If You Denton Know Gary Weiland, now you do.

After a freak knee injury at a Thanksgiving turkey bowl in 2018, Denton firefighter Gary Weiland woke up to the news that his leg would be amputated. In this episode, Gary shares how that moment turned his world upside down and how choosing to “Adapt and Overcome” led him back to full duty firefighting, onto the American Ninja Warrior course, into Team USA para athletics, and into classrooms and stages around the country as a speaker and author.

From family, faith, and the Denton fire community rallying around him to the mindset shift from “Why did this happen to me?” to “Why did this happen for me?”, Gary’s story is a masterclass in resilience and purpose.

In this episode

• Growing up in Illinois and how he ended up in Denton
• Why he walked away from retail to serve his community as a firefighter
• The 2018 turkey bowl injury that led to emergency surgery and amputation
• Processing shock, fear, and identity when life changes overnight
• How the Denton Fire Department, leadership, and crew rallied around him
• Learning to walk, run, gear up, climb ladders, pull dummies, and fight fire on a prosthetic leg
• Discovering para sports, the Endeavor Games, and bobsled in Lake Placid and Norway
• Getting hooked on ninja competitions and eventually competing on American Ninja Warrior
• What it felt like to clear obstacles on national TV and inspire people around the world
• Speaking to thousands of students and adults about overcoming adversity
• Writing Fischer’s Accident and using children’s books to normalize amputees and differences
• The heart behind his A&O brand and the “Adapt and Overcome” mindset
• How faith, his wife, and his kids anchor him on the hard days
• Seeing his amputation as a blessing that opened unexpected doors

Connect with Gary

• Website: garyweiland.com
• Social: Facebook @Gary Weiland and Instagram @gary_weiland
• A&O merch and partnerships: aye-n-o.com

If Gary’s story resonates, consider bringing him in to speak to your school, business, team, or community group, or partnering with his Adapt and Overcome brand to share the message that you can do hard things.

If You Denton Know Ryan Polly, now you do.

Ryan Polly has been chasing stories that make people laugh, scream, and feel something real. A writer, director, and co-founder of Weekend Video, Ryan’s work spans from creative ad campaigns for Nintendo, Pizza Hut, and ESPN to his debut feature film MONITOR.

In this episode, Ryan shares how a kid from Denton found his voice in filmmaking, built a creative career from scratch, and learned to balance the worlds of commercials and cinema. He opens up about the projects that shaped him, the lessons that stuck, and how Denton’s creative energy still fuels his work today.

Check out his work!

ryan-polly.com

weekend.video

If You Denton Know Gary Henderson, now you do.

Gary Henderson is the President and CEO of United Way of Denton County, but he did not start in the nonprofit world. In this episode, Gary shares how he went from a successful career in finance at Price Waterhouse and Bank of America to a life focused on helping Denton County families, what United Way actually does locally, who in our community needs the most help, and how small gifts and volunteer efforts add up to big impact. 

Find out how you can get involved at unitedwaydenton.org.

In this episode

00:00 – Gary’s path from finance to nonprofit leadership
How a demanding travel schedule, a moment with his daughter, and years of mission work led him to pursue significance over success.

05:30 – Taking the leap into Communities In Schools
The unexpected signs that pointed him toward CIS and the early days of nonprofit leadership.

09:45 – What United Way of Denton County really does
The history, the model, and why every local United Way looks different based on community needs.

14:40 – Denton County’s biggest challenges today
A breakdown of ALICE households, who is most vulnerable, and why single moms and seniors face increasing pressure in our growing county.

21:20 – The power of collaboration
How nonprofits, cities, schools, businesses, and elected officials work together through collective impact.

28:10 – How you can help and get involved
Small donations, workplace campaigns, volunteer opportunities, the annual gala, VITA tax help, and the Point in Time homelessness count.

If You Denton Know Landmark, now you do. 

I sat down with Kim Cole and Andrew Pieper from Hillwood to discuss Landmark, a 3,200-acre master-planned community on Denton’s southwest side that blends preserved nature, new neighborhoods, and a commercial district anchored by H-E-B. 

If You Denton Know Dr. Shaun Treat, now you do.

The former UNT professor, Denton historian, and founder of Lil’ D-Tours and Denton Haunts shares courthouse legends, Fine Arts Theatre ghost stories, and the surprising history of Denton’s trolley with a case for bringing it back. We talk walkable streets, first-Friday art walks, favorite local spots like Chestnut Tree, and how to book custom haunted and historical tours for families, teams, and visitors. 

If You Denton Know Eric Pulido, now you do.
Frontman of Midlake, creator of E.B. The Younger, and co-founder of Norman Roscoe, Eric’s story is pure Denton gold. He shares how a college side-gig turned into touring the world, the evolution of Midlake’s sound, and what it’s like to step into the front-man role. We also dive into his creative ventures—Paschall Bar, Norman Roscoe, and his deep roots in Denton’s downtown scene, plus a sneak peek at Midlake’s new album A Bridge Too Far, releasing November 7. 

Check out his work:

Midlake

E.B. The Younger

Norman Roscoe

Paschall Bar

If You Denton Know Kevin Roden, now you do. Kevin traces his path from jazz drums and philosophy to civic leadership and ed-tech growth, including ReadyRosie’s acquisition and his current work at Teaching Strategies. We talk Fry Street roots, practicing democracy at the neighborhood level, and why his corner office view of the square never gets old. 

Check out the awesome things Kevin is working on!

Drink and Think

ReadyRosie

If You Denton Know Dan Black, now you do.
From flying planes to painting murals, Dan’s journey is pure Denton magic. You might not realize it, but you’ve probably seen his work all over our great city. He shares how a spray-paint date night turned into a full-time art career and the stories behind some of Denton’s most recognizable walls. 

Check out Dan's work!

danblack.work

@danblack_who

Denton is officially the Halloween Capital of Texas... and it’s not just a title, it’s a movement.

In this episode, Brad sits down with Gary Packan (Director of Parks & Recreation) and Dustin Sternbeck (Chief Communications Officer) to share how Denton transformed October into a month-long celebration with 300+ events, local art, and a 10-year plan.

Check it out! dentonhalloween.com

Be sure to head to the Denton Square to see the cool stuff going on through the entire month of October!

Trader Joe’s? Childcare deserts? Hootie and the Blowfish? We cover it all with Erin Carney, President of the Denton Chamber of Commerce. She explains how the Chamber actually helps businesses beyond ribbon cuttings, why Denton pride is unmatched, and what makes our city one of the best places to build a future.