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ATXplained

ATXplained

KUT & KUTX Studios

169 episodesEN-US

Show overview

ATXplained has been publishing since 2016, and across the 10 years since has built a catalogue of 169 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode. That works out to roughly 25 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a monthly cadence.

Episodes typically run under ten minutes — most land between 8 min and 12 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language Society & Culture show.

The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 weeks ago, with 4 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2019, with 27 episodes published. Published by KUT & KUTX Studios.

Episodes
169
Running
2016–2026 · 10y
Median length
9 min
Cadence
Monthly

From the publisher

What about Austin has you curious?

Latest Episodes

View all 169 episodes

Was Austin’s Barton Springs sacred to Indigenous people before Europeans showed up?

May 7, 202613 min

Are there wild elk lurking in southwest Austin?

Apr 23, 202612 min

What’s the story behind this freaky sculpture hanging in the Barton Creek Greenbelt?

The story starts with a mysterious, long-nippled figure lurking among the tree tops, but it gets weirder from there. The post What’s the story behind this freaky sculpture hanging in the Barton Creek Greenbelt? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Apr 9, 202612 min

Who’s the guy who dances and silently raps at the corner of Barton Springs and South First?

We’re back with a new season of ATXplained. Lots of great stories coming your way this year. We’ll start with one from our last ATXplained Live. It’s about a guy who’s whole thing is to stand out. The post Who’s the guy who dances and silently raps at the corner of Barton Springs and South First? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Mar 26, 202610 min

Who was that guy who used to read psychedelic poems before big concerts in Austin?

We go in search of a poet who was a fixture in Austin more than a decade ago — but suddenly dropped off the map. The post Who was that guy who used to read psychedelic poems before big concerts in Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Oct 28, 202511 min

Is the Texas Capitol radioactive?

We’re not talking about politics. Is the capitol building itself literally radioactive? The post Is the Texas Capitol radioactive? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Oct 23, 202510 min

Who made those giant sandwiches outside of Thundercloud Subs?

We go in search of the sandwich artist. But we find they’re behind a lot more iconic business art in Austin. The post Who made those giant sandwiches outside of Thundercloud Subs? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Oct 9, 202511 min

How did Texas become the only state with its own toast? (archive episode)

Think of a food that reminds you of Austin or Texas. Tacos? Barbecue? How about a thick slice of bread, buttered on both sides and toasted to perfection? The post How did Texas become the only state with its own toast? (archive episode) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Sep 25, 20259 min

Who were the ‘Cedar Choppers’ of West Austin?

Shoeless children running around the land that would become Rollingwood and West Lake Hills. Bar fights ending in axe-chopped limbs. Illegal moonshine operations in caves. It’s the stuff of legend. But are the legends true? If you like what we do on ATXplained, we need your financial support right now. Go to supportthispodcast.org and mention […] The post Who were the ‘Cedar Choppers’ of West Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Sep 11, 202512 min

Did Travis County vote against secession before the Civil War?

Texas left the United States in 1861 and joined the Confederacy. But on the local level, the vote to leave the Union was more complicated. The post Did Travis County vote against secession before the Civil War? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Aug 28, 20257 min

Three Black Texans were lynched 130 years ago. How can Austin preserve their memory?

Like many lynching victims, their names are unknown, and details about their lives and deaths are scarce. Only foreign newspapers reported on the crimes. The post Three Black Texans were lynched 130 years ago. How can Austin preserve their memory? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Aug 14, 202512 min

Tickets are on sale now for our Oct. 29 ATXplained Live

Join us for our next ATXplained Live at Bass Concert Hall! Here’s a sample from one of our previous shows, where we answer a question about the space you’ll be sitting in at the show. Get your tickets to the show at texasperformingarts.org The post Tickets are on sale now for our Oct. 29 ATXplained Live appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Aug 8, 20258 min

Why do sidewalks in Austin sometimes just end? (archive episode)

In this story, originally from our Sept. 2022 ATXplained Live show, KUT’s Audrey McGlinchy investigates why Austin sidewalks sometimes just kinda stop. In the middle of a block. And she does battle with Shel Silverstein. If you like what you hear on this podcast, consider becoming a member and supporting us with a few bucks. […] The post Why do sidewalks in Austin sometimes just end? (archive episode) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Jul 31, 202511 min

Who is the oldest World War II veteran in the Austin area?

Kathryn Stacer had a question about her grandfather. We try to find an answer, but also consider whether the answer even matters. If you like what we do on ATXplained, we need your financial support right now. Go to supportthispodcast.org and mention ATXplained in the comments. We’ll shout you out in a later episode! The post Who is the oldest World War II veteran in the Austin area? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Jul 24, 202512 min

Why was Austin once called ‘Waterloo’?

Talk about “Old Austin” — this was Austin before it was Austin. So why was it named after a city in Belgium? We try to find out. The post Why was Austin once called ‘Waterloo’? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Jul 17, 20259 min

What’s the deal with Austin’s “Rain Dome”?

Inconsistent rain forecasts have led to conspiracies about a rain-blocking dome that covers the city. The truth lies in an age-old fault. The post What’s the deal with Austin’s “Rain Dome”? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Jun 26, 20257 min

What happened to Austin’s lesbian bars?

Only San Francisco and Portland, Oregon have more gay people per capita than Austin. So why don’t we have any lesbian bars? The post What happened to Austin’s lesbian bars? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Jun 19, 20259 min

Who was Austin’s first female lifeguard?

Laurel Seymour’s grandmother, Binnie Ruth Seymour, says she was the first woman to become a city lifeguard in Austin. Audrey McGlinchy looks at the record to see if Grandma Binnie is telling the truth. The post Who was Austin’s first female lifeguard? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Jun 5, 202512 min

Who is the 94 year-old Texan who calls every state lawmaker?

94 year-old Reta Ward has been calling all the Texas state lawmakers for decades to weigh in on everything from water policy to school vouchers. One Capitol staffer wanted to know more about her. The post Who is the 94 year-old Texan who calls every state lawmaker? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Jun 2, 20258 min

What’s the history of segregation at Barton Springs Pool?

Austin’s crown jewel has bought people together from all walks of life to enjoy a day in the sun. But before 1962, that wasn’t the case. The post What’s the history of segregation at Barton Springs Pool? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

May 22, 202510 min
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