Jim Bratton Podcast

In this episode, Jim Bratton sits down with Candy Hattingh, Jennifer De Ranieri and Makia Golladay to talk about Mortar Galveston — a 15-week entrepreneurship academy empowering residents to turn their ideas into thriving businesses. From DJ Cajun Spice's event brand to the Galveston Island Market's creative maker spaces, graduates share how Mortar gave them the structure and confidence to grow. T...

In this episode of The Jim Bratton Podcast, Jim sits down with Sarah Piel, director of Arts Downtown GTX, to explore how Galveston's arts and culture community is growing. Sarah shares how a nonprofit framework helps connect creators, businesses, and the local community. Their conversation reveals the vision of turning Galveston into one of the top ten arts destinations in the nation. h ttps://www...

In this powerful episode, Mary Bratton recalls her childhood battle with polio and the lasting impact it had on her life. From iron lungs to treatments, her story is a raw reminder of what life was like before vaccines. Her words cut through today's debates with urgency: vaccines save lives, and those who doubt them ignore history at their own peril.

In the very first episode of Focus Your Inner Bitch , Jim Bratton sits down with his wife of 44 years, Mary Ellen Bratton, to explore the roots of her strength, resilience, and family legacy. From a chance remark that gave the series its name, to stories of Magnolia neighborhoods, ship channel struggles, and a heritage shaped by determination, Mary reflects on what it means to "find a way." This c...

What began as a way to fund her lupus treatment grew into a thriving community hub for local vendors and artists. Jennifer De Ranieri shares her journey from baking muffins at pop-up markets to leading the Galveston Island Market, now a space where small businesses grow into brick-and-mortar shops. In this episode, she reveals the challenges, passion, and community spirit that keep the market thri...

On this episode of the Jim Bratton Podcast, we sit down with Eduardo Hernandez, manager of the Texas Surf Museum in Galveston. Eduardo shares the surprising story of how Texas became home to a surf museum, its evolution from Corpus Christi, and what visitors discover inside. From skateboards to surfboards, and from nostalgia to community spirit, the museum captures the soul of surf culture on the...

In this episode of the Jim Bratton Podcast, we sit down with artist Saralene Tapley, this month's featured Art Walk artist at The Proletariat. Saralene shares her artistic journey from Dublin to New York, exploring how training, experimentation, and intuition have shaped her expressive figure paintings. We discuss her creative process, influences, and the emotional resonance behind her latest body...

This episode of the Jim Bratton Podcast features Danielle Colombo from The Refillery in Galveston, a community space dedicated to reducing waste and promoting sustainable living. Danielle shares how the shop's refill program has kept more than 5,000 containers out of landfills, while also supporting local makers with small-batch soaps, body products, and upcycled clothing. https://sunsetrefillery....

In this episode of the Jim Bratton Podcast, I sit down with John Gu, creator of Galveston Walking Tour. John shares how his background in Houston tours and his experiences in Europe inspired him to bring a free, tip-based walking tour model to Galveston. We explore the unique approach and how visitors can experience the island in a fresh, interactive way. https://galvestonwalkingtour.com/ https://...

At just 23, Neha is balancing the demanding life of a second-year medical student with her passion for songwriting and live performance. In this conversation, she shares the journey from writing raw, emotional one-liners in her diary to performing her original music on stage for the first time. From piano-based compositions to smooth on-stage transitions inspired by her church roots, Neha reveals...

In the final episode of Locked Up , Robert Serna recounts the complex emotions and unexpected challenges of his release from prison. From the calm of a pre-release unit to the tense uncertainty of the last night inside, his journey home was anything but straightforward. Robert shares the reality of life after incarceration—where freedom begins, but obstacles remain.

In this powerful episode of Locked Up , Robert Serna shares a raw, first-person account of his encounters with the Texas prison medical system. From initial intake exams to emergency injuries and being denied basic care, Robert reveals a system defined more by neglect than compassion. His story exposes the harsh truth behind the myth of "free healthcare in prison."  

In this episode of the Jim Bratton Podcast , we sit down with Galveston haberdasher Cruz Cortez, a man whose life and business have come full circle on the very block where he started in 1968. Cruz shares heartfelt stories from decades in retail, lessons in style and mentorship, and the power of persistence. His energy is contagious, his memory sharp, and his shop is more than just a store—it's a...

In this gripping episode of Locked Up , Robert Serna shares a raw, unfiltered look at the brutal reality of prison violence—from call-outs to calculated fights and the guards who enabled them. He reflects on how violence wasn't just expected but required. This is a powerful conversation about how prison life rewires behavior, scars memory, and forces a reckoning.

In this episode of the Jim Bratton Podcast , we sit down with Taylor McCreery to discuss "The Muse" — a live art experience blending vulnerability, strength, and artistic expression. Taylor shares how posing as a live model after a transformative life chapter became an empowering celebration of womanhood, authenticity, and creative collaboration. From curated white spaces to emotionally resonant a...

On this episode of the Jim Bratton Podcast , we sit down with Soulfiya—a reggae artist born in Guyana, coming through sound system culture, and now rocking stages across the country. He shares his journey from BoxMan to Billboard-charting performer, the cultural tensions within Caribbean music, and how social media landed him a global record deal. With humor, hustle, and heart, Soul fiya proves th...

On this episode of The Jim Bratton Podcast, we sit down with 19-year-old entrepreneur Grayson Morris, the mind behind Uni VTG—a thriving youth-driven fashion business shaking up the resale scene. From flipping thrifted sneakers to running a buzzing in-store and online operation in Lexington, Kentucky, Grayson breaks down how he turned instinct, hustle, and smart social strategy into a booming vent...

In this episode of the Jim Bratton Podcast , artists Dahlia Woods and Catherine Stroud share the serendipitous journey behind opening their new art gallery at 2328 Market Street. What began as a chance meeting and a shared love of French culture and expressive art grew into a deeply collaborative creative space. They discuss navigating setbacks, the power of community, and the joy of creating art...

What happens when a bad job, a good cry, and a curbside phone call collide? You get the origin story of  Little Outfit , a Houston-based Americana band that's grown tighter, jazzier, and more determined than ever. In this episode of  Jim Bratton Podcast: From the Pro , we catch up on their new music, wild vinyl journey, and road-warrior tour life   https://littleoutfit.net/home https://www.faceboo...

In this gripping third installment of the Locked Up series, Robert Serna returns to share the raw realities of prison gang politics and the painful betrayals that come with it. From navigating leadership roles in a dangerous system to the shocking mass exit of trusted allies, Robert pulls back the curtain on a world driven by codes, violence, and survival. This episode explores how loyalty can cru...

This is the Jim Bratton Podcast , and today we're back with Stephen Smalzel—artist, musician, and full-time van dweller—for part two of our conversation. Stephen shares the details of how he custom-built his Ford Transit into a fully functional, minimalist home on wheels, drawing from decades of nomadic experience. From layout decisions to cutting windows and ditching the bathroom, Stephen's thoug...

Introduction:   Step behind the curtain and into the rhythm of life aboard the Carnival Jubilee with performers Justone and Francisco, whose talents take them from Miami's rehearsal studios to dazzling stages at sea. In this lively conversation hosted from the patio at Marmo, we explore the highs, challenges, and cultural mashups of singing, dancing, and living at sea. From learning lyrics in unfa...

In this episode of  From the Pro , we sit down with sibling musicians Kate and Brendan Short during the second stop of their three-month tour. They share heartfelt insights into their musical beginnings, the joy and intimacy of creating together, and how family, faith, and the natural world shape their sound. Recorded live at The Proletariat, this conversation explores the art of harmonizing both...

A special series on the true experience of going to prison. It's true, passionate and sometimes raw as it explores the reality of being incarcerated in Texas Department of Corrections (TDC). In this gripping prison account, Robert Serna recalls his brutal Gang initiation , where he endured two violent "cora checks" to earn his place.

  In this episode, Jim Bratton sits down with artist Ben "Catfish" Perez, whose creative journey began with comic books and caricatures at Astroworld and evolved into tattoos, rock posters, and intricate small-scale works. From humble beginnings as a dishwasher to becoming a prolific visual storyteller, Perez shares how art has remained a constant force in his life. With humor, insight, and genuin...