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Podcast Header

Raise your hand if you’re sick and tired of feeling like there’s nothing you can do to make a difference in this crazy and chaotic world. 

 

We’ve been there. And it’s exactly why we created this podcast. Hosted by local journalist Amy Stansbury and broadcast out of Austin’s cooperatively-run radio station, KOOP 91.7 FM, The Austin Common Radio Hour actually explains the news and then gives you clear steps for getting involved where it really counts… in your local community. 

Latest Episodes

Nowhere To Go
Amy Stansbury

Nowhere To Go: Homelessness In Austin

Our podcast mini-series on homelessness continues with a focus on emergency shelter, which is meant to provide people with a safe place to sleep (temporarily), while they work to get connected to more permanent housing. But in Austin, we don’t have enough emergency shelter beds,

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HOME Podcast
Amy Stansbury

The HOME Initiative: What It Is & Why It Matters

On December 7th, Austin City Council will vote on the HOME Initiative, a proposal to allow up to three housing units to be built on single-family lots. The idea is to increase the city’s supply of “missing middle” housing, but like so many debates related

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State Parks Podcast
Amy Stansbury

Explaining Your Ballot: State Propositions

The are 14 proposed state constitutional amendments on the ballot this year. In this episode we take a deep into several of them, including Prop 4 (property taxes), Prop 6 (water), and Prop 8 (broadband internet).   Our guests include state Rep. Vikki Goodwin, Jennifer

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Prop 14
Amy Stansbury

$1 Billion For State Parks? Explaining Prop 14

There  are 14 proposed state constitutional amendments on the ballot this year. One of them, Prop 14, would create a $1 billion centennial parks conservation fund to grow our state parks system.   To tell us all about it, host Amy Stansbury sat down with

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Explaining Your Ballot Podcast
Amy Stansbury

Explaining Your Ballot: Travis County Props A & B

If you live in Travis County, you have two very important propositions on your ballot this year – Prop A (which is all about roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks) and Prop B (which is about parks).   To help you understand exactly what you’ll be

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Episode 46
Amy Stansbury

Mental Health & Our Criminal Justice System

On, March 21st, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted to take the first steps toward creating a mental health diversion center right here in Travis County.   And what is a mental health diversion center? We discuss it all with Travis County Judge Andy Brown.

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Future of I-35
Amy Stansbury

The Future of I-35

By now, you’ve probably heard there are plans to expand I-35 through downtown Austin… but what does that mean exactly? And what will the impact be for our community? And the climate?   We cover it all in this episode of The Austin Common Radio

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Runoff Podcast - District 3 and mayor
Amy Stansbury

Elections 101 Runoff Edition: Mayor + District 3

Several local races are headed to a runoff! To make it easier for you to do your ballot research, we’re re-publishing some of our election episodes to feature only the candidates who made it to the runoff.   In this episode, you’ll hear interviews with

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District 1 Podcast
Amy Stansbury

Elections 101: Austin City Council District 1

In this episode of The Austin Common Radio Hour, host Amy Stansbury sits down with the candidates running for City Council in District 1 (east Austin).    You’ll hear interviews with: Misael D. Ramos Clinton Rarey Melonie House-Dixon Natasha Harper-Madison   You can hear this

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The Team

Amy Stansbury

Amy Stansbury – Host 

Amy Stansbury is the host of The Austin Common Radio Hour and Editor-In-Chief of The Austin Common. She is a local journalist dedicated to the ideas that learning about local government should be fun, that our local community matters, and that each and every one of us can make a positive difference in this world. 

John Hoffner – Producer 

 

John Hoffner has been part of KOOP radio since 2007 as a producer and programmer.  He has been active in Austin issues and a strong advocate for a balanced approach to solving our energy, social justice, and environmental issues. He served on the City of Austin’s Resource Management Commission from 2003 to 2006.   John has worked professionally in the renewable energy field for over 25 years. His first position was with Austin Energy as the Manager for Renewable Programs from 1983 through 1996. He is now the Solar Global Practice Leader at Jacobs Engineering in Austin.  

John Hoffner

About KOOP

KOOP Radio

KOOP (pronounced koh-op as in “co-op”) is a community radio station in Austin, TX, owned and operated by its members in a cooperative structure depending primarily upon its volunteers and supporters for all operations of the station. KOOP provides a diverse array of programming, emphasizing programs that deal with local issues and/or serve communities which are under-served by the mainstream media.

 

You can listen to The Austin Common Radio Hour on air on KOOP 91.7FM Tuesdays at 2pm.