817 Podcast - Fort Worth's Monday Morning Show

Fort Worth's Monday Morning Show
  • 4.1 (56)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Fort Worth Weekly Critic's Choice Podcast of the Year"Fort Worth's Monday morning meeting." - Bud KennedyDo you love Fort Worth and care about what goes on in our amazing city? Well, welcome to the 817 Podcast, a weekly Monday morning show hosted by two Fort Worthians who banter and dissect the biggest stories in local culture, politics, and business. EJ Carrion is a local entrepreneur, and Ann Zadeh is a former city council member.Ann and EJ  will host a diverse guest list of local leaders that drive Fort Worth’s future. We believe Fort Worth can be a nationally known destination for innovation, creativity, and economic opportunity. However, the climate in the city today is polarizing between an evolving community that deals with historic Cowtown roots and a wave of progressive newcomers. What we do today and in the next decade is crucial to the future of the Funk. How we respond to political friction, wealth inequality, and social injustice in our communities can make or break our national reputation. Join us weekly as we do our part to prevent either from happening. Do you have a story you want us to highlight? DM us @817pod on Instagram or email us at 817podcast@gmail.com.

  1. 1D AGO

    Abolishing ICE in Tarrant County with Blake Vera and Ayesha Hassan

    We sat down with Blake Vera and Ayesha Hassan to discuss the movement to abolish ICE cooperation in Tarrant County and what it could mean for local communities. We also dive into FWISD’s new superintendent and board of managers, political narratives shaping Tarrant County, and how the Fort Worth Way is influencing the city’s future. Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

    1h 30m

  2. MAR 23

    Why Tarrant County Sends the Most Youth to State Prison with Attorney Brian Willett

    This week we give you a deep dive into Brian Willett and the Tarrant Juvenile Court, controversy over data center donations, fallout from César Chávez’s legacy, and backlash to a Texas Rangers statue - along with progress on the Trinity Railway Express’ $43.5M double-track project and a recap of FWAAM fest.  BIG STORY: Brian Willett & Tarrant Juvenile Court https://www.brianwillettlaw.com/ https://www.instagram.com/brianwillettlaw/ https://www.tiktok.com/@attorneybrianwillett?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc SHORT STORY 1: City Council’s Data Center Donations https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article315075197.html https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/article315081893.html SHORT STORY 2: Reactions to César Chávez’s destroyed legacy https://fortworthreport.org/2026/03/19/cesar-chavezs-name-removed-across-fort-worth-following-sex-abuse-allegations/ https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article315091478.html https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article315112577.html https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article315117419.html SHORT STORY 3: Texas Rangers’ Racist Statue https://www.readeyeblack.com/p/reviving-the-racist-history-of-the-texas-rangers-was-a-team-effort https://www.dmagazine.com/sports/2026/03/rangers-statue-davis-texas/ WINS:  FWAAMFest https://fortworthreport.org/2026/03/19/trinity-railway-express-43-5m-double-track-project-moves-forward-with-new-contracts/ https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article315046343.html LOSSES:  https://fortworthreport.org/2026/03/19/oil-leak-closed-birders-beloved-drying-beds-fort-worth-to-sue-for-millions-in-damages/ https://www.keranews.org/texas-news/2026-03-18/texas-enforce-drag-ban-ongoing-lawsuit-aclu ACTIONS: March 26 - Beyond the Fort Worth Way! March 28 - No Kings March 31 - Data Center vote April 1 - Gather at the Table (District 4) May 2 - Fort Worth Bond & Charter Election Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

    1h 17m

  3. MAR 16

    The Prairieland Defendants: Beyond the Verdict and What Should this Trial mean to you

    This week we discuss the Prairieland trial verdict and what it could mean for activism and criminal charges tied to demonstrations. We also cover the delayed Fort Worth data center vote, the city’s hiring freeze, and key updates from Commissioners Court. Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

    1h 16m

  4. MAR 10

    Into The Election Numbers With Chris Tackett At See It Name It Fight

    This week we spoke with Chris Tackett from See It Name It Fight It to break down the data around primary voting in Tarrant County, how that compared to Texas, and past elections, and what that means for the future of our county & state in the coming November midterm election. Read "The March Signal" by Chris Tackett. Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

    41 min

  5. MAR 9

    Primary Election Results, Karen Molinar, and Data Centers: Shifting Power in Tarrant County.

    SHORT STORY 1: Election Results Breakdown Party leaders forecast energetic election season in Tarrant County heading out of primaries SHORT STORY 2: Karen Molinar replaced as FWISD Superintendent As Superintendent Karen Molinar exits takeover, Texas signals a hard reset for Fort Worth ISD Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Karen Molinar ousted amid TEA takeover Fort Worth ISD community calls again for immigration policy to protect students SHORT STORY 3: Data Centers Tax breaks considered for waterless data center in far west Fort Worth WINS:  Give me an F: Fort Worth’s 10-foot public art gateway project installed after 20-year wait Rose-colored Latino-themed bus route announced for south Fort Worth / Visit Fort Worth celebrates convention center’s flying saucer, outgoing leader ‘Transformative’ $1.7B Westside Village mixed-use project officially breaks ground Land around Farrington Field for sale as FWISD seeks $250M mixed-use project LOSSES:  Manny Ramirez: Lower the Temperature in Politics and Return to Results Banning Islam, deporting Muslims discussed at Fort Worth church after primary elections ACTIONS: March 9 - Fort Worth Report votes to unionize (Sign the letter) March 10 - Data center vote at Fort Worth City Council (Sign the letter) March 15 - 817 Gather at 10am (Join us) March 21 - FWAAMFEST (Get tickets) March 31 - Waterless Data Center vote Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

    59 min

  6. MAR 3

    How the Fort Worth Way Impacts Culture with Brandi Waller-Pace

    Brandi Waller-Pace is the founder of Decolonizing the Music Room and the Fort Worth African-American Roots Music Festival which will be in its 6th year on March 21st. For more information, visit fwaamfest.com. Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

    1h 1m

  7. MAR 2

    Union Busting, Shadow PACs, and ICE Protestors on Trial: Speaking Truth to Power.

    SHORT STORY 1: Union busting at Fort Worth Report Fort Worth Reporter's Guild response to union busting SHORT STORY 2: PACs funding Republican precinct chairs Newly formed Tarrant shadow PACs turbocharge hyperlocal GOP precinct chair races SHORT STORY 3: Prairieland Defendant updates Alvarado ICE facility ambush trial: Jurors view evidence, deputy body camera footageSurveillance video and cell phone evidence, day three of ICE Prairieland shooting trial continues WINS:  Arts Forward Long-awaited Palo Pinto Mountains State Park opens Panther Island gets taxing district to pay for improvements, services Construction for $63M Historic Southside urban village could start in summer North Texas Community Foundation Awards $250K to Historic North Side Main Street Pilot FWISD votes no to school prayer period Black Women Lawyers Association honors Mary Ellen Hicks Mosier Valley Park transformation will commemorate one of Texas’ first all-Black communities LOSSES:  Oversight of Tarrant County purchasing questioned as lead role shifts Digital checkouts at Fort Worth Public Library exceed those of physical materials for first time ACTIONS: Tarrant County seeks 200 more election clerks to staff March 3 primary polls TXDOT Master Plan Survey March 3 - Election day for Primaries March 4 - 817 Gather at the Table March 10 - Data center vote at Fort Worth City Council March 15 - 817 Gather (Join us) March 21 - FWAAMFEST (Get tickets) Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

    42 min

  8. FEB 23

    Live from the Tarrant County Democratic Party Fundraiser with Salman Bhojani & Ramon Romero Jr.

    For our very first live episode, we recorded at the VIP party for Tarrant County Democratic Party's annual fundraiser, Beyond Darkness. We spoke with Texas State Representatives Salman Bhojani & Ramon Romero Jr about harnessing the power of diverse communities to build a progressive future. Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

    47 min
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4.1
out of 5
56 Ratings

About

Fort Worth Weekly Critic's Choice Podcast of the Year"Fort Worth's Monday morning meeting." - Bud KennedyDo you love Fort Worth and care about what goes on in our amazing city? Well, welcome to the 817 Podcast, a weekly Monday morning show hosted by two Fort Worthians who banter and dissect the biggest stories in local culture, politics, and business. EJ Carrion is a local entrepreneur, and Ann Zadeh is a former city council member.Ann and EJ  will host a diverse guest list of local leaders that drive Fort Worth’s future. We believe Fort Worth can be a nationally known destination for innovation, creativity, and economic opportunity. However, the climate in the city today is polarizing between an evolving community that deals with historic Cowtown roots and a wave of progressive newcomers. What we do today and in the next decade is crucial to the future of the Funk. How we respond to political friction, wealth inequality, and social injustice in our communities can make or break our national reputation. Join us weekly as we do our part to prevent either from happening. Do you have a story you want us to highlight? DM us @817pod on Instagram or email us at 817podcast@gmail.com.

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