Hey Amarillo

A conversation with Jeff Wyrick, a production planner at Caviness Beef Packers and the founder of Shakehands Pong, a local table tennis circuit with an outsized influence and incredible story. With host Jason Boyett, Jeff discusses his wide-ranging career—which has included two stints at Hastings—as well as the Shakehands origin story and the importance of creating community among adults. This episode is sponsored by Dr. Eddy Sauer, SKP Creative and Sidecar Photo Booth.

A conversation with Maria Garcia, program director for Uniting Parents, a nonprofit Coalition of Health Services program for parents of children with disabilities. Maria is the daughter of first-generation migrant workers and became the first member of her family to attend college. With host Jason Boyett, she discusses her upbringing, how she became an educator, and why it's so important to connect parents in the special needs community. This episode is sponsored by Cara Hendricks/Edward Jones (806-358-8346), Jimmy John's and the Mani-Camper.

A conversation with Justin Howe, a local entrepreneur and the owner of Texas Tea in Amarillo. After the success of these iced tea concepts, Howe has turned Texas Tea into a franchise model called HTeaO, with franchise locations from Texas to Florida. With host Jason Boyett, he details his entrepreneurial journey from aviation to construction to tea, and how Amarillo's community DNA became an integral part of his business model. This episode is sponsored by the WT Enterprise Center.

A conversation with Ryan Parnell, director of the 24 Hours in the Canyon Cancer Survivorship Center. This community center offers free programs and services for adults during and after cancer treatment. The center began with the nationally recognized 24 Hours in the Canyon event, which takes place June 1-2, 2019. With host Jason Boyett, Ryan explains the origins of 24 Hours and the vital role the center plays in the Texas Panhandle. This episode is sponsored by Wieck Realty, Six Car Pub & Brewery, and Sidecar Photo Booth.

A conversation with Lisa Blake, Executive Director of Leadership Amarillo & Canyon. After a career in banking, Lisa took the helm of this nonprofit leadership development program several years ago. Then in 2016, she stepped in to spend a year as a member of Amarillo's City Council. With host Jason Boyett, Lisa digs into the challenges of city government and what her behind-the-scenes access has taught her about Amarillo. This episode is sponsored by SKP Creative, Eddy Sauer of Shemen Dental and Sidecar Photo Booth. Support the podcast via Patreon.com/heyamarillo.

A conversation with Hayden Pedigo in front of a live audience at ArtsFest. Hayden is an experimental guitarist with a growing reputation who ran for City Council this most recent election cycle. He didn't get elected, but he got a generation of younger citizens interested in local politics—and gained plenty of outside attention in the process. With host Jason Boyett, Hayden details his upbringing, explains the absurdist origins of his campaign and how it quickly became serious, and reveals what's coming next for him. This episode is sponsored by Jimmy John's in Amarillo and Sidecar Photo Booth. Support the podcast via Patreon.com/heyamarillo.

A conversation with Doshon Johnson, who founded a nonprofit working to build new apartment homes in the North Heights—the first new development in that community in decades. With host Jason Boyett, Doshon talks about growing up in poverty, how his compulsion to provide for his family got him in trouble, and how a stint in prison changed his life. Today Doshon strives to bring change and growth to one of the city's most historic and neglected neighborhoods. This episode is sponsored by Cara Hendricks/Edward Jones (806-358-8346). Get May 10th live show tickets HERE.

A conversation with Katrena (Kat) Volden, head coach of the Bomb City Bombshells, Amarillo's local roller derby team. When she's not practicing or competing against skaters from all over the state, she works with kids with special needs. With host Jason Boyett, Kat talks about roller derby's history in Amarillo, dispels misconceptions about this full-contact sport, and shares how her childhood at the local skating rinks turned into a grown-up passion. This episode is sponsored by Six Car Pub & Brewery. Get May 10th live show tickets HERE.

A conversation with Salad Dualle, a former medical doctor in Somalia and now a medical translator and owner of a local trucking company based in Amarillo. Salad came to the United States several years ago to find opportunity and escape threats on his life from jihadist group Al-Shabaab. He speaks to host Jason Boyett about the immigrant experience in Amarillo, detailing how West Texas and Somalia are similar and why Salad chose to raise his family here. This episode is sponsored by Wieck Realty. Get live show tickets HERE.

A conversation with Danny Melius of Nuke City Veg, a multi-location commercial farm operating within the Amarillo city limits. A former programmer for Hastings Entertainment, Danny transitioned from IT to urban farming after the Amarillo-based retail chain shut down its stores in 2016. Danny tells host Jason Boyett about his punk background, forced career reinvention, and unique ongoing partnership with Square Mile Community Development in San Jacinto. This episode is sponsored by Jimmy John's. Get live show tickets HERE.