Hello Houston’s Commuter Cut Covers Tariq’s New Film, Space Exploration and Infant Loss on October 1

Houston’s daily podcast Hello Houston – The Commuter Cut covered three separate stories on October 1, 2026, and each one ties back to the city itself. The episode opens with filmmaker Bassam Tariq talking about his new movie, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, which he says was inspired by his own childhood in the Houston area. The film is set in the Bayou City.

Then the show moves to Houston Public Media reporter Michael Adkison, who runs the weekly segment HPM in Focus. This week’s episode covers a very busy week in space exploration. Adkison walks listeners through Starship’s latest step forward and NASA’s plans for Boeing’s Starliner.

The final stretch of the episode brings in Kay Matthews, founder of The Shades of Blue Project, and Houstonian Morgan McCord. Both speak about facing infant loss, the grief that follows, and how families can find the support they need to move forward.

Tariq’s Film

Bassam Tariq grew up in the Houston area, and that background shows in his new film. He is credited as writer-director of the movie. The setting of the Bayou City is central to the story.

Space Exploration

Michael Adkison’s segment covers several major developments in the field. The report lists Starship’s latest step forward alongside NASA’s plans for Boeing’s Starliner.

Infant Loss Support

Kay Matthews founded The Shades of Blue Project. Morgan McCord is a Houstonian who also spoke on the topic. Together they address the grief that follows infant loss and offer guidance on finding support.

Three Stories, One City

The episode moves between three distinct subjects — a filmmaker’s new movie, a reporter’s space rundown, and a conversation about infant loss — but each one connects back to Houston. The city serves as the setting for Tariq’s film, the base for Adkison’s reporting, and the home of the speakers discussing grief.

How the Episode Works

The show’s structure is simple. It opens with Tariq, moves to Adkison, and closes with Matthews and McCord. Each segment stands on its own, but the thread of the city holds them together.

1. Tariq discusses his Houston-set film.
2. Adkison delivers the latest on space exploration.
3. Matthews and McCord speak about infant loss and grief support.

Why It Matters

The episode is a snapshot of a city’s life across three very different registers — cinema, science, and community care. It shows how Houston’s daily media covers everything from blockbuster films to space policy to family grief, all in one day.

The podcast is available now, and listeners can tune in for the full conversations. The stories are wide-ranging, but they share a common ground in the city itself.

The episode is a reminder that a single city can hold a filmmaker’s vision, a reporter’s beat, and a community’s grief all at once. That range is worth noting.

Source material: “Hello Houston – The Commuter Cut (October 1, 2026),” Houston Public Media.

film · Houston · infant loss · podcast · space