ANGRY CLOUD Radio Hour: Connect THOSE Dots Podcast

Despite the fact that he recently retired from 23 years in state government (or maybe because of it), Andy Smith and I take a break from politics in our recent conversation. Instead Andy tells stories of his years reporting on and later working for SXSW, starting as a reporter for the Austin American Statesman in the early 90s and later as editor of SXSW magazine from 2006-2020. From Big Freedia t...

In this episode I talk to Luke Metzger of Environment Texas about the work he and his organization does on the state and federal level. We discussed specific bills that he is advocating for - HB 4028 - on regulating plastics getting into the environment, and that he is opposing - SB 819 - creating more restriction on renewable energy. We talked about what inspired him to follow a career in environ...

In this episode, I speak with Rekha Lakshmanan, chief strategy officer at the Immunization Partnership (Tip) a Houston-based non-profit that "works to significantly increase state immunization rates by being a source of leading research, industry expertise and specialist knowledge; keeping communities informed of vaccination benefits and advising them on how they can use that knowledge to pro...

In this episode I speak with Caroline Roberts from Children at Risk, an organization that serves as a catalyst for change to improve the quality of life for children through strategic research, public policy analysis, education, collaboration, and advocacy. We speak about the work she is doing at Children at Risk, a specifically about the bills they are supporting in this legislative session on pr...

In this episode I speak with Lana Hansen, the Executive Director of Blue Action, about her organization's community-based approach to getting out the vote in Texas, Nevada, and beyond, and why every voter, in very election, matters. We also get into the ongoing battle in the Texas Legislature over school vouchers, the potential detrimental effects on students and communities, and what y'...

In this episode I speak with Jason Sabo of Frontera Strategies about the upcoming 89th Texas legislative session. Jason talks about his 25 years as a lobbyist in Austin, largely working for child advocacy non-profits, how the legislature has changed, what is coming up this session (eeek) and most importantly how we can all get involved. He also introduces me to Cincinnati Chili which I can't...