

    Rise of the Permian | Chapter 2
    Dec 17 2019
    We go back to 1923, and the Santa Rita No. 1, the well that put West Texas oil on the map. We recount the beginnings of rowdy boomtowns and the swaggering wildcatters whose influence would eventually lead all the way to the White House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • Dust to Dust | Chapter 3

    Dust to Dust | Chapter 3
    Dec 24 2019
    A devastating bust transforms the Permian from a promised land into a wasteland. Then, thanks to a quiet, unassuming Texas oilman named George Mitchell, the region comes roaring back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • Life and Death on the Rig | Chapter 4

    Life and Death on the Rig | Chapter 4
    Dec 31 2019
    In the Permian Basin, the rewards of roughnecking come with incredible risk. For one Andrews family, that danger became a true nightmare. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Boobtown | Chapter 5

    Boobtown | Chapter 5
    Jan 7 2020
    We explore a different kind of boom in the Permian Basin. Meet the women working at a lingerie coffee shop, a “breastaurant,” and two area strip clubs. Upstart: Find out how low your rate is at Upstart.com/boomtown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    35 mins
  • A Thin Line | Chapter 6

    A Thin Line | Chapter 6
    Jan 14 2020
    During booms, the Permian Basin sees a rise in prostitution charges. But misperceptions and stereotypes about sex work have led to policies that may actually harm the women involved. SimpliSafe: Get free shipping plus a 60-day money-back guarantee at SimpliSafe.com/boomtown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Mojo Magic | Chapter 7

    Mojo Magic | Chapter 7
    Jan 21 2020
    The Permian Basin is the birthplace of Friday Night Lights. But the historic oil boom threatens beloved high school football traditions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    42 mins