HFC alumnus and son cohost award-winning wrestling podcast
Several years ago, when HFC alumnus Mizzion Smith became ill, he promised his son, Houston Genius, that they would do “something amazing” when he got out of the hospital and recovered.
Smith kept that promise. And what they did was amazing beyond any expectations.
Smith and Houston, 8, are cohosts of the critically acclaimed, award-winning Family Faction Wrestling Podcast, where they have interviewed many wrestling icons, including Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Kurt Angle, the Boogeyman (which has more than 2,000 views on YouTube), and Detroit’s own Rhyno. They would like to interview legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan. The podcast launched in late 2022.
“There’s a family element to our podcast. The fact that it’s a father and son cohosting is definitely the selling point for the podcast, and the fact that he’s young and so articulate compared to some of his counterparts. For an 8-year-old, he’s asked some good questions that many journalists have praised him for. At the TNA Wrestling press conference in April, people said he asked the best question. Houston asked pro wrestling champion Dolph Ziggler, aka Nic Nemeth: ‘What would you do if you lost the world heavyweight title?’ Ziggler told him that he would have to persevere through that moment of defeat.”
Mizzion and Houston appeared on FOX 2 Detroit several times, and Houston recently won a Spirit of Detroit Award. The Detroit City Council signed it, and Mario Lemons, the principal at Detroit Achievement Academy where Houston is in 3rd grade, presented this prestigious award to him.
“What an incredible honor for Houston, his family, and the whole DAA community. We’re bursting with pride!” said Smith. “They recognized Houston’s achievement as a content creator and all-around exceptional example for children of all ages. Houston is a humanitarian, too. He gives toys to needy kids at Christmas. The persona he creates on the podcast makes other kids want to hear it. He has a big heart. He encourages them to never give up on their dreams, and to believe in themselves. The voice he’s sharing with the world through podcasting inspires so many young people to follow their dreams.”
FOX 2's Charlie Langton presented Podscar Award for Best Duo
A lifelong Detroiter, Smith has been married to Chaetoya for nearly 10 years. They have four children, including Houston.
After Smith graduated from Henry Ford High School, he enrolled in HFC and eventually earned his associate degree in business management.
“HFC prepared me for a lot of things,” said Smith. “I’m much more media-savvy and trained than I was years ago. I’ve been able to decipher good media writing. The College prepared me to be a lot more versatile and well-rounded.”
A local filmmaker, Smith has won several awards for his work, but his proudest is winning a Podscar (the Oscars of the podcast world) Award for Best Duo in 2024 alongside his son. FOX 2’s Charlie Langton presented them with the Podscar.
“Houston’s a staple over there at FOX 2. He’s been on three times now,” said Smith. “I’m really proud of my son. His mother and I have worked very hard to instill the values of passion, creativity, and respect in him. I’m proud of what he’s accomplished so far at 8. I can only imagine what he’ll accomplish by the time he turns 18!”
