The Vietnam War figured prominently in the lives of many Americans, including those living on the Great Plains. On today's show we’ll hear how one Nebraska veteran remembers the war, take a look back at some anti-war protests, and hear how Vietnamese refugees have become part of the community in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Theme music by the Talbott Brothers.

Other music excerpted:

"Meditation" by Edmund Jolliffe (De Wolfe Music).

“Precious Time” by Paul Lawler (De Wolfe Music).

When we talk about working with the land, sometimes that means literally getting your hands dirty. And sometimes, it means knowing the differences in the dirt itself.

On this podcast, we’ve talked a bit about farming and ranching—which is the way many Nebraskans and Plains residents make a living. That kind of life also keeps them closely in touch with the land around them. But there are many other ways people work with the land, and today our stories explore some of those.

Theme music by the Talbott Brothers.

Other music excerpted:

"Floating By" by Daniel Millidge (De Wolfe Music).

“Meadows” by Lyndn Gauntlett (De Wolfe Music).

“Lives and Landscapes” by Danny Eldridge, Mark Cousins, and Adam Saunders (De Wolfe Music).

Additional sound courtesy Ted LaGrange and CC.

Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of art and communication. This podcast itself is based on the strength of stories, and today we explore how the culture and tradition of the practice of storytelling enriches our lives.

Theme music by the Talbott Brothers.

Other music excerpted:

"Quicksand” by Samuel Ash. (De Wolfe Music).

"Meeting People" by Daniel Millidge(De Wolfe Music).

The people of the Great Plains have diverse origins. In addition to the Omaha, the Ponca, Otoe, Pawnee, and other Native American tribes, there were immigrants from Russia, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Sweden, and other parts of Europe. As time went on, people from other parts of the country came to settle here, in small towns scattered across the plains.

Today our stories explore some of the deep roots of African American history on the Great Plains, and the deep ties that keep those families connected.

A group photo of the Meehan family reunion in Omaha on August 6, 2016. (Photo by Kay Hall, NET Television)

Theme music by the Talbott Brothers.

Other music excerpted:

"Way Back When" by Dominik Johnson (De Wolfe Music).

"Floating By" by Daniel Millidge(De Wolfe Music).

Farming has formed the base of the Great Plains economy since homesteading days. It’s always been challenging work, even making enough profit to simply hold on to the land itself.

Today our stories explore how farming has changed in recent decades, and how some of today’s farmers deals with modern challenges.

Photo by Luke Runyon, Harvest Public Media.

Theme music by the Talbott Brothers.

Other music excerpted:

"Walking Together" by Laurent Dury and William Hurion (De Wolfe Music).

Art is a way for us to interpret and understand the world, and share those interpretations with others. It’s a powerful part of what makes us human.

Today our stories explore some of the origins Nebraska’s artistic heritage as well as how that passion for art continues in the state today.

Image of Elizabeth Dolan's marquette courtesy of the Nebraska Capitol Collections.

Theme music by the Talbott Brothers.

Other music excerpted:

"Way Back When" by Dominik Johnson (De Wolfe Music).

"Lazy Lonestar" by Samuel Ash(De Wolfe Music).

We humans love trees. But the Great Plains is better known for its wide grasslands and sweeping vistas than its forests. Perhaps because of this, since the early days of Euro-American settlement Nebraskans have focused on planting trees for shade, timber, food and shelter.

Today our stories explore a bit more of this history, from the origins of Arbor Day to an ambitious plan to plant a wall of trees down the center of the country.

Theme music by the Talbott Brothers.

Other music excerpted:

"Meeting People" by Daniel Millidge (De Wolfe Music).