Out of the Dust, another episode, another classic, another opening, another show

Out of the Dust, another episode, another classic, another opening, another show

From Dads on Books by Michael Walker & David Patrick

May 25, 2026 · 51 min · Season 2 · Episode 2

About this episode

Mike and David discuss the classic novel 'Out of the Dust' and its significance during the Dust Bowl era.

Mike and David turn to a classic, Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, an historical novel set in the Oklahoma panhandle during the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression. David and Mike—well Mike—tells the origin story of how the Dads picked the book, but this is the origin story of all origin stories. It is the origin of the entire original podcast idea. We also continue our feature “Things We Forgot to Say on our Last Episode.” Or, in this case, “Things that David Forgot that he didn’t Forget and Says Them Thinking it’s the First Time He’s Saying Them To Mike and it’s Not.” (Working title- may need to be lengthened) David rediscovers it’s the OK Panhandle not the Texas Panhandle. Not the Good Panhandle, not the Bad Panhandle, just the OK Panhandle, because as it says on the license plate, "Oklahoma is OK." Which is good because the Texas panhandle would spill the dust. Speaking of which, in our new feature, “Do They Say the Title in the Book?” Let’s just say pp. 149, 181, 197, 198, 203, 209, 222. To name a few. It’s a beautifully written story, and we both very highly recommend it, and staying out of the dust. Especially if you have allergies. If you liked this episode, you’ll like…

People in this episode

Hosts: Mike, David

Topics covered

  • historical novel
  • Dust Bowl
  • Oklahoma
  • book recommendation
  • podcast origin story

Keywords

  • Out of the Dust
  • Karen Hesse
  • Dust Bowl
  • Oklahoma
  • Great Depression
  • book recommendation
  • podcast origin

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Out of the Dust

Places: Oklahoma, Texas Panhandle, OK Panhandle

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