Texas Rising

Fighter pilot. Father. Husband. Disruptor. Entrepreneur. Christ-follower.

Geoff interviews Texas Rising co-host Ben Kohlmann and explores his path from Minnesota to the Navy to running an early stage startup.

Colt McCoy is a Texas football legend.  While many know him from his days at UT, nearly leading the Longhorns to the 2010 national title, his story starts well before that.

Colt tells us of what it was like playing high school football in Texas, the culture surrounding it, the ancestors and coaches who shaped his character, and words of commendation for moms and dads with kids in sports.

University of Austin President Pano Kanelos joins us to discuss what it takes to build a new university from the ground up, what a university education is for, and the post-secondary problems UATX is solving through new approaches.  

What is the purpose of K12 education in the 21st century?  

Many public and private schools use the same basic philosophy in educating our nation's youth as was popular at the turn of the 20th century. Yet, across the country, new models are emerging that are rethinking how best to impart knowledge to young people. 

In this episode, Ben and Geoff chat with Graham Frey, inveterate educational entrepreneur and most recently CEO of Alpha, a revolutionary K12 school in Austin. 

How can we better leverage individual learning tracks, removing speed limits while giving targeted, necessary assistance to those needing it most?  What are the life skills that could be taught, but are currently ignored?  And, what are all the options Texas parents have that turn traditional models on their head?

When Geoff Bailey was 8, during a routine check up, doctors discovered an unexpected, life-threatening heart defect.  They immediately rushed Geoff into the operating room.  His life was saved. 

From the White House to running for State House, and becoming a protégé to Texas legend T. Boone Pickens, Geoff has found himself in the arena over and over.  Yet, he keeps his focus on his faith and family while driving change as an energy executive.

During this special episode of Texas Rising, Ben facilitated an extended interview his co-host, diving into what makes Geoff a being a dedicated people-focused leader.    

To understand where Texas is going, you need to understand what shaped her.  This week we're joined by Dr. Donald Frazier, an historian, prolific author, and professor at Schreiner University in Kerrville, TX.

We cover the pre-Texas Revolution people groups, an influx of illegal immigrants across the Sabine from the Western US, the influence of the Comanches on Texas history, and how race relations from slavery to civil rights impacted the Lone Star State.  Interwoven in the discussion are descriptions of the cultural traits that have endured for generations of Texans. 

And to start the episode, Geoff and Ben discuss Ben's big 40th birthday and recent news including a scandalous and "fake news" ranking of Blue Bell ice cream. 

UpSmith is a platform devoted to helping American workers reach their full potential by matching skilled blue collar workers with eager employers.  Ben and Geoff interview UpSmith Founder and CEO Wyatt Smith to discuss how he came to the idea for workforce development training via his pathway at Teach for America, McKinsey, and Uber.  They also discuss the Texas labor market and what it takes to drive a strong, diverse economy. 

The men also discuss the 4th of July, Miss Texas results, and the USC / UCLA shift to the Big Ten.

Gas prices are at record highs.  Our energy mix is changing with the rise of renewables.  What does this mean for the end consumer?  What energy sources are about to boom and which might go bust?  How will Texas be impacted by these changing tides?

This week, Geoff and Ben are joined by Micah Smith and Sam Warfield. Micah is a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company based out of Dallas who has worked around the globe with energy producers.  Sam invests with Arroyo Energy Investors out of Houston, focusing on companies that ensure our nation's energy needs are met.  They explore the impacts of inflation, the Russia-Ukraine war, and what can be done to ease the burden on consumers.

Finally, Ben and Geoff also review recent corporate HQ moves to Dallas, the rise of Texas as a semi-conductor manufacturing hub, and the 2026 World Cup.  

The most anticipated movie of the summer, TOPGUN: MAVERICK, delivered across audiences and critics.  But those who never flew Super Hornets keep coming back to the same questions: how realistic is the flying?  What do g's feel like?  And do Naval Aviators really NOT know how to sail?

To explore these and other questions about the art of being a fighter pilot, Geoff and Ben host former Navy F/A-18 Weapons Systems Officer Jeremy Ludwig.  Ben adds his own expertise in this wide ranging conversation.

Finally, Ben and Geoff dive into Geoff's new job as an elementary school mascot, record Texas inflation and heat waves while discussing...aliens and the cosmic Dark Forest theory during the newly titled "Hear ye, Hear y'all" opening.

Texas housing prices have shot up 20%+ in the past year across the state.  Multi-family and commercial deals are steaming.  But with interest rates on the rise and a looming recession, what does that mean for the Texas Miracle?  Geoff and Ben sit down with commercial real estate broker Justin Shuart of Marcus & Millichap and residential real estate agent Jamie Kohlmann of Dave Perry Miller to get the low down on Texas real estate.

Additionally, Ben and Geoff discuss Memorial Day and the Uvalde school shooting in the "Hear Ye, Hear Ye" opening.