817 Podcast - Fort Worth's Monday Morning Show

This is a jampacked episode. We start the pod by talking about how Fort Worth made the Top 15 Cities in the U.S. according to Travel + Leisure's new list and what PBR's national rodeo event means to the city's brand. The main story is urban development and how the suburbs are more diverse than we think. Join the 817 Gather Discord , donate to the 817 Gather , and follow us on Instag...

This week show is a continuation of our anniversary pod as we dive into listener interviews to learn about the 817 pod community. We speak to Kent who grew up in Fort Worth and shares some important orgs with us, Ben an amateur comedian who is passionate about the arts, and Anthony a business professional who cares about giving back and keeping young talent in Tarrant County. Enjoy the show and yo...

Enjoy this very special episode which is part one of a two part show where Jimmy and EJ talk with listeners and celebrate a year of working together. Thank you to all of you!! Join the 817 Gather Discord , donate to the 817 Gather , and follow us on Instagram & TikTok .

Jimmy and EJ highlight the increase in funding for the Crime Control Prevention District and discuss what UT Arlington's new designation means for the city of Fort Worth. Join the 817 Gather Discord , donate to the 817 Gather , and follow us on Instagram & TikTok .

In a week focused on masks in FWISD, EJ and Jimmy look to focus on some major stories that made slightly smaller headlines. First, they talk about two companies announcing potential relocation of major manufacturing facilities. Then, we start trying to unpack all of the budget decisions coming up, starting with the city budget for FY2022, and followed by the $809 million coming to Tarrant County t...

This week Tony and EJ dissect the rapid growth in Fort Worth as they review an article in the Star-Telegram about property taxes.  We are seeing 15,000 to 20,000 people moving to the city year over year making us the second-fastest growing city in the country. You also see the growth in the number of local podcasts we have about the city with the newest member being the mayor herself Mattie Parker...

This week we have a jammed pack episode with important updates about the city budget and the proposed 2022 bond package. EJ is joined by Tony who works in teacher recruitment and is a friend of the pod. Tony provides a great perspective on what we should expect as Delta, Abbott, and federal funds impact our schools this year for all very different reasons. City Council Information: (https://fortwo...

Jimmy and EJ recap the news for the week. The big story is Cary Moon's soccer complex initiative. They also get into a debate about tourism and how much should a city rely on it. If you want your voice to be heard about tourism fill out Visit Fort Worth's tourism survey now.  https://survey.cmix.com/959F22C2/7E301C4Q/en-US Join the 817 Gather Discord , donate to the 817 Gather , and foll...

Jimmy and EJ are back reviewing the big stories in Fort Worth. They discuss Democrats leaving the state and what is next to protect voting rights. They also spend time sharing new data around homelessness and evictions in the city. They finally also have a chance to walk through the Tarrant Regional Water District story reported by the Fort Worth Report. Join the 817 Gather Discord , donate to the...

Jimmy and EJ have an intimate conversation with Smooth Vega to learn his Fort Worth origin story as a Mexican American with big dreams and why politicians ask for his endorsement.  In 2019 Smooth was inducted into the Music Hall of Fame and has worked to put on shows with Nipsey Hussle, Joyner Lucas, Royce 5’9, Joe Budden, Dave East, Bun B, Chamillionaire, The Game, Ginuwine, Erik B. & Rakim,...

Annette Gordon-Reed is an American historian and law professor at Harvard University. Dr. Gordon-Reed won sixteen book prizes, including the Pulitzer Prize in History in 2009 and the National Book Award in 2008, for The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family . Today she joins Jimmy and EJ to talk about her new book On Juneteenth and what Texas can do to correct its history to represent the tr...

This episode is jampacked. Jimmy and EJ go over important info around redistricting schedule and the upcoming budget approval process for the city council. We also sit down with Supreme, a director of a new documentary about Fort Worth's gang history. FW Redistricting Schedule: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Z1iTWxwVnksF9FZ_voKC0Ewj-LQg_fX5?usp=sharing Budget Process: https://fortwor...

Fort Worth was at the center of national news this weekend as Juneteenth becomes a federal holiday. What is next for the city and how do we continue with the momentum from the inspiring Opal Lee? Jimmy starts the pod telling all of us about the ERCOT debacle and how we should all have a plan this summer to leave Texas when the grid goes down. EJ breakdown the $180M stimulus Fort Worth is receiving...

Jimmy and EJ get back to sharing weekly local news stories starting with discussing the recent education report that was shared with city council last week and the release of For Worth film 12 Might Orphans. The big story for today's episode is about how Mayor Betsy Price is wanting to become Judge Betsy Price. Education Report Story (https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/education/article...

Are you aware of Fort Worth's robust hip-hop scene? Today we sit down with Hear Fort Worth ambassador Lou Charle$ who is a top Fort Worth rapper who hosts an annual hip hop show called Louapalooza . Jimmy and EJ get deep with Lou learning about his new album Life Goes On , how it was as a local artist during the pandemic, and his opinions on Judge Alex Kim's comments about rap culture. J...

The results are here! The people of Fort Worth have voted. Now, what?!? Jimmy and EJ have been looking forward to this episode after months of breaking down the mayoral and city council races. They sit down with a friend of the pod and political science professor at TCU, Emily Farris , to share her analysis and give some potential next steps for the people of Fort Worth. Join the 817 Gather Discor...

This week, EJ and Jimmy sit down with one of the greatest connectors and influencers in the city of Fort Worth, Mitch Whitten. Mitch is the Executive Vice President for Marketing & Strategy at @VisitFortWorth ; a non-profit focused on enhancing Fort Worth’s image, economy, and quality of life through business and leisure tourism.  We learn about the history of Fort Worth through the eyes of a...

As the state opens up and things start to feel normal, Governor Gregg Abbott and our political officials are behind closed doors making ultra-conservative legislation that impacts everyday Texans. Jimmy and EJ shares their opinions on what happened this week and why we should be concerned.  Join the 817 Gather Discord , donate to the 817 Gather , and follow us on Instagram & TikTok .

Jimmy and EJ sit down with Emily Farris , an associate professor in Political Science at TCU to discuss the current election and how the establishment in Fort Worth influences the narrative.  Dr. Farris specializes in American politics on issues of urban politics and racial and ethnic politics. She teaches courses at TCU in American politics, survey research, urban politics, civil rights, and raci...

Local journalism is a crucial value add for citizens to stay educated about their cities. It is also important to keep people in power accountable. Today we sit down with the CEO and Publisher of the Fort Worth Report, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news source for Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Join their free newsletter now: http://fortworthreport.org/newsletter/ Referenced article in the pod: http...

Jimmy and EJ start with updated endorsements for mayor and share opinions on the jobs gap in Fort Worth.  We then have a strong ending with Fernando Peralta, City Council Runoff Candidate for District 9, to talk about representation in Fort Worth. Enjoy and share the pod with a friend. Learn more about Fernando Peralta -> https://www.fernandoperalta.com/ Join the 817 Gather Discord , donate to...

Jimmy and EJ react to the election results that came on Saturday night. They go through each district council seat and let you know which ones are going to a runoff. Lastly, they go through their wins and losses and why they are still hopeful for the city. Reference Links: Doyle Fine: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1821475568002375 Fort Worth Memories Museum: https://fortworthreport.org/2021/04...

Jimmy and EJ sit down with Jen Sarduy who is running for city council in District 2. They also discuss the current data on voter turnout and what might be the outcome. 1.) Support Jen Sarduy's Campaign here 2.) Watch 12 Might Orphans Trailer 3.) Attend Leadership Fort Worth State of the Media Forum Join the 817 Gather Discord , donate to the 817 Gather , and follow us on Instagram & TikTo...

Here is a bonus pod with Hayden Blackburn, the executive director of TechFW . We talk about the idea of Fort Worth becoming a tech hub and what are the challenges in making that a reality. Join the 817 Gather Discord , donate to the 817 Gather , and follow us on Instagram & TikTok .

In this endorsement episode, Jimmy and EJ  share who they are voting for and why!?!? They break down the Fort Worth Chamber Mayoral Candidate Forum and who had the best showing. They also discuss Aledo and how the incident is a microcosm of the overall challenges in Fort Worth. WATCH the forum: https://fb.watch/4YFmyAEr8k/ Check out the Fort Worth Report: https://fortworthreport.org/   Join the 81...