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Artwork for ATXplained
Austin
Friendship
Clarksville Tower
University Of Texas At Austin
World War II
Communication
Violet Crown
Austin Music Scene
Barton Springs Pool
Marriage
Telecommunications
Athens
Texas Right To Farm Act
Cedar Choppers
Bob Schneider
Barton Springs
Alligators
Childhood
Forgiveness
AT&T

What about Austin has you curious?

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes196Founded9 years ago
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NewsSociety & CultureDaily News

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Artwork for ATXplained

Latest Episodes

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.

The po... more

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 -... more

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... more

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 -- Podc... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Darren Smith
Client who reported an elk sighting in Austin
Episode: Are there wild elk lurking in southwest Austin?
Katie McAfee
Reporter for KUT
KUT
Episode: What’s the story behind this freaky sculpture hanging in the Barton Creek Greenbelt?
Broderick Cornelius James Jr.
Street performer featured in the episode; also known as Primetime King/Positive Thinking Kingpin
Independent artist based in Austin
Episode: Who’s the guy who dances and silently raps at the corner of Barton Springs and South First?
Thax Douglas
A poet who introduces bands with poems inspired by their music.
Episode: Who was that guy who used to read psychedelic poems before big concerts in Austin?
Brian Baldonado
Chef in Austin, formerly at the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless
Episode: How did Texas become the only state with its own toast? (archive episode)
Binnie Seymour
First female lifeguard in Austin, Texas, according to family lore
Episode: Who was Austin’s first female lifeguard?
Dorothy Kerbo
The first documented female lifeguard in Austin.
Episode: Who was Austin’s first female lifeguard?
Reta Ward
94-year-old Texas resident known for her civic engagement and frequent calls to state lawmakers
Episode: Who is the 94 year-old Texan who calls every state lawmaker?
Daniel Oley
Resident of East Austin and observer of the flour dropping event
Episode: Why are people dropping flour in weird patterns around Austin?

Host

Matt Largie
Host of ATXplained; longtime voice guiding conversations on Austin's stories, people, and places.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 106 ratings
  • One of the best local radio programs I have ever heard.

    Podchaser
    5
    Sarah B
    5 years ago
  • Thank you so much

    With the exception of that tool from New York that eventually ran away from his students and our city - everyone involved in this program has provided some outstanding narratives. My wife and I grew up in different cities and actually met at A&M (go ahead, laugh) but it didn’t take long for us to declare Austin as our forever home. Literally. We bought a house and everything. I’ll never get tired of learning new things about our city. Thank you so much for this podcast, and keep up the grea... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    paydro*
    United States7 years ago
  • I like to learn

    Thank you for teaching things about the city that I would never have known... still looking for this “cemetery” seeing as how I drive 183 every day. Also why do drivers here refuse to use there blinkers and constantly swerve out of there lane... it’s so terrifying. I drive a lot for work and sometime I have to swerve because I don’t know what they are doing....what is going on?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hoodedfantasia
    United States8 years ago
  • Great inside view of local stories

    As a new Austinite, this show is helping me cross off the several questions I've had about this pretty idiosyncratic town.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    E. B. South
    United States8 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the authentic, city-centered storytelling and fascination with everyday Austin life.
The show helps new Austinites understand local quirks and history quickly.
Guests and topics feel deeply rooted in local culture and community impact.

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The InterviewThe New York Times

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Who’s the guy who dances and silently raps at the corner of Barton Springs and South First?
Q: Is there anything that could help him become more than this corner performance?
He recalls a moment of guidance about finding support and channels in the community, but emphasizes staying true to the art form and its purpose rather than chasing external validation.
Who’s the guy who dances and silently raps at the corner of Barton Springs and South First?
Q: How are you having such a great time?
The guest explains that the performance is a sustained personal practice and a form of community connection, describing the experience as a sanctuary and a way to give back to strangers at the light.
How did Texas become the only state with its own toast? (archive episode)
Q: How did Texas become the only state with its own toast?
Texas toast was invented when a manager at the Pig Stand asked for thicker slices of bread, which were then buttered and grilled instead of toasted, leading to its unique preparation and larger size.
Who were the ‘Cedar Choppers’ of West Austin?
Q: How did Cedar Choppers treat each other?
They treated each other with respect, or else there would be fights.
Who were the ‘Cedar Choppers’ of West Austin?
Q: What did Cedar Choppers talk about around the dinner table?
They talked about the cedar break, what they were going to cut, and how much they had cut.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About ATXplained

What is ATXplained about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Austin-focused, curiosity-driven storytelling that blends local history, culture, and everyday city life with a strong emphasis on under-the-radar Austin characters, places, and stories. Episodes span street performance, culinary curiosities, urban planning quirks, and historical memory, often featuring firsthand voices from the community and historians. The show tends to highlight how small, neighborhood-scale moments reflect broader cultural trends, making it appealing to locals and anyone curious about the city's past, present, and quirks. A noteworthy angle is its mix of archival-style history, live-recorded moments, and intimate portraits of individuals and communities that shape Austin's identity.

Listeners are likely drawn to authen... more

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How many listeners does ATXplained get?

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Which podcasts are similar to ATXplained?

These podcasts share a similar audience with ATXplained:

1. Texas Standard
2. Think from KERA
3. Short Wave
4. Dads And Daddies
5. Up First from NPR

How many episodes of ATXplained are there?

ATXplained launched 9 years ago and published 196 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact ATXplained?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for ATXplained?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for ATXplained from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on ATXplained?

Recent guests on ATXplained include:

1. Darren Smith
2. Katie McAfee
3. Broderick Cornelius James Jr.
4. Thax Douglas
5. Brian Baldonado
6. Binnie Seymour
7. Dorothy Kerbo
8. Reta Ward

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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