Thursday's passing of Nelson Mandela brought back many memories for Austinites: Mandela was an icon of a student-led anti-apartheid struggle at the University of Texas. 
In the mid 80's, students held sit-ins, rallied on the mall, and broke into the president's office demanding divestment in South Africa. 

KUT’s David Brown recently sat down with two people who were, at that time, on opposite sides: William Cunningham, the former president of the University of Texas at Austin, and Derrick Eugene, a student leader in the anti-apartheid movement. 


UT's Anti-Apartheid Movement as Told by People Who Were There

Two Guys on Your Head-Writer's Block

How Sports Played a Role in the Civil Rights Movement

Texas Standard host, David Brown speaks with Corinna Lain, Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Faculty Development at University of Richmond School of Law about recent developments in states' efforts to adapt their capital punishment laws as it grows more difficult to get the drugs for lethal injection.

How Europe Could Put a Stop to the Death Penalty in Texas: David Brown Interviews Corinna Lain

Family Wins Multi-Million Dollar Verdict in 'Fracking' Lawsuit

The Texas Standard's David Brown speaks with songwriter Carlo Nicolau about the song "La Bestia," which the U.S. Customs and Border Protection commissioned to deter Central American immigrants from crossing the border.

"La Bestia" acts as propaganda to deter immigrants from Central America

There’s a new hit song in Central America. It’s called “La Bestia” and people in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador are requesting it from their radio stations.
But guess what? The U.S. Customs and Border Protection commissioned it.

“La Bestia” refers to a dangerous train called “The Beast” where thousands of immigrants ride to cross the U.S., risking robbery, murder, kidnapping and rape. The catchy, upbeat cumbia song is part of Border Patrol’s multimillion dollar campaign called the Dangers Awareness Campaign. 

Photo courtesy flickr.com/photos/peterhaden

La Bestia Norte (Full Version)- Radio PSA

The Texas Standard's David Brown chats with Professor Neal Hall from UT Austin's Cockrell School of Engineering about the device he and his graduate students created that mimics the hearing ability of the Ormia ochracea fly and could be used as a hearing aid.

UT Researchers Creates Device That Mimics Fly's Hearing Power

Pause Play Music Union PMJA

McGlinchy Sidewalks End PMJA

Buchele Mouth Painter PMJA

Buchele Trees Breaking Explainer MIX

Bernier Barton Springs Construction SPOT

McGlinchy Tax Bills Coming SPOT

Heat Week 2024 Series

I35 Expansion Coverage

Buchele Follwing Recycling

Texas Ban Transgender Youth

The Mystery Brains of the Texas State Lunatic Asylum

This month’s episode explores what it means to be displaced or without a home. Our new roundtable participants ask: How do we define “home”? Is it a house? Is it family, a sense of community? Is it a place or a feeling? 

The discussants share their perspectives, from the practical concerns of living on the streets of Austin, to the role of creative production in dealing with homelessness, to challenging notions of displacement and transience as unnatural. 

Ultimately, the discussion turns toward the ways in which our perceptions of home and homelessness influence our views on immigration, the need for refuge, and national identity.

In Perspective-Home and Homelessness

Rediscovering Barbara Jordan

In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about how our brains process information differently when we listen to it, vs. when we read it.

Two Guys on Your Head-Reading vs. Listening

In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke, talk about The Imposter Syndrome. What is the real problem when you feel inadequate? How can you help yourself overcome it when you recognize it?

Two Guys On Your Head-The Imposter Syndrome

In this edition of The Secret Ingredient, we talk with Marion Nestle about her latest book Soda Politics: Taking on Big Soda (and Winning). 

She describes why it's so difficult to find accurate information on soda consumption, how the industry got to where it is today, and what advocacy groups and consumers are doing to fight back.

You can find out more about Marion on her website: http://www.foodpolitics.com/

About The Hosts:

Raj Patel is an award winning food writer, activist and academic. The author of Stuffed and Starved: The Hidden Battle for the World Food System, and his latest, The Value of Nothing, is a New York Times best-seller.

Tom Philpott is an award winning food writer for Mother Jones, who’s ground-breaking work on almonds exposed a myriad of environmental and ethical issues around almond production in California.

Rebecca McInroy,is an executive producer and host for KUT Radio in Austin, Texas. She is the co-creator, producer and host of various podcasts and shows including, Views and Brews, Two Guys on Your Head, Liner Notes, The Write Up, and The Secret Ingredient.

In each episode we chose one food to investigate, and talk with the people who’s life’s work has been to understand the complex systems of production, distribution, marketing and impact, these foods have on our lives.


The Secret Ingredient-Marion Nestle

An undated excerpt of a live recording of The Fabulous Thunderbirds during Paul Ray's "Twine Time" in the 1980s.

Wayback Playback: Paul Ray's Twine Time Live Set with The Fabulous Thunderbirds

Paul Ray's "Twine Time" New Year's Eve Special from 1987.

Wayback Playback: Paul Ray's Twine Time 1987 NYE Special

A full episode of Paul Ray's "Twine Time," during which he plays the flip sides to hit records.

Wayback Playback: Paul Ray Plays the Flip Sides on 'Twine Time'

The City of Austin is one step closer to installing 24/7 public restrooms downtown. KUT’s Audrey McGlinchy reports.

Austin Nearly Ready to Take the Plunge on a 24/7 Downtown Public Bathroom

Have you ever caught sight of a celebrity or someone you consider to be a "star" and, even though you are a completely intelligent, interesting, and charismatic person, you turn to mush when you say hello to them?

In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the evolution behind our weird interactions with celebrities, and the psychology of being starstruck.

Two Guys on Your Head-Starstruck

KUT's Jennifer Stayton and Senior Editor Ben Philpott break down how much power the Texas governor can wield within the state's legislative process.

How Powerful Is The Texas Governor Compared To Other State Governors?

Husband and wife Scott Hamilton and Susan Diamond recently sat down in the StoryCorps mobile booth with their seven-year-old son, Teo, and remembered the first time they met him and how he became a part of their family.

StoryCorps Austin: Scott Hamilton, Susan Diamond, and their son Teo

We might think that in order to keep order in our households, workplaces, or classrooms, that it's important to hold people accountable for their negative behavior. However, what that can lead to is a playing field that allows for either nothing to happen or punishment. It is more important to focus on the behaviors we want to see continue, as opposed to giving energy to avoiding the negative.

Still a little confused? In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the psychology of accountability.

Two Guys on Your Head-Accountability

Austin Bat Refuge, at its core, is two long-time volunteer wildlife workers dedicated to promoting respect for bats and their place in the environment through education, conflict resolution, rehabilitation and release. We have been rehabilitating bats and assisting the community for 10 years; becoming a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in early 2016 has allowed us to fundraise to expand our education and rehabilitation capacities and to better assist local bats in trouble.

Get Involved: Austin Bat Refuge

Poet Emmy Pérez reads her poem "Green Light Go" and talks with poet and novelist Carrie Fountain about living on the border as an act of resistance, the beauty of writing from anger, the healing power of the natural world, and much more.

This Is Just To Say-Carrie Fountain with Emmy Pérez

This summer, artist Alfonso Huerta will be showing his prints and paintings in the gallery space at Paris in a Bite. His colorful work is inspired by Mayan iconography.

Arts Eclectic: Alfonso Huerta

Nix spent two and half decades in law enforcement – first as a central Texas police officer and later with the Texas Department of Public Safety, which included more than 10 years as a Texas Ranger.

The First African-American Woman Texas Ranger

Playwright Sarah Ruhl reads Max Ritvo's poem "Refuge for Sarah" from her book, Letters From Max: A Book of Friendship, and talks with Carrie Fountain about their relationship, his poetry, and  the value of empathy and friendship today.

Carrie Fountain with Sarah Ruhl on Max Ritvo

KUT News is a public media newsroom in Austin, Texas sharing news and information online and on KUT 90.5 FM. 

Popular tracks by KUT News