THNX: A Feelgood Podcast

With negativity and dire news surrounding us, it is important to remember the good people who take action to make our world better. THNX is a feelgood podcast that gives people a chance to recognize someone who -- even through a very small interaction -- had a positive and profound impact on their lives.

Episode 251: Lance Cowan 06/24/2025

Episode 251: Lance Cowan Lance Cowan, a musician, publicist, and manager, was born and raised in Kentucky and moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a songwriting career in 1984. He met and was encouraged by the great John Prine and has now been a respected member of the entertainment community for over three decades. Although heavily entrenched in the Roots & Americana fields, he has worked with artists in almost every genre in addition to companies that specialize in education and public speaking. So Far So Good, his acclaimed debut album, was released in 2024, followed by his sophomore album Against the Grain in March 2025. Lance and his wife have two sons and live in Nashville. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/37134865

Episode 250: Gloria Rubac 06/17/2025

Episode 250: Gloria Rubac /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/37044380

Episode 249: Peter Cho 06/10/2025

Episode 249: Peter Cho Peter Cho is a Designer and Co-Founder of Jack Mason Brand watches. After moving from coast to coast in his youth, he earned his BFA in Product Design from Parsons School of Design in New York, New York and went on to work as a Designer at Movado Group in 2006. He moved to Dallas, Texas in 2010 to work as a Designer at Fossil and founded Jack Mason in 2015 to bring the world premium watches for enthusiasts of all levels. Peter now calls Dallas home. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/36942870

Episode 248: Hyman Penn 06/03/2025

Episode 248: Hyman Penn Hyman Penn is a retired pediatrician; he graduated from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio in 1982 and went on to practice for over 40 years. The son of Holocaust survivors, he is a longtime docent and board member at the Holocaust Museum Houston. In his free time, he practices magic, enjoys bike riding, and travels. Hyman lives in Houston, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/36834225

Episode 247: Kate Germond 05/20/2025

Episode 247: Kate Germond Kate Germond is the Executive Director of Centurion Ministries: Seeking Freedom for The Innocent in Prison, a nonprofit organization that works to exonerate people serving life sentences or death penalty sentences for crimes they did not commit. After moving to New York, New York from Mendocino, California in 1986, she joined the 501c3 and dedicated her life to the exonerees in 1987. Kate and her husband call New York home. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/36644205

Episode 246: Mark Metzger 05/13/2025

Episode 246: Mark Metzger Mark Metzger III is a criminal defense attorney born and raised in Missouri City, Texas. After graduating from the Marine Military Academy in 1999, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2000, where he trained as a cryptologic linguist and earned honors as the Honor Graduate of his class. He went on to earn his law degree from South Texas College of Law in 2012 and has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyers "Rising Star" from 2021 to 2023, an honor given to fewer than 2.5% of Texas attorneys. He has also organized events such as the Silkies Hike, a nationwide initiative supporting veterans' mental health. Mark makes his home in Houston, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/36555115

Episode 245: Jonathan Fombonne 05/06/2025

Episode 245: Jonathan Fombonne Jonathan Fombonne is the Deputy County Attorney and First Assistant County Attorney in Harris County, Texas. After graduating from Swarthmore College and the University of Michigan Law School, he started his career with a clerkship for Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr. Prior to his current appointment, he practiced law at law firms in Texas and New York, maintained a significant pro bono practice, and was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Jonathan, his wife Lauren, and their children live in Houston, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/36439690

Episode 244: Cesar Espinosa 04/29/2025

Episode 244: Cesar Espinosa Cesar Espinosa is a prominent immigrant rights advocate and community organizer based in Houston, Texas. Born in Mexico, he immigrated to the United States at the age of six and went on to earn a degree in Political Science from the University of Houston. In 2007, he co-founded Familias Inmigrantes y Estudiantes en la Lucha (FIEL), the largest immigrant-led civil rights organization in Texas. Espinosa has received recognition locally and nationally for his activism, having been honored with an activism award by the City of Houston, presented with his own day by the mayor in 2008, and invited to the 2018 State of the Union address as a guest of Representative Sheila Jackson Lee. Cesar, his wife, and their children make their home in Houston, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/36363775

Episode 243: Terry Lord 04/22/2025

Episode 243: Terry Lord Terry Lord is a retired U.S. Attorney and seasoned criminal justice reform advocate. A Vietnam War veteran, he earned his undergraduate degree in History from Southern Methodist University and his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. As a commissioned Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he served three years in the Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served as the Resident Legal Advisor in Romania, was the Chief of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, and served as a federal prosecutor in Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; and Las Vegas, Nevada. Terry lives in Houston, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/36252175

Episode 242: Mike Greenhaus 04/08/2025

Episode 242: Mike Greenhaus Mike Greenhaus, a writer, blogger, and self-described "live music geek", is the Editor-in-Chief of Relix Magazine and Co-Founder of Relix Media Group. He also hosts the bi-monthly Friday Night Jam, a speaking series that takes place at New York's LPR and Rockwood Music Hall. A former college radio DJ, he has spoken on panels at the South by Southwest and CMJ music conferences, written for outlets including Spin and American Songwriter, and serves on the Young Patrons Board for City Parks Foundation. A native New Yorker and Skidmore College graduate, Mike makes his home in New York City with his wife and their two sons. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/36043160

Episode 241: Theresa Jackson 03/31/2025

Episode 241: Theresa Jackson Theresa Jackson, originally from Fort Worth, Texas, moved to Houston, Texas in 1974. After working at Jesse Jackson & Associates, she went on to earn a college degree. She is a trailblazing educator and the first African American woman to open two charter schools in Houston, Texas. The schools, through her leadership, are committed to providing a high quality education and promoting community empowerment for underserved students. Theresa calls Houston, Texas home to this day. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/35944520

Episode 240: Jamil "Boulevards" Rashad 03/25/2025

Episode 240: Jamil "Boulevards" Rashad Jamil Rashad, also known as Boulevards, is from Raleigh, North Carolina. He earned a scholarship to the University of North Carolina Charlotte for his performance in track & field, took a step back after graduation to explore his musical calling, and went on to launch his first clothing brand, Above Cruelty, during his time at Grambling State University. One of his numerous albums, Electric Cowboy, marks a significant milestone as his first project created entirely sober, and he now owns and operates Westdale Vintage in Fayatteville, North Carolina in addition to being an avid runner and active artist. Jamil calls Raleigh, North Carolina home. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/35855140

Episode 239: Rhonda Radford 03/18/2025

Episode 239: Rhonda Radford /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/35732115

Episode 238: Kelli Johnson 03/11/2025

Episode 238: Kelli Johnson /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/35382775

Episode 237: Karen Kirsten 03/04/2025

Episode 237: Karen Kirsten /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/35382745

Episode 236: Johnny Hernandez 02/25/2025

Episode 236: Johnny Hernandez /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/35382740

Episode 235: Hyphen Thazhath 02/18/2025

Episode 235: Hyphen Thazhath Hyphen Thazhath is originally from India and moved to the United States in 2013. He is a One-Man Band extraordinaire and Multi-Instrumentalist who covers a range of genres including Rock & Roll, R&B, Pop, Jazz, Country, and Indian to name a few. Since 2014, Hyphen has called Houston, Texas home. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/35335505

Episode 234: Andrew Dansby 02/11/2025

Episode 234: Andrew Dansby Andrew Dansby is a writer who has worked at Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, Texas Music, and Playboy to name a few. He began writing for the Houston Chronicle in 2004 and was the Entertainment Editor until his retirement in January 2025 (This career move left legions of heartbroken readers including one podcast host!). Following his departure, he released a brilliant six part series on the life of Velvet Underground guitarist Sterling Morrison. Andrew presently lives in Houston, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/35243670

Episode 233: Jason "Flash Gordon Parks" Woods 02/04/2025

Episode 233: Jason "Flash Gordon Parks" Woods Jason "Flash Gordon Parks" Woods, originally from South Houston, Texas, is an ethnomusicologist who was trained in photography during high school by artist and educator Ray Carrington. He went on to earn his Bachelor's Degree in Photography at Sam Houston State University in 2001. He published The Beautiful Side of Ugly in conjunction with Eric Blaylock, released the documentary This Thing We Do, directed an homage to Archie Bell, curates vinyl shop Mo' Better Brews, and performs as a DJ. Jason still calls Houston, Texas home. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/35153775

Episode 232: Paige Lewis 01/28/2025

Episode 232: Paige Lewis Paige Lewis is a singer/songwriter and copywriter from Katy, Texas. She has worked with numerous music labels, performed all over the United States both solo and with other noteworthy artists, was awarded an ASCAP, and even has two songs featured on the soundtrack for the film Matchstick Men. After living in Nashville, Tennessee; Los Angeles, California; and Austin, Texas, Paige now calls Houston, Texas home. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/35031595

Episode 231: Michael Wayne Hall 01/21/2025

Episode 231: Michael Wayne Hall Michael Wayne Hall is a self-taught artist who uses painting, murals, and woodworking as meditative practices. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, he spent 13 years in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before moving to Texas in 2012. After graduating from the University of the Arts with a focus on Film, he honed his screenprinting skills at Space 1026 in Philly. His work has been showcased in New York City, Seattle, Austin, and many other cities nationwide. He was also one half of the experimental music duo and printing project Ospreys that toured extensively from 2005-2009. Michael calls Houston, Texas home. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/34945950

Episode 230: Kevin D'Andrea 01/14/2025

Episode 230: Kevin D'Andrea Kevin D'Andrea is a French chef and the owner and Executive Chef of Foliepop's, a French bakery in Austin, Texas. Originally from Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France, he trained under the guidance of some of the world's most renowned chefs and has worked in some of the most prestigious restaurants internationally. He has appeared on the TV show Top Chef: Wisconsin and was a finalist on Top Chef France. Kevin makes his home in Austin, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/34837610

Episode 229: Connie Williams 01/07/2025

Episode 229: Connie Williams THNX is saddened over the loss of Connie Williams, a dear friend of the pod, on December 30, 2025. He was an attorney for five decades, first at the Harris County District Attorney's Office then in the criminal defense arena. He grew up in Brenham, Texas, served his country as a tank commander earning both a silver and bronze star, and recieved his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Houston. He is survived by his wife and their sons. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/34762235

Episode 228: Iliana de la Vega 11/19/2024

Episode 228: Iliana de la Vega Iliana de la Vega is a Chef-Owner of El Naranjo in Oaxaca, Mexico and Austin, Texas, as well as an educator, culinary consultant, and expert in Mexican gastronomy. Born in Mexico City, Mexico, she has dedicated her life to the study and dissemination of the country's foodways. She is a semifinalist and winner of numerous James Beard Awards, served as the Mexican/Latin Cuisines Specialist for The Culinary Institute of America, was granted the Ohtli Award by the Mexican government, was named Hispanic Female Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014, and currently serves as a consultant for Stanford University. Iliana makes her home in Austin, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/34021422

Episode 227: Jasmine Hearn 11/12/2024

Episode 227: Jasmine Hearn Jasmine Hearn is an interdisciplinary artist, director, award winning performer, choreographer, organizer, doula, and teacher. They earned a B.A. from Point Park University, has performed in many cities nationwide, and received numerous awards, fellowships, grants, and residencies. Jasmine lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/33904637

PSA: Avery Lalumandier and Hayden Mintzer 11/05/2024

PSA: Avery Lalumandier and Hayden Mintzer Today - November 5, 2024 - is the last day to make your voice heard at the ballot box for this year's election. Go to usa.gov to find the polling location nearest you to cast your vote. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/33786952

Episode 226: Caleb Hans Polashek 10/29/2024

Episode 226: Caleb Hans Polashek Caleb Hans Polashek leads a varied music career as a solo, orchestral, chamber, and collaborative performer, composer, and recording artist. He began studying violin at an early age, eventually earning a post graduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin's highly esteemed studio of Brian Lewis at The Butler School of Music. He has performed domestically and internationally, joined the violin section of the Austin Symphony Orchestra in 2012, and released an original album entitled Illumination in 2023. Caleb makes his home in Austin, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/33671882

Episode 225: Jamonica Phoenix 10/22/2024

Episode 225: Jamonica Phoenix Jamonica Phoenix is a former board member of Houston Blues Society and helped organize Houston Blues Museum and Blues for Food. Aside from her involvement with the Houston Blues Scene, she worked for a mediator prior to retirement, was on the board of local Houston radio station KPFT 90.1 FM, and is an avid animal lover. Jamonica makes her home in Houston, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/33575302

Episode 224: Amy Malkan 10/15/2024

Episode 224: Amy Malkan Amy Malkan is a Visual Artist, Muralist, Author, and Public Speaker. As an International Artist and High Performance Facilitator, she creates, designs, and builds creative spaces all over the world. Her educational background in psychology and 15 years of experience in corporate sales coupled with her passion for and development of her artistic talents contributed to the success of her business, The Malkan Group, LLC. Amy lives in Houston, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/33468242

Episode 223: John Bishop 10/08/2024

Episode 223: John Bishop John Bishop is originally from Houston, Texas and has spent most of his adult life traveling the world. After exchange experiences in Mexico and Spain, he graduated from the University of St. Thomas, did graduate work at the University of Houston, and earned a Master's Degree from the University of Texas. His artistic interests followed him throughout his career as a librarian in Texas, New Mexico, California, Romania, The Emirates, New Zealand, and Russia. He returned to Texas in 2015 to care for his parents and work full time on his creative business in fine art at Silver Street Studios as well as work as the Executive Director of Aripa Arte, a nonprofit organization. John now makes his home in Houston, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/33382497

THNX: A Feelgood Podcast

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