22 Sides

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What does it take to step into public service during challenging times? Jovon Tyler joins us to share his journey toward running for Houston City Council in 2027, revealing the personal experiences that shaped his political vision and the values driving his campaign.

Tyler's candidacy emerges from what he perceives as a leadership crisis in Houston. Rather than simply criticizing from the sidelines, he's developed the HOPE agenda—addressing Homelessness, creating Opportunity, ensuring Public accommodations for all, and improving Efficiency in city services. This framework reflects both his policy priorities and his commitment to making Houston a city everyone can be proud to call home.

The conversation takes an intimate turn as Tyler shares his two distinct experiences with homelessness—first as a teenager who voluntarily left home at 15 and later as a young adult struggling with addiction. These personal challenges have given him unique insight into the nuances of homelessness, rejecting the notion that it's an unsolvable problem. "I've talked to homeless people on the streets," he explains, advocating for solutions that recognize the humanity of unhoused individuals while creating meaningful support systems.

As a licensed funeral director specializing in pre-arranged services, Tyler brings a distinctive professional perspective to public service. He discusses the heavily regulated funeral industry, designed to protect vulnerable families during difficult times, and how his experience helping people plan ahead informs his approach to governance. Unlike many candidates who use elections as stepping stones to new careers, Tyler intends to maintain his professional work while serving on the council—understanding that Houston's city government was designed for part-time public servants who remain connected to their communities.

What ultimately drives Tyler is a belief in Houston's potential and the core Texan value of fairness. "I want people to feel just as proud to say that they're from Houston as they are from anywhere else in this country," he shares, pointing toward a vision of a city that works for everyone. Whether discussing public safety, relationships with county government, or the challenges of campaigning, Tyler's candor reveals someone focused on service rather than self-promotion.

Ready to learn more or get involved? Visit www.jovontyler.com to connect with the campaign and join the effort to bring HOPE and hard work to Houston's future.

Colin from Season 2 Episode 7 Poetry Event.

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Frost Murphy shares his journey from martial arts professional to humanitarian, illustrating how physical wellness can be integrated with meaningful service to create a balanced, purpose-driven life.

• Breaking a sweat daily benefits body, mind, and spirit - whether through structured exercise or everyday activities
• Quality fitness experiences should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or physical limitations
• Walking backwards can strengthen back muscles and alleviate lower back pain
• Martial arts training can be modified for all ages, including those in their 80s
• Heart Gift organization provides lifesaving heart surgery to children with congenital defects
• Four T's of volunteering: Time, Talent, Treasure, and Ties - establishes clear boundaries for nonprofit involvement
• Greater Houston Community Foundation helps connect people with appropriate volunteer opportunities
• Smart recovery strategies include steam therapy, targeted exercises, and adjusting expectations

Check out Frost's podcast "Elite MMA Coaches Corner" - available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.

For more information on how to find Frost check out Elite MMA at:

https://elite-mma.com/frost-murphy/

Colin from Season 2 Episode 7 Poetry Event.

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Filmmaker Sharon Ferranti joins us to discuss her journey from videography to advocacy documentaries. We explore how artistic expression intersects with community building, recovery support, and intentional inclusion.

• The importance of being intentionally inclusive rather than simply not exclusive
• How recovery communities model effective community building by focusing on commonalities rather than differences
• Sharon's years of sobriety and the life-saving power of community support
• The shift in local politics from divisive social issues to practical community concerns
• The importance of taking action rather than just having opinions about social issues

Check out Sharon's work at thesharonshow.com to learn more about her upcoming projects and documentary work.

Colin from Season 2 Episode 7 Poetry Event.

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What do you do when your entire identity has been built around another person and suddenly they're gone? For Jennifer Marie, the answer came in the form of Houston's vibrant theater community. After a devastating divorce ended her 20-year relationship, she found herself without friends, activities, or a sense of self. Looking back to who she was at 16, before her marriage, she rediscovered a forgotten passion for theater that would ultimately rebuild her life.

Jennifer Marie takes us on a deeply personal journey through Houston's diverse theater landscape, sharing how she went from attending her first post-divorce show alone to becoming a subscriber at three different theaters who sometimes attends performances twice weekly. She reveals the accessibility of Houston theater, with numerous venues offering pay-what-you-can options, volunteer opportunities for free tickets, and the annual Theater Week promotions each August. From Catastrophic Theater's thought-provoking productions to Stages' commitment to diverse casting, the conversation illuminates how theater provides not just entertainment, but healing.

The power of live theater emerges as a central theme - unlike passive television viewing, the communal experience of witnessing stories unfold alongside fellow humans creates connections that prove particularly valuable during periods of isolation. Jennifer describes how theater helped her rebuild her social circle, eventually leading to her "52 friend dates" experiment where she committed to meeting a different friend weekly for a year. Her story reminds us that healing often comes through deliberate action, community engagement, and rediscovering passions that define us separately from our relationships.

Whether you're a theater enthusiast or someone navigating a major life transition, this conversation offers insight into how the arts can facilitate personal transformation. Ready to explore Houston's theater scene yourself? Check out one of the many accessible venues mentioned in this episode, or share your own theater experiences with us through our talkback channel!

For more information on Houston Theaters, here is Jennifer Marie's list

Catastrophic

Mildreds Umbrella

Stages Theater

4th Wall Theater Company

TUTS

Main Street Theater

Dirt Dogs

Alley Theatre

Classical Theater Co.

Ensemble Theater

Houston Theater Week

Seat Junkie

Colin from Season 2 Episode 7 Poetry Event.

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What if our greatest failures are actually doorways to our most authentic lives? In this deeply reflective conversation, we're joined by Mel, who shares her journey of growing up in what she lovingly describes as "the Adams Family" – a household of eccentric intellectuals who valued knowledge above all else.

Mel's family shaped her unique perspective on life's ups and downs: "Money comes and goes, but knowledge is the thing that you hang on to." This philosophy has guided her through a creative career spanning film, camera work, and now digital archiving and preservation.

The heart of our discussion explores the concept of failure and how we respond to it. With remarkable self-awareness, Mel acknowledges her "psychotically determined" nature – recognizing both its power and its potential toxicity. We travel through fascinating examples, including how Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign "failure" ultimately led him to a cabinet position perfectly matched to his skills as a former mayor.

Perhaps most importantly, we examine how maintaining composure during confrontation becomes a superpower. "You can act mad, but you can't be mad," Mel advises those entering advocacy spaces. This distinction between expressing emotions authentically versus being controlled by them offers wisdom applicable to any meaningful dialogue.

Mel leaves us with a powerful thought to carry forward: "Learn to love your mistakes and your ugly sides a little bit more, because your ugly sides need some love too." In embracing our whole selves – failures, flaws, and all – we discover the pathway to living more authentically every day.

Join us for this thoughtful exploration of resilience, self-acceptance, and finding meaning in life's unexpected detours. What failures might actually be redirecting you toward something better?

Colin from Season 2 Episode 7 Poetry Event.

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Ever wondered what it really takes to put food on your table? Not the grocery store experience, but the raw, primal connection to actually harvesting what you eat? 

Two experienced hunters take us deep into the world of hunting - from exotic game ranches in Texas to practical deer hunting for family sustenance. They explore hunting the eland (Africa's largest antelope) on a 10,000-acre ranch, sharing both the technical challenges and the substantial investment required ($15,000+) for such pursuits. But this conversation goes far beyond logistics.

The dialogue reveals hunting as a multifaceted experience: disconnecting from technology in remote natural settings, forming deeper bonds with family members, and experiencing the unique satisfaction that comes from providing your own food. "It's like this is mine, I did this, I went out and got it myself," one hunter explains, capturing that sense of accomplishment that no grocery store purchase can replicate.

Ethical considerations stand front and center throughout. Both speakers emphasize only hunting what they'll eat, using appropriate firearms to ensure clean kills, and respecting the natural role of predator species. There's a thoughtful distinction made between hunting for food versus trophy hunting, with preferences clearly stated for the former.

Whether you're a seasoned hunter, curious about where your food comes from, or simply interested in understanding different perspectives on our relationship with animals and nature, this conversation offers authentic insights into a practice as old as humanity itself. The primal satisfaction of providing your own food creates a connection that modern convenience simply can't replicate.

Colin from Season 2 Episode 7 Poetry Event.

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Jack Valinski shares his four-decade journey as a Houston LGBTQ+ activist, from his role as Near Town Super Neighborhood president to his history with Pride celebrations and political advocacy through the Gay Political Caucus.

• Jack explains his current role as president of Near Town Super Neighborhood and how super neighborhoods function as civic clubs that interface with city government
• The fascinating evolution of Houston Pride celebrations from the early 1980s to today, including Jack's role in creating the night parade and iconic 8-foot disco ball
• How Jack approaches failure and organizational change by looking for "the next thing you can do to help"
• The significance of the GLBT Political Caucus's endorsement process and why its transparency matters for local democracy
• Reflections on Houston's transformation into America's most diverse city while facing current political challenges 
• Jack's perspective on what makes Houston special, from its cultural diversity to its food scene and neighborhood character
• Strategies for effective advocacy in challenging political times, focusing on strategic work rather than solely visible protests

Colin from Season 2 Episode 7 Poetry Event.

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What happens when someone threatens you, tries to blackmail you, or backs you into a corner? For our hosts and their guest Amber, these aren't hypothetical scenarios—they're lived experiences that have shaped powerful philosophies on self-defense, resilience, and living fully.

The conversation begins with a brilliant social experiment called "Political Expedience," where participants roll dice to determine who faces discrimination next—a simple yet profound demonstration of how unfair it feels when you're randomly targeted. This sets the stage for deeper discussions about how we respond when actually threatened in real life.

From Alexis neutralizing a blackmail attempt by immediately calling everyone the blackmailer threatened to inform, to Amber's experiences with confrontations in locker rooms where she was mistaken for being in the "wrong bathroom," each story reveals different strategies for maintaining control in threatening situations. Rather than freezing or panicking, they share how unexpected responses—like calmly explaining to a knife-wielding mugger that "this isn't going to end the way you want it"—can disrupt an aggressor's script and create space for escape.

The episode takes fascinating detours, including Alexis' experiences landing mechanically-compromised planes and Amber's upcoming jiu-jitsu competition in Las Vegas. Throughout these seemingly different scenarios, a common thread emerges: maintaining presence of mind under pressure and being willing to "do it scared" when facing challenges.

Whether you're interested in practical self-defense psychology, stories of resilience, or simply understanding how to live more courageously, this conversation offers valuable insights delivered with authenticity and unexpected humor. Listen now to discover why sometimes the most powerful response to fear is leaning into it rather than running away.

Colin from Season 2 Episode 7 Poetry Event.

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What happens when two friends decide to capture the complexity of America's most diverse city through unfiltered conversation? Welcome to 22 Sides, where we've created a platform for authentic dialogue that breaks through the limitations of social media bubbles and explores the multidimensional nature of people and ideas.

We're your hosts, Robin and Alexis – a community-connected massage therapist and a 76-year-old transgender fashion enthusiast with decades of experience navigating Houston's vibrant cultural landscape. Together, we're diving into conversations that refuse to be confined to a single perspective. From local politics to corseting classes, from everyday successes to supernatural mysteries, our podcast reflects the beautiful complexity found in both our guests and our city.

Houston serves as the perfect backdrop for our explorations – a metropolis larger than some states, where tornadoes can strike one neighborhood while another remains under clear skies. We'll navigate its rich tapestry of foodie spaces, art communities, political dialogues, and the fascinating people who make this city unique. Having previously hosted The Trans Advocate podcast, we're bringing our experience back to the airwaves with a format that prioritizes face-to-face connection and unscripted authenticity.

Each episode represents a different "side" of conversation, with higher-numbered sides venturing into increasingly complex or adult-oriented territory. We don't expect agreement from our guests (or even each other), but we do insist on thoughtful dialogue. Sometimes the conversations go exactly where we expect; other times, they veer in completely unexpected directions – and those surprises often yield the most memorable insights.

Ready to explore all 22 sides of conversation with us? Find new episodes weekly at 22sides.com, where you can also access transcripts and send us your thoughts directly. Subscribe now and discover what happens when we embrace the full spectrum of human experience.

Support the show

We hope you will listen often.

For more information, visit our website 22sides.com