22 Sides

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We sit down with Houston City Council District C candidate Joe Panzerella and campaign communicator Christos Pitalis to talk about why they stepped into local politics and what they are hearing from neighbors across the district. We focus on safer streets, affordability, transparency, and the small-turnout reality that makes local elections a fast way to change daily life in Houston. 

• why first-time candidates move from organizing to running for office 
• what Houston District C includes and why its boundaries matter 
• h...

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What if a city council office ran like an ER—fast triage, clear priorities, and measurable outcomes? That’s the vision physician and mom Dr. Audrey Nath brings to Houston’s District C as she shares how hospital lessons translate into street-level fixes: safer roads that actually slow cars, an end to non‑safety traffic stops that drain trust and budgets, and an office that calls you back before the vote, not after.

Audrey also shows how local leverage works on big issu...

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We invited Patrick Oathout, a born-and-raised Houstonian, Army armor officer veteran, and technologist working in AI safety, to make it concrete. He breaks down how a council member can actually change daily life in District C without grandstanding: organize neighbors before storms hit, clean up illegal dumping quickly, and push 311 from “addressed” to “resolved” with real-time dashboards and human accountability.

Patrick’s story powers his approach. Fired as a teen for being gay, he learned early what it means to be shut out—a...

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A simple question—can we light City Hall for Intersex Awareness Day—turned into a global spark. That moment captures the spirit of this conversation with the founders of the Houston Intersex Society: start small, show up, and keep going until doors open. We get personal about how two teens who once sat side by side in a youth group became artists, organizers, and policy advocates who helped take intersex visibility from living rooms to HHS roundtables and even the White House.

...

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Melanie Miles for Justice of the Peace- Precinct Seven, Place 2 click here: https://milesforhouston.com/

Courts shouldn’t feel like a maze. They should feel like a place where neighbors are heard. We sit with attorney and candidate Melanie Miles to unpack how a Justice of the Peace can turn a stressful day in court into a fair, navigable process—and why Precinct Seven, Place 2 needs that shift now. From the first “good morning” at the clerk’s window to how cases are...

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What if peace isn’t a finish line but a muscle you train, one breath at a time? Robin sits down with Raye Lynn—teacher, studio owner, intuitive—to map a life shaped by meditation, yoga, and listening closely to that quiet inner nudge. From a fidgety seven-year-old learning to sit still in 1968, to sensing the Enron storm before it broke, to owning beloved studios and guiding hundreds, Raye Lynn shows how simple practices can reroute a lifetime.

We unpack what beginn...

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Four voices trade ghost stories, queer horror, and cultural myths to ask what fear is really for. We swap jokes about cursed jars and rapture beds, then get serious about real danger, empathy, and how horror mirrors power and identity.

• ghost encounters as energy, memory, and suggestion
• Mr Aikman’s attic warning and childhood intuition
• consciousness beyond the body and tech’s mind fetishes
• evolution, otherness, and the roots of monster myths
• horror reframed by queer and BIPOC creators...

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A simple door knock turned into one of our most energizing conversations as Judge Steve Duble stepped inside and unpacked how a local court can make justice easier to reach. We go beyond slogans and get into the nuts and bolts: eviction diversion that starts before anyone steps into a courtroom, hybrid hearings that reduce missed appearances, and clear ability-to-pay policies that stop flat fines from crushing low-wage workers.

Steve walks us through the grants he’s secured—bringing dedicated eviction-diversion staf...

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The news makes everything feel bigger than your hands. So we zoom in—way in—to the rooms where decisions actually get made, from a rainbow crosswalk on Westheimer to the Governor’s office, the county clerk’s rules, and the federal courts willing to say “no.” We walk through how Harris County collides with state leadership, why executive orders are getting tossed around like confetti, and what the courts are quietly doing to rein in overreach on issues like passport gender designations and due proc...

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We sit with Wilma Schindler—artist, writer, and West Texas host—as she reads Tiny White Snake and two new poems, then talk about grief softening anger, art as repair, and the way symbols can hold a family’s history without erasing its truth. The desert, the body, and a flute in the key of C round out a conversation about making, meaning, and being seen.

• Tiny White Snake reading and meaning
• anger softening to grief through ritual and art
• Snak...

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Ever wonder what happens when podcast hosts dish about their favorite guests? Alexis and Robin take you behind the scenes of their nearly 20-episode journey, revealing the moments that made them laugh, learn, and occasionally gasp in surprise.

From Amber's hunting adventures in Texas (where everything's done at long range and requires "a really big gun") to Mel's horror media enthusiasm that kicks off the conversation about spooky season, the hosts reminisce about the diverse voices that have shaped their podcast...

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Artificial intelligence isn't just changing our world—it's redefining what we consider "intelligence" itself. In this fascinating conversation with AI consultant Jha Allen, we explore how the definition of artificial intelligence has constantly shifted throughout computing history. Every time technologists accomplish what was previously labeled as "AI," we move the goalposts and declare it's not "real intelligence" after all.

The true revolution of today's AI tools like ChatGPT isn't just their power but their accessibility through natural language. As Jha explains, "Th...

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In this powerful conversation with Francine Goundry from Nova Ukraine, we uncover the stark reality facing Ukrainians today.

Founded in 2014, Nova Ukraine has emerged as an efficient humanitarian organization responding to the crisis, with comprehensive yet targeted supplies, establishing warming stations near railway hubs, providing portable medical equipment to field hospitals, and creating bomb shelters where government infrastructure has failed.

The conversation takes us beyond statistics to the human stories that often go untold. We hear about recent visitors...

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The 18th Congressional District of Texas stands at a critical crossroads. After the passing of two representatives in rapid succession, this historic seat once held by trailblazers like Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland has been without a voice in Washington for what will amount to 18 months by election day.

Amanda Edwards, former Houston City Council member and current frontrunner in the race, joins us to unpack the unique challenges facing voters in this special election scheduled for November 4th, 2025. With approximately 30...

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Amore Monet isn't just a makeup artist—she's a creator of transformative experiences who's built her career on making people feel their absolute best. From her beginnings as a self-described "weird kid" to becoming a sought-after beauty professional whose client list includes Beyoncé, Amore shares the remarkable journey that led her to develop a multifaceted career spanning bridal makeup, film production, mortuary services, and her own vegan makeup line.

What stands out most in our conversation is Amore's commitment to creating aff...

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What happens when the systems meant to support us become the places that cause the most harm? In this deeply moving conversation, Jacob shares his journey from surviving personal trauma to creating spaces where others can reclaim their narratives.

Jacob's story begins with his own experience of feeling silenced after a difficult breakup, when he found himself without a platform to share his truth while his ex controlled the social narrative. This personal pain transformed into purpose when he launched his...

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When Texas State Representative Jon Rosenthal sits down for a conversation, you're instantly struck by the fascinating contradiction he embodies. "I still identify in my head as an oil field engineer," he admits, despite seven years serving in the Texas legislature. This duality—practical engineer meets progressive politician—powers his unique approach to tackling Texas's most divisive issues.

Representative Rosenthal takes us behind the political curtain, revealing how the Texas legislature actually functions beyond the headlines. The numbers alone are staggering—8,719 bills...

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Step into a living time capsule as we sit down with elders of Houston's LGBTQ+ community who share raw, firsthand accounts of the city's queer history spanning five decades. These aren't stories you'll find in textbooks—they're personal testimonies of survival, resistance, and community-building during times when simply existing as yourself could be dangerous.

Our guests take us back to the tense atmosphere of Houston's first Pride parade, where participants wore black armbands after police killed a gay man the night be...

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Have you ever wondered what might happen if you followed your creative impulses, even later in life? In this episode, we sit down with Kathi Crawford, a former HR executive who reinvented herself as a career coach and eventually discovered her voice as a poet and writer.

Kathi's story begins in blue-collar Northeast Ohio, where she grew up as the only girl among four brothers. From early on, she knew she wanted a non-traditional path. After years of climbing the corporate...

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Dr. Maria Gonzalez takes us on a captivating journey from her childhood in El Paso to becoming a pioneering academic and political activist in Houston. Growing up in a traditional Mexican-American family with undiagnosed dyslexia, she couldn't read until age nine and was relegated to "slow classes." Yet this early struggle with educational inequality shaped her future path toward revolutionary change.

Her story unfolds with delightful details— as she navigated academia, Gonzalez made a bold decision that altered her trajectory: rather th...

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What does it take to step into public service during challenging times? Jovon Tyler joins us to share his journey toward running for Houston City Council in 2027, revealing the personal experiences that shaped his political vision and the values driving his campaign.

Tyler's candidacy emerges from what he perceives as a leadership crisis in Houston. Rather than simply criticizing from the sidelines, he's developed the HOPE agenda—addressing Homelessness, creating Opportunity, ensuring Public accommodations for all, and improving Efficiency in city se...

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Frost Murphy shares his journey from martial arts professional to humanitarian, illustrating how physical wellness can be integrated with meaningful service to create a balanced, purpose-driven life.

• Breaking a sweat daily benefits body, mind, and spirit - whether through structured exercise or everyday activities
• Quality fitness experiences should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or physical limitations
• Walking backwards can strengthen back muscles and alleviate lower back pain
• Martial arts training can be modified for all ages, includin...

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Filmmaker Sharon Ferranti joins us to discuss her journey from videography to advocacy documentaries. We explore how artistic expression intersects with community building, recovery support, and intentional inclusion.

• The importance of being intentionally inclusive rather than simply not exclusive
• How recovery communities model effective community building by focusing on commonalities rather than differences
• Sharon's years of sobriety and the life-saving power of community support
• The shift in local politics from divisive social issues to practical community concerns
• The import...

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What do you do when your entire identity has been built around another person and suddenly they're gone? For Jennifer Marie, the answer came in the form of Houston's vibrant theater community. After a devastating divorce ended her 20-year relationship, she found herself without friends, activities, or a sense of self. Looking back to who she was at 16, before her marriage, she rediscovered a forgotten passion for theater that would ultimately rebuild her life.

Jennifer Marie takes us on a deeply...

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What if our greatest failures are actually doorways to our most authentic lives? In this deeply reflective conversation, we're joined by Mel, who shares her journey of growing up in what she lovingly describes as "the Adams Family" – a household of eccentric intellectuals who valued knowledge above all else.

Mel's family shaped her unique perspective on life's ups and downs: "Money comes and goes, but knowledge is the thing that you hang on to." This philosophy has guided her through a cr...

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Ever wondered what it really takes to put food on your table? Not the grocery store experience, but the raw, primal connection to actually harvesting what you eat? 

Two experienced hunters take us deep into the world of hunting - from exotic game ranches in Texas to practical deer hunting for family sustenance. They explore hunting the eland (Africa's largest antelope) on a 10,000-acre ranch, sharing both the technical challenges and the substantial investment required ($15,000+) for such pursuits. But this conversation g...

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Jack Valinski shares his four-decade journey as a Houston LGBTQ+ activist, from his role as Near Town Super Neighborhood president to his history with Pride celebrations and political advocacy through the Gay Political Caucus.

• Jack explains his current role as president of Near Town Super Neighborhood and how super neighborhoods function as civic clubs that interface with city government
• The fascinating evolution of Houston Pride celebrations from the early 1980s to today, including Jack's role in creating the night parade and...

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What happens when someone threatens you, tries to blackmail you, or backs you into a corner? For our hosts and their guest Amber, these aren't hypothetical scenarios—they're lived experiences that have shaped powerful philosophies on self-defense, resilience, and living fully.

The conversation begins with a brilliant social experiment called "Political Expedience," where participants roll dice to determine who faces discrimination next—a simple yet profound demonstration of how unfair it feels when you're randomly targeted. This sets the stage for deep...

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What happens when two friends decide to capture the complexity of America's most diverse city through unfiltered conversation? Welcome to 22 Sides, where we've created a platform for authentic dialogue that breaks through the limitations of social media bubbles and explores the multidimensional nature of people and ideas.

We're your hosts, Robin and Alexis – a community-connected massage therapist and a 76-year-old transgender fashion enthusiast with decades of experience navigating Houston's vibrant cultural landscape. Together, we're diving into conversations that refuse to be co...