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 297: Anno Da Poet 07/14/2026

Episode 297: Anno Da Poet Anno Da Poet is a spoken-word artist and slam poet. A native Houstonian, he is an active featured performer, host, and recurring competitor with the Write About Now (WAN) Poetry organization. He also founded Bayou City Hoops, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to foster amateur sports competition and youth development. Anno calls Houston, Texas home. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/42083990

Episode 296: Reverend Laura Mayo 07/07/2026

Episode 296: Reverend Laura Mayo Laura Mayo is the Senior Minister at Covenant Church in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Carson-Newman College and Wake Forest Divinity School in addition to further studies at Regent's Park College of Oxford University. A sought after speaker, she has extensive knowledge on topics such as women's roles in the Bible, LGBTQIA+ rights & inclusion, and Biblical ethics. Her writing has appeared in articles in The Houston Chronicle, Baptist News Global, and publications of the Alliance of Baptists. Laura and her two sons make their home in Houston. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/41993685

Episode 295: Calvin Johnson 06/23/2026

Episode 295: Calvin Johnson Calvin Johnson, Ph.D. is the Dean of the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Eastern Washington University, a Master's Degree in Sociology/Research Methods from Temple University, and a Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland-College Park. Prior to his current role, he served dual roles as the Associate Director of the Office of Research and Evaluation and the Performance Improvement Officer at the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, then went on to serve 12 years as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research, Evaluation, and Monitoring at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Policy Development and Research. Having also worked in research positions at the University of Pennsylvania, The Urban Institute, and with the Executive Office of the Mayor of the District of Columbia, he serves as a Commissioner on the United States Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys as well as was elected as a Fellow for the National Academy of Public Administration. Calvin calls Houston, Texas home. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/41746060

Episode 294: Adavion Wayne 06/16/2026

Episode 294: Adavion Wayne Adavion Wayne is the Director of Education at Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) in Houston, Texas. Originally from Louisiana, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Louisiana Monroe and his Master's Degree in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington. Throughout his career, he has served as a teacher, department chair, instructional coordinator, magnet coordinator, assistant pricipal, associate principal, interim principal, and principal apprentice. Adavion calls Houston home. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/41667885

Episode 293: Joanna Whaley 06/09/2026

Episode 293: Joanna Whaley Joanna Whaley has lived in Southeast Michigan her whole life and is now running for State Representative for House District 2 to serve her community. She earned her Bacherlor's Degree in Arts Management from Eastern Michigan University, attended the University of Michigan for Clinical Pastoral Education and a Clinical Pastoral Education Residency, and received her Master of Arts in Theology and Theological Studies from Wartburg Theological Seminary. As a transgender woman running to represent every member of the district, a clinical spiritual care provider in local hospitals, and a parent, some of her top issues include civil liberties, economic fairness, healthcare access, and public safety. Joanna and her family make their home in Detroit, Michigan. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/41586830

Episode 292: Sig Muller 06/02/2026

Episode 292: Sig Muller Sig Muller is an author, motivational speaker, consultant, and founder. He was on the swimming team at Northwestern University in Illinois, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering; following, he received his MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Darmouth in New Hampshire. His career includes leadership roles at Accenture, Ben & Jerry's, Mayo Clinic, UnitedHealth Group General Mills, and multiple startups. In 2024, he survived a sudden cardiac arrest that reshaped his mission, which led him to write and publish "Dying to Be the World's Best" in 2025. Sig makes his home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/41515785

Episode 291: Brian Warren 05/19/2026

Episode 291: Brian Warren Brian Warren was elected to be Judge of the 209th Criminal District Court in Harris County, Houston, Texas in 2018. Originally from New York, he earned his Bachelors of Business Administration from James Madison University in 1997 then his Juris Doctorate from St. Mary's School of Law in 2001. His entire legal career has been dedicated to the practice of criminal law, starting his own criminal defense practice, serving as an Assistant District Attorney in Harris County, and, most recently, being elected to the bench. Brian, his wife, and their three children make their home in Houston, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/41353890

Episode 290: Andrew Lienhard 05/12/2026

Episode 290: Andrew Lienhard Andrew Lienhard is a pianist and software developer. After graduating from the High School of the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas, he earned both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Mathematics from the University of Houston, then another Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from the University of California at Berkeley. In addition to composing and playing jazz music on his own, he plays piano and keyboards in The Crusaders Experience, a group of musicians based in Houston who celebrate the legacy of The Crusaders. Andrew, his wife, and their pets live in Houston, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/41269180

Episode 289: Dan Simons 05/05/2026

Episode 289: Dan Simons Dan Simons was born and raised in Southeast Texas and became the first person in his family to graduate from high school. He then graduated from Sam Houston State University at the top of his class, went on to attend Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and earned his Master's Degree in Tax Law from the University of Houston. He has handled many cases as Assistant District Attorney and as Misdeeanor Chief in Criminal Court No. 14. Dan now has his own practice, Dan Simons Law Firm, in Houston, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/41168760

Episode 288: Terry Lord & Chris Tritico 04/28/2026

Episode 288: Terry Lord & Chris Tritico Special episode! Terry Lord & Chris Tritico discuss law and the justice department under the current administration. Terry worked as a prosecutor in the US Department of Justice, Criminal Division for nearly 30 years, even prosecuting the first RICO case against the Mafia. Chris has been a criminal defense attorney for his entire career, handling cases in both state and federal courts, including the Oklahoma City Bombing trial. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/41050875

Episode 287: Walter "Bud" Paulissen 04/21/2026

Episode 287: Walter "Bud" Paulissen Judge Walter "Bud" Paulissen was appointed to begin hearing cases in 2019 by then-Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in 1977 from the University of Texas at Austin and his Juris Doctor in 1980 from the University of Texas School of Law. Following graduation, he worked in corporate and private law practice from 1980-1990, then served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in San Antonio and Houston, Texas from 1990-2000. He went on to work as the Chief of Major Crimes until 2013 and served as an assistant U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Texas until 2019. Judge Paulissen lives in San Antonio, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/40954545

Episode 286: Terry Garner 04/14/2026

Episode 286: Terry Garner /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/40860555

Episode 285: Erica Lee Carter 04/07/2026

Episode 285: Erica Lee Carter Erica Lee Carter served as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 18th Congressional District from 2024-2025. The daughter of U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, she earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and her Master of Public Policy from Duke University, then went on to work as a teacher in the Houston Independent School District and quality coordinator for a nonprofit public health organization before entering politics. She also served on the Board of Trustees of the Harris County Department of Education from 2013-2019. After being defeated for a Senate seat in 2016, she ran to complete her mother's term in Congress following her passing in 2024 and won, serving as a member of the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary. Erica, her husband, and their two children call Houston, Texas home. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/40764650

Episode 284: Brandon Mack 03/31/2026

Episode 284: Brandon Mack /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/40684225

Episode 283: Robert Fickman 03/24/2026

Episode 283: Robert Fickman Robert Fickman is a criminal defense attorney in Texas. He graduated from the University of Houston Law School and has been practicing for nearly 40 years. A past president of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, he defends people from all walks of life, both in State and Federal Court, is a frequent lecturer locally and nationally, was named one of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' Best Speakers, and received the Harris County & Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer's President's Award in 2018 and Harris County's Torch of Liberty Award in 2019. Robert lives in Houston, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/40608995

Episode 282: Paul Glastris 03/17/2026

Episode 282: Paul Glastris Paul Glastris is a journalist and political columnist. Born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri area, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in History in 1981 and a Master's Degree in Radio in 1982, both from Northwestern University. Upon graduation, he moved to Washington, D.C., began working as a freelance writer, was a correspondent and editor for U.S. News & World Report from 1988-1998, speechwrote for President Bill Clinton from 1998-2001, and has been Editor-in-Chief of Washington Monthly since. Paul has two children with his late wife Kukula and lives in Washington, D.C. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/40516185

Episode 281: Curtis McMurtry 03/10/2026

Episode 281: Curtis McMurtry Curtis McMurtry is a singer-songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist from Austin, Texas. After studying music composition and ethnomusicology in college, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He performs both as a soloist and part of a group, has been featured on NPR's Weekend Edition, had a song included in the sountrack for One Mississippi on Amazon Prime, and released The Pollen & The Rot, the first of four albums inspired by the seasons, in 2024. Curtis moved back to Austin and calls the city home. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/40389840

Episode 280: Jeff Galloway (Part 2) 03/03/2026

Episode 280: Jeff Galloway (Part 2) Jeff Galloway was born in North Carolina and attended Florida State University and Weslayan University. He was an All-American Collegiate Athlete and an Olympian; he competed in the 1972 Olympics, running the 10,000 meter race for the United States. He was an author, inspirational speaker, lifelong runner, founder of the running store Phidippedes, and the inventor of the run/walk /run method, which allowed him to work with and mentor over 300,000 runners. A friend of THNX and countless others, Jeff passed away last week and is survived by his wife Barbara and their two adult sons. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/40305715

Episode 280: Jeff Galloway (Part 1) 03/03/2026

Episode 280: Jeff Galloway (Part 1) Jeff Galloway was born in North Carolina and attended Florida State University and Weslayan University. He was an All-American Collegiate Athlete and an Olympian; he competed in the 1972 Olympics, running the 10,000 meter race for the United States. He was an author, inspirational speaker, lifelong runner, founder of the running store Phidippedes, and the inventor of the run/walk /run method, which allowed him to work with and mentor over 300,000 runners. A friend of THNX and countless others, Jeff passed away last week and is survived by his wife Barbara and their two adult sons. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/40305230

Episode 279: Sarah Golden 02/24/2026

Episode 279: Sarah Golden Sarah Golden is a folk singer-songwriter and guitar player. Her debut album, Truth, was released in 2002. She was a top-30 finalist on Season 2 of The Voice on Team CeeLo Green, was a top-100 finalist on Season 4 of America's Got Talent, has won mulitple awards in addition to one-of-ten grants from Howlin' Dog Music Group, and has shared the stage with numerous other acclaimed artists, as well as being a strong voice with sociopolitical activism and human rights advocacy. Sarah is a Houston, Texas native and still calls the city home. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/40219560

Episode 278: Brad Sullivan 02/17/2026

Episode 278: Brad Sullivan Brad Sullivan has been the Vicar of Lord of the Streets Episcopal Church, a congregation dedicated to life & ministry with the homeless population of Houston, Texas, since 2022. Originally from Houston, he went to the University of Texas then Virginia Theological Seminary, getting ordained in 2005. He served in parish ministry for 17 years prior to his current position and is a published author as well as a singer/songwriter and guitar player. Brad calls Houston home. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/40141065

Episode 277: Rodica Gonzalez 02/10/2026

Episode 277: Rodica Gonzalez Rodica Gonzalez was an accomplished violinist who began playing when she was just four years old. Originally from Romania, she earned a Master's Degree in Violin Performance from Rice University. She was a member of the first violin section of the Houston Symphony, toured internationally, performed at Carnegie Hall multiple times, and taught at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. Not only a friend of THNX but a personal friend of the host, Rodica passed away this week surrounded by loved ones. She is survived by her husband Robert and their son Matthew. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/40065650

Episode 276: Duane Bradley 02/03/2026

Episode 276: Duane Bradley /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/39985330

Episode 275: Larry McCord 01/27/2026

Episode 275: Larry McCord /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/39900010

Episode 274: Jonathan Fombonne 01/20/2026

Episode 274: Jonathan Fombonne UPDATE: Jonathan Fombonne was appointed to serve as Harris County Attorney in Houston, Texas in January 2026. 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/39804015

Episode 273: Colin Malone 01/13/2026

Episode 273: Colin Malone /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/39715805

Episode 272: Kam Franklin 01/06/2026

Episode 272: Kam Franklin /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/39633650

Episode 271: Mark Davidson 12/09/2025

Episode 271: Mark Davidson Judge Mark Davidson currently serves as the Multi-District Litigation Judge for all asbestos cases in the State of Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Texas and a Doctor of Jurisprudence at the University of Houston Law School. Following graduation, he worked as an attorney and Master (Associate Judge) until being elected Judge of the 11th District Court in Harris County in 1989, where he presided over more than 450 jury trials. He has received numerous honors and awards including "Trial Judge of the Year", lectured at seminars and conferences throughout Texas, and been featured in various publications. Mark, his wife Sarah, and their two sons call Houston, Texas home. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/39346080

Episode 270: Randy Schaffer 12/02/2025

Episode 270: Randy Schaffer Randy Schaffer is a criminal defense attorney. He received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Texas in 1970 and earned his JD from the University of Texas School of Law in 1973. Licensed to practice before the US Supreme Court, multiple US Courts of Appeals, multiple US District Courts, and the Texas State Courts, he is a member of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Harris County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, American Bar Association, and Houston Bar Association. He has written numerous articles and papers that have been published and spoken at seminars for various organizations in addition to being featured in many newspapers and magazines. Randy survived his wife Mollie and lives with his two sons in Houston, Texas. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/39243885

Episode 269: Biju Sukumaran 11/18/2025

Episode 269: Biju Sukumaran Biju Sukumaran is an award-winning, internationally published journalist, author, photographer, speaker, and self-help coach. Since graduating from Texas A&M University, he has worked as a columnist for National Geographic Traveller; contributed to Esquire, Vogue, GQ, and many other national and international publications; co-wrote the book Oldest Houston; founded Science of Self-Help; and appeared as a guest speaker at numerous events and on various podcasts. Biju calls Houston, Texas home. /episode/index/show/thnxpodcast/id/39089995

THNX: A Feelgood Podcast

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