The Rio Grande Podcast
Welcome to the Rio Grande Podcast, the valley's newest adventure. If you live anywhere in the Rio Grande Valley, this show is about YOU. This is your home, and you're proud of it! It's time to showcase the power and beauty of this region we've all grown to love. We're going to explore the best ways to thrive living in South Texas, empower each other to stay healthy in the middle of Hispanic culture, and illuminate the faces of local business. It's time to build community and amplify the voice of the 956. Join us as we take a dive into the heart of the RGV to learn more about who we really are. This is YOUR show. This is the REAL Grande Valley, on the Rio Grande Podcast.
Episodes
48 episodes
The Rio Grande Podcast: Season 2 Recap
And just like that, Season 2 is all wrapped up! Thanks so much for supporting the show and a huge thank-you to all our guests for an awesome season and great conversations. We can’t wait to be back next season - things are going to look a whole...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 25
•
39:55
Welcome to The Rio Grande Valley!
This week we’re going back to the basics and talking about what the RGV is all about and giving visitors some insight in the area known as Deep South Texas. Welcome to McAllen, and welcome to the Rio Grande Valley! #ForTheValley #McAllen #RGV #...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 24
•
40:44
The Rio Grande Podcast: Valley Drivers, Llanteros and Why We Love The RGV
This week the podcast crew sits down to dissect the feedback on a recent RGV #Reddit post on reasons why we love the #956. Sit back and enjoy a fun conversation on the area you know so well - and hear Sam’s take on the whole ‘Valley Drivers’ si...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 23
•
30:04
Bradley Freeman Jr.: From Brownsville TX to Sesame Street, The Muppets and Beyond
Bradley Freeman, Jr. grew up dreaming of puppeteering for A-list TV shows like Sesame Street and The Muppets. Fast forward only a few short years, and he is doing Exactly that. It’s amazing: A regular Sesame Street character puppeteer ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 21
•
52:09
Actress Dannie McCallum from Edinburg, TX!
Marvel’s Echo- and Tom Hanks’ Here Actress Dannie McCallum is an Edinburg native who has excelled in the world of film/theatre since her time with ECISD. Now in LA, Dannie is a full-time actress who has already taken on multiple roles in her ex...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 20
•
55:49
UTRGV Football RB Coach Marco Regalado
V’s Up! This week we sit down with UTRGV Football RB Coach Marco Regalado, a Zapata, TX native who found his way back to South Texas. You’ll find him on the sidelines or on stage, and you just might find him behind the grill. Find out how he di...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 19
•
32:51
KRGV's Tim Smith!
This week and we sit down and get to know one of the most recognized and loved faces of the Rio Grande Valley: Channel 5’s very own Tim Smith! Tim reflects on his career journey, shares what he loves about covering weather in South Texas, and a...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 18
•
59:19
Harlingen’s Cookies4College: A Sweet Small-Business Journey with Madelynn Birdwell
This week we sit down with Madelynn Birdwell, founder/owner of the beloved ‘Cookies4College’ in Harlingen. We wanted to know: How do you grow a small unknown college-saving side gig into a thriving high-demand business that everyone loves? ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 17
•
1:09:43
Nana's Taqueria: A Little Piece of Beautiful México in Weslaco, TX
Have you been to @NanasTaqueria in Weslaco? What has blossomed into a ‘Business of the Year’ success story started out as a last-ditch effort to stay afloat in the middle of life-changing moves on a small corner lot in Weslaco. Listen in as own...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 16
•
58:55
Steve Rogers: I Survived Getting Hit By a Truck
Meet Stephen Rogers, an auto-pedestrian accident victim who lived to tell the tale. Rogers’ life got slammed to a halt by a nightmare of an accident right in front of his daughter. One month-long medically induced coma and multiple trauma and r...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 15
•
1:00:21
Rick Torres, Paramedic/Fire (Pt.2) - The Life of a Paramedic in South Texas
A look inside the lives of our local first responders: Rick Torres is a veteran paramedic with also 10 years of service as a firefighter. As citizens/residents of our communities, we don’t always get to see what really goes on inside the ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 14
•
54:44
Rick Torres, Firefighter/Paramedic (Pt.1) - Inside Fire Rescue in the RGV
A look inside the lives of our local first responders: Rick Torres is a 10-year veteran firefighter with 2 years of service as a paramedic. As citizens/residents of our communities, we don’t always get to see what really goes on inside th...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 13
•
39:02
Sea Turtle, Inc. - Saving the Planet’s Sea Turtles with Wendy Knight, CEO
This week we take a deep dive into the work going on at Sea Turtle, Inc. in South Padre Island. Have you visited yet? Sea Turtle, Inc. truly is the future of sea turtle conservation for the world. The most common species found here is ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 12
•
42:14
Gilbert Hernandez of ‘Búho’: The Community Bookstore that Brownsville Needed
Have you checked out ‘Búho’ bookstore? Búho is the Rio Grande Valley’s newest local bookstore in downtown Brownsville. What started out literally as a wandering shower thought turned into a local gem of a bookshop that is bringing people togeth...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 11
•
41:43
Therapist Valerie Rivera: Trauma, Relationships and Healing in the 956
This week we take a dive into the world of therapy and counseling with licensed therapist Valerie Rivera to discuss the state of mental health in the Rio Grande Valley. As a specialist in childhood trauma and couples therapy, Valerie works hard...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 10
•
49:22
‘Freddsters’: 1.4 Million on TikTok! Meet Major Foodie-Content Creator Alfredo Garcia
Freddsters is in the building! This week we sit down with viral tik tok foodie Alfredo Garcia to talk about his career in content creation and explore how he was able to go from working with the family business to exploding into social media st...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 9
•
51:39
Music Artist Daphne Michelle: A Singer’s Dream Unfolding in Front of the World
Have you discovered the beautiful Daphne Michelle? Check out this week’s episode to see what it took to turn a dream into a goal - and a goal into an unfolding beautiful reality. Listen to Daphne’s story and check out the music style that is ta...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 8
•
37:14
Mercedes Author Tessie Ledesma: Fulfilling Dreams and Spreading Love with Polly the Possum
Tessie Ledesma is a new author who chased her lifelong dream of writing a book, a journey that took her from pageants to possums in the middle of the pandemic. When she saw first-hand the need to spread a much-needed message about self-love and...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 7
•
45:14
Lexi Peralta: The (Non-Toxic) Candles That Keep Harlingen Glowing
Hey guys! This week we head to Harlingen to talk to Ms. Lexi Peralta of Jade Candle Co. to meet another local business owner who has taken Cameron County by storm with her non-toxic custom made candles. The story of how she got into this busine...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 6
•
39:33
Celebrity Chef Graham Campbell: From Scotland to Edinburg (Texas!)
Did you know the Rio Grande Valley is home to a Michelin-starred celebrity chef? Meet Chef Graham Campbell, owner of Castlehill Bistro in Edinburg, Texas. Find out how a bona fide Scottish Head Chef found his way from the small towns o...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 5
•
49:05
RGV Dietician Isaac Anzaldua - Food, Culture and Perspective
This week we head to Rio Grande City to talk to Mr. Isaac Anzaldua, Registered Dietician. You might recognize his last name as he is connected to the people that the Anzalduas Park and Bridge around Mission, Texas are named after. Join...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 4
•
54:27
UTRGV Vaquero Football: The Rio Grande Valley Meets Head Coach Travis Bush
Hey #VaqueroNation! Your very first UTRGV Football Head coach Mr. Travis Bush has arrived to #RallyTheValley behind our new D1 football program and it’s time to get to know him a little better! A true Texan through-and-through, Coach B...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 3
•
24:45
Meet Brody Rivers: Texas Country Music Star Rising Straight from Cameron County
Brody Rivers is a rising Texas country music artist from Rio Hondo, TX.Join him on his journey through the raging country music scene as he reflects on the start of his newfound career and all that has come with it, including a shot at comp...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 2
•
55:02
Ingrid Monserrat: “Planting” Change in the RGV with Maria Cruz Cuisine
Hey RGV! Season Two is here and it’s starting off with a bang! Meet Ingrid Monserrat, local visionary and owner of Maria Cruz Cuisine plant-based restaurant. Driven by a mission to “Be the Change”, Ms. Ingrid has found her passion of guiding th...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 1
•
1:01:39