Plano Podcast
Plano Podcast is an relaxed, interview-style show focused on Plano, TX. Our guests tell their stories in their own words. We’re inside our city, just outside of what you might expect.
Episodes
June 24, 2020 • 16 mins
Thousands turned up in downtown Plano for Hungry for Change, a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest in Plano, Texas. Hear from organizer Cheryl “Action” Jackson and leaders Cynt Marshall, Ed Drain and S. Lee Merritt who spoke at the rally. Plus, we talk with a retired Plano cop who was in attendance, and has a unique story of his own. You might remember him as "OP".
Mark as Played
April 27, 2020 • 24 mins
Education during the COVID-19 pandemic has gone virtual. It's a new frontier in education for Plano. While COVID-19 has shut down many businesses and nonprofits, the business of educating our young people in Plano and Collin County is still in full operation. We talk to Dr. Neil Matkin, president of Collin College, and Sara Bonser, superintendent of Plano ISD. They share how they're forging the path ahead. Plus, a word Jana Hancoc...
Mark as Played
March 21, 2020 • 29 mins
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is in Plano, Texas. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has turned life upside-down in Plano and around the world. Where can we get testing? Why isn’t the city telling us where COVID-19 positive patients have worked and shopped? When will this be over? We went looking for answers at the city, county and state level, talking to Mayor Harry LaRosiliere, Collin County Administrator Bill Bilyeu and State Represen...
Mark as Played
March 7, 2020 • 10 mins
Plano hometown hero and Super Bowl Champ Rex Burkhead is gearing up for the 4th Annual Team Jack Trifecta, a fundraiser for pediatric brain cancer that takes place in Plano in March 21, 2020. Rex checked in with us again for an update - and this time, he brought his mom, Robyn Burkhead who’s a champ in her own right. Hear their amazing story.
Mark as Played
February 12, 2020 • 23 mins
It's that time of year when we show some love! Allow us introduce you to our Plano Podcast Valentine, the Rev. Isiah Joshua, a beloved pastor and Plano community leader. Hear how he's helped Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church grow by leaps and bounds and why worshipers drive for hours just to hear him preach. Plus, he shares his hopes and dreams for the city of Plano.
Mark as Played
January 18, 2020 • 15 mins
We can’t let Officer Parker - "OP" - retire this month, after 34 years with Plano PD, without making a splash. He’s become a beloved Plano character and was one of our favorite podcast interviewees ever. We've pumped up our February 2017 Valentine to OP episode with previously unreleased excerpts as our tribute to this very special man. Hear for yourself why Officer Arthur G. Parker means so much to the community of Plano.
Mark as Played
December 11, 2019 • 19 mins
Episode 45 | Plano Christmas Traditions opens the door to some great Christmas traditions both local and international. Not sure what lutefisk or a Lucia celebration is? Never heard of Las Posadas? We’ve got answers. Think all Christmas church services look and feel the same? We take you from one end of the spectrum to another- from Midnight Mass to the Broadway-style production of The Gift of Christmas. Any way you choose to celeb...
Mark as Played
October 17, 2019 • 18 mins
Haunted Plano. Yes, it's a thing. Do spirits of those who lived in Plano long ago still haunt the halls and streets of our city? Many who live and work in the buildings in historic downtown Plano are convinced there’s ghostly mojo afoot. We take you to three of Plano’s Most Haunted Places and hear stories from Jamey Jamison and Leesie Pool - two residents who’ve encountered spooky shadows from the past. The author of Haunted Pla...
Mark as Played
September 8, 2019 • 30 mins
Start your credit cards and reach into your pockets — North Texas Giving Day is almost here! We re-visit six Plano-area nonprofits that are doing great work in our community. Hear why we call them The Giving Bunch, and why they deserve your support on September 19.
We've made it easy to give to our guests. Our Plano Podcast website has the donation pages for My Possibilities, TOPAchievers Foundation, Heritage Farmstead Museum, H...
Mark as Played
July 25, 2019 • 21 mins
Collin Creek Mall is headed for a bright new future. But for the “mall rats” who grew up at Collin Creek Mall, the mall lives on. We talk to the founder of a Collin Creek Mall Facebook group - 7000 strong — that’s keeping those memories alive; we meet the security officer who’s walked the halls of Collin Creek Mall since 1992 ; and we discover an urban explorer who clues us in on the Stranger Things going on underneath the mall. ...
Mark as Played
July 19, 2019 • 11 mins
We introduced you to Plano resident Phil Pollacia in Episode 37 | Launch last year. On this historic 50th anniversary of the NASA Apollo 11 Mission- we give you more from that interview and more detail about his hand in the space program. This special Plano Podcast Extra goes in depth with Pollacia and shares facts about the Apollo Mission.
Mark as Played
July 12, 2019 • 19 mins
The story of Greg Matthews Wild Awakening is more that meets the eye. All his life, Greg J. Matthews felt the need to prove himself as a man — until a horrifying, near-death encounter with a grizzly bear put him on the path to healing. Hear this Plano resident’s amazing story, and why he wrote the book Wild Awakening: How a Raging Grizzly Healed My Wounded Heart.
Greg's story was featured on the Animal Planet "I Was Prey" series, ...
Mark as Played
May 26, 2019 • 18 mins
Money from developers, endorsements from Governor Abbott and a Midland-based PAC working behind the scenes. Why are so many outside influences involved in Plano’s elections? Who’s pulling the strings and why? Three political consultants with experience ranging from local to statewide elections help us look for answers.
Mark as Played
March 5, 2019 • 9 mins
You and the New England Patriots just won the Super Bowl. What are you going to do next? If you’re Rex Burkhead, you’re going to Plano! Find out what brings Rex back home to Plano and how you can help him help kids with brain cancer, at Team Jack TRIFECTA.
Mark as Played
February 14, 2019 • 23 mins
In affluent Plano … do we really have homeless folks? We tagged along for the annual census of the homeless in Collin County to find out. Plus, we met the volunteers who serve the homeless when the weather turns cold and talked with Plano ISD’s liaison to homeless students and their families. Plus, a success story: Ron Bultongez, former resident of Plano’s shelter for homeless teens, and now a rising musical star.
Mark as Played
December 1, 2018 • 15 mins
LAUNCH! That’s our theme this episode, taking you on a journey into new horizons. Meet Plano resident Phil Pollacia who played a key role in the early days of NASA’s space program - and two women launching the Plano pickleball craze. Finally, we take you behind the scenes at North Texas Performing Arts - as one of us attempts to launch their community acting career in Scrooge- the Musical.
Mark as Played
November 1, 2018 • 16 mins
In India, Diwali is like Christmas, Thanksgiving Halloween and New Year all rolled into one big holiday. It’s kind of a big deal in Plano, too, for our 23,000 South Asian residents. We talked to five Plano residents to learn more about the Festival of Lights.
Mark as Played
October 19, 2018 • 8 mins
Dylan Rafaty is on a mission in Plano and across Texas to boost awareness of people with disabilities. A Plano ISD graduate, hear what he’s up to and why this millennial is so passionate about inclusivity, in this Plano Podcast Voices episode.
Mark as Played
September 27, 2018 • 25 mins
When it comes to school safety, how secure are Plano ISD schools? We take an in-depth look at what school and police officials are doing to keep kids safe, and meet some dads who are pitching in to help. Plus, mum’s the word for our curiosity, a look at a homecoming tradition.
Mark as Played
August 21, 2018 • 6 mins
To celebrate back to school- we re-introduce you to Keishon Ireland. He's the 2018 Plano ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year- and a great reason to be excited to get back to school.
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
Anna Sale explores the big questions and hard choices that are often left out of polite conversation.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.
A straightforward look at the day's top news in 20 minutes. Powered by ABC News. Hosted by Brad Mielke.