Best W.F. Strong Podcasts (2024)

1
The craziest race you’ve never heard of happened on Padre Island 4:36

2M ago4:36

4:36

Texas Standard commentator WF Strong says that, starting in the 1950s, participants in the Padre Island Walkathon covered 110 miles – all walking, no running – over three days. The full transcript of this episode of Stories from Texas is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some po…

1
An AI Experiment 4:38

3M ago4:38

4:38

There’s been a lot of talk lately about artificial intelligence — what it can do and what its limitations are. And if you’ve been keeping tabs on it at all, there’s no doubt that it seems to be getting better — and fast. Texas Standard commentator WF Strong wanted to find out for himself just how good its become. So he did a little experiment. The …

1
The Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce 27:52

4M ago27:52

27:52

Often listed as one of the top ten best short stories ever written in America, The Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, by Ambrose Bierce remains, even today, a particularly haunting story for everyone who has ever read it, or seen the Twilight Zone episode based on the story which Rod Serling aired in 1961. Support the show…

1
Counting Cattle With the Fathers 5:01

4M ago5:01

5:01

Longtime listeners may know — Texas Standard is fast approaching a milestone birthday. We’re turning 10 next March. With us almost from the beginning have been signature segments including the Typewriter Rodeo and Stories From Texas — these bi-weekly commentaries from WF Strong. He says he has a goal beyond entertainment. The post Counting Cattle W…

1
Platero y Yo 22:34

5M ago22:34

22:34

Excerpts from the extraordinarily poignant book by Nobel Prize winning Spanish author, Juan Ramón Jiménez. I call it a children´s book for adults, but children can certainly enjoy it, too. Like all great literature, it works on many levels. Support the showBy W. F. Strong

1
The Other Hill Country 5:24

5M ago5:24

5:24

Over the next couple of months, many will set off for the Texas Hill Country to enjoy the splendor of the wildflowers celebrating spring. Many of the tourists are flatlanders, who not only love the kaleidoscope of colors but also driving the hilly roads that snake through billions of blossoms. Texas Standard Commentator WF Strong suggests a route h…

1
The mystery of the Texas box 4:02

6M ago4:02

4:02

We’ve all heard the proverb about one man’s trash being another’s treasure. Well, for generations of a family now living in Texas, the treasure in question was an old box found discarded many years earlier. Texas Standard commentator W.F. Strong has the story. The post The mystery of the Texas box appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.…

1
Bonnie and Clyde: Star-synced lovers 5:33

6M ago5:33

5:33

February the 14th may be one of the more divisive days on the calendar. Though Valentine’s Day is meant to celebrate love — many find it cheesy, commercial, or downright depressing. Others, lean into the holiday. In the latter camp, it seems, were a pair infamous lovers from Texas. Texas Standard commentator WF Strong has the story. The post Bonnie…

1
To Build a Fire by Jack London 40:28

7M ago40:28

40:28

Jack London's To Build a Fire is often listed among the top 100 of best short stories ever written. Now that North America and Europe are in the deep freeze of winter, it seemed to me a great time, given the natural ambiance, to share London's masterpiece. wfstrongpodcast@gmail.com Support the showBy W. F. Strong

1
New Year’s Eve on Houston Street 5:55

8M ago5:55

5:55

Champagne toasts, fireworks, making resolutions, fancy meals… those are just some of the many ways Texans chose to to ring in 2024. Texas Standard commentator WF Strong, however, decided to welcome the New Year by reflecting on the past. The post New Year’s Eve on Houston Street appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.…

1
The Boys in the Boat - Interview with author Daniel Brown 28:38

8M ago28:38

28:38

An interview with best-selling author Daniel Brown concerning his book, now a movie, The Boys in the Boat. This interview is ten years old but has fresh relevance given that the book is once again a best-seller, thanks to Clooney's film. In this interview Daniel shares the story of how this inspiring saga found him and how he was deeply moved by th…

1
The Gift of the Tidelands 5:33

8M ago5:33

5:33

Texas Standard commentator W.F. Strong has a little holiday tradition. Every December he likes to count our collective blessings as Texans by highlighting a great gift to Texas. He says the tidelands were special because the giver didn’t realize how much goodness would continue to flow from them. The post The Gift of the Tidelands appeared first on…

1
La Pitada 6:03

9M ago6:03

6:03

554 miles from AT&T Stadium you will find a Dallas Cowboys celebratory tradition that is unique in Texas. You might expect it in Dallas or Arlington, but to find this three decade tradition thriving in a Brownsville neighborhood, is both surprising and heart-warming. It is called La Pitada. Texas Standard commentator WF Strong has more. The post La…

1
Found in Translation 5:13

10M ago5:13

5:13

For those with a rudimentary knowledge of Spanish, traveling Texas becomes more interesting because the Spanish names of places reveal, or hint at, their histories. Texas Standard commentator WF Strong has some examples. The post Found in Translation appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.By Texas Standard, W.F. Strong

1
On Censorship 4:43

10M ago4:43

4:43

A look at the headlines might sometimes give you a sense of déjà vu — haven’t you read or seen this before? Fights over government shutdowns… a looming presidential race that may pit the same candidates against one another. Texas Standard commentator WF Strong has been thinking about this while watching another political debate. The post On Censors…

1
Julius Caesar: Part II. The Assassination 50:10

10M ago50:10

50:10

Part Two of our conversation with Lindsay Powell, an expert on classical Roman history and co-author of a book about Julius Caesar, as well as a solo author of a book about his successor, Caesar Augustus. In this episode we talk about the events that led up to the assassination of Caesar and the general incompetence of the assassins in preparing fo…

1
The Legend of La Llorona 4:53

10M ago4:53

4:53

All through October, the Texas Standard team is tracking Texas cryptids. As we’ve dug into some of these legends, we’ve noticed a few patterns. First of all, many of the cryptids associated with Texas have roots in Mexico. And there are also some similarities in the back stories of these creatures or characters. Ayden Castellanos has noticed this e…

1
‘The Killers of the Flower Moon’ is an Oklahoma story with Texas ties 5:25

11M ago5:25

5:25

There’s a much-anticipated film coming out next month. It’s the latest from Martin Scorsese and stars Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio. Texan Jesse Plemons also has a big role — playing a Texan from history. Commentator WF Strong profiled the story when it was told in a bestselling book with the same name as the new film: “Killers of the Flower…

1
Texas is God’s Country 4:15

11M ago4:15

4:15

“Everything’s bigger in Texas” may be one of the most famous sayings about Texas. “Don’t mess with Texas” probably comes in a close second. Texas Standard commentator WF Strong has been looking into another well-known saying about Texas. The post Texas is God’s Country appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.…

1
The Yellow Wall Paper 45:21

12M ago45:21

45:21

A reading and brief analysis of the one of the best short stories of all time, "The Yellow Wall Paper," by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Contact: wfstrongpodcast@gmail.com Support the showBy W. F. Strong

1
Bill Steele, Explorer and Mapper of the Deepest Cave in the Western Hemisphere 51:40

12M ago51:40

51:40

Interview with Bill Steele, a man National Geographic has called one of the world's leading speleologists, tells all about his 30 years of exploring the deepest cave in the Western Hemisphere, Huautla, in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. To great photos of Huautla check out peshcaving.org Support the show…

1
How the railroad saved Fort Worth 4:46

1y ago4:46

4:46

When we’re speaking of the North Texas metroplex — Dallas always gets first billing. It’s DFW… not FWD. But Texas Standard Commentator WF Strong says, at one point, the slightly smaller large city was at risk of disappearing altogether. The post How the railroad saved Fort Worth appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.…

1
The Historical Accuracy of Lonesome Dove 6:50

1y ago6:50

6:50

“Lonesome Dove” is one of the most popular Texas novels of all time — with many millions of copies sold since it was first published in 1985. The miniseries that followed in 1989 was the second most popular mini-series of all time, behind “Roots.” But Texas Standard commentator WF Strong says author Larry McMurtry was never as much in love with the…

1
Texas Spelling Bee 4:28

1y ago4:28

4:28

Are there words that just trip you up every time you try to spell them? For the producer writing this script it’s allegience — allegiance — so many vowels. You know it’s bad when Word or Google can’t even make a guess at what you’re going for. Texas Standard commentator WF Strong explores the most oft-misspelled words in Texas. The post Texas Spell…

1
The Second Sacking of San Antonio 7:17

1y ago7:17

7:17

Most Texans believe that the Battle of San Jacinto settled everything. Once Mexican President Santa Anna was decisively defeated, he famously signed a treaty guaranteeing Texas independence and he would never again set foot on Texas soil…Right? Well, commentator WF Strong reminds us that’s not what happened. The post The Second Sacking of San Anton…

1
The 50th anniversary of ‘The Time It Never Rained’ 5:46

1y ago5:46

5:46

It’s been 50 years since the publication of Elmer Kelton’s now classic Texas novel, “The Time it Never Rained.” Kelton wrote 50 books and said this was his favorite — he called it his signature work. It won him both the Spur Award and the Western Heritage Award. Many Texas literary critics consider “The Time it Never Rained” one of the top ten best…

1
Scratch Beginnings 19:52

1y ago19:52

19:52

Adam Shepherd arrived by bus at midnight in Charleston , SC, with only $25.00 in his pocket. He gave himself one year to pull himself up by his bootstraps. Relying only on his high school diploma and with no skilled labor background to claim, he had to rise up out of homelessness, get himself an apartment, furnish it, buy a car and put 2500 dollars…

1
Farmer Logic 4:52

1y ago4:52

4:52

If you’ve spent any time around farmers — you may have noticed a similar, pragmatic approach to life many share. Texas Standard Commentator WF Strong says it’s something he’s long observed. The post Farmer Logic appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.By Texas Standard, W.F. Strong

1
Things Redneck Dave said to me on the drive across Texas 5:30

1+ y ago5:30

5:30

Technology has a role in helping us remember the past. Whether it’s a Facebook memory or a similar push from your photos app. But milestones have long played the same role — anniversaries, holidays, big changes in life. Maybe it’s a relationship or your last great vacation. Texas Standard commentator WF Strong has been recalling a certain road trip…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

W.F. Strong Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Texas Standard » Stories from Texas

Texas Standard, W.F. Strong

1
Beyond Texas with W.F. Strong

W. F. Strong

1
The craziest race you’ve never heard of happened on Padre Island 4:36

1
An AI Experiment 4:38

1
The Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce 27:52

1
Counting Cattle With the Fathers 5:01

1
Platero y Yo 22:34

1
The Other Hill Country 5:24

1
The mystery of the Texas box 4:02

1
Bonnie and Clyde: Star-synced lovers 5:33

1
To Build a Fire by Jack London 40:28

1
New Year’s Eve on Houston Street 5:55

1
The Boys in the Boat - Interview with author Daniel Brown 28:38

1
The Gift of the Tidelands 5:33

1
La Pitada 6:03

1
Found in Translation 5:13

1
On Censorship 4:43

1
Julius Caesar: Part II. The Assassination 50:10

1
The Legend of La Llorona 4:53

1
‘The Killers of the Flower Moon’ is an Oklahoma story with Texas ties 5:25

1
Texas is God’s Country 4:15

1
The Yellow Wall Paper 45:21

1
Bill Steele, Explorer and Mapper of the Deepest Cave in the Western Hemisphere 51:40

1
How the railroad saved Fort Worth 4:46

1
The Historical Accuracy of Lonesome Dove 6:50

1
Texas Spelling Bee 4:28

1
The Second Sacking of San Antonio 7:17

1
The 50th anniversary of ‘The Time It Never Rained’ 5:46

1
Scratch Beginnings 19:52

1
Farmer Logic 4:52

1
Things Redneck Dave said to me on the drive across Texas 5:30

Quick Reference Guide