East Texas UNFILTERED!
Welcome to EAST TEXAS UNFILTERED w/ J. Chad Parker, a podcast hosted by native East Texan and prominent attorney J. Chad Parker. This unique East Texas platform features candid interviews with entertainers, local celebrities, and inspiring figures from all walks of life, sharing stories of business, philanthropy, and community impact. From spotlighting unsung heroes to showcasing those shaping the region’s vibrant culture, UNFILTERED offers an authentic view of East Texas. Join Chad for unfiltered conversations that entertain and inspire. Subscribe now for new episodes!
East Texas UNFILTERED!
EAST TEXAS UNFILTERED w/ J. Chad Parker Featuring Special Guest Michael Coleman
In this episode, J. Chad Parker sits down with legendary East Texas sports voice Michael Coleman for a wide-ranging conversation that traces his life from a childhood in Lawrence, Kansas, to a broadcasting career that eventually took him from Tyler to New York City and back again. Michael reflects on growing up two blocks from the University of Kansas, sneaking into football games as a kid, meeting Gale Sayers as a teenager, and navigating a complicated home life marked by domestic violence. He talks about the mentors, teachers, coaches, and community members who pushed him to dream bigger—and how sports became his escape, his motivation, and eventually his profession.
Michael walks Chad through his winding path into broadcasting: junior college football, Southern Illinois, early reporting jobs, the strange and dangerous season he spent working for the Nielsen ratings, and his first breaks in television news. He opens up about the years he spent covering major markets, from hosting shows in Kansas City to reporting live from Yankee Stadium during his stint in New York. He talks about the grind of the industry, the joy of telling local sports stories, the weight of being one of the few Black sports directors in the country, and the lessons that came from saying “no” at the right time, fighting through rejection, and finally earning the opportunities he spent years chasing.
The conversation becomes deeply personal as Michael shares stories about returning to East Texas, the phone call that brought him back to KLTV, and the community that welcomed him home. Chad and Michael discuss high school football culture, the evolution of local news, the shift toward digital media, and the power of great storytelling—whether it’s following Adrian Peterson from Palestine to the NFL Draft or watching Patrick Mahomes’ rise firsthand. It’s an honest, funny, emotional look at a career built on resilience, determination, and connection, told by one of the most recognizable voices in East Texas sports. Subscribe and turn on notifications for more conversations like this.