THNX: A Feelgood Podcast

Kate Germond is the Executive Director of Centurion Ministries: Seeking Freedom for The Innocent in Prison, a nonprofit organization that works to exonerate people serving life sentences or death penalty sentences for crimes they did not commit. After moving to New York, New York from Mendocino, California in 1986, she joined the 501c3 and dedicated her life to the exonerees in 1987. Kate and her husband call New York home.

Mark Metzger III is a criminal defense attorney born and raised in Missouri City, Texas. After graduating from the Marine Military Academy in 1999, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2000, where he trained as a cryptologic linguist and earned honors as the Honor Graduate of his class. He went on to earn his law degree from South Texas College of Law in 2012 and has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyers "Rising Star" from 2021 to 2023, an honor given to fewer than 2.5% of Texas attorneys. He has also organized events such as the Silkies Hike, a nationwide initiative supporting veterans' mental health. Mark makes his home in Houston, Texas.

Jonathan Fombonne is the Deputy County Attorney and First Assistant County Attorney in Harris County, Texas. After graduating from Swarthmore College and the University of Michigan Law School, he started his career with a clerkship for Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr. Prior to his current appointment, he practiced law at law firms in Texas and New York, maintained a significant pro bono practice, and was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Jonathan, his wife Lauren, and their children live in Houston, Texas.

Cesar Espinosa is a prominent immigrant rights advocate and community organizer based in Houston, Texas. Born in Mexico, he immigrated to the United States at the age of six and went on to earn a degree in Political Science from the University of Houston. In 2007, he co-founded Familias Inmigrantes y Estudiantes en la Lucha (FIEL), the largest immigrant-led civil rights organization in Texas. Espinosa has received recognition locally and nationally for his activism, having been honored with an activism award by the City of Houston, presented with his own day by the mayor in 2008, and invited to the 2018 State of the Union address as a guest of Representative Sheila Jackson Lee. Cesar, his wife, and their children make their home in Houston, Texas. 

Terry Lord is a retired U.S. Attorney and seasoned criminal justice reform advocate. A Vietnam War veteran, he earned his undergraduate degree in History from Southern Methodist University and his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. As a commissioned Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he served three years in the Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served as the Resident Legal Advisor in Romania, was the Chief of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, and served as a federal prosecutor in Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; and Las Vegas, Nevada. Terry lives in Houston, Texas.

Mike Greenhaus, a writer, blogger, and self-described "live music geek", is the Editor-in-Chief of Relix Magazine and Co-Founder of Relix Media Group. He also hosts the bi-monthly Friday Night Jam, a speaking series that takes place at New York's LPR and Rockwood Music Hall. A former college radio DJ, he has spoken on panels at the South by Southwest and CMJ music conferences, written for outlets including Spin and American Songwriter, and serves on the Young Patrons Board for City Parks Foundation. A native New Yorker and Skidmore College graduate, Mike makes his home in New York City with his wife and their two sons.

Theresa Jackson, originally from Fort Worth, Texas, moved to Houston, Texas in 1974. After working at Jesse Jackson & Associates, she went on to earn a college degree. She is a trailblazing educator and the first African American woman to open two charter schools in Houston, Texas. The schools, through her leadership, are committed to providing a high quality education and promoting community empowerment for underserved students. Theresa calls Houston, Texas home to this day.

Jamil Rashad, also known as Boulevards, is from Raleigh, North Carolina. He earned a scholarship to the University of North Carolina Charlotte for his performance in track & field, took a step back after graduation to explore his musical calling, and went on to launch his first clothing brand, Above Cruelty, during his time at Grambling State University. One of his numerous albums, Electric Cowboy, marks a significant milestone as his first project created entirely sober, and he now owns and operates Westdale Vintage in Fayatteville, North Carolina in addition to being an avid runner and active artist. Jamil calls Raleigh, North Carolina home.

Hyphen Thazhath is originally from India and moved to the United States in 2013. He is a One-Man Band extraordinaire and Multi-Instrumentalist who covers a range of genres including Rock & Roll, R&B, Pop, Jazz, Country, and Indian to name a few. Since 2014, Hyphen has called Houston, Texas home.

Andrew Dansby is a writer who has worked at Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, Texas Music, and Playboy to name a few. He began writing for the Houston Chronicle in 2004 and was the Entertainment Editor until his retirement in January 2025 (This career move left legions of heartbroken readers including one podcast host!). Following his departure, he released a brilliant six part series on the life of Velvet Underground guitarist Sterling Morrison. Andrew presently lives in Houston, Texas.

Paige Lewis is a singer/songwriter and copywriter from Katy, Texas. She has worked with numerous music labels, performed all over the United States both solo and with other noteworthy artists, was awarded an ASCAP, and even has two songs featured on the soundtrack for the film Matchstick Men. After living in Nashville, Tennessee; Los Angeles, California; and Austin, Texas, Paige now calls Houston, Texas home.

Kevin D'Andrea is a French chef and the owner and Executive Chef of Foliepop's, a French bakery in Austin, Texas. Originally from Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France, he trained under the guidance of some of the world's most renowned chefs and has worked in some of the most prestigious restaurants internationally. He has appeared on the TV show Top Chef: Wisconsin and was a finalist on Top Chef France. Kevin makes his home in Austin, Texas.

THNX is saddened over the loss of Connie Williams, a dear friend of the pod, on December 30, 2025. He was an attorney for five decades, first at the Harris County District Attorney's Office then in the criminal defense arena. He grew up in Brenham, Texas, served his country as a tank commander earning both a silver and bronze star, and recieved his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Houston. He is survived by his wife and their sons.

Iliana de la Vega is a Chef-Owner of El Naranjo in Oaxaca, Mexico and Austin, Texas, as well as an educator, culinary consultant, and expert in Mexican gastronomy. Born in Mexico City, Mexico, she has dedicated her life to the study and dissemination of the country's foodways. She is a semifinalist and winner of numerous James Beard Awards, served as the Mexican/Latin Cuisines Specialist for The Culinary Institute of America, was granted the Ohtli Award by the Mexican government, was named Hispanic Female Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014, and currently serves as a consultant for Stanford University. Iliana makes her home in Austin, Texas.

Jasmine Hearn is an interdisciplinary artist, director, award winning performer, choreographer, organizer, doula, and teacher. They earned a B.A. from Point Park University, has performed in many cities nationwide, and received numerous awards, fellowships, grants, and residencies. Jasmine lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas. 

Today - November 5, 2024 - is the last day to make your voice heard at the ballot box for this year's election. Go to usa.gov to find the polling location nearest you to cast your vote.

Caleb Hans Polashek leads a varied music career as a solo, orchestral, chamber, and collaborative performer, composer, and recording artist. He began studying violin at an early age, eventually earning a post graduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin's highly esteemed studio of Brian Lewis at The Butler School of Music. He has performed domestically and internationally, joined the violin section of the Austin Symphony Orchestra in 2012, and released an original album entitled Illumination in 2023. Caleb makes his home in Austin, Texas.

Jamonica Phoenix is a former board member of Houston Blues Society and helped organize Houston Blues Museum and Blues for Food. Aside from her involvement with the Houston Blues Scene, she worked for a mediator prior to retirement, was on the board of local Houston radio station KPFT 90.1 FM, and is an avid animal lover. Jamonica makes her home in Houston, Texas.

Amy Malkan is a Visual Artist, Muralist, Author, and Public Speaker. As an International Artist and High Performance Facilitator, she creates, designs, and builds creative spaces all over the world. Her educational background in psychology and 15 years of experience in corporate sales coupled with her passion for and development of her artistic talents contributed to the success of her business, The Malkan Group, LLC. Amy lives in Houston, Texas.

John Bishop is originally from Houston, Texas and has spent most of his adult life traveling the world. After exchange experiences in Mexico and Spain, he graduated from the University of St. Thomas, did graduate work at the University of Houston, and earned a Master's Degree from the University of Texas. His artistic interests followed him throughout his career as a librarian in Texas, New Mexico, California, Romania, The Emirates, New Zealand, and Russia. He returned to Texas in 2015 to care for his parents and work full time on his creative business in fine art at Silver Street Studios as well as work as the Executive Director of Aripa Arte, a nonprofit organization. John now makes his home in Houston, Texas.

Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz, known as Fantastic Negrito, is an American singer-songwriter originally from Massachusetts. A self-taught musician, he was first signed in 1993 and has released seven albums since, earning three consecutive Grammy Awards as well as NPR's first ever Tiny Desk Contest. Between records, he was in a near-fatal car crash, temporarily retired from music, set up an illegal nightclub in Los Angeles, and started his family. Fantastic Negrito now calls Houston, Texas home.

Mona Jhaveri is a biotech scientist and entrepreneur notable for her approaches to cancer research, detection, and funding. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from SUNY Binghamton and her Doctorate in Biochemistry from the Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, trained as a post-doctoral fellow at the National Cancer Institute, was granted the SPORE Fellowship Award for Breast Cancer Research at the Lombardi Cancer Center of Georgetown University, and received the Cartier Women's Initiative Award. She is the Founder of Foligo Therapeutics Inc., the Founder and Executive Director of Sound Affects, and the Founder, Executive Director, and Chairman of the Board at Music Beats Cancer. Mona makes her home in Ridgefield, Connecticut.

Christopher Seymore is originally from the hills of upstate South Carolina. He is a hillbilly poet, the Founder of the popular Horni Tonk Tuesday residency, and a rising star within the independent Texas Country scene. Christopher lives in Houston, Texas.

Connie Williams has been an attorney for five decades. Since spending the first four years of his career being employed by the Harris County District Attorney's Office, he has been a criminal defense attorney. Prior, he grew up in Brenham, Texas, served his country as a tank commander earning both a silver and bronze star, and recieved his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Houston. Connie, his wife, and their sons make Houston, Texas their home. 

Boyd Harrell is the Founder, CEO, and President of COOL Ministries, a Christ-based organization that has been predominantly serving incarcerated men and women for over 25 years. Prior to founding the ministry, Boyd was destined to spend the rest of his life in prison, using a number of drugs and having committed serious crimes. He turned his life to Christ at the suggestion of his mother during a visit to him in jail and dedicated his life to staying sober and helping others from that point forward. Boyd and his wife, who also works with the ministry, live in Houston, Texas.

Vanessa Lipscomb, originally from Alief, Texas, is a Co-Founder of The Wow Project. Founded in 2012 by Vanessa and her husband, The Wow Project focuses on quality food access and wellness and is known as Houston's healthiest food pantry. Together with volunteers, Trader Joe's, and Plant It forward, they have opened one community fridge and have hopes to continue their work. Vanessa and her husband live in Houston, Texas.

Marcus Spoagnoletti is a personal injury attorney who earned degrees from the University of Southern California and the University of Miami School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Florida and Texas, founded Spagnoletti Law Firm, and runs Concetto Limone, an Italian shoe brand co-owned with Tony Buzbee that launched its first line of products and made its Texas debut in 2021. Marcus makes his home in Houston, Texas. 

Chrissie Dickerson Ramirez owns and operates Casa Ramirez Folkart Gallery in Houston, Texas. Originally from Dallas, Texas, she graduated from Southwestern University and went on to marry her late husband Macario in 1983. The two opened Casa Ramirez in 1985 to promote and celebrate Latino culture by exhibiting and selling art and books, teaching a variety of classes, hosting events like poetry readings, and observing annual holidays with traditional festivities and educational experiences. Chrissie lives in Houston, Texas.

Steve Hyde is a photographer, videographer, and Co-Founder, alongside his wife, of Dizzy Media. The two met and married in Africa, and after embarking on a global photography adventure began working with drones in 2012. Using drone photography and videography, they showcase local small businesses, artists, and events, work with customers such as KHOU 11 in Houston, Texas and the University of Houston, and have won numerous awards and contests. Steve, his wife, and their son make their home in Houston.

Janna Garza is an artist, photographer, writer, and storyteller who focuses on self portraits and character studies. In her self portrait series, her characters bend toward humor, tragedy, and a mix of the two. Janna is a Texas native and still calls the state home.

Mary Hammer is a talented singer and songwriter with over 10 years of experience performing throughout the state of Texas. She performs both on her own and as part of her band, Mermaid Junction, which includes her sister and other local artists. Mary makes her home in her native city of Houston, Texas.

Chloe Gose, the violinist, vocalist, and guitarist of The Wildwoods, is from the heart of Lincoln, Nebraska. She started playing violin at age nine and founded the folk/Americana trio The Wildwoods with her husband and brother in 2012. They have released numerous albums and were crowned "Best Band" by the Lincoln Journal Star's Lincoln Choice Awards in 2022. Chloe makes her home in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Antonio Salazar-Hobson is the 11th of 14 children who lived as migrant farmworkers in Phoenix, Arizona. At age four, he was kidnapped by his neighbors, sexually abused, and eventually trafficked at a California holiday guest ranch. He connected with Cesar Chavez as a teen and went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree from the University of California Santa Cruz, a Master's Degree from Stanford as a Danforth Fellow, and a Juris Doctor from the University of California Davis Law School; he has been working as a union labor and national tribal attorney since. In addition, he has represented the Communications Workers of America as the District 9 counsel, was the Controller for the California Democratic Party for eight years, and authored his memoir, Antonio, We Know You. Antonio makes his home in San Francisco, California.

Devona Stimpson, a Virginia Beach native, is an artist, designer, branding expert, entrepreneur, speaker, and Amazon best-selling author. Her background consists of 10+ years of graphic design experience, the creation of successful online brand Art By Devona, sales of original paintings and prints, and the building of a 6-figure branding and creative boutique. Devona lives in Houston, Texas.

Johnny Falstaff, born in Alice, Texas and raised in Alvin, Texas, became interested in music from a young age and has toured domestically and internationally over the last decades. He served in the U.S. Army in the 1980s and moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1991. After moving back to Texas, he began releasing his own albums in 2000. He began touring in Germany in 2006 and stayed in the country for several years. In 2021, he won his battle against cancer and is back to creating music and performing live. Johnny makes his home in Alvin, Texas.

Sonny Boy Terry, born Terry Jerome in Van Wert, Ohio, is a bluesman recognized as one of Texas' - if not one of America's - top harmonica players. After learning the basics, he moved to Houston, Texas in 1981 and began building his experience with the likes of Uncle John Turner, TC and the Cannonballs, and more, and later played in bands and toured domestically and internationally with Jerry Lightfoot, Kinney Abair, and Joe Guitar Hughes. In the 1990s, he founded the 501(C)3 non-profit Houston Blues Society and started building his own band. Now the biggest selling artist on Doc Blue Records, he has been featured on countless songs and has released multiple albums of his own. Terry makes his home in Houston, Texas.

Lisa McNair, from Birmigham, Alabama, is a public speaker who shares the story of her family. She is the oldest living sister of Denise McNair, one of the four girls killed in the infamous 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. Also an activist, photographer, and writer, she authored Dear Denise: Letters to the Sister I Never Knew. In addition to her own story, she speaks on the topic of racial reconciliation and leads antiracism workshops. Lisa makes her home in Brimingham.

Antonie Evans is an artist, curator, and designer presently working at the Blaffer Art Museum as the Digital Design and Resources Lead. He has participated in the Space Taking Artist Residency; worked as a designer, web developer, social media manager, and graphic designer; and served as docent at both the Brooklyn Museum and the Moody Center at Rice University. Outside of design work, he maintains an interdisciplinary artist practice along with the pursuit of a curatorial mission to help artists build sustainable futures. Tony makes his home in Houston, Texas.

Sean Cummings, the Vice Mayor of The Village, Oklahoma, journeyed from the heart of Kansas City, Missouri to the corridors of local governance as a dedicated advocate for public schools and a proud social activist. Despite the challenges life has thrown his way, including the loss of his beloved spouse, he remains steadfast in his mission to serve others. When he is not navigating the intricacies of city politics, he can be found managing his acclaimed restaurants, Vito's Ristorante and Sean Cummings Irish Pub, or reflecting on his diverse career in comedy, film, television, and radio. Sean makes his home in Oklahoma.

Demola, known as "Demola the Violinist", is a musician, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and award-winning self taught multi genre violinist. He was born in Lagos, Nigeria and moved to the United States to pursue his music career. With experience performing the National Anthem at Minute Maid Stadium and the Toyota Center, appearing on local, national, and international television, and touring both as a soloist and as the official violinist for legendary R&B groups, he has built a dedicated worldwide audience. Demola calls Houston, Texas home.

J. Isaiah Evans is a native of Dallas, Texas and is best known as the Founder and front man of roots rock & roll band The 40 Acre Mule. They began touring following their critical and commercial success and gained a devout international following. Now, J. Isaiah Evans & The Boss Tweed have forged a new path, putting keys front and center of Americana Rock and creating what he calls "Garageicana Rock-N-Roll". Isaiah makes his home in Dallas.

Monte Warden is an American musician and songwriter native to Texas. Since his early teens, he has played as a solo artist and as a member of bands including Whoa! Trigger! and The Wagoneers, performed at SXSW, and won multiple awards and honors, in addition to being a rare two-time member of The Texas Music Hall of Fame, both as a solo artist and as a member of The Wagoneers. His newest project, Monte Warden and The Dangerous Few, consists of original material in the Jazz / Traditional Pop Genre. Monte makes his home in Austin, Texas.

Revered Dr. Russell J. Levenson has been the Rector of St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas since 2007. Prior, he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Birmingham-Southern College, a Master's of Divinity at Virginia Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation at Beeson Divinity School, and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Nashotah House Theological Seminary. He has received uncountable accolades, honors, appointments, and awards and has contributed to innumerable boards, charitable organizatios, books, articles & journals, television programs, and churches around the country, even officiating and preaching at the funerals for the late First Lady Barbara Pierce Bush and 41st President George H.W. Bush. He has authored multiple books including Witness to Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H.W. and Barbara Bush (2022) and In God's Grip: What Golf Can Teach Us About the Gospel (2023). At the time of this interview, Russ and his wife have three adult children and two gradchildren and call Houston, Texas home.

Marie Constantin is an American still photographer from Hartford, Connecticut. She graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with degrees in General Studies and Journalism. Her photography work, much of which was spent with Catholic nuns working with the poor, has taken her all over the world, and she became known internationally when her photo of Mother Teresa of Calcutta was selected to hang in St. Peter's Square for Mother Teresa's Beatification Ceremony in 2003. She also works as an activist advocating for less flooding and less litter through stormwater management utilities, even being honored as a 2023 Capital Region 500 Most Powerful and Influential Business & Community Leader. A Co-Founder of the Louisiana Stormwater Coalition, she also became an LSU Manship Hall of Fame Inductee, was honored as an Influential Woman in Business, and was awarded the Pete Goldsby Lifetime Achievement Award. Marie makes her home in Louisiana.

Dan Simons was born and raised in Southeast Texas and became the first person in his family to graduate from high school. He then graduated from Sam Houston State University at the top of his class, went on to attend Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and earned his Master's Degree in Tax Law from the University of Houston. He has handled many cases as Assistant District Attorney and as Misdeeanor Chief in Criminal Court No. 14. Dan now has his own practice, Dan Simons Law Firm, in Houston, Texas.