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Houston Matters

Houston Public Media
Houston
Severe Storms
Houston Independent School District
Thornton Wilder
Storm Recovery
Houston Police Department
The Emporium
Hurricane
Mental Health
Immigration Reform
Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Alley Theatre
Emergency Services
FEMA
Memorial Day Weekend
Harris County
Virtual Reality
Bureaucracy
Texas A&M University
Meteorology

Houston Matters is a radio program airing weekdays at 9 am on Houston Public Media News 88.7 FM in Houston. During each hour, we’ll investigate the issues and ideas, people and places that make Houston…well…Houston! We’ll talk about current events, politics, education, health care, the environment, business, transportation, arts and culture, literature, sports and leisure. But we also hope that wh... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes129Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Daily NewsSociety & CultureNews

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Artwork for Houston Matters

Latest Episodes

On Tuesday's show: We discuss the latest public health trends, including what we’re seeing this flu season, with Dr. Janeana White with the Houston Health Department.

Also this hour: What makes us click with some people better than others? And why i... more

On Monday's show: We mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a conversation about the state of civil rights here in Houston and across the country with the help of Christa Stoneham, president of the Houston Land Bank, Dr. Melanye Price from Prairie View... more

On Friday's show: More than 160 Texas faith leaders are urging school boards to reject a new state-organized prayer law. Rabbi Joshua Fixler of Houston's Congregation Emanu El explains why he and the other faith leaders say SB 11, which carves out ti... more

On Thursday's show: The Houston Chronicle reports that HISD Superintendent Mike Miles helped connect a consulting firm with a Texas charter school network to complete a nearly $1 million contract. While the parties involved say Miles was not paid for... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Salman Rushdie
Famed author and essayist known for his works exploring themes of identity and culture
Episode: Writer Salman Rushdie (Jan. 12, 2026)
Julian Aguiar
Immigration reporter with Houston Chronicle
Houston Chronicle
Episode: Writer Salman Rushdie (Jan. 12, 2026)
Stephen Wu
Executive Director of local immigrant rights advocacy organization Wury Juntos
Wury Juntos
Episode: Writer Salman Rushdie (Jan. 12, 2026)
Wade Moorhead
Executive Director of the Houston Marathon Committee
Houston Marathon Committee
Episode: Houston Marathon preview (Jan. 8, 2026)
Ronan O'Malley
Chief Programs Officer at World Affairs Council
World Affairs Council of Greater Houston
Episode: Houston Marathon preview (Jan. 8, 2026)
Father Joseph Paul Alban
Pastor of Holy Rosary Church, Dominican priest
Holy Rosary Church
Episode: Houston’s favorite holiday music (Dec. 23, 2025)
Atavia Spajati
Investigative reporter
Texas Observer
Episode: Houston’s favorite holiday music (Dec. 23, 2025)
Taylor Goldenstein
State Bureau reporter for the Houston Chronicle
Houston Chronicle
Episode: How ex-officials spend campaign funds (Dec. 18, 2025)
Steve Warner
Professor of international business and chair of the management and leadership department at the University of Houston's Bauer College of Business
University of Houston
Episode: How ex-officials spend campaign funds (Dec. 18, 2025)

Hosts

Craig Cohen
Host of Houston Matters, known for his engaging style and focus on local issues.
Michael Haggerty
Filling in for Craig Cohen; routinely covers local news topics.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 120 ratings
  • Insightfully informative & fun

    So glad to have this program available to Houston ! Objectively approachable discussions about issues THAT MATTER to Houstonians.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Scubarru
    United States2 months ago
  • Extreme political bias

    It’s so unfortunate that so many great shows have been ruined by their obsession with partisan politics with no attempt at neutrality. Any deviation from the narrow minded, bigoted opinions of the producers is heresy because their tribe lose an election 2 1/2 years ago. I would have rated zero stars if not for the excellent content pre TDS. Hopefully rationality and openness to diversity of opinion will return eventually but I couldn’t justify donating to HPM anymore. I still listen occasionall... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nostrathomas.
    United States3 years ago
  • Special Edition

    I am typically a fan of this show when it’s led by Craig Cohen & I have appreciated the local doctors and scientists that have contributed, but Ernie Manouse is insufferable and the way he treated a guest today by inserting his own political views (the guest had covid - his family got it & he said he’s a moderate, he asked for feedback on the media’s role in where we’re at, and the guy answered and he said he didn’t agree and just was patronizing) - if you don’t want politics inserted, then stic... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Ehodges05
    United States5 years ago
  • Give it a rest

    I used to listen to this show for daily local news. In recent months the fear mongering and aggrandizement of COVID related issues is insufferable. There’s a way of reporting the facts without sensationalizing it, Houston Matters should aim for that goal. Even the tone of the reporting is overkill. Every time I try to listen I hear myself saying “give it a rest!”

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Ayjayrose
    United States6 years ago
  • Partisan

    If you enjoy one-sided, bias discussions, you will enjoy this dumpster fire.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    htx2020!
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There are mixed feelings about the balance of political views, with some expressing concerns about biases. However, many find the content informative and relevant to daily life in Houston.
Overall, it is regarded as a valuable source for understanding community dynamics and current events in Houston.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth coverage of local issues and the engaging style of the hosts.
The interactions with various guests add depth, but some wish for a more diverse range of perspectives to avoid echo chambers.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#216
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#223
France/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#231
Mexico/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Writer Salman Rushdie (Jan. 12, 2026)
Q: What do you think of New York City's new mayor?
He energized the electorate in a way that it hasn't been for a long time, and his agreement about making childcare cheaper is a good start.
Writer Salman Rushdie (Jan. 12, 2026)
Q: Is there a book you wish you had written but you haven't?
Oh, you know, War and Peace? There are a lot of books I wish I'd written.
Texans advance in the playoffs (Jan. 13, 2026)
Q: How do the Texans match up against the Patriots?
The Patriots are currently very strong, making this game the Texans' toughest matchup of the season.
Texans advance in the playoffs (Jan. 13, 2026)
Q: Should we expect any injuries impacting the Texans' lineup against the Patriots?
Nico Collins is unlikely to play due to concussion protocol, but overall, there are not many other significant injuries.
Texans advance in the playoffs (Jan. 13, 2026)
Q: Was CJ Stroud's performance an isolated incident or indicative of ongoing issues?
It's typical for quarterbacks to have off games, but Stroud has improved this season and can bounce back.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Houston Matters

What is Houston Matters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The episodes feature a blend of local news coverage, community stories, and expert discussions that focus on pressing issues facing the Houston area. Topics range from environmental challenges, such as waste management and sustainability, to socio-economic issues affecting youth disconnection and health care access. There's a notable emphasis on local politics, featuring insights from scholars and journalists on the implications of political decisions on the community. What sets this podcast apart is its commitment to engaging with a diverse range of voices, from local artists to educators and political analysts, promoting a well-rounded understanding of Houston's landscape and culture. This format likely provides a platform for connecting ... more

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How many listeners does Houston Matters get?

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How many subscribers and views does Houston Matters have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Houston Matters has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Houston Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Houston Matters:

1. Up First from NPR
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. 1A
4. The Daily
5. Today, Explained

How many episodes of Houston Matters are there?

Houston Matters launched 13 years ago and published 129 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Houston Matters?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Houston Matters?

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What guests have appeared on Houston Matters?

Recent guests on Houston Matters include:

1. Salman Rushdie
2. Julian Aguiar
3. Stephen Wu
4. Wade Moorhead
5. Ronan O'Malley
6. Father Joseph Paul Alban
7. Atavia Spajati
8. Taylor Goldenstein

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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