Leading Lubbock

Ruben and his new co-host, Ryan Harris, sit down for a candid conversation about what’s next for Leading Lubbock. Together, they reflect on the journey of Season One — forty stories of leadership, purpose, and transformation — and share the heart behind Season Two. The episode covers lessons learned, the power of stories, the importance of leading in both mountains and valleys, and the exciting new direction of the show. It’s a transparent look behind the scenes, full of gratitude, laughter, and anticipation for what’s to come.

In this episode of Leading Lubbock, Ruben sits down with Dr. Julie Hubik, founder of Cornerstone Audiology. For over 18 years, Julie has built a thriving practice rooted in care, compassion, and hospitality while balancing life as a wife, mom, and leader in the Lubbock community.

Julie shares her journey from starting Cornerstone as a “one-woman band” to leading a 14-person team, the lessons she’s learned about communication, core values, and navigating trials, and how hospitality and generosity can transform leadership. She also opens up about learning through challenges, the importance of surrounding yourself with mentors, and how her faith and family keep her grounded.

Julie’s book recommendation, Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, ties perfectly into her leadership style—serving others with more than they expect.

In this episode of Leading Lubbock, Ruben sits down with Cade Fowler, Executive Officer of the Lubbock Association of REALTORS®. Cade reflects on his 20+ years of leadership, from his early days in key services to guiding one of West Texas’s largest trade associations. He shares how listening more than speaking, guiding with guardrails, and building trust have shaped his leadership. Cade also opens up about navigating change in the MLS, raising two boys with his wife Leslie, and how lessons from parenting often mirror leadership at the Association. His book recommendation, Start with Why by Simon Sinek, reminds us that purpose fuels both organizations and people.

Jeanna Roach is the CEO of Betenbough Companies, leading several organizations and over 400 team members with a clear Kingdom-driven purpose. In this episode, Jeanna shares her journey from public relations in Dallas to finding deep transformation through leadership, faith, and humility at Betenbough Homes. We talk about emotional intelligence, the power of love and truth in leadership, raising teenagers, navigating identity as a female executive, and the legacy of founders Rick and Ron Betenbough. Jeanna’s story is full of wisdom, vulnerability, and insight for anyone desiring to lead with purpose.

Matt Moreland is a fourth-generation entrepreneur living in Lubbock. He farms nearly 1,000 acres of vineyards with his company Texas Vine Country, helps operate his family winery FermForge/Viñador, and works as a commercial real estate agent with Duncan Realty Group. In this episode, Matt shares about building family-run businesses, fatherhood, faith, and how intentional leadership shows up in his life. From running numbers in real estate to planting grapes in West Texas soil, Matt opens up about what it means to build bridges for those who come after you. Thoughtful, steady, and grounded, this is a conversation about legacy, faith, and living on purpose.

In this energizing episode, Ruben sits down with keynote speaker, consultant, and executive coach LeAnne Lagasse to explore what leadership looks like when we lean into our natural strengths. LeAnne shares how she helps organizations boost employee engagement, equip managers, and retain top talent by using strategic communication and strengths-based approaches. They unpack the myths of charismatic leadership, the importance of self-awareness, the impact of employee engagement on business outcomes, and how leaders can create meaningful change—without changing who they are. LeAnne also gives a behind-the-scenes look at her upcoming book on closing the gap between how leaders see themselves and how their teams experience them. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or leading at home, this episode offers powerful insights for every leader.

Emma Clawson, a senior at Shallowater High School and future New Mexico State volleyball player, joins Ruben to share what she’s learning about leadership, encouragement, and trusting God’s plan. Emma opens up about her transition to a new school, her leadership roles in sports and student organizations, and how her younger brother and teammates have shaped her growth. She offers thoughtful insights on listening deeply, leading through presence rather than volume, and how she hopes to carry those values into her future career in medicine. This episode is a refreshing reminder that leadership starts with paying attention—and often, it’s the quiet strength that makes the biggest impact.

In this episode of Leading Lubbock, Ruben sits down with Steve Gomez, head coach of LCU Women’s Basketball. With three national championships and decades of coaching experience, Steve shares leadership wisdom rooted in humility, service, and investing in people. He talks about the unique dynamics of coaching women, the importance of consistency in leadership, and the perspective-shifting power of remembering life’s brevity. Steve’s stories and insights offer a refreshing reminder that true leadership is less about self-importance and more about steady, faithful service to others.

In this episode of Leading Lubbock, Ruben Trujillo sits down with Cal Zant, President of Betenbough Homes, to discuss leadership marked by humility, authenticity, and a heart for others to flourish. Cal shares powerful stories from his journey—including overcoming addiction, the importance of small-team leadership, and the transformative power of vulnerability. He also unpacks how Betenbough Homes scaled from 600 to 2,000 homes a year without losing their culture and why he believes leadership is about responsibility, not power. This episode is full of hope, faith, and practical wisdom for anyone looking to lead from a place of rest and reliance on God.

In this episode of Leading Lubbock, I sit down with Todd Duncan—head coach of LCU Men’s Basketball and a man whose leadership runs far deeper than the court. With 30 years of coaching experience and a powerful story of perseverance, Todd shares how trust, intentionality, and adversity shape both his team and his personal life. From being told he wasn’t good enough to play college basketball to becoming a decorated coach and Hall of Famer, Todd’s journey is marked by grit and grace. We also talk about what it means to raise a family of leaders, learning from loss, and the lasting power of influence.