The Drag: Stories The Drag

If you’ve ever sat through an elementary science class, you’ve probably learned about monarch
butterflies – their obsession with milkweed, stages of metamorphosis, and annual migration. But how does this migration actually play out in today’s industrialized world? Host Sara Kinney
walks through all the struggles these little creatures face on their annual journey southward and
talks to one group, called Monarch Watch, that is currently trying to help them on their path.

Pigeons. They’re everywhere. Surely they can’t be endangered. Right? Right…?
Delve into the feathery world of our neighborhood fowl with Olivia Dilley as she breaks down everything about the wild world of pigeons and why we should care about them. In this episode, we hear from Joe Wood, co-chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Pigeon and Dove Specialist Group, as he tells us about the wonders of pigeons and the things that threaten their very existence. We’ll also hear from Hayley Hudnall, executive director of Austin Wildlife Rescue in Austin, TX, as she tells us about the woes of pigeons in America and why people dislike the “rats of the bird world.”

For generations, German descendants have carried on their traditional language and cultural
practices. But as the last speakers die out, so does the language. In this episode, Molly-Jo Tilton explores the various groups keeping these traditions alive.

Before entering college, expectations and a vision of college life are conveyed through interactions with movies and the media. But what happens when those expectations aren’t met and things go differently? Miriam Belmonte tells her story, along with Guido Peluffo’s, about a side of college that goes untold. 

In growing cities like Austin, Texas, neighborhood development is a hot topic of conversation — new high-rise apartments and retail options appear in what feels like each week. In the midst of this urban growth, a less concrete addition to neighborhoods is gaining popularity: community gardens. Shared gardening can foster community, promote sustainability and provide emotional support, and many garden enthusiasts are advocating for more of these spaces in growing cities. In this episode from Sarah Brager, you’ll hear from college students who eagerly await workdays in their community garden, and a longtime Austin resident who’s been cultivating her plot for decades, to learn why they chose to get their hands dirty each week.

Bring your grocery bags and roll in the shopping carts because in this episode, we’ll be delving
into how international grocery stores can serve as safe havens for those who seek out cultural
communities. From the experiences of a young girl transitioning from the Philippines to America
because of political tensions, to a Japanese woman moving to San Diego for her love of the
ocean, each journey tells a story of longing, love, acceptance and community.