THNX: A Feelgood Podcast

June Cross is a documentary filmmaker and professor at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, where she founded the documentary specialization. She graduated from Harvard Radcliffe College and has worked as a reporter and producer in addition to making a film and authoring a book about her life, both titled Secret Daughter. She has won numerous awards, including a Peabody and 2 Emmy Aw...

The Mighty Orq is a professional guitarist from Houston, Texas, where he attended Lamar High School and earned his moniker. His music is classified as Americana, and, in the last 20 years, he has released seven recordings and has played countless shows all over the world. His sound is predominantly blues and pays homage to Mississippi and Chicago. The Mighty Orq and his wife live in Houston, Texas...

Pamela Gail Johnson is a speaker, author of Practical Happiness, and founder of the Society of Happy People. Originally from West Texas, she has lived in West Palm Beach, Florida, worked for companies like Staples and American Express, and, in 1998, started the Secret Society of Happy People, a collective of happy people who needed a tribe. After 20 years and international attention, it was no sec...

Bill Rodgers was born in Hartford, Connecticut and attended Wesleyan University and Boston College. As a 4-time winner of both the Boston and New York Marathons, a winner of the Fukuoka Marathon, and an Olympian representing America in 1976, he is one of the most recognized runners in the United States. Additionally, he has run in hundreds of races, received dozens of awards and distinctions, brok...

Bill Rodgers was born in Hartford, Connecticut and attended Wesleyan University and Boston College. As a 4-time winner of both the Boston and New York Marathons, a winner of the Fukuoka Marathon, and an Olympian representing America in 1976, he is one of the most recognized runners in the United States. Additionally, he has run in hundreds of races, received dozens of awards and distinctions, brok...

Christine Cummins is a budding soprano from Atlanta, Georgia. She earned her Bachelors of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from Florida State University and her Masters of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Houston, where she appeared in multiple shows. In addition to singing, she enjoys performing musical theatre, has 14 years of training in piano, and taught herself how to...

Theo Acker, a native Texan, is a speaker, podcast host, and author who focuses on individuals who have experienced loss in a sudden or traumatic way, something she is familiar with after losing her mother in 2019. Earlier in life, she worked in mortgages and as an English teacher, even winning Rookie Teacher of the Year. She wrote a book entitled My Grief is Not Like Yours, which will be released...

Rand Mintzer, the creator and co-host of THNX, is interviewed by Think Theo's host Theo Acker. Make sure to give Think Theo a listen, and enjoy her interview with Rand!

S am Pe ña, born in Los Angeles, California, grew up in El Paso, Texas and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso. He also completed paramedic training at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Before becoming a firefighter in El Paso, Sam spent 4 years in the US Air Force. He has since served as...

Jeff Galloway was born in North Carolina and attended Florida State University and Weslayan University. He is an All-American Collegiate Athlete and an Olympian; he competed in the 1972 Olympics, running the 10,000 meter race for the United States. He is an author, inspirational speaker, lifelong runner, founder of the running store Phidippedes, and the inventor of the run/walk /run method, which...

Jeff Galloway was born in North Carolina and attended Florida State University and Weslayan University. He is an All-American Collegiate Athlete and an Olympian; he competed in the 1972 Olympics, running the 10,000 meter race for the United States. He is an author, inspirational speaker, lifelong runner, founder of the running store Phidippedes, and the inventor of the run/walk /run method, which...

Gene Velasquez, a Houston native, graduated from the Art Institute of Houston. He began singing in cover bands at 18 years old and has since fronted two tribute bans, one dedicated to Poison and the other to The Cure, in addition to touring with a Spanish-speaking band that performed original material. As if Gene's life was not interesting enough, listen to the story behind his motto: You only liv...

Allen Hill is a Houston-based musician and booking agent who graduated from the University of Texas and the University of Houston. He has played with numerous bands, including Banana Blender Surprise, The El Orbits, and the Allen Oldies Band, known for playing extended sets. Allen has his own booking agency, books talent for The Continental Club, records music, fronts a band, and has played with t...

Andy Yelenak earned degrees from Alberta Magnus College of Fine Arts and Paier College of Art. For over 40 years he has worked as a freelance illustrator for magazines, corporate clients, sports art, and portraits. He has been featured in numerous exhibits, created multiple official marathon posters, provided many covers for Marathon and Beyond, and illustrated the children's book Run Dad Run, jus...

Akilah Bacy was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She obtained a Bachelor's Degree from Spellman College, and earned her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech University School of Law. She was an Assistant District Attorney in Harris County for over three years. Following a stint as an adjunct college professor, she opened her own law office, then ran for the Texas House of Representatives t...

Kristina Perez earned her undergraduate degree and Masters of Education from Texas A&M University. She has taught school, been a Department Chair, worked in school administration, and has been a Director for two school districts. She was the CEO for Zenith Learning and is presently the Director of Development for Houston Community College. In 2022, she received the Women of Excellence Award. Krist...

Colleen Cavanaugh, originally from Arizona, is the Houston Zoo's Teen Programs Supervisor. She is responsible for the education programs for 13-17 year olds, which include the Zoo Crew programs and Adventures programs. Prior to this dream position, she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Conservation and Management from the University of Arizona and a Master's Degree in Environmental Education...

Robert Ray was born in Marshall, Texas, graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in PR and Journalism, and earned his JD from South Texas College of Law. He was a briefing attorney for the Sixth Court of Appeals in Texarkana and worked as a trial lawyer for the following 12 years. He then earned a Ph. D. and a Masters of Arts from the University of Nebraska. After graduating, he became...

John Viviano was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri and earned post graduate degrees from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Washington University, where he has returned as an adjunct lecturer. He has been an IT leader and software developer for the last 25 years, has been involved in creating numerous technology-enabled products, and has founded three start-ups. He is a co-founder and p...

Robert Armstrong, originally from Trenton, New Jersey, has been a commercial pilot domestically and internationally for 32 years. Right before graduating from Northern Michigan University, he crossed paths with Navy recruiters and ended up flying and landing cargo haulers on aircraft carries, spending the majority of his 7 years in the Navy in the Philippines. Upon leaving, he was in the reserves,...

Hobart Welsh was born in Cherry Point, North Carolina on a Marine Corps air base. After attending San Antonio College and California State University Long Beach for a few years, he worked as a night club DJ for 15 years. The job brought him to live and work in many cities in California, Texas, and Arizona. He has also worked for numerous liquor brands in promotion, marketing, and sales. He recentl...

Autumn Rosemond is the Owner and Artistic Director of Houston Dance Works, a dance school in Houston, Texas founded in 2011. She is trained in most types of dance, from ballet to hip-hop, and has held the roles of competitor, professional dancer at Second Generation dance compnay, and teacher and choreographer. She earned her undergraduate degree with honors from Texas State University and a postg...

Chris Baker has worked as a comedian and in radio. He was one of the most listened-to radio talk show hosts in Houston, Texas. He can presently be heard on The Chris Baker Podcast. He is unapologetic in his views and enjoys brisk political discussion.

Chris Jordan, a New Orleans native, is a Senior Engineer at Barron Studios in Houston, Texas. He's been an engineer, producer, and writer since he was 13 and went to school to study music. He owns Protect the Vibe, a collective focused on music, art, community, and culture, and has released an instrumental Hip-Hop album with the same name. Chris lives in Houston, Texas and has recorded and edited...

Todd Macek is the manager and co-owner of Barron Studios and the Barron Collective in Houston, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a major in History and minors in Russian and Journalism. After writing for a newspaper in a small Texas town and driving trucks with a hazmat tanker certification, he and his brother grew Barron Studios from a booth they created in a downtown loft. Now,...