SmarterU

Brad Coleman became a professional race-car driver at just 15 years old. After competing at the highest levels of motorsports—including NASCAR—he made an extraordinary turn: from driving at breathtaking speeds to teaching the next generation how to drive safely.

Today, Brad is the owner and CEO of SafeWay Driving, one of Texas’s most established driver-education companies. In this episode of smarterUmedia, Brad sits down with Steve Lipscomb to discuss the discipline, risk, preparation and split-second decision-making required in professional racing—and how those lessons helped him become an entrepreneur and business leader. Brad shares what it was like to enter professional racing as a teenager, how he handled pressure and setbacks, why he left the racetrack for the boardroom, and how he is working to transform driver education and make the roads safer.

Social Entrepreneurs build, bolster and change the world every day. In this episode, World Poker Tour Foundation President David Gitter, discusses how the power of poker has helped the organization raise well over 50 Million Dollars for meaningful causes with their partners. David shares insights on starting with 'yes' instead of 'no', the importance of innovation, giving back, and leveraging personal strengths to make a difference in the world.

Kirby Hocutt, Director of Athletics at Texas Tech University, shares insights on the evolving landscape of college sports, the importance of viewership, athlete education, and the impact of recent legislative changes. Discover how Texas Tech is building a brand on the rise, balancing athletic success with academic excellence, and navigating the future of collegiate athletics.

We continue celebrating democracy with Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman who provides a message of hope for the City of Angeles as he deploys a new system of justice he calls "The Hard Middle," emphasizing a case-by-case approach, community engagement, and holistic solutions to crime and homelessness. Discover how his strategies aim to balance public safety, community trust, and justice.

In this episode, Jeff Clements discusses the critical issue of money in politics, the history of campaign finance reform, and the constitutional path to fixing systemic corruption through a proposed amendment. This conversation highlights the importance of civic engagement and constitutional change to restore democracy.

In this episode, David Daley, best-selling author of Anti-Democratic and Rat F**cked, and Why Your Vote Doesn't Count, discusses the systemic intricacies of how politicians cheat when they draw district lines (gerrymandering/redistricting) and the outsized influence of the Supreme Court on American democracy. Discover how systemic manipulation affects elections and what citizens can do to restore fairness and representation.

Energy is more than a political debate or a monthly bill. It is opportunity, quality of life, and economic mobility. In this episode of Smarter U, Steve talks with Alan Smith of Rockcliff Energy about the complexities of worldwide energy consumption, the role hydrocarbons play in today’s energy mix, and why billions of people still face challenges many of us rarely see. It is a conversation about energy, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the hard questions behind powering the modern world.

Peter Trevisani, CEO of New Mexico United, and former Finance Guru shares insights on creating a 100 year sports franchise, transforming sports stadiums into community assets, building a passionate fan base, and leveraging storytelling and social media to create a lasting legacy in sports and community development.

key topics

Stadiums as civic assets and community hubs

Storytelling and social media in sports marketing

Building a passionate and inclusive sports community

Uber Business Consultant Laura Wheeler, co-founder of RVNU, opens up about her AI experience with US companies, offering practical and tangible steps that all businesses, entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners should be doing yesterday. She and Steve explore how AI is transforming business processes, data collection, and market relevance. Discover practical insights on leveraging AI for efficiency, innovation, and staying ahead in a rapidly changing marketplace.

Gaming and Marketing Savant Christie St. Martin shares how AI and Tech Worlds are leading us back to each other. Christie is an accomplished marketeer and social entrepreneur who helps build large scale communites through organizations like Gamers.Vote and CrossroadsXP. She illuminates how we can listen, be flexible and have a voice.