Laura Isensee, a born and raised Houstonian, is excited to dive in as our new executive producer at City Cast Houston and experiment with different ways of storytelling. “I feel like there’s a unique opportunity to create a space where neighbors from all over Houston can connect with each other and make this swampy, amazingly diverse and sometimes exasperating city we call home an even better place to live,” she says.
Do you have a favorite interview that you’ve done during your career? Why?
“It's really hard to pick a favorite interview from my career, but two things stand out. First, I've been fortunate to have a front-row seat to history, documenting events from Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans to Barack Obama’s first State of the Union address. These opportunities early on in my career were exciting. But what’s been even more meaningful are the ordinary Houstonians who’ve shared some of their most vulnerable moments with me, showing how the ordinary can be extraordinary and drive meaningful change.”
What’s an issue going on in Houston that you can’t stop thinking about?
“I previously covered education for Houston’s NPR station and The Miami Herald, and I recently edited educational podcasts for Duolingo. So, I feel like covering schools and students is part of my DNA as a journalist at this point. Plus, I now have two young children starting their own education, so it’s constantly on my mind. Given all the changes in schools in Houston and Texas, it’s a major issue for our audience – and one I’m passionate about.”
If you could pick one restaurant in Houston to eat at every weekend, which one would it be and why?
“Our family loves dining at Davanti Ristoranti Italiano near Central Market on Weslayan. The environment is relaxed and child-friendly, and the food is delicious and authentic, without being overly priced or pretentious. And it’s classic Houston, tucked inside a small strip center across from an office building. Seriously, it’s some of the best Italian food outside of Italy. I could eat there every weekend and never get bored, especially since they have multiple gluten-free desserts! My dad and I often order two or three treats to share so we can savor every bite.”
