Podcast
City Cast Houston
Hosted by City Cast · EN
The daily podcast for food, culture, news, and nature in the sweaty Bayou City. Join host Raheel Ramzanali and the City Cast Houston team every weekday morning as we celebrate and interrogate this sprawling place with our favorite journalists, thinkers, leaders, neighbors, and gadflies. Learn more and subscribe to our daily morning newsletter at houston.citycast.fm.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Our Final Goodbyes and What We’ve Learned About Houston
Oct 2400:43:00Tap to summarizeSince the beginning of City Cast Houston, every story we’ve shared on this podcast has shown us something new about this city. In this final episode, the entire City Cast Houston team including host Raheel Ramzanali, producer Carlignon Jones, and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis are looking back at what this journey has taught them and how it’s changed the way they see Houston. Stay connected with the team by following them on instagram: Host Raheel Ramzanali - @raheeldoingthings Producer Carlignon Jones - @carlignon Newsletter editor - @booksbybrooke63 Learn more about the sponsors of this October 24th episode: Houston Cinema Arts Society Visit Pearland The Village School Holocaust Museum Houston Midtown Houston Downtown Houston+ Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Photo: City Cast Houston
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Tiny Things That Annoy Us About Houston
Oct 2300:29:00Tap to summarizeWe’re in our final week of shows, so host Raheel Ramzanali is sharing one of his favorite episodes of all-time. We love H-Town, but when you love something, you can’t help but think about how it could improve… even in the pettiest ways! Business owner and the voice of the streets KB Brown is joining Raheel to air out their pettiest Houston gripes. Plus, we dig into a few of the 500+ grievances Houstonians left on reddit. Want to see all 500+ petty gripes from the Houston subreddit? Check it out here. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 23rd episode: Houston Cinema Arts Society Visit Pearland The Village School Holocaust Museum Houston Midtown Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Photo: Houston Skyline at Night - Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Unsplash
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Where to Live: Houston vs. The Suburbs
Oct 2200:36:04Tap to summarizeIt’s our final week of shows and we’re playing back some of our favorite episodes. Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis has today’s pick and it’s an epic showdown on where to live in H-Town! Host Raheel Ramzanali is reppin’ the burbs, producer Carlignon Jones is making a case for hidden gems outside the Loop, but inside the Beltway, and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis is standing up for the Inner Loopers! To make things even more fun, we’ve brought on a special guest, Rozmin Virani, who’s fairly new to Houston and deciding where to live. She’ll pick today’s winner, so stay tuned until the end! This episode originally aired on August 22, 2024 Our last episode and newsletter will be released on Oct. 24. But before we go, we want to celebrate this community and our city. And we want to include you in our final episode! Tell us how City Cast Houston has been a part of your life. From your favorite episode, to a story that changed your mind, or something that made you feel more connected to our city. Please email us at houston@citycast.fm or leave us a voice message at +1 713-489-6972. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 22nd episode: Houston Cinema Arts Society Visit Pearland The Village School Holocaust Museum Houston Midtown Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Photo: Houston City Skyline with Freeways Photo by Getty Images on Unsplash
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The Houston Roads to Avoid
Oct 2100:24:12Tap to summarizeIt’s the final week of operations at City Cast Houston, and what better way to say goodbye then to share some of our all-time favorite episodes. If there is one thing that unites Houstonians, it is hating our roads. From potholes so deep you could find oil to construction that never ends, Houston has more than our fair share of road gripes. Houston sports radio legend John Granato joins host Raheel Ramzanali and newsletter editor Brooke Lewis to breakdown the worst roads, worst freeways, and areas to avoid around H-Town. This episode originally aired September, 21, 2023. Our last episode and newsletter will be released on Oct. 24. But before we go, we want to celebrate this community and our city. And we want to include you in our final episode! Tell us how City Cast Houston has been a part of your life. From your favorite episode, to a story that changed your mind, or something that made you feel more connected to our city. Please email us at houston@citycast.fm or leave us a voice message at +1 713-489-6972. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 21st episode: Houston Cinema Arts Society Visit Pearland The Village School Holocaust Museum Houston Midtown Houston Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let’s Talk! Photo: 19th Street in The Heights by Brooke Lewis
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Remember When We Won the World Series?
Oct 2000:10:43Tap to summarizeIt’s the final week of operations at City Cast Houston, and what better way to say goodbye then to share some of our all-time favorite episodes. We’re kicking it off with what was the celebration of a lifetime in our city, the 2022 Astros world series win! Producer Carlignon Jones and AK AL-Moumen took to the streets to report live from the parade in one of our most beloved conversations with the community. Our last episode and newsletter will be released on Oct. 24. But before we go, we want to celebrate this community and our city. And we want to include you in our final episode! Tell us how City Cast Houston has been a part of your life. From your favorite episode, to a story that changed your mind, or something that made you feel more connected to our city. Please email us at houston@citycast.fm or leave us a voice message at +1 713-489-6972. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 20th episode: Houston Cinema Arts Society Visit Pearland The Village School Holocaust Museum Houston Midtown Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Photo by CY on Unsplash.jpg
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Saying Goodbye to City Cast Houston. Plus, Other Major News From The Week
Oct 1700:31:27Tap to summarizeMayor Whitmire is breaking his silence about the removal of the iconic rainbow crosswalk. Plus, why is Ken Paxton suing to try and shut down a Houston civil rights organization? Producer Carlignon Jones is talking to Chron.com trending news reporter, Faith Bugenhagen, about those stories and more! We have some sad news to share today: City Cast Houston and Hey Houston are suspending operations. Our last episode and newsletter will be released on Oct. 24. Next week, we’ll be sharing a mix of fresh and beloved conversations, to celebrate this community and our city. And we want to include you in our final episode! Tell us how City Cast Houston has been a part of your life. From your favorite episode, to a story that changed your mind, or something that made you feel more connected to our city. Please email us at houston@citycast.fm or leave us a voice message at+1 713-489-6972. This show has been such a meaningful part of our lives and we know it’s meant something to so many of you too. We want to thank you for listening, for trusting us with your stories, and for helping us make this show everything that it was. Stories we talked about on today’s show: Former detective says string of Houston deaths may be linked to alleged ‘Smiley Face’ killer network Houston leaders vow to fight rainbow crosswalk removal, look into legal action Houston mayor breaks silence on rainbow crosswalk removal Houston City Council votes to permanently close Polk St. to make way for $2B GRB expansion Paxton's suit to shut down FIEL Houston can move forward, court rules Learn more about the sponsors of this October 17th episode: AIA Houston Downtown Houston+ Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Houston Cinema Arts Society Visit Pearland Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Photo by Getty Images on Unsplash
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Can Houston’s Theater Scene Rival Broadway?!
Oct 1600:24:00Tap to summarizeBelieve it or not, but Houston’s theater scene is one of the best in the nation. So, why don’t we get the respect we deserve?! Host Raheel Ramzanali is learning about just how robust our scene is with Hillary Hart, Executive Director at Theatre Under the Stars. Plus, Hillary is giving her picks on what shows you should watch this season. Hillary’s recommendations of productions you should check out: • Spelling Bee and White Christmas at TuTs • Shows at Discovery Green • Shows at POST Houston • The Nutcracker Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let’s Talk! Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Unsplash.jpg
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How Houston Restaurants Are Surviving One of Its Biggest Economic Downturns
Oct 1500:32:25Tap to summarizeIt’s been a tough year for restaurants in Houston with so many popular places closing down. But, what’s being done by the restaurants to stay open and survive 2025? Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Sonia Garcia, trending food reporter at the Houston Chronicle, about the different things restaurants are trying to stay afloat in this economic down turn. Stories we talked about on today’s show: The Houston restaurant scene is struggling. Here's why. How Houston restaurants are using AI to save time and money If you enjoyed today's interview with Awty International School's Head of Secondary, Tom Oden, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 15th episode: AIA Houston Downtown Houston+ Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Houston Cinema Arts Society Visit Pearland Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let’s Talk! Photo: Marco Torres/@MarcoFromHouston
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Why Our Bail System Should Matter to Every Houstonian
Oct 1400:33:11Tap to summarizeWhy is Harris County’s bail system always brought up by state leaders? Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to John Wayne Ferguson, reporter at the Houston Chronicle, about what stands out with our bail system and how a forgotten part of it is now being amplified because of an FBI raid and trial. Stories we talked about on today’s show: Inside a Houston bail company’s alleged fraud scheme that helped get murder suspects out of jail AABLE Bail Bonds case started as a gang investigation, HPD investigator testifies The first AABLE Bail Bonds trial is over in Houston. Here are 3 things it revealed. If you enjoyed today's interview with the Midtown Management District's Project Director, Cynthia Alvarado, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 14th episode: AIA Houston Downtown Houston+ Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Houston Cinema Arts Society Visit Pearland CAF Wings Over Houston - Use code CCWOH25 Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let’s Talk! Photo: Katrin Bolovtsova/Pexels
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Gov. Abbott Targets Rainbow Crosswalks, Medical Center Workforce Reduction, and Airport Delays
Oct 1000:34:15Tap to summarizeWhy is Governor Abbott forcing Houston to remove the iconic rainbow crosswalks in Montrose? Plus, are we going to see flight delays across Houston airports because of the government shutdown? And, what kind of workforce reductions will we see in the Texas Medical Center after President Trump increased the cost of H-1B visas? Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Monica Flores Richart, education advocate and attorney, about those stories and more!Stories we talked about on today’s show: Metro to remove pride crosswalk after Greg Abbott threatens to withhold funding from Texas cities Government shutdown could trigger ground stops at Houston airports, FAA says Airport delays through the eyes of Houston Redditors When the U.S. government shuts down, Houston does what it does best: shows up How a $100,000 visa fee could shake up Houston’s health system East Downtown ‘Superhub’ for homeless proposed by Houston Housing Department Can Mayor Whitmire Really End Homelessness in Houston? Learn more about SERJobs Learn more about the sponsors of this October 10th episode: Westbury Christian School Wise AIA Houston Bayou City Art Festival Downtown Houston+ Inprint Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Photo: Pixabay/Pexels
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