Advertise on podcast: Hello Houston: The Commuter Cut

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear Ernie as he broadcasts live from the Houston Home and Garden Show, where he chats with Home Improvement star Richard Karn, who explains how he got cast as Al in the hit sitcom. Then, Frank and Celeste talk with Yale leadership scholar Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, who discusses his upcoming book, Trump’s Ten Commandments, which explores the strategies that President Trump uses in his decision-making for business, politics, and media. Plus, we check back in with Ernie at the Home and Garden Show, and hear his conversation with Sloan Rinaldi, owner and pitmaster of Texas Q, who shares her advice on how to make great Texas barbecue.

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we hear Celeste talk with Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, who discusses his re-election campaign, how the state is handling the screwworm threat, food affordability, and more. Also, Amy Hufnagel, executive director of the ACE Mentor Program Houston, explains how the after-school mentoring program educates high school students about careers in the architecture, construction, and engineering industries. Plus, we also chat with former ESPN and CityCast Houston broadcaster Raheel Ramzanali, who shares his thoughts on this weekend’s Super Bowl, the highly anticipated halftime show featuring Bad Bunny, and whether the commercials are still as exciting as they’ve been in the past.

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we break down ERCOT's 2026 forecast, which showed electricity demand increasing rapidly across Texas, with local energy expert Samuel Luna, who also explains how this will affect your electric bill. Also, we’re joined by Kelly Young and Catherine Villarreal of Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, who tell us about their organization’s work and the latest issues impacting Houston’s homeless population. Then, we hear an excerpt from the latest installment of Ernie's InnerVIEWS series, in which he sits down with Broadway legend Bernadette Peters ahead of her concert in Houston this weekend. To watch the full interview, click here.

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we talk with Miriam Feldblum, co-founder and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, who shares her thoughts on Governor Greg Abbott ordering new H-1B visa applications to be paused. Then, local attorney Ebony Williams discusses her run for the Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 2 judge seat, currently held by Judge Jim Kovach, as well as why she decided to run, and why she believes she’s right for this position. Also, award-winning media executive Amy DuBois Barnett talks about her debut novel, If I Ruled the World, her time serving as the editor-in-chief of three major magazines, and the influence her mother, former University of Houston president Dr. Marguerite Barnett, had on her.

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear from Pastor D.Z. Cofield who shares his thoughts on the meaning of Black History Month, and discusses his charity, “Hope for Families,” which is focused on rebuilding urban communities. Then, Maureen Patton, executive director of The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston, joins us to share stories from her more than 40 years of running the historic theater, which is recognized as the official opera house of Texas. Also, we’re joined by Houston Public Media’s Galveston County reporter, Julianna Washburn, who tells us about the more than 100 sea turtles released back in the Gulf after being rescued from the conditions of last week’s winter storm, and more of the latest stories happening in Galveston.

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” Ernie, Frank, and Celeste discuss the federal government’s plan to reduce the number of federal immigration agents in Minnesota and respond to comments from Hello Houston listeners about this news. Then, Dr. David Schrank, a Senior Research Scientist at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, joins us to discuss the 2025 Texas Top 100 Congested Road Segments list and why several of Texas’s most congested roads are in Houston. Plus, we’re also joined by Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth, who tells us everything Houstonians need to know about the 18th Congressional District special election runoff, ahead of Election Day tomorrow, as well as information about upcoming primaries.

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Houston Public Media reporter Michael Adkison tells us more about the Artemis II mission and the crew entering quarantine in preparation for a possible February launch to the moon. Then, we hear from Khori Dastoor, the General Director and CEO of Houston Grand Opera, who discusses the much-anticipated HGO production of Hansel and Gretel, and what audiences can expect. Plus, we also hear Ernie, Frank, and Celeste talk with Texas State Representative James Talarico, who discusses his run for Senate, as well as the issues he faces, his relationship with his challenger, U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett, and the future of Texas.

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we discuss a new study from the Kinder Institute for Urban Research about Houston’s Asian American population, with the institute’s Dan Potter and Katherine Yang Bao, who break down the study’s findings. Then, we hear from actor Zachary Keller, who talks about playing the character Jacob Jankowski in the hit Broadway musical Water for Elephants, currently running at the Hobby Center through Sunday. Also, we’re joined by Cindy Peña, assistant curator of Latin American and Latino Art at MFAH and Arden Decker, associate director of the International Center for Art of the Americas, who discuss the museum's new exhibition, Frida: The Making of an Icon, which explores how Frida Kahlo became one of the world’s most influential artists.

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we discuss the latest issues impacting the Federal Reserve with John Diamond, senior fellow in public finance at Rice University's Baker Institute, who also helps us understand what's at stake for the Fed and the markets. Then, we hear from Jim Kovach, who’s running for re-election as judge for Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 2. He tells Ernie, Frank, and Celeste about his platform, what makes him qualified to continue serving as judge, his endorsements, and more. Plus, we also talk with Karen Kennard, assistant executive director of The Children’s Assessment Center, about how we can protect children from falling victim to human trafficking, as well as the signs to be aware of to prevent this crime.

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we discuss how you can protect your pipes from the freezing weather with Joe Bany, director of operations at John Moore Services, who also takes questions from Hello Houston listeners. Then, Andrea Leinfelder, the space reporter for the Houston Chronicle, joins us to tell us about Congress approving a $24.4 billion budget for NASA, what impact this could have on the agency's future, and what we know about the upcoming Artemis II mission. Plus, we also learn about the closure of an oyster harvesting area in Matagorda Bay, from Kelley Kowal, the regional director of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Coastal Fisheries Division, who also explains what factors hinder oyster habitats.

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Sean Tajipour, founder and editor of Nerdtropolis, gives us his thoughts on the 2026 Oscar nominations, which movies he believes were snubbed, and the new Best Casting category. Then, we hear from both New York Times best-selling author Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, who talks to us about her new health book, The Forever Strong Playbook, and former NASCAR and IndyCar driver Danica Patrick, who tells us about her training and health mindset.

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we’re joined by Nathan Brownell, Vice President of Resilience and Capital Delivery at CenterPoint Energy, who discusses the company's readiness plan for the winter storm that’s expected in Texas and Houston this weekend. Then, we hear from University of Houston archivist Mary Manning, who tells us about the Tommy Tune collection – consisting of more than 50,000 items from the Broadway legend's accomplished career – that will be archived at the university. Plus, Paige Shoemake, Director of Rehabilitation at TIRR Memorial Hermann and Jeff Feinstein, founder of Walk & Roll for SCI, discuss what’s in store for this year’s annual ReelAbilities Houston Film & Arts Festival, as well as share their thoughts on the festival’s impact.  

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we hear from Eric Sandler, the food and culture editor at CultureMap Houston, who shares his thoughts on why many Houston restaurants are shutting down and what factors are driving these closings. Then, we discuss the use of force by law enforcement with Dr. Beth Gilmore, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Houston–Downtown, who explains what protocols guide these decisions, and what rights individuals have if they're stopped or pursued by law enforcement. Plus, we also learn all about the local all-female mariachi band “Las Chabelitas,” from two of its members, Chloe McGhee and Siumy Coreas, who also tell us more about the group, what mariachi means to them, and how it feels to be a part of an all-female mariachi band, considering how male-dominated the genre has traditionally been.

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear from News 88-7 reporter Bianca Seward, who tells us about a new study on HISD, which found a continued decline in student enrollment and experienced teachers in the district since the state takeover began. Then, Registered Dietitian Catherine Kruppa joins us to discuss the new U.S. dietary guidelines and to share advice on how you can get your diet right for the new year. Plus, we’re then joined by Houstonian Terry Estes, who shares her experience with mission work in Guatemala, while Faith in Practice CEO Dr. Ben Adesope discusses the non-profit’s work leading medical mission trips to the country.

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Ernie and guest host Doris Childress talk with Roderick Jackson, director of the Houston Emergency Center, who discusses how the center stays prepared to provide Houstonians with emergency services. Then, actor, singer, and comedian John O’Hurley, known for several film and TV roles, including playing J. Peterman in Seinfeld, joins us to tell us more about his career and his upcoming one-man show in Houston. Plus, John McClain, a legendary Houston sportswriter and Texas Hall of Famer, joins us with film producer Rob Lynch to discuss the new sports documentary he’s hosting, The PVIL Story: Separate…But Equal, about the Prairie View Interscholastic League, a Black high school football league that existed in Texas before desegregation.