Spirit of West Texas

This episode is a double-header with not one but two coaches. Join Amy and Jared as they visit with Lubbock-Cooper High School Campus Athletic Director and head football coach, Chip Darden as well as Lubbock-Cooper Liberty High School Campus Athletic Director and head football coach, Joe Sexton. Having both been raised in West Texas, they share about the importance of athletics in the life of a student and how a strong culture is paramount to not only the program but the school as well. 

In this episode, you’ll hear Chip and Joe’s thoughts on why playing more than one sport is a good idea, the lessons that students teach them and their favorite pre-game ritual (you’ll need a “Suspicious Mind” to figure it out). We think you’ll agree, this is a blue-chip episode.

Growing up the son of a banker, Keith Bryant aspired to have a career in finance. Then one day Keith realized that he wanted to impact the lives of young people and that his calling lay in the field of education. Starting out in coaching, Keith eventually moved to administration and is now the Superintendent for the Lubbock-Cooper Independent School District, one of the fastest growing school districts in the state. Utilizing a student-centered approach, Keith has found success and was recently named, “Texas Superintendent of the Year”.

In this episode, you’ll her about Keith’s thoughts on the importance of maintaining a strong culture within a growing school district as well as his vision of success for all children within the LCISD family. Be sure to tune into this episode and you may even get an inside scoop on the next possible Lubbock Cooper mascot…spoiler alert, it’s not a piranha.

A West Texas boy, Kent Hance grew up on Dimmit and knew from an early age that he wanted to be involved in politics. Over the years, Kent has been involved in many aspects of government, becoming the 3rd Chancellor of Texas Tech University in 2006. During his tenure as the longest serving Chancellor, Texas Tech doubled in size and broke enrollment records. If those achievements weren’t enough, Kent also hosts his own podcast as The Best Storyteller in Texas.

In this episode, you’ll hear Kent’s thoughts on the positive aspects of West Texas, how to outwork anyone and the idea of the simple vision. If you want to be entertained by a man who has been in the company of Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan and Lee Iacocca, you won’t want to miss this episode.

Growing up in Kentucky, Eveline Rivers wanted to be a designer, but her life journey took a different course. Given a servant’s heart from her grandmother, over the years Eveline has established many successful non-profits such as the Eveline Rivers Christmas Project and Eveline’s Sunshine Cottage which helps single mothers, and their families break the cycle of poverty through education.  

In this episode, you’ll hear Eveline’s thoughts on leadership, her Olympic torch experience and the value of having strong and supportive cheerleaders in your life. IF you want to be inspired by an extraordinary woman who has managed many amazing achievements throughout her life, this is the episode for you.

When Paige and George Nester began a fun project growing pumpkins with their children they never dreamed of where the journey would lead them. What started as a couple of bee hives to pollinate the pumpkins soon grew into several highly successful businesses, Creek House Honey Farm and Honey Buzz Winery and Events Center. Although based in Canyon, Texas, now you can find their bee-centric lip balm and skincare products sold by retailers throughout the country.

In this episode, you’ll hear the Nesters talk about the triumphs and failures of caring for one of the most important contributors to the world’s ecosystem as well as the definition of mead and the trials of the lowly male bee. Amy says this episode is “unBEElievable”! Bad puns aside (very bad) we think this inspiring interview about the hard work, vision and entrepreneurship of the Nesters is hard to BEEt.

Do you find charm on the Caprock…beauty in the Basin? Laura Lewis does! A one-time student of Glenna Goodacre, Laura left a career as a respiratory therapy nurse to paint. Drawing inspiration from her happy place, the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos, Laura has been finding and sharing the beauty of West Texas ever since. What once started out as a passion has led to Laura’s work being showcased in the offices of international companies and has even led to a book of her work being published.

In this episode, you’ll hear Laura talk about the current state of the Lubbock arts scene, her multi-media projects and in finding inspiration in the beauty of creation, music, landscape, and people. You will not want to miss this one.

Do veterinarians and beer brewing go together? If you’re Eric Cunningham, the answer is a resounding, “yes”! Driven by the childhood memory of a dying family pet, Eric followed his dream of helping animals and built upon it to start a successful and growing veterinary clinic in Lubbock. Not one to sit still, Eric partnered with a cousin to then turn a hobby into the one of the first successful craft brewing operations in Lubbock.

In this episode, you’ll hear Eric share thoughts on the values of collaborative work, his favorite beer, and the strangest animals that he’s worked on. If you pay attention, you may also hear Amy singing some David Allen Coe and that’s worth listening to this episode right there. 

Season 4 of the Spirit of West Texas podcast kicks off strong with Robert Taylor, former CEO of United Supermarkets. Growing up working at his father’s wholesale tobacco and candy business, Robert learned the values of entrepreneurship and opportunity. After taking over the family business, Robert grew it far beyond the original scope based off a business plan of fostering relationships, treating people right and the philosophy that everyone deserves respect.

In this episode, you’ll learn the value of surrounding yourself with good role models as well as why you should never pass over a penny on the ground. You won’t want to miss this episode; Jared says it’s a “doozie”. We think you’ll agree.

In this episode, you’ll hear Dr. Wendler share stories about the importance of investing in the youth of West Texas as well as the ingredients to any healthy culture. You’ll also hear about the leadership style of former co-founder of Southwest Airlines, Herb Kelleher is like as well as what is Dr. Wendler’s biggest dream. If you want some inspiration in your day, you won’t want to miss this episode.

In this episode, you’ll hear Alycyn share stories of the history of the Wallace Theater as well as the plans for the organization’s future. You’ll also hear about the importance of a vibrant arts program to the youth of today and the reality of “Living in Levelland and Loving It”. If you enjoy stories of vision and positive change, you won’t want to miss this episode.