Born in the Bend is a podcast by Emily Scherer and Aimee Frederick, highlighting local gems, entrepreneurs, and awesome stories, originating in Fort Bend County, TX. The show arose out of a desire to foster community, create a sense of place, and instill pride in calling Fort Bend County home. Having grown up in Richmond, Emily brings the native Texan voice to the table, while Aimee, a South Louisiana transplant, brings the outsider's perspective. Their combined life experiences make for ent ...
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Aimee Frederick Podcasts
ReligionWise features educators, researchers, and other professionals discussing their work and the place of religion in the public conversation. Host Chip Gruen, the Director of the Institute for Religious and Cultural Understanding of Muhlenberg College, facilitates conversations that aim to provide better understanding of varieties of religious expression and their impacts on the human experience. For more about the Institute for Religious and Cultural Understanding, visit www.religionand ...
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An ”under the hood” look at scores from films starting with the James Bond series. In these episodes composer Jason Frederick and professional trumpeter and the man behind ”Q The Music” (the world‘s leading James Bond Tribute Concert) and Film Score lecturer and historian Gergely Hubai attempt to explain the techniques, secrets, methods and mastery behind the scores you love so much. The aim is to dive deeply in an almost documentary style to explain these scores in depth as well as how they ...
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At the Institute for Classical Education, we believe that a classical education is not only for the privileged few, but for every child, no matter their zip code. We invite you to help us bring a classical education to dozens of additional communities and thousands more children as we aim to bring a Classical education to more than 50,000 students by 2025.
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On You, Me, Empathy, we explore the struggles, the triumphs, the brights and the darks we face as humans trying to be human on this wondrous and overwhelming pale blue dot. You, Me, Empathy was created so that we can be witness to our collective humanity through the lens of empathy, vulnerability, and emotional curiosity. We aim to destigmatize mental health, lead fiercely with our hearts, feel our feelings without shame and judgment, and share our courageous stories so that others may feel ...
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Let’s Get LIT! Books & Cocktails Unite at Jax & 7th’s LIT bookbar with Jillian Reed
48:13
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48:13Everyone loves an iconic duo, and Jillian Reed has created one of her own at LIT bookbar on Jax & 7th. Uniting cozy craft cocktails and bookshelves full of local authors, LIT bookbar brings everyone in the community together to drink, shop, and most importantly: connect! As the owner of LIT, Jillian walks us through the journey Richmond's new book …
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From Theory to Practice: Academic Expertise and Counter-Extremism - Damon Berry
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51:23Dr. Damon Berry, associate professor of religious studies at St. Lawrence University, regularly consults with federal law enforcement agencies including the FBI and FBI’s BAU-1 (Behavioral Analysis Unit One) on cases involving religious extremism and alt-right movements. In this conversation, we explore the challenges of translating academic resear…
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Since You Asked: More on Our Methods and Mission
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51:30
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51:30In this episode, Institute for Religious and Cultural Understanding Director Chip Gruen becomes the guest as producer Christine Flicker poses questions drawn from audience feedback. The conversation explores the methodological approaches, underlying assumptions, and programming decisions that shape the Institute's work in fostering religious unders…
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Esoteric elements are present in many religious traditions, where discourses of secrecy help reinforce identity and fulfill important social and cultural roles within religious communities. Our guest, Hartley Lachter, author of "Kabbalah and Catastrophe," explores how Jewish mystical thought developed in response to historical trauma and community …
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At the Crossroads of Journalism and Faith - Sharlee DiMenichi
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42:45How do religious journalists navigate the intersection of faith values and public issues? Sharlee DiMenichi of Friends Journal discusses her reporting on a variety of contemporary issues, including Quaker responses to immigration policy, climate change, and economic justice. We explore how religious principles translate into political action and hu…
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Analytical Approaches to Pagan Worldviews - Eric Steinhart
57:50
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57:50On this episode of ReligionWise Philosophy Professor Eric Steinhart joins us to discuss how his work on contemporary paganism challenges traditional boundaries in the philosophy of religion. We consider the historical limitations of the field, the value of including minority traditions, and how his eclectic academic interests have shaped his approa…
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Tradition and Adaptation in Ugandan Judaism - Gershom Sizomu
41:21
41:21
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41:21In this episode, we explore the remarkable story of the Abayudaya, Uganda's Jewish community, with Chief Rabbi Gershom Sizomu, the first native-born ordained rabbi in Sub-Saharan Africa. Rabbi Sizomu shares the history of his community, from its founding through persecution under Idi Amin's regime to its contemporary revival. Our conversation exami…
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The Neuroscience of Religious Experience - Jeremy Teissere
59:28
59:28
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59:28In this episode we explore the fascinating world of neuroscience with Dr. Jeremy Teissere, Stanley Road Professor of Neuroscience at Muhlenberg College, who introduces us to the discipline's key questions and recent developments. Then, we turn to the enduring legacy of William James, the early 20th century thinker at the intersection of psychology,…
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Religion, Health, and Community - Ulysses Burley
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46:57In this episode of ReligionWise we sit down with Ulysses Burley, founder of UBtheCure, a consulting company that describes itself as being at the "intersection of Faith, Health, and Human Rights." A trained physician turned social activist, Dr. Burley is interested in the role and responsibility of communities to play a part in public health and ou…
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Religion, Interfaith, and Public Policy - Frederick Davie (Re-Release)
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48:31This episode features Reverend Frederick Davie, who among other roles, serves as the Senior Advisor on Racial Equity for Interfaith America. In this far ranging discussion, we talk about the role of interfaith dialogue in wider public discourse, the shifting understanding of religious freedom, and the relationship between governmental policy and th…
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We Can't Do It Alone: We're Mirrors for Each Other (with Sophie Ansari)
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40:52On episode 9 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with illustrator, video creator and podcaster, Sophie Ansari (Podcrushed) to explore the culture of curiosity in the Bahá'í faith, having a life partner who is open to learning, naughty things we did as teenagers and being a hopeful teenager, and why we're mirrors for each other. Helpful things me…
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We Can't Do It Alone: Working Hard and Being Kind (with Daniel Van Kirk)
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48:56On episode 8 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with comedian, actor and writer Daniel Van Kirk to explore human adaptability, why helping is an unspoken part of a single-parent home, the importance of celebrating while we're still in it, and why working hard and being kind gets you the second job. According to Nōn, Daniel is a sweetie pie, eve…
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We Can't Do It Alone: Our Capacity Is Rekindled By Community (with Ess Crossley)
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46:52On episode 7 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with Ess Crossley (he/they) to explore our new project The Feely Cards (out October 22*), how helping sometimes looks like people educating us even if it feels uncomfortable, Ess's transformation from their "women phase" to their beautiful nonbinary trans little bean world, and how our capacity fo…
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We Can't Do It Alone: The Joy and Liberation In Drag (with Eric Dorsa)
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36:20On episode 6 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with Eric Dorsa to talk about their experience as a queer person in recovery (eating disorder, substance), how we silence or diminish parts of ourselves when things are disordered, what it's like to reclaim space in a world where you've felt unseen and unsupported, and how Eric embraces drag as a …
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We Can't Do It Alone: Bookstores Are the Heart of Community (with Sam Robertson)
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33:14On episode 5 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with Sam Robertson to explore the ripple effect of helping, why reading is the best way to strengthen your empathy muscles, why stories are the core of humanity, Sam's experience as an owner of an independent bookshop, and why bookstores are the heart of community. Helpful things mentioned during …
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We Can't Do It Alone: The Life-Saving Helper You've Never Met (with Bill Cole)
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43:15On episode 4 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with Bill Cole to explore coming of age during the AIDS crisis, queer representation in film, the particularly heinous stigma around AIDS, how someone you've never met can be a helper, and the lasting legacy of AIDS activist icon, Stephen Gendin. Helpful things mentioned during this episode: @bill…
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We Can't Do It Alone: Feeling Seen As a Little Queer Kid (with Zee Zelinski)
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37:24On episode 3 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with 20-something neurodivergent queer disabled writer, Zee Zelinski, to explore why we're mosaics of everything and everyone we've ever interacted with, the particular grief of help and helping as a disabled person, gender identity, feeling seen as a little queer kid, and Zee's love letter to poe…
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We Can't Do It Alone: I Am Yours and You Are Mine (with Frederick Joseph)
38:21
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38:21On episode 2 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with NY Times bestselling author Frederick Joseph to explore the craft and respite of writing poetry, Black boys and men being whole beings capable of being strong and soft, collective liberation, and how we feel collective care should look like: I am yours and you are mine. Frederick is the autho…
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We Can't Do It Alone: Letting People In (with Giselle Vriesen)
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32:08On episode 1 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with Giselle Vriesen to explore being a first-time author, forgetting oneself in pursuit of creating, holding the darkness and the light, and letting people in to allow them to help us. Giselle is the author of Why We Play With Fire, a mythological adventure story that I absolutely adored. Helpful…
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“Nones” and “Dones”: the Shifting Realities of Religious Identities - Susan Pizor Yoder
1:01:16
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1:01:16In today’s conversation, we talk with Susan Pizor Yoder, a researcher and faith leader who wants to understand how and why recent generations are less likely to identify with traditional religious communities. As the lead author of the recent book, Hear Us Out, Dr. Pizor Yoder talks about the process of interviewing over 200 18-40 year olds about h…
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Practice and Performance of Afro-Caribbean Religions - Lilianne Lugo Herrera
46:24
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46:24On this episode of ReligionWise, scholar Lilianne Lugo Herrera guides us through the vibrant world of Afro-Caribbean religious practice, with a special focus on Cuban traditions. From the intimate spaces of home altars to the dramatic possibilities of theatrical performance, we explore how these sacred traditions continue to pulse through Caribbean…
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Identity, Vocation, and Contemporary Christianity - Guy Erwin
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47:50Today's conversation features Dr. Guy Erwin, the President of the United Lutheran Seminary. As a lifelong educator both with roots on a Native American reservation and as an openly gay man, Dr. Erwin shares his perspective on some of the social and cultural challenges faced by the church in the last generation. More generally, our discussion also c…
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Though the categories we use to describe them can be different, "the Alt-Right", "Christian Nationalists", "White Nationalists," there is no denying the ascendency of a powerful force on the right that has affected the political and religious landscape of the United States over the last generation. Our guest today, Dr. Damon Berry, works to underst…
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Politics, Polling, and Religious Identity - Chris Borick (Re-Release)
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51:26This episode of ReligionWise features Chris Borick the Director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion. In this conversation, we consider how pollsters try to understand religious identity and sentiment, the limitations of those methods for considering religious minorities, and how the rise of a religiously unaffiliated public has sh…
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Religion, Animals, and the Bible - Arthur Walker-Jones, Suzanna Millar
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53:52Religious stories and symbolism very often feature animals of all kinds. Over the last few decades, scholars have taken more notice of these non-human actors that often play an important role in religious belief and practice. Today's conversation features Arthur Walker-Jones and Suzanna Millar, the co-editors of a new book at the intersection of An…
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Hinduism in the Public Conversation - Abhishek Ghosh
1:01:57
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1:01:57Hindu traditions have been around for an incredibly long time. As with any religious or cultural system, however, the beliefs and practices of Hinduism have developed and adapted to new environments and contexts. In today's conversation, we talk with Dr. Abhishek Ghosh from the Institute for Vaishnava Studies about the translation of Hinduism to th…
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A little update from Nōn, and a new podcast called We Can't Do It Alone coming July 12! SUPPORT NŌN: Leave a 5-star review Order The Feely Cards Subscribe to We Can't Do It Alone Say helloBy Nōn Wels
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The Shifting Landscape of American Funerary Practice - Dustin Grim
53:11
53:11
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53:11We all know the aphorism about the unavoidability of death and taxes. On this episode of ReligionWise, we consider the former with funeral director Dustin Grim. Among other topics, this conversation reflects on changes in religious affiliation in the contemporary world and how these changes affect funerary practice. We also ask what these changes c…
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Charm, Community, & Character: Building a Better Richmond with Terri Vela
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45:15Terri Vela, City Manager at City of Richmond Texas, joins the pod to discuss the coordination behind the scenes of Richmond’s charming city. From infrastructure to events, development to volunteering, no single day looks the same for Terri as she and her team work to build a better and more beautiful Richmond. Talking points include coordinating ev…
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Mixed Media, Motherhood & Making Art Thrive with Sarah Beth Baca
1:06:26
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1:06:26Sarah Beth Baca, local artist, author, community liaison and activist, talks about the seasons of her life and the impact art has had throughout. As a wife, mother, and full-time artist, Sarah has learned how to balance art with life and keep an open mind about the journey to making art a profitable and impactful career. From face-painting to expre…
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From Snack Shack to Morton Street Icon, Meet Sandy McGee
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51:16Sandy McGee, Restaurateur and Owner of Sandy McGee’s Restaurant & Bar, serves up tasty tales and delicious insights on what it’s like to feed Fort Bend. From in-home catering to a little house in Rosenberg to a remodeled restaurant mecca in Historic Downtown Richmond, Sandy has seen it all and still has more cooking up for us to look forward to. Ta…
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Kids and Religious Literacy - Vicki Garlock
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55:02This episode of ReligionWise features Vicki Garlock, Ph.D., the founder of World Religions for Kids. Trained as a cognitive psychologist, Dr. Garlock's longtime interest in religion and religious diversity has inspired her to produce children's books and train educators on the importance of religious literacy for even the youngest learners. Today's…
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Nature Lovers Paradise at Long Acres Ranch with October Smith
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40:56October Smith, Ranch Manager at Long Acres Ranch, comes inside from the great outdoors to talk about a beautiful private green space in the middle of the bustling suburbs and shops of Richmond. Located in the heart of Richmond, Long Acres Ranch provides a unique, natural environment for educational and recreational activities and promotes the appre…
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Reining Strength: A Therapeutic Pillar of the Fort Bend Community with Noell Myska and Heather Hernandez
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58:26Noell Myska and Heather Hernandez join the pod to talk about serving the Fort Bend community through equine-assisted learning and therapeutic horsemanship at Reining Strength. Founded in 2014, Reining Strength Therapeutic Horsemanship provides equine-assisted services for people ages 2 and up, children and adults, with physical, cognitive, social, …
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Pod Goes Prep: A How-to on Hurricane Safety with Greg Babst
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39:43Greg Babst, Emergency Management Coordinator at Fort Bend Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, brings emergency prep to the pod and tackles the tips for hurricane safety. Hurricane season starts this May in Fort Bend, but the impacts of these natural disasters can be felt both before and after this time of heightened awareness. Greg …
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Big Events, Book Bars, & Born in the Bend Returns!
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47:09Season 5 has officially arrived, and Em & Aim are so excited to catch up with listeners and look ahead for what’s to come on Born in the Bend! Aimee discusses new additions to the Jax & 7th and Blockhouse Coffee family, including LIT Bookbar and Mugz Coffee. Emily gives listeners a sneak peek of the upcoming Fort Bend Museum gala, “A Night in the G…
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Today's conversation features Jane Fitzpatrick, a contributing writer to Religion Matters who covers the intersection of religion and the performing arts, with a particular emphasis on the opera. Conversations about religion in the public square happen in all kinds of contexts. This episode considers the many ways that religion is both represented …
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Muslim Leadership and Higher Education - Adeel Zeb
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59:45Religious diversity on college and university campuses can be a complicated subject. Varieties of traditions and worldviews have been present at institutions of higher education for a long time, yet recognizing and welcoming those various religious identities has not always automatically followed. Today's episode of ReligionWise features Adeel Zeb,…
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Spirituality and Philosophy - Tad Robinson
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52:43This episode welcomes back Tad Robinson, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy at Muhlenberg College. In his recent work, Robinson has asked how reframing questions of religious activity as spiritual rather than religious might lead to different insight and understanding of prayer, meditation, and a variety of other practices. We also discuss the realitie…
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Religion, Politics, and Vocation - Sarah Trone Garriott
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54:23Every four years Iowa takes its stage in the national spotlight as the United States presidential race starts to heat up. This first opportunity for voters to choose a candidate to run in the national election, the Iowa Caucuses have an outsized place in our political geography. In this episode of ReligionWise, State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott an…
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Rebekah Dahl and Brad Scarborough, Founders of The Music Box Theater, bring their musical and comedic talents to the pod and talk about their unique variety show theater. This husband and wife duo work alongside the awesome Houston-based company at Music Box to delight audiences of all ages. Highlights of this episode include getting an in-depth lo…
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Hidden Gem of Texas History: Rosenberg Railroad Museum with Rainey Webster
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47:38Rainey Webster, Executive Director of the Rosenberg Railroad Museum (RRM), forgoes the planes and automobiles this week to talk to us about trains and the railroads that have built the Texas we know today. The Rosenberg Railroad Museum educates and engages members of the Fort Bend community of all ages about the importance and impact of railroads a…
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Curated Decor & Family Inspired Events at Family Style Design Co with Adam and Jamie Busch
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54:36Adam and Jamie Busch from Family Style Design Co spend the season in style with us and talk about the upcoming happenings at their beautiful home decor shop. Inspired by family and influenced by their love of gift-giving, Adam and Jamie bring beautiful things to the Fort Bend community through decor, consultations, design services, and community ev…
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Political Impact in Your Own Backyard with Dexter L. McCoy
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57:28Dexter L. McCoy, Fort Bend Commissioner of Precinct 4, brings his passion for local politics to the pod this week. Inspired by his past experience as student body president in college, Dexter has forged his career in local government with a focus on helping individuals improve their close-knit community. Talking points include what a County Commiss…
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Little Steps Toward Hope with Stacy Bourgeois
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50:06Stacy Bourgeois, Founder of Sole Loved, joins the pod from Sugar Land, Texas this week to tell her journey from humble garage setups to full-fledged fundraising for charity. Inspired by her love of children and her passion for helping individuals living in poverty, Sole Loved delivers new and gently used tennis shoes to kids in need. Talking points…
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On Monsters and Medicine: What can spooky stories tell us about health and disease? - Lorenzo Servitje
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58:13This episode of ReligionWise features Dr. Lorenzo Servitje, Associate Professor Literature and the Director of the Health, Medicine and Society program at Lehigh University. Trained in both Victorian Literature and Public Health, he considers the way that culture influences and is influenced by questions of health, healthcare, and disease. In this …
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Unleashing Creativity through Storytelling with Charlie Beyl
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1:04:07Charlie Beyl, Freelance Author, Illustrator and Educator in University of Houston’s Digital Media program, explores the dynamic world of creativity, freelancing, and innovation on this week’s episode. Through his work, Charlie shows students and fellow professionals alike how to unlock their unique creative potential and drive innovation in their c…
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Growing a People-Centric Richmond with Jerry Jones Jr.
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1:05:57Jerry Jones Jr., Economic Development Director for Develop Richmond, sits and sips with Em and Aim this week as they talk about big things on the horizon in the small city of Richmond. With exciting developments and new projects springing up all the time, Jerry channels his expertise into cultivating Richmond's business community and creating peopl…
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A new season of Born in the Bend kicks off this week with a summer wrap-up and a calendar of exciting upcoming events. Emily recaps a summer of European travel and talks about her work with the Fort Bend Museum. Aimee discusses new happenings at Blockhouse Coffee and dives into some upcoming Richmond get-togethers you won’t want to miss. Additional…
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Fort Bend native, Em, met Louisiana transplant Aim, in the spring of 2017 and quickly bonded over business, community and motherhood. They came together to create the Born in the Bend podcast out of a desire to build community, foster a sense of place, and instill pride in calling Fort Bend County home. Em & Aim invite you to grab your favorite bev…
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