Welcome to the second episode of Ideas to Income, the podcast series where real entrepreneurs break down how they turned ideas into profitable businesses.

In this episode, we talked with a goldsmith who started her own fountain pen nib business and shares her story about how she turned an uncommon skill into a thriving business.

She shares how curiosity evolved into craftsmanship and what it really took to go from working with precious metals to building a brand from scratch. She talks about how she overcame self-doubt and found her first customers. This episode is perfect for anyone curious about turning passion into a profession or creating a business in an area where few dare to try.

Learn more about career and business resources that the library has to offer on our website, www.hcpl.net

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Gisela Parker, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Katelyn Helberg, Darcy Casavant, Darla Pruitt and Nancy Hu

Welcome to the very first episode of Ideas to Income, the podcast series where real entrepreneurs break down how they turned ideas into profitable businesses.

In this episode talked with the founder of a successful pressure washing business in Houston, TX, who started out using rental equipment and is now turning a profit using his grit, smart decisions and willingness to learn.

If you’ve ever thought about starting a service-based business, looking for a low-barrier way to become your own boss, or want practical advice from someone who’s actually done it, this episode is for you. Expect real talk, actionable tips, and inspiration to take that first step from idea to income.

Learn more about career and business resources that the library has to offer on our website, www.hcpl.net

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Gisela Parker, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Katelyn Helberg, Darcy Casavant, Darla Pruitt and Nancy Hu

The World Cup is almost here, and sustainability is taking center stage. In this episode, we talk with Elizabeth Carlson, Houston’s World Cup Sustainability Chair, and Laura Smith, HCPL’s Sustainable Library lead, about how the World Cup and Harris County Public Library are teaming up to drive meaningful sustainability efforts. From big-picture goals to local impact, they share how these initiatives are helping create a more sustainable future for our community.

https://oca.harriscountytx.gov/Divisions/Sustainability

https://www.sustainablelibrariesinitiative.org/

https://hcpl.net/sustainability-policy/

https://www.fwc26houston.com

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Gisela Parker, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Katelyn Helberg, Darcy Casavant, Darla Pruitt and Nancy Hu

This month we take a look into the first amendment and try to clear up any confusion around it. We also talk about some of our favorite banned books and the Librotraficante movement. So take a listen and learn why your freedom to speak and read are so important. 

Books mentioned in this episode: Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, The Giver by Lois Lowry, No David by David Shannon, Last Night At The Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo. 

Learn more about our library at www.hcpl.net

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Gisela Parker, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Katelyn Helberg, Darcy Casavant, Darla Pruitt and Nancy Hu

This month, we speak with some expats about their experiences living outside the United States and the different processes they went through when becoming citizens/residents of their home away from home. 

We also learned about some famous expat authors and digital nomads!

Learn more about our library at www.hcpl.net

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Gisela Parker, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Katelyn Helberg, Darcy Casavant, Darla Pruitt and Nancy Hu

How did we all get started in libraries? For our 5th year anniversary episode, we talk to all current cast members of our podcast about their personal journeys into the library world.

Listen to our back catalog for more Using Our Library Voices at www.hcpl.net/podcast

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Gisela Parker, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Katelyn Helberg, Darcy Casavant, Darla Pruitt and Nancy Hu

This month we talk about how the invention of air conditioning has forever changed the future of Houston! 

Learn how the humidity and other challenges of our environment affects all aspects of life and the library.

Listen to our Fungus Among Us episode here

Learn more about our library at www.hcpl.net

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Gisela Parker, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Katelyn Helberg, Darcy Casavant, Darla Pruitt and Nancy Hu

Join us this month as we explore inside our brains. John recounts how he learned lines for a Shakespearean role, and Sadina talks with UT Health Neurologist, Dr. Rajesh Gupta about the different ways brains process information. 

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Gisela Parker, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Katelyn Helberg, Darcy Casavant, Darla Pruitt and Nancy Hu

This extra-long episode is a celebration of fantasy, strategy, and storytelling as your Harris County Public Library librarians roll initiative on a journey through their favorite RPG passions! We start with RPG and turn-based combat video games that first opened the portal to imaginative realms. From there, we dig deep into the immersive world of tabletop role-playing games, Dungeons & Dragons, and the strategic thrill of trading card games like Magic: The Gathering. Finally, we swap our dice for doublets as we dive into Renaissance Faires—where the fantasy comes to life. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or just starting your quest, join us for a fun, geeky deep dive filled with nostalgia, laughter, and more than a few critical hits. 

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Gisela Parker, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Katelyn Helberg, Darcy Casavant, Darla Pruitt and Nancy Hu

Houston has a lively theater scene and for this episode we talk with Mary at Spring Branch Memorial Branch Library and  3 other actors in Houston about auditioning and the Houston Theatre scene.

Learn more about Acting and Theater in Houston with our Resources for Actors available on our website blog here

Actors Aaron Garrett, Dano Colón, and Destiny Duhon join us in this episode.

Check out the live shows at our libraries this Summer as part of our Summer Reading Program! ARTS AND CULTURE EVENTS 

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Gisela Parker, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Katelyn Helberg, Darcy Casavant, Darla Pruitt and Nancy Hu