Advertise on podcast: Hello Houston: The Commuter Cut

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we hear this week’s edition of Tessa Takes On, in which Tessa sits down with Houston Golf Girl Madi Frerking for a conversation about building a career, a personal brand, and making an impact in a highly competitive sport. Next, Republican Texas State Senator Paul Bettencourt shares his thoughts on the results of the 2026 midterm elections, what happens next for the Republican Party of Texas following the midterms, and whether this changes anything for the upcoming legislative session. And finally, for our regular Friday feature, Last Minute Plans, Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me comedian Alonzo Bodden tells us more about his career, his latest projects, and what audiences can expect from his upcoming shows at Punch Line Houston.

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear from Letitia Plummer, who discusses her historic victory in the Harris County Judge race as the first Black person and first Muslim elected to this role and what her plans are for this office. Then, Houston area trial attorney and author Tony Buzbee talks to us about his new book, How to Swim with Sharks: Success Tips They Don't Teach You in School, why he decided to write it, the advice he shares in the book, and more.

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," our hosts Ernie Manouse and Tessa Barrera discuss last night's election results while they field phone calls from Hello Houston listeners who share their thoughts and reactions to the results. Also, Party Politics co-host Brandon Rottinghaus joins us to break down last night's election results and give us his thoughts on what happens next following the historic “blue wave” that swept the Lone Star State last night.

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear our regular Tuesday feature, Five Simple Questions, in which Hello Houston Executive Producer Jim Kovacik talks with civil attorney, content creator, and community voice Erika Harrison of “Black Girls Who Brunch.” Next, Ben Schooley, founder of Pro Se Coach and author of Successfully Representing Yourself in Texas Family Law, discusses navigating family courts without an attorney, the financial and emotional toll family court can have on families, and what he believes needs to change in Texas. Plus, we also hear from two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist, pianist, and songwriter Nicole Zuraitis, who talks to us about her upcoming Live at the Founder's Club concert, The Devil I Knew, which will feature bold, contemporary jazz and storytelling told through song.

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Liam Mayes, director of undergraduate studies in media at Rice University, discusses the rising cases of misinformation spreading across digital platforms during election cycles and how voters can identify misinformation. Next, we hear from David Goodman, the Texas bureau chief for The New York Times, who gives us a last look at all the key races in Texas ahead of Election Day tomorrow and what voters should be watching as these races come down to the wire. And finally, Houston filmmaker, author, and actress Keyatta Crews tells us about her journey as a creative in the Bayou City, what it’s like to work with her family, and what it takes to turn a vision into a lasting legacy.

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” Jennifer Kapral, Executive Director of Preservation Houston, tells us about the demolition of the historic Kirby Mansion in Houston’s Midtown neighborhood and its historical significance. Next, we hear a special Halloween-inspired edition of Tessa Takes On, in which Tessa talks with three members of the Ghost Hunting Beauties, an all-female, Houston-based paranormal investigation team that explores haunted locations. Also, we discuss breast cancer awareness with Dr. Sandra F. Templeton, the Medical Director of Breast Surgery at Houston Methodist Hospital, and breast cancer survivor Vanessa Plascencia, who both share insights on the importance of early detection and how knowledge and support can make a difference.

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear from Toluwani Osibamowo, an investigative reporter with the Texas Newsroom, who gives us the latest on the pamphlets and texts received by Texans across the state that appeared to promote transgender advocacy resources. Next, in this week’s edition of HPM in Focus, Houston Public Media’s Fort Bend County reporter Melissa Enaje discusses the controversy surrounding a campaign ad that featured AI-generated videos of Black voters expressing support for Daniel Wong, the Republican candidate for Fort Bend County Judge. Also, we hear from Dr. Courtney West, the senior associate dean for educational affairs at Sam Houston State University, and Dr. Kathryn Potter, the chair of primary care, who both tell us about a mobile health clinic initiative that’s designed to help provide women’s preventative healthcare in underserved communities.

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Texas Monthly senior writer Forrest Wilder discusses an investigation into the major changes undergone at the University of Texas that are raising questions about academic freedom and the role of politics in higher education.   Next, University of Houston chemistry professor Dr. Yuhong Wang explains how local researchers are using artificial intelligence and advanced sensing technology to help combat antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Plus, we hear from actor Joey Herrera, who talks to us about playing Dracula in Drunk Dracula, a theatrical production that puts an interesting twist on the classic horror story by mixing comedy with an unpredictable performance.

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” John Diamond, a senior fellow in public finance at Rice University’s Baker Institute, shares his thoughts on the current state of the U.S. economy amid pressures like the national debt, rising costs, and major investments in AI. Next, we hear Hello Houston Executive Producer Jim Kovacik talk with Houston City Councilmember Edward Pollard for this week’s edition of our regular Tuesday feature, Five Simple Questions. Also, we hear from Ayden Runnels, a reporter for The Texas Tribune, who discusses a Texas city’s attempt to charge more than $2 million for public records on the city’s Flock cameras and how this has become a flashpoint in the debate over how these cameras are being used.

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," the Texas Tribune’s urban affairs reporter Joshua Fechter talks about the hundreds of thousands of Texas homeowners who may be missing out on property tax savings because they haven’t claimed a homestead exemption. Then, playwright Elena Coates discusses her new play, Shadow of Nuremberg, which explores the human, ethical, and historical questions that emerged from the Nuremberg trials and how societies wrestle with the lingering effects of atrocity. Plus, we hear Tessa’s conversation with Kim Miller, founder of the grassroots organization America’s Women, who discusses civic engagement and how they’re encouraging women to become more involved in elections.

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear Ernie and Tessa’s conversation with PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger, who shares her perspective on PBS today, the evolving ways audiences engage with public media, and the future of public television. Then, in this week’s edition of Tessa Takes On, Tessa chats with representatives from Houston’s primary women’s rugby organization, the Houston Athletic Rugby Club, for a discussion on the city’s role in the ever-growing international sport. Plus, we wrap up the week with our regular Friday feature, Last Minute Plans, in which our hosts share a list of Houston area events to help you make the most of your weekend, while they also share their own plans for the weekend.

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we spotlight the Harris County Judge debate that will be hosted by Houston Public Media tonight with HPM reporters Andrew Schneider and Sarah Grunau, who will both be involved in the debate. Next, we hear from Houston Public Media reporter Bianca Seward, who breaks down the elections for the Texas State Board of Education and how they could shape the future of public education in Texas for this week’s edition of HPM in Focus. Also, following Houston native NFL quarterback Jalen Hurts’ season-ending blood clot diagnosis, we discuss how these conditions are formed, who’s most at risk, and how they’re treated with Dr. Daniel Hermann, an interventional cardiologist with Memorial Hermann, who’s also experienced deep vein thrombosis himself after traveling.

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear this week's edition of On The Marquee, in which Ernie chats with Sylvia D'Eramo and Matthew Polenzani, who both discuss playing the titular roles in Houston Grand Opera's productions of Susannah and Faust. Next, Baylor College of Medicine’s Dr. Richa Shukla discusses living with inflammatory bowel disease, treatment options, and a new learning event at The Health Museum that's designed to connect patients and families with information and support. Plus, we also hear from filmmaker Azfar Ali and producer and co-writer Yasir Raza, who both talk about the award-winning, Houston-produced film Jyoti, what went into bringing this film to life, and what it was like to collaborate across cultures.

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we discuss the controversy surrounding the delayed release of Texas's maternal mortality report until after the November midterm elections, with Mary Tuma, a staff writer for the Texas Observer. Next, we hear this week’s edition of Five Simple Questions, in which Hello Houston Executive Producer Jim Kovacik talks with Locked on Rockets podcast host Jackson Gatlin, who shares his favorite moments in the Houston Rockets’ history. And finally, we hear an excerpt from the latest episode of Ernie’s recurring feature InnerVIEWS, in which he sits down with start-up guru Paul DeJoe, best known as the co-founder and COO of MUD\WTR, for a discussion on creativity, success, and the impact of AI on creativity.

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear this week’s Producer Spotlight, in which Hello Houston producer Garrett Bohlmann talks with playwright Gloria Majule, who discusses the story and themes of her satirical play Uhuru, currently running at Alley Theatre. Next, Lieutenant John Klafka with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, tells us about the Sheriff’s Mobile Advocacy Response Team (SMART), a new program that aims to address domestic violence in the Houston region. Plus, with October being National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we hear from employment specialist Dr. DeShanna Reed, who talks about the importance of workplace inclusion and how mentorship can open doors for people with disabilities.