As Austin transforms into one of the fastest-growing cultural hubs in the country, local media outlets are being forced to adapt or fall behind. Few understand that better than Madeline Hollern, Editor in Chief of Austin Monthly. From expanding local restaurant coverage to partnering with global celebrities, Hollern and her team are redefining how Austin stories are told and how the city shows up on the national stage.

In this episode of the Changing Austin podcast by Amplify Credit Union, Chief Experience Officer Stacy Armijo talks with Hollern about the evolution of modern media and the increasingly blurred line between traditional journalism and content creators. Hollern also shares why local storytellers, including small business owners and longtime journalists, need to get comfortable on camera in a world where personal identity and professional brand are now inseparable.

Follow Madeline Hollern on Instagram and LinkedIn:

www.instagram.com/madelinehollern www.linkedin.com/in/madeline-hollern-5a6b917

Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:

www.instagram.com/stacy.armijo www.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo

About Changing Austin:

Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.

VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com

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Changing Austin is brought to you by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking.

What does it mean to take the reins of the oldest theater company in Texas? For Jamie Herlich, becoming the managing director of ZACH Theater in Austin meant delivering on ZACH’s mission to produce homegrown theater in the heart of the city. It also meant opening doors to a new generation of theatergoers and showing the Central Texas community why the performing arts matter more than ever.

In this episode of the Changing Austin podcast powered by Amplify Credit Union, Chief Experience Officer Stacy Armijo sits down with Herlich to discuss a decade of transformation for ZACH Theater. From a small change in spelling — switching from “theatre” to “theater” — to expanding ZACH’s year-round lineup of live performances and arts education programs, Herlich explains why cultural institutions like ZACH play a vital role in Austin’s creative economy and the long-term growth of Central Texas.

Follow Jamie Herlich on Instagram and LinkedIn:

https://www.instagram.com/jmherlich https://www.linkedin.com/in/jherlich

Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:

https://www.instagram.com/stacy.armijo https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo

About Changing Austin:

Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.

VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com

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Changing Austin is brought to you by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking.

Matthew Cisneros spends his days thinking about two things: media and migas. As co-owner of Cisco’s Restaurant and Bakery, one of Austin’s most iconic Tex-Mex restaurants, and founder of Backyard Ventures, a growing media and influencer marketing agency, Cisneros bridges the worlds of legacy brands and digital startups.

In this episode of the Changing Austin Podcast by Amplify Credit Union, Chief Experience Officer Stacy Armijo sits down with Cisneros to explore how these two beloved Austin institutions reflect the city’s evolving business landscape. From preserving a 75-year-old Austin restaurant tradition to innovating in influencer partnerships and local media, Cisneros shares how Austin’s past and present remain deeply connected.

Follow Matt Cisneros on Instagram and LinkedIn:

https://www.instagram.com/matthewcisneros https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattcisneros1

Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:

https://www.instagram.com/stacy.armijo https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo

About Changing Austin:

Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.

VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com

• Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1a5623a8-9852-4a9b-948c-0f686aa14e4c/changing-austin
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Changing Austin is brought to you by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking.

When Chris Seals first read his father Cleveland’s post-retirement dream to launch a whiskey distillery in Austin—the city’s first since Prohibition—he was skeptical. But what started as a risky idea turned into a globally recognized whiskey brand that’s deeply rooted in Austin's creative spirit. In this episode of the Changing Austin podcast by Amplify Credit Union, Chief Experience Officer Stacy Armijo sits down with Seals, co-founder and CEO of Still Austin Whiskey Co., for a spirited conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation and, of course, whiskey.

Seals shares how building strong relationships with local farmers, emphasizing sustainable practices and honoring Austin’s boundary-pushing energy have helped Still Austin grow from a startup to a leader in the craft spirits industry. He also talks about what's next for the brand and why he’s focused on making Still Austin a 100-year company.

Whether you're a fan of small-batch bourbon, fascinated by Austin business stories or passionate about local makers, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of Texas’ most successful and authentic whiskey brands.

Follow Chris Seals on Instagram and LinkedIn:

https://www.instagram.com/weeklywhiskeyatx https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-seals-a197521

Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:

https://www.instagram.com/stacy.armijo https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo

About Changing Austin:

Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.

VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com

• Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1a5623a8-9852-4a9b-948c-0f686aa14e4c/changing-austin
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Changing Austin is brought to you by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking.

Since joining the Quorum Report in 1989 as a contract writer, Harvey Kronberg has become a trusted voice in Texas politics. In this episode of the Changing Austin podcast, Stacy Armijo sits down with Kronberg for a candid conversation about how Austin has evolved over the past four decades. From its laid-back “slacker” reputation in the 1970s to its transformation into a booming tech and policy hub, Kronberg shares firsthand stories from the frontlines of Texas journalism and politics.

Follow the Quorum Report online:

https://quorumreport.com

Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:

https://www.instagram.com/stacy.armijo https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo

About Changing Austin:

Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.

VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com

• Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1a5623a8-9852-4a9b-948c-0f686aa14e4c/changing-austin
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Changing Austin is brought to you by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking.

In 2005, John and Jennifer Garrett launched the very first issue of Community Impact Newspaper from their garage. What started as a hyperlocal experiment has grown into the largest local news organization in Texas, serving millions of readers with neighborhood-focused journalism. On this episode of the Changing Austin Podcast, host Amplify Credit Union sits down with CEO and founder John Garrett to reveal how Community Impact has not only survived but thrived in an era when many publishers are cutting back on print

Follow John Garrett on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpgarrett/

Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:

https://www.instagram.com/stacy.armijo https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo

About Changing Austin:

Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.

VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com

• Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1a5623a8-9852-4a9b-948c-0f686aa14e4c/changing-austin
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Changing Austin is brought to you by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking.

It isn't often you get to be part of something that will better your entire city for generations to come, but that's exactly what Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette has done as chief executive officer of Waterloo Greenway Conservancy. In this episode of Changing Austin, Dr. Burnette explains why she came out of retirement to lead this effort, describing the Greenway as a project that gives the Austin community a chance to “reimagine its heart” with more inclusive public spaces that cross cultural and economic boundaries.

Follow Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/colettepb/

Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:

https://www.instagram.com/stacy.armijo https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo

About Changing Austin:

Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.

VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com

• Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1a5623a8-9852-4a9b-948c-0f686aa14e4c/changing-austin
• Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/changing-austin/id1820951608
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gOBx6yCBEovj4IEb8LEhj?si=272e2d14b0ad45ec

Changing Austin is brought to you by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking.

When your creative agency develops the branding for Austin's first Major League Soccer team, Austin FC, your place in Austin marketing history is secured. In this episode of Changing Austin, Adam Butler, co-founder of Butlers, discusses how Austin's entrepreneurial spirit and creative culture fueled the city's growth and helped his company find its voice.

Follow Adam Butler on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamrbutler

Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:

https://www.instagram.com/stacy.armijo https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo

About Changing Austin:

Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.

VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com

• Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1a5623a8-9852-4a9b-948c-0f686aa14e4c/changing-austin
• Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/changing-austin/id1820951608
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gOBx6yCBEovj4IEb8LEhj?si=272e2d14b0ad45ec

Changing Austin is brought to you by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking.