Podcasts about good the bad and the ugly

On Friday's show: Houston Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher joins us to talk about issues in Congress affecting our region and to take listener questions.Also this hour: From a recent study suggesting AI isn't saving workers a ton of time on the job, to eight Houston-area barbecue restaurants making Texas Monthly's Top 50 list (after Yelp snubbed the city), we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And Joshua Zinn chats with Bob Simpson, the retiring founder and artistic director of the Houston Chamber Choir.

On Friday's show: This coming Sunday will mark five years since the murder of George Floyd sparked demonstrations, calls for a racial reckoning in the United States, and continued demands for police reform. We reflect on the life of the Houston native and what his death brought about -- and what activists believe still needs to be done.Also this hour: The International Space Station is already facing a $1 billion budget shortfall, and the Trump administration plans to cut even more. We learn how NASA is handling the situation and how it could affect both astronauts and those working on the ground here in Houston with Andrea Leinfelder, who covers space for the Houston Chronicle.Then, from a building in the Third Ward and the George Floyd/Black Lives Matter mural on it being demolished the week of the fifth anniversary of Floyd's murder, to a Houston man suing Whataburger because a store allegedly left onions on his hamburger, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we preview a concert tonight celebrating the 10th anniversary of the local the string orchestra Kinetic. The program includes a premiere work by a Sugar Land native.

On Friday's show: A year ago today, the Houston derecho moved through southeast Texas, spawning four tornadoes and creating intense winds that caused widespread damage in Houston, especially downtown where windows were blown out of many high-rise buildings. Ultimately, seven people in Greater Houston lost their lives. We reflect on what happened, why it affected downtown so greatly, and what scientists have learned from studying the event.Also this hour: The nonprofit news organization Houston Landing has shut down. One of its journalists, Maggie Gordon, joins us to reflect on what the site achieved in its short run and to discuss the lessons learned from its demise.Then, from record-breaking temperatures this week, to letting moms and soon-to-be-moms have unlimited access to HOV lanes in Texas, to a streaming service that just can't stopping changing its name, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And The Ensemble Theatre serves up a slice of life after retirement in the regional premiere of the play, Coconut Cake.

On Friday's show: Pope Leo XIV celebrated the first mass of his papacy this morning. And while his election is being celebrated by Catholics worldwide, he also faces some criticism from earlier in his ministry. We learn what survivors of clergy sexual abuse here in Houston want to see and hear from the new pope.Also this hour: So far, space tourism appears to be only for celebrities and the uber-rich. While its purported long-term goal is to make spaceflight more accessible, is it also making such travel seem less meaningful to the public? In the process, are we losing respect for what real space exploration can be and do?Then, from the mayor unveiling his proposed budget, to Yelp snubbing Houston barbecue, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we preview the final concert of the season from the Apollo Chamber Players, which features world premieres by Houston composers.

On Friday's show: Two bills related to abortion passed the Texas Senate this week. One seeks to clarify when doctors can perform abortions if medically necessary under the state's near-total ban. The other would allow anyone who mails or delivers abortion pills to someone in Texas to be sued for $100,000. Both bills must now clear the Texas House. Eleanor Klibanoff of The Texas Tribune provides details on both measures.Also this hour: A recent report ranked Houston as one of the unhappiest cities in America. Really? Whether you agree with that or not, we try to prove them wrong by having listeners and some guests share what they're happy about. Share yours now at talk@houstonmatters.org.Then, from the USDA halting a new rule requiring poultry companies to keep levels of salmonella bacteria under a certain level, to a company using what's essentially an AI-powered mood ring to build emotional trust in relationships, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we talk with the outgoing Houston Poet Laureate, Aris Kian, and her successor, Reyes Ramirez.

On Friday's show: We dig deeper on the Texas Education Agency's grades for Texas schools for the 2022-2023 school year, which were just released after a 19-month legal battle between the TEA and districts that sought to prevent their release. The agency gave HISD a C grade for that period.Also this hour: A local union wants to see an increase in the minimum wage for Houston hotel and airport workers, arguing they're not seeing the benefits of the area's growing number of visitors. We learn more about what they want and how it could impact that industry.Then, from bobblehead hoarding at a recent Astros game, to a driverless car that stopped driving, and (at least according to its passengers) wouldn't let them out, we ask our non-expert panel to weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we talk with composer Missy Mazzoli about her opera adaptation of the Lars von Trier film Breaking the Waves, which explores heavy topics through a contemporary lens. The production is on stage at Houston Grand Opera thought May 4.

On Friday's show: A bill to greatly expand efforts to lure film and TV production to Texas using incentives paid for by sales tax revenues has passed the Texas Senate and now heads to the House for consideration. We learn more about Senate Bill 22 and what it might do for film and TV production in the state.Also this hour: From backlash over this week's celebrity-studded, all-female, Blue Origin spaceflight, to prospects getting slimmer for a Houston-to-Dallas high-speed rail line, to a human chain moving a bookstore down the street, a single book at a time, we hash out The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we discuss how to best declutter, downsize, and get rid of all the stuff in our lives.

On Friday's show: A new poll sheds light on Houston-area voters' attitudes on the issues facing the city. We learn what voters had to say about their views on where the city is headed, the biggest problems it faces, Mayor John Whitmire's performance, and some initial polling on the candidates running for the 18th Congressional District, the seat left vacant when Congressman and former Mayor Sylvester Turner died.Also this hour: From the National Weather Service stopping language translations of its products, to revelations about how many school nurses HISD employs, to some exciting news for Texas Roadhouse, our non-experts discuss the The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we visit the Car-Toon Festival, which celebrates custom cars and the city's car culture.

On Friday's show: A number of fascinating and controversial bills are getting hearings these days in Austin over abortion, religion in schools, and high speed rail. We discuss them all.First, we examine a bill that would directly impact a long-debated proposed high speed rail line between Houston and Dallas. Then, we learn about legislation that would offer doctors and nurses guidance on when they could, in the rarest circumstances, provide an abortion in Texas.And this week's “non-expert” panel weighs in on bills in Austin that would bring religion more directly into Texas public schools as they break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And producer Brenda Valdivia completes her quest to create the ultimate Houston sandwich.

On Friday's show: Even on rainy days like this, it doesn't take much to remember the extreme heat and occasional drought we suffer through in Houston summers. We learn what those ever-hotter summers may do to our water supply and what's being done to prepare for potential shortages in Texas and Greater Houston.Also this hour: From a protest over the removal of bike lane dividers, to an area school district trying out some Bible-infused curriculum, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we learn about Resilient Grace, a Houston apparel brand that aims to educate customers about Black history through T-shirts.

 On Friday's show: We discuss the long-term effects of COVID-19 five years after the beginning of the pandemic.Also this hour: Hockey Day in Houston is on Saturday, and we'll talk with one of the organizers of that as well as a former player.Then, our non-expert panel discusses the good, the bad, and the ugly of the week's news.And Laura Walker previews a new comedy whodunnit by a local playwright.

On Friday's show: We preview the Theater District Open House, which returns on March 10 for the first time since 2019. The event is an opportunity for arts enthusiasts to learn more about the city's theaters and arts organizations and to preview their upcoming seasons.Also this hour: From layoffs at Sesame Street, to Lt. Governor Dan Patrick wanting to rename the New York strip, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.Then, a new documentary short highlights the resilience of Houston's Asian-American community during a period of anti-immigrant fervor. We talk with actor Nik Dodani, the director of Houston Rising.And we visit the final event of Doomsday Wrestling, a comedy wrestling show which held its last matches recently after the death of its creator.

On Friday's show: Infectious diseases expert Dr. Peter Hotez discusses the ongoing measles outbreak in Texas.Also this hour: We consider name changes, particularly those related to controversial historical figures, and how much they really matter.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And the story of former Texas death row inmate John Henry Ramirez is told in the documentary short, I Am Ready, Warden, which is up for an Academy Award this Sunday. The Houston attorney who won his case before the U.S. Supreme Court tells the story of the legal battle for Ramirez's religious rights.

On Friday's show: The union that represents more than 5,200 officers in the Houston Police Department is seeking higher salaries, improved benefits and the recruitment of more officers as it negotiates a new contract with the city.Also this hour: Could converting old office buildings downtown into cohousing living offer an answer for cash-strapped Houstonians? We learn about a recent report examining the concept, and we visit CoHousing Houston, a similar concept being built in Houston's East End.Then, from KFC moving its national headquarters from Kentucky to Texas, to the NFL rescinding Joe Mixon's fine for things he never said criticizing officials, to a kayaker briefly ending up inside a whale's mouth, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

On Friday's show: The annual school rankings from Children at Risk are out. We learn what they have to tell us about Houston-area schools and school districts.Also this hour: From Chevron planning layoffs of 15-20 percent of its workforce by the end of 2026, to a wildlife sanctuary helping spurned lovers get closure by feeding their exes' names to wolves, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And, for Valentine's Day, Houstonians share some of their favorite love songs in one of the volumes of our Houston Matters Mix Tape.

On Friday's show: Criminal charges against a former staffer of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo will likely be dropped after Alex Triantaphyllis agreed to a pre-trial intervention deal. He is among three former staffers who were accused of steering an $11 million COVID-19 vaccine outreach contract to a preferred vendor.And we learn about the findings from HISD's audit of its special education department, which found thousands of violations of district policy and hundreds of violations of students' rights, according to reporting from Houston Landing.Also this hour: We meet Jackson Sweeney, an aerospace engineer from Pearland whose work is on board the Blue Ghost Lunar Lander, which is set to land on the moon in the coming weeks.Then, from HISD students staying home from school to protest Mike Miles, to the City of Houston's budget deficit growing some more, to Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour coming to Houston for two shows this summer, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And ROCO, formerly the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, is in its 20th season, which includes a concert this weekend of world premieres about AI and last year's solar eclipse.

On Friday's show: We learn how immigration arrests and policy changes in the early days of the Trump administration are creating chaos and uncertainty in Houston. And we learn what a new survey suggests about Texans' attitudes about immigration.Also this hour: We learn about the latest trends here in the Houston area related to human trafficking and efforts to prevent it.Then, from the latest test score results for Houston ISD, to an enormous mammoth skull unearthed in Central Texas, to another second ticking off the Doomsday Clock, this week's non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we discuss the future of remote work after the Trump administration ended its telework policy for federal workers and the City of Houston recently did the same.

Title is accurate!

On Friday's show: We discuss how the new Trump administration and new policies on immigration enforcement might affect children and families, especially here in Houston. Also this hour: After this week's snow, should we consider investing in other infrastructure to better handle future winter weather? Or is that the wisest approach for events that aren't supposed to occur very often here?Then, from a "once in a generation" snow storm, to a Trump Burger location coming to Houston, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we talk with Marty York, one of the actors who was in the 1993 movie The Sandlot as its anniversary tour comes to town Saturday night.

On Friday's show: Wintry weather may be headed our way early next week. Just exactly what, how much, and when is still a bit up in the air. We learn the latest from meteorologist Eric Berger from Space City Weather.And we learn about security measures planned for this weekend's Chevron Houston Marathon.Also this hour: With a new session of the Texas Legislature underway, what might happen to improve the state's power grid?Then, from the possibility of wintery weather next week, to potential renovations at NRG Center including an NHL regulation ice rink, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

On Friday's show: The Houston Chronicle reported this that Gov. Greg Abbott is exploring a plan to buy Houston's excess water and send it to communities in West Texas that are facing dwindling aquifers after years of largely unrestricted drilling there. We discuss the idea and how it might affect the watersheds here.Also this hour: Screenings of the new documentary My Mama Joe, Hope & Help will take place tonight and Saturday at The DeLuxe Theater. The film tells the story of a Houston community leader who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia and experienced disparities in the health care system. We talk with her son, who directed the film about his mother and her struggles.Then, from President-elect Donald Trump saying he plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico, to Longhorns fans being concerned about the "Cruz Curse" affecting the outcome of the Cotton Bowl, our non-experts discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week's news.And we get to know jazz singer Vanisha Gould ahead of her performances this weekend at Houston's Eldorado Ballroom.

What do CHINATOWN, THE MUSIC MAN, and FISK have in common? Absolutely nothing! But that doesn't stop Jacob from comparing them to MATLOCK, all in a desperate attempt to delay his guesses. Jessica makes a much better case for this episode to be a lot like THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY -- but loses points for her inability to whistle the theme song. We clean up the water damage and make some guesses in this very visceral episode. Guess what! We're starting our own white-shoe guessing law firm over at patreon.com/cluedunnitpodcast ! Come on by and tell us what field of law you'd practice! We watched MATLOCK, season 1, episode 4, "The Rabbit and the Hawk" You can find us on Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cluedunnit/id1582713330 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1PLXRlrkJFBTE6eE97YPwQ Overcast: You'll need to login with your Overcast account, but once you do, we're at https://overcast.fm/itunes1582713330/cluedunnit YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cluedunnitpodcast Follow us on the socials and let us know what you think!  Facebook: @cluedunnitpodcast   Instagram: @cluedunnitpodcast And don't forget to discover even more mysteries and community with us on Patreon! 

On Friday's show: Some cold weather is headed to Greater Houston late Sunday night into early Monday. We get details from Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard.Also this hour: We welcome your questions about sleep and sleep disorders for Houston sleep expert Dr. Sudha Tallavajhula.And we reflect on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of 2024.

On Friday's show: Since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, Texas has led the nation in the number of executions carried out. But in recent years, those numbers have dwindled. We learn what a new report from the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty shows about trends surrounding capital punishment in Texas.And News 88.7's Patricia Ortiz shares the story of a family separated at the border and why at least two American citizens are, for the moment, on the other side.Also this hour: We reflect on the 25th anniversary of the Y2K scare and what lessons we learned from an apocalyptic scare that wasn't.Then, from news that heat-related illnesses are rising in Harris County, to Charlotte's NBA team stepping into a proverbial “Hornets” nest with a PR gaffe involving a kid and a PlayStation 5, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And Houstonians share some of the holiday songs that are meaningful to them as we revisit a 2020 edition of our Houston Matters Mixtape.

On Friday's show: Houston is home to a lot of above-ground pipelines. So, you might be surprised by how limited regulations are surrounding their protection. Alison Young of Houston Landing discusses how September's deadly Energy Transfer accident and fire in Deer Park was only the most high-profile of accidents involving vehicles crashing into pipelines.Also this hour: With the holiday shopping season in full force, has consumerism become too rampant these days? We talk it over and explore how we can avoid letting consumerism get the better of us during the holidays.Then, from Beyoncé's Grammy-nominated album Cowboy Carter inspiring a new history class at UH, to Cruise possibly getting out of the driverless car game in Houston, our non-experts discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And a new production at Stages Houston takes on the story of Pinocchio with a modern twist.

This week, we break into the top 10 best movies of all time. A three hour long western that oozes style, has the best dirty face closeups you will ever see, has some of the worst ADR in film, and also maybe the best score of all time. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966), directed by Sergio Leone.

On Friday's show: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said he'll press for a statewide ban on sales of all consumable THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) products in the 2025 legislative session. We learn more about what Patrick has deemed one of his top priorities for the regular session.Also this hour: How challenging is it to live in a big, noisy city when you're dealing with hearing loss?Then, from the return of Enron (sort of), to more driverless cars hitting Houston streets, our non-experts discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And Dickens on the Strand, Galveston Island's annual Victorian-themed holiday street festival, returns this weekend. We revisit a conversation from last year about the festival's history and chat with the great-great-great grandson of Charles Dickens.

On Friday's show: Mayor John Whitmire has announced a new push "to end homelessness." The plan calls for increased local funding and more collaboration between the city and county. Whitmire also wants to make it illegal to sleep in public spaces. We learn what all the plan entails.Also this hour: From a lawsuit over off-duty officers carrying weapons in some area hospitals, to a new baby elephant at the Houston Zoo, our panel of non-experts contemplate The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And Houston native Attica Locke, who's got an extensive resume writing novels and for television, talks about incorporating Houston and East Texas into her writing, including her latest novel, Guide Me Home, the final installment of her Highway 59 trilogy, which centers around a Black Texas Ranger named Darren Mathews. She also discusses what it was like working with her sister, Tembi Locke, in bringing her memoir, From Scratch, to the screen for the Netflix series of the same name.

On Friday's show: Remember how Sen. Ted Cruz was supposed to be in a tough re-election race? The Texas Tribune's Jasper Scherer joins us to share why Cruz's campaign believes the senator ultimately won so easily and what it may signal for Cruz's future prospects in the Senate and possibly, someday, the White House.Also this hour: We learn how Hurricane Beryl affected the Texas coast.Then, from Michelin Guide restaurant honors, to a ride-sharing service featuring armed drivers, this week's panel of non-experts considers The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And jazz icons Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie might be best remembered for their music. But a new book called The Jazzmen explains how they overcame racism and discrimination to open America's eyes to their music and in the process "wrote the soundtrack for the civil rights movement." We talk with author Larry Tye, who'll speak Saturday during the Jewish Book & Arts Festival at Houston's Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center.

I've killed just about everything that walks or crawled at one time or another. And I'm here to kill you, Little Bill, for what you did to, Draft Class.Joining Jon Saks for Round 2 of the CLINT EASTWOOD Draft - SPECIAL GUESTS!Ben AllenJake Estes"Let us know what Draft you would like to listen to by sending us a message!"Support the showFollow SadisticSupport the show

On Friday's show: While we've all understandably been fixated on election news this week, there's actual governing going on, too. Dominic Anthony Walsh joins us with the latest on some leadership changes at Houston City Hall.Also this hour: From Elon Musk seemingly discovering Harris County exists on election day, to someone buying a dime for $500,000, our non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And true crime podcasts are very popular. We meet the hosts of the Sistas Who Kill podcast who offer a unique take on the concept. Their live tour arrives in Houston on Sunday at House of Blues.

On Friday's show: As voters contemplate a school bond and battles over public education focus on resources and curriculum, there's a more fundamental challenge schools face -- too many students not showing up to class. Producer Celeste Diaz Schurman talks with HISD Superintendent Mike Miles about the impact of chronic absenteeism at Houston-area schools.Also this hour: The Texans lost last night...to the Jets? We talk about it with Jeff Balke, who co-hosts the Bleav in Astros podcast and writes for Houston Press.Then, from many HISD middle and high schools scrapping their Halloween celebrations after new guidance from the district, to Port Arthur being named one of the worst small cities in the country, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we preview the Houston Music Festival, featuring performances of chamber music, improv, and spoken word, including a concert of music with Houston ties, including covers of Beyoncé and Lizzo.

On Friday's show: While Houston ISD voters are contemplating whether to approve a record-setting bond for their school district, Fort Bend ISD is revising plans for an over-budget bond approved there last year. We discuss both with Houston Public Media's Adam Zuvanich and Natalie Weber.Also this hour: From a Missouri woman using an Apple AirTag to track a stolen campaign sign taken from her yard and shaming the thief on social media, to the Yankees' general manager saying his team's World Series drought should've ended in 2017, our non-experts discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.Then, we reflect on the life and career of Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon with reporter Mirin Fader, author of Dream: The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon.And we visit the Wings Over Houston air show at Ellington Field where a local pilot explains what it's like re-enacting the attack on Pearl Harbor flying vintage World War II aircraft.

On Friday's show: We get the latest results from an election survey from the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs. And two Houston elected officials traded barbs on Thursday in the latest round of a political fight that's been escalating over the last few months.Also this hour: Our non-experts consider The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And musician Big Mama Thornton will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this weekend. She recorded "Hound Dog" at Houston's Peacock Records, and it was a No. 1 hit three years before Elvis Presley put his mark on it. We reflect on her life and musical career.

On Friday's show: The U.S. Supreme Court's latest term started this week. So far, highlights seem to be about what the High Court is not considering and speculation over what it might have to do if next month's election results are disputed. We talk it over with a constitutional law expert.Also this hour: From questions still swirling around that blue alert that woke up Texas to teachers in Spring ISD being accused of giving children sleeping aid patches, our panel of non-experts mull over The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week's news.And we celebrate the joys of pinball machines and arcade games ahead of the Houston Arcade Expo this weekend. 

On Friday's show: Former HPD officer Gerald Goines on Thursday had an apparent medical episode in his chair during closing remarks of the sentencing phase of his murder trial. As a result, the proceedings were delayed for the day. Lucio Vasquez updates us on the situation and the trial.Also this hour: Actor George Takei of Star Trek fame talks about his career and the concert in Houston on Saturday he's involved in where he'll tell his family's story of forced internment during World War II.Then, from the River Oaks Theatre reopening this week after a two-year hiatus, to the biggest ranch in Texas going up for sale, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we learn about a new six-part documentary series on PBS called Chasing the Tide, which chronicles a couple's 21-day trek along the Texas Gulf Coast. We talk with Jay Kleberg, who tells us more about his journey wife his wife, Chrissy, and the discoveries they made along the way. The six episodes air on Houston Public Media TV 8 each Saturday afternoon at 2:30 from Oct. 12 through Nov. 16.

On Friday's show: Hurricane Helene is causing dramatic storm surge, flooding, wind damage, and widespread power outages across the southeastern United State. We ask Houston's own meteorologist Matt Lanza from Space City Weather and The Eyewall about the latest and what this storm could have done to us had it come to Houston.And we learn about the indictment of Fort Bend County Judge KP George.Also this hour: We still have the shell of the Astrodome, but does Houston need a new "big honkin' thing" -- some sort of significant landmark to help define us?And, from some Houstonians appearing on a list of the nation's top philanthropic couples, to the Astros taking the hard way to a fourth-straight division title, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of this week's news.

On Friday's show: Houston City Councilmember Mario Castillo discusses the city's budget and whether it will follow Harris County's lead and approve a property tax increase.Also this hour: A gun reform initiative is using AI to generate voicemails from people killed by gun violence. We discuss the ethical questions using such technology raises.Then, our non-experts discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week, including a winning lottery ticket going unclaimed and a Houston woman pleading guilty to fraudulently obtaining more than $600,000 in disaster relief from FEMA.And we talk with comedian and actor David Cross, who's known for his stand up comedy, television roles in Mr. Show and Arrested Development, and numerous films. He brings his The End of the Beginning of the End Tour to White Oak Music Hall on Sept. 24.

On Friday's show: Houston's suburbs continue to boom while the population of the city itself has remained flat in recent years, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau. We take a closer look at what the numbers have to tell us about our region's growth.Also this hour: An area drive-in theater rolls its final credits. Our panel of “non-experts” weighs in on that story and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.Then Houston-area film critic Joe Leydon remembers his favorite James Earl Jones films.And Prairie View A&M alum J.O. Malone, who founded Houston's National Black Film Festival, is trying his hand at supporting Black entrepreneurs with his venture BLCK Market.

Johann Botha: Coaching for Accountability, How Scrum Masters Can Foster Self-Managing Teams Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Success for a Scrum Master goes beyond just following Scrum rules; it's about nurturing a team's belief in itself. Johann explores the delicate balance Scrum Masters must maintain between authority and influence, and why transparency and accountability are key. How can Scrum Masters help teams embrace self-management and foster a sense of belonging? Johann shares insights on how to be a coach, a counselor, and a champion for team autonomy. Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly Johann prefers retrospectives that go beyond surface-level discussions. His favorite format, "The Good, the Bad, the Ugly," focuses on identifying real issues and experimenting with solutions. Why is it crucial to dig deeper in retrospectives, and how can techniques like the double diamond design thinking process aid in root cause analysis? Johann explains how teams can drive continuous improvement through thoughtful reflection and experimentation. [IMAGE HERE] Retrospectives, planning sessions, vision workshops, we are continuously helping teams learn about how to collaborate in practice! In this Actionable Agile Tools book, Jeff Campbell shares some of the tools he's learned over a decade of coaching Agile Teams. The pragmatic coaching book you need, right now! Buy Actionable Agile Tools on Amazon, or directly from the author, and supercharge your facilitation toolbox!  About Johann Botha Johann joins us from South Africa, helping build digital-age capabilities by developing practical skills to solve problems, grow people, and facilitate difficult change. A long-time proponent of Lean and Agile, Johann consults, coaches, speaks, and writes on the topic. He is also the chief examiner for the EXIN Agile Scrum product. You can link with Johann Botha on LinkedIn and connect with Johann Botha on Twitter.

On Friday's show: The Harris County Jail has finally passed a state safety inspection -- the jail's first passing grade in nearly two years. However, state officials provided “technical assistance” during the inspection, leading some advocates to question whether the passing grade was warranted.Also this hour: We remember longtime area college baseball coach Wayne Graham, who died this week. He won national championships at San Jacinto College and Rice. We mark his passing and then revisit our 2022 trip to the Rice baseball's pitching laboratory.And this weekend, new episodes of Texas Country Reporter will begin airing with a new host who grew up in Greater Houston. We revisit our conversation with J.B. Sauceda from last December.Then, from new grant money for the Houston-to-Dallas high-speed rail line, to Simone Biles retiring one of her signature moves, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And Kingwood hosts the fifth annual In a Pickle Festival this Saturday. We learn more and talk about why pickles and pickle-flavored foods are having a moment.

On Friday's show: A record number of Harris County residents applied for FEMA aid after Hurricane Beryl. We learn more about that revelation from the Houston Chronicle's Rebekah Ward.Also this hour: From the Houston area now being home to the third-largest statue in the country (but not without a little controversy), to a draft brochure advertising an opening for the position of Dallas city manager that featured a photo of Houston on its cover, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we learn about this weekend's Houston Black Dance Festival, which celebrates traditions of African and diasporic dance.

On Friday's show: A new poll finds the gap closing in the race for President here in Texas. We get details on the UH/TSU survey from one of its authors.Also this hour: We preview the 10th anniversary of the Pepsi National Battle of the Bands, which showcases the marching bands of historically Black colleges and universities. We talk with the directors of our local HBCU's -- Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M -- before they battle it out this Sunday at NRG Stadium.Then, from Beryl-related price-gouging prosecutions, to a local restaurant chain cutting servers' wages and warning them not to talk about, to a potential never-before-seen oddity for Major League Baseball, we ask our “non-expert” panel to weigh in on intrigues in the news on our Friday conversation The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.And, next weekend, Asia Society Texas will present a performance called Transcending Borders: The Ramayana Project, featuring music and dance from various cultures across South Asia, telling the story of the Ramayana, an epic in Hindu mythology.

Episode #141 of the Last Call Trivia Podcast kicks off with a round of general knowledge questions. After that, we're in for a diverse theme round of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Trivia!Round OneThe game begins with a Common Bonds Trivia question about a product that shares its name with a position in American football.Next, we have a Countries Trivia question that asks the Team to identify the country's capital city that's also another term used for a popular drinking game.The first round concludes with an Anatomy Trivia question about the type of cells that comprise approximately 84% of cells in the human body.Bonus QuestionToday's Bonus Question is a follow-up to the Anatomy Trivia question from the first round.Round TwoIt was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the…ugliest of times. Today's theme round will span the range of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Trivia!The second round starts with a Video Games Trivia question about the console hardware failure commonly known as the “Red Ring of Death.”Next, we have a Movies Trivia question that asks the Team to identify the film that earned Adam Sandler the Golden Raspberry Award for both “Worst Actor” and “Worst Actress.”Round Two concludes with a Words Trivia about a word that comes from the Greek for “overturning” or “a sudden turn.”Final QuestionWe've reached the Final Question of the game, and today's category of choice is Phrases. All hands on deck!The Trivia Team is given a list of five idioms and asked to name the body part missing from each one.Visit lastcalltrivia.com to learn more about hosting your own ultimate Trivia event!

On Friday's show: CenterPoint Energy executives spent much of the latest Public Utility Commission meeting defending their leases of mobile generators, costing more than $800 million, that went unused during and after Hurricane Beryl. And Harris County Commissioners approved a new version of the county's income assistance program. We learn more about both developments.Also this hour: NASA has a decision to make before the end of the month about when and how to bring two astronauts home who have been aboard the ISS for two months on a journey originally intended to last just a week. We discuss the circumstances surrounding Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams' mission, the problems detected with the Starliner vehicle that took them up there, and the safety culture at NASA today.Then, we talk with astronomer Dr. David Levy, who co-discovered Shoemaker-Levy 9, a comet that hit Jupiter in 1994. He's in town to meet with a local astronomy club.And from Disney wanting a wrongful death lawsuit thrown out because the plaintiff had Disney+ to a NFL player unveiling a mayonnaise-scented cologne, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

On Friday's show: The state-appointed board overseeing Houston ISD has approved placing a record $4.4 billion bond proposal on the November ballot. We learn what the money would do. And a new school year begins for the district on Monday. We learn about high employee turnover there.Also this hour: Health economist Vivian Ho discusses a pair of recent studies she co-authored looking at how high hospital prices are driving up insurance premiums and how increased salaries for nonprofit hospital CEOs may be driving consolidation for health care systems.Then, from a revised hurricane season storm prediction, to Simone Biles headlining a concert-style athletic performance at Toyota Center this fall, our “non-expert panel” weighs in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of it all,And a new Native American-owned restaurant opens in Kemah. We visit Th_Prsrv and talk with Chef David Skinner.

On Friday's show: A new report from Air Alliance Houston shows the 12 biggest contributors to air pollution in Harris County.Also this hour: From high principal turnover numbers at HISD, to the definition of a boneless chicken wing, we contemplate The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.Plus, the Tony Award-winning musical The Lion King is back in town, on stage through the weekend at The Hobby Center. This summer marks the 30th anniversary of the classic Disney animated film that inspired it. We talk with Darian Sanders, who plays Simba in the production.And this summer's Houston Shakespeare Festival is under way, with performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet. We learn more from the festival's artistic director, Jack Young, and actor Michael Sifuentes.

On Friday's show: CenterPoint Energy appeared Thursday before the Public Utility Commission and faces a Texas Senate special committee on Monday to answer questions about its response to Hurricane Beryl. Reporter Andrew Schneider explains what the hearings entail.Also this hour: From exploding soda cans on Southwest Airlines flights, to the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile getting in a bit of a pickle, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week's news with our panel of non-experts.Then, the Paris Olympics get underway today. A number of Houston-area athletes will be taking part, including gymnast Simone Biles, who will be back in the spotlight after stepping back from some events in the Tokyo games in 2021. But don't call it a "comeback." A new book called The Price She Pays explains why and explores the mental health challenges many female athletes face.And we meet Houstonian Jeffrey Louis, aka "Bboy Jeffro" who's competing in the Olympics in breakdancing.

On Friday's show: A legal challenge is under way in Louisiana over that state's new law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in school classrooms there. That a suit was brought on behalf of Louisiana families came as no surprise to that state's governor, Jeff Landry, who said before signing the bill: “I can't wait to be sued.” But challenging the limits of Constitutional protections -- isn't that what Texas usually does before anyone else? Lawmakers here certainly tried. We discuss that, the Louisiana law, and what the Texas Legislature might try again to do next session, with Houston Public Media's politics and government reporter Andrew Schneider.Also this hour: We invite listeners to offer suggestions for how they might redesign a Houston road or freeway in some way. Maybe there are speed bumps you want (or don't want), or there's a one-way street you wish wasn't, or there's a median you wish wasn't there. Whatever it is, wherever it is, we want to know about it. You can share your suggestions now at talk@houstonmatters.org.Then, from uncertainty over the future of bike sharing in the city after BCycle shut down, to METRO trains losing their stripes, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And, with the explosion of streaming services -- and new films being available on them -- we discuss the state of traditional cinema and movie theaters.

On this day in 1986, actor and director Clint Eastwood was elected mayor of Carmel, California.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.