The Building Texas Show Newsroom

Strategist Michael Shear joins host Justin McKenzie to argue that fiber networks, edge computing, and distributed office hubs from Austin to Luling to Cedar Park could replace downtown high-rises, ease I-35 congestion, and reshape the future of work across Central Texas.

Episode 2 of The Cavallini Legacy takes listeners inside the Cavallini & Co. studio, exploring the hidden structural engineering, year-and-a-half build timelines, and an 18-year story of salvaged Hurricane Rita stained glass windows that found a new home at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.

On The Building Texas Show, Founder's Arena President Pamela Cytron tells host Justin McKenzie why she relocated to Arlington in 2023, how the city bridges Dallas and Fort Worth, and why the Grand Prix, UTA, and Arlington ISD are fueling a fast-rising startup ecosystem.

In a featured interview on The Building Texas Show, San Angelo Mayor Tom Thompson discusses the city’s economic momentum, including the potential for a multi-billion dollar data center, airport expansion, and the "Ports to Plains" corridor initiative. He outlines a vision for sustainable growth through infrastructure, water reclamation, and higher

In a special episode of the Change & Creativity Podcast, host Judy Oskam interviews Justin McKenzie, host of the Building Texas Show. They discuss Texas’s innovation ecosystem, the critical role of local leadership, and how storytelling can drive economic development from the Panhandle to the Hill Country.

Live from South by Southwest (SXSW) 2026 in downtown Austin, startup strategist Paul O’Brien joined The Building Texas Show to discuss the launch of his new book, Startup Ecosystems. O’Brien shared strategic insights on navigating SXSW, building resilient innovation hubs, and the critical importance of regional collaboration for the Texas economy.

An America House panel, moderated by Justin McKenzie, recently gathered national tech leaders at the Texas Capitol to discuss evolving innovation ecosystems. The discussion highlighted Texas' collaborative advantage, diverse founder support, and strategic investments in critical sectors, with insights from Capital Factory leaders.

State Representative Donna Howard (HD 48) clarifies the Texas election process, emphasizing the critical role of primaries and her long-standing work on the House Appropriations Committee. She discusses legislative challenges, the Women’s Health Caucus, and constituent services in a recent Building Texas Show interview.

Luis Martinez of Capital Factory discusses Texas’s booming startup ecosystem, with Austin securing $8B in VC funding in 2025. He highlights the state’s critical mass of talent, favorable regulatory environment, and growth in key sectors like space, energy, AI, and biotech, positioning Texas as a global innovation leader.

Michael Shear of Strategic Office Networks champions distributed work networks as vital for Central Texas growth. On The Building Texas Show, he discusses leveraging fiber optics & smart city planning to reduce congestion, enhance quality of life & bring work opportunities, advocating for a new 21st-century urban development model.