SoundStack

Kim Masters talks to writer & director Larry Charles about his new memoir Comedy Samurai. He shares stories about writing for Seinfeld, directing Curb Your Enthusiasm, and his chaotic experiences working with Sacha Baron Cohen on Borat and Bruno. Charles also tells the story of an early morning call from Ari Emanuel that pulled the plug on his Larry David documentary the day before its HBO premiere.

Also, it’s official: Paramount has settled with Donald Trump over a long-disputed 60 Minutes segment. The company agreed to pay $16 million, a move that could clear the path for David Ellison’s long-anticipated Skydance merger. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down what this means for Paramount’s future… and what an Ellison-led studio might look like.

Mason LaDue raises cattle on family land in Central Texas. But before he was a rancher, he was mostly on the road, managing tours for artists like Curren$y and Wiz Khalifa.
His journey from the Dallas hip-hop circuit to the homestead is the focus of today’s special program, Rap to the Ranch: The Ballad of Mason ‘Bric’ LaDue.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

The post Rap to the Ranch: The Ballad of Mason ‘Bric’ LaDue –  A Texas Standard Special Rebroadcast appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Federal education funding is put on hold, leaving administrators scrambling to evaluate what programs may be affected and what comes next – not just for young students, but Texans in adult education programs as well.
What could rural schools teach the rest of us about how to better get along? New research by the George W. Bush Institute offers insights.
And just in time for July 4th: the Brazilian BBQ smoker many Texas pitmasters are calling the bomb.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

The post Adult education programs feel the squeeze as federal funds remain on hold appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Elon Musk may be on the outs in D.C., but closer to home, his political influence appears to be on the rise: The state’s richest billionaire scored some quiet but rather significant victories in the last legislative session.
Legislative support for wind and solar may be on the wane, but Texas lawmakers appear to be warming up to geothermal energy.
Don’t like tariffs? Commentator W.F. Strong tells us how some earlier generations of Texans didn’t, either – and what they did to fight them.
And: Remembering Cass Wheeler, who helped transform the American Heart Association into a national force during his 30 years at the helm.

You can support our work by becoming a sustaining member at supportthispodcast.org.

The post Elon Musk’s lobbying machine finds wins in Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The week of July 2, 2025 on The Metallica Report…

Metallica is just days away from performing at Back To The Beginning, Black Sabbath’s long-awaited reunion and farewell show in Birmingham, England, with a heavy-hitting lineup of Sabbath-admirers. Ramping up in the excitement, Steff and Renée hear James, Lars, Kirk, and Robert share their earliest memories of hearing Sabbath’s mighty music. Robert also shares his true behind-the-scenes insight into what it's like to tour, play, and write with Ozzy, and offers a personal perspective on what makes him such a special artist and person.

 The Metallica Report – your official,

 Black Sabbath: blacksabbath.com 

Back to the Beginning: backtothebeginning.com 

Black Sabbath Rock and Roll Hall of

Metallica - “Iron Man - Live” R&R

Metallica - “Sabbra Cadabra” - Garage,

Infectious Grooves ft. Ozzy Osbourne -

Robert in Ozzy’s Band -

Upcoming Tour Dates: metallica.com/tour   

Music from The Metallica Report: 

As we continue our yearlong 10th birthday celebration, today we’re broadcasting before a live studio audience at a place that’s been called the “Athens of Texas” – Waco, itself celebrating 25 years of public radio from our partners at KWBU.
We’ll be sampling some of the sights, sounds and tastes of this historic Central Texas city.
After all, when you’re the birthplace of Dr Pepper, home to a national monument marking an epic concentration of mammoths, and with a growing population and national profile, there’s a whole lotta Waco to explore.

The post A live broadcast from Waco appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

New Podcast from the COLD Team:
Eric Robinson took 77 photographs on his last hike. Those images, recovered with Eric’s remains in 2016, tell the story of what he experienced on the Uinta Highline Trail. They also contain clues about why Eric diverted from the trail in his final hours. Dave Cawley follows those breadcrumbs to the brink in search of answers.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The heart of what makes podcasting so unique — independence. As corporate platforms grow louder in the space, it’s more important than ever for creators to understand how to retain control of their voice, content, and audience. From choosing the right tools and hosting partners to marketing yourself as a creator-owned brand, we explore what podcasting independence really means and how it benefits both your creativity and your business. Whether you’re just getting started or rethinking your podcasting path, this episode is packed with insights to help you stay true to your vision.

Podcasting has always been a space where creators could own their voice and their audience. But as big media continues to move in, it’s important to understand what independence really looks like — and why it’s worth protecting.

Why it matters:

Tip: If a service or platform limits where your podcast appears, who can access it, or how you can monetize, it may be undermining your independence.

Being independent isn’t just about technical decisions — it’s also something you can use to stand out in a crowded podcast landscape.

How to do it:

Tip: Independent creators often have the strongest listener loyalty — lean into that and invite your audience to be part of your journey.

Choosing independence isn’t just about creative freedom — it’s also a smart business decision.

Why it makes sense:

Tip: Diversify your income — host-read ads, dynamic ads, premium content, and direct support can all fit within an independent strategy.

The technology behind your podcast plays a huge role in maintaining your independence. Make intentional choices about where and how you host your show.

How to do it:

Own your RSS feed — don’t let a platform control it. Blubrry ensures you can always take your feed with you.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld the Texas law that requires age verification for porn sites. We’ll take a close look at the law.
As the U.S. and China negotiate a new trade agreement, farmers cope with the uncertainty.
Plus, how some of the best and brightest in Texas collaborated to build the Giant Magellan Telescope.
Also, fresh off his listening tour of Texas, we’ll hear from one of the state’s best-known Democrats: Beto O’Rourke.
And a record number of travelers are expected to hit the road for the Fourth of July holiday. Are international events affecting prices at the pump?

The post Texans help build Giant Magellan Telescope appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Eric Deggans chats with veteran sitcom showrunner Phil Rosenthal about the current state of the industry. The creator of Everybody Loves Raymond and host of the unscripted Netflix series Somebody Feed Phil reflects on how studios shape viewership data to fit their narratives. Rosenthal recalls challenging flawed testing at CBS early in his career and he reflects on the success of Raymond. He also shares how he pitched his food and travel series as: “Anthony Bourdain if he was afraid of everything.”  

But first, we banter! As the Donald Trump-Paramount Global lawsuit continues, a mediator has floated a proposed settlement: $20 million, including a $17 million donation to Trump’s presidential foundation, plus legal fees and anti-semitism PSAs. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni unpack the latest chapter in the president’s standoff with Shari Redstone.