Get exclusive access to the biggest conversations impacting the Houston business community with HBJ On the Record. Join Houston Business Journal Editor-In-Chief Sean McCrory, the HBJ newsroom and special guests as they cover the topics most critical to every business leader in and around the Bayou City. Episodes release biweekly. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Dr. David Callender, President & CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System
Houston's healthcare economy is being reshaped by public health threats, workforce shortages, rising costs, and a race to follow patients into fast-growing suburbs. In this episode of HBJ On the Record, host Sean McCory sits down with Dr. David Callender, president and CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System — one of the largest not-for-profit health systems in Texas — to discuss the decisions impacting health outcomes and competitiveness across Greater Houston.
Dr. Callender breaks down how Memorial Hermann is working to rebuild public trust in healthcare after COVID, combat falling vaccination rates and outbreaks like measles and cyclospora, and shift more care from hospital beds to outpatient and at-home settings. He also unpacks the healthcare "quintuple aim," why health equity is a cost issue — not just a moral one — and how Memorial Hermann is partnering directly with employers to bring down the 9–10% annual increases in health benefit costs. Plus, the innovative Heal High School career technical education model aimed at solving the looming healthcare workforce shortage, and how the system decides where to expand next as Houston's suburbs boom.
🎙️ About the Show HBJ On the Record is the Houston Business Journal's podcast featuring candid conversations with Houston's top business leaders and experts on the issues that matter most to you and your business. New episodes drop regularly — subscribe so you never miss one.
Presented by Withum — a top 20 advisory, tax, and audit firm. Supported by Douglas Elliman and Spring Branch Management District.
Subscribe & Listen Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. We welcome your feedback — let us know what you think in the comments.
Guests & Host Host: Sean McCory, Houston Business Journal Guest: Dr. David Callender, President & CEO, Memorial Hermann Health System Reporter: Jishnu Nair, Houston Business Journal
17 Sept 2026
Houston's Hidden Growth Bottleneck: Can Water & Power Infrastructure Keep Up?
Houston is booming — but is its infrastructure ready for what's next? In this episode of HBJ On the Record, host Sean McCrory and HBJ reporter Naomi Klinge sit down with Paula Fitzpatrick, Texas and Louisiana Region Executive at WSP, to unpack the aging systems that could throttle the region's next wave of growth.
Topics covered:
Whether Houston is truly built for the next 20 years of growth
The strain on the power grid post-Winter Storm Uri and how utilities are adapting
Houston's aging, leak-prone water infrastructure and what it will take to fix it
Lessons from Corpus Christi's desalination struggles
Data centers, permitting, and the state's response to explosive demand
Why early, honest community engagement is critical to responsible growth
Innovative solutions: microgrids, produced water reuse, and desalination
This episode is presented by Withum, a top 20 advisory, tax, and audit firm, with support from Douglas Elliman and Spring Branch Management District.
Subscribe so you never miss an episode of HBJ On the Record — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.
3 Sept 2026
Compass Real Estate's Seita Jongebloed on Houston's Luxury Market Shift
Houston's luxury real estate market has flipped into buyer's-market territory — but is that actually good news for sellers? In this episode of HBJ On The Record, host Sean McCrory sits down with Compass Real Estate Managing Director Seita Jongenbloed and HBJ reporter Jeff Jeffrey to break down what's really happening in Houston's high-end housing market. Seita shares why months of inventory for homes above $1 million has climbed to 6.9 months, how Compass has captured over 15% of the luxury market share, and what the Anywhere acquisition (Sotheby's, Coldwell Banker, Corcoran, and more) means for the brand going forward. She also digs into phased marketing strategies, the risks of relying on Zillow's Zestimate, the booming ultra-luxury condo market (including the 34-story Birdsall tower), and her candid take on whether AI will ever replace real estate agents.
Topics covered:
Current state of Houston's luxury real estate market
Why "months of inventory" is the number to watch
How Compass built and maintains its market-leading position
The impact of the Anywhere brand acquisition
Phased marketing and the "moment of demand"
Why Zillow's Zestimate can mislead sellers
The rise of ultra-luxury condos in Houston
Advice for buyers in today's market
Can AI replace a real estate agent?
Presented by Withum, a top 25 advisory, tax, and audit firm. Supported by Douglas Elliman and Spring Branch Management District.
Subscribe to HBJ On The Record for more candid conversations with Houston's top business leaders.
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.
Want more from the Houston Business Journal—click here to subscribe and never miss the latest news, insights, and events.
Link: https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/subscribe?csrc=6315
20 Aug 2026
Charlie Meyer of Lovett Industrial on Houston's Industrial Growth
Charlie Meyer, co-founder and president of Lovett Industrial, sits down with HBJ's Sean McRory and Florian Martin to discuss launching a company right as COVID hit, riding the e-commerce-driven construction boom, and navigating the slowdown that followed. Charlie explains Lovett's approach to balancing large build-to-suit projects with smaller infill developments, how relationships and calculated risk-taking set the company apart, and why Houston continues to lead the nation in industrial absorption. The conversation closes with a look at what's fueling Houston's long-term advantage — from the Mexico trade shift to clean-energy manufacturing — and what could get in the way.
Presented by Withum, supported by Spring Branch Management District and Douglas Elliman.
6 Aug 2026
Houston's Immigration Crisis: What Business Leaders Can't Ignore
Immigration isn't just a political debate — it's a Houston business crisis hiding in plain sight. In this episode of HBJ On the Record, host Sean McCrory sits down with Charles Foster, chairman of Foster LLP and one of the nation's leading immigration attorneys, alongside HBJ reporter Jeff Jeffrey to break down how federal immigration policy is hitting Houston employers right now.
From construction and restaurants to the Texas Medical Center and university research, Charles explains the real workforce math behind mass deportation, the chilling effect of H-1B restrictions, and why Congress has repeatedly failed to pass meaningful reform. He also lays out what business leaders can — and should — do about it.
Topics covered: Why immigration is a Houston business issue, not just a political one Mass deportation's economic and humanitarian impact Legal immigration slowdowns: H-1B fees, DACA backlogs, TPS cancellations Why Congress can't pass reform (and who keeps blocking it) Practical steps Houston business leaders can take today.
HBJ On the Record is presented by Withum, supported by Douglas Elliman and Spring Branch Management District.
Want more from the Houston Business Journal—click here (https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/subscribe?csrc=6315) to subscribe and never miss the latest news, insights, and events.
Link: https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/subscribe?csrc=6315 (https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/subscribe?csrc=6315)
23 Jul 2026
Dan Rollins of Huntington Bank on Their Texas Expansion Strategy
Dan Rollins, vice chairman of the board of directors at Huntington Bank, joins HBJ On the Record to talk about one of the most significant banking moves in Houston's recent history. After completing the acquisitions of both Cadence Bank and Veritex Community Bank in under five months, Huntington — now the 10th largest bank in the nation and the 5th largest in Houston — is making a clear statement about its commitment to Texas.
HBJ's Sean McElroy and Chandler France sit down with Dan to discuss: What makes Huntington's model different from other national banks Why size and scale matter more than ever in regional banking How the Cadence and Veritex integrations were completed so quickly Huntington's branch expansion strategy across Houston and Texas.
The verticals driving growth: energy, healthcare, SBA lending, and auto What being the first bank listed on Nasdaq Texas really signals Plus: A bonus Executive Insights segment featuring Melissa Webb, President of Brokerage for Douglas Elliman Texas, on the luxury real estate market and what the state's economic boom means for buyers and sellers.
HBJ On the Record is presented by Withum.
Want more from the Houston Business Journal—click here to subscribe and never miss the latest news, insights, and events.
Link: https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/subscribe?csrc=6315
9 Jul 2026
How a 186-Year-Old Law Firm Is Leading Houston's AI Revolution w Danny David of Baker Botts LLP
Danny David, Global Managing Partner of Baker Botts LLP, joins host Sean McCrory to discuss the firm's 186-year legacy, Houston's trajectory as a global business hub, and how AI is transforming legal strategy, client expectations, and deal-making. From M&A trends to the future of the legal profession, this conversation is a must-listen for Houston business leaders navigating a rapidly changing landscape.
25 Jun 2026
Sysco's CEO, Kevin Hourican on their $29 billion dollar acquisition
In this episode of HBJ On the Record, Houston Business Journal's Sean McCrory and finance reporter Chandler France sit down with Kevin Hourican, CEO of Sysco — the Houston-based food distribution giant behind the restaurants you eat at every day.
Kevin breaks down the inside story of Sysco's landmark $29.1 billion acquisition of Restaurant Depot (Jetro), the "Costco for restaurants" serving hundreds of thousands of independent mom-and-pop eateries. He explains why the deal is about saving restaurants money — not raising prices — and how combining two massive food businesses creates a coast-to-coast distribution powerhouse.
Plus: the real story behind beef inflation (hint: it has nothing to do with tariffs), why mom-and-pop restaurants are actually outperforming national chains right now, and what Sysco's data reveals about where the American consumer is truly headed.
Topics covered:
The $29.1B Restaurant Depot acquisition — how it came together and why now Cash-and-carry vs. delivery: two models, one company.
Tariffs, supply chains, and food cost reality vs. perception.
Why independent restaurants are winning over chains.
The rise of Indian food, TikTok, and "experimental eating."
How Sysco's 6,500 sales consultants help restaurants survive rising costs What Houston's food scene says about America's restaurant future.
HBJ On the Record is brought to you by the Houston Business Journal, with presenting sponsor Withum.
11 Jun 2026
Engineering Houston's Future w James Ross, CEO of LJA Engineering
Houston looks unstoppable. But according to James Ross, CEO of LJA Engineering, that growth doesn't happen on its own — it's engineered, project by project, decision by decision.
In this episode of HBJ On the Record, James joins host Sean McRory and HBJ technology reporter Jishnu Nair to talk about the infrastructure challenges and opportunities shaping Greater Houston's future. From regional drainage and highway capacity to AI adoption, workforce development, and public-private partnerships, this is a candid look at what it actually takes to keep one of America's fastest-growing cities moving.
What you'll hear in this episode:
Why drainage is Houston's most urgent infrastructure priority
The road projects that will matter most over the next decade
How AI is changing engineering today — and what it will never replace
The case for thinking regionally instead of locally
How LJA's 200-intern program is building the next generation of Houston engineers
What a blank-check infrastructure investment would look like
James Ross has spent decades at the center of Houston's growth story. This conversation is essential listening for business leaders, developers, city planners, and anyone who wants to understand where Houston is headed — and what it will take to get there.
HBJ On the Record is presented by the Houston Business Journal and sponsored by Withum. Supporting sponsors: Douglas Elliman and Spring Branch Management District.
28 May 2026
Dr. Esmaeil Porsa on the fight to expand Ben Taub Hospital
Dr. Porsa joins the Houston Business Journal to talk about getting approval for expanding Ben Taub Hospital, the current strains facing the Houston health care system and stories from his life.
14 May 2026
An exclusive conversation with Mark Lashier, CEO of Phillips 66
Houston Business Journal Editor-In-Chief Sean McCrory and staff reporter Naomi Klinge interview Mark Lashier, CEO of Phillips 66.
2 Apr 2026
Introducing: HBJ On the Record
Get exclusive access to the biggest conversations impacting the Houston business community with HBJ On the Record. Join Houston Business Journal Editor-In-Chief Sean McCrory, the HBJ newsroom and special guests as they cover the topics most critical to every business leader in and around the Bayou City. Episodes release biweekly. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
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