Episodes 89
Avg. Duration 31m
Activity Highly Active
Since Mar 2017
Latest Episode Feb 2026

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Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Consistency
12%
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feeds.buzzsprout.com

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About This Podcast

Prof. Damian Bacich shares the history you didn't learn in school. Each episode is a deep dive into the fascinating early history of California and the West. Listen to stories and interviews with scholars, experts, and people who are passionate about a time when California was the frontier of empire and imagination. 

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Recent Episodes

S5E3 088: The Portolá Expedition and the Discovery of the San Francisco Bay

Feb 26, 2026 27m

In 1769, Spain feared it was about to lose the Pacific coast. Russian traders were moving south from Alaska, British naval power was rising, and Spain had no permanent settlements north of Baja…

S5E2 087: Exploring Baja California with Author David Kier Part 2

Feb 10, 2026 33m

In part two of this interview, Damian Bacich continues his conversation with David Kier, who shares stories from his travels to the Baja California missions and explains some of the legends people…

S5E1 086: The Missions of Baja California with Author David Kier Part 1

Feb 03, 2026 35m

In this episode, host Damian Bacich talks with David Kier about his lifelong interest in Baja California and its missions. Kier explains how family trips he took as a child sparked a passion that…

S4 085: A Gold Rush Family Saga with author Craig S. Harwood

Nov 20, 2025 58m

Today, I'm honored to speak with Craig S. Harwood, author of Bridget's Gambit, a captivating saga of family enterprise during the California Gold Rush. This really interesting book, coming out soon,…

S4 084: San Diego's Lost City with Author Richard Carrico Part 2

Nov 06, 2025 44m

In Part 2 of my interview with archaeologist Richard Carrico, our conversation delves into the significant archaeological findings at the Presidio, revealing insights into its history, architecture,…

S4 083: San Diego's Lost City with Author Richard Carrico Part 1

Oct 30, 2025 27m

In this conversation, I interview archaeologist Richard Carrico, an expert on the Presidio of San Diego, discussing its historical significance, the need for accessible literature on the subject, and…

S4E16 082: California's Forgotten Soldiers: The Californio Lancers Part 2

Oct 21, 2025 40m

In this episode, we delve into the second half of an interview with Tom Prezelski, author of Californio Lancers: The First Battalion of Native Cavalry in the Far West. The discussion covers the…

S4E15 081: California's Forgotten Soldiers: The Californio Lancers Part 1

Oct 14, 2025 33m

In this episode, I talk with author Tom Prezelski about his book The Californio Lancers: The 1st Battalion of Native Cavalry in the Far West, 1863–1866. Together, we explore the fascinating and often…

S4E14 080: Soldiers' Wives on the California Frontier Part 2 | April Farnham, Ethnohistorian

Jul 17, 2025 34m Transcript

Join us as we conclude our interview with ethnohistorian April Farnham, delving into the lives and contributions of mixed Spanish and indigenous families in Northern California during the late 18th…

S4E13 079: Soldiers' Wives in Early California Part 1 | April Farnham, Ethnohistorian

Jul 01, 2025 37m Transcript

In this episode, I interview April Farham, who shares her fascinating work on the lives of early California settlers, specifically indigenous and Mestiza women. April discusses her personal journey…

S4E12 078: True Visual History of California Part 3 | David W. Rickman, Illustrator and Historian

May 29, 2025 27m Transcript

Exploring Historical Illustrations and California's Cultural Heritage with David W. RickmanWatch to the full YouTube videoIn the final installment of this interview series, historian and illustrator…

S4E11 077: True Visual History of California Part 2 | David W. Rickman, Illustrator and Historian

May 15, 2025 33m Transcript

In the second part of our interview with illustrator and historian David W. Rickman, we delve into his research methodologies and his quest to accurately depict historical clothing. We discuss how…

S4E10 076: True Visual History of California Part 1 | David W. Rickman, Illustrator and Historian

May 01, 2025 40m Transcript

Join us for Part 1 of an interview with artist and historian David W. Rickman, renowned for his illustrations of California history and the Spanish borderlands. In this episode, we delve into the…

S4E9 075: Life in the Gold Fields | Tales of Mexican California Part 4

Apr 17, 2025 43m

Antonio Coronel’s Gold Rush Tales in Mexican CaliforniaIn the final installment of 'The Tales of Mexican California,' we follow Antonio Coronel's vivid recount of his time in the Northern California…

S4E8 074: Pirates in California? | Michael Hardwick Part 2

Apr 03, 2025 37m Transcript

In the second part of my interview with Michael Hardwick, we hear about Hippolyte Bouchard, a pirate who raided California's coast, and learn about the history of the Spanish and Mexican…

S4E7 073: Presidios and Soldados in California Part 1 | Author Michael Hardwick

Mar 27, 2025 45m Transcript

In this episode, I delve into the often overlooked history of the Spanish Presidios in California with expert Michael Hardwick, author of Spanish Arms and Armaments of the Presidios in…

S4E6 072: The Revolt of Los Angeles: Tales of Mexican California Part 3

Mar 13, 2025 24m

Join me for another excerpt from Antonio Franco Coronel's memoirs, Tales of Mexican California. In this episode, we hear about the events of 1846, when the US military began its invasion and…

S4E5 071: Tales of Mexican California Part 2: Antonio Coronel's Memoirs

Feb 27, 2025 34m Transcript

Tales of Mexican California: Antonio Coronel's Memoirs - Part 2To hear Part 1, go to Episode 065.In this episode of the California Frontier Podcast, Damian Bacich continues exploring the memoirs of…

S4E4 070: The Journey of the Stones | Fr. Paul Mark Schwan (Part 2)

Feb 18, 2025 34m

In the second half of my interview with Father Paul Mark Swan, Abbot of the Abbey of New Clairvaux, we find out about the journey of a medieval Spanish monastery, brought to San Francisco by William…

S4E3 069: Medieval Heritage in the Heart of California | Abbot Paul Mark Schwan (Part 1)

Feb 11, 2025 35m

Part 1 of this interview explores the rich history of the Abbey of New Clairvaux, a Roman Catholic monastery in Vina, California. The abbey is rooted in the Benedictine tradition, a monastic…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does California Frontier have?

California Frontier has published 89 episodes since March 2017, covering topics in Education, History.

Is California Frontier still active?

California Frontier is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 31m.

How do I contact California Frontier for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for California Frontier, including email and social media links.

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