Hey Elgin!

Boston Nick, Ben & Tony

4.5 (2)
Society & Culture
Updated Weekly

Welcome to Hey Elgin, the podcast that celebrates life in our perfectly situated town! Just a stone's throw from the buzz of Austin, Elgin offers the best of both worlds – small-town charm with big-city access. Hosts Boston Nick, Ben, and Tony explore the unique balance, local favorites, and everything in between. Whether you're a long-time resident or just curious about our neck of the woods, we're glad you're here!!

1d ago

Spice, Romance, & Rabbit Holes with Paula and Crazy John

Things are getting spicy in the Hey Elgin!! studio thisweek! We sit down with Paula and John, the masterminds behind local favorite Paula and Crazy John’s Hot Stuff. If you’ve been to the Elgin Farmer Market or pop-up shops around Central Texas, you already know about their legendarylineup of salsa, hot sauce, cowboy candy, pickles, and chow chow. But how did all this "hot stuff" come to be? Paula and John share the heartwarming story of how they met, fell in love, and turned their shared passion for bold flavors into a thriving local business. Of course, it wouldn't be a proper episode without BostonNick taking the wheel at the end. We go way down the rabbit hole with his famous final two questions, diving headfirst into their favorite wild conspiracies and the classic rock albums that defined them growing up. We could have kept this conversation going for hours, andonce you listen, you'll see why!
Aug 31

For the Love of Walter: Laughing Through the Hard Stuff with Walter and the MC.

Welcome back to another episode of Hey Elgin!! Thisweek, Tony, Ben, and Boston Nick are hanging out in the studio with Walter and the gang from the Lucky Old Scoundrels MC. We sit down to talk about a heavy topic that Walter istackling head-on: his recent prostate cancer diagnosis. In true Walter fashion, we manage to joke, laugh, and make light of a really tough situation. He opens up about catching the cancer during a routine annual exam and his personal decision to forego radiation in favor of surgery. With September being National Prostate Cancer AwarenessMonth, we are using this episode as a massive PSA for all our listeners: go get your annual exams and get checked! Early detection is exactly how Walter found out, and it makes all the difference. Because Walter is self-employed and without healthinsurance, the community is stepping up to help cover his medical bills. We get all the details on the upcoming MC fundraiser happening on Saturday, September 26th. The event kicks off with a ride at 11:00 AM and wraps up at 8:00 PM at Bob’s Blue Collar Tavern right here in Elgin. To close things out, Boston Nick takes the wheel to chatwith Walter about his favorite classic rock tracks and dive into the strange and unknown.Tune in, get your health checked, and we will see you at Bob's on the 26th!!!
Aug 23

Raw and Unfiltered: Navigating Mental Health, Combat Trauma, and Finding Hope

(Note: This episode contains heavy discussions regardingPTSD, trauma, and suicide. Please prioritize your mental well-being; a full trigger warning and list of resources are provided at the start of the audio.) Welcome to a very different, deeply raw episode of HeyElgin!!. This week, Tony, Ben, and Boston Nick are setting aside the usual banter to have a critical and vulnerable conversation about mental health, PTSD, and suicide prevention. We are honored to be joined by Chris Orton—a Navigator,Mental Health Peer Specialist, retired Sheriff's Deputy, and Army Veteran. Chris bravely shares his journey of working a crushing caseload of horrific crimes against children, the breaking point that followed, and the painful reality of navigating untreated trauma during a time when mental health struggles were heavily stigmatized. Today, he is a dedicated advocate for the community, helping those in crisis find the therapy and treatment that gave him a new way of life. In one of the most powerful moments in the history of theshow, our very own Ben opens up to the world about his personal battle with mental health, stemming from a traumatic combat experience, and his own near-fatal struggles. It is a sobering, beautiful reminder that no matter how dark things get, you are never alone in the fight. While this is the heaviest and most emotional conversationwe have ever recorded, Boston Nick steps up at the very end to do what he does best. Breaking the tension with our signature classic rock and the strange questions, he gives us all a much-needed breath of fresh air and a laugh toclose out the show. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach outfor help. DIAL 811
Aug 9

Burying the Hatchet with Judah Ross: Real Estate, Data Centers, Rivalries, and the Baron of Bastrop.

Welcome back to another episode of Hey Elgin!! Thisweek, Tony, Ben, and Boston Nick are sitting down with a guest who needs no introduction if you spend any time on local social media—Judah Ross, Bastrop County real estate agent and fellow podcaster. After a long history of butting heads online and runningwhat felt like rival shows, we finally bury the hatchet and get everything out on the table. Judah opens up about his journey to settling in Bastrop, his highly active social media presence, and the drama that comes with sharing his unapologetic, controversial views on politics and local topics. He even tellsthe story behind earning his very own "F*** Judah Ross" sticker, proudly displayed in local dive bar bathrooms. We also dig into how this kind of notoriety actually impacts his day-to-day real estate business. Once the air is cleared, the crew does what it does best:diving headfirst into the weird and unexplained. We get into the deep history of Bastrop County, tracing the wild true story of the Baron of Bastrop. From there, the conversation goes completely off the rails as we explore local haunts, buried bodies (both ancient and potentially new), our favoriteconspiracy theories, and Boston Nick's burning question about why the local Indigenous tribes didn't leave behind written notes explaining why they chose to settle in Elgin and Bastrop County. Grab a drink, get comfortable, and tune in for a hilarious,wide-ranging conversation that proves even internet rivals can share a great time in the studio.
Jul 31

From the Wishbone to the Wildcats: A Conversation with Head Coach Rich Lucero

Welcome back to Hey Elgin!! In this episode, Tony, Ben, and Boston Nick sit down with Rich Lucero, the Head Football Coach and Boys Athletic Coordinator for the Elgin Wildcats. Coach Lucero, who previously served as the Wildcats'offensive coordinator since 2021, shares the story of his 25-year coaching career. A native of Bangs, Texas, and a Texas Tech graduate, Coach Lucero has traveled extensively, from coaching six-man football in Lohn, Texas, to collegiate roles in New York and Indiana, before finding his true home inElgin. We discuss why his family fell in love with our community and how the "One Town, One Team, One Family" (OTOTOF) mindset perfectly aligns with his vision for the program. Coach Lucero isn't shying away from the challenges ahead. Heopens up about taking over a team that lost many starters to graduation, his commitment to establishing a culture of excellence (both on the field and in the classroom), and his ultimate goal of building a consistent playoff contender. Plus, as always, Boston Nick (our resident hockey fan who doesn'tquite understand football) asks the hard-hitting questions, making this a fun and educational ride for everyone. Tune in to learn the man behind the whistle and get ready for Friday Night Lights!
Jul 26

A Chat with Kat: Social Work, Precinct 4, and Playlist Chaos with Kat Hammer

Welcome back to another episode of Hey Elgin!! Thisweek, Tony, Ben, and Boston Nick are sitting down for an official "Chat with Kat," featuring Bastrop County Precinct 4 write-in candidate Kat Hammer. We dive deep into Kat’s fascinating background, exploringher travels across the United States and her incredible 30-plus-year career as a dedicated social worker. Kat breaks down exactly how those decades of on-the-ground experience uniquely equip her for the challenges of thisposition. We also discuss what truly sets her apart from her opponent and why genuine leadership means actually listening to the people—even if she isn't a fan of the word "politician." But it wouldn't be a proper trip to the studio without a fewcurveballs. To wrap things up, Boston Nick takes the mic to explore Kat’s wildly diverse, genre-hopping taste in music, before taking a sharp turn into the strange, the unexplained, and our favorite conspiracy theories. Tune in for an honest, grounded, and incredibly fun conversation with someone fighting hard to represent our community!
Jul 21

The Hogeye Stagecoach, Local Lore, and Elgin History with Karen Bernstein

Welcome back to another episode of Hey Elgin!! This week, Tony, Ben, and Boston Nick are stepping back in time with Media Producer, Director, and Editor, Karen Bernstein. After trading New York for Elgin in 2018, Karen quickly embedded herself in the civic heartbeat of the town, bringing her extensive documentary expertise to the Elgin Oral History Project. We sit down to dive deep into the rich history, local legends, and lore that built our community.From the early days of Perryville and the dust of the Hogeye stagecoach to the influential leaders who shaped Elgin into what it is today, nothing is off the table. Of course, it wouldn't be a proper episode if things didn'tget a little weird at the end. Boston Nick takes the wheel to steer the conversation into the unknown and spooky side of Elgin's history, wrapping it all up with some classic music talk. Tune in for a fascinating ride through the past, present,and paranormal!
Jul 11

Handcrafted Hope with Little Stars of Texas (Plus BBQ, Harleys, and the Bizarre)

Welcome back to Hey Elgin!! This week, Tony, Ben, andBoston Nick are shifting gears for a heavier, but deeply important, conversation. We are honored to sit down with Stephen Wusterhausen andCurtis Craig from the Little Stars of Texas Foundation. They share the heart behind their mission: providing beautiful, handcrafted infant caskets entirely at no cost to families navigating unimaginable tragedy. During the interview,Curtis opens up and shares his own heartbreaking personal story of losing a child at birth, illustrating exactly why this foundation’s work is a vital light in the darkest of times. To continue providing this gift to grieving families, LittleStars of Texas needs our community's support. We get the full rundown on two massive upcoming events: their 1st Annual BBQ Fundraiser & Silent Auction at the SPJST Hall on Saturday, August 1st at 6:00 PM, and their epic Christmas Ride Giveaway, where one lucky winner will drive off witha brand-new Harley-Davidson Nightster® (or a cool $10,000 cash). Because this is still Hey Elgin!!, we couldn't let them leave the studio without a little bit of our signature chaos. To lightenthe heavy air, Boston Nick wraps things up with our famous two questions, taking us on a sharp left turn into classic rock and the delightfully weird. Grab a tissue for the first half, a drink for the second,and join us for one of the most powerful, real, and raw episodes we've ever recorded.

4.5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Welcome to Hey Elgin, the podcast that celebrates life in our perfectly situated town! Just a stone's throw from the buzz of Austin, Elgin offers the best of both worlds – small-town charm with big-city access. Hosts Boston Nick, Ben, and Tony explore the unique balance, local favorites, and everything in between. Whether you're a long-time resident or just curious about our neck of the woods, we're glad you're here!!

Creator

Boston Nick, Ben & Tony
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

48
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Boston Nick, Ben & Tony
Show Website

Hey Elgin!