Corpus Christi Originals Podcast

Corpus Christi Originals Network

The Corpus Christi Originals Podcast showcases the stories, talents, and perspectives of Corpus Christi and South Texas. Featuring engaging conversations with local personalities, entrepreneurs, and artists, the podcast explores trending topics, culture, and community. Tune in for a fresh take on what makes Corpus Christi, Texas unique!

  1. Sep 24 ·  Video

    EP129: Jen Allende | Corpus Christi District 2 Candidate 2026

    In Episode 129 of the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast, host Jesús Hilario Hernandez sits down with Jen Allende, local general contractor, business owner, advocate, and candidate for Corpus Christi City Council District 2. Recorded on location at Moe’s Texas Style BBQ on Weber Road, this episode dives deep into what it takes to build a stronger, more accountable local government that serves every resident. Jen shares her journey growing up in Corpus Christi, from working in her father’s neighborhood stores to starting at the ground level in general construction—working 16-hour days before building her own multi-million dollar enterprise. She discusses how her hands-on background in concrete, asphalt, and project management equips her to address Corpus Christi’s toughest challenges, including water infrastructure, city budgeting transparency, and small business support during city construction projects. The conversation covers critical local issues: creating unified solutions for animal control and stray overpopulation, bridging the gap between city council decisions and small business owners, improving leadership collaboration, and self-funding a grassroots political campaign centered on integrity, compassion, and real results. Find Jen Allende votejenallende.com This episode was recorded at Moe’s Texas Style BBQ | 4028 Weber Rd, Corpus Christi, TX | Slow-smoked Texas barbecue, brisket, and homemade banana pudding.  Thanks to Premier Hearing Solutions Of South Texas for making this content possible! premierhrg.com Follow us at corpuschristioriginals.com Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities.

    EP129: Jen Allende | Corpus Christi District 2 Candidate 2026
  2. Sep 22 ·  Video

    EP128: Comedian Dustin Chafin | Touring, Sobriety, & Finding the Funny

    In Episode 128 of the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast, host Jesús Hilario Hernandez sits down with touring stand-up comedian Dustin Chafin ahead of his headlining weekend at the Mesquite Street Comedy Club in downtown Corpus Christi. Dustin opens up about his 18-year sobriety journey, transitioning from cutting his teeth in the New York City comedy scene—sweeping floors and cleaning toilets just to get stage time—to performing on arena tours alongside Nate Bargatze and TJ Miller. They dive deep into the mechanics of comedy: how to build a versatile "comedy toolbox," the split-second art of profiling an audience, navigating clean versus edgy material, and why performing in tough rooms builds a comedian’s "immune system." Dustin also shares stories from his upbringing in Kilgore, Texas, his Choctaw heritage, and learning Spanish in Chile by watching dubbed copies of Star Wars. Catch Dustin Chafin live at Mesquite Street Comedy Club on Friday and Saturday, September 18th & 19th. Watch his Dry Bar Comedy special Cranky Pants and check out his guest appearance on WTF with Marc Maron (Ep. 1659). Find Dustin: dustinchafin.com .. Thanks to Premier Hearing Solutions Of South Texas for making this content possible! 🙏 .. Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities. .. Thanks to Premier Hearing Solutions Of South Texas for making this content possible! premierhrg.com Follow us at corpuschristioriginals.com Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities.

    EP128: Comedian Dustin Chafin | Touring, Sobriety, & Finding the Funny
  3. Jul 15

    EP126: Laura Flores Commons | Corpus Christi City Council District 2 Candidate (2026)

    "City council was never meant to be entertainment. We need people there who just want to put their head down and get the work done." On this episode of The Corpus Christi Originals Podcast, host Jesús Hernandez sits down with District 2 city council candidate Laura Flores Commons. Laura is a lifelong Corpus Christi native and a dedicated community volunteer. In this episode, she discusses what it means to run for public office for the first time after 30 years of local civic service. She shares her perspective on District 2's unique boundary footprint (stretching from shoreline neighborhoods to TAMU-CC) and addresses the city's most critical issues, including long-term water diversification, public safety staffing shortages, and animal care initiatives. Laura also shares the deeply personal story of why she gives back to the Coastal Bend. Following the loss of her husband, the incredible compassion shown by the Corpus Christi community inspired her to step up her civic commitment. Tune in to hear her vision for a collaborative, drama-free city council focused on the real work. Connect with Laura: Website: laurafordistrict2.com Email: LauraForDistrict2@gmail.com Support the Show: Subscribe for weekly episode drops every Wednesday! Visit our network hub for more community storytelling. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast, its sponsors, the recording studio, or any affiliated entities. Chapters (00:00:00) - District 2 on the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast(00:00:58) - Living in District 2(00:02:01) - On the City Council's Ethics Commission(00:04:33) - Water shortage discussion in Corpus Christi(00:08:23) - Community Policing and CCPD(00:10:19) - Commonwealth First Responds on Police Training(00:13:04) - City Council Member on Stray Animals(00:16:41) - Animals in the City(00:18:35) - Democrat for Corpus Christi City Council(00:22:18) - City Council candidate on a more collaborative council(00:25:16) - "Don't Even Go and VOTE!"(00:28:16) - Countdown to the City Council election(00:32:15) - Local perspectives on Parks and Recreation(00:34:30) - Local perspectives on tourism in Corpus Christi(00:38:31) - CORP CHRISTI resident on issues facing the city(00:40:37) - A trade union meeting in the city(00:43:17) - Democrat candidate for District 2 Thanks to Premier Hearing Solutions Of South Texas for making this content possible! premierhrg.com Follow us at corpuschristioriginals.com Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities.

    EP126: Laura Flores Commons | Corpus Christi City Council District 2 Candidate (2026)
  4. Jul 10

    EP125 - Wendell Williams: "I’ll See You When I’m Looking At You"

    "I'll see you when I'm looking at you!" On this episode of The Corpus Christi Originals Podcast, we are coming to you live from The Artisan at 218 N. Chaparral. Host Jesús Hilario Hernandez sits down with born-and-raised local comic and storyteller Wendell Williams (aka Mr. Wendell) for an incredibly candid, laid-back conversation. Wendell drops decades of "old school knowledge," sharing his lived experiences growing up in the historic Hillcrest neighborhood from the 1960s onward. He pulls no punches discussing the environmental impact of local refineries, the city's ongoing water crisis, and navigating the era of Jim Crow and integration. Beyond local history, Wendell shares the powerful story of surviving a life-altering car accident in 2015, which ultimately led him to the comedy stage in 2017. He breaks down his unique "storyteller" approach to stand-up, his famous positive-spin acronyms, and why he chooses to leave the bitterness behind and stay on cruise control. Connect with Wendell: Facebook: Wendell Williams Instagram: @WendellWilliams13 Support the Show: Subscribe for weekly episode drops every Wednesday! Visit our network hub for more community storytelling. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast, its sponsors, the recording studio, or any affiliated entities. Chapters (00:00:00) - Wendell Williams on Hillcrest!(00:03:32) - Hillcrest Residents: You need to move out(00:08:02) - Proposal to Tax the North Padre Island Community(00:12:04) - County resident on the tax issue(00:15:44) - Mary Gaynor on the Mayor's Comments(00:18:14) - Tony Romo on Comedians(00:22:05) - Comedian on Female Comedians(00:23:40) - Wendell Brooks on Clean Comedy(00:26:59) - Entertainer: I'm That N Word With the Heart(00:29:45) - Open Mic: Being Old Can't Help You(00:33:02) - James Madison on Social Media(00:36:57) - Wendell on His Comments on Death Row(00:41:02) - window willsiams 13 Thanks to Premier Hearing Solutions Of South Texas for making this content possible! premierhrg.com Follow us at corpuschristioriginals.com Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities.

    EP125 - Wendell Williams: "I’ll See You When I’m Looking At You"
  5. Jul 1

    EP124: John Hanzalik | Corpus Christi City Council District 5 Candidate (2026)

    In Episode 124 of the Corpus Christi Originals podcast, host Jesús sits down with high school classmate and local business owner John Hanzalik, who is running for Corpus Christi City Council – District 5. John strips away the political theater to discuss the pressing issues facing our community. He breaks down the realities of the Inner Harbor desalination project, clarifies how industry partners actively fund their own water infrastructure, and outlines his vision for managing the massive residential growth on the Southside. Beyond the politics, John shares his journey through Leadership Corpus Christi, his background as an industrial entrepreneur, and why true servant leadership means making hard, transparent decisions. Connect with John Hanzalik's Campaign: Facebook: John Hanzalik for District 5 Email: John4district5@gmail.com Phone (Text Preferred): 361-446-1579 Thanks to Premier Hearing Solutions Of South Texas for making this content possible! Support the Network: Like, comment, and subscribe to keep authentic community stories alive! Head over to CorpusChristiOriginals.com for more local culture, merch, and episodes. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast, its sponsors, the recording studio, or any affiliated entities. Chapters (00:00:00) - Meet John Hanslick(00:00:48) - Paulette Guardo on the Impeachment Case(00:03:04) - Residents speak out about water(00:05:24) - "Raising water prices?"(00:07:22) - Sept. 1st Desalinization vote in Corpus Christi(00:09:57) - Cussing in the Civil Debate(00:10:37) - Democrat for Corpus Christi City Council, District 5(00:12:48) - Jesse Campos on Paid Political Commentators(00:14:30) - Heb Supermarket(00:16:25) - John Smith on His Run for City Council(00:18:22) - Baltimore City Council candidate on infrastructure(00:20:09) - Tom Leyman on Leadership Corpus Christi(00:23:54) - Local politics in Austin(00:26:34) - If you win the seat for District 5, what is the very(00:29:22) - Local comment on the city's plan to own a diesel plant(00:31:39) - Will privatization keep water rates in check?(00:32:00) - John Hanslick on Local Government(00:34:47) - PODCAST: John on Podcasts(00:37:21) - Open Mics in Denver(00:39:08) - Are There Any Famous Comedians From Corpus Christi?(00:41:58) - "That Was A Hell of a Skit!"(00:42:07) - TikTok on Richard Caballero's Comments(00:45:03) - On Political Issues on My Podcast(00:47:46) - Tick Tock and Facebook: How to Get Views on Your(00:50:49) - Dave Ramsey on Canceling Subscriptions(00:53:09) - A Budget for Old People(00:54:37) - Dave Ramsey on His Dave Ramsey Money(00:57:33) - Married Dave Ramsey Guy: Share Everything With My Wife(01:00:09) - Married Millionaire on Being Debt Free(01:02:10) - How Long Has Your Debt Been Paid Off?(01:05:23) - Local residents talk about the city's water crisis(01:06:42) - Dave Ramsey On His Financial Freedom Podcast(01:09:09) - John Hanick for City Council Thanks to Premier Hearing Solutions Of South Texas for making this content possible! premierhrg.com Follow us at corpuschristioriginals.com Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities.

    EP124: John Hanzalik | Corpus Christi City Council District 5 Candidate (2026)
  6. Jun 25

    EP123: Ledswards

    Corpus Christi Originals is back at it again! For Episode 123, we’re posting up at the Ink Plug (4701, Suite 202) to catch up with a true cultural heavyweight: Ledswards. After stepping away from music for two years following a horrific accident where he fell four stories—breaking his back, wrist, and feet—Ledswards is back to reclaim his spot and serenade the city. We dive deep into the pain, the recovery, and the monstrous creativity behind his upcoming 10th independent studio album, Look Mom, It's Raining. Ledswards breaks down why he refuses to write his lyrics down, his creation of a new emotional hip-hop genre he calls "Lossless," and why artists need to stop acting "too cool" to work a 9-to-5 job to fund their dreams. We also get into how he and his brother, D Green of D Green Films, are trying to eliminate the North Side/South Side barriers to unify the Corpus Christi music scene. If you love what we're doing for the culture, hit Subscribe, leave a comment, and share this episode! Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast, its sponsors, the recording studio, or any affiliated entities. Chapters (00:00:00) - Kipling Originals(00:00:15) - Let's Words In The Building(00:00:46) - Look Mom, It's Raining(00:04:15) - "Poems About What I'm Not" by Kendrick Lamar(00:05:03) - D. Green On His Relationship With His Brother(00:06:25) - Dean Green on His 10th Album(00:09:39) - Celebrating Corpus Christi's Culture(00:11:29) - Dask 1 on Sounding Like A Texan Rapper(00:14:56) - The Importance of Self-Realization(00:16:30) - Mom's Rain Album Launch(00:17:24) - CORPUS CHRISTI Originals(00:20:08) - Don't You Think You're Too Cool to Work A 9-(00:22:33) - Virgil on His Fans(00:25:36) - "When You Get Money, Do You Change?(00:27:41) - Rainer on Artists' Longevity(00:30:32) - Artists on AI and The Lossless(00:34:04) - Last Words: A Celebration of Our Community(00:37:26) - Iron Sharpen Iron Shout Out To Mugging(00:39:46) - Expletives: The Culture Needs Our Legends(00:42:50) - Ledsward(00:45:29) - Shout Out to Molly Wap & DJ Dwan Gotti(00:46:17) - Tom Petty Thanks to Premier Hearing Solutions Of South Texas for making this content possible! premierhrg.com Follow us at corpuschristioriginals.com Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities.

    EP123: Ledswards

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Corpus Christi Originals Podcast showcases the stories, talents, and perspectives of Corpus Christi and South Texas. Featuring engaging conversations with local personalities, entrepreneurs, and artists, the podcast explores trending topics, culture, and community. Tune in for a fresh take on what makes Corpus Christi, Texas unique!

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