I Love You So Much: The Austin360 Podcast

What does it mean to be a good friend? Why do we connect with certain people and not others? KXAN's Joe Barlow and musician Laura Lee Bishop started a podcast called "Heavy Friending" to document the process of becoming friends. From getting drunk together to becoming friends on Facebook, they've made some pretty big leaps in just a few months. It's a clear win, right? Not so fast, both of them say. Joe Gross and features editor (and figure skating fanatic) Sharon Chapman unpack "I, Tonya," the new Tonya Harding biopic that is making audiences laugh, cry and also grapple with the 1994 scandal that dominated that year's Winter Olympics. Former KVUE anchor Olga Campos Benz came to the studio to read an excerpt from her debut novel, "It's News to Me," a fictional story from the world of TV news, and Austin360 web producer Katey Psencik talks about what role dogs are now playing in the Statesman's newsroom in a Webb Report. More info: austin360.com/loveaustin360

In this short bonus dispatch, "I Love You So Much" co-hosts Tolly Moseley and Addie Broyles take a moment to tell you why "Lagom" and "Spaciousness" are words to live by in the coming year. More info and episode archive: austin360.com/loveaustin360

You might know Austin Kleon through his newspaper blackout poems or maybe someone gave you a copy of one of his bestselling books, "Show Your Work" or "Steal Like an Artist" for Christmas last year. In this week's show, he shares practical advice on nurturing your creativity and finding good work habits in the new year, and why social media is one of the biggest barriers to unlocking our own creative juices. Have you heard about the Danish concept of "Hygge?" Nils Juul-Hansen is a local photographer born and raised in Denmark. He joins us to explain why Americans are so obsessed with this idea of inner warmth and intimacy. Sweet John Muehlbauer tells us about his last year playing Buddy the Elf in his annual holiday trip to New York City for charity. In this week's Webb Report, we hear from web producer Katey Psencik about why "The Holiday" and "Love Actually" have become such Christmas standbys and why "The Holiday" is the better of the two. In "A Toast," Kleon recommends taking notes in the shower with Aqua

When geneticist and UT graduate Spencer Wells wrote "The Journey of Man" in 2002 and then became the Explorer-in-Residence for National Geographic’s Genographic Project, he couldn’t have predicted the booming consumer genetics industry that would follow. Now that he’s lived and worked all over the world, the co-owner of Antone's is back in Texas and working on his latest project, Insitome, a consumer genomics company. He joined us in the studio to talk about his latest entrepreneurial effort, why Americans are so fascinated by their ancestral past and how innovations in the field are changing how humans tell their own stories. Statesman film critic Joe Gross tells us which holiday movies you should be planning to see, and Raising Austin columnist Nicole Villalpando shares ideas for keeping families and kids busy on a snow day or any day over the winter break. In A Toast, Addie loves Season 2 of “The Crown,” Tolly explains why she’s over the moon for two restaurants on Burnet Road and Omar talks about a new “W

Adriene Mishler started making yoga videos for YouTube in 2012, and in five years, she's grown one of the largest yoga communities on the internet with 3 million subscribers to Yoga with Adriene on YouTube, where she’ll be rolling out her fourth annual 30 Days of Yoga series next month. She joined us in the studio to talk about setting intentions for the new year and why her mantra "find what feels good" is more about the process than getting to a place. Also in the show, hear from Dana Younger, a founder of the Blue Genie Art Bazaar, who talked with us about how Austin’s art community is thriving, even as it faces affordability issues, and why holiday shoppers benefit at this 17th annual show. In the Webb Report, Eric Webb explains why HQ Trivia is the newest addicting quiz app to hit our phones, and in our Advice for Austinites segment, Transform Fitness founder Erica Nix shares tips on staying physically active during the coming holiday break. In this week’s “Toast,” we recommend CareBox, a supply care box

It’s time to do a deep dive on your relationships and coupledom. Esther Perel, the Belgian couples therapist whose podcast “Where Should We Begin?” has become a sensation, is a guest this week on our show, revealing why our expectations and culture can sometimes sabotage the happiness we seek in love.  Also on the show this week: Speaking of podcasts, we have some recommendations for upcoming holiday road trips of podcasts you can take on the go with you. In this week’s Webb Report, Eric Webb discusses some Austin-themed holiday gifts you might to consider, including a coffee table book of funny signs from El Arroyo and a new Yeti product designed in the style of a Whataburger cup. In A Toast, we recommend Tom Hanks’ performance in “Big,” the animated film “Coco” and writer/director Greta Gerwig’s latest, “Lady Bird.” More info: austin360.com/loveaustin360

When you hear the phrase "Keep Austin Weird," it’s easy to forget who exactly the keepers of weirdness are. That’s why you should get to know Anna Barr, who's been running a secondhand toy shop in South Austin — Anna's Toy Depot — for 30 years. She started the business as a toy delivery service to child care centers. Anna shares her remarkable story, one that exemplifies the original DNA of Austin. Next up is special effects wizard Mike Angelo Torres, who has directed commercials for brands like Red Bull, Coca-Cola, Reebok and Doritos, as well as several music videos for folks you may have heard of (Lil Wayne). In our "Advice for Austinites" segment, we bring in rapper SaulPaul to answer listener questions about finding kids music that isn't lame and how to inspire jaded teens. And in a Webb Report: some obscure members of DC's Justice League should have their own moment in the spotlight at this precise cultural moment, says Eric Webb. We conclude as always with A Toast, our recommendations of things we feel

It's time to think about holiday cooking, and who better to do it with than Austin360 food writer Addie Broyles and the Kitchen Diva, Angela Shelf Medearis? Author, chef and historian Medearis talks with Addie and co-host Tolly Moseley about her work as well as her big plans for Thanksgiving week. Also on the show this week: Joe Gross drops in to discuss the latest film from Austin’s Richard Linklater, "Last Flag Flying." The movie stars Bryan Cranston, Steve Carell and Laurence Fishburne. Whole Foods' global beverage buyer Devon Broglie shares ideas for ideal Thanksgiving wines. And Addie's got a solid list of songs from Texas and Austin musicians with a food theme for her Thanksgiving music playlist. We conclude as always with A Toast, our recommendations of things we feel you should be checking out right now. More info: austin360.com/loveaustin360

With the dizzying number of choices of what to do in downtown Austin for a special night out, what's a visitor or newcomer to town to do? The founders of a new concierge service called AustiNight, Rob Stuart and "The Feedbak" podcast nightlife expert Bak Zoumanigui, tell us why your group of demanding revelers may need a sherpa. Also on the show this week: Maribel Rivero, the well-known chef who’s part of the El Chile family of restaurants, discusses her latest project, the new Peruvian eatery Yuyo. In this week’s Webb Report, Austin360’s Jake Harris talks about his experiences using MoviePass, a card that gets you into movie theater screenings for a flat monthly fee of $10. In A Toast, we recommend the “Poshmark” fashion merchandise app, Uptown Cheapskate Austin and Inkkas Shoes. More info: austin360.com/loveaustin360.

If you think you've seen Austin change, try looking at it through the eyes of Esther's Follies co-founder and performer Shannon Sedwick and local author Jesse Sublett. The iconic comedy troupe Esther's has been performing in downtown Austin for 40 years. As the years pass, the troupe continues to draw crowds on Sixth Street, but Sublett and Sedwick knew it was time to document Esther’s history in a book. This fall, they released "Esther’s Follies, The Laughs, The Gossip, and The Story Behind Texas' Most Celebrated Comedy Troupe." They discuss the new book with us in the studio as well as sharing stories from the group’s 40 years. Other hot topics: Austin’s new Central Library downtown has been the talk of the town since opening last weekend, and Out and About columnist Michael Barnes joined us to talk about why the city needed a new intellectual gathering space downtown. With cool fall temperatures and Thanksgiving around the corner, it's time to start thinking about holiday cooking, so we brought in local fo

Severed heads. An anatomical heart. A unicorn farting a rainbow. Natalie and Dave Sideserf make some of the most amazing (and bizarre) cakes the world has ever seen, and they're right here in Austin. The Sideserfs join us to talk about their Internet-viral cakes, and how their ridiculously artistic creations led to their own show on Food Network, "Texas Cake House." Next up, competitive Skee-Ball player and American-Statesman deputy director of photo and video James Gregg. Because Austin wouldn't be Austin without competitive leisure sports, we bring in James to give us the lay of the land ahead of this weekend's Brewskee-Ball National Championship. And finally -- guys. It's Halloween. Please don't put those awful, foam-like, peanut-shaped candies in poor children's bags. Instead, listen to Austin360's social media editor Eric Webb on this week's Webb Report, who makes an impassioned case for the Best Halloween Candy Ever. We conclude as always with A Toast, including Flo Rida song "My House" for kids, the "D

We discuss whether “adulting” — being a responsible person in the world — can be embraced in a town that often favors carefree youth. Joining us in this chat is fitness and lifestyle blogger and counselor Carla Birnberg, who has embraced the concept. Speaking of youth, we also talk to University of Texas students about why the ’90s are suddenly relevant to them. Austin360 food critic Matthew Odam breaks down the top five restaurants from his just-released Austin Dining Guide and shares what it takes to put that list together. The Latino Comedy Project shares a short musical piece from its show about Austin gentrification, "Gentrif*cked." And in A Toast, our recommendations segment, we sing the praises of Austin’s TheWaveVR and two shows on Netflix, “Happy Valley” and the Lady Gaga documentary “Gaga: Five Foot Two.” More info and our episode archive: austin360.com/loveaustin360.

We wrap up Austin City Limits Music Festival Weekend One by airing out complaints from new friends we made at The Whine Lounge, a place we made up in the actual ACL Fest Wine Lounge where people could vent or tell us the whiniest thing they heard this year. It turns our people really wanted to share! More info: austin360.com/loveaustin360.

What is a Silent Disco? Addie Broyles and Tolly Moseley set out to find out how this movement, which involves headphones, competing DJs and a big audience, got so popular at Austin City Limits Music Festival this year. More info: austin360.com/loveaustin360. Come back for more daily dispatches from ACL Fest.

In our first audio dispatch from ACL Fest 2017, we ask people waiting for Jay-Z to perform whether they're REALLY there for Hova or if they're just showing up to see if his talented wife performs. More info: austin360.com/loveaustin360. Come back for more ACL Fest coverage for the next few days.

Austin360's Deborah Sengupta Stith and Statesman social media editor Eric Webb hop in to talk Austin City Limits Music Festival security in the wake of Las Vegas, the lack of Latin music acts at ACL fest, their top music picks and changes for this year’s event. Music writer Peter Blackstock sketches out the concurrent histories of “Austin City Limits” the TV show (born in the ’70s) and Austin City Limits the festival (born in the aughts) and how the latter has reshaped the former. From the new silent disco to the “Wine Experience,” KGSR’s Andy Langer joins us to answer the question: Who exactly is ACL for? He also shares his top pick from the lineup, Charlotte Cardin. In our “Advice for Austinites” segment, we answer the questions: “Should you take kids to ACL?” and “Why would you do that?” More info at austin360.com/loveaustin360 and tune in for audio dispatches from ACL Fest’s first weekend on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Owen Egerton is among the busiest creatives in Austin. He's a prolific writer, comedian, film director and comedy event host, so you've probably caught his work somewhere. This week, he stops by the "I Love You So Much" podcast to tell us about his newest book, "Hollow" and a new horror film he just shot with Rooster Teeth, "Blood Fest." Joe Gross and Alyssa Vidales dig into the recent controversy around the Alamo Drafthouse and Fantastic Fest, and we bring in Eric Webb to nerd out about clowns in pop culture and find out why, historically, they've been a little on the scary or sad side. As always, we end with a Toast, in which we talk up "Slam: The Next Jam," Sahara Lounge and Hawgfly Productions. More info: austin360.com/loveaustin360

This week, going-out expert Kelly Stocker joins co-hosts Omar L. Gallaga and Tolly Moseley to answer a listener questions about ways to enjoy all that Austin has to offer without breaking the bank. We discuss apps, happy hours, friend etiquette and other ways to approach the high-$$$ cost of having a good time and strategies to afford a fun lifestyle. James White, the founder and owner of Austin's legendary Broken Spoke honkytonk is in for a chat about how it started and survived for 53 years. Author Donna Marie Miller, who wrote a book about The Broken Spoke, is part of the conversation, discussing how acts including Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton and other country legends have graces its stage. Austin360's Katey Psencik discusses her recent "Ode to Port Aransas" and the response she's gotten from Port A's hurricane victims, who are rebuilding the coastal town. And in A Toast, we recommend the "Insecure" playlist on Spotify, 16Personalities and a new Halcyon location at Mueller. More info: http://austin360.com/l

We chat with Prakash Mohandas, the creator of the new Bollywood-meets-American musical theater live show, "Disco Deewane," which happens Sept. 16 at the Travis County Expo Center, about how this big show came together. Foodie freelance writer and native Austinite Graham Cumberbatch joins Addie Broyles in a talk about why the rice cooker is one of his favorite cooking gadgets. Latino Comedy Project's Adrian Villegas talks about his one-man comedy, "Barrio Daze," which starts this weekend and runs through Sept. 16. And Statesman social media editor Eric Webb gives some insights into the online response to Hurricane Harvey and the state's recovery efforts. Transportation writer Ben Wear joins in for our "A Toast" recommendations. More info: austin360.com/loveaustin360

We chatted with Out of Bounds Comedy Festival executive producer Ruby Willmann and performer Shannon Stott about how the weeklong event has evolved over the years and what fans can expect from the more than 350 performers participating this year. Austin author Christopher Brown reads a excerpt from his new political thriller “Tropic of Kansas,” and our resident “Game of Thrones” fans Joe Gross and Phil Jankowski break down the season seven finale in all its thrilling (and gross-out) glory. More info at austin360.com/loveaustin360.