THNX: A Feelgood Podcast

Matt Pisarcik, founder of Razor Emporium, was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, went to a Jesuit high school there, and graduated from Arizona State University in 2007. While working in a marketing/PR role for a cardiac hospital in Arizona, he discovered his love for collecting, repairing, and selling vintage Gillette razors. Matt founded Razor Emporium, a vintage wet shaving supply company, in 2009 after a merger at the hospital and has been in business for over a decade now. He works and lives in Arizona with his wife and their two children.

Sheela Marshall is a real estate agent and the owner & founder of Tequila Sheela, an organic, small-batch, 100% agave tequila company. Born and raised in India, she moved to the United States 40 years ago and attended Boston College. She got married, had 2 daughters, got divorced, and moved to Dallas with her children to work in accounting, where she met her best friend and business partner, Natalie. After a battle with cancer, Sheela met and married her current husband Brooke, and they, along with Natalie, started Tequila Sheela. The company launched in India then in Texas, where it is now the official tequila of the Texas Rangers and has won numerous awards, including a double gold and 2 silver medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Cid Bullens is a two-time Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, and performer who has been in the music industry for over 40 years. He served as backup vocalist for Elton John, Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, and more, as well as sang on the 1978 Grease soundtrack. He retreated from the music business in the 1980s, got married, and had 2 daughters. After reemerging onto the music scene, his youngest daughter Jessie died in 1996, which led Cid to write and record a collection of unfiltered songs based on his experience that came out in 1999 on Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth. Cid continued writing, recording, and performing both individually and with others in the industry until taking another break in 2011 to transition from female to male and become who he truly is. He has since debuted a one wo/man show entitled Somewhere Between: Not an Ordinary Life, which won Best One-Person Show of 2016; has written and recorded more albums, including the intimate and inspiring Walkin' Through This World; and has been featured in multiple documentaries. Cid now lives with his wife Tanya Rubinstein in Maine, close to his daughter Reid and four grandchildren.

Steve Riley is the Executive Editor of the Houston Chronicle. Originally from small-town Nettleton, Mississippi, he graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.S. in Journalism in 1980. He worked at 3 newspapers in Mississippi before moving to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he worked at The News & Observer for over 30 years. In 2017, Steve moved and began working at the Houston Chronicle. He has won dozens of state and national journalism awards, including 2 Associated Press Sports Editors Triple Crown Awards, a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award Grand Prize, and 2 Pulitzer Prize finalists. Steve and his wife have two children and live in Houston, Texas.

Bryan Escobedo, a fifth generation Texan and the son of an immigrant, joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 and worked as a combat engineer on three back to back tours in the Middle East. Following an accident, he returned home, was awarded The Purple Heart, and went on to attend Houston Community College and the University of Houston, earning a B.A. in Communications with two Minors in Philosophy and Psychology. Bryan has volunteered and worked for numerous organizations including Lone Star Veterans Association and The Mission Continues; he now works tirelessly for veterans, immigrants, and underprivileged communities as well as oversees social work, community leadership, and wellness programming at Combined Arms in Houston, Texas.

Avery Lalumandier and Hayden Mintzer are sisters and daughters of Rand Mintzer, the creator and co-host of THNX: A Feelgood Podcast. Avery co-hosts the show from New York City, where she has lived since graduating from New York University. Hayden, a high school student, lives in Houston with Rand and their loving mom, Andrea. They share why this Election Day matters and why everyone needs to vote. Listen to the end for an inspirational jam session!

Brent Spiner, actor, singer, and musician, is best known for his roles as Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Dr. Brackish Okun in Independence Day. He won the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Data. Brent implores everyone to focus on what's happening on earth and vote!

Steve Riley is the Executive Editor at the Houston Chronicle. After graduating from the University of Mississippi, he worked at The News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina for over 30 years before finding his home in Houston, Texas. Steve discusses the importance of everyone exercising their right to vote, even in a pandemic.

Judge Ravi Sandill presides over the 127th District Court in Harris County, Texas. Born in Toronto, Canada to Indian immigrants, he moved around the US and the world once his father joined the US military. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin for undergrad and the University of Houston for law school, he clerked for Justice Murray Cohen on the Texas First Court of Appeals. Following two battles with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Ravi and his wife Kelly adopted their son Asher from Guatemala. Shortly after, Ravi was asked to run as a judge in Harris County and has been on the bench since.

Cidny Bullens is a two-time Grammy nominee, songwriter, performer, activist, and speaker originally from Massachusetts. With 45 years as a rock star under his belt, he explains what is at stake in this election and why everyone should vote.