community

This Is My Thing: Community Singing!

During Covid lockdown, Sarah Bentley discovered the world of community singing. For the last few years, she’s found connection and a creative outlet through leading singing circles.

Dewi Smith

Lisa and Rich talk with community connector, voter motivator and conduit of curiosity Dewi Smith, highlighting the importance of being an educated voter. Dewi also shares her origin story, educational journey, devotion to the community, and commitment to rallying voters for this upcoming election.

Jessica Taylor (Ep. 49, 2023)

On this week’s In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with Ezra Coffee founder and CEO Jessica Taylor, a former educator and Diversion and Inclusion strategist, as well as reality TV show cast member, who incorporates her passion for storytelling, and the celebration of African American culture and history in the making and marketing of specialty coffees.

Texas Standard: May 26, 2022

After the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, new laws took affect aimed at making schools safer. Why did they fail in Uvalde? We’ll have the latest on the killing of 19 kids and 2 teachers at Robb Elementary and the growing sense of frustration over previous efforts at addressing school shootings in Texas, and what state leaders intend to do, or not do. As those state leaders point to the need for more mental health resources, what’s being done on that front–especially in rural Texas? Plus a Politifact claim about baby formula and politics getting in the way. And COVID-19 case numbers in Texas rising again with the start of summer, we’ll have the latest on todays Texas Standard:

Culture Wars

This Typewriter Rodeo poem came to us via listener request. Matthew Koontz suggested the topic “no governing, just culture wars.” This is the result.

Texas Standard: March 10, 2022

A murder in Lubbock turns a spotlight on violence faced by Trans Texans. We’ll have the latest. Also, a Trump administration directive ordering rapid deportations, still imposed by the Biden Administration. But court orders are chipping away at it. How much longer will Title 42 be sustained? Possible changes coming to border enforcement. And progressives in Texas making serious headway? A deeper dig into details from the recent Texas primaries. Also the push to open up Texas to online gambling, and the pushback from some in health care. And the in-person return of one of Texas biggest international events. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 24, 2022

Austin has ’em, so does San Antonio–now, almost five years after Hurricane Harvey, Harris County officials are looking into massive underground tunnels to help with flooding. Also, why Texas is one of only four states where employment numbers have bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. And, Austin-based author on her new book exploring the Mexican American experience in Texas. Those stories and more, today on the Texas Standard:

Trailer: Black Austin Matters

Black Austin Matters is a podcast that highlights the Black community and Black culture in Central Texas. Each month, hosts Richard J. Reddick and Lisa B. Thompson talk with other Black Austinites about their perspectives on what’s happening in their city. We’ll hear from the well-known and the not-so-well-known in Austin’s Black community to find out what matters to them. New episodes each first Wednesday of the month.

#TacosSaveTexas (Again.)

As our uncertain world turns, it seems like only one thing stays consistent — the generosity of Texas taqueros. Whether they’re feeding communities in need during natural disasters, or simply working to enforce their operation’s mask mandate during a global pandemic, it’s not often these brave culinary craftsmen and women get the recognition they deserve. In this episode, we’ll chat with some taco do-gooders about their work to lift up their communities and care for society’s most vulnerable. Because like most things, humanitarianism is best when it’s wrapped in a homemade tortilla hecho con amor. Guests include Jessica Villa-Gomez BoomBox Taco (Houston) and TK Tunchez, Founder of Frida Fridays (Austin).

We

Our personal choices often have impacts beyond our personal lives. How do we find balance and how has a pandemic heightened all of this? That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Winter 2021

Texans have been suffering this week in the prolonged bitter cold, without power and without water. This Typewriter Rodeo poem is recognition of that suffering combined with the hope we continue to help each other through it.

Love Thy Neighbor

The pandemic is isolating in many ways but it is also providing opportunity for a new kind of closeness. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

The New Normal

As COVID-19 has spread around the world, it has led to changes many have begun calling the new normal. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: October 22, 2019

Huge political news in the Lone Star state as one of the most powerful politicians in Texas government says he won’t seek reelection amid scandal. We’ll have the latest on House speaker Dennis Bonnens decision. Also, the Texas city once hyped as greenest in the nation is now suing to get out of its solar power deal. We’ll have the latest. And ex Baylor coach Art Briles returns to football, in a place even some locals were surprised to find him. Plus, how do so-called red flag gun laws work in real life situations? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: May 1, 2019

Lowering property taxes, but giving up what? We’ll take a look at the latest movement at the Texas capitol. Also, asylum seekers would have to pay to apply under new orders from President Trump. We’ll break down the proposals. And you throw the bottle in the blue bin, viola! You’ve recycled. But it’s not so simple, and in fact it could be getting harder. We’ll explain. And one of the most important figures in Texas’ religious history never set foot here, or did she? Exploring the legend of the Lady in Blue. Those stories plus a fact check and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 19, 2018

A fourth bomb detonates in in the Texas capitol city leaving two more people injured, a community on lockdown, and a city on edge. We’ll have the latest on the big story making national news out of Texas today, federal agents working feverishly with Austin police to detect some pattern or motive after four bomb attacks, and no suspects. Also, the primary’s over? Not for three candidates once running to replace Beto O’Rourke. They claim they were cheated out of victory by election fraud in El Paso. But how so? And reaching victims of domestic violence in an unconventional way: through the hairdresser? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard: