City Cast Austin

When Austinite Guy Benson went to the very first Trail of Lights as a kid, he never imagined he’d be sitting on the coveted throne 60 years later. The duo that play Santa and Mrs. Claus — Benson and his wife Deborah Parsons — join newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw to talk about what they bring to Austin’s holiday season, and the gifts on Austinites’ lists this year. Learn more about the sponsor of this December 17th episode: TecovasWant some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Want to get tipsy with Frosty or lit like a menorah this holiday season? Tune in for a breakdown of Austin’s best holiday pop-up bars, plus the drinks you have to try making at home as the temps cool down. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Sushmita Malakar, an Austin mixologist and blogger, to talk about festive libations and more.Learn more about the sponsor of this December 16th episode: TecovasWant some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Grace Reader, KXAN’s city hall reporter, dives into the crucial runoff elections in Travis County, spotlighting candidates for the Austin Independent School District and City Council. She emphasizes the importance of local elections and how voter participation shapes community policies. The conversation also explores Austin's sudden winter chill and preparation efforts for the homeless amid freezing temperatures. Finally, the hosts share some exciting weekend event picks, including festive activities to celebrate the holiday spirit.

The Blue Genie Art Bazaar started off as a party where art was sold — and remains one today, with more than 200 artists, 24 years later. Cofounder Dana Younger joins host Nikki DaVaughn to talk about what makes the perfect gift, and how to buy art for friends, along with what you can expect out of this year’s Blue Genie. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERELearn more about the sponsor of this December 12th episode: Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

The holidays are here, and for us at City Cast Austin, that means spending time with our parents, some of whom we’re lucky to have nearby. So we brought the team together and asked our folks to join us on the mic, sharing stories about the holidays, food, traditions, and siblings — but also getting real about how traditions change over time, and that’s OK. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by her mother, Daisy, along with Kelsey Bradshaw and her father, Ron, and Eva Ruth Moravec along with her dad, Hank. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERELearn more about the sponsor of this December 11th episode: Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

‘Tis the season for holiday soirees, dinners, and guests, who always seem to bring their appetite. Emily Hill, our grocery expert, joins host Nikki DaVaughn to talk about the seasonal snacks and drinks in grocery stores right now, Emily’s go-to holiday appetizer, why you should get your pies at Central Market and your cheese at Aldi, and how to hack your cookie exchange. Plus, hear how she’s championing local brands this holiday season. And, stay tuned for an interview with Better Way Blood Testing’s founder and COO. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE If you enjoyed the interview with Better Way Blood Testing's Founder, Chief Operating Officer, and Chairman, Eric Olson, learn more here.Learn more about the other sponsor of this December 10th episode: Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

Working on Austin City Limits TV show is a dream job for camera operators, and about a dozen years ago, that dream came true for one man who’d fallen in love with Austin’s music scene and musicians. Eric Graham joins host Nikki DaVaughn in sharing his memories of working on the show, what makes it feel so intimate, what it was like to film the upcoming 50th anniversary special, and watching musicians rise to the national stage from then-sleepy little Austin. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Learn more about the sponsor of this December 9th episode: Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

Hook ‘em horns, it’s the Friday News Roundup! We’re bringing you all the latest news that caught our eyes this week, including Texas Longhorns’ big win on the football field against longtime rival A&M — and UT’s upcoming SEC title game, Austin’s newest (and oldest) H-E-B grocery store, and a fight to preserve the history of East 12th Street. Plus, hear about the music festival, festival of lights, and pet dress-up contest that host Nikki DaVaughn, newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw, and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec are headed to this weekend.   Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERELearn more about the sponsor of this December 6th episode: TecovasBetterWay Blood Testing - Get 20% off your first order with code CITY at BetterWay.com

KUT’s latest podcast, “24 Hours in Austin,” dispatches out a team of producers to do just that — spend 24 hours in various locations in Austin. From Dirty Sixth Street to coffee shops to the airport and a call center for mental health emergencies, characters abound. KUT’s projects editor, Matt Largey, is one of the show’s producers and joins host Nikki DaVaughn to discuss, among other topics, why Austinites should always talk to strangers. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERELearn more about the sponsor of this December 5th episode:TecovasBetterWay Blood Testing - Get 20% off your first order with code CITY at BetterWay.com

Delorian-driving Austinite Ernest Cline always wanted to write a book about the bats that roost under bridges downtown — but after writing “Ready Player One,” other things got in the way. Recently, he published “Bridge to Bat City,” a love letter to Austin’s culture of accepting creative, different people and cultivating their wacky dreams. Cline joins host Nikki DaVaughn, a huge fan of Cline’s screenplay, to talk all things bats, technology, and Austin. Plus, stay tuned after Ernie’s interview for a special segment: A mile in their boots, where we feature the unsung heroes of Austin. Today, we’ll hear from Ivy Chiu, a local cinematographer. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE