Cruz through HTX

Despite growing up in the world of barbecue, Waseem Hilal had no intentions working with barbecue.  But as Carl Jung once wrote, “What you resist persists.” And now he’s the chef of Chuckwagon BBQ and Burgers . During this episode, we dive into the smell that brought him back to his barbecue roots, his foray into standup comedy, and, you and I get technical advice on how to make a great burger. He...

In this episode, Empty Bowls Houston committee chair Sam Oldham joins the show to talk about Empty Bowls Houston, an annual event dedicated to combating hunger in the community. Hosted by the Houston Food Bank, it brings together artists and patrons alike in a collective effort to alleviate food insecurity. Throughout the episode, we explore the multifaceted approach of Empty Bowls Houston, where...

Sylvia Casares is a food scientist, restauranteur, and owner of Sylvia’s enchilada kitchen. During this episode we dive into all things enchiladas and how her time with Uncle Ben’s Rice continues to impact her work. We dive into what it takes to run a successful restaurant, new products she’s launching, and so much more. Learn more about Sylvia, including her legendary enchilada menu, her cookbook...

Mike Martin is an inventor and philanthropist. His inventions include the Coolin’ Curve beverage chiller and the Heavyweight Scrub Brush. Mike’s a returning guest and you can learn more about his story in episode thirteen, which was released on July 25th. In this conversation, Mike and Freddy talk a little more about his journey to starting Miss Emma’s Retreat, which is the program he created to t...

Ziggy Gruber doesn’t just run one of the nation’s best delicatessens. He’s preserving Jewish history one meal at a time. Native Houstonians know Kenny and Ziggy’s as a hot spot for gathering with family and friends over a sandwich and/or a piece of one of their legendary cheesecakes. But did you know that delicatessens are nearly extinct? During this episode, Ziggy and Freddy dive into all things...

Freddy Cruz sits down with Dr. Angela Sturm, a renowned plastic surgeon and host of the popular podcast Beauty Unveiled . Their conversation takes listeners on a journey through Dr. Sturm's love for challenging tasks and her quest to find the perfect fit in the medical field. Cruz and Dr. Sturm explore the complexities of the human body, delving into the defining moments that have shaped her illus...

Dr. Raz discusses his hobbies, interests, and how he got into medicine. He shares his passion for radiology and the advancements in technology, particularly in AI. Dr. Raz explains the role of AI in radiology, including computer-assisted diagnostics and image segmentation. He discusses the challenges and opportunities of AI in medicine, emphasizes the importance of the human touch in patient care,...

In this conversation, Freddy Cruz interviews Gary Kirkowski, the owner of Rhino Pest Protection. They discuss various topics, including New Year's traditions, setting goals, staying motivated, running a faith-based business, starting a pest control business, protecting homes from pests, encountering pests on the job, dealing with snakes, Rhino Pest Protection's mission, and a fun fact about eating...

Executive Director of JDRF Southern Texas Rick Byrd joins the show today. This conversation explores the topic of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and the work of JDRF in finding a cure for the disease. It covers the basics of T1D, including its autoimmune nature and the differences between T1D and type 2 diabetes. It also delves into the symptoms and early detection of T1D, as well as the challenges faced b...

Caitie, the founder of Caitie's Foster Fam, shares her journey in animal rescue and the challenges and rewards of fostering dogs and cats. She discusses the misconceptions about mange and the importance of providing proper care and treatment. Caitie also highlights the neglect and cruelty faced by animals on the streets and the need for community support in rescue efforts. Despite the challenges,...

Elizabeth Hale, owner of Cake Fine Pastry, shares her baking journey and experiences running a bakery with her husband. She discusses her inspiration to bake for a living and her favorite and least favorite cakes to make. Elizabeth also talks about her time on Food Network and a mistake she made during a competition. She emphasizes the importance of charging enough for cakes and shares her vision...

In this conversation, Todd Burrer and Freddy Cruz reminisce about their time in the Wunderlich Intermediate Jazz Band. They discuss the controlled chaos of jazz band performances and the importance of improvisation. And they also talk about the Prevailing Winds organization, which provides music education and live performances to communities that lack access to such opportunities. The conversation...

In a previous career, my next guest was my boss's boss. His name is Peter Remington , an entrepreneur who spends his time coaching people to lives their best life. During this episode, you'll learn: 1.) How running with the bulls in Spain taught him about life 2.) Why you shouldn't give up after the first try 3.) The importance of eradicating the word "should" from your vocabulary Learn more about...

We’re gonna Cruz to the southwest side of town to one of the greatest bookstores in the world, Murder by the Book, where you’ll hear my conversation with legendary storyteller Terry Hayes. You’ll know him as the guy who wrote Mad Max 2 & 3, as well as I am Pilgrim . Terry’s new novel is The Year of the Locust and it took him ten years to complete it. During this conversation, we talk about the...

In this conversation, Michelle Mantor, the publisher of Pet Talk Magazine, discusses the early days of the magazine, the creation of the beloved character Henrietta, and the challenges of print publishing. She also shares stories about her own pets, including her dog Jetta and her horses and llamas. Michelle highlights the unique aspects of Pet Talk Magazine and its commitment to promoting animal...

Summary In this episode, George Blitch interviews Freddy Cruz, a former radio DJ turned author and podcasting consultant. They discuss Freddy's transition to entrepreneurship, the challenges he faced, and his passion for helping others launch their own podcasts. Freddy also shares his experience as an author and his thoughts on the publishing industry. The conversation highlights the importance of...

Summary Monica and Charity, owners of Geronimo Adventure Park, discuss their experience of owning a business together as best friends. They share how their friendship and shared passion for outdoor activities led them to start an adventure park. The park offers zip-lining as its main attraction and aims to provide a space for people to unplug and connect with nature. They also emphasize the import...

Summary Dr. Beata Lerman, founder of Sinless Treats, discusses her journey with cacao and the science behind its transformation into chocolate. She explains the fermentation process and the importance of a six-day fermentation duration. Dr. Lerman also debunks the myth that saturated fat is unhealthy and shares her personal experience with cancer and the role of sugar in the disease. She hopes to...

In this episode, Freddy Cruz reflects on his time playing for the Klein Jets, a Pee-wee football team in the 80s. Despite losing four consecutive Super Bowls, he considers the Klein Jets the greatest football team in history because of the valuable lessons he learned from losing. Freddy emphasizes the importance of embracing failure and using it as an opportunity to adapt and grow. He shares his p...

In this conversation, April Moncrieff from Girl Scouts of San Jacinto shares her early memories of being a Girl Scout, including camping and selling cookies. She explains how Girl Scouts teaches life skills such as money management, goal setting, decision making, people skills, and business ethics. April emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for girls to fail and learn resilience. She...

Summary Gabriel Najera shares his inspiring journey of overcoming challenges and changing mindsets. He discusses the importance of not making excuses and instead finding solutions to achieve goals. Gabriel emphasizes the power of the mind and the ability to adapt to any situation. He also highlights the impact of environment and the role it plays in shaping one's perspective. Gabriel's story of le...

In this conversation, Juan and Angelica Alaniz from Big Oak Tree Media discuss their experience of working together as a couple and the challenges and benefits that come with it. They highlight the importance of supporting and pushing each other, as well as the need to trust each other's instincts. They share their journey of launching their podcast In the Business , and organizing a successful co...

In this conversation, Nishita Parekh discusses her novel 'The Night of the Storm' and the process of writing a locked room thriller set during Hurricane Harvey. She explains why she chose Hurricane Harvey as the backdrop and how it adds a personal connection for readers. Nishita also shares her experience of being trapped during the hurricane and how it inspired the story. She discusses the challe...

In this conversation, Brad Taylor discusses his book Dead Man's Hand and its connection to real-world events—one of the characters is Vladimir Putin, as well as the research that went into the book. You’ll hear us talk about the risks for the book's storyline, what exactly is the “dead man’s hand” and how it inspired the writing of the book. Brad’s from the Houston area and he’ll be signing books...

In this conversation, Ana discusses her baking journey, from starting as a home baker to opening her own bakery. She shares her love-hate relationship with sugar cookies and the meticulous process of decorating them. Ana also talks about her popular banana pudding and the simplicity of her desserts. She explains the collaboration between her and a cake decorator for creating beautiful cakes. Ana m...