Come and Take It
331 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 144 ratingsCome and Take It is a talk show about Texas, by Texans. Three friends born and raised in Texas share their views on the state's history, culture, and just what it means to be Texan.
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Episodes
Gun Rights in Texas
March 30, 2015 05:00 - 36 minutes - 41.4 MBThe abiding image of Texas is that of the frontier cowboy with a six shooter in his holster and a Bowie knife tucked into his belt. Throughout its history, the Lone Star State has been associated with firearms, and this week we take a look at the history of gun rights in Texas.
Crazy Waters of Mineral Wells
March 23, 2015 05:00 - 16 minutes - 17.7 MBFrom its beginning as a small ranch on the edge of the prairie to its rise as a resort town made famous by the curative waters of its artisan wells, Mineral Wells has had a remarkable history, and the Crazy Water Hotel is right at the center of it. This week we look at the amazing story of the Crazy Water of Mineral Wells!
Roy P. Benavidez
March 16, 2015 05:00 - 17 minutes - 19.3 MBRoy Benavidez left behind the poverty of his south Texas home town of Cuero for a career in the U.S. Army Special Forces. An incredible act of heroism would make him one of the most decorated American soldiers of the Vietnam War, earning him the Medal of Honor and ensuring his place as one of Texas greatest heroes.
Audie Murphy
March 09, 2015 05:00 - 28 minutes - 32.3 MBAudie Murphy went to from the cotton fields of Texas to the battlefields of Europe to the lights of Hollywood in his all-too-brief life. One of the most decorated soldiers in American history, perhaps his greatest legacy was his work to shed light on post traumatic stress disorder. This week we look at one of the truly great Texas heroes, Audie Murphy.
Dazed and Confused
March 02, 2015 06:00 - 33 minutes - 37 MBQuentin Tarantino called it one of the best films of the 90’s. For many fans, Dazed and Confused represents Texan director Richard Linklater’s mainstream cinema debut and a launching pad for fellow Texan and Academy Award Winner Matthew McConaughey's film career. But this movie tells a wonderful personal story of youth in Texas. And cars. And Foghat. Today we go back in time to Austin, 1976 for Dazed and Confused.
James Collinsworth
February 23, 2015 06:00 - 14 minutes - 15.1 MBInterred at the Founders Memorial Cemetery in Houston is one of the lesser-known founders of the Republic of Texas. Before the tragic end to his short life, he was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, the first Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, and an early candidate for President of the Republic. Today we’re talking about James Thompson Collinsworth, on Come and Take It!
Stevie Ray Vaughan: Texas Flood
February 16, 2015 06:00 - 18 minutes - 20.4 MB"One of the most beloved and influential musicians to ever come from Texas was legendary blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan. In the early 1980s, he skyrocketed to fame on the back of his first album, Texas Flood. This week we’re going to talk about this great album, and the legacy of the man behind it.
Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and the Day the Music Died
February 09, 2015 06:00 - 25 minutes - 27.8 MBAlthough his career on the national stage was brief, Buddy Holly's influence has been vivid and long-lasting. He and the Big Bopper, both native Texans, gained almost legendary status when they lost their lives in a tragic plane crash on the night of February 3, 1959.
The King of Ragtime: Scott Joplin
February 02, 2015 06:00 - 31 minutes - 35.4 MBScott Joplin was one of the most influential musicians and composers in American history. The son of poor black workers in East Texas, he was instrumental in popularizing ragtime music, an early precursor to jazz. Despite his popularity, the critical success and acceptance he craved within classical music circles eluded him, and he died an early death in poverty and obscurity. Nearly 50 years would pass before he became recognized outside of the musical world for his influence on America's mu...
Dr Pepper
January 26, 2015 06:00 - 30 minutes - 34.3 MBWhen you think about drinking a cold one in Texas, most people probably think about taking a pull off a Lone Star longneck. But for many natives of Texas, the cold beverage of choice is none other than the most original soft drink ever: Dr Pepper.
The Last Filibusters
January 19, 2015 06:00 - 23 minutes - 26.2 MBAt the twilight of the Spanish empire, the province of Texas continued to experience periodic incursions by groups of freebooters known the filibusters. There were the privateers, including Louis Michel Aury and Jean Lafitte, who turned Galveston Island into a haven for revolution and piracy. There revolutionaries such as Mina and Perry, whose Texas incursions would spell their doom. The last of these was led by Dr. James Long, who would see little success in his endeavors, but the impact his...
Guiterrez-Magee: Texas Filibuster
January 12, 2015 06:00 - 23 minutes - 26 MBIn the 1810s and 1820s, a motley mix of adventurers, revolutionaries, and freebooters known the filibusters staged a series of incursions and invasions into the Spanish territory of Texas. They came to liberate Mexico, to carve out an independent Texas, or just for personal profit and glory, but whatever their cause, they made a lasting mark on the history of Texas. In 1813, Augustus Magee and Bernardo Guiterrez led the most successful filibustering expedition into Texas, establishing the Rep...
Philip Nolan: The First Filibuster
January 05, 2015 06:00 - 18 minutes - 20.6 MBBefore the Texas Revolution, before the Fredonia Revolt, indeed even before Mexico gained independence from Spain, an independent Texas was the goal of several groups of headstrong, brave, and perhaps foolhardy invasions by adventurers from America and other countries. These freebooters were known as the filibusters, and many consider Philip Nolan to be the first of many to make their indelible mark on Texas history.
William Barret Travis
December 29, 2014 06:00 - 33 minutes - 37.3 MBWilliam Barret Travis is one of the great icons of Texas history, but few realize that he experienced such failure and disappointment in his short life. Texas truly was a transformative place for this young man, and the fame and glory he sought in life came with his glorious death. This week we look at the life of Alamo hero William Barret Travis, on Come and Take It!
Viva Max
December 22, 2014 06:00 - 38 minutes - 42.7 MBThere are lots of classic movies about Texas and then there are movies about Texas to which time has not been so kind. Made in 1969, Viva Max! is one of these lesser films. It features an amazing cast of award winners and is based on the writings of one of the brightest minds of his generation. Today we are discussiong, Viva Max! a film about a Mexican general who re-takes the Alamo in a bid to prove his honor.
Big Bend
December 15, 2014 06:00 - 27 minutes - 31 MBCovering over 800,000 acres of far west Texas, Big Bend National Park is the first and largest national park in Texas. Larger than the state of Rhode Island, Big Bend is a diverse and fascinating combination of striking geological formations, rich diversity in plants and wildlife, amazing discoveries from the fossil record, and the darkest skies in all of Texas. This week Come and Take It visits the truly amazing Big Bend National Park!
Jim Bowie, Part Three
December 08, 2014 06:00 - 23 minutes - 26.2 MBJim Bowie was a man who lived many lives. He was a swindler, a fighter, a husband, an adventurer, a patriot, and a rebel. His years in Texas had brought him prosperity as well as heartbreak. In 1836, though, would find his ultimate fate and fame as one of the doomed defenders of the Alamo. This week we finish our look at the life and death of one of Texas greatest icons, Jim Bowie.
Jim Bowie, Part Two
December 01, 2014 06:00 - 21 minutes - 24.2 MBIn 1828, Jim Bowie left behind his controversial life in Louisiana to start again in Texas, hoping to find his fortune. He found adventure, prosperity, and heartbreak as well. Most significantly, he found his ultimate fate and fame as one of the doomed defenders of the Alamo. This week we continue our look at the life and death of adventurer, rogue, and Texas icon Jim Bowie.
Jim Bowie, Part One
November 24, 2014 06:00 - 35 minutes - 39.5 MBSoldier. Adventurer. Knife fighter. Land swindler. Smuggler. Rogue. Hero. All of these words were used to describe Jim Bowie, a man as famous and notorious as the deadly knife that bore his name. Words that paint the picture, but do no not tell the full story of the man who would one day meet his fate at the Alamo. This week we take a look at the early life of one of Texas greatest legends, Jim Bowie
UT vs. A&M: The Great Texas Rivalry
November 17, 2014 06:00 - 34 minutes - 39.6 MBThe history of Texas is littered with great rivalries. The Spanish vs. the French. Texas Rangers vs. the Comanche. Santa Anna vs. Everyone. But today, as we approach the American Thanksgiving holiday, weʼre going to talk about what is, perhaps, the greatest rivalry in the history of the world: the Univeristy of Texas Longhorns vs. the Aggies of Texas A&M.
The Goodnight-Loving Trail
November 10, 2014 06:00 - 27 minutes - 30.9 MBTo many people, Texas is cowboys and cattle drives. The image of tough, independent men driving a massive herd of longhorns across desolate country while facing impossible odds is universally iconic. But cattle drives werenʼt just a bunch of cowboys getting together and aiming a herd of cows north. They were highly profitable and well organized business ventures that followed carefully crafted and scouted trails. One of the most famous of these was the Goodnight-Loving trail, named after two ...
The Free State of Galveston
November 03, 2014 06:00 - 22 minutes - 25 MBThis week we return to the early part of the 20th century to the city of Galveston. In the years after the hurricanes of 1900 and 1915 devastated the town, the island worked hard to revive itself as a port and a tourist destination The acceptance of alcohol and other vices played a major part of the recovery of the city, and had an indellible affect on Galveston and Texas history. Today we talk about the Free State of Galveston, on Come and Take It!
Haunted Texas: Hotels
October 26, 2014 05:00 - 30 minutes - 33.9 MBIt is that time of year again, when our minds turn to the strange, bewildering, and sometimes downright creepy parts of history. There is no shortage of ghost stories in Texas, and—perhaps strangely, perhaps conveniently—many of them revolve around places that are trying to attract people to spend their money. Today we are talking about Haunted Texas hotels.
Cortina Troubles
October 20, 2014 05:00 - 35 minutes - 39.5 MBIn 1859, tensions between longtime Tejanos and newcomer Americans in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas exploded into a conflict that became known as the Cortina Troubles. These revolved around a Tejano named Juan Nepomuceno Cortina, the so called Red Robber of the Rio Grande. Unlike many of the conflicts in the Rio Grande Valley, the motivation behind the Cortina Troubles was not one of territory or borders but social equality and a clash of cultures still felt today.
Santa Anna: Part 2
October 13, 2014 05:00 - 35 minutes - 39.3 MBDefeat at the hands of Texas rebels on the field of San Jacinto has left Mexican leader Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna disgraced and discredited, and his country mired in political and economic chaos. But he would rise from the ashes many times before his ambition finally overreached his usefulness.
Santa Anna: Part 1
October 06, 2014 05:00 - 35 minutes - 40.3 MBNo man dominated the political life of the first decades of Mexico's existence like Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. But from his earliest days as a Spanish soldier to the field of San Jacinto, Santa Anna's glory was tied to Texas as much as it was to Mexico. Today we look at the early life and rise to power of the infamous Santa Anna, the Napoleon of the West.
Jefferson: Queen City of the Bayou
September 29, 2014 05:00 - 38 minutes - 43.8 MBToday, Jefferson is a quiet little vacation community in the forests of East Texas. But not so long ago, it was the sort of rowdy saloon and riverboat town where Mark Twain would feel right at home. Cotton was king and this city—hundreds of miles from the coast—gained a reputation as a miniature New Orleans. This lasted until the Army Corps of Engineers opened up the Red River and turned what was once a thriving port city into just another out-of-the-way town. A classic boomtown, Jefferson we...
Forgotten Republics of Texas
September 22, 2014 05:00 - 32 minutes - 36.8 MBThe Texas Revolution was only one of many rebellions that caught fire during independent Mexico’s first turbulent decades. Even before 1835—and certainly after—there were different efforts within Texas itself to create separate republics. This week, we talk about two of those: the Republic of Fredonia and the Republic of the Rio Grande. These republics were both a cause to, and a result of, the Texas Revolution in some very surprising ways.
Year One
September 15, 2014 05:00 - 47 minutes - 54 MBA little over one year ago, the first episode of Come and Take It was released to the world. Now, with 52 weekly episodes under our belt, we talk about the show's origins, how we got where we are today, and a little about where we want to go in the future.
The Hurricane of 1900
September 08, 2014 05:00 - 35 minutes - 39.5 MBOne hundred fourteen years ago today, the Hurricane of 1900—sometimes known as Isaacs Storm or just the Galveston Hurricane—was and remains the deadliest natural disaster in United States history. A fifth of the population of the barrier island at the southern end of Galveston Bay was lost, and the true cost of this deadly storm is nearly impossible to measure. Why was it so deadly, and how did it become intrinsically linked with the name Isaac Cline?
Captain Joe and the Storm of 1919
September 01, 2014 05:00 - 30 minutes - 33.6 MBThe South Texas city of Corpus Christi was once considered a natural refuge from hurricanes. In 1919, though it bore the brunt of a massively powerful storm which devastated the city and killed hundreds, including two of Texas first game wardens who gave their lives rescuing citizens. Today we look at the remarkable story of Captain Joe Williams and the Storm of 1919, on Come and Take It!
J. Erik Jonsson and the Plan for Dallas
August 25, 2014 05:00 - 28 minutes - 31.5 MBHe was an engineer, a pioneer, an inventor, a businessman, and a leader. He came to Texas to help found what became Texas Instruments. He played a central role in shaping the city's reaction to the Kennedy assasination, and was called upon by the people of Dallas to fill a civic role as mayor. His years as mayor would help heal the wounds caused on that fateful November day and transform Dallas into a modern cosmopolitan city. Today we discuss J. Erik Jonnson, visionary and architect of the P...
Tejano Heroes of the Texas Revolution
August 18, 2014 05:00 - 32 minutes - 36.7 MBWhen you ask 'Who are the great leaders of the Texas Revolution?', the names Houston, Austin, Bowie, Crockett, and Travis come to mind right away. But just as important to the birth of Texas are the Tejanos—Texans of Spanish descent—who took up arms against the tyranny of Santa Anna. Today we look at Juan Seguín, José Navarro, and Lorenzo de Zavala, just a few of the Tejano heroes of the Texas Revolution.
Great Texas Movies
August 11, 2014 05:00 - 1 hour - 72.2 MBFrom the earliest days of film to the big budget blockbusters and home-grown auteurs of modern cinema, Texas has played a long and critical role in the history of film-making. This week we look at some of the great films and film stars of Texas.
Texas During the Great War
August 04, 2014 05:00 - 35 minutes - 40.2 MBThe First World War had a profound impact on the Lone Star State. From the men and women who served to its role as a training ground for soldiers and aviators, Texas played a significant part in the American war effort. What is often overlooked about World War I is the negative effect on Texas’ German population. As the world observes the centennial of this most terrible of wars, we take look back at the experience of Texas during the Great War.
Monumental Texas: Odds and Ends
July 28, 2014 05:00 - 27 minutes - 30.9 MBWe have talked about monuments of the Texas Centennial celebration, built to commemorate some of the most important events in Texas history. But not all monuments in Texas are so grand. Many seek to honor famous Texans or the triumphs of the common man. Sometimes we just build monuments to things we like.
Texas Tribes: Part Two
July 21, 2014 05:00 - 30 minutes - 34.4 MBThough the Comanche may have had the most impact on Texas History and the Caddo likely had the longest contact with European settlers, there are many other Native American tribes who made their mark. These tribes run the gamut from settled, farming groups to the horse-culture plains dwellers. From the Jumano and Apache of the far west to the Wichita and Kiowa of the plains, to the Cherokee who arrived just before the Revolution, all of these native peoples have a lasting legacy in Texas.
Texas Tribes: Part One
July 14, 2014 05:00 - 28 minutes - 31.6 MBLong before the arrival of Europeans, the land that eventually became Texas was occupied by a diverse array of native people. The interactions of these people with the Europeans shaped both the culture and history of the state. In this episode, we look at some of the tribes that predominated the eastern half of Texas.
Cabeza de Vaca
July 07, 2014 05:00 - 25 minutes - 28.3 MBYou could make the case that written Texas history began with a man named Cabeza de Vaca, who made history as much as he wrote it down. His 4000-mile journey, from the Florida coast through Texas to the Pacific coast of Mexico—most of it walking—is one of the earliest undertaken by a European in Texas.
Texas Beer
June 30, 2014 05:00 - 41 minutes - 46.9 MBThe history of Texas may be bathed in blood, but it’s also soaked in beer. From small in-house and community breweries, to an explosion of regional operations in the late 1800s, and through the peak dominance of Big Beer in the mid-20th century, beer is as Texan as the bluebonnet or the armadillo. So pop the top off a longneck and start sippin’, pardner: we’re talking the history of Texas Beer.
Willie Nelson: Part 2
June 23, 2014 05:00 - 27 minutes - 30.5 MBHe’s a legend, an outlaw, an entertainer, and the epitome of what it is to be Texan. Today we conclude our discussion of Willie Nelson in the modern years.
Willie Nelson: Part 1
June 16, 2014 05:00 - 32 minutes - 35.7 MBFew people embody the Texan ideal like legendary country music artist Willie Nelson. He is an icon of country music and one of the most recognizable Texans of all time. This week we examine his life, from his childhood in Texas, to the height of his success as the leader of Outlaw Country. We are proud to present this two parter on the life of the legend, Willie Nelson, on Come and Take It!
The Spanish Missions in Texas
June 09, 2014 05:00 - 38 minutes - 43 MBThe Spanish mission system had a critical role in the early exploration and settlement of Texas. The system's purpose was to bring European civilization and Christianity to Native American tribes inhabiting Spanish Texas. Today we take a special look at the history of missions in the New World, its origins, and the influence it played in the development of the Lone Star State This week we are joined by our friend Stephen Guerra of The History of the Papacy podcast to look at the rich and fasc...
Mier Expedition
June 02, 2014 05:00 - 30 minutes - 34.4 MBIn 1842, war between the Republic of Texas and Mexico reignited, leading to a series of disastrous invasions back and forth across the border. Today we look at the compelling story of the Mier Expedition and the infamous Black Bean incident.
Monumental Texas: Centennial
May 26, 2014 05:00 - 18 minutes - 20.8 MBThe touchstones of Goliad, the Alamo, and San Jacinto still resonate today. They're more than just stories in the history books, though; they have a physical presence, too: the monuments of the Texas Centennial.
San Antonio Military Aviation
May 19, 2014 05:00 - 27 minutes - 31 MBWe all know that the birthplace of aviation in the US is at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, where the Wright Brothers took their historic flight in 1903. But would you believe that the birthplace and incubator of American military aviation was in the historic Texas city of San Antonio? From one officer teaching himself how to fly the Wright Flyer to the global reach of Joint Base San Antonio in the 21st century, we look at San Antonio, the birthplace of American military aviation.
The Commemorative Air Force
May 12, 2014 05:00 - 20 minutes - 23 MBFrom their beginnings as a group of aircraft enthusiasts in the Rio Grande Valley pooling their money to purchase a surplus World War 2 fighter, the Commemorative Air Force has grown into a nationwide organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of history’s greatest warbirds.
A Most Pleasing Shape
May 05, 2014 05:00 - 25 minutes - 31.9 MBThe borders of Texas run for nearly 3000 miles, from the Gulf of Mexico, the length of the Rio Grande, the New Mexico desert, the great plains, the Red River, the piney woods in the east, and down the Sabine River. All of these borders have evolved over time and their tale is the tale of Texas history. The result is a most pleasing shape.
Love Field
April 28, 2014 05:00 - 28 minutes - 31.9 MBLove Field, located six miles north of downtown Dallas, has been central to Texas aviation history since 1917. Whether training pilots for both world wars, ushering in commercial aviation to the state, or playing its own part in the tragedy of the JFK assassination, Love Field has had many historic moments.
The Runaway Scrape and San Jacinto
April 21, 2014 05:00 - 39 minutes - 44.2 MBAfter the fall of the Alamo and the massacre at Goliad, Texans fled east to stay one step ahead of Santa Anna's pursuit. The Runaway Scrape, as it came to be known, would have a lasting legacy in the history of the Lone Star State, and would lead to one of the most stunning reversals of fortune in all of history, the Battle of San Jacinto, where Texans turned and faced Santa Anna and won their independence.