On this episode of This Is My Thing, we’re talking with Addie and Ben Ruth about their shared love of lightsabers and lightsaber choreography. We'll talk about all things Star Wars and lightsaber -- why they decided to start swinging pretend laser swords around, what sort of costumes they wear and what sort of characters they play. What does this hobby do for them and who are they doing it for? Also, did one of them grow up liking Star Trek more than Star Wars? You'll have to listen to find out!

This piece was produced by KUT producer and host Juan Garcia, an enormous Star Wars who probably would've done this for free but we went ahead and paid him anyway.

This is My Thing is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

On this episode of This Is My Thing, we’re talking with Fabiana Meléndez Ruiz about her dedication to pole dancing. She had her first lesson seven years ago, and quickly fell in love with the sport. Now she’s at the pole studio four days a week.

We'll talk about what the pole means to her, why she intends to keep doing it for the remainder of her life, and how it makes her feel. Plus, we'll hear about the gear involved, like the heels that make her go from 5'4" to about 6 foot even, her favorite music to pole dance to, and so much more!

This is My Thing is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

On this episode of This Is My Thing, we’re talking with Chuck Loesch about his longtime love of the barbershop quartet. Chuck was introduced to the singing style years ago, as a student at New Braunfels High School (which, we discovered during our conversation, we attended at the same time, though we never knew each other back then). After taking a break from barbershop for a quarter century or so, he rediscovered his love for the genre in 2016 and hasn’t looked back since.

We'll talk about Chuck's barbershop journey, why he loves this style of music and heavy metal, what competing means to him and what this is all doing for his heart and soul. And we'll get to hear Chuck performing with his quartet in the KUT live music studio!