THNX: A Feelgood Podcast

Dick Beardsley is a lauded American long distance runner. A few of his accomplishments include tying for first place in the first inaugural London Marathon in 1981; winning Grandma's Marathon later that year in Duluth, Minnesota, setting and holding the course record for 33 years; and a close finish with Alberto Salazar running the Boston Marathon in 1982, a race memorialized in the book "Duel in...

Desmond Bertrand-Pitts spent his early years in Mamou, Louisiana. He earned a Bachelor of Science and a Masters Degree from Lamar University, as well as an MBA from American Intercontinental University. He was the Director of Business before becoming the CEO of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston, Texas. Desmond mentors young men to achieve their maximum potential, and founded M.E.N. I...

John Nova Lomax has been a journalist in Houston, Texas for 20 years. After graduating from Belmont in Nashville, Tennessee, he had a variety of jobs including oyster shucker, landscape gardener, British Telecom clerk, and field hand in Israel. John settled down in journalism at the Houston Press, where he reviewed and introduced all types of music to his readers as a Music Editor and Staff Writer...

Prior to becoming an attorney, David Adler was an officer for the Central Intelligence Agency in conflict zones in Africa. Originally from Long Island, New York, he graduated law school from Texas Southern University before heading into the CIA. Upon his return, he moved to Houston, Texas and began working as a criminal defense lawyer. David is known for his zealous representation on behalf of all...

Greg Funderburk became a Minister of Pastoral Care in 2012 after practicing law for 21 years. He graduated from Baylor University in 1987 and the University of Texas School of Law in 1990, then moved home to Houston, Texas to work as an attorney. After over two decades, Greg began working at South Main Baptist Church and was ordained in 2013. He published "The Mourning Wave" in 2020 and has "Let I...

Sarah Lee Guthrie, a gifted folksinger in her own right, is the daughter of Arlo Guthrie and granddaughter of the late Woody Guthrie. Her first recorded appearance as a vocalist was as a toddler, and she later passed on college to tour with her father, first as road manager then as part of the band. In a career that has exceeded two decades, Sarah Lee has written, recorded, and performed as a solo...

Jaye Ramsey Sutter has taught college and University level political science for over three decades. Additionally, she serves students as a pre-law advisor and appears regularly as a political commentator, TV panelist, and public lecturer. She earned both Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from Baylor University, a secondary teaching certificate at Texas State University, and a law degree from So...

Dan Cogdell is one of the premier criminal defense attorneys in the United States. After graduating from The University of Texas in 1979, he attended South Texas College of Law. He began his legal career as a briefing attorney for Judge John Onion, Presiding Judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, then went on to become the youngest attorney to make partner at Haynes & Fullenweider. Dan brok...

Gavin Tabone is a choir director and music teacher from Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Music Theory in 1996 and moved to Austin, Texas in 1997. While working as an outreach supervisor for the Parks & Recreation Department, he started working with an elementary school in the area and got recruited to be the music teacher there in 2000. He moved to Barton...

THNX: A Feelgood Podcast wishes our listeners and guests the happiest of holidays and a wonderful New Year. We will release our next new episode on January 5, 2021. Until then, please listen to and enjoy any of our guest's amazing and inspiring stories published thus far. We also wish to thank everyone who has supported THNX; you have given us the gift of your time and that is greatly appreciated....

Matt Pisarcik, founder of Razor Emporium, was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, went to a Jesuit high school there, and graduated from Arizona State University in 2007. While working in a marketing/PR role for a cardiac hospital in Arizona, he discovered his love for collecting, repairing, and selling vintage Gillette razors. Matt founded Razor Emporium, a vintage wet shaving supply company, in...

Sheela Marshall is a real estate agent and the owner & founder of Tequila Sheela, an organic, small-batch, 100% agave tequila company. Born and raised in India, she moved to the United States 40 years ago and attended Boston College. She got married, had 2 daughters, got divorced, and moved to Dallas with her children to work in accounting, where she met her best friend and business partner, Natal...

Cid Bullens is a two-time Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, and performer who has been in the music industry for over 40 years. He served as backup vocalist for Elton John, Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, and more, as well as sang on the 1978 Grease soundtrack. He retreated from the music business in the 1980s, got married, and had 2 daughters. After reemerging onto the music scene, his youngest daught...

Steve Riley is the Executive Editor of the Houston Chronicle. Originally from small-town Nettleton, Mississippi, he graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.S. in Journalism in 1980. He worked at 3 newspapers in Mississippi before moving to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he worked at The News & Observer for over 30 years. In 2017, Steve moved and began working at the Houston Chronicle...

Bryan Escobedo, a fifth generation Texan and the son of an immigrant, joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 and worked as a combat engineer on three back to back tours in the Middle East. Following an accident, he returned home, was awarded The Purple Heart, and went on to attend Houston Community College and the University of Houston, earning a B.A. in Communications with two Min...

Avery Lalumandier and Hayden Mintzer are sisters and daughters of Rand Mintzer, the creator and co-host of THNX: A Feelgood Podcast. Avery co-hosts the show from New York City, where she has lived since graduating from New York University. Hayden, a high school student, lives in Houston with Rand and their loving mom, Andrea. They share why this Election Day matters and why everyone needs to vote....

Brent Spiner, actor, singer, and musician, is best known for his roles as Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Dr. Brackish Okun in Independence Day. He won the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Data. Brent implores everyone to focus on what's happening on earth and vote!

Steve Riley is the Executive Editor at the Houston Chronicle. After graduating from the University of Mississippi, he worked at The News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina for over 30 years before finding his home in Houston, Texas. Steve discusses the importance of everyone exercising their right to vote, even in a pandemic.

Judge Ravi Sandill presides over the 127th District Court in Harris County, Texas. Born in Toronto, Canada to Indian immigrants, he moved around the US and the world once his father joined the US military. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin for undergrad and the University of Houston for law school, he clerked for Justice Murray Cohen on the Texas First Court of Appeals. Follo...

Cidny Bullens is a two-time Grammy nominee, songwriter, performer, activist, and speaker originally from Massachusetts. With 45 years as a rock star under his belt, he explains what is at stake in this election and why everyone should vote.

Kat Creech, originally from Wharton, Texas, started Kat Creech Events, now a nationally recognized event planning firm, in 2010. Prior, she got her Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston and worked at both the Hard Rock Cafe and House of Blues. She also began Recovery Houston, a non-profit that assists those affected by natural disasters, in 2017. Kat lives with her husband Alan and th...

Paula Goodhart is a former Harris County Criminal Court at Law Judge and a current defense attorney. After graduating from the University of Texas and going to law school at the University of Houston, she worked as Assistant District Attorney and prosecutor. Paula lives in Houston with her husband Craig and their children. She encourages everyone, especially women, to vote!

Carl Sedita is a native Houstonian and has been a member of the Houston Police Department for 23 years. After 10 years of being a patrol officer, Carl received his open water, advanced open water, rescue diver, and public safety diver certifications and has been a search and recovery diver as well as an HPD patrol supervisor for the last 13 years. He and Patti, his wife of 23 years, live with thei...

Maddie Parrish is a professional dancer from Franklin, Tennessee. She graduated from New York University's Tisch Dance and now lives in New York, New York. She encourages everyone to vote and make sure friends and family do too.

Mana Yegani is an immigration attorney in Houston, Texas. She got her undergraduate degree in biology from North Carolina State University before going to Louisiana State University for law school, where she started the International Law Society. A daughter of immigrants, she focuses on family separation, deportation, and ICE holds, just to name a few. She lives with her husband, Jed Silverman, an...