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Episode 8

In this episode, I talk to Donna Wilson, DeSoto Democratic precinct chair, election judge, and HIV activist.

Donna's journey from childhood trauma to fierce advocate reveals how a single diagnosis -- HIV -- can transform passion into action. Her unwavering commitment to voting rights, community outreach, and reproductive justice is a testament to how personal struggles fuel systemic impact.

I met Donna when I was working at the Dallas County Democratic Party in 2024. She invited me to a meeting at The Afiya Center, which at the time was a reproductive justice organization, and I assisted in showing their street team how to target voters. I still have fond memories of that Monday afternoon because it was the first time I helped a nonprofit understand data.

Here is a preview clip of Donna discussing how she dealt with a family member who told her that she got what she deserved with her HIV diagnosis:

Powerful and moving episode, indeed.

Also, being a precinct chair is not an easy job but it’s incredibly rewarding. If you live in Dallas County and are interested in the work, click here to learn more.

Thank you, Donna!

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Episode 7

In this episode, I talk to Olinka Green, longtime social justice activist in Dallas.

Most of us never realize how personal history and deep-rooted activism shape the fight for justice. Olinka’s story reveals the raw truth of a life driven by childhood trauma, relentless resilience, and a unwavering commitment to community liberation. From witnessing violence at a young age to leading environmental justice tours and growing her own food, her journey serves as a powerful testament to how individual pain fuels collective change.

I have to say, this was also a really fun episode to record. I was desperately trying not to burst out laughing during some of the segments. If you’re not into cuss words and shit like that, this might not be for you. But below is one such segment, discussing the relationship between Martin Luther King and Jesse Jackson. Jesse was stressing his ass!

Thank you, Olinka!

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This podcast is available in video and audio formats. Here’s how you can get it.

YouTube: Click here to access the video playlist

YouTube Shorts: Click here to access just the YouTube Shorts playlist

Spotify: Click here for just the Spotify podcast

Apple: Click here for just the Apple podcast

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Episode 6

In this episode, I talk to Connie Cook, former precinct chair in Cedar Hill and now living in South Carolina. Connie has been a longtime activist in multiple states. Before she got into Democratic politics, she was an ordinary nurse who transformed communities, fought corruption, and built political change in her hometown of Baltimore. Connie’s journey reveals the secrets behind effective organizing, union battles, and the relentless passion required to stand up for others, even in the face of adversity and systemic obstacles.

I met Connie when I was working at the Dallas County Democratic Party in 2024. She led the postcard events every Wednesday at the party headquarters, and she would bring the best homemade baked goods each week. After stealing way too many cookies and cakes from behind her back, I asked her to lead the postcard- and letter-writing efforts at the Redbird satellite office. It’s sad seeing Connie take her talents to Myrtle Beach, but as long as those Gamecocks know which county party came first, I’m good.

Also, being a precinct chair is not an easy job but it’s incredibly rewarding. If you live in Dallas County and are interested in the work, click here to learn more.

Thank you, Connie!

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This podcast is available in video and audio formats. Here’s how you can get it.

YouTube: Click here to access the video playlist

YouTube Shorts: Click here to access just the YouTube Shorts playlist

Spotify: Click here for just the Spotify podcast

Apple: Click here for just the Apple podcast

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Episode 5

In this episode, I talk to the father-daughter duo of Julio Chaparro and Aggi Alvarado. Julio immigrated from Mexico to Dallas in the 1980s, and is now the co-chair of Justice for Joppa, located in the historic Freedman’s community of Joppa in Southern Dallas.

They share their experiences of local activism, the challenges of gentrification, and the power of community resilience. Explore how Julio’s immigrant story fuels his determination to create a healthier future for Joppa and their fight against industrial pollution caused by TAMKO, the billion-dollar asphalt shingle company.

Thank you, Julio and Aggi!

And also, I can’t resist. Immigrants… WE GET THE JOB DONE!

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This podcast is available in video and audio formats. Here’s how you can get it.

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Episode 4

In this episode, I talk to Michele Saranovich, Democratic activist and Dallas County precinct chair of Precinct 2049. That’s my precinct! I met Michele when I knocked on her door one day in 2022 to invite her to our neighborhood Democratic Halloween party. That same party was the one that Colin Allred attended, and it’s the picture that hits your inbox that accompanies every one of these bangers.

She shares her journey from reporting on the nascent nuclear energy movement in the state of Washington to her pivotal role in environmental policy and nuclear waste management in Washington, D.C. Discover her insights on the evolution of energy policies, the challenges of being a woman in STEM in the 1970s, and her transition to local politics in her new home of Dallas.

It was fun catching up with my precinct chair! Being a precinct chair is not an easy job but it’s incredibly rewarding. If you live in Dallas County and are interested in the work, click here to learn more.

Thank you, Michele!

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This podcast is available in video and audio formats. Here’s how you can get it.

YouTube: Click here to access the video playlist

YouTube Shorts: Click here to access just the YouTube Shorts playlist

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Apple: Click here for just the Apple podcast

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Episode 3

In this episode, I talk to Esme Zuniga, who works at the DFW environmental justice organization Downwinders at Risk. I met Esme when I started volunteering for Downwinders in their Toxic Twins campaign to shut down two asphalt shingle factories in Dallas.

We explore her journey from community organizing in the Rio Grande Valley to her impactful work with Downwinders at Risk. Esme shares her family’s deep-rooted history in Texas, her early influences in activism, and the challenges and triumphs she faced as the Communications Director for the Hidalgo County Democratic Party. We also discuss the importance of local political engagement, the evolving landscape of activism in Dallas, and the need for a united Democratic front.

I have to say, I really enjoyed this episode. I expected to interview Esme mostly about environmental justice, but we actually dove deep into Democratic Party infrastructure. Tune in to discover how she convinced one popular head of the DNC to attend an event in the Valley.

Thank you, Esme!

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This podcast is available in video and audio formats. Here’s how you can get it.

YouTube: Click here to access the video playlist

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Second podcast episode out today!

In this episode, I interviewed Dave Henley, an environmental activist living in Southwest Dallas. I met Dave last year, right after Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and handed the reins to Kamala Harris. He came into my office and asked how he can help and whether I knew anything about environmental activism in the area. I wrote about that interaction in a previous post:

Chronicles of a Dallas County Democrat

What is the Role of Your Local Democratic Party? (Part 1)

This is the first of a three-part series about the role of your local Democratic party. I examined the role of the Democratic Party as a whole in a previous post, and now I am delving into local parties more specifically…

Read more

7 months ago · AZ Zayan

We discussed his journey into environmental activism, becoming a meteorologist in the Navy, and the impact of the documentary An Inconvenient Truth on his advocacy. The conversation explores the importance of community engagement, the challenges of convincing politicians about climate change, and the future of environmentalism in Dallas. Dave emphasizes the need for local activism and the preservation of green spaces, encouraging the audience to take action in their communities.

Thank you, Dave!

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This podcast is available in video and audio formats. Here’s how you can get it.

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Something new today!

Instead of writing posts every two weeks, as I’ve done since I started this publication, I decided to mix it up a bit.

Starting today, I will be alternating my written posts with my brand new podcast. This podcast is available in video and audio formats. Here’s how you can get it.

YouTube: Click here to access the video playlist

Spotify: Click here for just the Spotify podcast

Apple: Click here for just the Apple podcast

RSS: If you have a podcatcher other than Spotify or Apple, as I do, here’s the RSS URL to paste: https://api.riverside.fm/hosting/VeHifYeS.rss

I’m going to be reducing the amount of content slightly. Instead of creating content every two weeks, I’ll be publishing twice a month. Once a month will be a written post, and the other time will be a podcast episode. I’ll be posting the YouTube video of the episode into this Substack publication, and of course, you will be getting it by email.

But if you want to be proactive and help me inflate my subscriber count so I can look like an actual content creator, subscribe to the audio and/or video forms. I’m new to this whole content creation thing so it’s pretty exciting.

Anyway, this podcast will be interviews with progressive activists in and around Dallas. We delve into the life stories of these activists and how they got to where they are today.

First episode

This first episode is with none other than Subrina Brenham. I met Subrina about a year and a half ago as we were preparing for a blockwalk in the community of Bonton, when I was working for the Dallas County Democratic Party. I’m glad to have met her.

She is a community activist and former Dallas city council candidate. We discuss her journey into activism, her experiences running for office, and the challenges faced in local politics.

The conversation highlights the importance of community engagement, voter education, and the impact of elected officials on civic participation. Subrina shares her insights on issues affecting District 8 in Dallas, including public safety, environmental concerns, and the need for better resources.

We conclude with reflections on the future of Dallas and the role of leadership in fostering a more engaged electorate.

Connect with her on Facebook.

Other notes

This is my first podcast episode and first video I’ve uploaded to YouTube, and boy, am I learning a lot.

Two things: My internet connection sucks and I probably need to wear a proper shirt.

My modem is really old and I’ve been putting off buying a new one. What a way to make me finally get one. Hopefully my end of the video won’t be laggy and choppy as it is with this episode.

As far as the shirt, I guess I can do better.

But I have to say, the audio is really high-quality. If you’re thinking of doing this sort of stuff, Riverside is the way to go. Their AI tools are insanely good and their publication process can’t be much simpler.

I also have some ideas kicking around in my head if I open up paid subscriptions. A couple of people have already pledged. If you want to be a Chronicles OG, pledge today. This would be content that only subscribers can access, but the written posts and podcast episodes will still all be free.

Thank you, Subrina!

For being my first guest! I look forward to interviewing many more.

Oh, and bonus!

If you know what tune I remixed to make my theme song for this podcast, let me know. Real ones will recognize it. I got someone on Discord to make it into a beat over two years ago, and I’d been waiting for the right moment this whole time.

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