Podcasts about houstonians

On Tuesday's show: We look at the forecast for rain the rest of the week and discuss the probability of another early-season hurricane this year, like Hurricane Beryl last season, with Justin Ballard, meteorologist with the Houston Chronicle.Also this hour: There seems to be an awful lot of misunderstanding and perhaps even misuse of the First Amendment these days. We discuss how the rights to speech, religion, press, and assembly are viewed legally when that is at odds with what is happening around the country -- and what it all means for us here in Houston.Then, is advocating for equitable transportation in Houston getting harder to do? We ask Robin Holzer, the new head of LINK Houston.And we explore the concept of developing more events and venues in Houston that help Houstonians get in touch with their feminine side.

As a native Houstonian, Heather Shepherd has great knowledge of Houston's neighborhoods and offers her clients exceptional commitment to finding the right home or best buyers. As a licensed realtor for over a decade, Heather prides herself on the work she has done assisting friends, family, and past clients with achieving their real estate goals. Heather has a passion for helping people. Having started her career as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher, and afterwards decided to focus her full attention on raising her three children and assisting her family with building a real estate portfolio. These experiences have provided Heather the insight for aligning her client's desires with a perfect residential outcome. After attending Kinkaid, Heather graduated from Southern Methodist University with a double major in Psychology and Spanish. She also has a Masters degree from George Washington University in Elementary Education. As a resident of West University Place, Heather loves to volunteer at her kids' schools and on the West University Little League Auxiliary Board. A longtime volunteer of the Ronald McDonald House and Texas Children's Ambassador program, Heather has a passion for helping children and families in need. She also enjoys entertaining friends and family and watching her 3 kids play sports! In our podcast, Heather Shepherd shares her proven strategies for generating real estate leads on Instagram, breaking down exactly what to post, how to stay consistent, and the most effective types of content that convert followers into clients. From educational posts to personal stories and behind-the-scenes glimpses, Heather reveals how to build authentic engagement and position yourself as a go-to expert in your market—all through the power of Instagram..You Can Find Heather@:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hshomeshouston/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HShomeshouston

On Monday's show: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has openly speculated about eliminating FEMA. Whether that happens or not, how would Greater Houston handle another hurricane -- or any other disaster -- if FEMA no longer existed or its role were changed?Also this hour: We offer Houstonians a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city.And Jeff Balke updates us on the latest developments in sports.

On Thursday's show: Another one bites the dust in the decimated Astros pitching rotation. This time it's Ronel Blanco who's out for the season and in need of elbow surgery. Is it past time to ask what the Astros are doing to their pitchers' arms? Jeff Balke of the Bleav in Astros podcast talks it over.Also this hour: The National Endowment for the Arts recently terminated grants to nonprofits nationwide, many of which had already been awarded. Houston arts organizations are among those who have had to pivot after losing money they were counting on. We hear from a pair of them.Then, we hear the story of a Houston woman trying to negotiate red tape to gain access to an apartment she can afford. It doesn't work. We discuss why and what can be done about it.And, from Pint of Science to Nerd Nite to Brains in a Bar and Philosophically Drinking, there are many longstanding Houston-area events and programs based at local bars designed to engage Houstonians' minds (and not just douse them in alcohol). We learn more about some of them.

During his presidential campaign, President Trump vowed to crack down on illegal immigration and deport violent criminals. But how is the crackdown actually playing out in Houston? Host Raheel Ramzanali talks with award-winning immigration reporter Anna-Cat Brigida about how some regular Houstonians are getting their visas revoked, detained in ICE raids, and more.  ICE says it deported more than 500 people in the Houston area in one week University of Houston assistant professor preparing to leave country after ‘unexpected termination' of visa Coming home: Erik Payán returns to his family after a month in detention Houston families left in limbo after Biden program for spouses of US citizens halted U.S. Citizens twice as likely to be charged with crime in Harris County, data shows Learn more about the sponsors of this May 27th episode:Texas Monthly Taco FestComicpaloozaBandera County Convention & Visitors BureauLooking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram  @CityCastHoustonDon't have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts!Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let's Talk! Photo Credit: Sharon Steinmann/Houston Chronicle via Getty Image Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hour 2 of the Killer B's with Jeremy Branham, and Will Kunkel from Fox 26 filling in for Joel Blank . When will Yordan Alvarez return? . Move Your Needle: NHL VS NBA Conference Finals . Kunkel and Branham rating NBA flopping calls  . Stars or Oilers?  . Dallas VS Houston rivalry

The annual Kinder Houston area survey is out so host Raheel Ramzanali is breaking down some of the interesting takeaways on how Houstonians are feeling with ABC-13 reporter Shannon Ryan. Plus, what's the latest with Mayor Whitmire's proposed budget and what services will be impacted if it passes? And, we learn what a popular former HISD principal is up to during “Only in H-Town”!  Stories we talked about on today's show:  Houston's budget and voters' changing attitudes Houston parks department ‘hit pretty hard' by cuts under proposed budget for FY 2026 Kinder Houston Area Survey Former Houston principal looking for love in '90 Day Fiance' spinoff Learn more about the sponsors of this May 20th episode: Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Texas Monthly Taco Fest Buffalo Bayou Partnership Visit Boerne Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagram  @CityCastHouston Don't have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let's Talk! Photo: Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 On Tuesday's show: We learn about the progress of some bills regarding bail reform being considered in the waning days of the Texas Legislature.Also this hour: We discuss the complicated, cloudy future of the Texas Lottery, which has been under fire over a scheme that essentially allowed gamblers to purchase every single lottery combination possible and guarantee a jackpot win. Then, ahead of an event at Brazos Bookstore on May 27, author and poet Ocean Vuong shares lessons from working in fast food and considers what drives acts of kindness between strangers. Those themes are explored in his new novel, The Emperor of Gladness.And some Houstonians might visit Galveston during the upcoming holiday weekend, and there are a number of intriguing historic sites to check out on the island, if you're so inclined. We learn more about some of them from Tristan Smith, the author of A History Lover's Guide to Galveston.

Houston has long prided itself on being an affordable place to live, for both homeowners and renters. But that reputation is starting to slip. As more people move to the city, housing supply hasn't kept up. And prices in traditionally working-class neighborhoods are skyrocketing. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to City Cast Houston contributor Evan Mintz about how we got here, what Houstonians can do to slow rising costs, and if state lawmakers might actually do something to fix our housing affordability crisis. Soaring home values threaten to displace Houston's blue-collar homeowners and renters Could Empty Office Buildings Offer a Real Housing Solution? Commercial-to-Residential Conversion Bill - SB 2477 Staircase Bill - SB 2835 Third-Party Review Bill - SB 1450 Texans for Reasonable Solutions Texans for Housing Learn more about the sponsors of this May 19th episode: Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake Conroe | Houston - Save 40% from May 9-26 when booking summer travel! Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Texas Monthly Taco Fest Buffalo Bayou Partnership Visit Boerne Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagram  @CityCastHouston Don't have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let's Talk! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Monday's show: What do Houstonians think about life here -- the economy, their life experiences, beliefs, and attitudes? We discuss the findings of the annual Houston Area Survey with Rice University sociologists. Also this hour: Veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller talks about issues affecting pet health.And Jeff Balke updates us on the latest developments in sports

My name is Emily Hynds and I am a small business owner, Producer of the monthly storytelling series, Grown-up Storytime, and lifelong Houstonian. I am not a journalist or government official, I am a local government enthusiast who believes meaningful change starts at home. These notes are presented from my point of view and with my framing, your notes will certainly be different and I would love to read them if you attend.For sources and further reading:www.emilytakesnotes.comI watched this City Council meeting via HTV: https://www.houstontx.gov/htv/my IG: https://www.instagram.com/embaleez - for todays notes and Houston City Council GuideYou can find your City Council person and their contact info at: https://www.houstontx.gov/council/

It's been a nearly year since a derecho and Hurricane Beryl left Houston in the dark, making many Houstonians lose trust in CenterPoint and the Texas grid. Host Raheel Ramzanali talks with energy expert Sam Luna with BKV Energy about what's changed, why power bills are rising, and if Texas grid is ready for more wild weather this summer. Stories we talked about on today's show:  Remember last May's derecho? CenterPoint will soon raise rates to recover those storm costs. Data centers are booming in Texas. What does that mean for the grid? Disaster Readiness and Resilience Clinic & Expo set for May 17: Largest preparedness event in Houston ahead of hurricane season BKV Energy Blog with Electricity Tips Learn more about the sponsors of this May 12th episode: Stages Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Buffalo Bayou Partnership Visit Uvalde County Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagram  @CityCastHouston Don't have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let's Talk! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Chron.com's trending news reporter Faith Bugenhagen to break down the biggest stories impacting Houstonians. They dig into Mayor Whitmire's proposal to give Houston police a nearly 40% raise. Plus, you won't believe the wild FBI allegations against the former Turkey Leg Hut owner. And Faith talks about her deep dive into racist messages leaked from a Texas A&M student group.  Dive deeper into the stories we talked about on today's show:  Ex-Turkey Leg Hut owner Lynn Price paid crew $1,400 for bar arson, could face 20 years in prison, FBI says Turkey Leg Hut sold hundreds of pounds of marijuana using bags branded with restaurant logo, FBI says Houston police officers to get 36.5% salary increase by 2030 under proposed contract Private school vouchers are now law in Texas. Here's how they will work. How Private School Vouchers Would Impact Houston Taxpayers & Parents Houston mogul Tilman Fertitta officially confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Italy Texas A&M young conservatives shared hate speech in group texts If you enjoyed today's interview with Xavier Academy's Founder, Richard De La Caudara, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 6th episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Downtown Houston+ Stages Gals Who Give Harris County Cozy Earth - Use code HOUSTON for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagram  @CityCastHouston Don't have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let's Talk! Photo: Bao Ong/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Monday's show: Houston Mayor John Whitmire says he'll unveil his proposed budget, and even as it includes a new deal with the police union giving officers more money, it'll be a balanced budget. We get reaction to that police officers union agreement.Also this hour: We offer Houstonians a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city.And Jeff Balke recaps the Rockets' Game 7 loss to Golden State in the NBA Playoffs and reflects on the accomplishments of the season.

Drainage lawsuit! Whitmire says COVID is fixed! IAH's Terminal E to Jackson Lee! All this and more!My name is Emily Hynds and I am a small business owner, Producer of the monthly storytelling series, Grown-up Storytime, and lifelong Houstonian. I am not a journalist or government official, I am a local government enthusiast who believes meaningful change starts at home. These notes are presented from my point of view and with my framing, your notes will certainly be different and I would love to read them if you attend.For sources and further reading:www.emilytakesnotes.comI watched this City Council meeting via HTV: https://www.houstontx.gov/htv/my IG: https://www.instagram.com/embaleez - for todays notes and Houston City Council GuideYou can find your City Council person and their contact info at: https://www.houstontx.gov/council/

Sometimes you find yourself born into a business. That's exactly what landed Xavier Lividini, Managing Partner at Hospitality Advance International, in the hospitality industry as he comes from a family of hoteliers! Xavier shares insights from his extensive career in operations, marketing strategy, and hospitality management and development. The episode covers stories from his time at iconic hotels like the Waldorf Astoria and the InterContinental and highlights valuable lessons from his family's multigenerational involvement in the hotel industry. He also shares his entrepreneurial journey of founding Hospitality Advance International and his rewarding work in the boutique hotel space. The episode provides a refreshing look into some interesting hospitality stories that you won't want to miss.Takeaways:Focus on creating memorable experiences for guests in all aspects of hospitality, from the welcome at the front desk to the services provided in restaurants and rooms.Gain experience in varied departments such as front desk operations, food and beverage, and sales. Broad knowledge across departments can lead to more significant leadership opportunities.Shift from a traditional management style to a coaching approach. Focus on developing your team by providing constructive feedback and supporting their growth.Stay open to learning from peers, mentors, and even those you supervise. Recognize the value of diverse experiences and backgrounds in the industry.Be prepared to take on responsibilities outside your comfort zone. These challenges can provide significant learning experiences and opportunities for advancement.Engage in professional organizations and groups to stay updated with industry trends and connect with other professionals globally.Quote of the Show:“It's really about working with people, working with a team, and coaching these people.” - Xavier LividiniLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xavier-lividini-5402035/ Website: https://www.hospitalityadvance.com/ Shout Outs:4:32 - Waldorf Astoria https://www.hilton.com/en/brands/waldorf-astoria/ 5:03 - Frank Sinatra https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Sinatra 11:15 - Westin Hotels https://westin.marriott.com/ 11:16 - Intercontinental Hotel https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/us/en/reservation 12:28 - Houstonian https://www.houstonian.com/ 15:44 - Flamingo Hilton https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/lasflgv-hilton-grand-vacations-club-flamingo-las-vegas/ 18:22 - Penn State University https://www.psu.edu/ 21:46 - Madison Square Garden https://www.msg.com/madison-square-garden 25:57 - Century Plaza https://www.fairmontcenturyplaza.com/ 31:09 - Lime Tree Bay Resort https://www.limetreebayresort.com/ 36:58 - The Mutiny https://www.providentresorts.com/the-mutiny-hotel-coconut-grove-miami 40:45 - Hilton https://hilton.com/ 41:54 - Meadowlands Hilton https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ewrhhhf-hilton-hasbrouck-heights-meadowlands/ 42:38 - New Yorker https://www.newyorkerhotel.com/ 43:24 - Luther Rackley https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Rackley 

It's Earth Day, and while our big green spaces like Memorial and Hermann parks get plenty of love, Houston's smaller neighborhood parks are often overlooked. Host Raheel Ramzanali talks with Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz about why these local parks lack funding and attention — and what's keeping many Houstonians from enjoying our city's outdoor spaces. Follow Evan Mintz on X for more on Houston's parks  Houston deserves better parks. Here's how to pay for them. (Opinion) Learn more about the sponsors of this April 22ndepisode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Cozy Earth - Use code HOUSTON for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Trees For Houston Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagram  @CityCastHouston Don't have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let's Talk! Photo: Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mayor John Whitmire is in his second year leading Houston. But not everyone is on board with his leadership and direction for the city. A grassroots group called Recall Houston is pushing to remove him from office, and they're already raising money and preparing to gather signatures for a recall vote. Host Raheel Ramzanali talks with Alejandro Alegria of Recall Houston about why the group wants the mayor gone and how they plan to make it happen. Stories we referenced in today's show:  Is Mayor Whitmire Ignoring Community Groups? 'Recall for Houston' gets ready to start collecting signatures to put recall on the ballot Despite street and crime frustrations, Houstonians satisfied with Mayor Whitmire's work, poll shows Learn more about the sponsors of this April 21st episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Trees For Houston Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagram  @CityCastHouston Don't have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let's Talk! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all do things as Houstonians that we're not proud of…like honking at people driving 20mph below the speed limit or always showing up late to an event because of traffic! So, host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on producer Carlignon Jones and Tessa Barrera, co-host of Houston Life on KPRC, to confess their toxic Houston traits and learn some from you, the listeners!  Learn more about the sponsors of this April 17th episode: Visit Port Aransas Momentum Indoor Climbing - Save 10% on camp registration with code CITYCAST at checkout! Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off  Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagram  @CityCastHouston Don't have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let's Talk! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Thursday's show: In a vote early this morning that followed hours of debate, the Texas House gave initial approval to a billion-dollar private school voucher bill that stands to transform education in Texas in the years to come along with a $7.7 billion public school funding package.Also this hour: We talk with Houstonians supporting women who run for office, regardless of party. And we meet Dr. Jennifer Feltman, an expert on medieval art and architecture, who was one of only a handful of Americans who worked to help restore the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after it was damaged by fire in 2019. She recently spoke at an event with Archaeology Now Houston.

Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society.   Justin and his guest, Jeff Strege, Senior Director for Risk Management at Academy Sports + Outdoors, explore what led Jeff to risk management, and the path that led to Academy Sports + Outdoors within the sporting goods and outdoor retail space. Jeff comments on his work building out the ERM framework at Academy to improve claims management, employee safety, and liability prevention. Jeff shares his approach to workers' compensation and Academy Sports + Outdoors's goal to help the workers recover and return to work. In addition to career insights, they discuss Jeff's upcoming panel participation in HUB's webinar on April 17th, “From Defense to Prevention: Strengthening Your Liability Risk Management Approach,” covering topics such as third-party litigation funding and its impact on the industry.   Listen to Jeff's wisdom, born from experience, on managing your risk career. Key Takeaways: [:01] About RIMS and RIMScast. [:14] Registration is open for RISKWORLD 2025. Engage Today and Embrace Tomorrow with RIMS, from May 4th through May 7th in Chicago, Illinois. Register at RIMS.org/RISKWORLD. [:25] After you register, visit your App Store, search for RIMS Events, and download the RIMS Events App. Select RISKWORLD 2025, load the show onto your phone, and start building your RISKWORLD itinerary! [:41] About this episode of RIMScast. Our guest is former RIMS Houston Chapter President, Jeff Strege. We will talk about his career and how ERM continues to play a pivotal role today. [1:08] RIMS-CRMP Workshops! As part of RIMS's continuing strategic partnership with Purima, we have a two-day course coming up on April 22nd and 23rd. Links to these courses can be found through the Certification page of RIMS.org and this episode's show notes. [1:28] Virtual Workshops! On June 12th, Pat Saporito will host “Managing Data for ERM” and will return on June 26th to present the very popular new course, “Generative AI for Risk Management”. [1:45] A link to the full schedule of virtual workshops can be found on the RIMS.org/education and RIMS.org/education/online-learning pages. A link is also in this episode's show notes. [1:56] RISKWORLD registration is open. Engage Today and Embrace Tomorrow, from May 4th through 7th in Chicago. Register at RIMS.org/RISKWORLD. Also, remember that there will be lots of pre-conference workshops being held in Chicago just ahead of RISKWORLD. [2:14] These courses include “Applying and Integrating ERM,” “Captives as an Alternate Risk Financing Technique,” “Contractual Risk Transfer,” “Fundamentals of Insurance,” “Fundamentals of Risk Management,” RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep, and more! The links are in the show notes. [2:33] The Spencer Educational Foundation is having a Flash Sale for sponsorships at RISKWORLD! Sponsorship pricing has been reduced for the Spencer-CNA Pickleball Social on Saturday, May 3rd, and the Spencer-Gallagher Golf Tournament on Sunday, May 4th. [2:51] Sponsorships are still available for the Spencer-Sedgwick 5K Fun Run on Tuesday, May 6th. Visit Spencered.org/riskworld2025 to learn about these opportunities and more. Also, reach out to Spencer's Executive Director Megan Miller at MMiller@Spencered.org. [3:13] Our guest today is Jeff Strege. He is the Senior Director for Risk Management at Academy Sports + Outdoors. Academy is one of the U.S.'s largest sporting goods and outdoor stores with 301 locations across 21 states, as of March 2025. [3:33] Jeff is also a long-time RIMS member. He's the former president of the RIMS Houston Chapter and is a RIMS-CRMP holder. [3:41] In addition to his outstanding resume, Jeff will be lending his insight to the RIMS Webinar on April 17th, presented by HUB in their Ready for Tomorrow series. It's called “From Defense to Prevention: Strengthening Your Liability Risk Management Approach.” A link is in the notes. [4:01] In today's RIMScast interview, we will discuss how ERM has played a role in his career and how he manages risk in so many locations at the Academy. We will get a preview of his upcoming appearance on the Hub webinar and his thoughts on third-party litigation funding and its impact. [4:27] Interview! Jeff Strege, welcome to RIMScast! [4:45] As a Houstonian, Jeff grew up with Academy Sports + Outdoors. He's a long-term customer. In September 2020, Jeff promoted himself from customer to team member, although he still is an avid customer of Academy. [5:07] As the Academy brand is so well-known and beloved in Texas, Jeff has had the Risk Director role on his radar for many years. He had told his wife many times that if that role ever opened up at Academy, he would want to talk to them. In mid-2020, it did, and here he is! [5:29] Academy has 301 stores across 21 states as of March 7, 2025, and is headquartered in Katy, Texas, a Western suburb of Houston. Jeff graduated from Katy High School. [6:23] Academy Sports + Outdoors sells fun. They say “Have fun out there.” The items Academy sells are intended to help people be outdoors and active. Academy does a lot of work around product safety with manufacturers and suppliers, making sure they're sourcing safe products. [6:45] Academy Sports + Outdoors sells firearms and ammunition. Its goal is to be the most responsible retailer of those items in the country. [7:13] Academy Sports is responsible for following the laws of 21 states. Jeff has worked for national, multi-national, and global organizations, so he has worked with similar requirements. [7:48] Jeff worked for Sysco twice, first in the 90s and then in 2016 in a risk role similar to his current role at Academy Sports. Sysco went on a growth initiative while Jeff was there the second time and it was fun to be part of that but he couldn't pass up the opening at Academy. [8:23] Academy Sports + Outdoors has a risk department of 10 who report to Jeff. Jeff oversees the Enterprise Risk Management framework, the Insurance and Data Analytic functions, the Safety functions, and the Claim Management functions. [8:50] Jeff has three direct reports and they have functional contributors who are assigned to and report to them. Jeff's management style is to find the best possible people he can find. He's not a micro-manager. All of his staff are solid professionals who are good at what they do. [9:14] That allows Jeff to focus on strategy and executing strategic objectives while the staff keeps things working from day to day. Jeff reports to the General Counsel. In other companies, Jeff has reported to the General Counsel, HR, Treasury, or Finance. [9:42] Risk can logically report up a variety of chains to the leadership of an organization, as it touches so many aspects of the business. [10:22] Relative to firearms sales, Academy Sports has a compliance team to manage the process. They do an outstanding job. [10:39] When Jeff arrived at Academy Sports, one of his charges was to mature the ERM framework across the various organizational functions. Having the opportunity to work on that made Jeff a student of the business, which is one of the Academy's values. [11:09] Coming into the business, Jeff was fortunate to receive a safety culture already well-entrenched in the distribution centers. That team has been retooled over the years and continues to evolve as it trains and supports the operators in safe practices in their work. [11:45] Academy workers' compensation goal is to help team members recover so they can come back to work. They take a deliberate approach to working with them so they get the treatment they need, their benefits are paid timely, and their questions are answered. [12:11] Academy made a TPA change a couple of years ago that's given them more proactive tools. Both safety and claims are processes that Academy Sports continues to fine-tune. [12:25] The foundational strategy is “safety first.” If you're talking about managing claims but not about safety, there's a miss there, in terms of managing risk. [13:01] Plug Time! During this interview, we discuss the RIMS Texas Regional Conference 2025, held from August 4th through the 6th in San Antonio, Texas, at the Henry  B. Gonzalez Convention Center. That's where we held RISKWORLD 2018. [13:22] The day of this episode's release, April 15th, is the day registration opens for the RIMS Texas Regional Conference. You can get the Advance Rate from now through May 16th, 2025. A link is in this episode's show notes. You can also visit the events page of RIMS.org to register. [13:43] If you will be in the Dallas/Fort Worth area on April 17th, be sure to stop by Lonestar Park for DFW RIMS's 7th Annual Night at the Races. It will be a blast! Guest, Member, and Student tickets are available. Visit DFWRIMS.org and the link in this episode's show notes. [14:12] Let's Return to My Interview with Former RIMS Houston Chapter President Jeff Strege! [14:32] Jeff arrived at Academy Sports on Monday, September 28, 2020, and the company executed its Initial Public Offering on Friday, October 2nd, 2020. In preparing for the IPO, the company had built an ERM framework that helped inform the prospectus for investors. [14:59] When Jeff joined, he was charged with taking the framework foundation and building upon it to round out how Academy Sports views risk, scopes it, and manages it across the organization. It was a fascinating process. [15:21] He's gotten to know many good, smart people who are driving aspects of the business. [15:28] Every year, Academy Sports looks at ways to enhance the framework, to make sure it's as meaningful and informative to the leadership team and board as it can be. [15:54] The framework looks at ISO standards but most of it is inward-focused within the business of Academy Sports. What's going on in the world? How do we prevent or prepare for it? Should something occur, what strategies do we have to respond, react to, and recover from it? [16:39] Before the recent tariffs were passed, the risk team had discussed tariffs generically. Tariffs appear as subsidiary risks in a few places within the framework. Nobody in an organization can control what government leaders do. [17:22] In a way, sporting goods is a seasonal industry. Academy Sports + Outdoors sells a variety of different things and operates in a variety of climates. There's a holiday season and there are gift-giving holidays. The seasons for outdoor activities differ depending on location. [17:54] In Texas, Jeff grills and fishes year-round. It's different in a Northern climate with four distinct seasons. Hunting seasons are specifically defined. The things Academy Sports sells peak at different times of the year and the peaks sort of offset themselves. [18:25] The Academy Sports merchandising teams are diligent and deliberate in how they plan for cycling products for the seasons. [18:44] Holiday is the big season. In that, Academy Sports is like other retailers. Back-to-school time is also important. [18:57] The backyard grilling is Jeff's favorite section of the store. When he goes into the store with his wife he has to look at some grills. Jeff also works out and runs so there are several aspects of the store that he shops. [19:16] Academy sells location-specific licensed apparel. In Academy Sports + Outdoors in Houston, there is gear for the Astros, Texans, and Rockets. [19:49] From the standpoint of team member safety, Jeff refers to OSHA. Also, some states have more stringent safety requirements. Jeff's safety team drives consistency of practices and training across the footprint of the 21 states where Academy Sports + Outdoors operates. [20:36] Most of Jeff's work is done in Houston but his team gets out in the field periodically on a schedule. Jeff likes to go into the stores and distribution centers. That's where the business occurs. The work at Corporate supports the people who serve and interact with customers. [21:10] RIMS Webinars! Following the success of their recent webinar, HUB International returns for the next installment of their Ready for Tomorrow Series, “From Defense to Prevention: Strengthening Your Liability Risk Management Approach”. That session will be on April 17th. [21:29] Today's guest, Jeff Strege, is a panelist in that session! He's going to talk about it a little bit right after the break. [21:38] On April 24th, RiskConnect returns to deliver “Better Together: The Marriage of Insurable Risk and Business Continuity”. [21:45] Zurich's webinar, “Understanding Third Party Litigation Funding” was rescheduled to May 1st at 1:00 p.m. Eastern. If you were already registered for the original date, you are now registered for the May 1st session with Zurich. [22:09] On May 22nd, GRC, a TÜV SÜD Company, presents their newest session, “Asset Valuations in 2025: Managing Tariffs, Inflation, and Rising Insurance Scrutiny”. [22:22] More webinars will be announced soon and added to the RIMS.org/webinars page. Go there to register. Registration is complimentary for RIMS members. [22:33] Let's Return to my Interview with Jeff Strege! [22:46] Jeff will be joining RIMS on the HUB webinar about third-party litigation funding (TPLF) on April 17th, two days after the airing of this episode. Third-party litigation funding is a major issue for RIMS and the profession. [23:08] Academy Sports + Outdoors sees TPLF from time to time in litigated matters, but not often. The HUB webinar is largely focused on rising litigation costs and the rising value of litigated matters. Third-party funding is a driving force of that rise. [23:35] When there's a funding mechanism behind the damages claim by a plaintiff, there are interest obligations with that mechanism, which can be stiff. It does inflate the value of some matters. [24:13] Once Academy Sports + Outdoors learns third-party funding is present in a litigated matter, that's in the front of mind as they evaluate and proceed with trying to conclude the case. [24:32] In the HUB webinar on April 17th, Jeff will be discussing the client's experience, not only with TPFL but also around social engineering. There is a good panel put together for this discussion with varied perspectives that will offer a well-rounded conversation. [24:55] Panelist Bob Tyson of Tyson & Mendes, a defense lawyer in California, has creative approaches to managing and negotiating litigated cases. Panelist John Ferguson, Head of Excess Casualty at Zurich Insurance, brings an insurer's perspective to the webinar. [25:29] Panelist Carol Murphy of HUB is one of the best brokers Jeff has worked with. Jeff is looking forward to sharing the stage with this group, talking about managing claims litigation, prevention, and pre-litigation management. Safety is critical. Jeff will bring that up. [26:02] The link to the webinar is in the show notes. Register today! Registration is complimentary for RIMS members! You'll hear this webinar live with Jeff Strege of Academy Sports, Fred Ferguson of Zurich, Bob Tyson of Tyson & Mendes, and Carol Murphy of HUB. [26:34] Jeff has been involved with RIMS since the mid-1990s when he was with Sysco Foods for the first time and was elevated to the risk management role there. Starting with Houston, Jeff has been involved in various chapters in various capacities. [27:07] RIMS has been an important part of Jeff's career. He's gained solid relationships through RIMS that have yielded business relationships and relationships where he's been able to help others and be helped by them. RIMS will be very important to him as long as he works in risk. [27:51] Jeff was President of RIMS Houston for two years, until January of 2024. He serves on the board as Past President. [28:12] Having moved around the country and having held different roles, Jeff has met risk professionals from many areas. He says RIMS has high-quality chapters all over the country. The four Texas RIMS chapters have a lot of positive energy. [28:47] The chapters are working together with Justin's team in New York to host the first-ever Texas RIMS Regional Conference this August. Jeff is on the planning committee and he's excited about it. [29:04] The RIMS Texas Regional Conference will be held from August 4th through the 6th at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, on the River Walk, the site of RISKWORLD 2018. San Antonio is Jeff's favorite city in Texas. It's a wonderful host city. [29:30] There is a link in the show notes to the RIMS Texas Regional Conference 2025. Registration will open the week of the airing of this episode! [29:49] Jeff is a RIMS-CRMP holder. He earned that certification in November of 2019. He was excited to see RIMS introduce the certification. What he likes about CRMP is its governance focus. [30:23] Jeff had been doing risk management for a long time. The CRMP website has good sample test questions on it. He decided to work through the test questions several times. Then went and took the exam and scored pretty well, largely based on his experience. [30:48] Jeff says his ERM work over the years was helpful. The RIMS-CRMP is a good designation. Jeff appreciates that RIMS gives CRMP holders opportunities to network. He will continue to carry the designation as long as he is working. [31:09] Mos recertification points are CE-related. Jeff relies heavily on the Houston chapter's offerings and the sessions and seminars at RIMS functions. He appreciates the flexibility in terms of what qualifies, such as participation in broker-sponsored industry education. [31:50] Developing and delivering educational content is a favorite of Jeff's. He has served as Risk Manager in Residence (now Risk Manager on Campus). Jeff tells every risk manager it's amazing and they need to do it at least once. Jeff enjoys education and is always learning. [32:24] Jeff shares his advice for risk professionals. As Boomers in the industry start to retire, it's important to help the industry recruit, train, and young talent. It's a passion of Jeff's. [32:52] There are a few things Jeff would tell young professionals. One is you are the CEO of your career. Your career is your responsibility. Don't wait for a leader to bring opportunities or promotions to you. Be a student of your craft and trade. Set goals with plans to achieve them. [33:20] Jeff has managed his career that way by making strategic moves when it made sense for him to do so. He has no regrets. You're the CEO of your career, all in. Don't wait for others to act on your behalf. Whatever it is, be a student of your craft and seek opportunities to learn. [33:45] Grow your knowledge base, your experience, and your network. Jeff has benefited from RIMS in having a network of people who lean on each other and learn from each other. It's a wonderful thing! [33:58] Be a student of your business, wherever it is. Make connections within it. Seek out mentorships to learn on a broad basis what the business does and what its objectives are. You position yourself more visibly to add more value and to grow. [34:29] Jeff Strege, you have been such an inspiration today. I appreciate you so much for joining us here on RIMScast and being so giving with your time and wisdom! I look forward to seeing you at the first-ever Texas Regional 2025, August 4th through 6th in San Antonio! [34:48] Special thanks again to Jeff Strege for joining us here today on RIMScast! I look forward to seeing him at many RIMS events, including the first-ever RIMS Texas Regional Conference 2025, which will be held from August 4th through the 6th in San Antonio, Texas. [35:05] Register today through the link in this episode's show notes. [35:12] Plug Time! You can sponsor a RIMScast episode for this, our weekly show, or a dedicated episode. Links to sponsored episodes are in the show notes. [35:37] RIMScast has a global audience of risk and insurance professionals, legal professionals, students, business leaders, C-Suite executives, and more. Let's collaborate and help you reach them! Contact pd@rims.org for more information. [35:56] Become a RIMS member and get access to the tools, thought leadership, and network you need to succeed. Visit RIMS.org/membership or email membershipdept@RIMS.org for more information. [36:13] Risk Knowledge is the RIMS searchable content library that provides relevant information for today's risk professionals. Materials include RIMS executive reports, survey findings, contributed articles, industry research, benchmarking data, and more. [36:29] For the best reporting on the profession of risk management, read Risk Management Magazine at RMMagazine.com. It is written and published by the best minds in risk management. [36:43] Justin Smulison is the Business Content Manager at RIMS. You can email Justin at Content@RIMS.org. [36:50] Thank you all for your continued support and engagement on social media channels! We appreciate all your kind words. Listen every week! Stay safe!   Links: RISKWORLD 2025 — May 4‒7 | Register today! Download the RIMS Events app! Spencer's RISKWORLD Events — Register or Sponsor! RIMS Texas Regional 2025 – August 3‒5 | Advance registration rates are now open. DFW RIMS - 7th Annual Night at the Races / Lone Star Park – April 17, 2025 RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy RIMS Risk Management magazine RIMS Now The Strategic and Enterprise Risk Center Spencer Educational Foundation — General Grants 2026 — Application Dates Announcement: RIMS and The Institute for Internal Auditors' Strategic Alliance on Education Nominations for the Donald M. Stuart Award [Canada] RIMS Webinars: RIMS.org/Webinars “Ready for Tomorrow? From Defense to Prevention: Strengthening Your Liability Risk Management Approach” | Sponsored by Hub International | April 17, 2025 “Better Together: The Marriage of Insurable Risk and Business Continuity” | Sponsored by Riskonnect | April 24, 2025 “Understanding Third Party Litigation Funding” | Sponsored by Zurich | May 1, 2025 “Asset Valuations in 2025: Managing Tariffs, Inflation, and Rising Insurance Scrutiny” | Sponsored by GRC, a TÜV SÜD Company | May 22, 2025   Upcoming RIMS-CRMP Prep Virtual Workshops: RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep with PARIMA | April 22‒23 Full RIMS-CRMP Prep Course Schedule   Upcoming Virtual Workshops: “Managing Data for ERM” | June 12 | Instructor: Pat Saporito  “Generative AI for Risk Management” | June 26 | Instructor: Pat Saporito See the full calendar of RIMS Virtual Workshops RIMS-CRMP Prep Workshops   Related RIMScast Episodes: “Maintaining an Award-Winning ERM Program with Michael Zuraw” “Scenario Planning with the RIMS SERMC” “ERMotivation with Carrie Frandsen, RIMS-CRMP” “Risk Quantification Through Value-Based Frameworks” “Applying ERM Theory with Elise Farnham” “On Risk Appetite and Tolerance”   Sponsored RIMScast Episodes: “Understanding Third-Party Litigation Funding” | Sponsored by Zurich (New!) “What Risk Managers Can Learn From School Shootings” | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog (New!) “Simplifying the Challenges of OSHA Recordkeeping” | Sponsored by Medcor “Risk Management in a Changing World: A Deep Dive into AXA's 2024 Future Risks Report” | Sponsored by AXA XL “How Insurance Builds Resilience Against An Active Assailant Attack” | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog “Third-Party and Cyber Risk Management Tips” | Sponsored by Alliant “RMIS Innovation with Archer” | Sponsored by Archer “Navigating Commercial Property Risks with Captives” | Sponsored by Zurich “Breaking Down Silos: AXA XL's New Approach to Casualty Insurance” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Weathering Today's Property Claims Management Challenges” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Storm Prep 2024: The Growing Impact of Convective Storms and Hail” | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company “Partnering Against Cyberrisk” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Harnessing the Power of Data and Analytics for Effective Risk Management” | Sponsored by Marsh “Accident Prevention — The Winning Formula For Construction and Insurance” | Sponsored by Otoos “Platinum Protection: Underwriting and Risk Engineering's Role in Protecting Commercial Properties” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Elevating RMIS — The Archer Way” | Sponsored by Archer   RIMS Publications, Content, and Links: RIMS Membership — Whether you are a new member or need to transition, be a part of the global risk management community! RIMS Virtual Workshops On-Demand Webinars RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy RIMS Strategic & Enterprise Risk Center RIMS-CRMP Stories — Featuring RIMS President Kristen Peed!   RIMS Events, Education, and Services: RIMS Risk Maturity Model®   Sponsor RIMScast: Contact sales@rims.org or pd@rims.org for more information.   Want to Learn More? Keep up with the podcast on RIMS.org, and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.   Have a question or suggestion? Email: Content@rims.org.   Join the Conversation! Follow @RIMSorg on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.   About our guest: Jeff Strege, MBA, ARM, RIMS-CRMP, Sr. Director, Risk Management, Academy Sports + Outdoors   Production and engineering provided by Podfly.  

There's been plenty of controversy over bike lanes in Midtown. Mayor Whitmire initially removed protected lanes on Austin Street without warning, later reversing course in a compromise with the biking community. But some worry that his track record could put other protected bike lanes at risk. Host Raheel Ramzanali digs into the bike lane battles with Joe Cutrufo, executive director of BikeHouston, to talk about how the mayor's decisions affect safety, what's at stake on 11th Street in the Heights, and why expanding bike lanes matters for all Houstonians. Stories we talked about on today's show:  Pivoting, Whitmire says Austin Street will get a dedicated bike lane, but no physical barrier Houston cyclists decry 'armadillo' removal as city eyes new measures City of Houston draft report touts 11th Street's success Mayor Whitmire on Hello Houston Derek Fincham explaining how physical barriers saved his life  Learn more about BikeHouston  Learn more about the sponsors of this April 14th episode: Visit Port Aransas Momentum Indoor Climbing - Save 10% on camp registration with code CITYCAST at checkout! Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagram  @CityCastHouston Don't have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let's Talk! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Geek in Review, we sit down with Patrick Waldo, CEO of Unicorn Forms and proud Houstonian, to explore the intersections of data, document automation, and legal tech innovation. From the vibrant startup culture at Houston's ION and the Capital Factory's SXSW House event to the regulatory grind of form design, Waldo shares how his journey—from working in compliance-heavy industries to launching a playfully named but technically serious platform—is reshaping how we think about document-driven workflows.Waldo pulls back the curtain on Unicorn Forms' approach to digitizing and structuring data trapped in PDFs. With a background in regulatory intelligence, he understands firsthand how critical, yet painfully inefficient, static documents can be. Unicorn Forms aims to transform the “eight-and-a-half-by-eleven world” into structured, field-driven digital tools. By mimicking the look and feel of familiar e-sign interfaces while embedding structured fields and integrations like Calendly or Stripe, the platform bridges the gap between legal formality and technical interoperability.Security and compliance are at the heart of the conversation as Waldo outlines the different levels of electronic trust, explaining how Unicorn Forms distinguishes itself with hashed documents, timestamp authorities, and encryption standards that exceed many traditional e-signature solutions. He highlights how many professionals—especially in legal, healthcare, and finance—aren't aware of the risks they take when using non-secure PDFs for sensitive data like social security numbers or payment details.The episode also dives into the often-overlooked role of data ontologies in making government and enterprise forms interoperable. Waldo describes the complexity behind something as seemingly simple as a name or address field and how lack of standardization leads to inefficiencies and errors. By applying his years of ontology-building experience, Unicorn Forms aims to enable more intuitive, human-readable, and system-compatible data capture, with real-world use cases already in place—like improving film permitting processes for the Houston Film Commission.From a startup perspective, Waldo gets candid about fundraising challenges, the paradox of needing metrics to raise money and needing money to build metrics, and how early-stage companies must balance marketing, sales, and product development. He emphasizes the value of angel investors and local ecosystems like the ION and the Canon, while acknowledging the rising bar of investor expectations in today's post-2023 funding environment.Finally, Waldo shares his philosophy behind the Unicorn Forms brand—born as an April Fool's joke but grown into a conversation starter and signal for early adopters. With Party City swag, a pink logo, and a message that draws in the curious and the creative, Unicorn Forms is redefining legal tech not just through software, but through an intentional, approachable identity. As Waldo looks ahead, he sees opportunity in pairing strong data engineering with AI tools—not just to automate, but to make legal and regulatory processes smarter, faster, and more human-centered.Listen on mobile platforms:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[Special Thanks to ⁠Legal Technology Hub⁠ for their sponsoring this episode.] Blue Sky: ⁠⁠@geeklawblog.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠@marlgeb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.comMusic: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Transcript

In this episode of the Building Texas Business Podcast, I sit down with Jacob Robinson, the founder of Dig World, a construction-themed amusement park. Jacob's journey from owning a commercial cleaning business to launching a theme park was inspired by his son Pierce's courage in overcoming a severe illness. Jacob shares how this personal experience drove him to create a space where families can make lasting memories by operating real construction equipment. We also explore Jacob's unexpected invitation to appear on Shark Tank, which initially seemed too good to be true. Jacob describes the rigorous preparation process for the show and how securing a deal with Robert Herjavec provided significant exposure and credibility for Dig World. This experience sparked interest in franchise opportunities nationwide, propelling the business forward. However, Jacob's path has not been without challenges. He reflects on the operational setbacks faced during Dig World's grand opening and the importance of resilience in entrepreneurship. Jacob emphasizes learning from these failures and the need to be patient and ready for success. Throughout the episode, Jacob discusses his leadership evolution, focusing on servant leadership and building a passionate, customer-focused team. He highlights the importance of creating a culture of trust and creativity to ensure a safe and memorable experience for all visitors. Jacob remains committed to expanding DigWorld while offering an affordable alternative to traditional family outings. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS I discussed Jacob Robinson's inspiring journey from running a commercial cleaning company to founding Dig World, a construction-themed amusement park inspired by his son Pierce's battle with a severe illness. Jacob shared the story of how an unexpected email invitation led to his appearance on Shark Tank, which resulted in a significant deal with Robert Herjavec and propelled Dig World into the national spotlight. We explored the challenges faced during Dig World's opening day, highlighting the operational setbacks that resulted in temporary closure and how these experiences taught valuable lessons about patience and readiness. Jacob explained the development of custom technology to enhance safety and functionality in the park's machinery, ensuring a secure and manageable experience for visitors operating real construction equipment. We discussed the importance of building a passionate and customer-focused team, emphasizing a culture of creativity and care that enhances the visitor experience and supports the company's mission. Jacob described his evolution from a fear-driven leadership style to one centered on servant leadership, focusing on resilience and motivating his team positively through setbacks. As Dig World plans for expansion, Jacob remains committed to offering an affordable, enriching alternative to traditional family outings, while also contemplating new mascots and improvements to machinery safety. LINKSShow Notes Previous Episodes About BoyarMiller About Dig World GUESTS Jacob RobinsonAbout Jacob TRANSCRIPT (AI transcript provided as supporting material and may contain errors) Chris: Jacob, I want to welcome you to Building Texas Business. Thanks for taking time to come on the podcast. Jacob: No, thank you. I'm so honored to be here. Chris: So we can see from behind you. You know Dig World's your company. Take a minute to tell the listeners what Dig World is. What do you do? What are you known for? Jacob: Yeah, great question. So we are a construction theme park where we allow kids and adults to operate real construction equipment. So we let them drive real skid steers, real excavators, real UTVs would take you up and boom lifts, the whole deal. And the only thing is you need to be three years old or older. And so we truly are a fun family theme park, but we allow you to operate real construction equipment. Chris: Wow, I mean, that's amazing Real construction equipment. I can't wait to get into more of the details behind that, but first I have to ask you what was the inspiration to start a company like this? Jacob: Yeah, it's crazy. You don't wake up with a dream every day to start a construction theme park. Chris: Yeah, maybe a construction theme park, but not one where a three-year-old can operate. That's right. Jacob: That's fair? That's fair? Well, no. So we, my wife and I, were blessed. We have three amazing kids. We have nine-year-old, a five-year-old and almost a two-year-old, and so life is good and hectic right now. But my nine-year-old son, pierce, was born in 2015, a happy, healthy baby boy, and life progressed just normally and just fine. And then, in 2017, one morning on a Saturday morning, my wife found him in his crib unconscious and after rushing him to the hospital, we learned that he had contracted bacterial meningitis. We weren't sure if he was going to make it through the weekend, but the Lord had different plans. He was in a coma 12 days and we were in the hospital 75 days. And when we left the hospital, pierce left with a whole host of issues he's nonverbal, he's epileptic, he's deaf in both ears, you know, wheelchair and mental capacity of call it maybe a one-year-old, but but he is a happy little boy and, as I was telling somebody else, you know Pierce sees the world the way that we should all see the world. He doesn't see your skin color. He doesn't see your income. He doesn't see what car you drive. As long as you hang out with them, you've, we could bring people together. You know, you conceptually always understand that life is short, but when you're faced with something like that, you really understand that life is short and precious and so you want to bring people together and create memories and have good times and not just look up and say, man, all I did was work for 40, 50 years. And here I am, and so we had this idea. You know, as I told somebody, we're pretty good arrogant Texans. We thought we could build a theme park. It couldn't be that hard, right. And man, we were wrong and we'll get into that, I'm sure, at some point in the show. But Pierce's always loved construction equipment garbage trucks, dump trucks, really thinking that whole, everything in that category. And so we said, hey, we really think we could build a theme park where kids could actually come and operate real construction equipment. And for the listeners out there, some of you may be thinking, oh, this must be some toned down version. No, these are real. These are 3027s, these are 305s, these are 243 skid steers, and so these are the real deal that we have re-engineered to where it's safe, but these are the real deal that you get to operate the park. So that's how we got started. Pierce is the inspiration behind the park, the inspiration behind really a lot of things that I do in life, and bringing people together to create memories that last a lifetime. Chris: My gosh, I mean what? I mean? That's a mic drop story, jacob. I mean, you know, blessings to you and Pierce and your whole family. I hope to get the chance to meet him one day. Yes, he's the coolest member of our family. So, yes, that is amazing. So, wow. I love the inspiration and the story and this whole idea of bringing people and families together for those memories. So were you in the construction business when you started this, or what? Jacob: were you doing? I would say yes and no. I had a commercial cleaning company. I started in 2015. That was my job. We just recently sold that business and where we started that business was in the construction cleaning space. So anytime a general contractor would go and build a big building or a hotel or an office building, we would come in, we would work for the general contractor and we would do the final clean on that building. So I was kind of in the construction space. We, you know we answered to GCs all day, but I am not a construction guy by trade. I was an ag major at Texas A&M, so I was a janitor turned theme park guy. So it's been a very interesting career, as you can ask my CPA wife from all the meandering roads that we've taken. Chris: Yeah, so you know we're on inspiration. So then let's yeah, let's kind of dig into what a lot of entrepreneurs and business owners you know face is that first step right Of actually getting the courage to, to chase that dream. So let's take us back to that. What was that like? You know what were, you know what were the first steps like, what were the feelings? Like? How'd you convince that CPA wife that you know CPA wife that this wasn't quite as crazy as it sounded? Jacob: Yes, I'm not sure, when we crossed that line that the craziness went out the window. We may have been there for a couple of years, but I would say to those entrepreneurs out there it's easy to say and it's cliche to say, but everybody sees the end of the story, everybody sees Dig World. Now We've been open, we're on Shark Tank, we're franchising. You know everybody's going ah, great idea. Listen, that was not the case when we first started. We went back and counted. I had roughly 248 pitch meetings where they told me no, that I was crazy, it was never going to work. Nobody's ever going to come to this, nobody's. You know, it's not safe All these kinds of things. And so 248, it's a lot of meetings. It's a lot of meetings. It's a lot of no's. It's a lot of no's. To keep coming home and go, no, it was a good meeting. It was a good meeting. What did they give you? Money? Not at all, quite the opposite, but it was a good meeting, right? And so to those entrepreneurs out there that you, you, if you're pounding your head against the pavement and going, man, if one more person tells me no, hey, I've been there with you, I know what that's like. Keep pressing on, keep going. If you have the vision and you have the conviction behind it, I promise you, at some point you are going to find somebody that believes in your vision for no other reason than you've just been at it for so long and you've got conviction behind it that somebody will take a flyer on you. But it was difficult. It was difficult. We started in 2019, and then COVID hit right, and so we told people not only were we the crazy theme park people running around asking people to invest, but then we were the crazy people saying hey, listen, not only are we going to build it, we're going to get a whole bunch of people together. And that messaging wasn't going over very well during COVID, and so you know, we had all of these factors that were not going in our favor. And then, finally, in 21, in 2021, we had a first couple of people start to say yes, and then Domino's started to fall, and then we opened in March of 2022. And, frankly, that was an epic failure, too, that we can talk about as well, but it was a long journey. It was a long journey, and so my encouragement to those that are out there, either on that journey or those that are at the beginning of that journey is take a step, just take a step. Right, do something. Just call somebody and say your dream out loud, right? Call somebody and say hey, listen, I'm going to let a three-year-old drive a skid steer. Right, and the more you start to say it out loud, the better that muscle is going to become being flexed. And then, all of a sudden, you're going to be the confident person that walks in the room and goes no, yeah, of course we're going to put a three-year-old on skid steer. We're going to let them drive an excavator. We're going to have birthday parties here, and then, hey, guess what they? But that theme of just take the step, just do it just go for it. Chris: No one's ever going to believe it as much as you do, so you got to have that passion and belief and eventually you will find someone to get behind you, and then it's on you to deliver. Right, that's right, that's right, that's exactly right. So I do want to get to the story on the opening, but I have to ask you mentioned it earlier, so how did the Shark Tank thing come about? How did you, how'd you wind up on Shark Tank? Let's talk a little bit about that experience and what that was like. Jacob: Yeah, an amazing experience, you know, it just was fantastic all around. An exhausting experience nonetheless, but it was a fantastic experience. You know, we were very blessed. One day I was sitting at my computer and we got an email to our info account and said hey, would you consider being on season 16 of Shark Tank? And clearly we thought it was a joke, right, and clearly thought something was going to be hacked if I responded to it. Chris: Don't click the attachment right, that's right, that's right. Jacob: All of a sudden our bank account gets hacked. But it was actually one of the producers. She had seen us on Instagram and said, hey, listen, would you be interested? Let's learn more about your business, see if it checks a lot of these boxes. And then that started the whole process. And the process is rigorous and it's long, and your fate hangs in the hands of people that you never get to see or talk to. And you know it goes from one lawyer to another lawyer. None of those lawyers have talked to each other, and so the whole process is very interesting. And then you know the show is true. It's true to form. The only thing scripted about the show is the very beginning pitch that you give, and other than that, it's a free for all. The Sharks don't know about your business, they don't have a flyer on your business, they haven't been given any information. It's truly a live pitch pitching again when I'm like, hey, no, hold on, we got the park open, I don't need to pitch anybody again. Plenty of people have told me no, I don't need, you know, five people on national television to blast me and tell me no. But so when we got there, we did the pitch and we were very blessed it went well. We secured a deal from Robert Herjavec, the tech entrepreneur on the show. He's one of the staple sharks and it's just been a great experience and once there's one of those things that you look up and you really have to sit in the fact that it's one of those once in a lifetime crazy things. And even yesterday I was driving to the grocery store and I sat there and I was like man, this really happened. That's crazy and just trying to enjoy those moments. Chris: Well, and it has to be. I mean, it's great that it worked out and you got, you know, some additional investment from a very seasoned person, but just the notoriety of being on right Open, you know, a lot of eyes to you and had to, you know, you know, increase traction and interest in what you were doing. Jacob: Totally. I think, from even, just you know, foot traffic to the park here in Katy. That that's been tremendous. But then even, obviously, you know we went on the show to sell franchises. That that's our next big hurdle is selling franchises across the country and we have been flooded with requests of franchises to bring people, you know, bring a park to their location, their city. Talking to potential franchisees, it really just just totally gasoline on the fire. Chris: Yeah. So let's go back to the opening. You said March 2022. One of the things I like to talk to people about is let's talk about a failure that you've encountered and most people will tell you can do a whole show on them, right. Literally, I was going to say you don't have enough time on this, but you know you shared that. I guess the opening didn't go so well or something around that. So let's talk about what were some of the failures around that. What did you learn that made you better going forward? Jacob: That's right. You know, I tell people one day when I'm, when I give it, when I give a speech one day at a theme park conference, I'm going to be able to tell people I'm one of the very few theme park operators in the world that has opened a theme park and closed it the same day because it went so poorly. And so you know, I do have that badge of honor with me. So we opened the park too soon and that was a hundred percent my fault, right you too soon, and that was 100% my fault, right? You're trying to you build in these parameters in your head. We got to open this date. We got to do this. You know people are waiting and I really wanted it to be open that Thursday of spring break back in 2022. Could I have waited 48 hours more and would that have fixed our problems? Yes, did I? No, and I think a lot of it was. You know, we had been at this for four years. At this point, we were exhausted and here was the finish line. The finish line was on Thursday and we could do this and everybody's gonna love it. Tickets were sold out there. There was plenty of buzz. You know we were being interviewed from broadcaster. You know I was on NPR and we're doing this interview in this country and all over the US, and there was so much media attention. We had helicopters circling over the park doing filming, getting ready for the opening, and when we opened, man, it was an epic disaster, and the reason it was is I pushed the grand opening. All of our machines were not ready. We had not put on our technology of all the machines, not that we were letting people operate those machines, but we did not have enough time built in to put a computer on this machine, and then this machine, and then this machine. And so what happened is we opened the park to hundreds and hundreds of people and we didn't have that many machines going, and so those hundreds and hundreds of people waited in line for hours and it was just disastrous. And people were angry at me, rightfully so. People wanted to tell me what they thought about me, and rightfully so. The amount of refunds that we issued that day were it was probably dollar for dollar, we probably made $0 that day or just lost money, and so we had to shut the park down. So so I go on, and we, you know we were open. We were going to be open that Thursday, friday, saturday, sunday, and I just canceled everything and said hey, I'm so sorry, we're not going to be open, we'll refund you your tickets or you can come back whenever you want. And, man, people were so mad at us. They were so mad at us. The news was doing coverage about how Dig World closed in less than 24 hours and it was a disaster, an epic failure. And so you know you go home that night and something you had been working for four years, there was no, nothing good about it. There wasn't even. There was no silver lining, like you could be, like well, but no, it was terrible and kids left crying. I mean, just like I said, just terrible. And my wife will tell you that, looking back on that night, she goes hey, I thought I lost you mentally that night, like I thought you were so down in the dumps that night that I didn't know where we were going to go from here. And yeah, I remember the next day waking up, I was trying to, I was going to take my son on a walk and I remember getting halfway out of the neighborhood and having to turn around, got to go back into the office. We've got to go on the offensive here and really try to say hey, listen, we're sorry, let's own the mistake right. Hey, we opened too soon, please come back. And so I think you look at it right and it just was one of those epic failures, and we've had many more along the way, right? Advert Hello friends, this is Chris Hanslick, your Building Texas business host. Did you know that Boyer Miller, the producer of this podcast, is a business law firm that works with entrepreneurs, corporations and business leaders? Our team of attorneys serve as strategic partners to businesses by providing legal guidance to organizations of all sizes. Get to know the firm at boyermillercom, and thanks for listening to the show. Jacob: I was thinking of just trying to figure out how to run a theme park, and we've never run a theme park, but that was one. That's an easy recall when somebody asked me to talk about failure. Chris: Right, like you almost were there right Reliving it that day. Jacob: Oh man yes. Chris: Well, the lesson, though, in that you found the positive and I think it's true in so many different circumstances. We're all going to make mistakes, right, we've made them in the past. One thing certain we're going to make them again in the future, it's owning it right, be this, taking ownership of it, and then kind of committing to do better. I think when you do that, you know what, more times than not, what comes from that is grace. You know people grace to you, and I think that's what it seems like what you've experienced. Right, you owned it, so we're going to do better. The community gave you grace, and when you open back up, they came. Jacob: I think don't pass the blame, Even honestly, even if it's not really your blame, right? People want somebody to stand up and say, hey, it's on me, and I think we don't see that a lot of times in leadership throughout you know, whatever. But people willing to say, hey, that was on me, I'm gonna raise my hand, that was on me. And then the key is forgetting quickly and moving on right and not dwelling which, whatever you do, operate out of imagination, not memory. Right, Don't go back there, sit in those failures operate out of imagination, not memory. Chris: That's a good one. I haven't heard that one before I'm writing it down. Jacob: I would like to take credit for it, but somebody much smarter than me said it, so yeah, right. Chris: So I want to talk a little bit about technology and innovation because, I mean, I know these are, you know, big machinery used out in the construction. There's nothing really innovative about them, but it seems to me that using them in your theme park has to have some innovation and technology to make them safe, as you've described them. So you know, tell us about that. How did you come up with it or did you, or where did you find it? Jacob: it? Yeah, great question. So, yes, yes, all of the above. I know I did not come up with it, I'm not smart enough to write code, but we partnered with an engineer and we said hey, listen, this is what we want to do. We believe this can happen. And what we did, in simplistic terms, we built our own computer to put onto the back of the machine. That goes into its wiring to override a lot of the functionality of it. And so when we call it dig world mode, when the computer's in dig world mode, it is safe. The excavators are stationary, they can't go forward and backwards, they only go certain degrees to the right and left and up and down. Our skid steers are heavily governed, the hydraulics and a lot of functionalities are disengaged. We have kill switches and then we can flip the computer back to normal mode and it's a normal functioning machine. And so really, coming alongside a bright engineering team and building this technology that's our technology and putting it on these machines is really outside the box kind of stuff. And finding somebody that wanted to dream alongside with us was the key to success there. And he's still dreaming alongside with us. I mean he had made a technology upgrade this past week. That's one of those things you look at and you go why didn't we do that three years ago? That makes things a lot, you know not safer, they were very safe it makes it simpler for our team to utilize, and so we're always improving. I think that's the other thing. You know you hear it all the time as an entrepreneur, but as a business owner, one of the things that's very easy to do is get stuck in a rut and go well, we've always done it that way, right? I had a call with my business partner this morning and he's newer to the team and he said well, why are we doing that? And I was like well, honestly, I don't know if we've ever asked that question. I think we've just done it and let's try something new here. And knowing that you don't always have the right answers, and your teammate you may have a high school kid that works for you, like I do that comes to you and goes hey, why, why aren't we doing it like this? Could we do it like this? And you go it's a genius idea, let's do it that way. Yeah, and being okay and putting your pride aside and saying let's change and adapt. Chris: Right. So you're clearly kind of in the entertainment business. Let's talk about building a team right, because I think I mean clearly you've got an internal team there, I guess in the office that's got to run the company, some creativity around it, but then you have another team, that's, you know, customer facing. How have you gone about building kind of each of those teams to try to maximize the company's success? Jacob: Yeah, it's a great question, Thank you. I would say, yeah, our two teams I'd almost kind of say like our corporate team. Right, our corporate team is the X's and O's business focus. How do we grow the franchises? How do we optimize the P&L? And really the key to success there is not to overstate cliches, but like go hire somebody smarter than you and go hire somebody that is great at your weaknesses and then give them the reins to run it. I don't go in your lane, you know how to run it. I trust you explicitly. I've given you the keys of the kingdom because if not, if I'm just going to micromanage you, then why would I even have you on my team? That's demeaning to you. I'm going to end up doing the work anyways because I'm a control freak. So I'm going to go hire somebody that really knows what they're doing and say go, do it right. Or my business partner he oversees a lot of different things, but one of them is the marketing, and today he said hey, listen, do we want to spend here? Do you want to spend here? I think the answer is here. Yep, let's go there right, if you think that's interview going. Hey, this is what we sleep and breathe here. We love the customer, we love that people are here. We're going to love on them and we're going to make memories. Can you do that? And that's what I'm going to hire and fire against. If I see you out there and you're not loving on customers and you're not creating memories that last a lifetime, we're going to ask you to leave. But that's what you know from the beginning. We're going to hire and fire against. Do we love people and are we serving them well? And if we do those things, we're going to build a culture that people start to talk about. And every team meeting that we have, I kick off of hey, today we're going to love people and today we're going to think outside the box, and I know you had, you know, a long week at school. I'm asking you from nine to five today to dig deep and love on people because and when you really frame it up, we get to be a part of something so special and so unique. We get to really be a part of this kid or this family's memory bank, and hopefully in a good way. Right, there are going to be hundreds and hundreds of kids for the rest of their lives that are able to say man, when I was five I had my birthday party at this place called Dig World and I got to drive a real excavator. They're gonna tell that story for their whole life. We get to be a part of that. How humbling is that. And so when you really can set the picture for these kids, what we're doing here is not just a job. We're not here today to collect tickets and put you on a machine and say thank you for coming. We are ingraining ourselves into your memory bank, and when we can take that on in the privilege of that, then, man, we can really sky's the limit. Chris: Yeah, well, I could see if you get that light bulb to go off and kind of in any employee, right, it changes the whole dynamic, the mindset and luckily those high school kids I got to believe they're learning great life skills to have to deal with people on the fly. And that's what we do every day. Right, we're dealing with people as we as they come to us, and so that's exactly right. Jacob: And get to teaching that, hey, the customer's not always right Sometimes. You know we can stand our ground every now and then too, and so really, yeah, how do we handle conflict with each other? How do we handle conflict with a customer? You know those are skills that are in an online day and age are becoming less and less, so how do we actually stand in front of another human being and say, hey, listen, I know you're frustrated, let's figure out how we can work through this kind of deal. So hopefully we're teaching them things that can go far beyond Dig World. Chris: Yes, for sure. So we're here in Texas. You started this business here. Tell me some of the things that you found, or have found, to be advantageous about being a Texas-based business. Jacob: Oh man, so many, one. Obviously. Just the people right, the people buy in and they love it. They love supporting the business, they love supporting what we're trying to do here. And so, culturally, it's amazing to be here in Texas. We were fortunate when we started we had a partnership with Texas A&M, my alma mater and so I'm a little biased there but really getting their buy-in, and a university that saw what we were trying to do and said, hey, listen, let's go capture the next generation of construction workers and teach them about Texas A&M. Yes, but let's also teach them about this great industry of construction. And then really, just the flexibility of Texas. You know there's not many states you can just go out and, for the first and foremost, be like, hey, listen, we're going to start a theme park and it's going to let kids operate construction equipment, right, the flexibility and you know we went through the whole rigmarole and everything with insurance and the filings, but really the adaptability of the state and going, yeah, that sounds great, let's do that. And then everybody behind it. It's just, it's been amazing. Chris: That's great. So I'd like to talk about leadership, and you know you're clearly, as a founder and CEO, leader, but how do you think those leadership qualities have developed over time and how would you describe your leadership style? Jacob: Yeah, I tell people a lot of times I think there's two versions of Jacob as the leader. There is pre-Pierce getting sick and then there's post-Pierce getting sick. Not that the goals have changed. The goals are still. Listen, you're running a business. You got to make money and you got to keep the doors open right At the end of the day. That's the name of the game. But mindset around those have changed. The intensity around that has changed and the bigger picture around that has changed. So, for example, pre Pierce getting sick and our cleaning business, we lose a contract. I'm pretty frustrated. I'm probably a little panicky. We're getting a little desperate on how do we replace that contract. I'm driving the team harder. What are we selling? I'm micromanaging more because I'm feeling nervous and anxious. Right, post Pierce getting sick, the intensity is not gone, but the priorities are going hey, we lost the contract, okay, let's go home, let's reset. Tomorrow, we'll find another one. There's another one out there, let's go find another one. Right, and motivating the team that way, instead of fear-based whether it be my fear or the fear I'm instilling rather than going hey, we'll be fine, we're gonna keep doing what we're doing. We're gonna keep doing the X's and O's of the business and it will be there. And so I think, when failure of a grand opening and a grand closing comes, you go. Okay, listen, today was not a good day, today was a terrible day. However, I'm still here, my family's still here, and tomorrow we're going to figure out how we survive this and we're going to pick up and we're going to go to work tomorrow and we're going to figure it out, and then I think, at the end of the day, I'm a servant leader. I hope our high school kids see me doing things that I asked them to do. I hope they see me cleaning the bathrooms. I hope they see me doing this, not to manipulate them to saying, hey, you know, oh, jacob's doing it, I should go do it. No, I want you to see that we're all in this together, right, and I believe in it this much that I'm going to get in here with you and I'm not going do at that point is they go? Yeah, I'll go clean the bathrooms, right, and hey, jacob asked me to do it, I'll go do it because I know he would do it right, rather than the dictator style leadership or the authoritarian style leadership. So I think for me it's coming alongside them, servant leadership, getting in the trenches, dealing with the disgruntled customers and not just making them deal with it, all of those kinds of things, I think. Build in the goodwill with the team and they see somebody that wants to link arms with you, and then what it allows me to do is come alongside them on those times where I either have to discipline or I have to recorrect or reposition, and they go. Ok, I know. But I know at the end of the day, he loves me. I know at the end of the day, it's the best, even if he's firing me. You know at the end that you, moving on, I'm still going to be in your corner, and so I think I view my leadership in those two ways. Chris: I like that. I can identify with it as well, feel the same way. To me the servant leadership is so valuable, right? Your employees have to believe not only they've seen you do it, not that you will do it, they've seen you do it right, and that when you ask them to do it it's important and so that's great. You know, just thinking about the obviously a lot of stuff going on in our world and in any kind of different ways. But you know economically, you know legislatively, what are some of the headwinds, given all that that you kind of see facing dig world as you're kind of looking out over the next 30, 60, 90, 120 days, year, kind of yeah, yeah. Jacob: It's a great question. I would answer it two ways. One you know, as we look at the economics of our park and people coming to our park, you know what we feel like is we sit in that middle or probably lower to middle ground of your discretionary spending as a family, meaning. Meaning, as I compare it to a Disney right, and when the economy goes down a little bit or people are a little worried or nervous, the Disney vacation may go on the back burner. Right, because that's a significant financial investment into that. It's a great experience, but it's significant. Where we fall is on the lower end of that category, hopefully delivering the same memories and experiences and fun and joy, but the price point is significantly cheaper than that. So we feel in good times and in rougher times we hope to be a resource that allows those families to still create memories in that regard. Externally, as we look to grow franchises, the ups and downs of the economy can sway different investors. They can sway how they want to hold their money, what they want to do with their money, what they don't want to do with their money. Now my sales pitch to those individuals are hey, you could take your money and put it over here, or you could take your money and put it over here and you could kind of be in control of it, but you also can create something that's bigger than you for your community, for your family, things like that. So it it will be interesting to see what the next probably call it 120 days have in store for us as far as how we're received on the investment side. But right now, our focus on this phase one is how do we get five franchises across the finish line, and right now, praise the Lord, we're very close to hitting that number. And then we got to get them open and we have to produce right. Chris: At the end of the day, you have to produce and I understand you have two open now or the second one's about to open. Dallas will be open by the end of this year. That's correct. Okay, that's great. So I gotta ask. I mean, you're talking about disney, made me think. Do you have some kind of mascot or anybody like in a big suit when you show up at dig world? You know? Jacob: so. But he said I literally got off a phone call earlier we are, we've honed it into kind of two mascots that we want, and so that will be released soon once the debate can be decided within our team of which way we're going. Chris: Okay very good. So let's just kind of turn to a little more casual side. Yeah, you said you and Katie went to A&M. I'm taking those two data points and making an assumption you're a born and raised Texan, it's a great question. Jacob: It's a great assumption, but no, I am a son of a healthcare executive, and so I was born in Alabama, raised all over Texas, graduated high school in South Carolina, then came to A&M, met my wife, who is a Houstonian, who's a Katie girl and much smarter than I am, and so she had a real job after college, and so I followed her here and I've been here ever since. Chris: Okay, Great story. So just talking about Texas, you know you all have a favorite spot. You like to go within the state to get away, maybe vacation time. Jacob: Yeah, you know it's funny whenever, within the state, melissa and I we love to head over to San Antonio. We love the Hill Country side. We like a couple of the resorts there. That's our, our getaway. And then I think you know when we're getting away. Now we've got young kids. Grandparents and cousins and nephews live in waco and so we head over to waco. We spend a lot of time there. But if melissa and I are just getting away and staying in the state, we're gonna head probably over to san antonio very good. Chris: That leads me to the next question then do you prefer tex-mex or barbecue? Jacob: oh man, that's. Oh man, see that one. That's a tricky question because we'd have to be like specific in the subcategory right. Like'd have, we'd have to like pit two against each other. Chris: I hear you. Everyone says that that's the hardest question saved for last. Jacob: Oh, my goodness, I'm going to have to go barbecue. I'm going to have to go barbecue. Chris: All right, all right. I love how you're going to break it down, though, cause I'm the same way. You know. It's like. Well, I don't know, it depends, I mean it depends it just. Jacob: You know, on Friday night this weekend I had Tex-Mex. On Saturday I had barbecue. So you know like it literally is, but I'd have to go barbecue. Chris: All right, very good. Well, jacob, thank you again for taking time to come on the podcast. I mean your story, obviously from the start of it with Pierce, was amazing, but just such a creative, unique thing that you've created. And you know, just wish you the best of success, thank you. Thank you, honored to be here today. Thank you for taking time Special Guest: Jacob Robinson.

Over 5,000 Houstonians rallied at City Hall to protest President Trump and Elon Musk, plus even more rallies in Montgomery County and across the country. Plus, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. visited the epicenter of Texas' measles outbreak, and local nonprofits supporting refugees say their crisis is deepening. Executive Producer Laura Isensee is breaking it all down with Chron.com trending news reporter Faith Bugenhagen. Learn more about the stories we talked about today: Thousands rally at City Hall for Hands Off! protest against Elon Musk and President Donald Trump Exclusive: Trump order disrupts $100 million in aid for Houston refugees. Can it be recovered? A second Texas child has died from measles; RFK Jr. visits How Long Will the Texas Measles Outbreak Last? Pivoting, Whitmire says Austin Street will get a dedicated bike lane, but no physical barrier Cougar fans take over San Antonio as Final Four festivities get underway WATCH: Clumsy robber fumbles gun, slips and falls during attempted armed robbery at Houston convenience store  Learn more about the sponsors of this April 8th episode: Visit Port Aransas British International School of Houston Downtown Houston+ Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagram  @CityCastHouston Don't have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let's Talk! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A second unvaccinated child with measles has died in West Texas, as the measles outbreak reaches nearly 500 cases and shows no signs of slowing. While U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., visited the epicenter of the crisis on Sunday, we wanted to know: how long will the measles outbreak last? And how can Houstonians protect themselves and their kids? Executive Producer Laura Isensee talks with Dr. Sandi Cohan and Lorena Mottu, both with Legacy Community Health, to learn more. Dive deeper into today's conversation: A second Texas child has died from measles; RFK Jr. visits Measles outbreak could last a year, health official in Texas says Texas is poised to make measles a nationwide epidemic, public health experts say With measles in the news, adults are wondering, do I need a vaccine booster? Learn more about the sponsors of this April 7th episode: Visit Port Aransas British International School of Houston Downtown Houston+ Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagram  @CityCastHouston Don't have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let's Talk! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Monday's show: The University of Houston's men's basketball team will play tonight for the national title against Florida after a stunning comeback victory against Duke Saturday in the men's Final Four. Jeff Balke previews the game.Also this hour: The year's first widely recognized hurricane season forecast says we could see a busier than normal 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, with as many as 17 named storms and nine hurricanes. Meteorologist Justin Ballard of the Houston Chronicle interprets what the forecast means for Greater Houston.Then, we offer Houstonians a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city.

On Monday's show: A bipartisan bill to create a grant program for safer railroad crossings is headed to the Texas House after the Senate recently passed it unanimously. Senate Bill 1555 was filed after the death of Sergio Rodriguez, a 15-year-old Houston ISD student who was struck by a train while walking to Milby High School. We learn more about the bill from one of its co-authors, Sen. Carol Alvarado, a Houston Democrat who's also a Milby graduate.Also this hour: We explore how changing Medicaid and SNAP policy may impact Houstonians.Then, we learn about a local pilot program providing resources and education about endometriosis.And from UH making the Final Four, to the Astros' season-opening series against the Mets, we recap developments in sports with the help of Jeff Balke.

How Houston are you? Host Raheel Ramzanali is chatting with producer Carlignon Jones and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis about things you have to experience to make you a REAL Houstonian. From honking in traffic to seeing a herd of cattle run all over 45 north, you're not a real Houstonian until you've… Links Mentioned in Today's Show: Magic Island City Cast Houston's Taco Guide Learn more about the sponsors of this March 26th episode: Visit Port Aransas Bayou City Art Festival Artechouse St. Thomas High School Momentum Indoor Climbing - Save 10% on camp registration with code CITYCAST at checkout! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 My name is Emily Hynds and I am a small business owner, Producer of the monthly storytelling series, Grown-up Storytime, and lifelong Houstonian. I am not a journalist or government official, I am a local government enthusiast who believes meaningful change starts at home. These notes are presented from my point of view and with my framing, your notes will certainly be different and I would love to read them if you attend.For sources and further reading:www.emilytakesnotes.comI watched this City Council meeting via HTV: https://www.houstontx.gov/htv/my IG: https://www.instagram.com/embaleez - for todays notes and Houston City Council GuideYou can find your City Council person and their contact info at: https://www.houstontx.gov/council/

My name is Emily Hynds and I am a small business owner, Producer of the monthly storytelling series, Grown-up Storytime, and lifelong Houstonian. I am not a journalist or government official, I am a local government enthusiast who believes meaningful change starts at home. These notes are presented from my point of view and with my framing, your notes will certainly be different and I would love to read them if you attend.For sources and further reading:www.emilytakesnotes.comI watched this City Council meeting via HTV: https://www.houstontx.gov/htv/my IG: https://www.instagram.com/embaleez - for todays notes and Houston City Council GuideYou can find your City Council person and their contact info at: https://www.houstontx.gov/council/

My name is Emily Hynds and I am a small business owner, Producer of the monthly storytelling series, Grown-up Storytime, and lifelong Houstonian. I am not a journalist or government official, I am a local government enthusiast who believes meaningful change starts at home. These notes are presented from my point of view and with my framing, your notes will certainly be different and I would love to read them if you attend.For sources and further reading:www.emilytakesnotes.comI watched this City Council meeting via HTV: https://www.houstontx.gov/htv/my IG: https://www.instagram.com/embaleez - for todays notes and Houston City Council GuideYou can find your City Council person and their contact info at: https://www.houstontx.gov/council/

Today's guest, Jose Berlanga, Founder & CEO of Houstonian Capital and Onyx Land Partners. Jose is an experienced entrepreneur, author, and land developer known for his expertise in entrepreneurship, land acquisition, and business growth strategies.Check out the books he has published, "The Business of Home Building", "Dirt Rich" and coming soon, "Quantum Entrepreneurship".To learn from Jose Berlanga or invest in Houston, Texas Real Estate visit: https://JoseBerlanga.com/Thank you for listening to another episode of the Perky Collar Radio Show!Warmest Regards,David M. FrankelPerky Collar Inventor, Founder of Perky, LLC & Perky Franchising, LLC, Perky Collar Radio Show Host, Commercial Real Estate Broker & Business Broker www.PerkyLLC.comJoin my Entrepreneur Group: Facebook.com/Groups/CharlotteEntrepreneurThinkTankFeel free to connect with me on Linkedin: www.Linkedin.com/in/DavidMFrankel

For many of us, despite having the best intentions, we struggle to reach out effectively with the gospel. Jeff Medders joins Matt to talk about fostering a genuine evangelistic culture in our lives and churches.ABOUT Jeff Medders is the Director of Theology and Content for Send Network and the General Editor for New Churches. He is also pursuing his Ph.D. at Southern Seminary in biblical spirituality under the supervision of Dr. Donald S. Whitney. Jeff is a writer, a preacher, a podcaster, and an unashamed coffee snob. He is a native Houstonian and the author of several books including Rooted: Theology for Growing Christians; Gospel Formed: Living a Grace-Addicted, Truth-Filled, Jesus-Exalting Life; Humble Calvinism: And If I Know the Five Points, But Have Not Love; Risen King: 40 Devotions for Easter; and the main topic of the podcast conversation, The Soul-Winning Church: Six Keys to Fostering a Genuine Evangelistic Culture.

Today on City Cast Houston, Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee about his fight against President Trump's current administration. They'll examine how Trump's executive orders are impacting Houstonians, from the Texas Medical Center's medical research funds being taken away to federally funded programs being stopped in Harris County. Can Chrisitan Menefee legally win against President Trump and help Harris Country residents avoid feeling the impacts?  Stories we talked about on today's show:  Third judge blocks Trump's order ending birthright citizenship for kids of people in US illegally How could new federal policies affect Houston? Harris Co. Attorney speaks on potential impact Trump's Order Doesn't Bar Harris County From Serving Residents in Multiple Languages Enjoying City Cast? Come out and meet the team at a pre-game mixer at the Houston Rockets on March 25. Get your tickets here with the special code: CITYCAST2025 Learn more about the sponsors of this March 10th episode: Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce Foundation Camp Champions Destination Bryan ARTECHOUSE Meow Wolf Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagram  @CityCastHouston Don't have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let's Talk! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Red Cross stops by to inform Houstonians about preparing for hurrican season. Website

(AURN News) — Former Congresswoman Erica Lee Carter, daughter of the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee who was a political legend, is paying tribute to Congressman Sylvester Turner, who died peacefully Wednesday at age 70, according to his office. "Congressman Sylvester Turner was more than a public servant- he was a man of God and quintessential Houstonian who loved our City more than anyone I know," Carter said in a statement to AURN News. "He stood and fought for all people to have access to their American dream." Carter briefly represented Texas's 18th Congressional District following her mother's death in 2024, before Turner assumed the seat in January. The position has now seen three representatives in little more than a year, marking a period of significant transition for the Houston district. "On a personal note, he was kind and a true friend to our family including my mother, the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, father Elwyn, Jason and myself," Carter continued. "We will forever cherish the times we shared. And, we remain committed to the values that he held so dear." The connection between Turner and the Lee-Carter family runs deep in Houston politics. Turner had been in attendance at President Donald Trump's address to the joint session of Congress just one day before his death. Turner previously served as Houston's 62nd mayor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Monday's show: Following Friday's "economic blackout," we consider whether boycotts of this nature work as intended.Also this hour: We offer Houstonians a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city.And we talk about the Houston Rockets as they're set to face one of the best, and one of the worst, teams in their conference this week.

It's the Friday News Roundup! Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Deborah Duncan, host of Great Day Houston at KHOU Channel 11. They dig into the news you need to know from this week, from the measles outbreak in Texas to the big drop in HISD's enrollment, and what it all means for Houstonians. Plus, it's time to rodeo! H-town's iconic event kicks off today with the BBQ cook-off, trail riders and much more! Learn more about the stories we talked about today: ICE says 118 people were arrested in Colony Ridge operation, but offers few details A Texas child who was not vaccinated has died of measles, a first for the US in a decade Houston ISD lost nearly 7,400 students in 2024-25 academic year, new enrollment data shows Houston ISD showcases controversial New Education System to other districts, charters RodeoHouston BBQ Cookoff | Your guide to the ultimate Texas barbecue experience Thousands of rodeo trail riders will fill Houston streets soon. Here's when and where to see them. If you enjoyed today's interview with Destination Bryan's PR & Communication Coordinator, Lina Adams, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 28th episode here: Downtown Houston+ Inprint Wild West Brewfest Destination Bryan Sam Houston Race Park Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagram  @CityCastHouston Don't have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let's Talk! Photo: Carlignon Jones/City Cast Houston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Monday's show: The Texas House has its own version of a school vouchers bill that would tie the value of education savings accounts to public school funding. We learn how it would work differently than a plan in the Senate and how the two houses might work out conflicts between them.Also this hour: Three years into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, how does it all end, and what does it mean for Houstonians? We ask a pair of local foreign policy experts.Then, Apple has announced plans to build an AI server manufacturing facility here in Houston. Columnist Dwight Silverman explains what the facility will be doing and updates us on other developments in consumer technology.And the Astros got their first look at the automated ball/strike system as Major League Baseball tests out a new challenging system in spring training. Jeff Balke lets us know how it went.

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.

About the Show:"Don't be afraid to make a mistake. Nine times out of ten, people will help you along and give you a lot of grace."Brittany JohnsonIn this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Brittany Johnson, the visionary behind Ambivert Books, an independent bookstore dedicated to Spanish language literature in Springdale. Brittany shares her inspiring journey of launching this unique venture, the challenges of operating in a digital age dominated by major retailers, and her passion for promoting literature originally written in Spanish.As a native Houstonian who has made Northwest Arkansas her home for nearly a decade, Brittany reflects on her experiences and how they shaped her desire to create a space that celebrates diverse voices and stories. The conversation delves into the importance of community, the joy of discovering literature, and how Ambivert Books aims to fill a significant gap in the local market.Join us as we explore Brittany's insights on the ambivert concept and how it relates to her bookstore's mission, as well as the excitement surrounding the upcoming grand opening of Casa Magnolia, where her bookstore will reside. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, community engagement, and the power of literature.Key Takeaways:Unique Niche: Ambivert Books focuses on Spanish language literature, providing access to works often overlooked in mainstream bookstores.Community Collaboration: The partnership with Casa Magnolia showcases the spirit of cooperation among local businesses to enhance cultural offerings in Springdale.Language and Connection: Brittany emphasizes the importance of reading in one's native language and how it fosters deeper connections to culture and identity.Encouragement for Language Learners: Brittany shares her journey in language acquisition and offers valuable tips for those looking to learn Spanish.Upcoming Events: Stay tuned for exciting programming, including bilingual book clubs and community events at Ambivert Books.All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Brittany JohnsonWebsite Ambivert BooksAmbivert Books on InstagramTo celebrate the grand opening of Casa Mongolia join us for a Storytime onFebruary 22, 202510 amCasa Magnolia414 Holcomb St., SpringdaleTune in to KUAF 91.3 FM to listen to the I am Northwest Arkansas® podcast on Ozarks at Large every Tuesday at 12 Noon and 7 PM CST. And, check us out on their podcast as well. This episode is sponsored by*HootOwl Legal Ver 2 Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works...

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.

One of Greater Houston's fastest growing community is dealing with lead in their water, but so far, they've received little help from local and state authorities. Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Shannon Ryan, reporter at ABC-13 Houston, to talk about that story in Montgomery County. Plus, why 8,000 students are calling out leaders at the University of Houston, how President Trump's latest policies are impacting us in H-Town, and why more Houstonians are buying backyard chickens! Stories we talked about on today's show:  Concerns about brown in Willis water grows after private test shows high level of lead Union Pacific investigation uncovers dioxin at Fifth Ward community center Sexual assault, robberies on University of Houston campus prompt increased security measures 30,000 tons of food stuck in Houston port after Trump halts foreign aid More Houston residents consider raising backyard chickens as bird flu causes spike in egg prices Learn more about the sponsors of this February 11th episode here: Visit Amarillo Downtown Houston+ Inprint Camp Champions Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagram  @CityCastHouston Don't have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let's Talk! Photo Credit: SimplyCreativePhotography / Getty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you're looking for somewhere to go for the upcoming Presidents Day weekend, or you have a longer getaway in mind, there are so many fun winter trips to take from H-Town. Host Raheel Ramzanali is getting some of the top recommendations from Sofia Gonzalez, travel and food editor at Houstonia Magazine, featuring snowy slopes, warm beaches, epic roadtrips, and so much more!  Aspen Red Rocks Park & Ampitheatre Albuquerque Tulum Big Bend National Park Brazos Bend State Park George Observatory Creek Street Wine Tours Chicago Galveston Learn more about the sponsors of this February 6th episode here: Visit Amarillo Downtown Houston+ The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don't have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let's Talk! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz Barraza ////// 815Part 1 of 1 www.TrueCrimeGarage.comThis week we feature an unsolved case that left Houstonians baffled and in fear, and a police force hunting a killer.  A young woman, Liz Barraza was shot and killed in her driveway just before 7AM on a Friday.  The murder was captured on home security cameras.  The vehicle that the murderer was driving to and from the scene was captured on several cameras.  In fact, police found footage of the vehicle in the neighborhood from several hours prior to the murder.  Why was the killer patrolling this quiet and safe neighborhood?  Were they perhaps familiarizing themselves with the street, the victim's house, and planning when to strike?  Liz Barraza was well liked and loved by so many.  Who wanted her dead and so badly that they committed the murder where they could be seen by many?  Her family is still holding out hope that they can get justice for Liz. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1-713-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online or through the Crime Stoppers app.  Beer of the Week - Tropic Boom from Saint Arnold Brewing CompanyGarage Grade - 4 out of 5 bottle caps  More True Crime Garage can be found on Patreon and Apple subscriptions with our show - Off The Record.  Catch dozens of episodes of Off The Record plus a couple of Bonus episodes and our first 50 when you sign up today.  True Crime Garage merchandise is available on our website's store page.  Plus get True Crime Garage Pod art that you can post on your socials on our Media page.  Follow the show on X and Insta @TrueCrimeGarage / Follow Nic on X @TCGNIC / Follow The Captain on X @TCGCaptain  Thanks for listening and thanks for telling a friend.  Be good, be kind, and don't litter! 

 Leading the Houston Texans: A Conversation with Cal and Hannah McNair In this week's Team Never Quit episode, Marcus and Melanie sit down with Cal and Hannah McNair, the dynamic duo behind the Houston Texans. Cal McNair, the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Houston Texans, has been at the helm of the team since 2018, guiding them through remarkable achievements, including a 10-7 record in the 2023 season under a rookie head coach and quarterback. Under his leadership, the Texans secured their seventh division title and unveiled new fan-inspired uniforms in 2024. McNair attended The University of Texas at Austin, where he was a four-year member of the Longhorns' football team. He earned a master's degree in business administration from the Rice University Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management. Cal shares his journey from his early career at Cogen Technologies to becoming the principal owner of the Texans in 2024. He discusses his vision for the team, the importance of community involvement, and the Texans Foundation's impact on Houston, which has raised over $48 million since its inception. Hannah McNair, a proud native Houstonian and University of Houston alum, joins the conversation to talk about their shared passion for philanthropy and, of course, the Houston Texans. With a background in business from the University of Houston and Rice University, Hannah has been deeply involved in numerous charities across the city, from the YMCA to the Houston Food Bank. She reflects on the couple's commitment to giving back, balancing life as parents of seven, and supporting the community that has given them so much. In This Episode You Will Hear: • [Cal] What I really enjoy is going into someone else's house, and beating them, and then seeing our fans, surrounded by the other team's colors, and they're wearing our colors in the stands , and when we win those games is my favorite [moment]. (3:27) • [Cal] We have fans that have had seats next to each other that didn't know each other, but because they came to the game and sat next to each other, they became friends. (4:29) • [Cal played football at] The University of Texas. (8:07) • [Cal] The team was [originally] awarded to Los Angeles, but it had a deadline and they didn't meet it. (9:07) • [Hannah] The interesting thing about twins is that you have had somebody who's had your back your entire life. (26:50) • [Hannah] I think team sports is one of the most important educational things you can teach kids. (34:53) • [Hannah] [In baseball] You fail most of the time. If you have an error, are you gonna just stop the game? Are you gonna run to your parents? Or are you gonna learn from it, and go to the next play. You can't just quick. (34:59) • [Hannah] If you can learn how to be part of a team and put your personal feelings aside for the greater good of the team, I think that's a valuable lesson, especially with youth today. (35:45) • [Hannah] With anything in the public eye, you try to use those [harassment in the stands] to create a better person in them, so that they're ready for whatever comes their way, (40:13) • [Hannah] You have to have God as your foundation. If you don't have that to turn to, you're lost already. (40:38) • [Hannah] You cannot go wrong by doing what's right. (45:48) • [Marcus] Q: What's the best piece of advice or wisdom you've got from somebody? [Cal] A: Never Quit. (47:52) • [Hannah] [CJ Stroud] is the CEO on the field. (48:32)