Hobby Talks

Houston state lawmaker Lauren Ashley Simmons shares the latest developments at the Texas Capitol with Hobby Talks host Jim Granato. Rep. Simmons represents House District 146 in south and southwest Houston, including the historic Sunnyside neighborhood. She is serving her first term in the Texas House of Representatives. The union organizer and public education advocate discussed her upbringing, what drove her to run for public office and her office's policy priorities during the 2025 legisla...

04-11

42:12

On this episode of Hobby Talks, education policy expert Robert Pondiscio discusses the state of public education in Texas and across the country. Pondiscio takes listeners through the education reform landscape, reflecting on its history and fast-forwarding to today's most significant challenges. He shares insight into how his experience inside the classroom informs his perspective on championing meaningful change in an era of increasing choice. Hobby Talks host Jim Granato asks Pondiscio abo...

04-02

01:01:26

In the first Hobby Talks episode of 2025, Texas state Sen. Molly Cook shares her policy priorities during her first legislative session, from public education and reliable energy to expanding Medicare and other healthcare equity issues. Hobby Talks host Jim Granato asked the freshman state lawmaker what drove her to run for public office and how her work and background as an emergency room nurse and community organizer translate to her policy agenda at the Texas Capitol. Sen. Cook gave i...

02-18

13:46

On the second episode of Hobby Talks, historians Don Carleton and Erin Purdy with the Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin discuss the history and impact of Bill Hobby and the Hobby family on Texas. The authors of the biography "Bill Hobby: A Life of Journalism and Public Service" take listeners through extensive research and interviews to publication, sharing highlights from the biography of a legendary lieutenant governor. Hobby Talks host Jim Granato sha...

12-02

57:36

The inaugural episode of Hobby Talks features former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger discussing his public service career, the presidential election outcome and his hopeful vision for the future of America. The former Illinois congressman also shares how the 9/11 terrorist attacks stirred an urgent sense of duty and call to service, how he entered politics, his message to the political parties and his advice to the next generation of leaders eager to make a difference in their communities. Kinzinger...

11-16

33:06