817 Podcast - Fort Worth's Monday Morning Show
Fort Worth Weekly Critic's Choice Podcast of the Year "Fort Worth's Monday morning meeting." - Bud Kennedy Do you love Fort Worth and care about what goes on in our amazing city? Well, welcome to the 817 Podcast, a weekly Monday morning show hosted by two Fort Worthians who banter and dissect the biggest stories in local culture, politics, and business. EJ Carrion is a local entrepreneur, and Ann Zadeh is a former city council member. Ann and EJ will host a diverse guest list of local leaders that drive Fort Worth’s future. We believe Fort Worth can be a nationally known destination for innovation, creativity, and economic opportunity. However, the climate in the city today is polarizing between an evolving community that deals with historic Cowtown roots and a wave of progressive newcomers. What we do today and in the next decade is crucial to the future of the Funk. How we respond to political friction, wealth inequality, and social injustice in our communities can make or break our national reputation. Join us weekly as we do our part to prevent either from happening. Do you have a story you want us to highlight? DM us @817pod on Instagram or email us at 817podcast@gmail.com.
Episodes
BIG STORY: Adwoa Asante, lawyer of Raunaq Alam, and Lydia Faith of Free Palestine Tarrant speak about the freedom of speech case right in Tarrant County and the far right leaders funded by Christian Zionists seeking to make an example of Raunag Alam.
SHORT STORY 1: Reactions to Political Violence
BIG STORY: An Interview with Alisa Simmons, Tarrant County Commissioner Precinct 2.
Tarrant County’s Democratic commissioners skip meeting to prevent vote on lower tax rate
SHORT STORY 1: Charlie Kirk rally in downtown Fort Worth brings in far right extremist sponsors throughout the Metroplex.
SHORT STORY 2: Here’s how much Fort Worth’s fire department, new EMS will cost the city
SHORT STORY 3: North Texas nonprofits lost $127M in six ...
Big Story: Mayor Mattie Parker writes a letter drawing anger over a city councilmember's social media post quoting Charlie Kirk, and lowers the flags to half-mast at Trump's order.
Fort Worth council members decry political violence clash over now deleted Charlie Kirk post
Short Story 1: Fort Worth's biggest budget item is police
Fort Worth's Crime Control and Prevention budget rising 2.6% more than $138.9 million
...
This week we have a special episode with FWISD teachers Ale Checka & Ernie Morán as we discuss a possible Texas Education Agency takeover by Commissioner Mike Morath, and what life looks like for teachers these days after all the recent legislative changes from the state.
For more context on what's been happening, check out these articles:
From a cell phone ban to Ten Commandments posters, new state laws bring big changes to...
This week Ann Zadeh is out of town, so EJ & Wesley were joined by Chris Tackett.
BIG STORY: Chris Tackett of See It Name It Fight It talks about how Fort Worth votes blue, and spells out a playbook for how Fort Worth can become deeper blue to counteract gerrymandering on a couty & state level.
SHORT STORY 1: Nicole Collier held in Texas House Chamber & Texas Republicans pass gerrymandered redisticting maps.
SHORT STORY 2: ...
BIG STORY: Taylor Rehmet is a union leader running as the only Democrat in a special election jungle primary for Texas Senate District 9, which comprised roughly half of Tarrant County. The election is in November, going against 2 far right extremists.
SHORT STORY 1: Tarrant County Commissioners Court wants to reduce voting locations by 40%.
SHORT STORY 2: Fort Worth’s city budget proposal focuses on lowering taxes & cutting serv...
Beto O’Rourke is a former U.S. Representative, presidential candidate, and one of Texas’s most influential political voices. Known for his bold grassroots campaigns and unwavering commitment to democracy, Beto has inspired millions across the country with his advocacy for voting rights, gun reform, and public education. From his 2018 Senate run that galvanized a new generation of Texas voters to his relentless push for civic engage...
Colin Allred is an American politician and former NFL player. He served as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 32nd congressional district from 2019 to 2025. Allred was born in Dallas, Texas, and raised by his single mother, who was his public school teacher. Today, we discuss his campaign and his strategy to defeat John Cornyn.
Learn more about Colin at https://colinallred.com/
This has been a tough week for Fort Worth, Tarrant County, and Texas, as we see each level of government take further steps towards fascism. In this week's episode we discuss the leaders who are standing up, those who are giving in, and how the people are showing up for the fight.
Big Story 1: Fort Worth City Council votes to suspend DEI initiatives, due to 2 latino councilmembers joining conservtive councilmembers in caving to...
This week we spoke with the host of the 817 Gather, Nydia Cardenas, who has worked for decades as a consultant, analyst, and mentor with minority-owned businesses, start-ups, and entrepeneurs. We spoke about why diversity, equity, and inclusion are so important for the city of Fort Worth, and how city council's important vote on Tuesday, August 5th could be a turning point for Fort Worth's fight against fascism.
...
Big Story: The Cooper Fire
Cooper Fire relief fund reached $100,000 and distributes to fire victims
Renters at The Cooper reeling after Fort Worth fire. Many had no insurance
Fort Worth firefighters, city learning lessons from six-alarm Cooper fire
Displaced Cooper tenants forge community, demand accountability after Fort Worth fire
Short Story 1: Fort Worth Police Chief finalists announced
Short Story 2: Republican precinct chairs refu...
This week we have a very special episode, talking just about transit. EJ Carrion is out this week, so Ann Zadeh & Wesley Kirk bring you the history of transit in Fort Worth, where we're currently at, what the future of transit could look like, and how you can advocate for better transit.
Much of the info for today's episode came from local historian Quentin McGown's History of Transit presentation for Tarrant Tran...
This week, for our big story, we sit down with Hunter Griffin and Emeri Calloway from the Tarrant County Young Democrats to showcase how young people in Tarrant County make a difference when fighting for democracy. TCYD helped fight Tim O'Hare's attempt to eliminate college campus voting sites, Keller ISD's attempt to resegregate, and get a Fort Worth progressive elected. We listen to their origin story and how a ba...
The team is joined by Allison Campolo, who is running for chair of the Tarrant County Democratic Party. She ran for the Texas Senate in 2017 and served as the former county chair from 2021 to 2023. She shares why she wants to get back in the saddle and updated plans on how to turn the county blue! Watch on YouTube.
BIG STORY: An interview with Allison Campolo
Ann, EJ, and Wesley attended Bernie Sanders' Oligarchy Tour with some awesome 817 Gatherers. We give a full analysis of the event, but also what is to come! Watch on YouTube
Big Story: Bernie’s Fighting Oligarchy Tour at Dickies Arena
Short Story 1: Absences force cancellation of Tarrant County Commissioners Court meeting
Short Story 2: Fort Worth City Council weighs ending minority business incentive programs
Ann, EJ, and Wesley walk into the studio with a smile on their faces and hope in their hearts, after attending the No Kings Rally in Fort Worth and a weekend of community events. The trio discusses what's next after Mayor Parker's Gay Pride Proclamation, as Juneteenth is this week and Bernie Sanders is coming to town.
BIG STORY: Protesters in downtown Fort Worth declare US has ‘No Kings’
Ann, EJ, and Wesley provide a comprehensive post-analysis of the June 3rd commissioners court meeting, where Judge Tim O'Hare, Commissioner Manny Ramirez, and Commissioner Matt Krause voted 3-2 to accept Map 7. Why Map 7? Where did Map 7 come from? How does this impact Fort Worth? Watch this episode to get a deep dive.
BIG STORY: Tarrant County commissioners vote 3-2 to redistrict, adopting a racially gerrymandered map
Ann and EJ have the privilege to be joined on air with former Commissioner of Precinct Two, Devan Allen. She is the youngest commissioner in county history. She was also the first black female to lead as a commissioner in Tarrant County and the 3rd female in the county's 100-year history to hold such an office. She was part of the court when the county underwent the redistricting process in 2020, during which the 3-2 Republica...
This is our first VIDEO episode! You can watch on YouTube! Subscribe, share with friends, and do not forget to add us on social media!
The format of this episode is a little different due to all the announcements and progress we have made over the last two weeks. So we start the show with a little introduction and a description of what listeners can expect. The meat of the episode is Judge Tim O'Hare's Racial Gerrymanderin...
Today, we have a deep and intimate conversation with Jarred Howard, CEO of the National Juneteenth Museum. We discuss how to celebrate Juneteenth in 2025 with NJM at their inaugural Freedom Vibes Festival. You can get your tickets now.
As usual, the pod has three short stories before the big story. We will update you on redistricting and how Fort Worth has amassed a million people, passing Austin!
Short Stories #1: Has Fort Worth bec...
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