Two Texas Teas

Era 2: Stitch by Stitch — Liby Tolm of Elite Knitting and Looking Friday

From Kazakhstan to New York to Austin, Liby Tolm has spent 14 years turning yarn into art and building a fashion house that does things entirely on her own terms.

Lawson and Don sit down with the founder of Elite Knitting Studio and Looking Friday to talk about crochet, couture, community, and why fast fashion is ruining everything. Liby moved to Austin from New York because she wanted to — simple as that — and has spent the time since building a sample-making team, earning a Nest Guild Handcrafted Certified mark, working with designers on film and TV, recreating heirloom pieces for families who lost everything in the California fires, and hosting community gatherings to bring Austin and San Antonio's fashion world together.

We also find out Don crocheted a scarf at age 10 and has never fully recovered from the experience.

We get into why natural fibers are non-negotiable for anyone doing handcraft work in Texas heat, why trends move so fast now that the best strategy is to just make what you love, how Lawson and Liby connected through Fashion Group International during the pandemic while Lawson was wearing a full glam dress and house slippers, and why Liby hopes her pieces end up in a vintage store one day.

Her upcoming couture collection is called Angels and Demons. We are ready.

Real talk. Texas brewed. ☕

Connect with Liby Tolm
🔗 eliteknitting.com
🔗 lookingfriday.com
📸 @eliteknitting
📸 @lookingfriday
📧 [email protected]
📞 347-278-5610

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Libby Tome and Elite Knitting
02:45 The Impact of the Pandemic on Community and Networking
03:58 Ad Break
04:40 Covid Friendships
06:23 Libby's Journey from Kazakhstan to the Fashion Industry
09:18 The Fashion Scene in Texas: Opportunities and Challenges
12:09 Building Community in the Fashion Industry
15:01 Creative Process and Inspiration in Knitting
17:57 Elite Knitting: Custom Creations and Client Stories
20:44 Looking Friday: Couture and Ready-to-Wear Fashion
22:11 The Fast-Paced World of Fashion Design
23:59 Ad Break
24:42 Fast Fashion Continued
28:54 Navigating Trends in Fashion
34:53 The Influence of Local Culture on Design
38:04 Future Aspirations and Upcoming Collections
42:10 Outro

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No Dems. No Republicans. A Third Party: America's Main Street Party ft. Tom Jospeh

What if the problem with American democracy isn't who we're voting for — it's who we never even get to vote for?

Lawson and Don welcome back Tom Joseph, founder of America's Main Street Party — a nonpartisan framework designed to take money completely out of the nominating process. Tom is a systems engineer and serial entrepreneur who applied the same engineering brain that built a 35-year remote-work accounting firm to fixing American democracy.

His conclusion? The problem isn't Election Day. It's everything that happens before it. Money controls who gets on the ballot. Gerrymandering buries opposition votes before the polls even open. And the only thing both parties agree on is keeping it that way.

His solution is a legal loophole — if a nominating contest involves no money, the FEC has no jurisdiction. So he built one. An app. A contest. A whole alternate primary system. No dollars required.

We also get into redistricting in Bexar County, why over a million Texas voters had their registrations suspended, and why this could crack the two-party system by 2028.

Register to Vote in Texas
🗳️ texas.gov/register-to-vote

Connect with Tom Joseph
🔗 mainstreetparty.org
🔗 wilsonsfountain.us
📸 @mainstreetparty_
🐦 @americasmainst
🦋 @mainstreetparty.bsky.social
📧 [email protected]
📞 412-600-6250

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to America's Main Street Party
01:48 Tom Joseph's Background and Business Journey
03:44 The Challenge of Partisanship and Gerrymandering
06:22 Impact of Redistricting on Local Elections
07:41 Innovative Solutions to Political Representation
10:38 The Role of Super PACs in Elections
12:30 Accountability in Political Candidates
14:39 Creating a New System for Candidate Selection
17:35 Application Development and Civic Engagement
21:34 The Challenges of Modern Voting Systems
24:32 Resistance to Change in Political Ecosystems
27:55 Barriers to Voting Access
29:46 Reforming the Political Landscape
32:43 Innovative Solutions for Civic Engagement
37:38 The Future of Political Representation

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Real talk. Texas brewed. ☕

Special Episode: Vote With Your Phone ft. Ramon Perez

Lawson and Don are on summer break but the tea is still hot. ☕

What if you could vote on legislation from your couch, with a cup of coffee, on the same phone you use for everything else? Ramon Perez, Executive Director of the Digital Democracy Project, joins Lawson and Don to talk about why that future is closer than you think and why the people in power are doing everything they can to stop it.

Ramon is a veteran who commissioned after 9/11, a machine learning and AI executive, and the founder of a nonpartisan nonprofit that is giving everyday people a real say in the laws that govern them. He has been thrown out of the offices of both Republicans and Democrats alike. He keeps showing up anyway.

This conversation covers mobile voting, gerrymandering, why 94% of US House districts had no real competition in 2024, why your legislators are spending 70 to 80% of their time fundraising instead of reading bills, and why Estonia has been voting online for 14 years while the United States is still arguing about paper ballots.

Don plays devil's advocate as a very comfortable incumbent who absolutely does not want more people involved in democracy. Ramon has heard it all before. In real life. Off the record. In actual legislative offices.

We also get into voter suppression in Texas, the cost of running elections in Bexar County, why your social media algorithm is not a substitute for civic education, and why Lawson might just have to run for office again.

We miss Lawson and Don. They will be back for Season 2 shortly. 🤠

Stay cool out there, Texans. ☕

Connect with Ramon Perez and the Digital Democracy Project
🔗 digitaldemocracyproject.org
📸 Instagram: @digital_democracy_project
💼 LinkedIn: Digital Democracy Project and Ramon Perez

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Digital Democracy
04:18 The Evolution of Mobile Voting Technology
09:57 Civic Engagement and Voter Education
15:29 Challenges and Opportunities in Voting Accessibility
20:47 Challenges of Traditional Voting Systems
23:50 The Case for Mobile Voting
25:35 Empowering Voters Through Technology
27:09 Ad Break
27:52 Devil's Advocate
30:07 The Political Landscape and Voter Suppression
33:45 Reforming the Democratic Process
38:19 Bipartisan Support for Digital Democracy
43:39 Conclusion and Future of Voter Engagement

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Real talk. Texas brewed. ☕

Special Episode: Music, Purpose & the Voice for the Voiceless featuring. Noc Beteck

Lawson and Don are on their summer break but we didn't leave you empty-handed. ☕

While the co-hosts recharge, we're dropping a pre-recorded conversation that is absolutely worth your time. Don sits down with Noc Beteck, independent hip hop artist, Boys and Girls Club manager, single father, and a man on a mission that has nothing to do with fame.

Noc is based in Salisbury, Maryland, and yes, his organization is rooted there too. But his story starts in Cameroon, runs through the music halls of Austin, Texas, and his message lands everywhere. This one transcends borders.

We talk about what it means to make music for impact over income, how today's music is shaping young people's self-image in ways nobody's talking about, what it was like moving from Cameroon to the United States at eight years old, and why Phil Collins, yes Phil Collins, is his biggest musical inspiration.

We also get into the Austin indie music scene, the Boys and Girls Club, and why Noc believes change starts with self-reflection before it changes anything else.

We miss Lawson. She'll be back soon. 🤠

Stay cool out there, Texans. ☕

Connect with Noc Beteck

🔗 motionhypevault.com/nocbeteck

🔗 linktr.ee/nocbeteck

📸 @nocbeteck on Instagram

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Summer Break

01:19 Introduction to Noc Beteck

02:04 Don's Intro

04:39 The Journey to Music

06:38 The Voice for the Voiceless

09:28 Cultural Experiences and Challenges

12:14 Community Impact Through Music

15:26 The Indie Music Scene

18:14 Current Influences and Future Aspirations

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Real talk. Texas brewed. ☕

Episode 15: When Health Care Fails — A Conversation with Dr. Shelley Kaplar

What if your body already knows what's wrong, and your doctor just isn't listening? 👀

Lawson and Don sit down with Dr. Shelley Kaplar, PhD (Metaphysics), medical intuitive, natural-born healer, Reiki master, and founder of the Kaplar Method. She has spent over 20 years working with clients to find the root cause of illness that Western medicine keeps missing, and she's done it while navigating her own cancer diagnosis, two rounds of chemo, and coming out the other side still standing.

This conversation goes deep. We talk about why women are constantly gaslit by their doctors, why Black families have a complicated relationship with medicine, why your blood type might explain your gluten intolerance, and why Don's uncle's blood pressure spikes every single time he comes back to the United States. Spoiler: it's the food. 🍟

We also get into the Kaplar Method, what it actually looks like to have a medical intuitive walk through the inside of your body during a remote session, and why Austin is full of people who say they'll think about their healing journey and never actually start it.

If you've ever left a doctor's office feeling unheard, dismissed, or handed yet another prescription that doesn't fix the root problem, this episode is for you.

True health is possible. Your body already knows. ☕

Connect with Dr. Shelley Kaplar
🔗 vitalityoptimizer.com
📞 512-934-1101
📧 [email protected]
📸 @vitalityoptimizer

Chapters

00:00 — Introduction to Dr. Shelley Kaplar

00:20 — Ad Break

01:02 — Hellos and Intros

03:29 — Dr. Shelley's Journey and Healing Philosophy

06:03 — Skepticism in Healthcare and Patient Advocacy

10:04 — Understanding Women's Health and Hormonal Issues

12:42 — The Limitations of Western Medicine

15:42 — Holistic Approaches and Natural Remedies

18:21 — Cultural Perspectives on Health and Medicine

19:42 — Ad Break

20:25 — Understanding Gut Health and Intolerance

25:03 — The Role of Alternative Therapies

28:48 — Food Quality and Its Impact on Health

32:45 — Exploring Energy Healing Methods

35:15 — The Medical Intuitive Community in Austin

37:40 — Outro

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Real talk. Texas brewed. ☕

Episode 14: Police, MAGA & Storage Units | Together At Last

Season 1 Finale

It finally happened. Lawson and Don are in the same room. 🎉

For the first time since launching Two Texas Teas in January 2026, your two favorite co-hosts are sitting across from each other in person, at the San Antonio Public Library, with lapel mics, no parking, and absolutely no script. Just vibes. Real talk. And a whole lot of tea.

This one's got everything. Don shows up to San Antonio and a tornado follows. Again. We talk about the curse, the rain, the cows, and Gracie the escaped giraffe. Then Don tells the story of being in his storage unit after hours, listening to Future, when SAPD showed up with guns drawn. Yes, really. We break down what happened, what should have happened, and what it says about policing in San Antonio.

Then we pivot, because that's what we do, to Taylor Swift and Travis getting married, LeBron's agent showing up at the AT&T Center, Project Marvel community meetings happening suspiciously after the Finals, Mayor Jones, Judge Sakai, and why the Spurs need to pony up their own money.

We close out Season 1 with a year in review, a fake proposal, Lawson's MLB stadium tour, and an open invitation to any MAGA conservatives who want to come on the show and tell us why Texas is perfect exactly as it is.

We dare you. 🤠☕

Real talk. Texas brewed. Season 2 coming soon.

Chapters

00:00 — Intro

02:50 — Downtown San Antonio Woes

04:12 — Ad Break

04:51 — Started Jan. 11 2026

06:43 — News in the City

11:31 — The Curse of Don

13:28 — Ad Break

14:09 — Storage Units and the Police

20:48 — The State of Policing in San Antonio

32:17 — Civilians De-Escalate the Situation

35:46 — Taylor Swift and Travis

36:30 — LeBron James

38:43 — Mayor Jones and the Spurs

42:54 — Year in Review

45:28 — Don is Getting Married — Jokes!

46:18 — Lawson's MLB Tour

49:04 — A Call for MAGA Guests

50:38 — The End

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Episode 13 | From Corporate Law to the Yoga Mat: Alia Khan on Burnout, Belonging & the True Meaning of Wellness

What does it take to walk away from everything you were told you were supposed to be and build something that actually feels like you?

This week, Don and Lawson sit down with Alia Khan, a recovering attorney turned yoga instructor and founder of Oak + Lotus Yoga in South Austin. Alia left a career in corporate law in New York, DC, and Paris before opening her first studio in DC in 2015. She came home to Austin in 2019 and opened Oak + Lotus — three months before COVID. This conversation goes way beyond yoga. We get into burnout, hustle culture, the intimidation tactics built into the wellness industry, why hot yoga might not be what you think, and what yoga actually is versus what Instagram wants you to believe.

No fancy pants required. And yes, there is chocolate. ☕

In this episode:

• 00:53 — From Corporate Law to Yoga
• 03:33 — Recognizing the Need for Change in Corporate America
• 06:14 — The Impact of Leadership on Career Choices
• 09:32 — Building a Yoga Studio: Challenges and Growth
• 12:13 — Creating an Inclusive Yoga Experience
• 15:10 — The Role of Community in Wellness
• 18:00 — Authenticity in a Digital Age
• 21:40 — The Intimidation of Yoga
• 26:46 — The Busy Mind and the Need for Stillness
• 36:32 — Redefining Wellness: Beyond Aesthetics
• 38:14 — Yoga in Diverse Communities
• 44:29 — Yoga and Identity
• 48:08 — The True Essence of Yoga
• 51:51 — Yoga with Animals
• 56:23 — Substances and Yoga: A Cautionary Tale
• 56:59 — Inclusivity in Yoga
• 01:01:53 — Finding the Right Yoga Experience
  ------------------

Connect with Alia:
www.aliajkhan.com
www.aliajkhan.substack.com
IG: @aliajkhan

Oak + Lotus Yoga — South Austin
In-studio and livestreamed via Zoom
Never heated. No fancy pants required. Chocolate always included.
www.oakandlotusyoga.com | IG: @oakandlotusyoga

The Terrific Two Texas Teas!

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Episode 12: Vote Early — Meet the Earlys

A father. A son. Two races. One mission.

Justin Early, Democratic nominee for Texas' 31st Congressional District, and his son Matthias Early, Democratic nominee for Texas House District 20, join Lawson and Don for a conversation about healthcare, housing, AI, gerrymandering, women's rights, and what it actually takes to flip Central Texas.

Justin is a veteran, cybersecurity expert, and father of seven. Matthias is 21, a former pre-med student, and one of the sharpest young voices we've had on this show. Neither of them is taking a single corporate PAC dollar.

Vote early. Vote the Earlies. ☕

About Our Guests

Justin Early — Democratic Nominee, Congressional District 31 A veteran, former Pentagon Defense Intelligence Agency analyst, and cybersecurity expert who grew up in Bell and Williamson counties. Father of seven.

🔗 votejustinearly.com

📸 instagram.com/votejustinearly

🎵 tiktok.com/@votejustinearly

Matthias Early — Democratic Nominee, House District 20 21 years old, former pre-med student, political science major, and one of the sharpest generational voices on AI, democracy, and the future of Texas.

🔗 votematthiasearly.com

📸 instagram.com/votematthiasearly

Chapters 00:00

— Intro 00:44

— Welcome Justin and Matthias Early 03:38

— Justin Early's Journey and Motivation 06:24

— Matthias Early's Vision for Change 09:21

— Addressing Community Needs 12:12

— The Impact of Wealth on Society 13:00

— Generational Perspectives on Politics 22:12

— Voter Engagement and Gerrymandering 26:18

— Political Landscape in Texas 28:20

— Challenges Facing Women's Rights and Healthcare 29:19

— Rural Stability vs. Urban Development 30:32

— The Impact of AI on Employment and Society 32:31

— Voting Rights and Representation 38:14

— Grassroots Movements and Community Engagement 43:11

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Real talk. Texas brewed. ☕

Episode 11: Honking & the Heartbreak of the Finals

⚠️ Yes, we know. The Spurs lost. We recorded this before it happened and we are not okay. Pour one out with us.

Before the heartbreak hit, Lawson and Don were riding high — and this episode is proof. Grab your tea because this one's got everything.

We kick things off with San Antonio's beloved honking tradition and why it hits different this playoff run. Then Don goes deep on AI-generated Spurs merch flooding Southwest Military, and why Chat GPT fonts are officially the Comic Sans of 2026. We talk fan culture, Knicks fans behaving badly on Threads, and why this Spurs roster — average age 23 — might just be the most lovable team in the NBA.

Then things get real. We get into the growing legacy of women in sports, Kobe Bryant's underrated role in building the WNBA, and Becky Hammon running circles in the league. Don shares a controversial take on the movie Obsession, relationships, gender dynamics, and whether we hold bad behavior accountable equally — spoiler: we don't. Lawson runs the favorite animal experiment on Don live on air and the results say a lot.

We wrap with the Texas runoff results, what Paxton vs. Cornyn means for November, and why rural Democrats have to show up if they actually want to flip this state.

Hot tea. Brewed tea. And one very bittersweet cup of Spurs tea. ☕

Chapters

00:00 — Honk If You Love San Antonio

03:42 — The Evolution of Honking Traditions

04:22 — Ad Break

05:03 — AI and Authenticity in Sports Merchandise

10:09 — Fan Culture and Social Media Dynamics

13:01 — Women in Sports: A Growing Legacy

14:31 — Political Parallels: Spurs and New York

18:36 — The Spurs' Unique Team Culture

22:45 — The Movie Obsession and Relationships

28:21 — Exploring Gender Dynamics in Behavior

32:43 — The Complexity of Relationships in Modern Society 33:21 — Ad Break

33:59 — Relationships Part 2

37:33 — Animal Preferences as Reflections of Personality 44:33 — Political Landscape and Voter Engagement in Texas 50:01 — Outro

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Real talk. Texas brewed. ☕

Episode 10: Democrats in Rural Texas

What does it look like to be a blue dot in a red county? Lawson and Don sit down with two Burnet County Democrats building change from the ground up — Lane Law and Florisbel Jaramillo Macedo, both Precinct Chairs and SDEC candidates for Congressional District 31. Their slogan: Blue dots to connect.

They get into rural organizing, voter education, purity politics, the Talarico Senate race, and what it actually takes to flip Texas.

⚠️ Audio issue with the video portion begins at 22:50. Audio-only version is unaffected. Recorded via Riverside.fm.

About Our Guests

Lane Law grew up in rural Axtel, TX, outside Waco. A former broadcast engineer turned K-12 education technology specialist, he now lives in Bertram and serves as Burnet County Democratic Party Precinct 12 Chair.

Florisbel Jaramillo Macedo is a first-generation Mexican-American, recent Texas Tech grad, and electric utility professional. A Granite Shoals native by way of South Oak Cliff, she serves as Burnet County Democratic Party Precinct 3 Chair.

Get Involved with the SDEC 🔗 texasdemocrats.org/party-resources 📞 216-384-8944

Connect with Our Guests 🔗 Florisbel — Instagram & Threads: @florisbeljaramillo | Facebook: Florisbelj 🔗 Lane Law — Burnet County Democratic Party, Precinct 12

Chapters 00:00 — Introduction and Backgrounds 09:57 — Political Engagement and Community Involvement 20:07 — Personal Stories and Motivations 29:11 — Strategizing for Democratic Success in Texas 30:08 — Challenges and Opportunities in Rural Politics 32:33 — Building Local Democratic Structures 34:10 — Navigating Internal Party Dynamics 37:22 — The Importance of Rural Voices in Politics 39:55 — Challenges of Diversity within the Democratic Party 42:12 — The Role of Infrastructure in Voter Engagement 45:16 — Mobilizing for Upcoming Elections 49:12 — Calls to Action for Local Engagement

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