Summary4 min read

Legends of the Old West – UPDATE | Schedule Changes in 2026

Host: Black Barrel Media
Date: December 31, 2025

Episode Overview

This special update episode focuses on important programming changes coming to the Legends of the Old West podcast in 2026. The host discusses adjustments in episode frequency, scheduling, and the rationale behind these decisions. The update also offers a preview of new projects in the works, aiming to balance content quality, production endurance, and innovation for long-time listeners.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reduction in Episode Output

Announcement of Fewer Episodes:
- The show will scale back on new episodes in 2026 compared to the previous year.
- In 2025, 72 episodes were released—a workload the host found overwhelming.
  - Quote:
    
    "This year we released 72 new episodes and it was a crushing amount of work. We need to scale back a little bit for the sake of our own sanity." – Host [01:25]

2. Change in Scheduling Structure

Staggered Release Plan:
- Legends of the Old West and sister show Infamous America will no longer follow an identical release calendar.
- Release overlap will still exist, but each podcast will have its series start at slightly different times.
  - Quote:
    
    "When the new episodes start in 2026, Legends of the Old West and Infamous America will no longer be perfectly in sync." – Host [01:43]
Production Batch Adjustment:
- Shifting away from producing 12 episodes in a single batch; this production method had become unsustainable.
  - Quote:
    
    "The task of producing 12 episodes in a batch was crazy. We've been doing that for several years now, and it’s time to ease up on the pressure..." – Host [02:00]

3. Consistent Weekly Release Day

Wednesdays Remain Release Day:
- Despite the changes, all episodes across the network will still release on Wednesdays.
  - Quote:
    
    "All episodes will still release on Wednesdays. That won’t change, but the timing will just be a little different." – Host [02:08]

4. Updated Season Structure

Transitional Schedule (Early 2026):
- After current series (Buffalo Soldiers and HH Holmes), each podcast will:
  - Run an "encore" (rerun) series
  - Release a three-episode miniseries of new content
  - Resume a regular cycle of six episodes per series
Longer Gaps Between Seasons:
- Due to fewer episodes overall, there will be one additional week of downtime between seasons.
  - Quote:
    
    "The gaps between seasons will be one week longer than normal." – Host [02:46]

5. Staying Informed

Social Media Notifications:
- Listeners are encouraged to follow the podcast on Instagram for schedule updates and series announcements.
  - Quote:
    
    "We’ll make sure to keep you updated through our social media channels, primarily Instagram..." – Host [03:01]

6. Making Room for New Projects

Innovation and Expansion:
- Part of the motivation is to free up creative bandwidth for projects that have been "simmering on the back burner."
- Listeners can expect the introduction of new content offerings in the Legends and Infamous universe.
  - Quote:
    
    "We’ve had lots of new things simmering on the back burner... if we don’t move forward with them now, we never will." – Host [03:08]
    "With some luck, we’ll replace some of the inventory of Legends and Infamous with some new stuff." – Host [03:15]

7. Appreciation and Closing

Gratitude for Listener Support:
- The host closes with thanks for past support and patience during the upcoming transition.
  - Quote:
    
    "Thank you for your support over the years and thank you in advance for your patience with the changes next year... We have lots of fun stories in the lineups for both shows and we hope you enjoy them." – Host [03:24]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Burnout:

"This year we released 72 new episodes and it was a crushing amount of work. We need to scale back a little bit for the sake of our own sanity." – Host [01:25]
On the Need for Change:

"We’ve been doing that for several years now, and it’s time to ease up on the pressure..." – Host [02:02]
On Upcoming Projects:

"If we don’t move forward with them now, we never will." – Host [03:10]
On Listener Experience:

"If you could see it on paper, it would make sense. You’ll get the hang of it as we go along next year..." – Host [02:53]

Timestamps for Important Segments

01:12: Host begins the update with a direct overview of upcoming changes.
01:25: Details on reduced number of new episodes and reason for the scale-back.
01:43: Explanation of staggered schedule between Legends of the Old West and Infamous America.
02:00: Discussion of production batch challenges.
02:08: Confirmation that episodes will still be released on Wednesdays.
02:46: Announcement of lengthened gaps between seasons.
03:01: Importance of following on Instagram for updates.
03:08 – 03:15: Insight into forthcoming new projects and rationale behind shift.
03:24: Host’s sign-off and thanks to listeners.

Tone and Language

The host is candid, personable, and appreciative, offering a transparent look at the realities of producing a high-volume, high-quality podcast. The message is honest but optimistic, focusing on the dual goals of sustainability for the creators and exciting new experiences for loyal listeners.

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Transcript8 lines

[00:01]
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[01:12]
Podcast Host
Hi everyone, I'm a little late releasing this update about some schedule changes for 2026, but it was a mad rush to finish all the episodes for the end of this year, 2025. I don't want to bury the lead, so I'll jump right into the changes which are going to happen in 2026 and then I'll explain why. First, we're going to release fewer new episodes next year than we did this year. This year we released 72 new episodes and it was a crushing amount of work. We need to scale back a little bit for the sake of our own sanity. Second, we're going to use a staggered schedule. When the new episodes start in 2026, Legends of the Old west and Infamous America will no longer be perfectly in sync. There'll be some overlap between the two podcasts, but they just won't start at the same time. In addition to the total number of episodes this year being a ton of work, the task of producing 12 episodes in a batch was crazy. We've been doing that for several years now, and it's time to ease up on the pressure of producing so many episodes at one time. All episodes will still release on Wednesdays. That won't change, but the timing will just be a little different. So next year, right after the end of our current series on Buffalo Soldiers and HH Holmes, we'll run an encore series on each podcast, and then we'll run a three episode miniseries of new episodes on each podcast, and then we'll begin our regular rotation of six episodes per series. Because we're producing fewer new episodes. Overall. The gaps between seasons will be one week longer than normal. And I'm sure all of this sounds complicated, but if you could see it on paper, it would make sense. You'll get the hang of it as we go along next year, we'll make sure to keep you updated through our social media channels, primarily Instagram, so if you follow us there, you'll know when each new series will begin. Lastly, a big reason why we're changing the output and the schedule is to make room for new projects. We've had lots of new things simmering on the back burner, some of them for years, and if we don't move forward with them now, we never will. With some luck, we'll replace some of the inventory of Legends and Infamous with some new stuff. So to wrap this up, thank you for your support over the years and thank you in advance for your patience with the changes next year in 2026. We have lots of fun stories in the lineups for both shows and we hope you enjoy them. Thanks again.
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