The Austin Breakdown

In this special ”CI Conversations” episode of the Austin Breakdown, guest host Connor McGovern sits down with Sloan Struble, who is best known as the indie pop music project Dayglow.

Struble created Dayglow in 2018, just before briefly enrolling in the University of Texas at Austin, with the release of his debut album “Fuzzybrain.” One of the singles, titled “Can I Call You Tonight?”, achieved mainstream success, eventually becoming certified platinum. Since then, Dayglow has released a sophomore album, embarked on tours around the world and is anticipating the release of his 3rd record titled “People in Motion.” In this conversation, Sloan talks about his success at a young age and reflects on the purpose of his music.

Host Olivia Aldridge heads to Mueller Lake Park to meet up with Chelsea Phillips and Joe More, the names behind Tiny Tails to You, a mobile petting zoo for pint-size creatures. Guest stars include a hedgehog, a chinchilla, two rabbits, two chicks, a tortoise and a bearded dragon. 

Plus, later in the episode, Community Impact’s Vice President of Marketing and Sales Tess Coverman brings an announcement about the company’s new brand refresh.

The Austin Breakdown is a production of Community Impact. This episode was produced by Olivia Aldridge with editing by Marie Leonard. Weather and allergy reports are sourced from www.weather.com and AccuWeather.

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On the second installment of ”CI Conversations,” host Connor McGovern sits down with Mikaela and Jordan Burchill of the indie-Americana singer-songwriter duo Beth // James.

The couple studied jazz music while enrolled at the University of North Texas. After graduation, Mikaela and Jordan moved to Austin and began working on various projects, with their frequent collaboration as songwriters soon leading them to form their own duo, using both their middle names as the band’s moniker. After releasing an EP and having a single featured in an Oscar-nominated film, Beth // James are prepping for tour dates in support of their debut album “Get Together.”

In this conversation, Jordan and Mikaela talk about how the city of Austin has shaped their songwriting and how music has been a strong foundation for their relationship.

This episode was produced by Connor McGovern with editing from Olivia Aldridge and Marie Leonard. ”CI Conversations” is a special limited sub-series of the Austin Breakdown and a production of Community Impact Newspaper.

Community Impact Austin City Hall reporter Ben Thompson returns for an update on the Austin Police Department, which recently released an ”after-action” report evaluating the department’s performance during the protests of May 2020. Also, digital journalist Morgan O’Neal stops by with a sneak peek of fall events coming up in the Austin metro.

The Austin Breakdown is a production of Community Impact Newspaper. This episode was produced by Olivia Aldridge with assistance from Morgan O’Neal and editing by Marie Leonard. Weather and allergy reports are sourced from www.weather.com and AccuWeather.

In the first of a series of special episodes, guest host Connor McGovern sits down with Michelle Simmons, founder and CEO of Slow North, a popular all-natural home goods store in North Austin. Simmons sheds light on her experiences as a small business owner in one of the largest retail markets in the U.S., growing from a backyard candle-making operation into a full storefront and studio space with national sales.

For the next few weeks, listen every Wednesday for more ”CI Conversations” to hear from interesting local people across the Austin metro. Regular episodes of the Austin Breakdown will continue to release each Friday.

Host Olivia Aldridge stops by Kick Butt Coffee, an Airport Boulevard mainstay that shares an entrance and an owner with Master Gohring’s Tai Chi and Kung-fu. Later on, Community Impact reporter Katy McAfee discusses how local restaurants are facing mounting challenges as food prices rise and labor grows scant.

The Austin Breakdown is a production of Community Impact Newspaper. This episode was produced by Olivia Aldridge with editing by Marie Leonard. Weather and allergy reports are sourced from www.weather.com and AccuWeather.

Community Impact reporters Brooke Sjoberg and Carson Ganong discuss how Austin suburbs including Round Rock, Pflugerville and Hutto are planning to expand their water infrastructure to make way for a growing population. Later, fellow reporter Christopher Green stops by with a quick update on Texas’ latest 10-year transportation plan and what it has in store for Austin.

The Austin Breakdown is a production of Community Impact Newspaper. This episode was produced by Olivia Aldridge with editing by Marie Leonard. Weather and allergy reports are sourced from www.weather.com and AccuWeather.

In a new recurring segment featuring local businesses from around the Austin area, host Olivia Aldridge sits down at Lebowski’s Grill with owner Helen Alger, who operates her long-time burger joint from inside Highland Lanes bowling alley on Burnet Road. Plus, Community Impact’s Darcy Sprague stops by the studio to discuss Central Texas’ record-breaking summer heat and what it indicates about Austin’s climate in the years to come.

The Austin Breakdown is a production of Community Impact Newspaper. This episode was produced by Olivia Aldridge with assistance from Morgan O’Neal and editing by Marie Leonard. Weather and allergy reports are sourced from www.weather.com and AccuWeather.

Community Impact’s Austin City Hall reporter Ben Thompson discusses proposed safety upgrades and revitalization projects on Sixth Street. Plus, Walter Flocke from the Texas A&M Forest Service discusses how recent rain has affected local wildfire risk.

The Austin Breakdown is a production of Community Impact Newspaper. This episode was produced by Olivia Aldridge with editing by Marie Leonard. Weather and allergy reports are sourced from www.weather.com and AccuWeather.

Just as students and teachers are heading back to school for a new term, the Texas Education Agency has released its first school accountability ratings in three years. Reporter Hannah Norton, a Report for America corps member serving with Community Impact Newspaper, shares how local districts fared in the TEA’s assessments. Plus, editor Darcy Sprague gives insight into Austin ISD’s new proposed bond—and a measure that would have provided housing for teachers that was left on the cutting room floor.

The Austin Breakdown is a production of Community Impact Newspaper. This episode was produced by Olivia Aldridge with assistance from Morgan O’Neal and editing by Marie Leonard. Weather and allergy reports are sourced from www.weather.com and AccuWeather.