In this episode of The Bastrop Podcast, Matt sits down with Bastrop City Council Member Perry Lowe — a lifelong Bastrop resident with deep roots, a passion for community, and a unique background in music and public service. Perry shares his family’s multigenerational story in Bastrop, what inspired him to run for City Council, and how he approaches leadership through communication, collaboration, and intentional growth. From development conversations at Crossings at 95 to road and flooding improvements, riverbank stabilization, and concerns around Austin’s aquifer storage project, Perry offers an inside look at the decisions shaping Bastrop’s future. He also reflects on how his years as a musician and radio producer influence the way he connects with people and serves the community he calls home.

Location: Bastrop TX
Guest: Perry Lowe
Topics: City Council leadership, intentional community growth, infrastructure & flooding, Colorado River stabilization, development projects, civic engagement, and Bastrop’s future
Learn more:
🌐 https://www.cityofbastrop.org/page/cc.perry_lowe
📸 Instagram: @PerryLoweMusic

Connect with The Bastrop Podcast:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bastroppodcast

and @wisdomhouse_tx
Website: wisdomhousetx.com
Podcast: The Bastrop Podcast

In this episode of The Bastrop Podcast, Matt sits down with Jonah Beyer, Executive Director of Feed the Need Missions, to explore how a simple weekly cookout has grown into a powerful movement restoring community across Bastrop County and beyond. Jonah shares the early days of grilling burgers on Main Street, the moments that shaped the mission, and how the organization continues to meet both physical and spiritual needs every single week.

Jonah also opens up about meaningful stories like Alan’s journey, the emotional weight of disaster deployments such as the Kerrville floods, and the heart behind building consistent, long-term community through weekly gatherings. From Gobble Kits to volunteer training to the growing needs in Bastrop, this conversation dives deep into what it truly looks like to love your neighbors with consistency and compassion.

Whether you're curious about getting involved, wanting to understand local needs more deeply, or simply looking for a story of hope and faith in action, this episode will encourage and inspire you.

Location: Bastrop, TX
Guest: Jonah Beyer
Topics: Community, Ministry, Hunger Relief, Disaster Response, Nonprofits, Bastrop County, Faith, Service, Volunteering, Stories, Local Needs

Learn more:
🌐 Feed the Need Missions: https://feedtheneed.org
📸 Instagram: @feedtheneed

Connect with The Bastrop Podcast:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bastroppodcast

and @wisdomhouse_tx
Website: wisdomhousetx.com
Podcast: The Bastrop Podcast

In this episode of The Bastrop Podcast, Matt sits down with musician and songwriter Ben Zuniga to talk about his journey from picking up a pawn shop guitar at age eight to becoming a central part of Bastrop’s growing music scene. Ben shares how the community shaped his early years, what inspired him to step into a solo career, and the story behind his debut album People Who Dance and his latest project, the SWEETHEART Sessions.

Ben and Matt also dive into what makes Bastrop’s music culture unique, the joy of creating alongside his brother Theo, and why authenticity is at the heart of everything Ben does—whether on stage, in the studio, or in the community.

Location: Bastrop TX
Guest: Ben Zuniga
Topics: Bastrop, Music, Community, Songwriting, Performance, Albums, Collaboration, Authenticity, Creativity, Family
Learn more:
🌐 https://www.benzunigamusic.com/
📸 Instagram: @benzunigamusic

Connect with The Bastrop Podcast:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bastroppodcast

and @wisdomhouse_tx
Website: wisdomhousetx.com
Podcast: The Bastrop Podcast