City On The Edge Podcast

In this special bonus episode, we chat with the Pajama Men (Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez) about their award winning absurdist comedy show (which the Guardian once called the Velvet Underground of comedy) and their Albuquerque roots.

Episode 23: Graffitti by Ty, Nora and Mike

We're back! This episode, we discuss the surprising impact that a terrible disease had on the history of Albuquerque. We also touch on the bubonic plague, the illness that ravaged Europe and still reappears in New Mexico from time to time.

Ty, Mike and Nora discuss the various ways Albuquerque has entered into the viral sphere, from women's soccer brutality to the first gay, er, blind mountain climber. We also interview Lauren Poole, who created the viral video "Shit Burqueños Say."

We take a reddit user’s question about what might be making her dog bark very seriously. Could it be an invisible witch? A mischievous duende? A grotesque earth baby? Or some other supernatural entity out of New Mexico folklore?

This episode has everything: Monkeys (well, apes) going into space, feral monkeys living in desert caves, monkeys flying mini-airplanes through mushroom clouds, and even a monkey crashing a UFO in the wilds of Arizona. And even more surprising? They all have a New Mexico connection.

Our first live show! Mike and Ty talk about the 6 miles of tunnels beneath UNM, the secrets of the Estufa (a building no woman has ever set foot in) and a Vietnam War protest where 11 demonstrators were bayoneted by the National Guard. Check out the slides we mention at http://www.cityontheedgepodcast.com/blog/2016/9/26/show-notes-episode-18-secret-unm

Each and everyone of us has access to a “secret” Albuquerque experience. The very fact of approximately 1 million unique minds living in the metro area means that there are 1 million unique and inaccessible points of view and thus, 1 million secret versions of our city. What are the Albuquerques that we wish we could access, but can’t? We talk about Ghufoor, a forgotten pueblo buried in a subdivision, abandoned nuclear storage areas and history itself as a sort of secret.

We explore several Albuquerque-area Route 66 sites, including the KiMo Theatre, De Anza Lodge, El Vado Motel and the Oasis. Also, we try to figure what the deal is with the Albuquerque Rapid Transit system: will it kill 66 or save it?

Mike and Ty are joined by writer/poet Nora Hickey to discuss Route 66 history in Albuquerque. Nora interviews author David Dunaway about the significance of the Mother Road.

The Albuquerque Police Department has faced its share of controversies over the years, culminating in an investigation by the Department of Justice which released its findings in 2014. In this episode, we sit down with New Mexico In Depth reporter Jeff Proctor and get up to speed on the origin of the controversies and where things stand now. Also, Mike shares an article he wrote from the front-lines of the anti-police brutality protests of 2014.

We talk about Albuquerque's very first lawman, Milton Yarberry, who assumed the office in 1881 and was hanged in 1883. We also look into the correct pronunciation of "Tiguex" and horrifying bugs in the Albuquerque area.

We get geeky and delve into Albuquerque's imagined future via the work of sci-fi authors like Jack Williamson. Will Burque ever be the capitol of a vast space empire? Will denizens of our fair city someday blow up the moon? Tune in and find out! We also discuss the recent fire at the Desert Sands Motel and its surprising connection the so-called "Toy Box Killer."

In this follow up to our Hobo Hank episode, we chat with Destiny Wrestling commissioner Adam Merrick about the history of the sport in the Duke City. We also discuss the state of the Bernalillo jail circa 1882, and finish up with an awesome rendition of the song "California Lady" performed by Lady Uranium.

We delve into the strange and wonderful world of indy wrestling and talk to one of the local babyfaced heroes, Hobo Hank.

BONUS EPISODE! Mike and Ty talk about the history of Albuquerque's development, and a crime connected to the Hoffmantown Shopping Center. Also, a roller coaster on Sandia Crest?

Mike dives deep into the banality of his current job in a piece about maintaining your sanity in the office place. Also, we talk chupacabras, tumbleweed tornadoes and other peculiarities of the Soutwhest.

In this special bonus episode, Mike and Ty continue their discussion on Frank Hibben and Sandia Cave. Also, we have some exciting announcements!

In 1934, an archaeologist from the University of New Mexico excavated a cave near Albuquerque and found evidence of human inhabitation going back to 25,000 BCE, far earlier than any other known human settlement in the Americas. So how come hardly anyone has heard of it?

In 1967, a young woman in Española, NM sent David Bowie his first piece of fan mail from America. Now, almost 50 years later and after Bowie's passing, we speak to Sandra Dodd about her letter and how fragile and beautiful a brief connection with another human being can be.