Born In The Bend

44 episodes listed below

Listen to the show on

Fort Bend County, told by two downtown Richmond locals.

The gist

Born In The Bend brings Emily Scherer and Aimee Frederick, locals who built businesses in downtown Richmond, together with the civic voices, educators, volunteers and business people of Fort Bend County. Conversations run from the next life of old city buildings to foster care to the best chair at a local bookbar.

PRESS PLAY

Find your next episode

All episodes

About Born In The Bend

Born In The Bend is a conversation show about Fort Bend County, Texas, told from inside downtown Richmond. Emily Scherer hosts with co-host Aimee Frederick, and they introduce themselves as locals and entrepreneurs who started businesses there. That gives the interviews a neighbor's angle. The hosts ask the follow-up a resident would ask, such as whether a vacated government building is headed for storage. They present Richmond as the county seat and historic heart of Fort Bend, a small town becoming a hub of creative activity and a draw for visitors. The episodes come at that picture from several directions. Civic change is one of them. In Alive After Five: Reimagining Richmond's Future, a guest links a sidewalk project to hopes for curated retail and tourism, and explains what happens to older city buildings as functions shift toward the Justice Center. The answer is concrete: the original City Hall stays as a public gathering space, possibly with yoga and some local history, and the annex goes up for sale. Schools are another. Guests from Lamar CISD describe a district growing fast, an innovative school day built on planting early seeds about things like credit scores, and a need to explain school finance to adults and taxpayers. Some conversations carry real weight. Inside The Sanctuary: Foster Care, Finding Permanence, and Forever Homes features guests who call the child welfare system overwhelmed and make the case for supporting foster families, finding permanent homes and, where possible, restoring ties with biological families. Others turn to volunteering, like the Fort Bend Junior Service League marking 25 years and describing its all-volunteer Sugar Plum Market. Plenty are simply fun. A holiday roundup works like a spoken map of a downtown Christmas walk, with a silhouette live nativity, s'mores, church activities and places to eat. The bookbar conversation with Jillian Reed covers an all-day author event with readings on stage, along with a mock turf war over a leather director's chair from a collection of estate-sale seating. The register is loose and friendly. The hosts joke with guests, celebrate their work and sign off with a 'Cheers, y'all.' Taken together, the show gives a working picture of a growing Texas county through the people behind its schools, charities, shops and civic plans. For the civic side, start with the Richmond future episode; for the lighter side, try the bookbar. Speakerbox Media produces and mixes the show.

Made for: Suits a listener who lives in or near Fort Bend County, or is curious about it, and wants to hear what is opening, changing or being built there from the people involved, in relaxed and friendly conversations.

What sets it apart: The hosts started businesses in downtown Richmond themselves, so the interviews mix civic detail, such as the fate of old city buildings or how school finance works, with a neighbor's asides about holiday walking maps and favorite bar chairs.

In their own words

Born in the Bend is a podcast by Emily Scherer and Aimee Frederick, highlighting local gems, entrepreneurs, and awesome stories, originating in Fort Bend County, TX. The show arose out of a desire to foster community, create a sense of place, and instill pride in calling Fort Bend County home. Having grown up in Richmond, Emily brings the native Texan voice to the table, while Aimee, a South Louisiana transplant, brings the outsider's perspective. Their combined life experiences make for entertaining interviews, pulling different stories from their guests, and offering two versions of Fort Bend - where it's been, and where it's going. Emily & Aimee invite you to grab your favorite beverage,…

Why you'd press play

Richmond's old hitching post might catch your eye; its buried water lines might keep you listening.

Press play if you want

  • Emily Scherer and Aimee Frederick to ask what Richmond's old city buildings could become
  • the school tax split explained through copy paper and construction costs
Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
downtown Richmond growth and developmentFort Bend County nonprofits and volunteeringlocal schools and school financefoster care and adoptionholiday and community eventslocal small businesses and gathering spots

Talks about

Best episodes of Born In The Bend

Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.

Alive After Five: Reimagining Richmond's FutureMar 25, 2026

A clear local view of Richmond's effort to turn historic buildings and downtown projects into renewed civic and business activity.

Richmond's downtown redevelopment comes into focus through the buildings and public projects meant to pull more activity into its historic core.

Inside The Sanctuary: Foster Care, Finding Permanence, and Forever HomesFeb 18, 2026

A grounded local conversation about foster care, permanence, and the relationships that help children stay connected to family.

Permanent homes come through as something families keep building, not a clean finish line. The episode stays close to foster care, the support families need, and Sanctuary's hope of creating healing homes while still keeping biological-family restoration in view.

Holiday Event Roundup - It's Christmas in the Bend!Nov 19, 2025

A warmly local guide to Richmond's Christmas walk, with courthouse lights, candlelight tours, Santa, maps, and the returning Grinch.

Born In The Bend treats its annual catch-up as a grounded guide to Richmond's Christmas walk, with Emily Shearer and Amy Frederick easing from wine and neighborhood talk into the night's route.

Hypergrowth 101: How Lamar CISD is Building for the Future with Zach Lambert & Dr. Roosevelt NivensOct 22, 2025

A clear local primer on Lamar CISD growth, school taxes, and the basics behind district spending.

Lamar CISD's rapid growth gives this local school episode its frame, as the district talks through adding students each year while presenting itself as elite, diverse, and centered on graduating young, positive, productive citizens. The more useful shift comes when Dr.

25 Years of Service: Fort Bend Junior Service League Celebrates Giving BackOct 15, 2025

A grounded local-service story where volunteer logistics reveal how a Fort Bend tradition keeps going.

Born in the Bend frames Fort Bend Junior Service League's 25th anniversary as a story of local service sustained by many hands. Emily Shearer and Amy Frederick trace how members have invested themselves in the organization, how leadership can shift into longer-term stewardship,…

Podcasts like Born In The Bend

Episodes

  1. 1

    Alive After Five: Reimagining Richmond's Future

    Hidden gem

    Lacey Chambers says Richmond is aiming for “elevated curated businesses,” a downtown foodie corridor, and 300 new residents in the historic core.

    Mar 25, 2026·58m·3 clips
  2. 2

    Inside The Sanctuary: Foster Care, Finding Permanence, and Forever Homes

    Hidden gem

    Born In The Bend speaks with Jenny Fridge, the Fort Bend community relations representative for Sanctuary Foster Care Services, about a model built around 24-7 in-home support, therapy, respite care, and community help.

    Feb 18, 2026·52m·3 clips
  3. 3

    Holiday Event Roundup - It's Christmas in the Bend!

    Hidden gem

    Born In The Bend’s holiday roundup covers Richmond’s December calendar, from the November 22 Richmond Rotary Pecan Harvest Festival at Wessendorf Park to the November 29 arrival of Santa and Christmas trees at Enchanted Gardens.

    Nov 19, 2025·40m·2 clips
  4. 4

    Hypergrowth 101: How Lamar CISD is Building for the Future with Zach Lambert & Dr. Roosevelt Nivens

    Hidden gem

    Born in the Bend brings Zach Lambert back to interview Dr.

    Oct 22, 2025·53m·3 clips
  5. 5

    25 Years of Service: Fort Bend Junior Service League Celebrates Giving Back

    Hidden gem

    Fort Bend Junior Service League marks 25 years, and Lindsay Rolfe says the group started in January 2001 with 24 women who built the organization from the ground up.

    Oct 15, 2025·48m·3 clips
  6. 6

    Let's Get LIT! Books & Cocktails Unite at Jax & 7th's LIT bookbar with Jillian Reed

    Hidden gem

    Born In The Bend visits Jillian Reed at Lit Book Bar, the independent bookstore and cocktail bar at 611 Jackson Street in historic downtown Richmond.

    Sep 17, 2025·48m·3 clips
  7. 7

    Charm, Community, & Character: Building a Better Richmond with Terri Vela

    Hidden gem

    Terri Vela says Richmond became a home rule city in 2013 and used that charter work to add zoning, create a zoning map, and define how the city operates.

    May 2, 2024·45m·2 clips
  8. 8

    Mixed Media, Motherhood & Making Art Thrive with Sarah Beth Baca

    Hidden gem

    Sarah Beth Baca says she moved about 19 times, studied art and marketing at Houston Baptist University, and later built a full-time practice in Richmond after years of working around motherhood and church commitments.

    Apr 25, 2024·1h 6m·4 clips
  9. 9

    From Snack Shack to Morton Street Icon, Meet Sandy McGee

    Hidden gem

    Sandy McGee traces her restaurant career from a Fort Bend County social worker and new mother to the woman behind chicken salad, broccoli cheese soup, and Morton Street lines that reached the sidewalk.

    Apr 18, 2024·51m·3 clips
  10. 10

    Nature Lovers Paradise at Long Acres Ranch with October Smith

    Hidden gem

    October Smith manages Long Acres Ranch, a roughly 780-acre property on the Brazos River in the heart of Fort Bend County, and she says the land stays protected through the Henderson Wessendorff Foundation.

    Apr 11, 2024·41m·2 clips
  11. 11

    Reining Strength: A Therapeutic Pillar of the Fort Bend Community with Noell Myska and Heather Hernandez

    Apr 4, 2024·58m
  12. 12

    Pod Goes Prep: A How-to on Hurricane Safety with Greg Babst

    Mar 28, 2024·40m
  13. 13

    Big Events, Book Bars, & Born in the Bend Returns!

    Mar 21, 2024·47m
  14. 14

    Sip & Sing with the Music Box Theater

    Dec 14, 2023·54m
  15. 15

    Hidden Gem of Texas History: Rosenberg Railroad Museum with Rainey Webster

    Dec 7, 2023·48m
  16. 16

    Curated Decor & Family Inspired Events at Family Style Design Co with Adam and Jamie Busch

    Nov 30, 2023·55m
  17. 17

    Political Impact in Your Own Backyard with Dexter L. McCoy

    Nov 23, 2023·57m
  18. 18

    Little Steps Toward Hope with Stacy Bourgeois

    Nov 16, 2023·50m
  19. 19

    Unleashing Creativity through Storytelling with Charlie Beyl

    Nov 9, 2023·1h 4m
  20. 20

    Growing a People-Centric Richmond with Jerry Jones Jr.

    Nov 2, 2023·1h 6m
  21. 21

    Catching up with Em & Aim for Season 4

    Oct 26, 2023·45m
  22. 22

    Building Places for People with Meristem Communities

    May 23, 2023·1h 14m
  23. 23

    2022 Fall & Winter Fort Bend History Association Events Round-Up!

    Oct 27, 2022·35m
  24. 24

    Develop Richmond Update with Jerry Jones Jr. Economic Development Week, Cup of Joey Richmond, Disruptive Entrepreneurship, and More!

    Apr 19, 2022·47m
  25. 25

    Growing Community at Enchanted Gardens with Joey Lenderman

    Mar 29, 2022·52m
  26. 26

    Helping Fort Bend's Children with Shannan Stavinoha

    Mar 22, 2022·1h 15m
  27. 27

    Stepping through the Swinging Door with Steve Onstad

    Mar 8, 2022·1h 8m
  28. 28

    Benefitting the Bend with the George Foundation

    Mar 1, 2022·56m
  29. 29

    TSTC & the Helping Hands Fund with John Kennedy

    Feb 22, 2022·35m
  30. 30

    History of the Bend with Jess Stuart

    Hosts interview Jess Stewart about his deep Texas roots and family history, while sipping Big Red Soda.

    Feb 15, 2022·58m
  31. 31

    REPLAY - Fashion, Friendship, and Finding Community with Katie Higgins and Elise Arango

    The hosts reintroduce their podcast and replay an episode featuring a local business, Vintage Hope, highlighting community entrepreneurship.

    Feb 8, 2022·1h 7m
  32. 32

    REPLAY - Exploring the Fort Bend Museum with Ana Alicia

    The hosts relaunch a favorite episode about the Fort Bend Museum, sharing updates and promoting an upcoming gala.

    Feb 1, 2022·32m
  33. 33

    Feeding Community at Three Sisters Farm with Jen Plihal and Peg Turrentine

    Jun 10, 2021·1h 12m
  34. 34

    Smelling Opportunity and Showcasing History with Jerry Jones

    Jun 10, 2021·48m
  35. 35

    Baking in the Bend {Pt.1} with Amna Khalique

    Jun 10, 2021·41m
  36. 36

    Baking in the Bend {Pt.2} with Nilou Gibson

    Jun 10, 2021·53m
  37. 37

    Fashion, Friendship, and Finding Community with Katie Higgins and Elise Arango

    Jun 10, 2021·1h 6m
  38. 38

    The Future of Podcasting with Ray & Sarah Smith

    Jun 10, 2021·1h 12m
  39. 39

    The Past and the Future in the Guild and Blockhouse with Aimee and Emily

    Hosts Emily and Aimee celebrate the launch of season two, sharing their passion for highlighting local businesses and community stories in Fort Bend County, Texas.

    Jun 10, 2021·1h 6m
  40. 40

    Remodeling the Exchange Hotel with Ken Tisdel

    Jun 17, 2020·33m
  41. 41

    Exploring The Fort Bend Museum with Ana Alicia

    Two local entrepreneurs introduce their podcast about Fort Bend County, Texas, sharing their backgrounds and a drink of the day.

    Jun 17, 2020·31m
  42. 42

    Creating Community Through Children with Joyce Trigger

    Jun 17, 2020·47m
  43. 43

    Born in the Bend Season 1 Trailer

    Jun 12, 2020·3m
  44. 44

    Don't Waste Your Hurricane with Zach Lambert

    Jun 12, 2020·45m