Austin Eras

Adam Flagg | Austin, TX
  • 5.0 (8)
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Welcome to Austin Eras, the podcast that unravels Austin's transformation into a 21st-century boomtown and explores its potential future. Brought to you by Collective Advisors, Austin Eras takes you on a journey through the city's evolving landscape and rich history, offering insights into its dynamic past, present, and future. www.austineras.com #Austin #Texas512-467-1923 3755 S. Capital of Texas Hwy.Ste. 100Austin, TX 78704

  1. Aug 13

    Hidden Business Opportunities Powering Austin with Kade Thomas

    What if some of the biggest business opportunities in Austin aren’t in startups, venture capital, or the next big app — but in the companies quietly keeping the city running? In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Kade Thomas, founder and CEO of Emory Oak Partners and Cerv Property Solutions, to explore the overlooked service economy underneath Austin’s explosive growth. Kade started his first landscaping company at just 13 years old, sold it while attending the University of Texas, and has spent the years since building, buying, scaling, and selling service businesses across the Southeast. His philosophy is simple: “Sophisticate the unsophisticated.” But this conversation isn’t really just about landscaping, janitorial services, pest control, or private equity. It’s about where opportunity still exists in a city where many people feel like they already missed the boat. Kade explains why the businesses maintaining Austin’s buildings, pools, landscaping, and infrastructure may offer some of the most durable entrepreneurial opportunities in the region — and why building a great company often has less to do with inventing something revolutionary than with assembling the right people, processes, culture, and technology. Together, they explore: Why service businesses remain one of Austin’s most overlooked economic enginesWhy people and process matter more than having a groundbreaking ideaHow AI is transforming traditional service businessesWhy Austin’s growth continues to create opportunities beyond techHow rising housing costs, wages, and traffic could reshape the city’s workforceWhat Austin needs to protect as it becomes wealthier, larger, and more technology-drivenThe conversation also explores Kade’s relationship with the University of Texas, his work mentoring students and student-athletes, Austin’s hospitality scene, comparisons between Austin and other fast-growing Southern cities, and why entrepreneurship doesn’t require creating the next unicorn. For anyone who has wondered whether Austin’s biggest opportunities are already gone, Kade offers a different perspective: the city is still being built, and many of the best opportunities may be hiding in plain sight. Get in touch with Austin Eras Email: info@austineras.com Website: https://www.austineras.com/ Call: 512-387-2333 Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

    Hidden Business Opportunities Powering Austin with Kade Thomas

  2. Jul 29

    Building Community Through Padel with Will Boyce

    What if Austin’s next great social club isn’t a country club, a gym, or a bar…but a sport most Americans are only just beginning to discover? In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Will Boyce, founder of PADEL39, to explore why one of the world’s fastest-growing sports may have found its perfect American home in Austin. But this conversation isn’t really just about padel. It’s about how people build community. Why making friends as an adult can be surprisingly difficult. And how sports, hospitality, and wellness can come together to create places where people genuinely want to stay. Will shares his journey from growing up outside Paris and coming to the United States through tennis to attending the University of Texas, building a successful digital marketing company, earning an MBA from INSEAD, and working in investment banking in New York City. After watching padel explode across Europe and Latin America, Will left Wall Street, researched more than 20 American cities, and returned to Austin to build PADEL39. Together, they explore: Why padel is growing so quickly around the worldWhat makes the sport easy to learn, social, and addictiveWhy Austin was the right city to launch PADEL39How PADEL39 combines sport, wellness, hospitality, and communityWhy many people struggle to make friends after moving to AustinHow to build a lifestyle brand that is bigger than its founderThe conversation also dives into entrepreneurship, career uncertainty, Austin’s international population, the importance of third places, and the mentor who changed Will’s life by helping him attend the University of Texas. Whether you care about sports, entrepreneurship, community, wellness, or Austin’s future, this episode offers a fascinating look at how a global sport could help create a new kind of gathering place in the city. Get in touch with Austin Eras Email: info@austineras.com Website: https://www.austineras.com/ Call: 512-387-2333 Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

    Building Community Through Padel with Will Boyce

  3. Jul 6

    The Future of Fashion Might Be Built in Austin with Nina Means

    What if the future of fashion isn’t being built in New York or Paris — but in Austin, Texas? In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Nina Means, Director of the ACC Fashion Incubator, to explore how Austin is quietly building a new kind of fashion ecosystem — one rooted in technology, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and creative opportunity. But this conversation isn’t really just about fashion. It’s about how cities build industries. How creative people turn ideas into real careers. And why Austin’s collaborative culture may give it an advantage legacy fashion cities no longer have. Nina shares her journey from public health into fashion design, working with brands like Rebecca Taylor and Halston, and helping transform an empty room at Austin Community College into one of the country’s most unique fashion incubators. Together, they explore: Why Austin approaches fashion differentlyHow technology is reshaping fashion careersWhy fashion jobs are becoming higher-paying and more technicalThe intersection of AI, sustainability, and manufacturingHow ACC is creating affordable pathways into creative industriesWhy Austin’s openness and collaborative spirit matter more than everThe conversation also dives into career reinvention, Austin style, local designers, creative infrastructure, and what it actually takes to build a sustainable industry instead of just a trend. Whether you care about entrepreneurship, technology, creativity, or Austin’s future, this episode offers a fascinating look at a side of the city most people still don’t realize is already emerging. Get in touch with Austin Eras Email: info@austineras.com Website: https://www.austineras.com/ Call: 512-387-2333 Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

    The Future of Fashion Might Be Built in Austin with Nina Means

  4. Jun 2

    Buda Rising: Rewriting Central Texas' Future with Jennifer L. Storm

    For years, Buda was viewed as a place people moved when Austin became too expensive. Today, that story is changing. In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam sits down with Jennifer L. Storm, CEO of the Buda Economic Development Corporation and the first Texan ever named Economic Developer of the Year by the International Economic Development Council. Together, they explore how one of Central Texas' fastest-growing communities is evolving from a bedroom suburb into a destination for business, culture, and opportunity. Jennifer shares why Buda is becoming a community of choice, how historic Main Street is being revitalized, and why preserving local character matters as growth accelerates. She discusses the return of Buda’s 1884 train depot, the city's thriving live music scene, the famous Wiener Dog Races, and the community traditions that give Buda its unique identity. The conversation also dives deep into economic development: what it actually means, how incentive deals work, why Buda prioritizes local entrepreneurs alongside major employers, and how companies like Perseus and Terra Firma are helping reshape the region’s economic future. Jennifer explains her vision of creating high-paying jobs that allow residents to live and work in the same community while preserving the small-town character that residents love. Along the way, she reflects on lessons learned growing up on a South Texas Christmas tree farm, the importance of community involvement, and why some of the most exciting stories in Central Texas may no longer be happening exclusively inside Austin’s city limits. Whether you're interested in city-building, economic development, entrepreneurship, Texas growth, or simply discovering one of the region's hidden gems, this episode offers a fascinating look at what happens when a community grows with intention. Get in touch with Austin Eras Email: info@austineras.com Website: https://www.austineras.com/ Call: 512-387-2333 Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

    Buda Rising: Rewriting Central Texas' Future with Jennifer L. Storm

  5. May 14

    Preserving Austin: The Paramount & Its Next Century with Jim Ritts

    What makes a city feel alive across generations? For Jim Ritts, CEO of the Austin Theatre Alliance, the answer lives inside the walls of the Paramount Theatre. Recorded inside the historic Paramount Theatre on Congress Avenue, this episode of Austin Eras explores how one iconic venue became the connective tissue of Austin culture for more than 110 years. From Harry Houdini performing eight sold-out shows in 1916 to modern SXSW premieres, comedy festivals, and unforgettable musical moments, the Paramount has remained one of the city’s most enduring gathering places. Host Adam Flagg sits down with Jim Ritts to discuss his remarkable journey from ABC Sports and Monday Night Football to launching Channel One News, leading the LPGA during its global expansion, and eventually returning to Austin to help guide one of the city’s most beloved institutions into its next century. Jim shares incredible stories about Maya Angelou’s unforgettable performance, Jimmy LaFave’s emotional farewell concert, the rise of the Moontower Comedy Festival, Austin’s evolution into a major comedy and film destination, and the Paramount’s deep commitment to arts education and community impact. The conversation also dives into the theatre’s ambitious $66 million “Shine On” capital campaign and restoration project, which will modernize the Paramount and State Theaters while preserving their historic soul for future generations. This episode is about much more than entertainment — it’s about memory, community, creativity, and why places like the Paramount matter more than ever in a rapidly changing Austin. Whether you’re a longtime Austinite, a lover of live music and film, or someone fascinated by how cities preserve their identity, this is a powerful conversation about Austin’s past, present, and future. Get in touch with Austin Eras Email: info@austineras.com Website: https://www.austineras.com/ Call: 512-387-2333 Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

    Preserving Austin: The Paramount & Its Next Century with Jim Ritts

  6. Apr 21

    Behind the Builders: Storytelling, AI, & Austin’s Next Wave with John King

    Austin isn’t just built by founders—it’s shaped by the people who help them be seen. In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam sits down with John King—venture builder, storyteller, and community leader whose career has been defined by one core idea: giving others a voice. From his early days helping elevate Austin’s clean tech ecosystem to joining SparkCognition in the early days of AI—and now launching companies through WorldQuant Foundry—John has been at the center of some of the city’s most important growth moments. But his story goes deeper. Growing up feeling unheard, John found purpose in amplifying others—whether advocating for students, shaping industry narratives, or helping founders clarify who they are and why they exist. John continues that work through his role as Chair of the Austin Under 40 Advisory Board, helping guide the next generation of leaders and deepen the event’s impact for the Austin Sunshine Camps and across the city. In this conversation, we explore: The real impact behind Austin Under 40—and why it mattersWhat it really means to “give a company a voice”The early days of AI in Texas and building an AI unicornWhy storytelling is the foundation of every successful startupHow Austin’s culture of collaboration sets it apartHow venture studios are building the next generation of companiesAnd ultimately, a bigger question: What makes Austin work—and how do we protect it as it grows? This episode is a look at the people behind the progress—and the power of community in shaping a city’s future. Get in touch with John King LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmking512/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmk512/WorldQuant Foundry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldquantfoundry/https://www.worldquantfoundry.com/Get in touch with Austin Eras Email: info@austineras.com Website: https://www.austineras.com/ Call: 512-387-2333 Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

    Behind the Builders: Storytelling, AI, & Austin’s Next Wave with John King

  7. Mar 26

    Minor League with a Major Impact: The Business of Fun with Tim Jackson

    The best nights at the ballpark often have very little to do with the game itself. In this episode, Adam talks with Tim Jackson, General Manager of the Round Rock Express, about how the franchise has become Central Texas’s “front porch” by blending servant leadership, creative promotions, and a fan experience that goes far beyond the game itself. Tim also shares what it really takes to build something that lasts, and how community, entertainment, and leadership come together to create an experience that keeps people coming back year after year. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: ⚾ More Than Baseball: It’s an entertainment and hospitality business, not just a team 🧢 Legacy Leadership: The Ryan Family vision and a community-first approach 🎆 Fan Experience: Promotions, fireworks, and creating unforgettable ballpark moments ⚾ Career Journey: From mascot duties to GM  🏙️ Future Growth: The evolving role of minor league baseball in a growing city Get in touch with Tim Jackson:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-jackson-08567536       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timmyj44/  Round Rock Express: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/round-rock-express/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExpressBaseball  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rrexpress/  Website: www.RoundRockExpress.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RRExpressBaseball Get in touch with Austin Eras Email: info@austineras.com Website: https://www.austineras.com/ Call: 512-387-2333 Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

    Minor League with a Major Impact: The Business of Fun with Tim Jackson

  8. Mar 16

    The SXSW Effect: How One Festival Shaped Austin’s Rise with Hugh Forrest

    What if the rise of Austin as a global hub for music, film, tech and culture can be traced back to one event? For more than three decades, Hugh Forrest helped shape SXSW into one of the most influential gatherings in the world. In this episode, he reflects on the early days of SXSW and the creative energy that helped it grow alongside the city of Austin. Hugh shares his perspective on the people, moments, and culture that helped shape both the event and the city. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🎶 SXSW’s Austin Impact: The festival helped shape the city’s identity ✨ The Magic of SXSW: Creativity, culture, and innovation collide 🚀 Early SXSW Growth: A regional event became a global stage 🏙️ Austin’s Role: The city’s culture fueled SXSW’s success 🎤 Iconic Moments: Influential figures and unforgettable stories 🔮 Looking Ahead: The future of SXSW and Austin’s evolution Get in touch with Hugh Forrest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughforrest/  Website: www.hughforrest.com  Gather and Grow Experiences: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gather-grow-experiences/    Website: www.gatherandgrowexperiences.com    Get in touch with Austin Eras Email: info@austineras.com Website: https://www.austineras.com/ Call: 512-387-2333 Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

    The SXSW Effect: How One Festival Shaped Austin’s Rise with Hugh Forrest
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5
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About

Welcome to Austin Eras, the podcast that unravels Austin's transformation into a 21st-century boomtown and explores its potential future. Brought to you by Collective Advisors, Austin Eras takes you on a journey through the city's evolving landscape and rich history, offering insights into its dynamic past, present, and future. www.austineras.com #Austin #Texas512-467-1923 3755 S. Capital of Texas Hwy.Ste. 100Austin, TX 78704

Information

  • Creator
    Adam Flagg | Austin, TX
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Austin Eras LLC
  • Show Website
    Austin Eras