About The Extreme History Project: The Dirt on the Past
Welcome to The Dirt on the Past from The Extreme History Project and Gallatin Valley Community Radio, KGVM. Whether digging up a site or dusting off the archives, we bring you some of the most fascinating and cutting edge research in history and archaeology, and discuss why it matters today. Join co-hosts, Crystal Alegria and Nancy Mahoney as we converse with professionals in the fields of history, archaeology, and anthropology who bring the past…into the present.
Catastrophe on Custer Creek: Montana's Deadliest Train Wreck
In this powerful episode of The Dirt on the Past, Nancy and Crystal sit down with Ian Campbell Wilson, author of Catastrophe at Custer Creek: Montana’s Deadliest Train Wreck, and Bruce Brown, the talented producer and narrator of the audiobook edition. We dive into the harrowing story behind the 1938 Custer Creek disaster—the worst rail accident in Montana history—and explore what it was like to research and write about such a devastating tragedy, from uncovering personal stories of those on the train that fateful night to the community that helped survivors and family members in the aftermath of this tragedy. Their insights bring both the historical event and the process of telling its story to vivid life.
📘 Buy the book from Montana Historical Society Press: https://mhs.mt.gov/pubs/Books/
Or find more info on the Ian Campbell Wilson website: https://www.iancampbellwilson.com/post/book-now-available
🎧 Listen to the audiobook on Audible: https://www.audible.com/ (search Catastrophe at Custer Creek: Montana’s Deadliest Train Wreck)
17 Dec 2025
Red-Light District Excavations with Nancy and Crystal
In this episode of The Dirt on the Past, hosts Nancy and Crystal take listeners deep into the heart of downtown Bozeman, MT for a look into the recent archaeological excavations in Bozeman's historic red-light district. They have a fascinating conversation about the excavations and show two artifacts that were recovered. This excavation took place in October of 2025 with a Montana State University Anthropology class. From unexpected artifacts to the stories those objects tell about Bozeman’s past, Nancy and Crystal bring both expertise and infectious curiosity to every turn, giving listeners an inside look at how history is literally being uncovered beneath their feet.
You can also watch the video version of this podcast on You Tube by following this link. https://youtu.be/JcW00yTfSwU
20 May 2025
Land of Beginnings with Doug MacDonald
In this episode of The Dirt on the Past podcast, we sit down with archaeologist and author Doug MacDonald to discuss his fascinating new book, Land of Beginnings: The Archaeology of Montana’s First Peoples. Doug takes us on a journey through Montana’s deep past, discussing where the first Montanans came from, migration routes, the Lindsey Mammoth site, the Anzick site, DNA research, and so much more. We delve into the evolving methods of studying ancient sites, and the cultural significance of this history to modern Indigenous communities. Join us for an engaging conversation that sheds new light on the deep human story rooted in the land we now call Montana.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
34 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 40 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
46
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
85
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