Boomtown

3,294

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. This modern-day gold rush has sent both big oil companies and scrappy start-ups scrambling to secure a piece of the action. Texas Monthly’s Christian Wallace follows characters along every rung of the oil field ladder, from the executive cutting billion-dollar deals to the itinerant pipeline worker risking life and limb, and from the traveling exotic dancer following the trail of money to those who worry that our planet is on a path to destruction. Meet the people cashing in and those just trying to get by as the world around them is turned upside down."A beautiful ride filled with levity, even as it delivers troubling forecasts for the future" - The Atlantic2021 Webby Award Honoree, Podcast Documentary

Recent Episodes
Episodes loading...
Recent Reviews
  • lboncek
    Magnificent
    That’s it. That’s the review.
  • Hunterella88
    Loved it!
    Listened to this while driving from Austin back home to Nashville. I’ve spent time in Big Bend and love West Texas (I’m a Coloradan). I thought this was a interesting and digestible holistic view of a complicated issue, and little known area.
  • Joel G -from NC
    Wallace is brilliant!
    I’m a nobody from Florida now living in NC, but I have a degree in English & Journalism which helps in my application of the story told by Christian Wallace. I have been fascinated by western culture after nine years in Pecos, New Mexico. I respect the position that Texas oil workers and families are in. This podcast is heartfelt, thoughtful, and thorough, told by someone who has real life skin-in-the -game. Thank you for sharing this story in the way that you have. Bravo!
  • AnnaKooshoo
    Excellent info to understand it all
    Because I’m deep into the new series by Taylor Sheridan called Landman, I saw this podcast and took it on immediately to understand a lot more behind the scenes on the industry. it is well produced and very informative and I learned a lot. Definitely worth a listen. ⭐️
  • Knowledge Enthusiast
    Insightful and Intriguing
    Really enjoyed this podcast that I’m sure just scratched the surface on the Permian Basin. Having had relatives who made a living (a big living) in the oil and gas industry, I was somewhat familiar with the region. However, this podcast gave me the impetus to read about and explore the region further. It was what a podcast should be, entertaining with a enough information to stoke your curiosity for further knowledge.
  • Avery Schi
    Great Show - Thank you!
    Great show. I learned a lot about the people of west Texas and the industry.
  • dawson dekleine
    Raw look at the oil industry
    This is one of the best if not the best podcast I have ever listened to. I have listened to it at least 3 times and it never gets old. I love the original song and all the other music in the podcast. I love the interviews. And I love how hometown it feels, it’s great!
  • Story Wright
    Oil / Landmen
    This was an excellent review / history of the development of the Permian Basin. The interviews and real time family conversations were priceless. Having a family background with Texas Oil and Landmen I especially appreciate the background that was presented.
  • VronTx
    Appreciate
    I have a new found appreciation and admiration for the people and life of West Texas. As a born and bred Texan, Texas is so big, complex and multifaceted, there are areas and places that I hadn't heard about seen or explored. This podcast took me to some of those places. The people and the stories were amazing. The storytelling was amazing!! I binged the entire show and have told some of my non-native Texas Texans about it but can see that it doesn’t resonate the same way that it does with me. I don’t care though. I’m telling everyone about this show. Well done Christian Wallace and Texas Monthly!!
  • rk6217
    Obsessed
    I spent part of my youth living in Lubbock. This podcast brought me back to those days and the true beauty of West Texas. It’s an incredible collection of stories and people that have shaped the region. I long for our country to go back to realizing that simple things matter. Love for the land, your family, your heritage…and above all people, “neighboring” as they call it in the Permian basin. I would love to hear an update in 2024 of the people and places discussed in the first season. So much has changed in TX since 2021 that it would be fascinating to hear how things are now. Once you start this podcast, you’ll want to finish all the episodes so prepare for a binge!
  • gfhjsrthjysior
    Obsessed
    I’m OBSESSED with this podcast. Such a fascinating story that touches so many industries and parts of life. Re-listening bc I loved it so much and it’s packed full of information.
  • Rubia gorda
    Amazing and informative
    I started listening to this only because my brother had been out near Andrews running a crew and wanted to know more about the area and history of oil rigging in West Texas. The history and stories are amazing! The way you interview and tell the stories kept me so engaged. Thank you so much for this podcast.
  • Rudy and Courtney
    I understand
    I your last comment as you left west Texas, saying goodbye, was great, and you summed up my thoughts well. The greatness of the Permian basin is a double edged sword. The beauty, the challenges, the life, springing from the ground, as well as the illness, and the deaths caused to extract it, make my admiration, even stronger for the people of the area, for the products they produce that we all must have, and for their willingness to realize that tomorrow is another day, a different day. Well done, Christian. I look forward my next trip down I-10 and then up 285. As the Panhandlers would sing, that’s not a tear in my that’s West Texas in my eye. Thanks, looking forward to your next work.
  • Erin’s Gems
    Power Industry
    I work in the power and oil and gas industry. This was eye opening and a view into the lives of people that the industry affects. Loved it!
  • Mackeky
    Entertaining
    I am not from the West Texas area and not at all familiar with the oil and gas businesses, so why did I love this podcast. It was so interesting and informative. The scenic descriptions of some of the ranches and areas around Big Bend NP were captivating. I especially enjoyed the deep dive into the lives of all the individuals benefiting by or working in those industries. It was great to listen to some truly grounded people discussing future solutions.
  • calebwtx
    Great work!!
    I’m a west Texan born & raised. My family is still involved in the oil industry. My dad’s family is in the oil industry & my mom’s family is ranchers 😂 & I live in Lubbock & Midland/Odessa area. It’s a very fair unbiased documentary. It’s the story of our part of the world. Great work everyone.
  • Houston Holiday
    Great podcast
    As a 5th generation Texan, I loved this podcast. Born in Pampa, Texas and raised in a small town on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Made me proud of Texas and her Texans and hopeful for her future.
  • rachdro90
    So well done!
    This is a wonderful podcast - would also love to see the story of WCS and the Ogallala Aquifer in Andrews County told by this team. Keep up the great work TM.
  • MattN1981
    Not telling the whole story
    If you are looking for an objective view, this podcast is not it. It is very subjective with a hard spin. If there were any true counter arguments, I would have enjoyed it. It was more brief counter argument followed or preceded by exponential arguments against the counter argument. This appears to be an individual that moved away and always looked back at home we mostly dislike. Do not recommend
  • thunderbirdgal
    Worth listening to
    Such a great podcast! I’m bummed that this is the only season. I love the interviews with people who live and work there and his own personal connection. Well worth the listen!
  • Stevens views
    Left me wanting more
    I’ve worked the Permian basin as a frac mechanic and this series was just amazing and wish there was more im now working in Pennsylvania and this makes me miss the Permian
  • Jogunz5
    Hippy
    You talk about all the good part of being in west Texas but your putting people that hate what we do in Texas.
  • Big Spring,TX
    Loved it
    Just looking to see if another season has been added.
  • chief#
    Awesome Podcast
    What an informative interesting series! I’ve learned so much and can’t wait for the next episode. Kudos to this team and story!
  • An Old Texas Gal
    Entertaining and informative at the same time
    I binge-watched all 11 episodes! This was a very well-rounded and thought provoking podcast. I learned so much, and as the author said as well, I was left with more questions. It leaves me wanting to learn more about the Texas Permian Basin. It was told in a relaxing and entertaining way with a wonderful cast of real people from all walks of life in the Permian basin.
  • ccmcmk2
    Want to learn about Texas?
    From the content to the accents to the people he interviews, this is a fabulous education about one big piece of Texas. This reluctant newcomer found it incredibly illuminating.
  • Geumpyhistory
    Excellent
    Great narration, thoughtful interviews and explainers that are an indictment of the troubles with the industry, rather than a knee-jerk reaction that usually serves only to hurt the local people whose economy has been designed to rely on it.
  • Baffldovrit
    Boobtown Episode Chick
    I’d have given 5 stars, but the affected “stripper speech” of the female narrator, when interviewing people, is so bizarre & annoying, it’s hard to get past. Do the presenters not listen beforehand? And if so, is this considered up to journalistic standard? Yikes!
  • Small business shopper
    Well done and very imformative
    I have loved seeing West Texas during the years my kids went to Texas Tech. The host does a great job describing people and the land of Wear Texas. Learned so much about the oil and gas industry of Texas.
  • Shafa1969
    West Texas
    I really enjoyed listening to this podcast. I hope you do another season. I’m from West Texas and it’s very interesting to listen to the history of the country out here.
  • DLS01/
    Bust
    As a native West Texan I was intrigued about this podcast. I was hopeful it would be an informative and interesting dive into the petroleum world of the Permian. While there are occasional historical facts, halfway through it becomes clear that it’s really just a political piece. I guess that shouldn’t be surprising since it’s put forth by Texas Monthly. Perhaps just once Texas Monthly you could utilize your media platform to inform and interest a citizen without hitting them over the head with your policy umbrella. You could be better than this, shame you continually choose not to.
  • jayleah1987
    Awesome series
    Awesome narration and stories. Really enjoy it. Wish I had more to listen to!
  • blndgrrl
    Excellent!
    I found this podcast after listening to America’s Girls (also by Texas Monthly). My husband and I REALLY enjoyed Boomtown. Extremely well written, full of personal stories and extremely well researched. The host does a fantastic job of giving you some history along with what’s happening now. We listened from beginning to end on a long car trip. Excellent podcast!
  • OhPharoah
    Holy Grail
    This is the podcast I’ve been searching for. You know, one that’s so well researched, well written, smart, well paced, engaging, AND delivered by a host that doesn’t lead with his ego that I’ll want to nonstop binge until the very end of the last episode? Yeah, this is the one! I highly, highly recommend this podcast.
  • Jayna89
    Nicely done
    This series was vastly informative, personal, and unbiased. I quite enjoyed the narrative and direction this story encompassed. Job well done y’all !!
  • Retzko1
    windmills and batteries
    You can’t build windmills and batteries without oil. And nobody talks about the unintended consequences such as disposal and waste of these batteries. Mining would have to stop completely… back to caves I guess?
  • Andrewside
    Informative and Even Handed
    Learned a lot from this podcast and listened to it driving to vacation. Got to see how this cycle impacts the entire community and how hard it is live and plan
  • katiefenster
    Wonderful podcast!
    I listened to this whole podcast in two days while painting my house. It moves along quick enough to keep your interest yet is detailed enough to really learn about these topics. Looking forward to more podcasts (hopefully) by Christian!
  • wahistorian
    Boomtowns from many perspectives
    ‘Boomtown’ is a fascinating look at the rise and fall of oil towns, specifically in Texas’s Permian Basin but by extension in other states, too. The series comes at the topic from some unexpected perspectives, including the tension between lifelong ranchers and oil drillers; the two episodes on sex workers were particularly eye-opening. Well worth the time.
  • anthony sti
    We crash
    Five stars.
  • Nanner611
    Boomtown
    So informative yet very entertaining! So well done. Enjoyed every minute of it!
  • JJShrop
    Fascinating
    I loved this podcast. The series provides historical perspective on a key part of the US economy. It is also a story of human interest as it covers the innovators, billionaires, the hard hats, and the surrounding businesses to support the industry. I was fascinated by the colorful stories of some and moved by the up-close coverage of the families that are dependent on oil-prices to sustain a living. Thank you, Christian Wallace, for this podcast.
  • Rlmurra2
    Good & Interesting!
    I found this podcast interesting and educational. I like that while the host is from the Permian, I didn’t feel like he was pressing listeners to oppose renewable energy or be more “for” oil & gas. It was good reporting and I like learning about the Permian and the culture, landscape and other things about oil & gas that I didn’t know.
  • Filly Bu$ter
    sick sponsors, good podcast
    I am unsubscribing. In one side you are on the side of climate & workers, on the other you (implicitly) support the dark web & those unpatriotic “patriots.” Are you so desperate?
  • Maggie08102008
    Great Soundtrack
    Love the soundtrack love that steel guitar
  • rookieOY
    5 ⭐️ listen to
    If your not petroleum educated and not familiar with one of the top areas for the oil industry areas in the nation then a must listen. If you are familiar then still a must listen to learn stories that may or may not be in the headlines
  • ThunderRoad07
    Interesting story!
    Had no idea what he was saying at first - oil is a one syllable word in Texas I guess! Very interesting story. Well done.
  • Evergreen30
    Oh So Good
    I accidentally tripped and fell into West Texas and I can’t get enough! Not only is Christian is an amazing writer and story teller but the story of Boomtown is captivating. I didn’t know how much I didn’t know about the oil and gas industry in the US. The series is informative, but so personal, which makes it’s so good.
  • Flickster1000
    Wonderful podcast
    Interesting topic and the host is pitch perfect.
  • jmark93
    Worth the time!
    I have lived in Texas my whole life. Lots of information and facets of this area of Texas that I had never considered. The last interview with the reporters parents was a great ending about life in the Permian Basin.
Similar Podcasts
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.