The Drag: Stories

Historical businesses that culturally contribute to the identity of Austin are closing down seemingly out of nowhere. Follow as Olivia Carter tries to take a look at the missing parts of the story.

In the third episode of a series about Greek life at UT, Data Dives host Carolyn Parmer discusses fraternities on the Interfraternity Council. These 22 chapters make up just over one-third of students in Greek life and deal with hazing, sexual assault, homophobia and more.

In the second episode of a series about Greek life at UT, Data Dives host Carolyn Parmer sheds light on some of the large issues within the community of sororities on the University Panhellenic Council. Members of these 13 chapters face low ethnic and LGBTQ+ diversity, a ranking system, negative effects on mental health and more.

In this pilot episode of a series about Greek life at UT, Data Dives host Carolyn Parmer gives an overview of the university’s sororities and fraternities with a focus on the two largest governing bodies: the University Panhellenic Council and the Interfraternity Council. Whether you can name every Greek organization or remain baffled by this institution, this episode will help you understand what it’s like to join it.

Boutique studios and fitness classes are popular, but what do they actually have to offer? Sofia Vargas Karam sits down with Lindsay Howe Ruth and Laura Gilhman-Jones to explore the benefits of fitness classes, how they became instructors and most importantly, how they've built a community from it. They'll talk about how fitness isn't just about sweating it out; it's about making real connections, feeling empowered, and finding some lifelong friends along the way.

If you’ve ever sat through an elementary science class, you’ve probably learned about monarch butterflies – their obsession with milkweed, stages of metamorphosis, and annual migration. But how does this migration actually play out in today’s industrialized world? Host Sara Kinney walks through all the struggles these little creatures face on their annual journey southward and talks to one group, called Monarch Watch, that is currently trying to help them on their path.

Pigeons. They’re everywhere. Surely they can’t be endangered. Right? Right…?

Delve into the feathery world of our neighborhood fowl with Olivia Dilley as she breaks down everything about the wild world of pigeons and why we should care about them. In this episode, we hear from Joe Wood, co-chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Pigeon and Dove Specialist Group, as he tells us about the wonders of pigeons and the things that threaten their very existence. We’ll also hear from Hayley Hudnall, executive director of Austin Wildlife Rescue in Austin, TX, as she tells us about the woes of pigeons in America and why people dislike the “rats of the bird world.”

For generations, German descendants have carried on their traditional language and cultural practices. But as the last speakers die out, so does the language. In this episode, Molly-Jo Tilton explores the various groups keeping these traditions alive.

Before entering college, expectations and a vision of college life are conveyed through interactions with movies and the media. But what happens when those expectations aren’t met and things go differently? Miriam Belmonte tells her story, along with Guido Peluffo’s, about a side of college that goes untold. 

In growing cities like Austin, Texas, neighborhood development is a hot topic of conversation — new high-rise apartments and retail options appear in what feels like each week. In the midst of this urban growth, a less concrete addition to neighborhoods is gaining popularity: community gardens. Shared gardening can foster community, promote sustainability and provide emotional support, and many garden enthusiasts are advocating for more of these spaces in growing cities. In this episode from Sarah Brager, you’ll hear from college students who eagerly await workdays in their community garden, and a longtime Austin resident who’s been cultivating her plot for decades, to learn why they chose to get their hands dirty each week.