A Southern country thinker
Finding what’s true and living by it.
I dig into the stories that don’t add up, study Scripture, sit down with people worth hearing from, and I’m taking my family back to the land in the Boston Mountains of Arkansas. It’s all the same pursuit.
ResearcherHistory nerdBible readerHomesteaderAccused conspiracy theorist
The work
Research, faith, conversation and the homestead. Four ways into one question: what’s true, and how do we live by it?
Research & Commentary
Stories that don’t add up
Public records, current events, history and the narratives we’re handed. I show my sources so you can check them.
- Who Owns America's Data Centers?Episode 26 · Aug 5, 2026
- The Data Center Promise LandArticle · Jul 31, 2026
Faith & Theology
The whole Bible points to Christ
Scripture, the gospel, and what Christians actually believe, and how faith shapes the way we see everything else.
- What do Lutherans Believe? with Rev. John MerrillEpisode 27 · Aug 19, 2026
- Questioning Dispensationalism with Pastor Chuck BaldwinEpisode 25 · Jul 13, 2026
Conversations
The Zack Riordan Podcast
Long talks with pastors, researchers and neighbors, plus my own research and commentary. New episodes on Wednesdays.
- What do Lutherans Believe? with Rev. John MerrillEpisode 27 · Aug 19, 2026
- Who Owns America's Data Centers?Episode 26 · Aug 5, 2026
Homestead
Back to the Boston Mountains
I grew up on a small farm, and my family is heading back. Building a homestead, growing our own food, and learning as we go.
- Debrief with dad with The truth behind the “white supremacist” labelEpisode 5 · Aug 13, 2025
- What NBC and Sky News didn't tell you about Return to the Land... with Peter CsereEpisode 4 · Aug 2, 2025
Latest episode
All episodes
What do Lutherans Believe? with Rev. John Merrill
What does it actually mean to be a Christian—and what makes Lutheran Christianity distinct?In this episode, I sit down with my pastor, Pastor John, inside our church sanctuary for a…
Articles
All articlesThe Data Center Promise Land
How an Israeli family's real estate empire entered the U.S. data center industry
Jul 31, 2026Big Tech, Small Town & a Global Network
How a small-town Arkansas data center investigation is leading me to a global data center company
Jul 9, 2026Why I Started This Substack
Welcome to the mind of Zack Riordan - a Southern, country thinker
Jun 24, 2026New articles and episode notes, straight to your inbox.
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YouTube
Every podcast episode, plus standalone videos on faith and, soon, the homestead.
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Merch
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Support
Patreon
Research takes time: records requests, reading and travel. Patrons help make it possible.
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