The Think Brazos Podcast

Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity

”Think local. Think Brazos!” The Think Brazos Podcast hosts conversations with locals, politicians, and experts to discuss policies that impact housing affordability, economic opportunity, and financial resiliency for families in Brazos County. Disclosure and disclaimer: The purpose of the Think Brazos Podcast is to present to the public a deeper sense of who the candidates are who hope to lead this community and to create a space for them to present their ideas, especially about housing and affordability. However, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Bryan-College Station Habitat for Humanity (which created and sponsors Think Brazos) does not and cannot endorse any particular candidate or political party. The open dialogue we create by doing our utmost to speak to every candidate for a particular political race we decide to cover should in no way be construed as an endorsement of the candidate or his/her political party. Further, the ideas and opinions expressed by the candidates we interview are purely their own and not necessarily those of Habitat for Humanity. Housing affordability is an important issue, so we thank you for following the Think Brazos Podcast. Executive Producer - Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity, Inc. Producers - Charles and Whitney Coats Host - Charles Coats Videographer and Sound Engineer - Mario Treviño

  1. Sep 4

    87. Paul Torres on running for re-election to the Bryan City Council | Think Brazos Podcast

    Paul Torres, Bryan City Council District 1 representative and candidate for re-election, joins Charles Coats on the Think Brazos Podcast to discuss neighborhood infrastructure, housing affordability, and the decisions facing the City of Bryan. Torres discusses infrastructure improvements in District 1, his experience serving on city boards and commissions, and his approach to working with residents and city staff. He also shares his views on housing options, including smaller residential lots, mixed-use residential development, and mobile homes as a potential stepping stone to affordable homeownership. The conversation also explores economic development decisions, the challenges of balancing neighborhood needs, and Torres's reasons for seeking another term on the Bryan City Council. In this episode: Infrastructure, road conditions, drainage, and neighborhood improvements Affordable housing, RD-5 and RD-7 lots, and neighborhood balance Mobile homes and pathways to homeownership Mixed-use residential development Economic development and decision-making in Bryan Torres's experience and priorities for a potential second term About Think Brazos Think Brazos is a local, nonpartisan civic-media project focused on the policies and decisions shaping Bryan, College Station, and Brazos County. We host conversations with local leaders, candidates, and policy experts to help residents better understand the issues affecting their communities. Think Brazos is a project of Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and Think Brazos does not make political endorsements. Learn more: ⁠https://thinkbrazos.org/

  2. 1d ago

    86. Chris Scotti on running for Bryan City Council | Think Brazos Podcast

    In this episode of the Think Brazos Podcast, Charles Coats talks with Chris Scotti, a candidate for Bryan City Council, about housing affordability, neighborhood investment, economic development, and how the city can plan for future growth. Scotti discusses his background in economic development and previous City Council experience, along with his views on expanding housing options, supporting working families, and balancing new development with the needs of existing neighborhoods. Topics covered include: Housing affordability and the need for a diversity of housing options Smaller lots, duplexes, fourplexes, and attainable housing Economic growth, wages, and keeping housing accessible to the local workforce Neighborhood investment and concerns about displacement Mobile homes, accessory dwelling units, and redevelopment How city processes and planning decisions affect housing costs Scotti's approach to research, preparation, and serving on City Council About Think Brazos Think Brazos is a local, nonpartisan civic-media project focused on the policies and decisions shaping Bryan, College Station, and Brazos County. We host conversations with local leaders, candidates, and policy experts to help residents better understand the issues affecting their communities. Think Brazos is a project of Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and Think Brazos does not make political endorsements. Learn more: https://thinkbrazos.org/ Think local. Think Brazos!

  3. 3d ago

    85. Elizabeth Cunha on Running for College Station Mayor: Housing Affordability, Impact Fees, TeraFab, and City Policy | Think Brazos

    On the Think Brazos Podcast, host Charles Coats interviews Elizabeth Cunha, a former two-term College Station city council member running for mayor in 2026. Cunha discusses her 22 years working for College Station ISD, her experience on city council, and why she is running for mayor. She explains how her positions on taxes and impact fees differ from her opponent’s, including her support for suspending impact fees on starter-level homes as an incentive for builders. She also discusses the potential regional effects of the TeraFab semiconductor project, collaboration among local governments, and the Harvey District redevelopment and concerns about displacement. The conversation includes a discussion of College Station’s experience with Habitat for Humanity and the Renee Street project, the city’s down payment assistance program, and ideas for expanding housing options through home-sharing programs. Cunha also addresses public transit, utility costs, homestead exemptions, short-term rentals, and affordable housing. 01:14 City Council Experience and Why She's Running04:01 What Sets the Candidates Apart?06:34 Impact Fees and Starter Homes08:03 What Can a Mayor Accomplish?09:49 Working With City Council11:02 TeraFab and Regional Growth14:11 Working With the City Manager15:30 Harvey District Redevelopment and Displacement19:12 Habitat for Humanity and the Renee Street Project22:24 Down Payment Assistance and Homeownership25:20 Home-Sharing as a Housing Option27:25 Transit, Utilities, Homestead Exemptions, and Airbnb28:52 How to Connect and Closing NO ENDORSEMENTS. JUST PODCASTS. Think Brazos is a nonpartisan civic-media project produced by Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. We do not endorse candidates or political parties. Our goal is to help Brazos Valley residents better understand the people, policies, and decisions shaping their communities. Full disclaimer: https://thinkbrazos.org/about/#disclaimer Think Brazos website: https://thinkbrazos.org/ 2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide: https://thinkbrazos.org/2026-brazos-valley-candidate-guide/ Candidate interviews: https://thinkbrazos.org/candidate-interviews/ Think Brazos YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thinkbrazos

  4. 3d ago

    84. Bob Yancy on Running for College Station Mayor: Housing Costs, TeraFab Impacts, and City Decision-Making | Think Brazos

    On the Think Brazos Podcast, host Charles Coats interviews Bob Yancy, a two-term College Station city council member running for mayor in 2026. Yancy shares his background—Air Force service, earning a political science degree from Texas A&M as a non-traditional student, building homes, and starting a business—and says he is running to help restore prosperity through a diversified job base and affordable housing. He discusses his prior run for state representative in 2010, his view that council needs stronger decision-making and public trust, and the potential regional impacts of the TeraFab semiconductor project, noting it was not mentioned in the city’s recent budget. Yancy also addresses Harvey Road corridor redevelopment, displacement concerns, municipal fees and regulations affecting housing costs, Habitat for Humanity’s role, and priorities including housing, jobs, taxes, and growth. 01:22 Meet Bob Yancy 01:58 Air Force to Aggieland 03:23 Why He’s Running 03:47 Council Terms and Elections 04:23 Past Campaign Experience 05:04 What Sets Him Apart 06:44 Mayor vs Council Role 08:40 TeraFab Mega Project 12:40 Harvey Road Redevelopment 15:06 Regulations Driving Housing Costs 17:23 Habitat for Humanity and Land 20:35 Next Decade Priorities 22:26 Zoning and Density Debate 26:17 Working With Builders 27:13 How to Connect and Closing NO ENDORSEMENTS. JUST PODCASTS. Think Brazos is a nonpartisan civic-media project produced by Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity, a 501c3 charitable organization. We do not endorse candidates or political parties. Our goal is to help Brazos Valley residents better understand the people, policies, and decisions shaping their communities. Full disclaimer: https://thinkbrazos.org/about/#disclaimer - Think Brazos website: https://thinkbrazos.org/ - 2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide: https://thinkbrazos.org/2026-brazos-valley-candidate-guide/ - Candidate interviews: https://thinkbrazos.org/candidate-interviews/ - Think Brazos YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thinkbrazos

  5. 5d ago

    83. Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez Candidate Interview | Think Brazos Podcast

    On the Think Brazos Podcast, City of Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez discusses his background in Bryan, business, and long-term civic involvement, and explains why he is running again for mayor. He emphasizes economic development aimed at attracting high-paying jobs tied to projects and institutes connected to RELLIS, and says major challenges over the next decade include growth, infrastructure, and transportation, including impacts from TerraFab and logistics. Gutierrez describes Bryan’s approach to fiscal management, citing a long-running effort to keep taxes from rising, avoid certain fees, and maintain a strong credit rating. On housing costs, he argues land prices and drainage constraints limit supply, opposes large subsidies, and discusses incentives such as smaller lots, higher density in new developments, and scalable starter homes that can be expanded over time, while cautioning against reshaping established neighborhoods. 00:23 Podcast Intro and Guest 01:12 Mayor Background and Roots 02:23 Bryan Growth and Vision 04:13 Leadership Lessons Words Matter 05:57 Experience Versus Opponent 07:58 Fiscal Responsibility and Taxes 10:32 Defining Affordable Housing 11:50 Expandable Starter Homes 13:17 Zoning Flexibility and Density 15:38 Housing Mix Debate 17:10 Zoning Overlays Northgate 18:02 Balancing Two Cities 19:42 Wages Jobs Affordability 20:45 Land Limits TerraFab 22:13 Floodplains Drive Costs 24:12 Top Issues Next Decade 25:14 RELLIS Semiconductors Nuclear 27:49 Build Outside County 29:24 Campaign Info Wrap Up 30:41 Election Dates Closing NO ENDORSEMENTS. JUST PODCASTS. Think Brazos is a nonpartisan civic-media project produced by Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity, a 501c3 charitable organization. We do not endorse candidates or political parties. Our goal is to help Brazos Valley residents better understand the people, policies, and decisions shaping their communities. Full disclaimer: https://thinkbrazos.org/about/#disclaimer - Think Brazos website: https://thinkbrazos.org/ - 2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide: https://thinkbrazos.org/2026-brazos-valley-candidate-guide/ - Candidate interviews: https://thinkbrazos.org/candidate-interviews/ - Think Brazos YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thinkbrazos

  6. 5d ago

    82. Rafael Pena - 2026 Candidate for Mayor of Bryan, Texas

    In this Think Brazos Podcast interview, Rafael Peña, a former Bryan City Council District 2 member and candidate for mayor of the City of Bryan, discusses his background and why he’s running, emphasizing what he describes as better governance, accountability, and clearer communication at City Hall. Peña criticizes the Texas Avenue medians project, the city’s $2 million loan tied to the Midtown Schulman movie theater project, and the city’s communication around an H‑E‑B-related economic development effort, which he says is not moving forward. He identifies housing affordability as Bryan’s top issue and proposes adjusting the city’s builder incentive program to include smaller “starter homes,” using CDBG funds for down payment assistance and incentives, and exploring federal funds to help clear clouded property titles on vacant lots. He also addresses preparing for the TerraFab project’s growth impacts, supporting neighborhood integrity while seeking housing solutions, improving staff retention through competitive pay, and changing city council meeting practices to increase public participation. 00:31 Podcast Intro 01:07 Meet Rafael Pena 02:22 Governance Accountability Examples 05:02 Cost of Living and BTU Rates 06:34 Starter Homes Incentives 09:23 Housing Mix and Density Debate 13:22 TerraFab Growth Impact 14:48 Building Affordable Homes In Bryan 18:25 Top Issues and Housing Plan 20:03 Working With City Staff 22:00 City Hall Listening Reforms 23:43 How To Support Campaign Think Brazos is a nonpartisan civic-media project produced by Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. We do not endorse candidates or political parties. Our goal is to help Brazos Valley residents better understand the people, policies, and decisions shaping their communities. - Think Brazos website: https://thinkbrazos.org/ - 2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide: https://thinkbrazos.org/2026-brazos-valley-candidate-guide/ - Candidate interviews: https://thinkbrazos.org/candidate-interviews/ - Think Brazos YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thinkbrazos

  7. Jun 26

    81. Scott DeLucia on WTAW Legacy, retirement, and the Future of Bryan/College Station

    This week, we are honored to sit down with a true Brazos Valley icon: Scott DeLucia. After an unbelievable 59-year career in local radio, Scott recently retired from WTAW’s morning lineup. In this wide-ranging conversation, Scott brings his decades of institutional knowledge to the table. He shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories of broadcasting through the community's most defining moments—from anchoring coverage of the 1999 Aggie Bonfire collapse to being live on the air with our congressman during the attacks on 9/11. But we don't just look back. Scott gives his unfiltered thoughts on the current state of Bryan-College Station, including soaring municipal budgets, property tax concerns, and the critical need for neighborhood integrity and smart housing density. Plus, he shares why he is a long-time advocate for B/CS Habitat for Humanity and the power of "sweat equity." Whether you’ve listened to Scott for years or you care deeply about the local policies shaping the future of Bryan and College Station, this episode is a must-listen. Think Brazos is proudly sponsored by B/CS Habitat for Humanity. Learn more about how to volunteer or donate to the ReStore at habitatbcs.org. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to stay updated on our upcoming local candidate interviews this fall! Subscribe for email updates at thinkbrazos.org

  8. Feb 16

    80. Wanda Watson, Brazos County Commissioner Precinct 4 (incumbent)

    Before you vote in the 2026 Texas primary election, listen to our conversation with Wanda Watson, who is running for re-election as the Precinct 4 Brazos County Commissioner. Wanda Watson was originally elected to the Brazos County Commissioners Court in 2022. Before her current role, she served as the chair of the Democratic Party in Brazos County and as an election judge. Think Brazos is a project of Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity intended to help our community understand local government policies that impact our daily lives, especially housing opportunities. You can find our ⁠⁠2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide⁠⁠ on our website. Because this podcast is produced by Habitat, a 501c3 charitable organization, we do not make endorsements. If you would like to support our work in the community, you can make a tax-deductible donation at ⁠⁠ThinkBrazos.org/donate⁠⁠.

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About

”Think local. Think Brazos!” The Think Brazos Podcast hosts conversations with locals, politicians, and experts to discuss policies that impact housing affordability, economic opportunity, and financial resiliency for families in Brazos County. Disclosure and disclaimer: The purpose of the Think Brazos Podcast is to present to the public a deeper sense of who the candidates are who hope to lead this community and to create a space for them to present their ideas, especially about housing and affordability. However, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Bryan-College Station Habitat for Humanity (which created and sponsors Think Brazos) does not and cannot endorse any particular candidate or political party. The open dialogue we create by doing our utmost to speak to every candidate for a particular political race we decide to cover should in no way be construed as an endorsement of the candidate or his/her political party. Further, the ideas and opinions expressed by the candidates we interview are purely their own and not necessarily those of Habitat for Humanity. Housing affordability is an important issue, so we thank you for following the Think Brazos Podcast. Executive Producer - Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity, Inc. Producers - Charles and Whitney Coats Host - Charles Coats Videographer and Sound Engineer - Mario Treviño

Information

  • Creator
    Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    87
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity
  • Show Website
    The Think Brazos Podcast