Mel Zarb-Cousin - Behind the Curtain: CEO, Magik, and Love Across Borders

The Most Interesting Man in San Antonio

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2523061/fan_mail/new]  In this episode of Halfway Human, we sit down with Suhail, possibly the most interesting person in San Antonio. From gymnastics and world travel to his work with Musical Bridges Around the World, Suhail brings stories, perspective, and energy from experiences across the globe. We also dive into neuroscience, human behavior, creativity, and how travel and culture can completely reshape the way we think and connect with others. It is a thoughtful, fun, and wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond the surface.

Blades, Nonprofits & Syrup

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2523061/fan_mail/new] What do nonprofits, syrup, and swords have in common? Tiffany Galvan. By day, she’s a nonprofit consultant helping organizations grow, evolve, and actually make a difference. Strategy, structure, impact… she’s been in it and knows how to move things forward. But outside that world, it flips. Think swords, shields, and a completely different kind of discipline. It’s not a hobby, it’s a mindset. Somewhere between building causes and stepping into combat, Tiffany brings a perspective that’s equal parts thoughtful, sharp, and unexpected. This one’s about balance, identity, and how the most interesting people don’t fit in just one lane.

Punishment Isn’t Working

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2523061/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Halfway Human, we sit down with Dr. Jessica Moreno and Dr. Lawrence Scott, authors of Advocating for Educational Change: Reimagining Student Discipline Through Restorative Practices, to challenge how we think about discipline, learning, and what students actually need to succeed. This conversation goes beyond policies and into people. We explore why traditional discipline models often fall short, how restorative practices can reshape student outcomes, and what it really means to center humanity in education. At its core, their work pushes educators and leaders to rethink systems that were never designed for every student to thrive, and instead build environments rooted in empathy, accountability, and growth. Together, we unpack the tension between structure and support, the realities educators face on the ground, and the bold changes required to move from punishment to development. Because if education is truly meant to be the great equalizer, we have to be willing to reimagine it from the inside out. If you care about the future of education, student success, or simply doing things better than we’ve always done them, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Mel Zarb-Cousin - Behind the Curtain: CEO, Magik, and Love Across Borders

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2523061/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we sit down with Mel Zarb-Cousin, CEO of Magik Theatre, to talk about what it really means to lead a space built on imagination. Mel shares her journey from being involved in drama and performance to stepping into executive leadership at one of San Antonio’s most beloved cultural institutions. We go behind the curtain on what it takes to run a theatre, how storytelling shapes communities, and why the arts still matter deeply in today’s world. We also dive into a more personal chapter of her story, including navigating love and long distance, with her fiancé living in Cuba. It’s an honest conversation about passion, purpose, resilience, and building a life that blends art and leadership. If you care about creativity, community, and the human stories behind the spotlight, this one’s for you.

Punchlines, Parenting, and Policies

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2523061/fan_mail/new] Michelle Cantu is a San Antonio–based comedian and mother who turns real life chaos into sharp, laugh-out-loud comedy. From parenting moments to everyday observations we all recognize, her humor is honest, bold, and unapologetically relatable. In this episode, Michelle dives into how she finds comedy in the middle of the mess, what makes an audience lean in, and why telling the truth on stage hits harder than playing it safe. It’s a fast-moving, funny conversation about life, laughter, and using comedy to connect with people who feel seen the moment the joke lands.