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.
817 Podcast - Fort Worth's Monday Morning Show
Intro to the 817 Podcast and a Crash Course on Tarrant County's Racial Redistricting Efforts
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 Gerrymandering attempt by redistricting our precincts in the middle of a census period with NO NEW DATA!
The trio discusses its impact on Fort Worth and why our leadership is not doing more. They also ignited a conversation about what our city council can do now that Democrats have the majority of the seats. Enjoy the show!
SHORT STORY #1: Welcome to our first video show!
SHORT STORY #2: Welcome Wesley Kirk as 817 Producer
SHORT STORY #3: What to expect from the podcast
BIG STORY: Tarrant County Redistricting Efforts and How it Harms All of US
City Council adopts as a resolution in opposition to Tarrant County's redistricting.
Articles: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/05/20/fort-worth-council-narrowly-opposes-tarrant-county-redistricting-along-partisan-lines/ County Commissioners Court flooded with opposition.
The Grand Prairie city council unanimously encouraged the Tarrant County commissioners court to maintain the current precinct lines and reject the proposed lines.
Articles: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJ5sd15uMg0/?igsh=MTl0dzJ1eHEyOGZqMg%3D%3D
WINS, LOSSES, and ACTIONS
👎 LOSS: A tremendous loss is the Tarrant County racial gerrymandering process that they WILL get away with
👍 WIN: People are mobilizing, and we have an opportunity to dismantle the Fort Worth Way
📣 ACTIONS: Sign up for the June 3rd Commissioners Court where they will make the final vote!