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
252 episodes
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
FWISD State Takeover: What It Mean to the City and Why We Keep Moving to the Right
This is an audio-only show run by EJ in his home office. Ann and Wesley are out of town, but we felt a show was needed given what happened to FWISD.
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26:08
Mayor Mattie Parker's New Fort Worth Way
BIG STORY: Mayor Mattie Parker’s Wild Week.Fort Worth mayor asked church to pack City Council meeting, state lawmaker says
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1:02:10
What Does It Mean To Be Progressive?
BIG STORY: This week we have a discussion on how to define the word "progressive", the worldview, the policies, what it takes to win an election as a bold unapologetic progressive, and how we can all play a part in improving ...
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1:25:11
Gearing Up For No Kings Rally with Tevita Uhatafe & Sabrina Ball.
This week we're bringing you a special episode with organizers for Fort Worth's No Kings Rally on Saturday, October 18th at 11am in Burk Burnett Park downtown.It'll be filled with speakers, organizations, and our fellow Fort Worthians de...
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45:38
Speaking Up For Community with Patrice Jones
BIG STORY: Patrice Jones, activist, community leader, and founder of Southside Community Garden joins us to talk about her history of activism, and what happened when Mayor Mattie Parker threatened her after defending public comment....
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1:34:10
Freedom of Speech: The Case of Raunaq Alam with Adwoa Asante & Lydia Faith
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...
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1:31:57
The Fight to Protect Tarrant County with Commissioner Alisa Simmons
BIG STORY: An Interview with Alisa Simmons, Tarrant County Commissioner Precinct 2.Tarrant C...
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1:13:58
Mayor Mattie Parker Invites Extremism into Fort Worth
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.
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1:06:10
Beyond a State Takeover with FWISD Teachers Ale Checka and Ernie Morán
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 leg...
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1:06:59
Flex Fort Worth's Blue Power: A Playbook with Chris Tackett to Free Texas
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 c...
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1:14:47
Use Your Power: Voting for Taylor Rehmet and Advocating for the City We Deserve
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 ri...
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1:15:54
An Interview with Beto O'Rourke (Special Edition Part Two)
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 c...
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7:14
An Interview with Colin Allred (Special Edition Part One)
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 ...
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25:26
The Backslide to Fascism and How Fort Worth Can Stop It
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...
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1:11:31
Fort Worth's Upcoming Vote to Keep DEI and The Fight For Our Values with Nydia Cardenas
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...
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1:15:03
What The Cooper Apartments Fire Teaches Us About Community and Renting in Fort Worth
Big Story: The Cooper FireCooper Fire relief fund reached $100,000 and distributes to fire victims<...
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59:45
The Past, Present, & Future of Transit in Fort Worth
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 li...
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1:05:50
Activating the Next Generation: A Conversation with Tarrant County Young Democrats
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 ...
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1:22:19