In the Car with Hou

Sesh Coworking

In The Car with Hou is the Houston podcast where real conversations happen. Host Maggie Segrich takes listeners on an intimate ride through the stories, struggles, and successes of Houston's most compelling voices. From local entrepreneurs to community legends, every episode is an unscripted, long-form interview that feels like riding shotgun with a friend. If you're plugged into Houston culture — or just love authentic storytelling — this is your show. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe, buckle up, and ride with Hou.

  1. 3d ago

    Danny Gavin: How History Shapes Our Business Values

    Most innovative entrepreneurs know that building a successful business often comes at a hidden cost - one you don't see coming until it's too late. In this episode, discover how Danny Gavin, a Houston-based digital marketing maverick, navigates the emotional and mental toll of entrepreneurship, all while embracing the city's dazzling diversity that shaped his journey. You'll hear firsthand how his immigrant roots - from South Africa to Houston - inform his leadership style and his knack for creating inclusive, human-centered teams. We break down the surprising challenge of balancing late-night hustle with family, and what it really takes to foster a business culture that values authenticity over perfection. You'll Discover: How Houston's powerhouse diversity fuels innovative business strategies and community buildingThe unanticipated emotional weight of leading a team of 35-plus families - and why good leadership means knowing when to let goThe lessons made clear from a nearly two-decade career in digital marketing, from coding websites in the 90s to mastering HubSpotWhy failure is just a lesson, not a life sentence, especially when you accidentally email six thousand contacts - and how you turn chaos into opportunityThis episode isn't just about business; it's about redefining what success looks like amid the complexities of family, race, identity, and navigating a city of diverse microcosms. Perfect for the disruptor in you - whether you're starting up, scaling, or just need some real talk about the cost of making your mark. Ready to see how Houston's unique energy shapes legendary resilience? Hit play and get inspired to build your own disruptive story. Danny Gavin is the founder of Optidge, a Houston-based full-service digital marketing agency, known for their innovative approach to community, inclusion, and emotionally intelligent leadership.

  2. 6d ago

    Carly Jackson: Your Energy is Not a Public Utility

    Carly Jackson and Maggie talk about how individuals often project their issues onto others and the significance of maintaining one's energy and perspective in challenging interactions. On this In the car with Hou episode we explore personal growth through healing with Reiki, and the interconnectedness of not just the body but the spirit too. Join us as we touch on the importance of self-awareness, setting and maintaining boundaries, and the transformative power relationships have in helping us navigate life. Takeaways Healing through ReikiImportance of self-awareness Boundaries are essential for well-beingSelf-awareness fosters emotional resilience Embrace unexpected connectionsPractice gratitude daily Chapters 00:00 The Journey to Healing01:49 Divine Intervention and Purpose03:35 Discovering Reiki05:56 Psychology Meets Reiki09:47 Understanding Energy and Emotions12:13 Processing Emotions for Growth13:30 Relationships as Teachers19:30 Empowerment and Boundaries22:07 Navigating Energy Dynamics22:07 Setting Boundaries and Self-Reflection23:50 Navigating Challenging Interactions26:08 Energy Protection and Personal Well-Being29:28 The Importance of Connection and Intuition30:07 Understanding Emotions and Inner Voices36:08 Transforming Struggles into Gifts40:03 Creating a Better World Through Healing41:19 Unexpected Connections44:00 The Power of Presence46:29 Life's Detours and Alignments51:15 The Importance of Small Changes54:08 Gratitude as a Transformative Tool57:02 Energy and Connection

  3. Oct 13

    Emily Cisek: A legacy lesson that changed how this founder parents and leads

    What happens when a founder loses three family members, becomes a mom, and realizes the next chapter of success has to be about more than growth? Emily Cisek opens up about the legacy she is building at Paige, why presence matters more than constant hustle, and how life-changing loss reshaped the way she leads, parents, and makes decisions. Emily and Maggie get candid about the real work behind entrepreneurship and motherhood - from rebuilding a business team that actually fits, to unlearning black-and-white thinking, to finding the courage to trust seasons, transitions, and the gray areas most people avoid. If you have ever felt stuck, overextended, or like you are living in the next thing instead of the now, this conversation will hit home.You'll discover: Why Emily left upstate New York for Houston with no job and no planHow early startup experience at Houston Technology Center and Bounce Energy shaped her as a founderThe three legacy principles she wants to pass down to her daughterWhy questioning your perception can change everythingHow moving cities, changing environments, and getting uncomfortable can reveal the truth about yourselfWhat Reiki, sound baths, and intentional stillness are teaching her about focus and clarityWhy Paige is entering a new phase with the right team, a stronger product vision, and more impactMaggie also shares her own lessons about growth mindset, motherhood, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who sharpen your light instead of dimming it. Together, they explore how to stay present without losing ambition, and why your environment, habits, and inner voice shape far more of your life than you think.This episode is for founders, moms, and anyone standing at the edge of a big life transition and wondering who they are now. Honest, reflective, and surprisingly energizing, this one will leave you thinking differently about legacy, leadership, and what it means to build a life that actually feels like yours. Also mentioned: Emily's TedX TalkDan Potter: In the Car with Hou

  4. Sep 29

    Dan Potter: How One Survey Revealed We Agree More Than Politics Wants Us To

    What if the real reason we’re so divided is not that we disagree, but that we wildly misread each other? Dan Potter, a survey researcher at the Kinder Institute, breaks down the hidden gap between what we think other people believe and what they actually believe - and why that gap shapes everything from politics to everyday conflict.Maggie Segrich sits down with Dan for a conversation that starts with thrift stores, old cars, and Houston traffic, then opens into a bigger question: how do we stay connected in a world designed to keep us distracted? From the way our phones hijack our attention to the way third spaces have disappeared, Dan makes the case that modern loneliness is not just a mood - it’s a social problem with real consequences. You'll discover: Why people are often far more aligned on hot-button issues than they assumeThe survey finding that turned Dan’s assumptions upside downHow social connectedness changes the way we see politics, identity, and disagreementWhy in-person relationships can soften even deeply held beliefs over timeWhat Houston driving, boredom, and device addiction reveal about modern lifeMaggie also shares how an eight-month house fire, a TV-free stretch, and a Reiki practice pushed her into a more self-aware, less distracted way of living. That leads to a deeper exploration of energy, presence, and why being comfortable with yourself may be the foundation for being comfortable with other people.If you’ve ever wondered why conversations online feel so hostile, why everyone seems more extreme than they are, or how to build a more human life in a tech-saturated world, this episode gives you a thoughtful, surprising roadmap. Essential listening if you care about community, self-awareness, and why real connection still changes everything.

  5. Aug 12

    Nigel Ashford: Rest Is Part of the Work - Why Overstress Can Break High Achievers

    Houston, healing, and a hard truth: rest is not a reward, it’s part of the work. Nigel Ashford, from Mingle & Muse, opens up to Maggie about the breaking point that sent him to the ER, the pressure that pushed his body close to stroke-level blood pressure, and the lessons he’s learning after illness, burnout, and a major life reset. Together, Maggie and Nigel unpack what it really means to protect your peace, why being “strong” is not the same as being fine, and how therapy, boundaries, and emotional honesty can change the way you show up in work, family, and love. You’ll discover: Why burnout can hit even when life looks successful from the outsideHow to rebuild your mornings with practical rest rituals, from moving your phone to the bathroom to using a gentle sunrise alarmWhat recovery teaches you about choosing seclusion, journaling, and listening to your bodyHow therapists help process what’s underneath the surfaceWhy so many people struggle to name what they feel, and how an emotion wheel can helpThe difference between blood family and chosen family, and why expectations can quietly damage relationships Maggie & Nigel share the personal side of partnership, parenthood, and navigating a complicated relationship with parents. Both bring their own perspectives on emotional support, boundaries, and the importance of safe, calm connection in a relationship, creating a conversation that feels both deeply honest and unexpectedly practical. If you’ve been overextending yourself, questioning your direction, or wondering how to rebuild your life without losing yourself in the process, this episode will feel like a mirror. Essential listening if you’re learning how to rest without guilt, communicate more clearly, and make peace with who you’re becoming. Age of Aquarious: https://www.costarastrology.com/zodiac-signs/aquarius-signMingle & Muse: https://voyagehouston.com/interview/daily-inspiration-meet-nigel-ashford-london-lawrence/Types of Rest: https://www.apa.org/topics/mental-health/seven-rest-typesSocial: https://www.instagram.com/mingle.and.muse/

    Nigel Ashford: Rest Is Part of the Work - Why Overstress Can Break High Achievers

About

In The Car with Hou is the Houston podcast where real conversations happen. Host Maggie Segrich takes listeners on an intimate ride through the stories, struggles, and successes of Houston's most compelling voices. From local entrepreneurs to community legends, every episode is an unscripted, long-form interview that feels like riding shotgun with a friend. If you're plugged into Houston culture — or just love authentic storytelling — this is your show. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe, buckle up, and ride with Hou.