Hobby Talks

On this episode of Hobby Talks, Hobby School Dean Jim Granato sits down with Alejandra Salinas, the newest at-large member of the Houston City Council. They discuss how her early advocacy, from organizing a high school walkout to speaking at the 2012 Democratic National Convention and serving as president of the College Democrats of America, shaped her belief in using her voice to serve others. Salinas shares what inspired her to run for public office, her vision for City Hall, strategies for making local government more accessible, and advice for students pursuing public service careers. She also discusses working collaboratively with various stakeholders, using data to guide policy, and addressing Houston’s most pressing challenges. Salinas won a special election in December 2025. She is the first LGBTQ+ Latina elected to serve on the Houston City Council. In addition to her work in public office, Salinas is an attorney and a partner at Susman Godfrey.

In this episode of Hobby Talks, Associate Professor Chris Bronk speaks with Evan Mintz, editor of opinion and community engagement at the Houston Chronicle. Their conversation explores the role of the newspaper’s editorial board in shaping civic discourse amid an evolving media landscape and an increasingly polarized world. They also discuss how opinion pages differ from news coverage, the endorsement process, the region’s most pressing issues, and the challenges of misinformation and disinformation.

On this episode of Hobby Talks, an expert panel analyzes the results of the state’s primary elections and what they may signal for the political landscape ahead. Podcast host Renée Cross explores the results of the U.S. Senate primaries and key statewide and local contests with panelists Richard Murray and Mark P. Jones. Renée Cross is senior executive director and researcher at the Hobby School of Public Affairs, where Richard Murray and Mark P. Jones are senior research fellows. Murray is also a professor emeritus in the UH Department of Political Science and the author of “Letter from Texas,” a newsletter about the changing demographics and the future of Republican dominance in the state. Jones is also a fellow in political science at the Baker Institute at Rice University.

On this episode of Hobby Talks, cultural historian and media scholar Siva Vaidhyanathan examines the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on democracy, civic discourse, and the evolving media and political landscapes. Vaidhyanathan shares insights into how technology shapes news consumption, classroom learning, and civic engagement, which institutions are best positioned to meet this moment of technological change, and what policymakers should consider for platform accountability and AI governance. He was at the University of Houston on Feb. 5 to deliver a public lecture for the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership. Vaidhyanathan is a professor of media studies and the director of the Center for Media and Citizenship at the University of Virginia. He is the author of several books, including “Antisocial Media: How Facebook Disconnects Us and Undermines Democracy."

On this episode of Hobby Talks, Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom S. Ramsey shares insight into the inner workings of county government. He guides listeners through key components of the new fiscal year budget and his office’s priorities, including continued progress in addressing complex issues such as flood mitigation, public safety and infrastructure. Commissioner Ramsey oversees one of the fastest-growing areas in Harris County, spanning from Cypress to Baytown, with Tomball and Huffman to the north and the Memorial Villages and Spring Branch to the south. He has served as Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner since 2020. 

On this episode of Hobby Talks, political scientist Richard Murray breaks down the proposed Texas maps for the 2026 midterm elections with podcast host Dean Jim Granato. Murray explains what the newly drawn congressional districts mean for Texans and the balance of power in Congress, as well as the political party strategies and national-level implications. He also reflected on his decades-long career at the University of Houston and introduced listeners to his new newsletter, Letter from Texas, where he provides insights on the shifting demographics and the future of Republican dominance in the Lone Star State. Richard Murray is a professor emeritus in the University of Houston Department of Political Science and a senior research fellow at the Hobby School.

Texas has emerged as a national leader in online privacy enforcement, securing historic settlements with Google and Meta aimed at curbing unlawful data collection. On this episode of Hobby Talks, Tyler Bridegan provided insights into the Lone Star State's comprehensive enforcement strategies and approach to enhancing consumer protections. Bridegan guided listeners through his path to public service, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, holding major technology companies accountable, and what's next for the broader privacy landscape in an evolving digital world. Tyler Bridegan is the director of privacy and tech enforcement for the Texas Attorney General's office, where he oversees the implementation and enforcement of the state's slate of privacy and technology-related laws. Bridegan was at the University of Houston campus on Sept. 29, 2025, to deliver a lecture for the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership and the UH Law Center. 

On this episode of Hobby Talks, political scientist Philip Wallach examines the 119th Congress and the deepening polarization of the legislative branch. Wallach guides listeners through Congress's role as the Founders intended and how it has fulfilled that job differently throughout history, emphasizing its importance in shaping policy and maintaining a balance of power among the branches of government. He fast-forwards to today's leadership-driven institution, offering insight into its potential future and strategies to necessitate power sharing and a return to deliberation and bipartisan dealmaking.Philip Wallach is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a public policy think tank, where he studies America's separation of powers. He is the author of "Why Congress," a book on the necessity of a thriving Congress and how it can reassert its relevance.

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 legislative session. Rep. Simmons gave insight into what Texans can expect from the Texas House floor and her advice for students interested in a public service career. She is on the House Committees on Appropriations and Public Health. Rep. Simmons also serves as the inaugural chair of the Texas Labor and Workforce Caucus.

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 about the state's pivotal moment on school vouchers and the latest developments from Houston ISD under state-appointed leadership. Pondiscio is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a public policy think tank, where he studies K-12 education, school choice, teaching and civic education. He previously worked as an adviser and civics teacher at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Before that, he was in journalism for 20 years, holding senior positions at Time and BusinessWeek. 

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 insight into what Texans can expect from the 89th Texas Legislature and her advice for students interested in a public service career. Sen. Cook represents Senate District 15, which includes several of Houston’s well-known neighborhoods, including Montrose, The Heights, and Acres Homes, as well as suburban pockets of northwest and northeast Harris County. She won a special election and full term in 2024, filling a seat John Whitmire held for four decades before his run for mayor of Houston. Sen. Cook serves on the Senate Committees on Health and Human Services, Administration, and Local Government.

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 shares insights into how Hobby's approach to public policy and commitment to serving Texans lives on through the school's curriculum and training. 

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 was at the University of Houston on Nov. 13 to deliver a lecture on the state of American democracy for the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership. 

Welcome to Hobby Talks, a podcast series from the Hobby School of Public Affairs. Hosted by Dean Jim Granato, Hobby Talks features timely conversations on various politics and policy topics with experts, scholars, and those who are guiding the most complex challenges facing our region and state. The podcast series expands the school's access to thought-provoking discussions and encourages cross-disciplinary dialogue on relevant issues. For more information, visit uh.edu/hobby/hobbytalks.