Respond, If You Please

Captain Larry | Navigating Life and the Coast Guard | Respond, If You Please

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Lito sits down with his childhood day-one friend, Captain Larry, for a deep dive into life, service, and reinvention. Larry shares stories from his 20-year career in the Coast Guard—including harrowing rescues in Depoe Bay, Oregon—and discusses his transition into civilian life as a boat captain in Chicago running Husky Charters. Tune in for a conversation on the grind, family values, and starting fresh in the second phase of life.

Find Larry:
facebook.com/capt.larry2
instagram.com/capt_larry1

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/ottomp3/green-apple
License code: GR7CCN1RLEZOJSYS

Find Respond, If You Please:
instagram.com/riyp.podcast
facebook.com/riyp.podcast
tiktok.com/@riyp_podcast
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Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities.
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Jesus Hernandez, Founder of Corpus Christi Originals | Grit, Grind, and Local Podcasting

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 14:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Respond, If You Please, host Lito sits down with long-time friend, comedian, and podcast producer Jesus Hernandez. As the founder of Corpus Christi Originals—voted 2026’s favorite local podcast in the Locals List—Jesus shares his journey from earning a classical guitar degree to navigating social media management, local government candidate interviews, and stepping into stand-up comedy. The two dive into the mechanics of content creation, long-form vs. short-form content, maintaining authenticity, and finding the best local barbacoa spots in Corpus Christi.

This episode features Jesus Hernandez, founder of the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast. Hosted by Lito Cortez.

EP04: Trevor Long: High School Football, The Quarterback Mindset, and Athletic Recovery

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 01:00:00 -0400

In Episode 4 of Respond, If You Please, Lito sits down with former starting quarterback Trevor Long to pull back the curtain on the "grit and grind" of South Texas athletics. They discuss the mental pressure of performing "under the gun," the critical role of accountability in the next generation of athletes, and Trevor’s personal journey of using yoga and stretching to overcome chronic pain and reclaim his physical longevity.

EP03: Loe Flores of Faderz Barbershop LLC

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0400

Lito sits down with lifelong brother Loe Flores — owner of Faderz Barbershop in Corpus Christi — to talk about the real road behind the shop. From cutting hair in sixth grade to working 84-hour weeks in the refinery, missing his daughter's birth on a job site, and then walking away from guaranteed income to start barber school during COVID, Loe's story is one of grit, faith, and a wife who wouldn't let him quit. Respond, If You Please is part of the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast Network — real people, real conversations, no highlight reels. If you've ever told yourself the timing isn't right, this episode is for you.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/ottomp3/green-apple
License code: GR7CCN1RLEZOJSYS

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Coming soon: The Fight
(00:00:33) - Cutting Hair Like A Brother
(00:04:15) - Cut My Hair As A Child
(00:07:02) - No Toolbox, No Money
(00:07:27) - Barber on Working Full-Time
(00:11:21) - Catering to the Clientele
(00:14:27) - Barbers on Working As a Business Owner
(00:16:23) - How to get out of a dirty job
(00:20:08) - How to Buy a House
(00:23:27) - Choosing between maintenance and barber school
(00:25:40) - Short Haircut For Barber School Students
(00:27:33) - Laid Off at Barber School
(00:30:30) - Barber on Starting a New Business at 25
(00:33:13) - Barber on Starting a New Job at 20
(00:36:12) - How to Get a Haircut
(00:38:19) - Barber Opens His Own Shop
(00:42:11) - Do You Have What It Takes to Get Out Of the Plant?
(00:44:36) - Starting My Own Barber Shop
(00:48:25) - 11 barbers open up their own shop in Washington
(00:51:57) - Faders Barbershop: South Texas Glitz and Glam
(00:55:52) - Barber Gets 6,000 Followers on Facebook
(00:59:03) - Rihonda on Where Were We at 10 Years Ago
(01:02:16) - Lethal Henry on Starting a Business:
(01:05:00) - Lito Gets Real About His Comedy
(01:07:18) - "Just Do It!"
(01:08:38) - Low Fades Local Shop Nominations

EP02: Lupe Ramos of Choose Wisely | From Rock Bottom to Building a Brand

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 08:01:56 -0500

In Episode 2 of Respond, If You Please, host Lito Cortez sits down with Lupe Ramos — founder and creative director of Choose Wisely Apparel — for a raw, real, and inspiring conversation. Lupe opens up about his journey from military service to sales, hitting rock bottom in 2023, and how his faith transformed both his life and his brand. They dive deep into building a brand from scratch, the importance of mindset, fatherhood, speaking life into your kids, and why Corpus Christi is far from a "crab in the bucket" city. Lupe also shares his heart for the community, advocating for fentanyl awareness after losing someone close to the epidemic. If you're an entrepreneur, a parent, a person of faith, or someone who just needs to hear that it gets better — this episode is for you. Part of the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast Network.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/new-life
License code: FZOFLLKZAZ5PSAJD

EP01: Trey Armijo | Corpus Christi UFO Sightings and Comedy

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 08:53:53 -0500

In the premiere episode of Respond, If You Please, host Lito Cortez welcomes comedian Trey Armijo to discuss UFO sightings in Corpus Christi, Texas. Trey shares his incredible 2003 UFO encounter during Ray High School baseball practice—a triangle formation of red lights that hovered over the field, witnessed by the entire team. They dive into local UFO reports from NewForce.org, discuss the Corpus Christi comedy scene, share wild gig stories (including a 30-minute impromptu set opening for Paul Rodriguez), and explore the intersection of faith, comedy, and the unknown. Part of the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast Network.

EP0: Inaugural Transmission for Respond, If You Please (Introduction Trailer)

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:19:33 -0400

Broadcasting from the mysterious depths of Produce Media Studios, Respond, If You Please begins its first transmission with an examination of one of Earth’s most paradoxical creations — Lito Cortez, a Christian comedian. Through the lens of faith and humor, we deconstruct how laughter and belief can exist within the same being, exploring the absurd brilliance of finding meaning in chaos. Tune in as we analyze the divine and the ridiculous, and perhaps have your reality mildly rearranged in the process.