In the final chapter of Revolutionary Spirits, we pick up as Francisco Madero is democratically elected President of Mexico.  Madero is in power for 15 short months, a presidency characterized by failed political compromises, missteps, and relentless attacks from the press. Madero's enemies orchestrate an overthrow with the help of the traitorous general Victoriano Huerta. Madero is arrested and placed at the Lecumberri prison where days later on February 22, 1913 he is assassinated alongside his Vice President José Pino Suárez. Madero's assassination shifts attention away from his failure as an elected leader to his martyrdom for the cause of democracy in Mexico. What followed would be the bloodiest years of the Mexican Revolution.

A special thanks to the Center for Humanities and the Arts at the University of Colorado and to the following historians, whose scholarship was influential for this podcast:

• Manuel Guerra 
• Luna Enrique Krause 
• C.M. Mayo 
• Roberto Narváez 
• Alejandro Rojas 
• Ignacio Solares 
• Yolia Tortolero Cervantes

Production Credits

Produced by Steven Renderos

Hosted by Robert Buffington & Sam Buffington

Music featured on this episode

• "Coconut Cowboy" by Roy Williams
• "City of Shiva" by Banaras Baba & Kolkata Kid
• "Vrainbadani Oasis" by Pawan Krishna

Francisco Madero begins his second phase of mediumship under the guidance of a spirit identified as José—supported by another spirit identified only as BJ (probably liberal icon Benito Juárez). These spirits encourage Madero to engage in political action and eventually in armed rebellion, against the increasingly corrupt and authoritarian regime of Porfirio Diaz.

A special thanks to the Center for Humanities and the Arts at the University of Colorado and to the following historians, whose scholarship was influential for this podcast:

Manuel Guerra, Luna Enrique Krause, C.M. Mayo, Roberto Narváez, Alejandro Rojas, Ignacio Solares, Yolia Tortolero Cervantes

Production Credits

Produced by Steven Renderos

Hosted by Robert Buffington & Sam Buffington

Music featured on this episode

"Coconut Cowboy" by Roy Williams

"Dark Tavern" by Walt Adams

A few years before becoming a revolutionary figure, Madero discovered Spiritism, a religious philosophy founded by the French educator, Allan Kardec. Through spiritist practice, Madero learns of his ability to channel ghosts. Under the guidance of the spirit of his deceased younger brother, Raul, Madero commits himself to moral purification and ethical behavior through self-discipline, community service, and the promotion of Spiritism in Mexico. Raúl’s instruction relies on a series of conventional binary oppositions that contrast good and bad masculine qualities in order to construct an ideal “new man” capable of transcending the egotism, materialism, and violence inherent in dominant forms of masculinity, including the imposing figure of Mexico’s authoritarian president, Porfirio Díaz.

A special thanks to the Center for Humanities and the Arts at the University of Colorado and to the following historians, whose scholarship was influential for this podcast:

Manuel Guerra, Luna Enrique Krause, C.M. Mayo, Roberto Narváez, Alejandro Rojas, Ignacio Solares, Yolia Tortolero Cervantes

Production Credits

Produced by Steven Renderos 

Hosted by Robert Buffington & Sam Buffington

Music featured on this episode

"Coconut Cowboy" by Roy Williams 

"Toujours Seule" by Trabant 33

"I Cannot See You" by Cercles Nouvelles

"Of Sober Mind" by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen

The Mexican Revolution was the first major social revolution of the 20th century. An unlikely figure in that revolution was Francisco Madero who came from one of the wealthiest families in Mexico. Yet he would be instrumental in bringing together the forces that would successfully overthrow the authoritarian regime of Porfirio Diaz. 

We begin our journey with Madero at the end, the day of his assassination just months after becoming president. Then we go back to learn about the forces that shaped the Mexican Revolution. Madero's own life and upbringing. And finally we talk about the performance of masculinity during Madero's time and today. 

A special thanks to the Center for Humanities and the Arts at the University of Colorado and to the following historians, whose scholarship was influential for this podcast:

• Manuel Guerra Luna
• Enrique Krause
• C.M. Mayo
• Roberto Narváez
• Alejandro Rojas
• Ignacio Solares
• Yolia Tortolero Cervantes

Production Credits

• Produced by Steven Renderos
• Hosted by Robert Buffington & Sam Buffington

Music featured on this episode

• "Coconut Cowboy" by Roy Williams
• "Jimmying a Bull" by Sixteen Wheelers

Welcome to Revolutionary Spirits, a podcast about revolutions of all kinds and the spirits that shape them. Season 1 focuses on the improbable life of Francisco Madero, famed leader of the Mexican Revolution. Hosted by Sam & Rob Buffington, produced by Steven Renderos. This special 4-part podcast series drops on May 1st 2022.