With this episode, we’re going back to the show’s beginnings; this was one of the earliest interviews we recorded, way back when This Is My Thing was just an idea for a show that we were hoping would make it onto the airwaves and/or podcast streams someday. It took a little while, but we’re happy to bring it to you now.

On this episode of This Is My Thing, we’re talking with Mitch London about his love for metal detecting. For Mitch, it’s a hobby born out of another hobby – he was already a coin collector when, a few years ago, he was introduced to metal detecting as a way to search for rare coins. Now he also uses his skills to help strangers find meaningful (metal) objects they’ve lost.

We joined Mitch on a hunt for a lost earring that holds great sentimental value for its owner; on this episode you'll hear some highlights from that search along with our in-depth conversation with Mitch about his love of metal detecting. We talk about how he got into it, what kind of equipment he uses, what he's hoping to find, and what it all means to him!

This is My Thing is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Lesley Murray grew up as a competitive swimmer, so she was already pretty comfortable in the water when she decided (on a whim, she says) to take a Deep End Fitness class. She fell in love with the practice, which led her to Underwater Torpedo League.

Now she loves the sport, which she finds both meditative and exciting (it's 'meditating on fire,' she says). We'll talk about her history with the sport, how it's played, and what it means to her.

This is My Thing is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

On this episode of This Is My Thing, we're talking about a thing that's kind of three things -- the triathlon, a competitive sport that combines swimming, running, and cycling into one very challenging race.

On this episode of This Is My Thing, we’re talking with Tiffany Saunders and Caitlin Saunders about their shared love of triathlon. They met on a race (where they came in second!), fell in love with the sport and each other, and now train and compete together as Team Saunders.

We'll talk about their origin stories with the sport and with each other, why they love competing, how they train for all three elements of the race, and much more!

This is My Thing is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Several years ago, while looking for ways to improve at golf, Steve Merritt created a game on his property in Wimberley, Texas. Before long, that game had a name -- Cowboy Golf. And not long after that, Cowboy Golf had an annual event -- the Three Steves and a Dan tournament.

As one might guess, that yearly tournament involves Steve Merrit, two additional Steves (Dehmer and Raatz), and a Dan (Vineyard).

Dan was unable to make the taping, but I spoke with all three Steves about Cowboy Golf's history, its future, and what the sport means to their decades-long friendship.

This is My Thing is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

This week we’re talking with Ben Rollman about his longtime love of LEGO. Like a lot of AFOLs (Adult Fans Of LEGO), Ben’s affection for the plastic brick began in childhood, then went through a ‘Dark Age’ when it loosened its grip on him. But as an adult, Ben's love of LEGO came back with a vengeance and now he builds LEGO sets, collects LEGO sets, creates his own original works using LEGO bricks, and even helps to organize conventions of fellow brick lovers.

We'll talk about the timeless appeal of the brick, the challenges and rewards of using LEGO as an artistic medium, the special language of brick fans, and a lot more!

This is My Thing is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

When Lyzz Donelson retired from her job as an Austin firefighter a couple of years ago, she knew she'd find other ways to keep busy -- she already had a few ideas on a list. But then she surprised herself by falling in love with something that wasn't on her radar at all: making permanent jewelry.

Now she attends artists' markets and private parties, looking to make connections with folks and bring a little extra joy into their lives by welding non-removable jewelry onto their person.

We'll talk with Lyzz about how she stumbled upon the world of permanent jewelry, why it drew her in so quickly, and what she loves about the community she's discovered.

This is My Thing is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

On this episode of This Is My Thing, we talk with Rae Loos about aggressive roller skating!

This episode comes to us from my friend Zahra Crim, who until recently was KUT’s Community Producer. Zahra’s moved on to go to grad school and new adventures, but before leaving, they worked on this piece for the show. It’s kind of a full-circle moment. The day I met Zahra, they were interviewing for the job at KUT and we talked a bit about hobbies and outside interests. Zahra mentioned that one of their main hobbies was something called aggressive roller skating, a term I had never heard before. That piqued my interest, of course, because I was already developing this show… and now this piece about that very hobby is Zahra’s last official task as a KUT employee.

Zahra talks with their friend Rae Loos about their shared love of the sport, how it’s different from skating at the roller rink, and what it means to Rae.

Some folks like to watch trains or photograph trains or build model trains, but for Marc Opperman only the real thing will do. His love of trains led him to become a student conductor on a real, functioning vintage train, or what he calls '12 inch to the foot scale.'

We'll talk about Marc's lifelong love of trains, the responsibilities of being conductor (even a volunteer student conductor), why a particular spot on the train's path holds a special meaning for him, where he finds his happy place onboard, and a lot more.

This is My Thing is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org