Rediscovering the Panhandle: History Told Through Our Nowhere Podcast

“Our Nowhere: Panhandle Histories” is a captivating podcast that takes a fresh look at the rich and diverse history of the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles. Created by Dr. Gary Girod, an assistant professor of history and the award-winning host of The French History Podcast, alongside Dr. Rebekah Wagenbach, the Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Education at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, this project blends academic expertise with cutting-edge digital, public, and oral history methods.

“This project launches a Digital Humanities Era at OPSU. It allows us to use cutting-edge technology to tell stories about real people in the Panhandle and deliver it to a worldwide audience,” stated Dr. Rebekah Wagenbach, College of Arts and Education Dean. “We hope to get people to love No Man’s Land as much as we do.”

This interdisciplinary initiative is driven by students, offering History, English, Education, Art, and other majors a chance to contribute to the podcast’s development. Through these contributions, “Our Nowhere” explores the historical events that shaped the region and is an academic tool that bridges generations of scholars and listeners alike.

Funded by the Masonic Grant for Cultural Enrichment and hosted by Evergreen Podcasts, this large-scale endeavor is dedicated to uncovering the forgotten and often overlooked histories of the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles. The podcast vividly depicts life in these vast, frequently misunderstood territories, from the region’s indigenous peoples to early explorers and settlers.

Episodes delve into topics like the Panhandle exploration, early settlers’ struggles, and the cultural evolution that still defines the area today. The aim is to tell the story of this fascinating region in a way that is both educational and engaging for a broad audience.

Assistant Professor Dr. Gary Girod said, “Our Nowhere is OPSU’s first step into digital humanities. It’s all part of our plan to upgrade what the university offers while having much fun.”

The project’s commitment to public history allows listeners to immerse themselves in the history of the Panhandle while also exploring the intersection of oral histories, archival research, and public storytelling. This is history for the 21st century – accessible, interactive, and driven by the next generation of historians.

Follow Our Nowhere: Panhandle Histories on Facebook and the College of Arts and Education’s Instagram page for updates on new episodes and behind-the-scenes insights. With its thoughtful, engaging content and commitment to community-driven research, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in the deep and diverse past of the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles.