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
270 episodes
How the Fort Worth Way Impacts Culture with Brandi Waller-Pace
Brandi Waller-Pace is the founder of Decolonizing the Music Room and the Fort Worth African-American Roots Music Festival which will be in its 6th year on March 21st.For more information, visit fwaamf...
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1:01:00
Union Busting, Shadow PACs, and ICE Protestors on Trial: Speaking Truth to Power.
SHORT STORY 1: Union busting at Fort Worth ReportFort Worth Reporter's Guild response to union bustingSHORT STORY 2: PACs funding Republican precinct chai...
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41:50
Live from the Tarrant County Democratic Party Fundraiser with Salman Bhojani & Ramon Romero Jr.
For our very first live episode, we recorded at the VIP party for Tarrant County Democratic Party's annual fundraiser, Beyond Darkness.We spoke with Texas State Representatives Salman Bhojani & Ramon Romero Jr about harnessing the po...
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47:04
Turning Tarrant Blue with Nydia Cardenas, Candidate for Tarrant County Commissioner Precinct 4
BIG STORY: Nydia Cardenas, candidate for Tarrant County Commissioner Precinct 4.SHORT STORY 1: Early Voting turnout
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1:27:01
Resisting ICE in Tarrant County and the Future of Data Centers in Fort Worth
SHORT STORY 1: ICE in North TexasNew rules limit public speaking, discussion topics at ...
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1:09:58
How Tarrant County is the Epicenter of Change with Alexander Montalvo
We spoke with grassroots organizer, Alexander Montalvo, the co-founder of Tarrant 4 Change and The Catalyst Project LLC. He shared with us why this momen...
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54:36
Meet the Tarrant County Commissioner Precinct 2 Candidates
BIG STORY: Candidates for Tarrant County Commissioner Precinct 2Jared WilliamsAmanda Arizola
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1:27:22
Taylor Rehmet's Win & What It Means For The Future Of Tarrant County
BIG STORY: Taylor Remet wins TX SD9 SHORT STORY 1: James Talarico & Jasmine Crockett debateSHORT STORY 2: Wael Tarabishi died due to ICE
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1:03:12
The Potential of Arlington City Council with Rojo Meixueiro, Candidate for City Council District 4.
Rogelio “Rojo” Meixueiro is a prolific long-time activist and organizer in Arlington, also the founder of Sunrise Tarrant, is now running for Arlington City Council District 4.We talk about his 817 story, his history of organizing, his c...
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42:00
Beyond Fort Worth and Public Comments: How 2026 Is The Moment
SHORT STORY 1: Public Comment & City Council DramaFort Worth residents get more chances to speak during c...
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1:06:11
How ICE is Affecting Tarrant County with The Tarabishi Family
BIG STORY: An interview with Shahd Arnaout of the Tarabishi Family.Father cared for disabled son for years, until ICE took him away
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1:12:16
Why Young People Should Run For Office with Junior Ezeonu, Candidate for TX HD 101
BIG STORY: Junior EzeonuAfter running for Gran Prairie at 21 while still he college, he beat a 12-year incumbent and became the Mayor Pro Tem. Now he's running in the Democratic Primary for Texas House of Representatives District ...
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1:21:33
817Pod's Year in Review
This week EJ, Ann, & Wesley bring you a special episode where we look back on all that happened in 2025, and look ahead to the possibilities for 2026.We would love your feedback. Please ...
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57:19
O'Hare We Go Again: Silencing Voters and Getting Sued
For this week's Big Story, check out our previous episode where we interviewed Bradford William Davis. Ann is out this week for the holidays, so it's just EJ & Wesley.SHORT STORY 1: Marc Veasey backs out
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42:47
The Role of Local Journalism with Bradford William Davis
We spoke with award-winning journalist Bradford William Davis, the former opinion columnist at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, who was recently laid off after writing several amazing articles that were critical to Mayor Mattie Parker.We f...
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59:56
An Interview with Tiffany Burks, Tarrant County Criminial District Attorney Candidate
BIG STORY: We talk with Tiffany Burks about how the District Attorney's office has changed over the years, what power it holds, what problems it has created, and how Tiffany plans to solve them.
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1:01:36
Who's Running for Tarrant County in 2026
BIG STORY: Our interview with Tiffany Burks went so long that we made this a 2-part episode, so stay tuned for the full interview with Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney candidate, Tiffany Burks.SHORT STORY 1: Who filed...
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39:48
FW City Council Copies the Tim O’Hare Playbook
BIG STORY: Last Public Comment of the YearRemoval of attendees, Christmas tree lighting plan...
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1:03:12
Mayor Mattie Parker's Damage Control PR Tour
BIG STORY: Mayor Mattie Parker’s Damage Control PR TourMayor’s Chair Not for the Thin-Skinned by Fort Worth Magazine
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54:09
Who Runs Fort Worth in 2025
For the 30th anniversary of infamous article in D Magazine, "Who Runs Fort Worth?", we spoke with the journalist who made The Fort Worth Way known to all, Katie Sherrod.
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1:07:00
The Legal Battle Against Racist Gerrymandering with LULAC & Texas Civil Rights Project
BIG STORY: We spoke with Alberto Govea from LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) & Stephanie Drenka from Texas Civil Rights Project about the l...
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1:22:01
Blue Wave Aftermath with Taylor Rehmet, TX SD9 Candidate
BIG STORY: An interview with Taylor Rehmet, TX SD9 Candidate.In a surprise upset, Taylor Rehmet, the machinist & union leader who ran as a Democrat in the special election for TX Senate District 9, came out top of the ticket w...
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1:15:53
Texas Fights Back with Gina Hinojosa, Candidate for TX Governor
BIG STORY: An interview with Gina HinojosaShe's a candidate for Texas Governor, who was in town for a town hall about resisting the state takeover of FWISD, demonstrating how & why it's so important that we fight back against ...
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1:17:21