PODCAST · society
ATXplained
by KUT & KUTX Studios
What about Austin has you curious?
Episodes
-
Why is it taking so long to finish the renovations at the Barton Springs bathhouse?
The facility has been under construction for years now — at least twice as long as expected. Parts of it have reopened, but the whole thing was supposed to be done a year ago. So what’s the hold up?
-
Did Becky appear on this long lost Austin TV show?
We all have vague memories of childhood, that are so faded we can’t even tell if they’re real. This is a story about one such memory.
-
Austin has 14 sister cities. What’s a sister city, anyway?
At Austin City Hall, a sign points to each of Austin’s international sister cities. The sister cities program dates back almost 60 years. Our question asker knows a lot about this, but she wants more people to know.
-
What’s the story behind the huge Adirondack chair in front of this Austin church?
Landmarks are everywhere for those with eyes to see.
-
BONUS: A live riff on our Master Pancake story at ATXplained Live in October 2025
John Erler from Master Pancake Theater joins us to riff on the story about him as it’s performed live. There’s also video of this story. It helps — especially during the snake part.
-
How did Austin’s ‘Master Pancake’ get started?
A fan of the movie-riffing show at the Alamo Drafthouse wanted to know more about how they got their start. Don’t miss the bonus episode after this one — a recording of the ATXplained Live where this story gets riffed on live!
-
What happened to all the fireflies in Austin?
The summer air is supposed to filled with magical, twinkling insects. But you might have noticed — depending on where you live in Austin — that there don’t seem to be as many of them lately. KUT’s Chelsey Zhu went on a bug hunt.
-
Is this Fourth of July tradition in Northwest Austin the work of some kind of cult?
Austin’s weirdest Independence Day parade has been going for decades. Now the husband of one participant wants answers: how did it begin and why do dozens of women (and a few men) do march like this every year? Watch this story at our May 21, 2026 ATXplained Live at Bass Concert Hall — including…
more -
What happens to all the dead animals the city collects from roads in Austin?
Thousands of animals are picked up from the road around Austin every year. But where do these animals go when they die?
-
Was Austin’s Barton Springs sacred to Indigenous people before Europeans showed up?
The springs that feed Barton Springs were formed millions of years ago. So what have human relationships with Austin’s “Crown Jewel” been like in that time?
-
Are there wild elk lurking in southwest Austin?
Darren Smith swore the dark, antlered figure he saw in the early morning hours was an elk. No one believed him. This story was originally part of KUT’s ATXplained Live on Oct. 29, 2025. Tickets for our next show on May 21 are available here.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Is the Texas Capitol radioactive?
We’re not talking about politics. Is the capitol building itself literally radioactive?
-
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.
-
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?
-
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…
more -
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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...
-
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…
more -
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.
-
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.
-
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?
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Is it safe to live near an old East Austin ‘Tank Farm’?
Decades ago, there were dozens of huge fuel storage tanks in East Austin — in some cases right next to homes, schools and businesses. These days, the whole thing is seen as a case of textbook environmental racism. But one East Austin resident wanted to know: what still lurks in the soil long…
more -
Why are there so many of the same kind of bars on Sixth Street?
Sixth Street is known for being party central, but it’s actually one of the most historic areas of the city.
-
Why are there so many ‘Violet Crowns’ in Austin?
Violet Crown this. Violet Crown that. What’s the deal with this name for so many Austin things?
-
Who has the oldest friendship in Austin?
This is a tough one. But we do our best, and maybe learn a little something about friendship along the way.
-
How long have movies and TV shows been filmed in Austin?
We’re back with a new season of stories about Austin’s people, places and culture. As SXSW rolls through Austin this week, we answer a question from Sarah Dixon about the history of films and filmmaking in Austin.
-
Introducing 24 Hours in Austin
TXplained wants to share a new podcast with you. 24 Hours in Austin tries to answer the question: What does a day in the life of Austin, Texas sound like?
-
Why are people dropping flour in weird patterns around Austin?
Our question asker noticed it happening at Boggy Creek Trail. But the explanation is weirder — and more fun! — than you might think.
-
Why hasn’t Bob Schneider ever had a Top 40 hit?
We investigate why “Austin treasure” Bob Schneider has seen big success on the local scene, but hasn’t seemed to crack into the world of huge mainstream “success”.
-
How is Big Stacy Pool naturally heated?
It’s the hot to Barton Springs’ cold. Why is Big Stacy warm year-round?
-
Were there ever alligators in Zilker Park?
A generation of Austinites’ memories all line up: several alligators right in Zilker Park in the 1980s. Is it some kind of mass delusion or could it be true?
-
What’s the story behind this insert from a 1975 ZZ Top album?
In 1974, Austin was host to an epic — and epically messy — concert at UT’s Texas Memorial Stadium. This is the story from people who were there.
-
Why is there a display about Jasper Johns on the side of a Jason’s Deli in San Marcos?
A mysterious poster about a famous artist with no connections to Texas — or Jason’s Deli — leads us on a hunt for who made the thing — and why on Earth they put it there.
-
There used to be a pet cemetery in Pflugerville. What happened to the animals?
Where the pain stops and the good memories begin.
-
Why do all the new skyscrapers in Austin look blue?
Let’s take a moment to reflect on the color of Austin’s contemporary skyline.
-
Why do lifeguards at Austin’s pools blow their whistles like that? (archive episode)
It’s break time. Everyone out of the pool. But what’s that sound?
-
Why are there so many empty stores on The Drag near UT Austin?
When you walk along The Drag, there’s not much to see in terms of businesses. Sure, there’s some hustle and bustle — students walking to and from class, cars rushing by — but many of the storefronts are empty.
-
Can you raise backyard chickens in Austin even if your HOA says you can’t?
When a person buys a property under an HOA, they’re agreeing to any rules the HOA enacts. But there are state laws that could change things.
-
Black houses are so hot right now in Austin. But are they hotter? (archive episode)
Does the color of your house make a difference in how energy efficient it is? We try to find out.
-
Is Steiner Ranch really full of swingers?
Some neighborhoods around Austin have their own reputation. Most of them are probably not all that accurate.
-
Where have Austin’s Indigenous people gone? (archive episode)
We spend a lot of time in Austin talking about how many new people move here. But most of us don’t talk much about the people who came before us — way before us. If you’ve ever taken a walk along Shoal Creek or gone to Barton Springs on a hot summer day, you’re doing […]
-
Why do bluebonnets grow so well along MoPac?
If you’ve ever been jealous of the lush, beautiful patches of wildflowers along Austin’s highways, this story is for you.
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does ATXplained have?
ATXplained currently has 178 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is ATXplained about?
What about Austin has you curious?
How often does ATXplained release new episodes?
ATXplained publishes regularly with 178 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to ATXplained?
You can listen to ATXplained on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts ATXplained?
ATXplained is created and hosted by KUT & KUTX Studios.
URL copied to clipboard!