In Episode 130 of the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast, host Jesús Hilario Hernandez sits down at Lucy's Cafe with local artist and advocate Shai Davenport (Crafts By The Bunny). Shai opens up about her creative journey from a middle school theater kid to a mixed-media artist, stay-at-home mom of three, and council-level PTA Reflections program leader. The discussion explores the healing power of making art during difficult times, avoiding creative comparison, why organic human artistic expression beats AI, and how local community support builds a stronger Corpus Christi.

Find Shai:
facebook.com/craftsbythebunny
instagram.com/craftsbythebunny

This episode was recorded at Lucy's Snackbar | 312 N Chaparral, Corpus Christi, TX | Every day cafe, snack bar, natural wine shop, kitchen & homewares.
Find Lucy's Snackbar: lucyssnackbar.com

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities. 

In Episode 129 of the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast, host Jesús Hilario Hernandez sits down with Jen Allende, local general contractor, business owner, advocate, and candidate for Corpus Christi City Council District 2. Recorded on location at Moe’s Texas Style BBQ on Weber Road, this episode dives deep into what it takes to build a stronger, more accountable local government that serves every resident.

Jen shares her journey growing up in Corpus Christi, from working in her father’s neighborhood stores to starting at the ground level in general construction—working 16-hour days before building her own multi-million dollar enterprise. She discusses how her hands-on background in concrete, asphalt, and project management equips her to address Corpus Christi’s toughest challenges, including water infrastructure, city budgeting transparency, and small business support during city construction projects.

The conversation covers critical local issues: creating unified solutions for animal control and stray overpopulation, bridging the gap between city council decisions and small business owners, improving leadership collaboration, and self-funding a grassroots political campaign centered on integrity, compassion, and real results.

Find Jen Allende votejenallende.com

This episode was recorded at Moe’s Texas Style BBQ | 4028 Weber Rd, Corpus Christi, TX | Slow-smoked Texas barbecue, brisket, and homemade banana pudding. 

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities. 

In Episode 128 of the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast, host Jesús Hilario Hernandez sits down with touring stand-up comedian Dustin Chafin ahead of his headlining weekend at the Mesquite Street Comedy Club in downtown Corpus Christi.

Dustin opens up about his 18-year sobriety journey, transitioning from cutting his teeth in the New York City comedy scene—sweeping floors and cleaning toilets just to get stage time—to performing on arena tours alongside Nate Bargatze and TJ Miller. They dive deep into the mechanics of comedy: how to build a versatile "comedy toolbox," the split-second art of profiling an audience, navigating clean versus edgy material, and why performing in tough rooms builds a comedian’s "immune system." Dustin also shares stories from his upbringing in Kilgore, Texas, his Choctaw heritage, and learning Spanish in Chile by watching dubbed copies of Star Wars.

Catch Dustin Chafin live at Mesquite Street Comedy Club on Friday and Saturday, September 18th & 19th. Watch his Dry Bar Comedy special Cranky Pants and check out his guest appearance on WTF with Marc Maron (Ep. 1659).

Find Dustin:
dustinchafin.com

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities.
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Thanks to Premier Hearing Solutions Of South Texas for making this content possible! premierhrg.com

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities. 

In Episode 127, Jesús dives into the harsh realities of the local creator economy, open mics, and the fine line between hometown loyalty and genuine talent. Why do so many creators expect local support without putting in the work? What does it actually take to build a brand in a mid-sized city, and why is active listening the ultimate podcasting superpower? From eating dirt on stage to calling out crab-mentality gatekeeping, this solo episode breaks down the unfiltered truth about what it takes to elevate your craft.
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Thanks to Premier Hearing Solutions Of South Texas for making this content possible! premierhrg.com

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities. 

"City council was never meant to be entertainment. We need people there who just want to put their head down and get the work done." On this episode of The Corpus Christi Originals Podcast, host Jesús Hernandez sits down with District 2 city council candidate Laura Flores Commons.

Laura is a lifelong Corpus Christi native and a dedicated community volunteer. In this episode, she discusses what it means to run for public office for the first time after 30 years of local civic service. She shares her perspective on District 2's unique boundary footprint (stretching from shoreline neighborhoods to TAMU-CC) and addresses the city's most critical issues, including long-term water diversification, public safety staffing shortages, and animal care initiatives.

Laura also shares the deeply personal story of why she gives back to the Coastal Bend. Following the loss of her husband, the incredible compassion shown by the Corpus Christi community inspired her to step up her civic commitment. Tune in to hear her vision for a collaborative, drama-free city council focused on the real work.

Connect with Laura:
Website: laurafordistrict2.com
Email: [email protected]

Support the Show:
Subscribe for weekly episode drops every Wednesday!
Visit our network hub for more community storytelling.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast, its sponsors, the recording studio, or any affiliated entities.

• (00:00:00) - District 2 on the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast
• (00:00:58) - Living in District 2
• (00:02:01) - On the City Council's Ethics Commission
• (00:04:33) - Water shortage discussion in Corpus Christi
• (00:08:23) - Community Policing and CCPD
• (00:10:19) - Commonwealth First Responds on Police Training
• (00:13:04) - City Council Member on Stray Animals
• (00:16:41) - Animals in the City
• (00:18:35) - Democrat for Corpus Christi City Council
• (00:22:18) - City Council candidate on a more collaborative council
• (00:25:16) - "Don't Even Go and VOTE!"
• (00:28:16) - Countdown to the City Council election
• (00:32:15) - Local perspectives on Parks and Recreation
• (00:34:30) - Local perspectives on tourism in Corpus Christi
• (00:38:31) - CORP CHRISTI resident on issues facing the city
• (00:40:37) - A trade union meeting in the city
• (00:43:17) - Democrat candidate for District 2

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities. 

"I'll see you when I'm looking at you!" On this episode of The Corpus Christi Originals Podcast, we are coming to you live from The Artisan at 218 N. Chaparral. Host Jesús Hilario Hernandez sits down with born-and-raised local comic and storyteller Wendell Williams (aka Mr. Wendell) for an incredibly candid, laid-back conversation.

Wendell drops decades of "old school knowledge," sharing his lived experiences growing up in the historic Hillcrest neighborhood from the 1960s onward. He pulls no punches discussing the environmental impact of local refineries, the city's ongoing water crisis, and navigating the era of Jim Crow and integration.

Beyond local history, Wendell shares the powerful story of surviving a life-altering car accident in 2015, which ultimately led him to the comedy stage in 2017. He breaks down his unique "storyteller" approach to stand-up, his famous positive-spin acronyms, and why he chooses to leave the bitterness behind and stay on cruise control.

Connect with Wendell:
Facebook: Wendell Williams
Instagram: @WendellWilliams13

Support the Show:
Subscribe for weekly episode drops every Wednesday!
Visit our network hub for more community storytelling.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast, its sponsors, the recording studio, or any affiliated entities.

• (00:00:00) - Wendell Williams on Hillcrest!
• (00:03:32) - Hillcrest Residents: You need to move out
• (00:08:02) - Proposal to Tax the North Padre Island Community
• (00:12:04) - County resident on the tax issue
• (00:15:44) - Mary Gaynor on the Mayor's Comments
• (00:18:14) - Tony Romo on Comedians
• (00:22:05) - Comedian on Female Comedians
• (00:23:40) - Wendell Brooks on Clean Comedy
• (00:26:59) - Entertainer: I'm That N Word With the Heart
• (00:29:45) - Open Mic: Being Old Can't Help You
• (00:33:02) - James Madison on Social Media
• (00:36:57) - Wendell on His Comments on Death Row
• (00:41:02) - window willsiams 13

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities. 

In Episode 124 of the Corpus Christi Originals podcast, host Jesús sits down with high school classmate and local business owner John Hanzalik, who is running for Corpus Christi City Council – District 5.

John strips away the political theater to discuss the pressing issues facing our community. He breaks down the realities of the Inner Harbor desalination project, clarifies how industry partners actively fund their own water infrastructure, and outlines his vision for managing the massive residential growth on the Southside. Beyond the politics, John shares his journey through Leadership Corpus Christi, his background as an industrial entrepreneur, and why true servant leadership means making hard, transparent decisions.

Connect with John Hanzalik's Campaign:
Facebook: John Hanzalik for District 5
Email: [email protected]
Phone (Text Preferred): 361-446-1579

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Like, comment, and subscribe to keep authentic community stories alive! Head over to CorpusChristiOriginals.com for more local culture, merch, and episodes.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast, its sponsors, the recording studio, or any affiliated entities.

• (00:00:00) - Meet John Hanslick
• (00:00:48) - Paulette Guardo on the Impeachment Case
• (00:03:04) - Residents speak out about water
• (00:05:24) - "Raising water prices?"
• (00:07:22) - Sept. 1st Desalinization vote in Corpus Christi
• (00:09:57) - Cussing in the Civil Debate
• (00:10:37) - Democrat for Corpus Christi City Council, District 5
• (00:12:48) - Jesse Campos on Paid Political Commentators
• (00:14:30) - Heb Supermarket
• (00:16:25) - John Smith on His Run for City Council
• (00:18:22) - Baltimore City Council candidate on infrastructure
• (00:20:09) - Tom Leyman on Leadership Corpus Christi
• (00:23:54) - Local politics in Austin
• (00:26:34) - If you win the seat for District 5, what is the very
• (00:29:22) - Local comment on the city's plan to own a diesel plant
• (00:31:39) - Will privatization keep water rates in check?
• (00:32:00) - John Hanslick on Local Government
• (00:34:47) - PODCAST: John on Podcasts
• (00:37:21) - Open Mics in Denver
• (00:39:08) - Are There Any Famous Comedians From Corpus Christi?
• (00:41:58) - "That Was A Hell of a Skit!"
• (00:42:07) - TikTok on Richard Caballero's Comments
• (00:45:03) - On Political Issues on My Podcast
• (00:47:46) - Tick Tock and Facebook: How to Get Views on Your
• (00:50:49) - Dave Ramsey on Canceling Subscriptions
• (00:53:09) - A Budget for Old People
• (00:54:37) - Dave Ramsey on His Dave Ramsey Money
• (00:57:33) - Married Dave Ramsey Guy: Share Everything With My Wife
• (01:00:09) - Married Millionaire on Being Debt Free
• (01:02:10) - How Long Has Your Debt Been Paid Off?
• (01:05:23) - Local residents talk about the city's water crisis
• (01:06:42) - Dave Ramsey On His Financial Freedom Podcast
• (01:09:09) - John Hanick for City Council

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities. 

Corpus Christi Originals is back at it again! For Episode 123, we’re posting up at the Ink Plug (4701, Suite 202) to catch up with a true cultural heavyweight: Ledswards.

After stepping away from music for two years following a horrific accident where he fell four stories—breaking his back, wrist, and feet—Ledswards is back to reclaim his spot and serenade the city. We dive deep into the pain, the recovery, and the monstrous creativity behind his upcoming 10th independent studio album, Look Mom, It's Raining.

Ledswards breaks down why he refuses to write his lyrics down, his creation of a new emotional hip-hop genre he calls "Lossless," and why artists need to stop acting "too cool" to work a 9-to-5 job to fund their dreams. We also get into how he and his brother, D Green of D Green Films, are trying to eliminate the North Side/South Side barriers to unify the Corpus Christi music scene.

If you love what we're doing for the culture, hit Subscribe, leave a comment, and share this episode!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast, its sponsors, the recording studio, or any affiliated entities.

• (00:00:00) - Kipling Originals
• (00:00:15) - Let's Words In The Building
• (00:00:46) - Look Mom, It's Raining
• (00:04:15) - "Poems About What I'm Not" by Kendrick Lamar
• (00:05:03) - D. Green On His Relationship With His Brother
• (00:06:25) - Dean Green on His 10th Album
• (00:09:39) - Celebrating Corpus Christi's Culture
• (00:11:29) - Dask 1 on Sounding Like A Texan Rapper
• (00:14:56) - The Importance of Self-Realization
• (00:16:30) - Mom's Rain Album Launch
• (00:17:24) - CORPUS CHRISTI Originals
• (00:20:08) - Don't You Think You're Too Cool to Work A 9-
• (00:22:33) - Virgil on His Fans
• (00:25:36) - "When You Get Money, Do You Change?
• (00:27:41) - Rainer on Artists' Longevity
• (00:30:32) - Artists on AI and The Lossless
• (00:34:04) - Last Words: A Celebration of Our Community
• (00:37:26) - Iron Sharpen Iron Shout Out To Mugging
• (00:39:46) - Expletives: The Culture Needs Our Legends
• (00:42:50) - Ledsward
• (00:45:29) - Shout Out to Molly Wap & DJ Dwan Gotti
• (00:46:17) - Tom Petty

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities. 

The Art Center of Corpus Christi is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit at 100 North Shoreline Boulevard — right next to the Whataburger by the bay — and most people have driven past it a thousand times without knowing what's inside.

In this episode of the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast, recorded on the second floor of the Art Center (same floor where Jesús had his wedding reception), he sits down with Kailey Diaz, Exhibit Coordinator, and August from the Education department to talk about what's actually going on in there. They cover the 50+ classes available, the Clay Studio membership, the Wednesday farmers market, Kids Walk on the first Friday of every month, the artist in residency program at Laguna Madre, the HEART veterans program, Super Bowl (the soup fundraiser, not the football one), the 70/30 split for artists selling their work, the surrealism exhibit coming up, what a "call for entry" means and why it's less scary than it sounds, and why 200,000 people walk through those doors every year.

No admission fee. Open Tuesday through Sunday. More local art than you'd expect. Some of it is very weird. They want more weird.

Art Center of Corpus Christi: 100 North Shoreline Blvd | @artcenterofcc on Facebook and Instagram

Corpus Christi Originals amplifies the unheard voices in our community — the people making this city unique but not always getting the spotlight.

Art Center of Corpus Christi website: artcentercc.org

• (00:00:00) - Diet and the NFL
• (00:00:03) - The Cryptids of Corpus Christi
• (00:02:16) - The Coastal Bend Community Art Center
• (00:06:22) - Local artists talk about their work
• (00:07:03) - Art Center Discusses AI
• (00:11:06) - How do you get new people into the art center?
• (00:14:02) - Ceramics Studio
• (00:18:23) - The Art Center: Membership and Call for Entries
• (00:21:24) - What Should an Art Gallery Charge?
• (00:25:00) - Mexican and Indian Art at 100
• (00:28:41) - Family Art Time and Farmer's Market
• (00:31:02) - Local artist talks about her work
• (00:34:11) - Art classes and workshops in the studio
• (00:35:17) - Mural Projects Go Up Downtown
• (00:38:39) - Art Walk
• (00:42:05) - Heroes Engaging Through Art
• (00:44:18) - August, That's a Cool Name
• (00:44:50) - Questions about the Art Center
• (00:47:46) - Jimmy Kimmel on His Wedding Dress
• (00:48:46) - Local Art Gallery, Ocean Drive
• (00:52:07) - Corporate Originals: The Art Center

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities. 

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Actors Creating Together YouTube 

• (00:00:00) - CORP Christi Originals Podcast
• (00:00:37) - Theater Voices: A Podcast
• (00:03:55) - Lighting the Night Creature
• (00:05:04) - Local actress and director on the challenges of promoting local theater
• (00:09:59) - Local theatergoers talk about musicals
• (00:11:28) - Getting the Word Out About Community Theater
• (00:14:53) - Bonnie and Clyde
• (00:20:35) - What Makes Your Podcast Different?
• (00:22:12) - How Do You Decide What Really Belongs In an Episode?
• (00:24:21) - Interviewing the Directors of the Current Show
• (00:26:06) - In the Elevator With Rocky Horror
• (00:26:42) - Alex On The Podcast And The Drama
• (00:29:52) - Actress Throws A Cucumber Sandwich At Someone's Face
• (00:32:44) - Interviewing Directors
• (00:35:14) - Favorite HEB Store in Texas
• (00:38:13) - How To Edit A Podcast
• (00:39:38) - What is a touring production in Corpus Christi?
• (00:41:48) - Bonnie and Clyde at the Royal
• (00:43:25) - Evil Inheritance

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities.