Fifth-generation Tylerite Andy Bergfeld joins East Texas UNFILTERED with J. Chad Parker for a conversation about family, service, and the future of Tyler. Andy talks about growing up with a well known family name in Tyler. He also talks about the pressure that came with it. He explains why he never wanted to coast on that name. He wanted to build something of his own.

Andy looks back on his path from Lee High School to SMU, then to law school, commercial real estate, and years of service on the Tyler ISD school board. He talks about restoring historic properties and helping shape downtown Tyler. He also explains why strong public schools matter to the future of the city. He reflects on hard decisions that faced the school board, including the Lee name change, and what those moments taught him about leadership.

This episode is a strong East Texas story about legacy, leadership, and long-term vision. Andy shares what it means to give back to the town that raised him. He also explains why he still believes Tyler’s best days are ahead. Like, subscribe, and follow East Texas UNFILTERED for more East Texas stories.

Bishop DeMarcus Pierson joins East Texas UNFILTERED with J. Chad Parker for a strong conversation about faith, service, and the mission behind Love Thy City. He shares how this East Texas effort brings churches, businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers together to help people in real ways. The goal is simple. Love your neighbor and make the community stronger.

Bishop Pierson talks about growing up in North Tyler and how his life led him into ministry, construction, and community work. He explains how Love Thy City grew from an idea into a movement that serves families across Tyler and East Texas. This episode shows how people from different backgrounds can come together to do something good.

Love Thy City takes place August 22, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center, the Rose Garden, and the Mayfair Building in Tyler. Watch this episode to hear the story behind the movement and why it matters. Like, subscribe, and follow East Texas UNFILTERED for more East Texas stories.

Former professional soccer player Daniel Hernandez joins East Texas UNFILTERED with J. Chad Parker for a timely conversation as World Cup excitement builds across the United States. Daniel shares what it was like growing up in Tyler in a hardworking Mexican-American family. He explains how his father shaped his future and why that influence still drives him today. Daniel shares what it was like growing up in Tyler in a hardworking Mexican-American family. He explains how his father shaped his future and why that influence still drives him today.

Daniel looks back on his path from John Tyler High School to SMU and then into a 15-year professional soccer career in Major League Soccer and Mexico. He talks about the sacrifices it took to reach that level. He also reflects on the pride of representing East Texas along the way. The conversation covers his time in Mexico, his MLS Cup appearances, and how close he came to the U.S. national team.

The episode goes beyond sports. Daniel talks about his brother’s tragic accident, the lasting impact of his parents, and the perspective those moments gave him. He also explains why he returned to finish his degree and how he built a new career in life insurance and structured settlements. It is a strong East Texas conversation about perseverance, family, purpose, and making the most of every opportunity.  Be sure to like and subscribe for more amazing East Texas stories like Daniel’s.

Rosie Bowie joins East Texas UNFILTERED with J. Chad Parker. They talk about her life in Tyler. They also talk about the Juneteenth parade she helped build to what it is today. Rosie grew up in Flint, Texas. Her mother raised seven children alone. Rosie graduated from Emmett Scott High School in 1968. It was an all-Black school.

Rosie went to work at the GE plant in 1972. Later she went back to school. She earned a college degree in 2002. Then she became a social worker. She also joined groups like the NAACP. She spent her life helping people.

Rosie has helped lead the Tyler Juneteenth Association for almost 45 years. She shares behind the scenes details about the Juneteenth parade in North Tyler. She explains what June 19th really means to her. She wants young people to learn the history because it is so important. It is a strong East Texas conversation about family, faith, history, and freedom. Be sure to like and subscribe for more great East Texas stories like Rosie’s.

Deidra "The Color Girl" joins East Texas UNFILTERED with J. Chad Parker. She is one of the most sought after hair color professionals in East Texas. Deidra grew up in Corpus Christi and Rockwall. She got her hair done as a teenager, and it changed everything. She knew right then that she wanted to do hair the rest of her life.
Deidra found her way into the business the hard way. Her parents wanted her to finish college first. Her husband pushed her to chase the dream. She trained as a color specialist in Dallas, then moved to Tyler. She worked at a salon there for five years. When it closed, she opened Dolce Vita with her partner Julie in 2009. She built it on good product and skilled people.

This episode is about more than hair. Deidra talks about loyalty and hard work. She talks about the clients she has cared for over twenty years. For Deidra, service is a calling, and she still loves what she does. It is a strong East Texas conversation about craft, business, family, and taking care of people. Be sure to like and subscribe for more great East Texas content.

Rosie Bowie joins East Texas UNFILTERED with J. Chad Parker. They talk about her life in Tyler. They also talk about the Juneteenth parade she helped build to what it is today. Rosie grew up in Flint, Texas. Her mother raised seven children alone. Rosie graduated from Emmett Scott High School in 1968. It was an all-Black school.

Rosie went to work at the GE plant in 1972. Later she went back to school. She earned a college degree in 2002. Then she became a social worker. She also joined groups like the NAACP. She spent her life helping people.

Rosie has helped lead the Tyler Juneteenth Association for almost 45 years. She shares behind the scenes details about the Juneteenth parade in North Tyler. She explains what June 19th really means to her. She wants young people to learn the history because it is so important. It is a strong East Texas conversation about family, faith, history, and freedom. Be sure to like and subscribe for more great East Texas stories like Rosie’s.

The Restaurant Whisperer, Scott Williams, joins East Texas UNFILTERED with J. Chad Parker for a conversation about building restaurants in East Texas and growing them the hard way. Scott talks about his childhood in a military family, moving around the country, and working in restaurants at a young age. He explains how those early jobs shaped the way he thinks about the business. For Scott, taking care of people is the key.

Scott shares how he went from working in the restaurant business to opening San Pedro’s in Chandler. From there, he built well-known Tyler restaurants like FD’s, Javi’s, Twelve, Three Palms, and Villagio. He talks about the risks, the setbacks, and the lessons that came with each step. He believes atmosphere, consistency, and guest experience matter just as much as the food.

This episode looks at what it takes to succeed in the restaurant business. Scott talks about leadership, growth, community, and why he still believes hard work can build something meaningful. It is a strong East Texas conversation about business, family, and creating places where people want to gather. Be sure to like and subscribe for more great East Texas content.

Stuart Hene, a candidate for mayor of Tyler, joins East Texas UNFILTERED with J. Chad Parker for a conversation about public service, city government, and the future of the city. Stuart talks about growing up in Tyler, graduating from Robert E. Lee, and finding his calling in political science at Baylor after first starting on a pre-med track. He shares how that path led him to work at the Texas Capitol, attend law school, and return home to build a legal career and a family.
Stuart talks about serving on the Tyler City Council and what he has learned about the real work of local government. He explains how city decisions affect roads, utilities, public safety, parks, downtown development, and long term planning. He speaks directly about infrastructure, the downtown revitalization project, quality of life, and why he believes Tyler’s momentum matters as the city continues to grow.
This episode gives viewers a closer look at Stuart Hene as both a person and a candidate. He talks about transparency, leadership, collaboration with schools and community partners, and why he wants to serve as mayor. It is a straight East Texas conversation about responsibility, growth, and the choices facing Tyler in this election.  Be sure to like and subscribe for more East Texas UNFILTERED content.

Tyler mayor candidate John Nix joins East Texas UNFILTERED with J. Chad Parker to talk about his run for mayor and the experiences that shaped his view of city government. John shares his background growing up in small towns and coming to Tyler with a carpentry trade. He explains how construction and development gave him a close view of infrastructure, budgeting, and long-term planning.
John speaks directly about the issues driving his campaign. He focuses on water bills, sewer debt, road maintenance, city fees, and downtown construction. He also explains how his time on city boards and the city council shaped the way he thinks about spending, development, and future growth in Tyler.
This episode gives viewers a fuller picture of John Nix as both a person and a candidate for mayor. He talks about transparency, city priorities, and the role of local government in serving residents well. It is a direct East Texas conversation about leadership, infrastructure, growth, and the choices facing Tyler in this election.  Be sure to like and subscribe for more East Texas UNFILTERED content.

Parker Clark joins East Texas UNFILTERED with J. Chad Parker for a behind the scenes look at how an independent movie gets made. Parker explains how a conversation in Tyler turned into the feature film 3.  He talks about how he went from helping on the sidelines to becoming one of the film’s executive producers. Parker tells us how the project came together through local connections, hard work, and a belief that people in East Texas can make anything they put their mind to.

This episode gets into the real process behind the film. Parker talks about how the script came together, how the team found actors, and how the movie was funded and shot. He explains what it took to move from a short film to a full length feature and how 3 finally made it onto major streaming platforms this May. 

Parker also talks about the bigger idea behind the movie and what he learned from the experience. He shares why supporting creative people in Tyler matters and why East Texas should back projects like this. This is a fun East Texas conversation about filmmaking, persistence, and what can happen when local people decide to go make a movie.