Y'all, this episode is DIFFERENT. Durrel brings that energy with two powerhouse organizers breaking down what's REALLY happening with Houston's budget, and why Emancipation Park descendants can't even book a room there. 🔥

GUESTS:
Alice Liu (West Street Recovery) - Disaster recovery organizer, climate justice advocate, Rice grad fighting for functional government
Karisha Rogers - Third Ward native, community organizer, youth activist turned policy powerhouse.

KEY TOPICS:

Houston's $100-200M budget deficit is a POLITICAL CHOICE, not inevitable
Why West Street Recovery repaired more homes than the City's official program post-Harvey
HPD ordinance passes — then Houston Police Officers Union drops Mayor Whitmire
The Emancipation Park irony: Descendants of slaves can't book community rooms
Houston's "strong mayor" system explained (and why it's different from Dallas/San Antonio)
City Council rundowns you didn't know you needed

🚨 TAKE ACTION:
📍 Houston People's Budget Campaign Launch
TOMORROW 7PM - Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center (Market St)
Come learn how Houston's budget REALLY works and what we can do about it
📞 Get involved with canvassing in Third Ward
🗳️ May 26th Runoffs: District C & CD18 (Al Green vs Christian Menefee)

Y'all, grab your Central Market sandwiches and settle in because THIS episode is EVERYTHING! 🔥
Durrel is bringing that bubbly energy with community activism, ADHD superpowers, and real talk about why you need to stop trading your time for money that just heals your work wounds. We're talking street lights, personal freedom, and why fish don't fry in the kitchen!

In This Episode:
💡 Meet Tahir Charles - the community activist fighting to get street lights in unincorporated Harris County (because Commissioner Rodney Ellis has millions for observation towers but can't light up the streets?)
🎨 Rain Eatman shares her journey from classically-trained pianist to nonprofit founder to congressional candidate.
🎬 Jeremy Thiel gets REAL about ADHD being a superpower, his book "Unburdened," and why the 4-hour workday is the move
🎙️ Adonis drops gems on turning 40, setting boundaries, and his upcoming podcast "That Little Podcast Show"
The Real Tea:
This isn't your typical activist panel. We're talking about how Tahir helped launch the county's street light application program (while still sitting in the dark), why Rain stopped offering cheap piano lessons to fight concrete batch plants, and how Jeremy turned his "scattered brain" into a viral video format. Durrel keeps it 💯 while showing us that freedom isn't about doing whatever you want - it's about feeling fulfilled with what you're

Key Moments:

-The $18.8 million observation tower vs. basic street lights debate
-Why saying "I just want to help" is the fastest way to burn out
-How ADHD folks are secretly running everything (coffee calms us down, y'all)
-The gentrification playbook: rename the neighborhood and watch it happen
-Why you need to fire some friends (and it's okay!)
-TEDx Third Ward behind-the-scenes chaos you HAVE to hear

Take Action:
📞 Call Commissioner Rodney Ellis: 713-755-6111 and ask where the lights at!
🎉 FO FO Day - This Saturday 1-6PM in Acres Homes (Free! Amazing BBQ! Celebrating 117 years of culture!)
📚 Jeremy's book "Unburdened" at jeremyatl.com/unburdened
🎬 Watch for "That Little Podcast Show" coming soon

In This Episode:
Meet Marcos Velez - the union organizer turned Lieutenant Governor candidate who's running to shake up Texas politics
Hear the powerful story behind why Marcos fights for working-class Texans
Lee joins us to talk about what ACTUALLY gets people to the polls
Elizabeth Johnson HBA board member and our favorite alto! breaks down why local politics matter MORE than the White House
PLUS: Houston restaurant deep cuts you NEED to know about

Key Moments:
The mass casualty event that changed everything
Why minimum wage workers are $1,000 in the hole before they even start
How a weekly haircut turned into civic engagement
The Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church admission struggle
Why building relationships vs sending 150,000 texts

May 26th is the runoff, y'all. Early voting starts a week before and if you've ever wondered how to reach people who don't usually vote? This episode is your blueprint.
Connect With Us:
🔗 Marcos Velez for Texas: velezfortexas.com
📸 Lee's Barbershop: @allwrist2.0 on Instagram
🎙️ Live From The Black House - Where Houston politics meets real talk
Drop a comment if you're a '90s kid who remembers Pinky and the Brain! And if you've ever been turned away from Wheeler, we see you. 😂

Kamal Mandela Marshall didn't take the traditional path to political power—and that's exactly what makes his story so compelling.

From playing baritone in Texas Southern's Ocean of Soul to orchestrating media strategy for President Biden's campaign, Kamal's journey proves that success isn't about where you start—it's about the work you're willing to put in even when you aren't seen.

This conversation goes deep: the late interview that became a blessing in disguise, arriving in DC with $500 and sleeping on a couch, the unwritten rules of political strategy, and why being a bandbhead taught him everything he needed to know about discipline and excellence.

But it's not all politics. We dive into HBCU band culture, why Texas Southern has the best juke (debate us), the restaurants you MUST hit in Houston, and the real cost of ambition that nobody talks about.

If you've ever felt like your background wasn't "prestigious" enough, this episode is for you. Kamal's message is clear: do the work, stay disciplined, and never apologize for where you came from.

Listen for:

• Real talk about making it in national politics from an HBCU
• The moment a $500 gamble changed everything
• Why local politics matters more than you think
• Kamal's picks for Houston's top 3 restaurants
• The leadership lessons you only learn in marching band