THNX: A Feelgood Podcast

Dan Wannamaker was born in Alabama and attended the University of Texas and South Texas College of Law. He started his career clerking for the Criminal Court of Appeals and has spent nearly four decades representing the accused as both a Federal Public Defender in Texas and Alabama and as a private attorney. He has two rare distinctions: (1) being board certified in criminal law and crinimal appel...

BethAnne Garcia is an artist and stay-at-home mom with three children and one dog. She grew up in a small Connecticut town, where her love of painting began; she went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Delaware and rediscover herself as an artist in 2019 by painting fence posts, which now grow in Illinois, Connecticut, Colorado, California, New Hampshire, and Texas....

Colin Gilmore is a second-generation singer-songwriter who grew up in Lubbock, Texas and was influenced by Buddy Holly, Joe Ely, Butch Hancock, The Ramones, and Johnny Cash among others. While studying at Texas State University, he minored in Classical Music after developing an appreciation of the great composers. He has released 3 studio albums, a live record, and 4 EPs and singles. Colin is curr...

Judge David Newell is currently serving his second elected term on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. He was born in Bethesda, Maryland and studied to be a writer, earning a degree in English with Honors from the University of Houston. After a friend was attacked, he began volunteering at the Houston Area Women's Center, which led to his decision to pivot careers and go to law school. He served...

Gabi Magaly is a contemporary artist who expresses herself using a variety of mediums in diverse works of art. Her experiences as a first generation American and as a Chicana fighting against her father's conservative beliefs regarding traditional roles for women are some of her biggest influences. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Sam Houston State University and a Master of Fine Arts from...

Tim Duffy is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Music Maker Relief Foundation, a non-profit based in Hillsborough, North Carolina that seeks to "help the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of Southern music gain recognition and meet their day-to-day needs." After earning a Bachelor's Degree from Friends World College and a Master's Degree in Folklore at the University of Carolina at Chapel H...

Ann Henderson is the Founder of Rainbow of Hope Texas, a special education school that provides a nurturing place for young adults with developmental disabilities to go after they age out of high school. Unlike a traditional school, Rainbow of Hope relies on nature and animals, especially equine assisted learning, to enhance the students' learning experiences. She has been working with children in...

The THNX: A Feelgood Podcast Team would like to wish all of our guests and listeners a wonderful holiday season and a very happy new year. We share with you our sounds of home with Allen Hill performing Downtown Saturday Night, Guy Schwartz performing This is the One, and The Mighty Orq performing Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. For some additional uplifting sounds this season, please list...

Hannah Bladh has been painting since she was a child and finds beauty in the ordinary things and places around her. She graduated from Brigham Young University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts. Hannah and her husband make Houston, Texas their home.

Shane Swartzlander is the founder of Blackland Razors. After graduating from Purdue University with a degree in Physics, he began using a 3D printer and discovered the market and demand for quality razors. Since its inception in 2015, Blackland Razors has become one of the most respected companies in the shaving industry. Shane and his wife live in San Diego, California with their two cats.

Gaby Klerian describes herself as a storyteller through painting. She was raised in Mexico City and was exposed to art by her parents. As an eleven-year-old in Florence, Italy, she decided her life work would revolve around art. Years later, she returned to Florence to earn her first degree in painting and artistic graphics and proceeded to earn a graphic design degree in Mexico City. In addition...

THNX: A Feelgood Podcast wants to wish all our guests and listeners the happiest of Thanksgivings. Please listen to past episodes, do a kind deed, or think about who you are thankful for in your own life. We are so grateful for all of you, and we'll be back next week!

Allan Hursig, also known as The Bearded Baker, grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He studied Energy Management at The University of Tulsa and began working in the oil and gas business upon graduation. Upon moving to Houston, Texas for his job, a fluctuation in the energy sector caused him to be laid off. With spare time on his hands, he began cooking and baking, eventually beginning to sell speci...

Beth Aplin Martin was born in Grand Chenier, Louisiana, moved around a lot during her childhood, and spent her formative years in Seadrift, Texas. Her life changed immeasurably when her father, a fisherman, was killed amidst a struggle between the established fisherman and the group of recently arrived Vietnamese fisherman in Seadrift. She went on to study at Del Mar College, has worked in a varie...

Sean was born in Detroit, Michigan and spent his formative years in Pennsylvania. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering and held a number of positions as an operations manager until he founded Fox and Seeker, a distiller and distributor of liquor that focuses on sustainability and local goods. Sean now lives in Houston, Texas with his wife...

Jordan Garcia is the founder of Gut Friendly Bread. He served in the Navy and studied art at Coastline Community College and nutrition at Sam Houston State University. Through a friend, his service, and his studies, he realized the connection between nutritious food and good health, so he decided to leave his studies, get into baking, and found his company. Jordan lives in Houston, Texas with his...

Vivienne St. John brings the arts to all children as the Theater for Youth Artistic Director at Main Street Theater in Houston, Texas. The venue has built an accommodation program to address the unique needs of each child who wants to experience a show. She grew up in London, England and Houston, Texas, graduated from St. Agnes Academy, and earned her undergraduate degree in theater at Webster Uni...

Joel Holmes, aka JOHO, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and moved to Houston, Texas in elementary school. He graduated High School in Houston and attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He began writing songs when he was five years old; now, at age 25, he has released seven LPs and three EPs, ranging from Hip-Hop, to Alternative, to Contempora...

Luis Linares was born in Venezuela and realized early on that he was a gifted tennis player. After attempting to play professionally, he got a degree in civil engineering and began working in the construction field. He soon began buying and selling heavy construction equipment, then shifted his focus to specializing in cranes, becoming a major seller domestically and internationally at Crane Monst...

Roderick, also known as Rogg, was born in Houston, Texas and spent his formative years on the north side of town, where he developed an interest in art. While working at Walgreens, a friend helped him realize the potential of a career in the arts, and, shortly after, he became a tattoo artist whose work is in high demand. Rogg and his family make Houston, Texas their home.

Chelsea Ohlemiller attended Ball State University, Anderson University, and the University of Alabama. She is an educator and, when her mother passed from cancer in 2017, a writer. She owns the website Happiness, Hope & Harsh Realities, where she and others support international peers who are experiencing grief and loss. Chelsea lives in Indiana with her husband and three children.

Selwyn Jones, former NFL cornerback and one of GQ's Men of the Year 2020, is the uncle of the late George Floyd. He now owns and operates a motel and has dedicated his life to fighting for change, pushing for equality for all people. Selwyn has four children and lives in Gettysburg, South Dakota with his wife.

Selwyn Jones, former NFL cornerback and one of GQ's Men of the Year 2020, is the uncle of the late George Floyd. He now owns and operates a motel and has dedicated his life to fighting for change, pushing for equality for all people. Selwyn has four children and lives in Gettysburg, South Dakota with his wife.

Roderick Batson received his undergraduate degree from Texas Lutheran University and his Master's Degree from Capella University. He is the founder and owner of Vortex Surgical Products and a partner in Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, which provides meaningful employment for adults with special needs. Roderick, his wife, and two children live in Houston, Texas.

Shawn Seipler is the founder and CEO of Clean the World, a company that serves the needs of underserved people around the world.  His efforts have reduced the mortality rate of children caused by hygiene-related diseases by supplying recycled soap produced from soap discarded by hotels. Shawn, his wife, and children live in Orlando, Florida.