Advertise on podcast: The Think Brazos Podcast

This week, we are honored to sit down with a true Brazos Valley icon: Scott DeLucia. After an unbelievable 59-year career in local radio, Scott recently retired from WTAW’s morning lineup. In this wide-ranging conversation, Scott brings his decades of institutional knowledge to the table. He shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories of broadcasting through the community's most defining moments—from anchoring coverage of the 1999 Aggie Bonfire collapse to being live on the air with our congressman during the attacks on 9/11. But we don't just look back. Scott gives his unfiltered thoughts on the current state of Bryan-College Station, including soaring municipal budgets, property tax concerns, and the critical need for neighborhood integrity and smart housing density. Plus, he shares why he is a long-time advocate for B/CS Habitat for Humanity and the power of "sweat equity." Whether you’ve listened to Scott for years or you care deeply about the local policies shaping the future of Bryan and College Station, this episode is a must-listen. Think Brazos is proudly sponsored by B/CS Habitat for Humanity. Learn more about how to volunteer or donate to the ReStore at habitatbcs.org. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to stay updated on our upcoming local candidate interviews this fall! Subscribe for email updates at thinkbrazos.org

Before you vote in the 2026 Texas primary election, listen to our conversation with Wanda Watson, who is running for re-election as the Precinct 4 Brazos County Commissioner. Wanda Watson was originally elected to the Brazos County Commissioners Court in 2022. Before her current role, she served as the chair of the Democratic Party in Brazos County and as an election judge. Think Brazos is a project of Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity intended to help our community understand local government policies that impact our daily lives, especially housing opportunities. You can find our ⁠⁠2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide⁠⁠ on our website. Because this podcast is produced by Habitat, a 501c3 charitable organization, we do not make endorsements. If you would like to support our work in the community, you can make a tax-deductible donation at ⁠⁠ThinkBrazos.org/donate⁠⁠.

Before you vote in the 2026 Texas primary election, listen to our conversation with Prentiss Madison, Sr, who is running for Precinct 4 Brazos County Commissioner. Madison is a former two-term Bryan city councilman and has also served on Planning and Zoning, Adjustments, and Parks and Recreation Commissions. Madison and his family run a recycling business called Madison Metals. Think Brazos is a project of Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity intended to help our community understand local government policies that impact our daily lives, especially housing opportunities. You can find our ⁠⁠2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide⁠⁠ on our website. Because this podcast is produced by Habitat, a 501c3 charitable organization, we do not make endorsements. If you would like to support our work in the community, you can make a tax-deductible donation at ⁠⁠ThinkBrazos.org/donate⁠⁠.

Before you vote in the 2026 Texas primary election, listen to our conversation with Peter Michelena, who is running for Precinct 4 Brazos County Commissioner. Michelena deployed twice to Afghanistan and received two Purple Hearts while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, has worked for the City of Bryan, and is currently the CFO of the local VFW Post #4692. Think Brazos is a project of Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity intended to help our community understand local government policies that impact our daily lives, especially housing opportunities. You can find our ⁠⁠2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide⁠⁠ on our website. Because this podcast is produced by Habitat, a 501c3 charitable organization, we do not make endorsements. If you would like to support our work in the community, you can make a tax-deductible donation at ⁠⁠ThinkBrazos.org/donate⁠⁠.

Before you vote in the 2026 Texas primary election, listen to our conversation with Andre Malone, who is running for Precinct 4 Brazos County Commissioner. A self-described "Army brat," Malone has lived in Brazos County for 45 years and is a failure auditor for the oil and gas industry. Think Brazos is a project of Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity intended to help our community understand local government policies that impact our daily lives, especially housing opportunities. You can find our ⁠⁠2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide⁠⁠ on our website. Because this podcast is produced by Habitat, a 501c3 charitable organization, we do not make endorsements. If you would like to support our work in the community, you can make a tax-deductible donation at ⁠⁠ThinkBrazos.org/donate⁠⁠.

Before you vote in the 2026 Texas primary election, listen to our conversation with Jeff Murski, who is running for Precinct 2 Brazos County Commissioner. Jeff Murski brings years of experience in public relations with an electric company and government working for Congressman Pete Sessions. Think Brazos is a project of Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity intended to help our community understand local government policies that impact our daily lives, especially housing opportunities. You can find our ⁠⁠2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide⁠⁠ on our website. Because this podcast is produced by Habitat, a 501c3 charitable organization, we do not make endorsements. If you would like to support our work in the community, you can make a tax-deductible donation at ⁠⁠ThinkBrazos.org/donate⁠⁠.

Before you vote in the 2026 Texas primary election, listen to our conversation with Jordan Januse, who is running for Precinct 2 Brazos County Commissioner. Jordan Januse's family ran Frank's Country Store, a store beloved by many locals. Januse continued his experience with small businesses by starting a home cleaning company. Think Brazos is a project of Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity intended to help our community understand local government policies that impact our daily lives, especially housing opportunities. You can find our ⁠⁠2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide⁠⁠ on our website. Because this podcast is produced by Habitat, a 501c3 charitable organization, we do not make endorsements. If you would like to support our work in the community, you can make a tax-deductible donation at ⁠⁠ThinkBrazos.org/donate⁠⁠.

Before you vote in the 2026 Texas primary election, listen to our conversation with Kyle Greenwood, who is running for Precinct 2 Brazos County Commissioner. Locally, Greenwood is known for his role fighting a proposed road in eastern Brazos County. "No East Loop" supporters attended commissioners' court meetings for months arguing against the road. Think Brazos is a project of Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity intended to help our community understand local government policies that impact our daily lives, especially housing opportunities. You can find our ⁠2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide⁠ on our website. Because this podcast is produced by Habitat, a 501c3 charitable organization, we do not make endorsements. If you would like to support our work in the community, you can make a tax-deductible donation at ⁠ThinkBrazos.org/donate⁠.

Before you vote in the 2026 Texas primary election, listen to our conversation with former Bryan City Councilman Mike Southerland, who is now running for Brazos County Judge. Mike Southerland is a Vietnam veteran who served two terms on the Bryan City Council. Think Brazos is a project of Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity intended to help our community understand local government policies that impact our daily lives, especially housing opportunities. You can find our ⁠2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide⁠ on our website. Because this podcast is produced by Habitat, a 501c3 charitable organization, we do not make endorsements. If you would like to support our work in the community, you can make a tax-deductible donation at ⁠ThinkBrazos.org/donate⁠.

Before you vote in the 2026 Texas primary election, listen to our conversation with former State Representative Kyle Kacal, who is now running for Brazos County Judge. From the summer of 2025 until January 2026, Kacal served as acting Brazos County Judge while Judge Duane Peters took a medical leave of absence. Now, Kacal wants the job for a full term. Think Brazos is a project of Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity intended to help our community understand local government policies that impact our daily lives, especially housing opportunities. You can find our 2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide on our website. Because this podcast is produced by Habitat, a 501c3 charitable organization, we do not make endorsements. If you would like to support our work in the community, you can make a tax-deductible donation at ThinkBrazos.org/donate.

Join us on this episode of the Think Brazos Podcast as we host Texas State Representative Paul Dyson. From the Reese Avonley Homes Studio in Bryan, Texas. Dyson shares insights on legislative challenges, affordable housing issues across the state, the impact of unfunded mandates, and his firsthand experiences during his first legislative session. He also discusses plans for the future, including property tax relief and the impact fees bill.   Don’t miss this in-depth conversation packed with real talk about local policy and housing in Texas.  The Think Brazos Podcast is a policy conversation platform produced by staff at Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. As a 501c3, we do not make endorsements of any candidate or political party. Full disclaimer: https://thinkbrazos.org/about/#disclaimer   You can support Think Brazos and B/CS Habitat for Humanity through their upcoming golf tournament. https://habitatbcs.org/tees-for-keys/  Love what we’re doing? You can make a donation here. Follow Think Brazos   https://facebook.com/thinkbrazos   https://instagram.com/thinkbrazos   https://x.com/thinkbrazos   Learn more at https://thinkbrazos.org

**Heads up** ⚠️ We had an audio glitch during part of our interview with David Brower. You’ll notice a dip in sound quality in the second half of the interview—but we promise it’s worth powering through. In this episode of the Think Brazos podcast, host Charles Coats speaks with David Brower, the Community Development Administrator for the City of College Station. They delve into the city's housing action plan, its goals, and the strategies being implemented to address housing affordability. David shares insights on existing challenges such as cost-burdened renters and homeowners, and the rapid increase in housing costs post-pandemic. He also highlights specific initiatives like increased density, deed-restricted homeownership programs, and collaborations with local nonprofits and employers to tackle the housing crisis. Learn how College Station plans to create more housing opportunities and ensure the community's future growth and stability.  The Think Brazos Podcast is a policy conversation platform produced by staff at Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. As a 501c3, we do not make endorsements of any candidate or political party. Full disclaimer: https://thinkbrazos.org/about/#disclaimer Follow Think Brazos https://facebook.com/thinkbrazos https://instagram.com/thinkbrazos https://x.com/thinkbrazos Learn more at https://thinkbrazos.org

In this episode of the Think Brazos Podcast, Mayor John Nichols of College Station joins us to discuss various challenges and legislative issues affecting housing affordability in Texas. The conversation delves into the implications of impact fees, local control versus state legislation, and the unique housing demands caused by Texas A&M University's large student population. Mayor Nichols also explains the city's efforts to adapt to market pressures, including allowing accessory dwelling units and considering smaller lot sizes. Tune in to understand the complexities of housing policies and their impact on local communities.  You can find a list of housing bills we’re watching here: https://thinkbrazos.org/2025/03/13/texas-housing-legislation-2025-bills-were-tracking/ Mentioned in the episode SB15 on minimum lot sizes ADU bills HB5489 on impact fees SB 844 on the valid petition process (“tyrant veto”) SB1567 on occupancy limits by familial status College Station’s Housing Action Plan: https://www.cstx.gov/departments___city_hall/commserv/development/housing_action_plan College Station Impact Fees: https://www.cstx.gov/departments___city_hall/pds/engineering/impact_fees The Think Brazos Podcast is a policy conversation platform produced by staff at Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. As a 501c3, we do not make endorsements of any candidate or political party. Full disclaimer: https://thinkbrazos.org/about/#disclaimer  Learn more at https://thinkbrazos.org Follow Think Brazos https://facebook.com/thinkbrazos https://instagram.com/thinkbrazos https://x.com/thinkbrazos

Addressing Housing Affordability with Rep. Paul Dyson In this episode of the Think Brazos Podcast, host Charles Coats welcomes Representative Paul Dyson of House District 14 in Texas to discuss the current legislative session. The conversation delves into the pressing issue of housing affordability in Texas, exploring proposed bills and solutions like House Bill 5489, which aims to impose a moratorium on impact fees to ease housing costs. Dyson also shares insights into his experiences as a freshman representative, his committee work, and other legislative efforts around water infrastructure. The episode provides a comprehensive look at the challenges and potential policies affecting housing and growth in Texas. Tune in for an in-depth discussion on how local and state governments are navigating these crucial issues. The Think Brazos Podcast is policy conversation platform produced by staff at Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. As a 501c3, we do not make endorsements of any candidate or political party. Full disclaimer: https://thinkbrazos.org/about/#disclaimer Learn more at thinkbrazos.org

We sit down with Salim Furth, Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project at the Mercatus Center, George Mason University. We dive deep into state-level housing bills and explore what's being proposed in Texas’ 89th Legislative Session to enhance housing affordability and attainability. Discover the impact of HB878, the benefits of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and the broader implications of zoning reforms on property rights and local communities. Additionally, Salim provides comparisons to other states like California, Montana, and Florida, shedding light on successful housing policies and their outcomes. Don't miss this detailed discussion on how Texas can navigate legislative reforms to ensure housing remains within reach for its growing population.