Houston P. A. hosted by Laurent

Jerry Scott is the COO of the Lone Star Flight Museum & Director of flight operations. He introduces us to Barbara Radnofsky and Ed Supkis who are the authors of “The Astronaut, the Barber and the Golf Ball” which looks into the msytery of the third golf ball that the legendary Alan Shepard took to moon. He did it for his friend Carlos – or did he? It's an awesome NASA story full of insight into the Houston community that built NASA. Barbara and Ed are speaking at the museum on January 16th: www.lonestarflight.org

Gabriela Gerhart is the founder of Motherhood Center. The Motherhood Center educates expecting parents with classes and socials like the Baby Bump Social and the New Dads Meetup. On top of pregnancy education, the Motherhood Center is also a doula and nanny agency. Go to: www.motherhoodcenter.comGabriela is also the author of “After the Fall,” an autobiography about her childhood under communism in Czechoslovakia. It's a great read and we talk about what it was like immigrating to the US.

Paula Harris is the Senior Vice President of Community Affairs for the Astros and she is the Executive Director of the Astros Foundation. Their primary focus is bringing education &baseball & sports to kids around Houston. They fund sports programs, buy tens of thousands of uniforms, build baseball fields in poor neighborhood and wait to hear what they did for the Uvalde community!The Astros Foundation also deploys an army of volunteers to help other Orgs like Medical Bridges. Go to: www.mlb.com/astros/community

Elizabeth Elder, is the founder of Steel Magnolia Moms, a support organization for moms who have kids with special needs. Cindy Mood is their membership chair and Bethany Sauer is a member, artist and vendor at their special events. They share their stories of connecting with other women and finding support among peers – the only people who can truly understand what having a kid with special needs is really like. They also have a meeting for men – father are not abandoned! You can be a part of the group. Joining is free on their website / Facebook page. Go to: www.Steelmagnoliamoms.com

Rick lives with ALS. He and his wife discuss his diagnosis and how their lives have changed. You'll be inspired by their courrage and optimistic outlook.Danatria Spears is the associate director of development for the ALS Association of Texas. The ALS Walk on Saturday Nov 16th at the University of Houston. www.als.org

Dr. Tadia Diallo is the global health manager for Medical Bridges. We discuss how she came to Texas from Guinea and Medical Bridges' mission to bring medical supplies to healthcare workers across nations in need. These supplies are donated to Medical bridges by our hospital community and volunteers prepare them to for shipment. We also describe the awesome clinics on wheels built by students of A&M University. Go to: www.medicalbridges.org

Lara Mautz is the executive director of the Christ Clinic and Jay Donnella in charge of their Strategic Partnerships. Christ Clinic delivers high quality healthcare to those who are uninsured and underinsured. Most of their services are delivered by volunteers, including the nurses and physicians who donate their time. This means they can help deliver healthcare to those who can't pay. We also discuss how convenient it is for patients to use Christ Clinic before their symptoms turn into really big problems. To make appointments or to donate to their mission. Go to www.christclinickaty.org. You can also call for an appointment: 281-391-0190

Kenicia Curry is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for Legacy Community Health. Telehealth has become the main way to consult for Legacy Community Healthcare and we discuss the importance of managing medication for older patients. In addition to very important in-person consultations with physicians, constant contact with people like Kenicia through video calls is a helpful tool to help people manage their conditions. www.legacycommunityhealth.org

Dr. Teandra Gordon is the Senior Program Director for BrainAbouts, an organization that has free online tools to help parents raise children to avoid drugs and alcohol. They work through schools, providing access to study packets to go along with the online courses. Online videos are available to all: www.brainabouts.org

Gail Gould is the The CPR and Safety Lady and she teaches us what to do in case of a seizure or chocking, live on the radio. There's much more to learn on the subject of first aid like knowing how to use the automatic defibrillators every building is supposed to have and even using EKGs to detect heart problems in young men. Go to www.cprandsafetylady.com and Gail can come teach you the course.

Chanelle Omiwade is the Program Director for Communities in Schools of Houston and Adrianne A. Williams is a Student Support Manager at Lamar High School. CIS helps parents and students navigate the school year from making sure they have a great breakfast to giving tips on good sleeping hygiene so students get the rest they need. They also have a mental health initiative that allows students to get help anonymously. They get help from over 300 non-profits in town to provide all the services they need. Go to: www.cishouston.org

Dr. Paul Gerson is the founder of The Periwinkle Foundation (he was also in the air force) and Ann Massey is their Development Director.The Periwinkle Foundation was founded to provide children at Texas Children's Hospital with the opportunity to "just feel normal" for one week at Camp Periwinkle. They also offer tons of programs to help children and their families get through the harsh cancer treatments such as art fairs and entertainment performed by local arts organizations.They are also behind the Iron Sommelier event on November 7th where guests can taste wines, dine, be merry and raise funds for the summer camp.Go to www.periwinklefoundation.org to get tickets and info on this extraordinary Org.

Barry Ward is the executive director of Trees For Houston. They've planted more than 750,000 trees to mitigate run off and provide shade to buildings, thereby significantly reducing AC bills. The benefits go on an on and they even help people's mental health. Trees for Houston also takes requests and distributes free tress to people planning green spaces or their back yards. Go to: www.treesforhouston.org.

Ann Hobing is the Lone Star Flight Museum's senior director of education and Cameron Hardy is one of their youth ambassador. Cameron is an impressive young man with a great passion for aviation and ambitions to become an Air Force pilot. He wants to fly those awesome jets and we talk about what he does at the museum and how it's helping him set his path towards the Air Force. Ann tells us about the many events they have in this cool museum like Girls in Aviation and Harry Potter Day. Go to: www.lonestarflight.org and get in on the fun.

Walter Ulrich CEO of Medical Bridges (and a US Marine) and Akinyi Adoyo is their marketing manager. Medical Bridges collects medical equipment donations and redistributes them to healthcare workers across nations. They have a new operation in San Antonio and they also work with Texas A&M students who build them several mobile medical exam rooms that also get shipped all over the world.Go to www.medicalbridges.org to find out more about this extraordinary organization and go meet these people during their 2024 “One People, One World” Gala presented by Chevron. It's on Thursday, October 17 at the Four Seasons Hotel and they will honor Ms. Paula Harris, the executive director of the Astros Foundation.

Robert Simpson is the founder and artistic director of Houston Chamber Choir and Dr. Betsy Cook Weber Houston Chamber Choir Artistic Director Designate. The Houston Chamber Choir celebrates its 30th anniversary season which will be founder Robert Simpson's last as he hands over the directorship to Dr. Cook Weber."From Startup to Standout" will feature the annual free show at  Miller Outdoor Theater: “I Just Want to Celebrate! Songs from the ‘70s” and a world premiere from brilliant English composer Patrick Hawes: "Son of Man."And don't miss their Christmas show: “Glory in the Highest: Christmas at the Villa” performed at the Chapel at the Villa de Matel.Go to https://www.houstonchamberchoir.org for tickets and info.

Jacque Daughtry is the CEO of Literacy Now and Jacklyn Wilson is their Chief Operating Officer. They discuss their programs that fight the "summer slide" student experience from being away from school for 2 months and how their other volunteer driven programs, including the Lunch Bunch, help elevate the catastrophically low literacy rate amongst Harris County children. You can get involved: www.literacynowhouston.org 

Christian Taylor aka Hertz, Juan Martinez aka Fear Factor, Richard Chavez aka Camelbak, discuss F3: a national network of free, peer-led workouts for men. The Fs stand for Fitness, Fellowship and Faith. Their mission is to plant, grow and serve small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership. We had a lot of fun talking about how their community has their own way of talking and how every man is welcome, no matter their age or fitness level. Go to www.f3nation.com to find a local program near you.

Pierce Bush is the CEO of Big Brother Big Sisters Lone Star. They help volunteers mentor kids, guiding them to graduate from high school and form valuable connections in life. They are in need of mentors, especially men because they have far more boys on their waiting list and it's worth getting involved. Their results are impressive. The “Littles” are exponentially more likely to graduate and get a good job, breaking the cycle of poverty they grew up in. We also talk about the lasting bonds Bigs and Littles form and how so many Littles return to be mentors themselves. Go to www.bbbstx.org/greater-houston to sign up.

Gabriela Gerhart is the founder of Motherhood Center. They offer education, support groups and access to experts and doulas for expecting mothers and fathers. The free Baby Bump Social is every 2nd Thursday of the month and just announced: every third Thursday of the month will be a new dad group. Go to www.motherhoodcenter.com for more information.

The Special Olympics Texan East Region is getting a bunch of help from Jersey Mike's who is conducting a cool fundraiser on March 27th. They will donate all proceeds to Special Olympics nationwide. To tell us how if affects Texas, my guests are: Ainsley Spenser, a Special Olympics athlete with a great story of friendship, AJ Edenzon, the Executive Director of Special Olympics Texan East Region, Carolina Proaño, a marketing specialist for a Jersey Mikes franchise in Houston and John Foster, the area director for Jersey Mike's. Go to www.sotx.org to see their many programs which brings families and friends together on a weekly basis.

Lisa Tynan is the marketing and special events specialist for Houston PetSet. We celebrate their 20 years of service to Texans by discussing the great success they have had lobbying our city and state government to enact more humane laws. They also offer free chip and vaccine services and we explain how important it is to do this with our pets. And we always talk about their pet transports. They have sent opver 10,000 cats and dogs to states up north so they could be adopted. Their websites have great videos you should check out. They'll fill your heart with hope and joy! Go to www.houstonpetset.org and also consider donating a few bucks. They're doing great work.

Sylvia Villalpando is the Homeowner Services Associate Director for Houston Habitat for Humanity. Their success is in large part due to their “Sweat Equity” program, which requires potential homeowners to take financial management classes and to put in some work in helping others with their home needs. We also discuss how Houston Habitat chooses applicants and how they buy land to build houses. They need volunteers and we also discuss the great help they're getting from big companies in Houston. Go to: www.houstonhabitat.org

Jacque Daughtry is the CEO of Literacy Now and Jacklyn Wilson is their chief Operating officer. Only about 30% of Houston Area 3rd graders can read at their 3rd grade level when they are pushed into 4th grade. This condemns these kids to a life of poverty and, probably, petty crime or worse. That's what the data tells us. Literacy Now helps those kids catch up to their reading level and it works because there is nothing wrong with the kids! It's how we allow our public education system to fail them that is wrong. Other programs Literacy Now operates help them achieve this goal: Reading Intervention, The Reading Express and the crucial Parent Partnership because without the parents participating, it's harder to get the kids to learn. You can volunteer and donate here:www.literacynowhouston.org

Anne Marie Blacketer is the CEO of Lupus Texas Gulf Coast. Lupus is still a relatively unknown disease to most and raising awareness is how we can create more research opportunities. The disease affects black women disproportionately and we still don't know the cause, nor is there any cure. Lupus Texas Gulf Coast offers support to those living with Lupus, including a summer camp for children that is held at Camp For All in Burton, TX. It's designed to engage kids between the ages of 5-15 who have lupus. Check out their website: https://www.lupus.org/texasgulfcoast

Sonja Gee is the President & CEO of Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM). They never dropped the ball during the pandemic. They kept their doors as open as legally possible and continuing their services uninterrupted. They are launching a new program: the Innova Community Business Academy, designed to to empower entrepreneurs and small businesses in poor communities. Their first graduating class was a great success and they are already expanding which means over twice as many graduates in 2024! MAM also has a great Literacy Advance program and that is on top of all their services supporting in need of long term support. Go to: www.mamhouston.org

Neha Agrawal is a clinical pharmacist at Legacy Community Health and Jose Romero is their Director of Therapy Services. Legacy Health Community Health provides mental health assistance from prescriptions to psychotherapy. Patients are followed and connected to the right providers. We also discuss the misuse diabetes drugs like Ozempic, which people are taking to loose weight. We also discuss the great risk of buying prescription drugs online. Go to www.legacycommunityhealth.org for more information on their holistic programs available to all.

DeJuana Jernigan is the CEO of Arms Wide and this time, she brought some friends. Laura and John Preble are foster parents for Arms Wide and they are living examples of how rewarding fostering can be. They also explain that with the help of Arms Wide, becoming a foster parents is doable for any couple. You just need to want to do it and Arms Wide will help you. The Prebles share their moving stories of loving foster babies and how they get help from Arms Wide. (They choose to care for very little kids but you can choose to foster older kids it's that's what you have in mind.) From the terrific training Arms Wide offers to the constant support of case-workers, foster parents are actually the head of a team. They are never alone in dealing with the children, no matter their needs. It's an incredible organization. There is a great need for foster parents so if it's something you've thought of, listen to the Prebles explain in the simplest terms how to get involved. Go to ArmsWide.org

Samantha Anchia is the Development Director for Northwest Assistance Ministries, one of our non-profits that never stopped serving the community, even at the height of COVID lockdowns. They kept their Meals on Wheels rolling for our seniors – they deliver over 900 meals every day!. They are currently helping people with the rent and mortgage assistance program, programs for our veterans and helping women escape domestic violence. They're also doing a massive toy drive to provide a Christmas to children that would otherwise go without and they'll be delivering Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, too.Help them do all this by going to their website and donating what you can: www.namonline.org

Kaitlyn Dougherty is the Exhibits Development Coordinator for the Children's Museum of Houston and Keith Ostfeld (aka Mr. O), is their director of educational technology and exhibit development. As they do every year, the museum installs their Season of Sharing exhibit, a series of little houses you can visit to learn about the Holiday traditions around the world. They're also doing an awesome grown-ups only night at the museum. Secret Night Out adults only adult night Friday the 17th and it's your opportunity to climb their awesome tower with a margarita in your hand. Doesn't that sound like a good time! Check out their website for info and to see all the other awesome exhibits they have: www.cmhouston.org

Erin Mills is the Education Manager for Houston Botanic Garden and Justin Lacey is their director of communications. Houston Botanic Garden is a beautiful and diverse series of biomes created to take visitors on a journey through our local flora but also take a look at plants from around the world. We discuss the right way of planting and caring for non-native species but we emphasis that for most backyards, going with native plants is the way to go. Especially if one wants to help Monarch Butterflies migrate from Canada to Mexico and attract all the millions of migrating bids and pollinators that make nature so awesome to watch.Another exhibit is “Glass in Flight” by Tucson-based artist Alex Heveri. There is a lot more going on. so check out their website to see the ever-transforming Houston Botanical Garden: www.hbg.org.

Elizabeth Elder is the founder of Steel Magnolia Moms, Tiffanie Williams is serving on then board of directors and Kate Peden is one of the founding board members and a vendor at their upcoming Magnolia Moms Holiday Market. She is a master baker and I know because I got to try her macaroons and so can you, just by going to the event on November 2nd from 11-6 pm at The Powder Keg. There will be vendors who specialize in hiring people with disabilities – or special abilities, as we like to say – and raffle baskets, great, fun people and even a signature cocktail. Magnolia Moms provides group support for parents raising children with special needs. They are a spectacular start-up in Houston's Non-profit scene and when you hear about how successful their programs are, you'll understand why. Go to Www.Steelmagnoliamoms.com for all info!

Rachel Poysky is Joel's mother. Joel is living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and she is raising awareness about this rare genetic disease which affects boys. There has been some progress in the past decade but a lack of awareness of the disease means there is great need for funds and new research. Current progress show that with research, a cure could be found and we talk about the quality of life for those living with the debilitating disease that weakens muscles, including the heart. While you listen to this compelling conversation, go to www.coachtocuremd.org and consider giving a few bucks. It makes a difference.

Retired Lieutenant General Doug Owens is the CEO of the Lone Star Flight Museum, one of the most fun museums in town. Their regular exhibits are beautiful Warbirds and machines from the Space age (in the new Space Gallery) and they've acquired a new MaxFlight flight simulator you can “ride.” It's on a Gimbal and will twist and flip you around as you control an airplane or ride a roller coaster. On September 23 they are celebrating girls in aviation and they're having the Hanger Bash on Saturday Sept 30. We talk about how important aviation has been to Houston and have fun relating experiences flying in old planes – which is also something you can do. Check out their Warbird Rides on: www.lonestarflight.org

Chris Brown is a member of the board of directors for the Bayou Preservation Association. They work to celebrate, protect, and restore our bayous and waterways. They're running a water quality testing program including training. Anyone living near one of our 40+ bayous can learn how to test the water and help identify problems. They also celebrate this awesome natural resource which could be a lot more helpful in managing our flooding problems. Human interference (like lining bayou with concrete walls) is slowly being turned around for the better and on Sept 20-21, the Bayou Preservation Association is holding its annual symposium. It's virtual and therefore open to all. Go to www.bayoupreservation.org to register.

Kevin Hattery is the president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston and Tobi Shonowo is one of their Club Directors. Registering only costs $10 for the whole year and Tobi explains the mountain of awesome opportunities available to campers. 25 clubs in the Houston area are open everyday after school where they feed all comers and don't take roll! Parents can bring their children once a week or everyday and know there will be great food, education – including homework support and workforce readiness training – and awesome activities in clean, safe facilities. Tobi's club even has a full-fledged kitchen. There is also a game room with consoles and all that. It's a great place for kids and teens. Go to www.bgcgh.org to sign up or contribute.

Dr. Paul Gerson is the founder of the Periwinkle Foundation and Doug Suggitt is their executive director. They are celebrating 40 years of serving children who are fighting cancer. They've built an amazing camp for these special kids and their families. It's a full-fledged medical facility as well, allowing campers to continue their chemo or receive whatever care they may need while enjoying a most American pastime: summer camp. They are also behind the iron Sommelier event, their big fundraiser which is on November 9th. While you listen to Dr. Gerson tell us how he founded this Org, go their website and see their life-changing work: www.periwinklefoundation.org

Dr. Robert Hilliard is the CEO of Legacy Community Health and Chinelo Nweke is their operations director for senior care. Senior care is one of the expanding areas of services Legacy Community Health has been deploying lately. Expansion is in fact the name of the game as they will also open 3 new clinics in schools. Dr. Hillard also explains how they are implementing value-based healthcare which includes keeping up with patients and helping them stay on their therapies. You can help them reach even more people by donating here: www.legacycommunityhealth.org

Keith Ostfeld, aka Mr. O, is the director of educational technology and exhibit development for the Children's Museum of Houston… at least officially. He's really their resident mad scientist and he's hellbent on thinking up of fun ways of teaching kids. That's the best thing about the Children's Museum of Houston: it's a ton of fun, it's the biggest, most awesome playground in town but it's first and foremost an educational institution. It's basically the coolest school in town. The kids won't even notice they're leaning useful concepts! Check out their website and see if your kids aren't interested in visiting: www.cmhouston.org

Walter Ulrich is the CEO of Medical Bridges (and a US Marine) and Akinyi Adoyo is their marketing manager. Medical Bridges has clinics built inside of shipping containers! These awesome portable clinics have plumbing, beds, and the tech necessary to perform all sorts of medical exams and procedures. Built by Texas A&M students, they are then shipped to poor communities to serve people who would otherwise have little to no access to healthcare. Medical Bridges also ships tons of surplus medical equipment and Akinyi explains how this process takes place. They have the complicity of our medical centers which are very generous. You can help them do more by going to: www.medicalbridges.org. You can donate, volunteer and just spread the word.

Oli Mohammed is the founder and executive director of The Houston Furniture Bank. You should visit their second hand store where you can buy furniture from major brands at unbeatable prices. It helps to fund their programs. 300,000 kids in the Houston area don't have their own bend and countless are literally sleeping on the floor. The Houston Furniture Bank helps to bring a little comfort and dignity to their lives. After expanding into Montgomery County, they are now serving Fort Bend County and we talk about the inception of that program. They also operate a matters recycling business that donates thousands of brand new mattresses every year. It also employs ex-convicts. It's a successful program giving men worthy of a second chance their crucial fist job out of prison. Go to www.HoustonFurnitureBank.org and check out their Adopt a Family program!

DeJuana Jernigan is the CEO of Arms Wide. They provide adoption, post adoption and fostering support to families in the Houston area. We discuss the long processes of adoption and foster care and the consequences to the children in the system. Open Arms helps to protect the children by supporting them and their family and that include partnering with other Organizations. We discuss post-Adoption and post-Permanency programs and the need for new foster families. They have a lot great resources online:www.armswide.org