The Keep Austin Talking’s Podcast

A South Austin member had a list of small jobs, including a sticky window, a couple of drywall patches, a leaky faucet, and a TV mount. Most people they called did not want work that small, so they asked ATX Talk who would take on a honey do list.

Mr. Handyman of South Austin/Lakeway was recommended by a member who had them knock out a similar list covering window repairs, plumbing, and mounting work. Handyman Connection of Austin-Westlake was another suggestion for small jobs like drywall patching and plumbing, with easy scheduling and on time arrival. Best Austin Handyman was mentioned, but it seemed geared more toward full remodels than small repairs. Members also suggested bundling every task into a single visit and writing out the details ahead of time so the tech brings the right supplies on the first trip.

Mr. Handyman came out and finished the entire list in one visit. If you have a pile of small repairs in Austin, bundle them together and go with a company that is set up for smaller jobs.

Read the full thread on ATX Talk: https://keepaustintalking.com/t/handyman-small-jobs-south-austin

ATX Talk is the Austin, Texas community forum: https://keepaustintalking.com/

Keep Austin Talking Podcast  https://keepaustintalking.podbean.com

Podcast Feed URL

A homeowner with three large live oaks hanging over the house, including one limb resting on the gutter, asked ATX Talk for a real arborist instead of someone with a chainsaw and a pickup. With oak wilt already a concern, they did not want the trees butchered.

Good Guys Tree Service was recommended for having certified arborists on staff, with advice to ask how they would approach the limb before anyone makes a cut. Members suggested asking every crew about their oak wilt precautions rather than assuming. Cutters Landscaping was mentioned, but they mostly build outdoor living spaces and pools, and G's Landscaping does general tree work along with yard care and turf. For a big oak limb sitting on a house, the group agreed a dedicated tree specialist is the way to go.

The poster called Good Guys Tree Service and scheduled a visit to look at the limb. For Austin area homeowners with mature oaks, the takeaway is to hire a certified arborist and ask about oak wilt before anyone picks up a saw.

Read the full thread on ATX Talk: https://keepaustintalking.com/t/tree-trimming-oak-cedar-park

ATX Talk is the Austin, Texas community forum: https://keepaustintalking.com/

Keep Austin Talking Podcast  https://keepaustintalking.podbean.com

Podcast Feed URL

A member with new insurance needed a new primary care doctor after their last one spent about four minutes with them and had one foot out the door the whole time. They preferred the west side of Austin but were willing to drive for someone good.

Dr. Matthew Hill on Bee Caves Road was recommended as a DO who sits down and explains things clearly instead of rushing patients out. For those willing to drive, Dr. Narendra Punjabi up north was described as very thorough, and Dr. Vincent Esparza at Persona Healthcare in South Austin offers flexible scheduling that includes weekends. When someone asked whether these offices were accepting new patients, the answer was that Zocdoc showed they were, but calling to confirm with your insurance is always the safe move.

The poster booked a new patient visit with Dr. Hill's office for the following month and joked it was the first one they had actually looked forward to. This thread is a good starting point for anyone in Austin who is tired of rushed appointments and wants a doctor who takes the time to listen.

Read the full thread on ATX Talk: https://keepaustintalking.com/t/primary-care-doctor-west-austin

ATX Talk is the Austin, Texas community forum: https://keepaustintalking.com/

Keep Austin Talking Podcast  https://keepaustintalking.podbean.com

Podcast Feed URL

A parent whose 13 year old needs braces, and who is begging for Invisalign, asked ATX Talk for an orthodontist who would be honest about which option actually makes sense.

Nantz Orthodontics at 3901 South Lamar Blvd was the top recommendation. One member said Dr. Nantz offers both braces and Invisalign and gave a totally honest recommendation based on their child's bite, and another said the staff is friendly and great with teens. Austin Family Dentistry was mentioned for a second Invisalign opinion, while Austin Lifetime Dental was noted as a general dental practice rather than an orthodontic office for teens. One parent advised choosing based on what fits the bite and what your teen will realistically keep up with, since tracking aligner trays is a real commitment.

The poster booked a consult with Nantz Orthodontics and is bracing for the Invisalign debate on the drive home. For Austin parents weighing braces against Invisalign, the advice from this thread is to find an orthodontist who will be straight with you about what fits your kid.

Read the full thread on ATX Talk: https://keepaustintalking.com/t/orthodontist-invisalign-south-lamar

ATX Talk is the Austin, Texas community forum: https://keepaustintalking.com/

Keep Austin Talking Podcast  https://keepaustintalking.podbean.com

Podcast Feed URL

A South Austin resident near St Elmo had an AC unit that was running but blowing warm air on a hot afternoon, with the house heating up fast. They asked ATX Talk which HVAC company people actually like.

The Coolest, located right on E St Elmo Rd, was the first recommendation from a member who had them out the summer before and found them prompt. A-Plus Air Conditioning and Strand Brothers were also mentioned, along with a smart tip to ask each company for an arrival window instead of assuming a nearby address means a faster visit. While waiting on the tech, members suggested closing the blinds and running ceiling fans to slow down the heat.

The poster called The Coolest, a tech came out, and the problem turned out to be the capacitor. The house started cooling down shortly after. When your AC quits in the Austin heat, calling a nearby company and getting a clear arrival window can save you a long, miserable afternoon.

Read the full thread on ATX Talk: https://keepaustintalking.com/t/ac-repair-south-austin-recommendation

ATX Talk is the Austin, Texas community forum: https://keepaustintalking.com/

Keep Austin Talking Podcast  https://keepaustintalking.podbean.com

Podcast Feed URL

A member came home to a puddle around the water heater in the garage, shut the water off at the valve, and was left with two kids and no hot water. He asked ATX Talk for a plumber who could get there fast and would not rip him off.

Radiant was the first suggestion since they list 24/7 emergency plumbing, along with advice to ask who can actually get out that day and what the visit costs. Daniel's Plumbing also handles water heaters, though one member mentioned the branding may be changing to Fox, so it is worth confirming the name when you call. ABC Home & Commercial came up as another quick option, with a reminder that most people know them for pest control but they have a dedicated plumbing department too. Members also recommended asking for upfront pricing before any work starts, since emergency visits get expensive fast, and letting the plumber diagnose the problem instead of assuming the whole tank needs to be replaced.

Radiant got back to him and a visit was set up. The lessons here are easy to follow: shut off the water right away, ask for upfront pricing, and let a pro figure out what is actually wrong before agreeing to a full replacement.

Read the full thread on ATX Talk: https://keepaustintalking.com/t/plumber-water-heater-leak-central-austin

ATX Talk is the Austin, Texas community forum: https://keepaustintalking.com/

Keep Austin Talking Podcast  https://keepaustintalking.podbean.com

Podcast Feed URL

A homeowner who bought an older house had an electrical panel that was maxed out and already flagged by the inspector, plus plans to add an EV charger later. They asked ATX Talk for an electrician who does panel upgrades and will not disappear after sending a quote.

AC Electric was recommended by a southwest Austin homeowner who used them for a panel upgrade and old wiring fixes, saying they gave a straight quote and showed up when promised. A-One Electric, run by Karen Phaup, was another South Austin option that handled a service upgrade and code corrections after a home inspection. For anyone on the north side, Dial One Electrical was mentioned for residential upgrades. When the poster asked about city permits, the advice was to get permit responsibility in writing with the quote, along with whether the EV charger is part of the same job or a later visit.

This thread gives Austin homeowners a solid shortlist of electricians for panel work. The biggest takeaway is to get everything in writing, including who pulls the permit and what the EV charger scope looks like, before the job starts.

Read the full thread on ATX Talk: https://keepaustintalking.com/t/electrician-panel-upgrade-southwest-austin

ATX Talk is the Austin, Texas community forum: https://keepaustintalking.com/

Keep Austin Talking Podcast  https://keepaustintalking.podbean.com

Podcast Feed URL

A member who had tried talk therapy a couple of times without much progress asked ATX Talk for a therapist near central Austin who offers EMDR for trauma. They admitted it was not an easy thing to post.

Meagan Read was recommended by a member who said EMDR made a real difference for them when talk therapy hit a wall, noting she is near campus and certified in EMDR for trauma. Amanda Kerley also works with trauma, but her site showed a waitlist when the recommendations were gathered, so it is worth checking for updates. Laura Ward Woelfel was mentioned as well, though her clinic focuses mainly on testing and evaluations rather than EMDR. Members agreed that narrowing the search to someone specifically certified in EMDR saves a lot of time.

The poster reached out through Meagan Read's website to check her availability. For anyone in Austin looking into trauma focused therapy, this thread shows how much easier the search gets when you know exactly what type of care you are looking for.

Read the full thread on ATX Talk: https://keepaustintalking.com/t/trauma-therapist-austin-emdr

ATX Talk is the Austin, Texas community forum: https://keepaustintalking.com/

Keep Austin Talking Podcast  https://keepaustintalking.podbean.com

Podcast Feed URL

After two salons left her hair brassy orange, a member asked ATX Talk for a colorist on the north side who is actually good at natural, lived in balayage and dimensional color.

Theory Hair Salon in Techridge was the top pick, described as an Aveda salon where balayage is pretty much what they are known for. Shag Noir Salon came up, but it is on East 6th Street, and Austin Curls is out in Steiner Ranch and focuses mostly on curly cuts and styling. Theory also has a Round Rock location, but members suggested not assuming both spots have the same stylists and asking to see the colorist's recent work first. Booking a quick consult and bringing photos of the exact tone and look you want were also recommended.

The poster called Theory, grabbed a same day cancellation, and walked out with zero orange and a perfect blend. For anyone in north Austin tired of brassy color, this thread points to Theory and a consult first approach.

Read the full thread on ATX Talk: https://keepaustintalking.com/t/balayage-colorist-north-austin

ATX Talk is the Austin, Texas community forum: https://keepaustintalking.com/

Keep Austin Talking Podcast  https://keepaustintalking.podbean.com

Podcast Feed URL

A member's rescue dog shakes like a leaf at the vet, and the last visit ended with the dog muzzled and the owner in tears. They asked ATX Talk for a vet in South or Central Austin that is good with nervous animals.

ZippiVet on South Lamar was the clear favorite. Members said they are Fear Free certified, take their time, and work to keep visits low stress, and another member said they were wonderful with a fearful dog and recommended calling ahead to give them a heads up. VCA Northwest Hills was offered as an option further north, with long tenured vets and thorough exams. Emancipet was noted as a good choice for lower cost vaccines and preventive care, but the Norwood Park clinic is not a full service sick pet vet. Helpful tips included bringing high value treats and waiting in the car until an exam room is ready.

The poster booked an appointment at ZippiVet on South Lamar and let them know about the dog's anxiety ahead of time. If you have a nervous dog in Austin, look for a Fear Free practice and tell the clinic what to expect before you walk in.

Read the full thread on ATX Talk: https://keepaustintalking.com/t/vet-anxious-dog-south-austin

ATX Talk is the Austin, Texas community forum: https://keepaustintalking.com/

Keep Austin Talking Podcast  https://keepaustintalking.podbean.com

Podcast Feed URL