Cruz through HTX

In this episode, Houston author Anna J. Walner and I go back to early 20th century Galveston with her new novel Saltwater and Driftwood. The Great Storm of 1900 remains the deadliest natural disaster in our nation's history, killing between 6,000-8,000 people in Galveston. And Anna's new novel blends history with fiction. During this episode, we talk about her writing process and how life in a hur...

Taylor Coibion and I connected on Facebook a few months back. He shared the story of his mother, who was brutally murdered when he was only two years old. While the conversation gets heavy, Taylor stresses the importance of human trafficking survivors telling their stories. He’s overcome his own trauma as well and it’s something we discuss during this episode. Taylor is an entrepreneur and is a pa...

Meet Traci Borque-Johansson, CEO of 3 Sons Foods. You've no doubt seen their Diablo Verde salsa in the condiments aisle at HEB. But you haven't heard the story behind the deliciousness. Press play to get the skinny on this one-of-a-kind line of salsa that donates a portion of their sales to animal conservation. Learn more at 3sonsfoods.com . If you enjoyed this rebroadcast, please consider sharing...

Barrie Schwortz and Rudy Dichtyl have spent over forty years studying the Shroud of Turin, a piece of linen that bears the image of a crucified man. Throughout the decades, their work has been dismissed and shunned, despite overwhelming scientific proof of the shroud’s authenticity. During this episode, Barrie and Rudy talk about how they ended up working with the shroud, how the shroud was poorly...

The #1 cause of bankruptcy in the U.S. is healthcare. Tens of millions don’t have insurance and those that do still don’t get the coverage they need. Dr. Ricardo Nuila joins the podcast to share his thoughts on how we can improve a system that’s been broken since the nation’s founding, what areas of American healthcare are in the worst shape, and his new book The People’s Hospital: Hope and Peril...

I took the recording gear to the Houston Toy Museum to speak with cofounder Matt Broussard. Matt owns over ten thousand toys, some of which are housed in the Houston Toy Museum. During this conversation, we talk about his collection (and how it got so big), as well as toys' cultural impact. If you're in the Houston area, you've gotta check it out. The museum looks small from the outside but you'll...

At the age of sixteen, Dixie Mellilo got kicked out of school for being pregnant. She eventually went back to school, got a medical degree and became a general surgeon. Fast forward to 1986, when Dr. Mellilo, alongside Dorothy Gibbons cofounded The Rose Breast Center of Excellence. To this day, they’ve served nearly half a million women regardless of their ability to pay. During this episode, we d...

New York Times Bestselling Author of the Pike Logan series Brad Taylor recently stopped by Houston to talk about his new novel The Devil's Ransom . From his killing off characters to writing his first book as one long chapter, we covered a ton of ground. And because we taped the conversation before a live audience at Murder by the Book, and we even got some audience participation. Pick up your cop...

In this conversation, Michelle De Los Reyes, the head of production for the Houston Ballet, discusses the challenges and rewards of producing the Nutcracker. She highlights the stamina required to get through the long run of performances and the importance of backup plans for sick performers. Michelle also shares insights into the year-round planning process for the Nutcracker and the maintenance...

This is the second of two interviews this week that I recorded at Archway Gallery. It’s the oldest artist owned gallery in Texas and today I’m talking with Harold Joiner. Talking with creators of all stripes about their processes is something I love to geek out on, so it was especially fun to speak with Harold. During this episode, we talk about his use of colors, his creative process, the storyte...

This is the first of two interviews this week that I recorded at Archway Gallery. It’s the oldest artist owned gallery in Texas and their featured artist is Jim Hill. A staple in the Houston since 1978, Jim’s journey has taken him all over the world and from LA to DC, he’s got commissions across the United States. During this episode, we talk about his use of colors, the strangers who inspire his...

Jack Carr is the bestselling author of the Terminal List series, which has been adapted into an Amazon series starring Chris Pratt. He’s a former Navy SEAL and is the host of the Danger Close podcast. His new book Only the Dead is his newest novel and if you read only one book this year, it’s gotta be this one. Jack joins the show live from Murder by the Book and we had a BLAST talking about his p...

Just over two years ago, ten people died and more than two thousand were injured at the Astroworld Festival here in Houston, Texas. One of the victims was Madison Dubiski. In her early twenties, she had a bright future ahead of her, including a career in real estate.  The loved ones Madison left behind started The Pink Bows Foundation in her honor.  During this conversation, I’m joined by Pink Bow...

Her name is Amber Richards. Shortly after meeting her and her family, I knew that I had to get her on the show. Amber and her son Adonis died and were brought back to life during her pregnancy, she had kidney failure, and at just eight months old, Adonis was diagnosed with cancer. All of this happened as the pandemic was just getting started. During this conversation with Amber, we talk about her...

2024 is predicted to be a peak year for auroras. Depending on where in the world you are, they’re either northern lights or southern lights. But how likely is it that we’ll see an aurora in Houston? Dr. Sabine Stanley, author of the book What’s Hidden Inside Planets , joins the podcast to break it down. In addition to auroras, we talk about helium rain, life on other moons, and a bunch of interpla...

James Strickland is a record breaking powerlifter. How he fell into lifting is worthy of an ESPN documentary. His journey involves a desire to get back into shape and get drafted into the NFL. But he's more than a strongman. James spends time mentoring students and running a business. During this episode, we dive into the road to lifting 700 lbs, lessons learned from his athletic career and how he...

Dr. Beata Lerman is a scientist turned chocolatier who's lived quite the life. Long story short, she developed a cancer treatment while at MD Anderson, was diagnosed with cancer, darn near cured herself with the treatment she developed, swore off of sugar, and is now creating amazing low carb, sugar-free chocolates at Sinless Treats. We dive into all the things during this episode, including her b...

Last month, I met Gery Dempsey at The Small Business Expo…he works in the graphic design space with a company called Squid Pixels and has his own brand of hot sauce and that’s when I knew I had to get him on the show. Gery and I begin the episode with small business mindset and what it’s like to work remotely when the pandemic is over and most of us are back in the office. And of course, we talk a...

Imagine for one moment you come from a line of Americans who not only served as the first black generals in our nation’s history but also played a role in helping to desegregate the military. Imagine the story being told in a movie directed by George Lucas but your family’s name is completely left out. That’s what happened to Doug Melville’s family. In 2011 Doug was invited to a screening of Red T...

Today I’m bringing my friend Karen De Amat onto the show to talk about all things social media. Karen is the founder of Social Behavior and Influence by Social. She and her team have helped brands like Layne’s Chicken Fingers, The Halal Guys, and Marble Slab. During this episode you’ll hear why you need social media to help build your brand, why you shouldn’t be in your feelings if your insights a...

November marks a busy month for one of Houston's most underrated and under-appreciated places: The National Museum of Funeral History . The museum's President and CEO Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez returns to the show to talk about Dia de los Muertos and Veterans Day in this mini-episode. Plan your visit at NMFH.org . And be sure to subscribe to their podcast The Final Curtain Never Closes wherever you...

People from all over the world know and trust the Texas Medical Center. It's where some of the world's most rich and powerful go to get their medical care. But what if I told you that there's a married couple changing the game in Webster, Texas. Their names are Veronica and Karim Mohammed, and they own and operate Tranquil Clinical Research. During this episode, they debunk myths surrounding clini...

Houston Rabbit Resource works to mitigate the homeless rabbit population in H-town.  President and Executive Director Nancy Martin joins the show to talk about how bad it is, why rabbits should NOT be starter pets, and why we shouldn't use animals to teach kids responsibility. Check them out at houstonrabbitresource.org . If you enjoyed this episode as much as I did putting it together for you, pl...

This conversation with HFD District Chief Kim Phillips is an all-time fave. You'll hear us talk about what it takes to be a firefighter, why Houston firefighters and EMTs are THE best in the United States, and because it’s breast cancer awareness month, we talk about cancer risk among firefighters, as well as her battle against breast cancer. Support the show by doing any or all of the following:...

Years ago, after Coach Swanson shattered my dreams of being like Bo Jackson, I wanted to be like Bob Allen, the late sports anchor for Channel 13. I never got into TV. But all these years later, the universe made a connection. I'm friends with Megan Cardet, Bob's fiancee, who's the cofounder of A Place for Peanut, an equine rescue which she and Bob started before his passing. To learn more about A...