HBJ On The Record

Houston Business Journal
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Business

Get exclusive access to the biggest conversations impacting the Houston business community with HBJ On the Record. Join Houston Business Journal Editor-In-Chief Sean McCrory, the HBJ newsroom and special guests as they cover the topics most critical to every business leader in and around the Bayou City. Episodes release biweekly. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

  1. 2d ago

    Women Who Mean Business & Houston Energy in Focus

    This week on HBJ On the Record, Managing Editor Erica Ponder takes you inside the Houston Business Journal newsroom for a reporter's roundtable on the stories shaping Houston business. Publisher Traci Peltier and Assistant Managing Editor Julie Garcia join the conversation to preview the upcoming Women Who Mean Business awards — one of HBJ's signature events of the year. With 76 honorees across energy, finance, healthcare, hospitality, law, and nonprofit sectors, and Lifetime Achievement honoree Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher of Houston City College, the team discusses what it takes to earn a nomination, how the event has grown, and why celebrating women in leadership matters now more than ever. Julie also walks through open nominations for 40 Under 40, CFO Awards, Most Admired CEO, and Community Leadership Awards. Then, Energy Reporter Naomi Klinge breaks down the biggest stories on her beat: the Strait of Hormuz closure and its ripple effects on diesel prices, major CEO retirements at ConocoPhillips, Occidental, and Enterprise Products Partners, and the ERCOT data center audit that's putting Texas energy permitting on hold. She also shares a standout moment — interviewing the all-female legal team behind the $26 billion Constellation–Calpine acquisition. The team wraps with a look at upcoming cover stories, including a deep dive into Houston's growing luxury condo market and the Women Who Mean Business special section. This podcast is presented by Withum, a top 20 advisory, tax, and audit firm, and supported by Douglas Elliman, Spring Branch Management District, and Right Choice Construction. 🔗 Links & Resources 📰 Subscribe to HBJ (print + digital): https://www.houstonbusinessjournal.com🏆 Women Who Mean Business Event — October 15th: https://www.houstonbusinessjournal.com/events📋 Open Nominations — 40 Under 40, CFO Awards, Most Admired CEO, Community Leadership Awards: https://www.houstonbusinessjournal.com/nominations📧 Contact Laura Mudd (Douglas Elliman): laura.mudd@elliman.com 🏢 Sponsors This podcast is presented by Withum — a top 20 advisory, tax, and audit firm. https://www.withum.com Supported by Douglas Elliman — https://www.elliman.com Supported by Spring Branch Management District — https://www.springbranchmanagement.com Supported by Right Choice Construction - https://rightchoiceconstruction.com/

  2. Oct 1

    Dr. David Callender, President & CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System

    Houston's healthcare economy is being reshaped by public health threats, workforce shortages, rising costs, and a race to follow patients into fast-growing suburbs. In this episode of HBJ On the Record, host Sean McCory sits down with Dr. David Callender, president and CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System — one of the largest not-for-profit health systems in Texas — to discuss the decisions impacting health outcomes and competitiveness across Greater Houston. Dr. Callender breaks down how Memorial Hermann is working to rebuild public trust in healthcare after COVID, combat falling vaccination rates and outbreaks like measles and cyclospora, and shift more care from hospital beds to outpatient and at-home settings. He also unpacks the healthcare "quintuple aim," why health equity is a cost issue — not just a moral one — and how Memorial Hermann is partnering directly with employers to bring down the 9–10% annual increases in health benefit costs. Plus, the innovative Heal High School career technical education model aimed at solving the looming healthcare workforce shortage, and how the system decides where to expand next as Houston's suburbs boom. 🎙️ About the Show HBJ On the Record is the Houston Business Journal's podcast featuring candid conversations with Houston's top business leaders and experts on the issues that matter most to you and your business. New episodes drop regularly — subscribe so you never miss one. Presented by Withum — a top 20 advisory, tax, and audit firm. Supported by Douglas Elliman and Spring Branch Management District. Subscribe & Listen Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. We welcome your feedback — let us know what you think in the comments. Guests & Host Host: Sean McCory, Houston Business Journal Guest: Dr. David Callender, President & CEO, Memorial Hermann Health System Reporter: Jishnu Nair, Houston Business Journal

  3. Sep 17

    Houston's Hidden Growth Bottleneck: Can Water & Power Infrastructure Keep Up?

    Houston is booming — but is its infrastructure ready for what's next? In this episode of HBJ On the Record, host Sean McCrory and HBJ reporter Naomi Klinge sit down with Paula Fitzpatrick, Texas and Louisiana Region Executive at WSP, to unpack the aging systems that could throttle the region's next wave of growth. Topics covered: Whether Houston is truly built for the next 20 years of growthThe strain on the power grid post-Winter Storm Uri and how utilities are adaptingHouston's aging, leak-prone water infrastructure and what it will take to fix itLessons from Corpus Christi's desalination strugglesData centers, permitting, and the state's response to explosive demandWhy early, honest community engagement is critical to responsible growthInnovative solutions: microgrids, produced water reuse, and desalination This episode is presented by Withum, a top 20 advisory, tax, and audit firm, with support from Douglas Elliman and Spring Branch Management District. Subscribe so you never miss an episode of HBJ On the Record — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.

  4. Sep 3

    Houston's Luxury Housing Market Shift

    Houston's luxury real estate market has flipped into buyer's-market territory — but is that actually good news for sellers? In this episode of HBJ On The Record, host Sean McCrory sits down with Compass Real Estate Managing Director Seita Jongenbloed and HBJ reporter Jeff Jeffrey to break down what's really happening in Houston's high-end housing market. Seita shares why months of inventory for homes above $1 million has climbed to 6.9 months, how Compass has captured over 15% of the luxury market share, and what the Anywhere acquisition (Sotheby's, Coldwell Banker, Corcoran, and more) means for the brand going forward. She also digs into phased marketing strategies, the risks of relying on Zillow's Zestimate, the booming ultra-luxury condo market (including the 34-story Birdsall tower), and her candid take on whether AI will ever replace real estate agents. Topics covered: Current state of Houston's luxury real estate market Why "months of inventory" is the number to watch How Compass built and maintains its market-leading position The impact of the Anywhere brand acquisition Phased marketing and the "moment of demand" Why Zillow's Zestimate can mislead sellers The rise of ultra-luxury condos in Houston Advice for buyers in today's market Can AI replace a real estate agent? Presented by Withum, a top 20 advisory, tax, and audit firm. Supported by Spring Branch Management District. Subscribe to HBJ On The Record for more candid conversations with Houston's top business leaders. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. Want more from the Houston Business Journal—click here to subscribe and never miss the latest news, insights, and events. Link: https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/subscribe?csrc=6315

  5. Aug 20

    Charlie Meyer of Lovett Industrial on Houston's Industrial Growth

    Charlie Meyer, co-founder and president of Lovett Industrial, sits down with HBJ's Sean McRory and Florian Martin to discuss launching a company right as COVID hit, riding the e-commerce-driven construction boom, and navigating the slowdown that followed. Charlie explains Lovett's approach to balancing large build-to-suit projects with smaller infill developments, how relationships and calculated risk-taking set the company apart, and why Houston continues to lead the nation in industrial absorption. The conversation closes with a look at what's fueling Houston's long-term advantage — from the Mexico trade shift to clean-energy manufacturing — and what could get in the way. Presented by Withum, supported by Spring Branch Management District and Douglas Elliman.

  6. Aug 6

    Houston's Immigration Crisis: What Business Leaders Can't Ignore

    Immigration isn't just a political debate — it's a Houston business crisis hiding in plain sight. In this episode of HBJ On the Record, host Sean McCrory sits down with Charles Foster, chairman of Foster LLP and one of the nation's leading immigration attorneys, alongside HBJ reporter Jeff Jeffrey to break down how federal immigration policy is hitting Houston employers right now. From construction and restaurants to the Texas Medical Center and university research, Charles explains the real workforce math behind mass deportation, the chilling effect of H-1B restrictions, and why Congress has repeatedly failed to pass meaningful reform. He also lays out what business leaders can — and should — do about it. Topics covered: Why immigration is a Houston business issue, not just a political one Mass deportation's economic and humanitarian impact Legal immigration slowdowns: H-1B fees, DACA backlogs, TPS cancellations Why Congress can't pass reform (and who keeps blocking it) Practical steps Houston business leaders can take today. HBJ On the Record is presented by Withum, supported by Douglas Elliman and Spring Branch Management District. Want more from the Houston Business Journal—click here to subscribe and never miss the latest news, insights, and events. Link: https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/subscribe?csrc=6315

  7. Jul 23

    Dan Rollins of Huntington Bank on Their Texas Expansion Strategy

    Dan Rollins, vice chairman of the board of directors at Huntington Bank, joins HBJ On the Record to talk about one of the most significant banking moves in Houston's recent history. After completing the acquisitions of both Cadence Bank and Veritex Community Bank in under five months, Huntington — now the 10th largest bank in the nation and the 5th largest in Houston — is making a clear statement about its commitment to Texas. HBJ's Sean McElroy and Chandler France sit down with Dan to discuss: What makes Huntington's model different from other national banks Why size and scale matter more than ever in regional banking How the Cadence and Veritex integrations were completed so quickly Huntington's branch expansion strategy across Houston and Texas. The verticals driving growth: energy, healthcare, SBA lending, and auto What being the first bank listed on Nasdaq Texas really signals Plus: A bonus Executive Insights segment featuring Melissa Webb, President of Brokerage for Douglas Elliman Texas, on the luxury real estate market and what the state's economic boom means for buyers and sellers. HBJ On the Record is presented by Withum. Want more from the Houston Business Journal—click here to subscribe and never miss the latest news, insights, and events. Link: https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/subscribe?csrc=6315

  8. Jul 9

    How a 186-Year-Old Law Firm Is Leading Houston's AI Revolution w Danny David of Baker Botts LLP

    Danny David, Global Managing Partner of Baker Botts LLP, joins host Sean McCrory to discuss the firm's 186-year legacy, Houston's trajectory as a global business hub, and how AI is transforming legal strategy, client expectations, and deal-making. From M&A trends to the future of the legal profession, this conversation is a must-listen for Houston business leaders navigating a rapidly changing landscape.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Get exclusive access to the biggest conversations impacting the Houston business community with HBJ On the Record. Join Houston Business Journal Editor-In-Chief Sean McCrory, the HBJ newsroom and special guests as they cover the topics most critical to every business leader in and around the Bayou City. Episodes release biweekly. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Information

  • Creator
    Houston Business Journal
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Houston Business Journal
  • Show Website
    HBJ On The Record

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