PODCAST · news
Unconventional Journalist
by Sam Oser
Reporting on the movements that fight back at All Real Radio.
Episodes
-
#StopFlock Movement in League City
If you're in the burbs feeling like all you can do is vote and vent about Trump, please know there is political movement happening at your local city council that you can join, support, and advocate for local change. James has been attending city council sessions in League City to advocate for...
-
The Deficit Cycle: Harris County's Budget
We are watching the federal government use our tax dollars for more surveillance, policing, and war despite public outrage. Have you taken a look at how Harris County is using our tax dollars locally? Despite it being a Democratic majority, our local tax dollars primarily go to the cops with…
more -
"Swap Don't Shop": Gender Affirming Clothes for Everyone
Our clothes are getting more expensive as the fabric gets worse, and getting that sweet, sweet dopamine hit from a random clothes purchase that we'll only wear for 2 months is contributing to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Ellis, one of the organizers of Queer Exchange HTX, joins me to talk…
more -
What is the Process for Resisting War Taxes?
In Part I, we talked about the history of war taxes, what it is, and common myths. With Part II, Ken from National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC) joins me to get into depth on what the process for a war tax resister could look like. Ken reads a letter a war tax resister sent…
more -
Music Empowering Social Justice: Root Cause w/ Andrea
There are so many ways to show up in the movement. From protests at the front lines to mutual aid and policy work, there isn't a shortage of ways to show up in whatever capacity you can. This interview focuses on combining the music community with the political community. Andrea is the founder of...
-
What is War Tax Resistance?
From local taxes to state and federal, the money we pay our government continues to fund atrocities that violate human rights. Our taxes continue to fund "wars" that no one asked for. Ken from the the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC) joins me to talk about the ongoing...
-
Tenant Rights Movement in Houston
When folks think about public safety, they tend to think about cops. Instead of seeing cops as a means of safety, what else can keep us safe? Housing as a human right is one of the many ways we can reimagine safety in our communities. Dominica and Diana from Houston Tenants Union (HTU) join me to...
-
Movement for a People's Budget in Houston
As we all watch the national news, it feels helpless watching our tax dollars go to endless violence, bailing out corporations, and a random ballroom. However, every city and county has a budget season! The season for the Houston budget is here, and there is a movement demanding a budget that...
-
How Houston Electeds are Over-Complying w/ ICE
Houston city officials and police are cowardly claiming they are “just following” the 2017 SB4 (the “Anti-Sanctuary” law). However, the law mandates compliance with ICE detainers, formal requests to hold someone already in custody. It does not require, or even mention, compliance with ICE...
-
Movement to End Houston Police's Collaboration w/ ICE
We all know what's going on with ICE. There is movement in Houston putting pressure on City Council to end collaboration with ICE. Thuan and Adam from Houston DSA, part of the Houston Leads coalition, join me to talk about the current movement to put pressure on to get ICE out of the city. There...
-
Bridging the Gap: Connecting Farmers & Community
Farmers love to farm. They love plants more than they love people, and I don't blame them. How can farmers and the community connect, reinvigorate the food supply chain, and keep farm safety a priority? Jonathan from the Kalos Project joins me to discuss challenges farmers face and how their work...
-
Building Community Through Growing Food
Nothing quite brings community together more than food. AJ from Lone Oak Farm Tech joins me to talk about being a first generation farmer while also working on conservation efforts along the Colorado River. We cover her adventure into rural farming, the plans for the farm contributing to local…
more -
Sunnyside's Movement to Protect Black & Urban Farmers
Della is a first generation farmer with 5 acres of land in the Sunnyside area, and is the founder of The Socialites Riding Network, which aims to protect Black and urban farmers, bring community together, and work to make food supply chains local again. She joins me to talk about how she...
-
Galveston's Movement for Food Access and Connection
Usually when I think of farmers markets, I think of overpriced, inaccessible goods and a signal that gentrification is underway. Because what is a farmers market if not a bougie flea market? With 80% of Ball High School students in Galveston feeling food insecurity, and the need for locally...
-
Hotel Worker Strike & Potential GRB Labor Strike
I'm a little late to the party as I find my groove after coming back from break, but there's been a whole hotel strike going on, ICYMI! Learn more about the Hilton strike, here. Learn about the potential George R. Brown Convention Center strike, here. Members of Houston Democratic Socialists of...
-
Food Justice: The Movement to Make Food Local
So much of our food comes from other countries and does not sustain our local agricultural economies. Shakavon, with Unified Farms and Houston Board of Food Security, joins me to discuss transforming communities through regenerative agriculture and turning underutilized spaces into thriving…
more -
Back from break!
I am back from my digital hiatus! This short update is about my time off and the 3 long term projects I'm working on.
-
Why is Revitalizing Our Wetlands so Important?
From flood mitigation to biodiversity, and just a general being loving stewards of our land, there are plenty of reasons. Mary Carol, owner of Green Star Wetland Plant Farm, joins me to talk about Why wetlands are so important to our ecosystem How native wetlands plant help with flood mitigation...
-
Movement Update: Advocating for Flood Mitigation and Drainage in Houston
Every budget season, community members gather at Houston City Council to advocate for increasing the budget for flood mitigation and flood drainage. Recently, city council members kicked organizers out of the room, and the vote on the budget happened without community members in the room. Read…
more -
Allegations of Animal Neglect & Labor Mistreatment at the Houston Humane Society
Former employees from the Houston Humane Society's wildlife program interviewed with me to talk about alleged animal neglect, alleged labor mistreatment, and why they are speaking up despite having cease and desist orders. Anke - Wildlife Admissions Specialist Ari - Wildlife Educator Mary -...
-
Organizers in Rio Grande Valley Fight to Protect Boca Chica Beach From SpaceX
SpaceX is out here trying to control a beach in the Rio Grande Valley that residents and tribal members have had access to for generations. Texas House Representative committee voted against House Bill 4660/SB2188 that would have unfairly granted SpaceX’s Starbase town primary control over Boca...
-
Breaking Cycles: Holding the Affordable Housing System Accountable
The systemic nature of affordable housing is such that developers get tax breaks and little to no accountability for when their tenants live in terrible housing conditions. Even submitting a complaint to hold landlords accountable for unlivable housing conditions is completely opaque and…
more -
What Happens to Renters After Climate Disaster?
To date, Houston is made up of 58% renters and Harris County is made up of 45% renters. Julia Orduña, the southeast Texas regional director at Texas Housers, joins me to talk about current policy education and how we can organize for protections. Key acronyms: HUD — Housing and Urban Development...
-
Climate Intersection: Navigating Housing After Hurricane Beryl
Faye, former resident of Uvalde Ranch Apartments, and organizer with Sunrise Movement Houston, joins me to discuss tenant rights and navigating housing after Hurricane Beryl. She has worked with three different Housing Authorities, and it has taken months to figure out how to hold the apartments...
-
The Movement for Juneteenth Museum in Galveston
Correction: The Rosenberg school is not named after a Black historical leader in Galveston! 100% my mistake. I got ahead of myself on that one and didn't fact-check. -------- There's a movement to turn a closed down school, LA Morgan, into a Juneteenth museum and a community center in Galveston....
-
The Movement to Bring Back La Raza Unida Party
Henry & Rodrigo from La Raza Unida Party join me to discuss the movement to establish a party chapter in Houston. We also discuss the party's history and origin, and why it's important to have multiple local parties represented in our local politics. Follow La Raza Unida Party — Houston on...
-
The Reality of Dealing with White Institutions w/ Chiara
The West continues to attempt to erase the Karankawa's culture from history, but the original people of this land are still here. Chiara is an Indigenous Resistance artist, educator, and language keeper for the Karankawa Hawk Clan. In this interview, we discuss how museums are part of the white...
-
How Can You Support Local Movements?
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Houston Chapter is hosting an organizing fair at Axelrad on Feb. 8, 2025. Who's doing what?! Dan (@danderozier) and Jose (@boriken89) join me to talk about this fair, and also local political organizing in general. Here's who will be there! Al Awda…
more -
Freedom of Speech: Pornhub, TikTok, & Data Rights
Behind the threats to freedom of speech is a whole lot of bigotry to oppress and divide us, while also ramping up surveillaince. Lucas Logan, Associate Prof at UHD in Communication, PhD in Telecom & Media Studies from A&M, joins me to talk about the intersections of the Pornhub ban in Texas…
more -
Why Don't We Need a New Jail in Harris County?
Harris County wants to build a new jail. Why don't we need it? Ms. Sarah and Krish, members of the Community Not Cages, join me to discuss myths and the movement for community care. Join the community by signing up for the public comment toolkit here. You can also help by donating. Ms. Sarah lost...
-
Help All Real Radio Find a New Home
After nearly a decade of serving our community, we’re facing a major challenge—we’re being displaced from our location on the campus of Project Row Houses and need to find a new home by May 2025. Here’s how you can get involved: Share this message with your friends and family. Follow us on social...
-
The History of Project 2025
As white supremacy fully rears its head, it is clear that white folks have a lot of mess to clean up in our lane. Lauren H Sweeney, activist, writer, and grassroots organizer joins me to talk about the history of Project 2025 and how we can move collectively. Created by the Heritage Foundation,...
-
Breaking Cycles: How the Library's Alternate ID Serves Communities
The Harris County Public Library offers a free alternative form of identification called the Enhanced+ Library card. This alternate form of identification allows folks who can't get a state or driver's license to still have a form of ID to access services like opening a bank account. Fred, the...
-
Learning About Political Prisoners in the United States
The United States has political prisoners, y'all. In this report, we recap Curbfest HOU, and learn about organizers that the United States is holding as political prisoners. From Black Panthers from the 1970s to anti-Nazi and environmental activists as recent as 2021, the United States imprisons...
-
Debunking Myths Around the Death Penalty
Gloria with Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement joins me to talk about the movement to abolish the death penalty. There is quite a bit of propaganda and misinformation around the death penalty, and this interview serves to unpack that. Gloria has been in the movement since the 1970s! Aside…
more -
I'm Back! And I'm Also Struggling with this Crap
I kicked off my journalism break earlier than usual to focus on my community journalism 101 workshop (thanks Houston Climate Justice Museum and Pure Justice for hosting me). When I came back, especially from my social media break, I was overwhelmed and devastated by Hurricane Helene, the…
more -
Learning About Data Infrastructure w/ Katya
Our data infrastructure is not as secure as we are led to believe. From corporations extracting data for profits, to governments extracting data for policing, Katya joins me to discuss how vulnerable these systems are and how we must reframe our thinking away from “consumer data” to community…
more -
Creating Spaces for Black Youth in Galveston
The Future is Us exists to fight for Galveston youth through community voice, so future generations can meet their full potential. Shanice, Phylicia, and Jonathan join me to discuss the movement to dismantle the school to prison pipeline and to create spaces for Black youth and communities in...
-
Poop Water Part II: Resident Dealing with Systemic Sewage Failures
Poop Water Part I was all about policy education around sewage infrastructure. Sade, a resident who is dealing with poop water in her home and yard, joined me today to discuss her day-to-day lived experiences.
-
Poop Water Part I: Policy Education for Water Justice
Policy is key to equitable sewer infrastructure, and Kourtney with Bayou City Water Keeper joins me to discuss Houston's pending water crisis due to poor sewage infrastructure. We discuss Bayou City Water Keeper's lawsuit, the current state of the sewage infrastructure, and the movement to make...
-
Reminder: You Can Boycott STAAR
Standardized testing is used as a tool to fire teachers and close schools to move towards the privatization of education. Houston CVPE has put together resources to explain why this movement is important and how you can get started.
-
Presentation Rehearsal
I'm in my teaching era! My former professor who now teaches at A&M invited me to speak to his media editing students. My friend at Rice, who oversees their radio station, invited me to speak to his radio reporting students. I needed to rehearse and here's the audio for my rehearsal. Thanks for...
-
Child Labor is Back
Illegal child labor continues to increase in the United States, with kids as young as 10 years old working at McDonald's. Efforts to weaken child labor laws are also increasing, and not just in the red states. Here are the articles I referenced in today's report. Over 100 Kids Were Illegally...
-
Housing Policy Win in Galveston
Tyler with Build Galveston joins me to discuss a recent housing policy win in Galveston.
-
Food Not Bombs: Legal Update & Allegations
Food Not Bombs received their 91st ticket this week for feeding houseless people. They posted about the legal updates. Recently, Red Rose Media reported about ex-Food Not Bomb volunteers issuing allegations against the group for sexual harassment and overall lack of accountability. There still...
-
Upcoming Freeze Prep Tips w/ West Street Recovery
Get more prep tips here. Learn more about community hubs, a long-term plan for keeping you and your neighbors safe, here. Tomball Community Fridge is asking for donations for their fridge, blankets, jackets, and other warm items. Follow them on Instagram.
-
Police Tase Person During Houseless Feeding, Threaten Others
Edit: Free Store event is canceled. "On Wednesday January 3rd, Eight 1st Precinct Constables Of Harris County came to a food sharing service of Food Not Bombs to serve a warrant to a member in attendance. After their arrest, Jerrode Brown better known as JB was upset and called out to the cops to...
-
Healthcare Workers are Organizing for Palestine
Healthcare workers in Houston are organizing for Palestine. Bissam and Okarys with Healthcare Workers for Palestine - Houston join me to discuss their movement to send medical supplies and their upcoming rally at Ben Taub Hospital. There are many petitions you can sign - see here. Upcoming rally…
more -
Precinct Chairs Resolution to Hold Kim Ogg Accountable
The precinct chairs of the Harris County Democratic Party are putting together a resolution to hold Kim Ogg, Harris County District Attorney, accountable for anti-bail reform and using her office to investigate elected officials who do not agree with her. Daniel, organizer and Democratic Chair of...
-
Upcoming Workshops
I have two workshops coming up! Advocacy Journalism 101 How to Hold the Media Accountable For now, these workshops will be held online. Follow me @samthemullet on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, to see when the dates are posted and to register for them.
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Unconventional Journalist have?
Unconventional Journalist currently has 116 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Unconventional Journalist about?
Reporting on the movements that fight back at All Real Radio.
How often does Unconventional Journalist release new episodes?
Unconventional Journalist publishes regularly with 116 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Unconventional Journalist?
You can listen to Unconventional Journalist on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Unconventional Journalist?
Unconventional Journalist is created and hosted by Sam Oser.
URL copied to clipboard!