Downtown Depot

On this episode of Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek is joined by Kelly Harp, co-owner and designer of Harp Design Co. Kelly lays out the long road that brought her and her husband Clint back to Waco, the beginnings of their partnership with Chip and Joanna Gaines, and how she deals with managing her burgeoning public persona. Meek also shines the Small Business Spotlight on Danea Anderson of Waco Haunted Houses. 

On this week's edition of Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek interviews Jon Passavant, the CEO of Startup Waco. He also shines the Small Business Spotlight on Bethel Erickson-Bruce, Market Manager of the Waco Downtown Farmers Market.

This week on Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek is joined by real estate agent Gregg Glime to talk about his Waco history. He also shines the Small Business Spotlight on Massimo Di Campli of Di Campli's Italian Ristorante. 

In Episode 89 of Downtown Depot, show host Austin Meek interviews Dr. Tyrha Lindsey-Warren, a Professor of Marketing at Baylor University. Dr. Tyrha discusses the hollowness of “virtue signaling” by corporate brands, her work with the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival, and how the city can be more racially inclusive. Before that interview, Austin learns about the pop-up vendor fair East Side Market from one of its founders, Andreas Zaloumis.

This week on Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek sits down with Eric Shepherd, executive director of the Waco Civic Theater. He discusses all things drama in Central Texas, ways the musical "Hamilton" is shaping the industry, and how community theaters can bounce back during and after Covid-19. Before that conversation, he shines the small business spotlight on Erin Ward of Pura Vida Paddle.

In episode 87 of Downtown Depot, show host Austin Meek interviews Michele Brown, Department Lead of the Culinary Arts program at TSTC Waco. Michele predicts how dining will look in a post-pandemic world, and dishes on the types of cuisine Central Texans are hungry for. Before that interview, Austin hears from David Laws of the Better Business Bureau who details the organizations effort to create an ethical marketplace for the Heart of Texas. 

In this episode of Downtown Depot, show host Austin Meek interviews real estate developer Bill Wetterman. Bill talks about the evolution of downtown Waco, the balance of public-private partnerships, and the solution for dying malls across the country. Before that interview, Austin shines the Small Business Spotlight on Patrick Margiotta of Patrick’s Dry Cleaners.

This week on Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek discusses the appointment of Darius Ewing to the Waco City Councel District 4, and then sits down with Mary Jane Evans, a DJ on 94.5 The Beat. 

Downtown Depot, which normally airs first and third Fridays of each month, has been put on hold  following FCC guidlines - while host Austin Meek is a candidate for city office.  Although not broadcast on air, you can hear the full program here.

Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek is joined by Waco Police Chief and Assistant City Manager Ryan Holt to discuss the changing role of policing in Waco and America following the nationwide protests against police brutality. This conversation was recorded June 16, 2020 in the KWBU studio.

On this week's episode of Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek sits down with Shamica Evans, the owner and creator of Waffle Chic, to discuss her journey to becoming a business owner and her experience as an African American woman in business. He also shines the Small Business Spotlight on Glass Phoenix Smoke Shop. 

On this weeks episode of Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek sits down with Ashton Gustafson, podcast host of Good, True, and Beautiful and the owner and broker of A.G. real estate in Waco. He also shines the small business spotlight on Danielle Young of Revival Eastside Eatery.

As we deal with the corona virus and social distancing, in-house productions are temporarily suspended.

You will find some local programs on hiatus at this time, or programs pulled from the KWBU archives.

The health and well being of our volunteer hosts and staff is  top priority.

Today, in place of the regularly scheduled Downtown Depot, we revisit an episode of the Central Texas Leadership Series in which Nan Holmes interviews Waco Business owner and host of Downtown Depot, Austin Meek.  This interview was recorded January 9, 2019 in the KWBU studio. 

This week on Downtown Depot, Austin Meek speaks with real estate experts Austin Hooper and Greg Glime on the state of real estate in Waco. He also interviews Dr. Soo Battle on her child advocacy work and what we can do to stay safe during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

This week on Downtown Depot, Austin is joined by Corey Dickman of the Waco Escape Rooms to discuss his many business ventures in Waco. He also talks with Corey McEntyre, Chef at Milo All Day, about seasonal fruits and veggies and what's good around town. Finally, he shines the Small Business Spotlight on Becca McCormack of Refine31.

In Episode 79 of Downtown Depot, show host Austin Meek interviews Lindsay Liepman - news anchor at KXXV. Liepman discusses her love of broadcast reporting and her new documentary on the hip hop scene in Waco. Before that interview, Meek discusses the Purim Pub Crawl and the history and culture behind the event with Jillian Ohriner.