Discovering America Podcast
176 episodes - English - Latest episode: 19 days ago - ★★★★★ - 45 ratingsThis podcast will be a history narrative collected from various sources. I will be covering the stories of events and people that played a part in creating America. My goal is to give the listener an entertaining dialog of history and walk away (or ear away) with a, “I didn’t know that”, feeling.
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Episodes
73-Francis Drake Visits Spanish Ports
December 11, 2015 04:58 - 40 minutes - 28 MBFrancis Drake had the abilities to have men flock to his side; they knew action was in their future. He also had the tactics to wage destruction to those who fought against him upon the high seas and had strategies to conquer coastal settlements. Francis was a thorn in the side of King Phillip; these next few assaults would only further his irritation.
72-Francis Drake Around the World
November 12, 2015 04:21 - 34 minutes - 23.9 MBWhile Queen Elizabeth was busy figuring out if a war with Spanish was emanate, Francis slipped away on a mission of his own. The sailors on board were told they were bound for Alexandra but, after a wrong turn, they must have realized this trip was headed for more interesting waters. Francis Drake and his ships would load up on Spanish treasures. This was not all, second on the agenda was a trip around the world. Come one come all! Who is ready for a terror trip through the Magellan straits?
71-Francis Drake the Pirate
October 29, 2015 03:21 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBEngland and Spain are in the middle of deciding whether to go to war or not. Drake had other plans so he slipped down to the Spanish Main to help himself to the treasures sitting in their storehouses. The ex-Spanish African slaves, the Cimarrones or Maroons as called by the sailors would go along with Drake’s schemes. Shipping was not what it used to be; now there was Drake and company. The ships dragging from the weight of their cargo arrived back at England. Only to find out that Spain had...
70-Francis Drake
October 15, 2015 04:00 - 32 minutes - 22.7 MBThis episode mixes in the history of the unsettled affairs in Europe and how a very famous pirate or should I say privateer got involved. Francis Drake is just getting his feet wet with the fight against the Spanish control of the wealth coming out of the Indies and beyond.
69-Sebastian Vizcaino: More of his Travels
September 29, 2015 03:10 - 36 minutes - 25.4 MBWinter was coming on, the temperature was dropping and many of the men were sick. Admiral Gomez on the Santo Tomas was instructed to head home with letters, journals and charts and give an account to the viceroy what they had discovered. Unfortunately that’s not all, the ship would carry home. The ship would be loaded with the sickest of men. Scurvy had taken over the ships. Later on, a storm would separate the San Diego and the Tres Reyes. The San Diego and Vizcaino’s crew would soon turn a...
Interview with Maggie Espinosa
September 20, 2015 16:36 - 1 hour - 28 MBThis is a special edition of the Discovering America podcast, an interview with author Maggie Espinosa where she explains her extraordinary journey walking to 21 Spanish Missions in the Southern California region.
68-Sebastian Vizcaino along the California Coast
September 15, 2015 02:49 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBThe three ships, Santo Tomas, San Diego and the Tres Reyes would continue exploring and mapping the California coast in search of that perfect port to be used by the Spanish ships as a stopping point on the Philippine trade route. Most of the time the natives were very friendly towards the strangers but, then again this wasn’t the first time the Europeans had visited these shores. Juan Cabrillo had made his way up this coast and then there is the ship wreck of San Agustin which left some unf...
67-Sebastian Vizcaino
August 20, 2015 03:49 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MBThe Spanish discovered an ocean route from the west coast of North America and took control of the Philippines. Now the west coast was the target of the other European nations. It would best to secure a port, a harbor, anyplace as a safe haven for the incoming Spanish galleons. Cabrillo had explored the western coast but that was several years ago. Spain sends another group of ships to search out and map the coast to find that safe haven. Sebastian Vizcaino takes on that challenge, a good ch...
66-Juan de Onate Visits the Colorado
August 05, 2015 04:24 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MBComing back from the east and finding San Juan almost deserted, this was very disheartening for Onate. With the help of Saldivar after talking to the king, the settlement was revived. Now it was time for Onate to venture towards the sea. His group would experience the great Colorado and visit many of the people who lived among its banks, well at least one side of it. After the men smelled the sea breeze, they retraced their steps back to New Mexico, all accounted for sir!
65-Juan de Onate Heads East
July 22, 2015 04:04 - 29 minutes - 20.1 MBJuan de Onate, Vicente de Saldivar, two religious men, Fray Francisco de Velasco, and Fray Pedro de Vergara along with 70 hand-picked soldiers, and let’s not forget the 700 horses would set off in June 1601 to explore the country to the east or to see Coronado’s Quivira first hand. Along the way the group would come in contact with the Apache, Escanjaques and the Quivira Indian tribes. Far to the east around the Arkansas River, the friendly atmosphere was no longer, the Spaniards would have ...
64-Juan de Onate Visits the Surrounding Pueblos
July 12, 2015 02:35 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBWhile Saldivar was off playing with the buffalo, Onate decided to visit the surrounding pueblos and pay a visit to the Salinas and Xumanas tribes. They headed westward to Zuni and onto Moqui or Hopi villages and also discovered some salt marshes. Onate’s journey among the many pueblos went well, not so with Juan Zaldivar and his group at the pueblo of Acoma. So many people so little time to say hello.
63-Juan de Onate and the Settlement of San Juan
June 27, 2015 04:24 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MBOnate’s group builds the settlement of San Juan while he ventures and visits the outlying communities. In his travels the natives respond in a friendly manner towards the Spanish. Although trouble does rear its head among the settlers at San Juan, they were expecting riches that did not abound. With a tree and a rope this matter was soon taken care of. And then Saldivar was sent east to capture some buffalo, that didn’t go so well. We call them “wild” animals for a reason. Seen any prairie ...
62-Juan de Onate
June 12, 2015 05:27 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MBThe next Spanish Explorer on the scene with approval from the crown would be Juan de Onate, who had the means and drive to make this expedition to New Mexico a reality. The new viceroy, Gaspar de Zuniga, 5th count of Monterrey had a different agenda. Inspection after inspection was ordered by the viceroy, two years would pass. When can I leave?
61-Journey of Gaspar Castano
May 27, 2015 03:49 - 23 minutes - 16.4 MBSo many men of means wanted to throw their hat into the arena to become the governor of the New Mexican region. You would think that would be Don Antonio Espejo but, that was not to be, politics. A changing of the viceroys may have added to the indecisions. A man by the name of Gasper Castano de Sosa acting as Lieutenant Governor of Nuevo Leon thought he could pack up and head out, without written permission. Ok, I was wrong, may I keep my head?
60-Journeys of Ibarra, Rodriquez and Espejo
May 12, 2015 03:56 - 29 minutes - 20.7 MBIt wasn’t the big names we have all hear about in books that were now exploring, or re-exploring the country, no it would be miners looking for that next bonanza of silver or religious figures expiring to convert the natives. Ibarra’s uncle had already made in big, now it would be his turn. Exploring northern Mexico he would establish a new region, Nueva Vizcaya along with new mines, as well as creating new towns. Next onto the scene came Fray Agustin Rodriquez, Juan de Santa Maria and Franc...
59-Tristan de Luna Homeward Bound
May 01, 2015 04:10 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MBIt seems the Luna expedition was on a downward spiral. Everybody was tired and hungry; the necessary supplies were not inward bound as needed. When Major Suaz arrived in Mobile Bay, the group was all together once again. Settling the Gulf Coast was secondary, the king’s top priority was now colonizing Santa Elena, so heading home was a good idea, start anew I say.
58-Tristan de Luna In la Florida
April 17, 2015 04:04 - 24 minutes - 17 MBWith all the planning that went into this quest to colonize Florida, hard work was still ahead of the Luna party. Mother Nature put a huge damper on their progress; it was now, survival mode.
57-Tristan de Luna Sails to la Florida
April 08, 2015 03:47 - 23 minutes - 16.4 MBLuna would have his hands full sailing off in 13 ships to the coast of Florida with over 1500 people and 140 horses aboard. A voyage this size took careful planning. The Viceroy of New Spain (Mexico) Luis de Velasco and King Phillip of Spain were eager to establish a foothold in la Florida. Once this was complete an overland route could be established to Santa Elena on the eastern coast of North America. So does anyone know where we are going? Wait! I’ll Google it.
56-Juan Pedro's Forts
March 19, 2015 04:07 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MBThe Spanish explored the states of the Carolinas and Tennessee. Juan Pedro and his company would build and man many forts along the way, although they didn’t last long. The Indian villages that existed near these forts were expected to supply the Spaniards with food. Is there anything on the menu other than maize?
55-Juan Pedro's Explorations
March 09, 2015 04:04 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MBThe Spanish were trying to keep what was theirs, not an easy task. Pedro would start off from the eastern coast of North America and rediscover the lands that Ferdinand de Soto explored 25 years earlier. The Indians were nice enough to supply the food that the Spaniards needed every step of the way but, where is the shiny stuff?
54-Ribault's Last Days and the Revenge of Gourges
February 16, 2015 04:29 - 38 minutes - 26.9 MBRibault acted hastily against the Spanish and it didn’t help that his fleet encountered a storm that destroyed them. The Spanish would eliminate the French from America for the time being. But in the wake of this atrocity against the French Dominique de Gourgues would gather ships and men together to save the grace of France. Forgive and forget not this time.
53-Jean Ribaut His Story
February 05, 2015 05:41 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBAfter the clashing of swords stopped it was time to sail west but this time it would be to establish a colony for the sake of religion. Admiral de Coligny would choose Jean Ribaut to command and establish a French Protestant (Huguenots) colony on the land called Florida. The Spanish would not take kindly to this “invasion”. The Spanish commander Pedro Menendez would have the last word and not at all respectably. Can’t we all just get along?
52-Third Voyage of Jacques Cartier
January 23, 2015 05:07 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MBWith the war between France and Spain finally over, five years had passed since his last voyage. The Indians he had promised to return to their homeland within twelve moons had all passed away except a 12 year old girl who was now their interpreter. The king put Sieur de Roberval in charge of this third voyage but, he wasn’t ready to sail. So Cartier sailed off with five ships on May 23, 1541. After spending time with the Indians and the new chief, Cartier loaded the ship with diamonds and g...
51-Second Voyage of Jacques Cartier part two
January 15, 2015 04:24 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBCartier and his small band of men made their way to the village of Hochelaga and received a wonderful welcome. The Indians insisted that they should climb to the top of Mount Royal and see something they were very proud of, the Frenchmen accommodated the request. What they saw below was the flowing fields of corn and the Indian village of Hochelaga, a place that would become the site of Montreal, Canada. The Indians and the French would endure the winter but, with it came the loss of many l...
50-Second Voyage of Jacques Cartier
January 07, 2015 05:08 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBSupported by the excited King of France, Cartier would sail for another go of it, looking for that northwest passage. Among the three ships would be the two Indian interpreters, Taignoagny and Domagaya taken from their village on the first voyage. The group would arrive at the Indian village of Stadacrone. From here the French desired to sail to the village of Hochelaga. The chief Donnacona of Stadacrone did not want them to leave. But we have so much to see, please let us go.
Happy Holidays
December 23, 2014 05:55 - 33 seconds - 572 KBHappy Holidays to you and see you next year with more of the Discovering America podcast
49-First Voyage of Jacques Cartier
December 19, 2014 06:23 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBIn two ships and 60 men, a Frenchman from St. Malo, Jacques Cartier sails west to the fishing grounds searching for the western passage. Along the way he meets up with friendly natives, walruses and polar bears. The first voyage would pass through the Strait of Belle Isle, along the southern coast of Newfoundland and hit varies points and capes in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The weather would be changing soon and not equipped for winter, the ships sailed home. No passage but, we did taste...
48-Voyage of John Rut
December 10, 2014 03:57 - 14 minutes - 10.4 MBJohn Rut’s early voyages were picking up wine for the King of England at Bordeaux. In 1527 with Rut in command, two ships, the Mary Guildford and the Samson headed for the coast of Newfoundland. The Samson and all aboard would be lost in a storm. The Mary Guildford later entered a good harbor called St. Johns where several fishing vessels from different countries were present. Soon after an English ship sailed into the Caribbean, same ship, you decide.
47-Cabrillo and the California Coast part two
December 02, 2014 05:07 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBThe season was starting to change from here on out they experienced rough weather. Finally the ships arrived back at the islands they named San Lucas. Winter quarters would be set up on the island of La Posesion, later renamed to Juan Rodriquez after the death of Cabrillo. The voyage would continue and give a glimpse of the western coast of North America so that others could follow.
46-Cabrillo and the California Coast
November 21, 2014 05:07 - 23 minutes - 16.7 MBStarting with a little background history concerning the exploits on pacific side of Mexico to the bottom part of California, this episode begins the voyage of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and his two ships, the San Salvador and the Victoria, sailing off from the Puerto de Navidad on June 27, 1542.
45-How America Got Its Name
November 06, 2014 05:18 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MBColumbus thought he had discovered a passage to the orient and so the maps of the day showed his discoveries as islands. It would be the voyage of Vespucci sailing down the eastern side of South America that would cause so much interest. The map makers labeled the land we know as Brazil with the name “Mundus Novus” or “New World”. With the refinements of charts and maps the New World took on the name “America”.
44-Final Voyages of Vespucci
October 23, 2014 03:03 - 21 minutes - 14.7 MBThe fourth voyage to the west did not turn out to be of any great importance. Being left behind by the captain, Vespucci and the men that remained would catch birds with their hands and build a fortress. The fifth and sixth voyages of Vespucci were not intended to be expeditions of discovery, nope.. load those ships with gold and pearls.
43-Third Voyage of Vespucci
October 14, 2014 03:38 - 22 minutes - 15.9 MBThis voyage would change how the world was viewed, Mundus Novus or “New World” but, who cares, where is that passage to the orient? If you would like to read the letters of Vespucci you can find them at: http://mith.umd.edu/eada/html/display.php?docs=vespucci_letters.xml
42 - Vespucci Sails With Ojeda and Cosa
October 08, 2014 00:11 - 24 minutes - 17.1 MBThree ships commanded by Juan de Ojeda along with the great pilot Juan de La Cosa and Amerigo Vespucci would sail off for parts unknown, well not quite. Please join me for what is considered the second voyage of Vespucci.
41-The Beginnings of Amerigo Vespucci
September 20, 2014 18:56 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBHow could I talk about the discovery of America without involving this man, Amerigo Vespucci? His history relies so much on two letters written to a friend. He mentions a book that would cover the accounts of his voyages, a book never written? Or just never published and remains in someone’s deep dark cellar? You can find the letter describing his first voyage at http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1497vespucci-america.asp
40 - John Cabot and Others Explore the West
September 05, 2014 04:16 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MBWhy should the Spanish have all the fun? Other European Nations started exploring to the west to rediscover the lands in that direction. The passage to the orient would be the prize.
39-Up the Eastern Coast with Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon, Estevao Gomez and Giovanni Verrazzano
August 24, 2014 23:27 - 38 minutes - 26.6 MBThe voyages by Ayllon, Gomez and Verrazzano made it possible to map, describe inhabitants and certain features along the eastern coast of the North America continent. The Europeans now had a great basis of knowledge but, still no passage to the orient was discovered.
38 - de Soto's Group Homeward Bound
August 11, 2014 04:07 - 30 minutes - 21.4 MBAfter setting up winter quarters, building the ships was the next priority. O wait, maybe not, what about the Indian tribes massing an army preparing to attack the Spanish. One tribe points the finger at another when all is said and done, the Spanish end up siding with Guachoya tribe. With that complete all is well, not so fast, the Quigaltam tribe across the Mississippi will have the last word. Now it’s a race to get away from them. Get me home..
37 - Luis de Moscoso Heads West
August 03, 2014 22:51 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MBMoscoso is now the new commander of the expedition of Florida. The journey west does not turn up any of the riches that this whole endeavor was supposed to accomplish. Evidence to back up the rumor of other Spanish farther west was not found. So to backtrack through the country just traveled seemed the best alternative. Homeward bound..
36 - de Soto The End of a Legend
July 24, 2014 22:57 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBThe Spanish army is making their way through the state of Arkansas. They will pass by many villages, not without conflict. The army set up winter quarters in the village of Autiamque. They would lose a vital member and soon after another. The quest for gold is no longer, let’s build some ships and go home.
35-de Soto Meets Casqui and Pacaha
July 13, 2014 16:07 - 27 minutes - 19 MBThe army is traveling along the Mississippi where he meets up with two chiefs Casqui and Pacaha. The Spanish get caught up again with animosities between the two tribes. De Soto is able to leave on friendly terms, the two tribes, I’m not so sure but, de Soto did his best to bring them together. And the search for gold continues.
34-de Soto Meets the Mississippi River
July 02, 2014 04:56 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBThe army is breaking up winter camp located at the village of Chickasaw. They started off in a northwesterly direction marching through the state of Mississippi. After a few fights with the natives along the way, the Spanish feasted their eyes upon the great Mississippi River. What a swim this is going to be.
33-de Soto and the Battle of Mauvila
June 22, 2014 17:36 - 21 minutes - 15 MBThe great battle between the warriors of chief Tuscaloosa and the Spanish army. After leaving the village in ashes they traveled to the village of Chickasaw to winter the army. Does anyone around here have a ticket back to New Spain? I am ready to go home.
32-de Soto and His Continued Search For Gold
June 09, 2014 03:58 - 25 minutes - 17.8 MBThe travels of de Soto and his Army through the states of North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. They would cover so much ground and meet so many different tribes.
31-de Soto and the Princess
June 02, 2014 04:44 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBThe Spanish army parts ways with Patofa and then meets up with the Princess of Cofachiqui. No gold or silver but they made a haul on pearls.
30-de Soto and Patofa
May 24, 2014 17:22 - 23 minutes - 16 MBThe Spanish get wrapped up in the grievances of the next group of natives. The natives commanded by Patofa and the Spanish head out to take revenge. Juan de Anasco would observe a village in the province of Cofachiqui. Where is the GOLD!!!!
29-de Soto in Apalachee Country
May 17, 2014 13:53 - 22 minutes - 15.3 MBde Soto and his army heading west along the top of Florida to the great Apalachee province, home to the fiercest warriors in Florida. The army would winter at the village of Anhayea. From here Juan de Anasco would travel south and discover an excellent bay and the remnants of Panfilo de Narvaez’s failed expedition.
28-Three Chiefs and de Soto
May 10, 2014 15:35 - 23 minutes - 16.4 MBThe Spanish army's trek north where they meet three Chiefs that were brothers. Two of them controlled half the territory the other half was overseen by chief Vitachuco, where de Soto and his troop were currently passing through. The three chiefs would get along great with the Spanish….NOT!!
27-de Soto and His Travels Through Western Florida
May 04, 2014 15:49 - 23 minutes - 16.4 MBThe Spanish found an interpreter, the young man, Juan Ortiz, who spent 8 years of his life in the Indian village of chief Ucita and then ran off to live in the village of Mocoso for another 3 years. The Spanish begin their travels north. I wonder if this expedition through Florida would have been much easier if the previous trip by Panifilo de Narvaez and his group would have established a greater friendship with the Indians. Things you wish you would have known ahead of time but, the Sp...
26-de Soto Says, "Florida Here We Come"
April 26, 2014 15:32 - 24 minutes - 16.7 MBThe grand lifestyle that was now de Soto’s back in Spain. Was this enough? No!!! Florida was his for the taking. The preparations begin and the gallant men who sign up for a piece of the action. All aboard let’s go...