Calvin Johnson, Ph.D. is the Dean of the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Eastern Washington University, a Master's Degree in Sociology/Research Methods from Temple University, and a Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland-College Park. Prior to his current role, he served dual roles as the Associate Director of the Office of Research and Evaluation and the Performance Improvement Officer at the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, then went on to serve 12 years as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research, Evaluation, and Monitoring at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Policy Development and Research. Having also worked in research positions at the University of Pennsylvania, The Urban Institute, and with the Executive Office of the Mayor of the District of Columbia, he serves as a Commissioner on the United States Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys as well as was elected as a Fellow for the National Academy of Public Administration. Calvin calls Houston, Texas home.

Adavion Wayne is the Director of Education at Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) in Houston, Texas. Originally from Louisiana, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Louisiana Monroe and his Master's Degree in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington. Throughout his career, he has served as a teacher, department chair, instructional coordinator, magnet coordinator, assistant pricipal, associate principal, interim principal, and principal apprentice. Adavion calls Houston home.

Joanna Whaley has lived in Southeast Michigan her whole life and is now running for State Representative for House District 2 to serve her community. She earned her Bacherlor's Degree in Arts Management from Eastern Michigan University, attended the University of Michigan for Clinical Pastoral Education and a Clinical Pastoral Education Residency, and received her Master of Arts in Theology and Theological Studies from Wartburg Theological Seminary. As a transgender woman running to represent every member of the district, a clinical spiritual care provider in local hospitals, and a parent, some of her top issues include civil liberties, economic fairness, healthcare access, and public safety. Joanna and her family make their home in Detroit, Michigan.

Sig Muller is an author, motivational speaker, consultant, and founder. He was on the swimming team at Northwestern University in Illinois, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering; following, he received his MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Darmouth in New Hampshire. His career includes leadership roles at Accenture, Ben & Jerry's, Mayo Clinic, UnitedHealth Group General Mills, and multiple startups. In 2024, he survived a sudden cardiac arrest that reshaped his mission, which led him to write and publish "Dying to Be the World's Best" in 2025. Sig makes his home in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Brian Warren was elected to be Judge of the 209th Criminal District Court in Harris County, Houston, Texas in 2018. Originally from New York, he earned his Bachelors of Business Administration from James Madison University in 1997 then his Juris Doctorate from St. Mary's School of Law in 2001. His entire legal career has been dedicated to the practice of criminal law, starting his own criminal defense practice, serving as an Assistant District Attorney in Harris County, and, most recently, being elected to the bench. Brian, his wife, and their three children make their home in Houston, Texas.

Andrew Lienhard is a pianist and software developer. After graduating from the High School of the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas, he earned both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Mathematics from the University of Houston, then another Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from the University of California at Berkeley. In addition to composing and playing jazz music on his own, he plays piano and keyboards in The Crusaders Experience, a group of musicians based in Houston who celebrate the legacy of The Crusaders. Andrew, his wife, and their pets live in Houston, Texas.

Dan Simons was born and raised in Southeast Texas and became the first person in his family to graduate from high school. He then graduated from Sam Houston State University at the top of his class, went on to attend Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and earned his Master's Degree in Tax Law from the University of Houston. He has handled many cases as Assistant District Attorney and as Misdeeanor Chief in Criminal Court No. 14. Dan now has his own practice, Dan Simons Law Firm, in Houston, Texas.

Special episode! Terry Lord & Chris Tritico discuss law and the justice department under the current administration. Terry worked as a prosecutor in the US Department of Justice, Criminal Division for nearly 30 years, even prosecuting the first RICO case against the Mafia. Chris has been a criminal defense attorney for his entire career, handling cases in both state and federal courts, including the Oklahoma City Bombing trial.