Today we’d like to introduce you to Zach Petitt.
Hi Zach , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always been someone who moves between worlds. Professionally, I work in technology procurement, navigating systems, contracts, and strategy for a global company. Creatively, I’m deeply rooted in Austin’s cultural and community landscape as a co-founder and producer of The 2 Hour Lunch Break Podcast, a platform built to spotlight Black and Brown entrepreneurs, artists, and changemakers in the city.
My journey started in Austin. I grew up here, went to school here, and watched the city evolve, sometimes faster than the people who built its culture could keep up. Early on, I learned the importance of adaptability. I played football in college, which taught me discipline, accountability, and how to work within a team. Those lessons carried over into my professional life as I transitioned into the corporate tech space, where I developed a strong skill set around operations, negotiation, and long-term planning.
At the same time, I never lost my connection to storytelling and community. That pull is what eventually led to creating this iteration of The 2 Hour Lunch Break Podcast. The idea was simple: create a space where people from Austin could tell their stories authentically, without gimmicks and without being filtered through someone else’s narrative. What started as a creative outlet quickly became a community platform. We’ve been fortunate to collaborate with local organizations, creatives, and institutions, and to help preserve stories that often go undocumented.
Today, I see my work as a bridge. I bring structure and strategy from my corporate experience into creative spaces, and I bring humanity, storytelling, and cultural awareness into professional ones. I’m proud of the balance I’ve built, supporting my family, contributing to my city, and creating work that feels meaningful. I’m still learning, still evolving, and still committed to telling stories that reflect the real Austin – past, present, and future.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. One of the biggest challenges came when our social media presence was essentially wiped shortly after my first co-host stepped away to pursue artist management full-time. At the time, that felt like a major setback – years of content, momentum, and digital history were suddenly gone. It forced me to sit with some hard questions about ownership, sustainability, and what I really wanted the platform to be moving forward.
Instead of walking away, I chose to adapt. I regrouped and rebuilt with my second co-host, Thomas St. Julien, and together we took a more intentional approach. We stepped back, assessed what was working, what wasn’t, and put a real game plan in place; one that focused less on chasing numbers and more on consistency, quality, and community impact. Rebuilding from scratch taught me patience and reinforced the importance of structure, communication, and shared vision.
More recently, we’ve entered another transition as Thomas stepped behind the camera into an Executive Producer role. That shift required another recalibration; learning how to navigate changes in on-camera dynamics while preserving the chemistry and integrity of the show. Each phase has come with its own growing pains, but every challenge has helped strengthen the foundation of the podcast. Looking back, those moments of disruption weren’t roadblocks, they were necessary pivots that allowed the platform to mature and evolve.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a co-founder and the host of The 2 Hour Lunch Break Podcast, an Austin-based platform dedicated to highlighting Black and Brown entrepreneurs, artists, and community leaders. What I specialize in is creating space – space for honest conversation, for nuance, and for stories that often don’t get told in mainstream media. I’m known for being intentional with our guests, doing the homework, and making people feel comfortable enough to speak freely and authentically.
What I’m most proud of is the trust we’ve built. Guests come on the show knowing they won’t be rushed, reduced to soundbites, or asked to perform a version of themselves that isn’t real. That trust has allowed us to document a meaningful slice of Austin’s cultural history while building real relationships along the way.
What sets me apart is my ability to move fluidly between the corporate and creative worlds. I bring discipline, organization, and long-term thinking from my corporate background into creative spaces, and I bring empathy, cultural awareness, and storytelling into professional ones. I’m not chasing virality or validation; I’m focused on longevity, community, and creating work that still matters years from now.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
For me, mentorship has always started at home. My dad owned a Black literature-based bookstore called The Storyteller in the 1990s, right here in Northeast Austin. At a time when access to culturally relevant books, articles, and ideas wasn’t as easy as it is now, his shop became a place where people could find stories that reflected them – stories that informed, empowered, and connected the community. Watching him build that space showed me early on the power of storytelling and the responsibility that comes with curating voices.
I still lean heavily on his experiences and advice, especially during the early days of founding the podcast. He taught me that relationships matter more than reach, and that if you show up consistently and with integrity, people will find you. That mindset has shaped how I approach both mentorship and networking.
My advice to others is to broaden how you define a mentor. It doesn’t always have to be someone with a formal title or a perfect career path. Sometimes it’s someone a few steps ahead of you who’s willing to be honest about what worked and what didn’t. Be curious, be respectful of people’s time, and most importantly, be genuine. Networking works best when it’s rooted in real connection, not transactions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/2HLBpod
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/2hlbpod
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-2-Hour-Lunch-Break-Podcast-100092637584925
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-2-hour-lunch-break-podcast
- Twitter: https://x.com/2hlbpod
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@2HLBPod
