H-Town Progressive

Universities once were a tool for the perpetuation of an entrenched power structure. That has changed. These days universities are incredibly diverse places that are much more accessible than ever before. But diversity, by itself, isn’t enough. Institutions need to evolve into truly inclusive and accessible places. Our guest today, Tamara Siler, Deputy Director of Admissions at Rice University, has spent her career working to make this a reality.

The Latinx community in politics is often referred to as a “Sleeping Giant” because of its large size and low participation. Any supporter of democracy should want to change this, but sadly, there is strong political opposition to maintain the status quo through often insidious tactics. People like our guest today, Angie Razo of Mi Familia Vota, are on the front lines of our democracy, working hard every day to try to enfranchise and civically engage our strong and vibrant Latinx community.

Many communities have a complex relationship with law enforcement. The path to transforming that into an unequivocally positive relationship starts with oversight, accountability, and honest assessment. Join us this week as we talk to Dr. Jace Valcore about how Houston is doing this with its Independent Police Oversight Board.

Institutional knowledge is important, but breaking unjust institutions can be much more important. So when a young black millennial walks through the halls of the Texas State Capitol, it’s a big deal that the proper way to address that young man is Chief of Staff! Join us this week as we talk to Odus Evbagharu, a Houston millennial who went to Austin!

This is the second of a couple of compilation episodes where, while we’re taking a short summer break, we’re going to look back at past episodes and highlight some of the incredible progressive leaders we’ve had on our show over the almost one year since we started. We're back next week with all new episodes!

This is the first of a couple of compilation episodes where, while we’re taking a short summer break, we’re going to look back at past episodes and highlight some of the incredible progressive leaders we’ve had on our show over the almost one year since we started.

Every one of us,  at some point, will absolutely end up in a courtroom, sitting in front of a judge. So it should be a pretty important piece of our civic life to do what we can to engage the judiciary. This week we talk to Judge Kristen Hawkins about just that!

What would Medicare for All mean for Houston, a city where the healthcare economy drives things almost as much as the oil and gas industry? Join us as we discuss with Dr. Stephen Chao.

Too many people struggle to safely move about our great city to do the things that people need to do in modern society. Join us this week as we discuss transportation equity in Houston with Oni Blair.

This year in the Houston area we’ve suffered terrible environmental disasters, perpetrated by the corporate recklessness of first, ITC, and then, KMCO. What are we doing and what should be done to fight this and other threats to our environment? Join us this week as we discuss Houston’s environmental resilience with Dr. Bakeyah Nelson.