SoundStack

The latest from inside Venezuela as the Trump administration takes over and an interim president is sworn in.
A look at the on again, off again immigration status of Venezuelans seeking asylum in this country – and Texas, in particular.
Dallas County prosecuted its first fentanyl dealer, so how did the case fall apart?
Birders have been busy with the annual Christmas Bird Count. A look at what they saw along the coast of Galveston Island.
And with a new year comes a new Public Domain Day. From Betty Boop to “The Maltese Falcoln,” the Standard’s Shelly Brisbin breaks down the latest entries.

The post What entered the public domain in 2026? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

When it comes to podcast monetization, your download numbers aren’t just bragging rights—they’re how you prove your value to advertisers, networks, and sponsors. But here’s the thing: not all stats are created equal.

To be taken seriously, you need IAB-certified podcast statistics—and here’s why they matter, especially if you’re trying to grow or monetize your show.

The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) created strict, transparent guidelines for how podcast downloads should be measured.

With IAB-certified stats, you get:

This is the standard advertisers, agencies, and platforms trust and expect when deciding whether to spend money with your podcast.

Blubrry has been tracking podcast statistics since 2005—we’ve been doing this longer than almost anyone in the space.

And we weren’t just early—we were foundational.

So when you use Blubrry stats, you’re not just using certified tools—you’re using tools built by a company that helped define what certification looks like.

If you want to work with sponsors, join a network, or use programmatic ad platforms like SoundStack, your podcast needs data they can trust. IAB-certified stats help you:

This data is essential when you’re pitching your show or negotiating CPM rates. Without certified stats, you’re at a disadvantage from the start.

You don’t have to break the bank to get professional-grade analytics:

A historic U.S. military operation has extracted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro from the country. What are the implications, both for Texas and the U.S.? University of Texas global affairs expert Jeremi Suri weighs in on this weekend’s events, including the legality of the Venezuela operation and whether it was about narcoterrorism, oil, or something more.
Speaking of oil, we’ll look at the implications for Texas as a global hub of the petroleum industry.
Plus, the future of oil and gas in the Rio Grande Valley, the rediscovery of a key piece of the state’s colonial history, and a Texas DJ who left a mark on American blues.

The post Venezuela’s future and what it means for Texas oil appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

As we celebrated 10 years of the Texas Standard in 2025, our yearlong tour of the state recently took us to our partners at Texas Public Radio, based in San Antonio. 

Though its many landmarks bring in the tourists, new residents are rushing in, too – putting pressure on resources like energy and water. 

We explored those growing pains but also sampled the tastes and sounds that make San Antonio special. 

The post Encore presentation: A special broadcast from San Antonio  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Kim Masters rings in the new year with Matt Belloni and Lucas Shaw to forecast what 2026 could hold for Hollywood. The trio debates Disney’s long-simmering succession question, the impact of Trump administration tariffs on the industry, and YouTube’s growing ambitions in original programming.

Plus, we revisit a conversation between Masters and Jesse Eisenberg about his award winning film, A Real Pain. The writer, director, and actor talks about the challenges of capturing the complicated feelings of the descendents of holocaust survivors while still including humor. They also talk about the special relevance that Majdanek–the concentration camp the two cousins visit in the film–has for Masters.

Texas Standard had the best seat in the state for the recent Geminid meteor shower. We’re revisiting our special broadcast from the McDonald Observatory earlier this month. 

We’re focused on space science, including the history of this West Texas research gem – and how it’s continuing to contribute to what we know about the universe and beyond. 

Dark skies are essential for observation, but there are challenges with light pollution. What they’re doing out in Fort Davis and what you can do at home. 

Plus: A conversation with StarDate star Billy Henry. 

The post Encore presentation: A special broadcast from the McDonald Observatory  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

As we wrap up 2025, we’re reflecting on some of the most important news moments of the past year, including what happened with new proposals aplenty passed during the biennial state legislative session.  

We’ll also drill down on some original investigative reporting of the year with the Texas Newsroom’s Lauren McGaughy and look at how 2026 is teed up for Texas through a political lens.  

The post The top news of the year and looking ahead to 2026  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

This week on The Metallica Report…

Steffan and Renée revisit some of their favorite moments from 2025, pre-episode 100. Spoiler alert: we’re going to hear a lot from the band! Plus, James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett round out this year’s holiday commentary with their approach to New Year’s resolutions.

The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday.

Become A Fifth Member: metallica.com/register 

Music from The Metallica Report: metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music 

Upcoming Tour Dates: metallica.com/tour 

Wanna be featured in a future fan debate? metallica.com/podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Texas could lose as many as 17 members of Congress next year. What does that mean for the Lone Star State in terms of clout?
The clock is ticking as federal funding for the 988 Crisis Lifeline expires next year.
Distractions are everywhere. “Indistractable” author Nir Eyal offers strategies for focusing on what matters to you.
And as we wrap up our birthday celebration marking 10 years, we’ll take a look back at our favorite animal stories – from remarkable dogs and cats to fascinating wildlife.

The post Tips to stop doomscrolling in 2026 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.