Austin Eras

What does it take to make the most of Austin City Limits Music Festival—and which artists should be on your schedule before you even step into Zilker Park? In this special episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Austin American-Statesman music reporter Mars Salazar for a full preview of ACL Fest 2026 , from surviving the Texas heat to finding the artists you’ll be talking about long afte...

How do you lead a city that is constantly changing without losing the qualities that made people fall in love with it in the first place? In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Steve Adler , Austin’s 58th mayor , for a wide-ranging conversation about nearly five decades in Austin, eight years in the mayor’s office, and what he sees differently now that he’s outside the political...

What does it actually take to build community in a city as big and fast-changing as Austin ? In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Chloe Chiang at Château Chloé, the East Austin home she designed not just as a place to live, but as a place to bring people together. Chloe came to Austin for UT , built a successful real estate career through relentless relationship-building, and...

What if some of the biggest business opportunities in Austin aren’t in startups, venture capital, or the next big app — but in the companies quietly keeping the city running? In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Kade Thomas , founder and CEO of Emory Oak Partners and Cerv Property Solutions , to explore the overlooked service economy underneath Austin’s explosive growth. Kade...

What if Austin’s next great social club isn’t a country club, a gym, or a bar…but a sport most Americans are only just beginning to discover? In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Will Boyce , founder of PADEL39 , to explore why one of the world’s fastest-growing sports may have found its perfect American home in Austin. But this conversation isn’t really just about padel. It’s...

What if the future of fashion isn’t being built in New York or Paris — but in Austin, Texas? In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Nina Means , Director of the ACC Fashion Incubator , to explore how Austin is quietly building a new kind of fashion ecosystem — one rooted in technology, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and creative opportunity. But this conversation isn’t really...

For years, Buda was viewed as a place people moved when Austin became too expensive. Today, that story is changing. In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam sits down with Jennifer L. Storm, CEO of the Buda Economic Development Corporation and the first Texan ever named Economic Developer of the Year by the International Economic Development Council. Together, they explore how one of Central Texas&apo...

What makes a city feel alive across generations? For Jim Ritts, CEO of the Austin Theatre Alliance , the answer lives inside the walls of the Paramount Theatre. Recorded inside the historic Paramount Theatre on Congress Avenue, this episode of Austin Eras explores how one iconic venue became the connective tissue of Austin culture for more than 110 years. From Harry Houdini performing eight sold-o...

Austin isn’t just built by founders—it’s shaped by the people who help them be seen. In this episode of Austin Eras , Adam sits down with John King—venture builder, storyteller, and community leader whose career has been defined by one core idea: giving others a voice. From his early days helping elevate Austin’s clean tech ecosystem to joining SparkCognition in the early days of AI—and now launch...

The best nights at the ballpark often have very little to do with the game itself. In this episode, Adam talks with Tim Jackson, General Manager of the Round Rock Express, about how the franchise has become Central Texas’s “front porch” by blending servant leadership, creative promotions, and a fan experience that goes far beyond the game itself. Tim also shares what it really takes to build somet...

What if the rise of Austin as a global hub for music, film, tech and culture can be traced back to one event? For more than three decades, Hugh Forrest helped shape SXSW into one of the most influential gatherings in the world. In this episode, he reflects on the early days of SXSW and the creative energy that helped it grow alongside the city of Austin. Hugh shares his perspective on the people,...

What if the future of public education isn’t about working harder, but redesigning leadership entirely? In this episode, Dr. Lindsay Whorton shares her journey from Missouri classrooms to leading one of Texas’ most influential education nonprofits. Drawing lessons from sports, global study, business culture, and her own experience as a foster parent, she challenges the way we’ve structured schools...

Austin’s growth didn’t happen by accident. In this episode, Adam sits down with A.J. Bingham, founder of The Bingham Group, to explore the trust, relationships, and leadership that quietly shape the city behind the scenes. A.J. explains how reputation, consistency, and long-term relationships drive real influence and civic leadership in Austin. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏙️ Au...

Join Adam as he sits down with civic leader and storyteller Adam Powell to explore Austin’s vibrant transformation and unique history. From leadership journeys to the future of the city’s cultural landscape, this episode captures the spirit of Austin’s growth and legacy. Discover how history and community intertwine in the heart of Texas! Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏙️ Austin’s...

In this expansive episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Dr. Clay Johnston, founding dean of the Dell Medical School at UT Austin and Chief Innovation Officer of Harbor Health , one of the most ambitious healthcare reinvention efforts in the country. Discover what happens when bold leadership and innovation come together in Austin’s dynamic medical scene.  We’ll dig into how Harbor Heal...

In this episode, Boot Civil Founder & CEO Nhat Ho joins us to talk about growth, leadership, and what it means to shape a community with intention. We explore how personal experiences, professional passions, and a deep connection to place influence the way someone shows up in their work. The conversation reminds us that people who care enough to guide a city thoughtfully ultimately build its f...

How does a city like Austin keep thriving without losing its soul? In this episode, Adam interviews Matt Curtis, founder of Smart City Policy Group and former Deputy to two Austin mayors. They talk about Austin's incredible transformation into a "boomtown" and what it takes to cultivate civic leadership for the city's future.  Discover the stories, challenges, and solutions tha...

Born and raised in East Austin, Councilmember José Velásquez brings heart, grit, and authenticity to City Hall. In this episode, he shares his journey from a childhood shaped by hard work and activism to becoming one of Austin’s most community-driven leaders. Velásquez also discusses pressing issues facing Austin, such as housing, gentrification, and the importance of direct constituent engagement...

Adam sits down with Heather Wagner Reed, Founder and CEO of Juice Consulting , an award-winning PR and marketing firm working across music, film, tech, and even space innovation. Heather shares her journey from learning business in her mom’s donut shop to managing global superstar Beyoncé and eventually building one of Austin’s most respected brand strategy agencies. From launching Juice Consultin...

In today’s episode, Adam interviews Brand Newland, CEO and Co-Founder of Goldfinch Health, a company that’s transforming surgical recovery. Brand takes us through his journey from pharmacy school to becoming a healthcare entrepreneur, driven by personal experiences and the opioid crisis. He dives into Goldfinch’s mission to tackle the opioid epidemic through their Billion Pill Pledge, aiming to el...

In this episode, Adam sits down with Texas trailblazer Gay Gaddis- entrepreneur, artist, and civic leader who built one of the nation’s largest woman-owned advertising agencies, T3. She went from launching the firm in 1989 to now mentoring future leaders through initiatives like Women Who Mean Business and Texas Trailblazers , continuing her influence well beyond the business world. Gay shares can...

In this episode, Adam sits down with Nathan Ryan, an entrepreneur, civic leader, and Managing Director at Goff Policy. From his roots as a pastor’s kid to touring with a Christian rock band, Nathan’s journey has been one of reinvention: moving from the stage to the world of design and business, where he worked with Disney, and ultimately into leadership roles shaping Austin’s civic and business la...

What happens when you blend civic leadership, marketing savvy, soccer fandom, and a deep love for Austin? You get Jeremiah Bentley. In this episode, Adam talks with Jeremiah, as he shares his remarkable journey from a small Texas town to becoming a major force in Austin’s business and nonprofit scenes. As VP of Marketing and Community Affairs at Texas Mutual Insurance, Jeremiah reflects on buildin...

In this episode, Adam sits down with Austin-based power couple Billy Moyer and Ashley Alaniz Moyer for a conversation about leadership, marriage, and community. Billy, founder of SOS Leadership and a keynote speaker since age seven (yes, really), shares how a childhood goal turned into a lifelong mission to empower others. Ashley, Executive Director of the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium, reflects...

Eddy Patterson has helped shape the culture of Austin through food, music, and spaces that bring people together. In this episode, Adam Flagg sits down with the Stubbs co-founder and Eberly owner to explore how Eddy helped transform a beloved local recipe into a nationally recognized barbecue brand and turned a struggling downtown lot into one of Austin’s most iconic music venues. Long before Stub...