We’re taking a look at the new laws that took effect in Texas on Sept. 1.
Hauling freight on trains is a multibillion-dollar industry in Texas. The latest on safety concerns.
A report from the Paralympics in Paris, where Texans are making a strong showing.
Sul Ross State University in Alpine is the birthplace of collegiate rodeo – and is now raising their own bucking horses.
And: Standup comedian Sheng Wang, a Houston native, is bringing his comedy back to the Lone Star State.
comedy
The Late Dick Gregory, pt. 2 (Ep. 36, 2024)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents the conclusion to his tribute to the late comedian, actor, activist and social critic, Dick Gregory, who died in August 2017, after a legendary career that spanned seven decades and gained him worldwide fame.
The Late Dick Gregory, pt. 1 (Ep. 35, 2024)
On this week’s episode of In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents part one of a tribute to the late Dick Gregory, the legendary entertainer, Civil Rights activist, author and wellness advocate whose career spanned seven decades. Gregory died in August 2017 at the age of 84.
Still Wearing Pajama Pants
The pandemic impacted many parts of many of our lives. For some, that included what we wear. This Typewriter Rodeo poem celebrates one change that the poet is embracing as permanent.
Puns
Some make you laugh out loud. Others make you roll your eyes. This punny poem comes by request from a Texas Standard listener.
What we watched in 2022
In 2022, Texas played more than just bit parts on screens big and small. We look back at the year that was for Texas on film and TV. We’ll have our conversation with one of the most celebrated directors of the Lone Star State, Richard Linklater, on his movie about growing up in Texas at a time when the US was aiming for the moon. Also an actor and comedian from Houston by way of Kuwait, Mo Amer, on his hit Netflix series and what his title character tells us about the Texas of today. And South Texas born comedian, actor and author, Cristela Alonzo on her streaming success, and gettin middle classy. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 26, 2022
A Texas gun restriction for 18 to 20 year olds ruled unconstitutional. This, just 3 months after a young gunman’s deadly attack on a school in Uvalde. A judge in Fort Worth rules that Texas can’t ban 18 to 20 year olds from carrying handguns. We’ll hear more about what’s behind the decision and what comes next. Also beyond debt forgiveness: what can be done to bring down the cost of higher ed in the first place? And amid a water shortage in the Valley, one community moving to reclaim water for the future. Also a teacher shortage today, a crisis for the future? Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and more today on the Texas Standard:
A Tribute to Dick Gregory, pt. 2 (Ep. 38. 2022)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents the conclusion of an interview from 2000 with pioneering comedian, civil rights activist, social critic and writer DICK GREGORY, who passed away August 19, 2017, at the age of 84.
A Tribute to Dick Gregory, pt. 1 (Ep 37, 2022)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents an interview from 2000 with pioneering comedian, civil rights activist, social critic and writer DICK GREGORY, who passed away August 19, 2017, at the age of 84.
Interviewing For a Job (Rebroadcast)
From a Views and Brews recorded live at the Cactus Cafe in 2019, KUT’s Rebecca McInroy talks with Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke about the psychology behind how to interviewing for a job.
The Principle of Contrast
When we have two things that are very similar to each other we might wonder, why do we have two when they seem to be the same? Turns out this is important for many reasons.
In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the principle of contrast.
Perception and Affordance
When we see something, like a chair, we are not only seeing the chair but our brains are also making calculations as to what that chair can afford us; give us a place to sit perhaps.
It turns out that we are making those types of calculations all the time. In fact, the relationships change as we learn new skills, develop keen insights, or just grow up.
In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about perception and affordance
Writer’s Block (Rebroadcast)
Writer’s block! That phrase might induce panic and a recollection of a familiar experience. It’s a very common phenomenon. So what is it?
In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke explain the ins and outs of how and why we sometimes get stuck – and what we can do to help ourselves in those difficult situations.
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Dressing For Zoom
A lot of us may be working from home right now, which means that we don’t have to wear a suit to an office. But as Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke point out in this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, we may still want to consider our attire when jumping on a Zoom call.
Seasonal Change
The changing of seasons can bring with it mixed emotions depending on what is going on in our lives.
In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the psychology of seasonal change.
Texas Cowboy Moves to Montana
by W. F. Strong (adapted from folklore)
I think we’re in need of humor more now than ever before. So I thought I’d share with you this bit of classic Texas folklore. You may well have heard it before and, if you have, I’m sure you won’t mind hearing it again. If you haven’t heard it, well, you’ll have the pleasure of hearing it for the first time. Nothing better than novel humor, providing it’s well told. I’ll do my best.
A Texas Cowboy who had just recently moved to Montana walked into a bar up there and ordered three mugs of draft beer.
He took a seat in the back of the room by himself and commenced to drinking all three beers by taking a sip out of each one in a consistent sequence so that he finished them all at the same time.
Then he walked back up to the bar and asked the barkeep for three more.
Well, the bartender, wanting to be helpful, said, “You know, partner, a mug of beer can go a bit flat fairly soon after it’s drawn. You can buy ‘em three at time, if you like, but I can bring ‘em out to you one at a time to keep ‘em cold, fresh and crisp.”
The Texan replied, “Well, you see, I do it this way because I have two brothers. We were always close until a few months ago when we all, sadly, had to leave Texas for a while because of job transfers. One went to Georgia, the other to, sorry to say, New York. We agreed to always drink as I’m doing now to honor our good times together until we can all get back to Texas. So, I’m drinking one beer for me and two for my brothers.”
The barkeep was touched by the man’s custom and pushed three mugs of beer to him, and said, “This round’s on me.”
The Texan took a liking to the place. Felt like home. He came in there all the time afterwards and always followed his three beer tradition. The regulars became aware of it after a while and admired his unique commemoration. Sometimes bar patrons would even hoist a beer up in his direction and offer a toast. “To the brothers!” they’d say.
One day, the Texan came in and ordered two beers, sat down and began drinking them in turn. Everybody noticed and the bar got quiet, unusually silent.
The bartender felt he should say something so he walked over to the cowboy’s table and said quite sincerely, “I’m sorry about the loss of your brother, truly sorry.”
The cowboy looked confused a minute and then figured out what the bartender was thinking. He laughed and said, “Oh, no, no. Nobody died or nothin’. It’s just, you see, me and my wife joined a really strict church last week and I had to swear off drinkin’.”
Then it was the bartender’s turn to look confused.
The Texan explained, “Well, that didn’t affect my brothers none.”
Why It’s So Hard Not To Touch Your Face
The CDC is recommending that to avoid spreading the Coronavirus we wash our hands often and don’t touch our face. However, when it comes to habits like touching our faces, just stopping cold turkey is harder than we might think.
On this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the psychology behind why it’s so hard not to touch your face.
Traci Brimhall
Poet and novelist Carrie Fountain talks with poet Traci Brimhall about how hard it is to write a love poem, let alone a funny one. They swap quotes and discuss living the life of a “poet,” and Traci reads her poem, “Love Poem Without A Drop Of Hyperbole In It.“
The Psychology of Creation (Rebroadcast)
Tearing down something is quick, easy and often gratifying. What’s more time-consuming and difficult is creating, building and constructing. As Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about in this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, however, the reasons why we are more likely to criticize than create aren’t just about effort.
Why We Want To Predict The Future (Kind Of)
Predictions about the future can make us feel good, but only to a certain extent. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, and Dr. Bob Duke discuss the psychology behind why and what we want to know when it comes to what’s coming up.