The Hill Country Podcast

Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this area of Texas so unique. This week, Tom welcomes back Alan Peterson, who discusses his participation in the Ride to the River MS event, comparing it to the more well-known Houston to Austin MS 150 ride.

Alan shares his motivations, the event logistics, the experience of the ride, and the emotional impact of riding for a cause close to his heart, his mother’s battle with MS. The episode also delves into the fundraising aspects of these charity rides, discussing the contributions, overall impact, and the sense of community and purpose that drives participants. Alan highlights the differences between the rides, the support and volunteer participation, and the personal satisfaction he gains from contributing to a meaningful cause.

Key highlights:

Resources:

MS Ride to the River

Alan Peterson MS Fundraising Page

Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts

Hill Country Authors Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

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Nancy Huffman

Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this area of Texas so unique. This week, Tom welcomes fellow Hill Country Youth Orchestra board member, Greg Shrader.

They discuss their shared passion for the youth orchestras and highlight their major annual fundraiser, the High Tea event, scheduled for December 6th at the Museum of Western Art. Greg shares insights into the significance and charm of the High Tea and its role in supporting the youth orchestra. He recounts its origins after Robert Earl Keen retired from performing benefit concerts. They also explore the impact of youth orchestras on students from grades K-12, including success stories of students advancing to prestigious institutions such as Interlochen and Juilliard. The episode concludes with information on how to support and get involved with the Hill Country Youth Orchestras.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Hill Country Youth Orchestras

High Tea Fundraiser

Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts

Hill Country Authors Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

Cover Art

Nancy Huffman

Welcome to a special production of The Hill Country Podcast, which is a 12-part series collaboration with the communicators of tomorrow from right here in the Texas Hill Country. The Hill Country Podcast and the Texas Hill Country Podcast Network have partnered with the talented students from Dr. Adolfo Mora’s Communications class at Schreiner University to turn the microphone over to them. Join us each episode as these fresh voices explore critical topics, challenge modern ideas, and provide their unique perspectives on the world of communication.

In this engaging episode of our special series, hosts Pilar, Brianna, and Noah dive into a musical game called ‘Would You Skip It?’. The trio selects and shares songs representing various themes: Happy, Nostalgic, Confident, Love, and Sad. Each host explains their personal connection to the music, while the others decide whether to skip or play the track and explain their reasoning. With a mix of personal anecdotes and a wide range of musical tastes, this episode not only explores the hosts’ musical preferences but also offers a reflective discussion on how songs evoke different emotions and memories. Tune in to discover their thoughts and perhaps find new favorites or revisit old classics.

Key highlights:

Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts

Hill Country Authors Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. This week, Tom welcomes  Lamar Davis to discuss the multifaceted aspects of disaster recovery, focusing on the roles of mental health, and Abby Filyaw joins us to discuss substance abuse recovery.

Lamar shares his background in government service and his current role as a disaster recovery coordinator for the Rio Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. They discuss the phases of disaster response and the importance of long-term recovery plans. Abby discusses her work with the Hill Country Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, emphasizing the increased risk of substance use disorders following traumatic events. The conversation covers the importance of mental health support, the role of clergy, and the broad impacts of disasters like Katrina and local floods. They also touch on the community’s need for collective support and the ongoing nature of grief and recovery.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts

Hill Country Authors Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

Cover Art

Nancy Huffman

Welcome to a special production of The Hill Country Podcast, a 12-part series in collaboration with the communicators of tomorrow from right here in the Texas Hill Country. The Hill Country Podcast and the Texas Hill Country Podcast Network have partnered with the talented students from Dr. Adolfo Mora’s Communications class at Schreiner University to turn the microphone over to them. Join us each episode as these fresh voices explore critical topics, challenge modern ideas, and provide their unique perspectives on the world of communication.

In this episode, Shane Joseph and Austin, seniors at Schreiner University, dive into the history and evolution of popular comic book characters, focusing on Batman’s no-kill rule and its influence across comic book lore. They discuss how iconic characters like Batman, Spider-Man, and Superman have been reinterpreted over time by different writers and through various media adaptations, including the impact of the Ultimate Universe on modern comics. They also examine the market dynamics of comic book publishing and contrast it with the streamlined narratives often found in manga. The conversation highlights the challenges the comic book industry faces in balancing character continuity, creative storytelling, and commercial success.

Key highlights:

Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts

Hill Country Authors Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

Cover Art

Nancy Huffman

Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. ⁠This week, Tom welcomes three pivotal figures from Kerr Together—Theresa Metcalf, Kelly Hagemeier, and Judy Eychner. 

Our topic this week is Kerr Connect, which was created in the wake of the devastating July 4th flood in Kerr County. They explore the unique partnership between the city's government, private businesses, and citizens, which exemplifies the community's resilience and collaboration, especially during the economic recovery from the devastating July 4th flood. The discussion covers the formation of various working groups, including long-term recovery efforts, economic development, and river stewardship. The leaders share their experiences of community-driven initiatives, the importance of clear communication, and how everyday citizens stepped into leadership roles to aid in disaster recovery. For those interested in learning more or getting involved, they recommend visiting the Kerr Together website. 

Key highlights:

 Resources:

⁠Kerr Together⁠

Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts

⁠Hill Country Authors Podcast⁠

⁠Hill Country Artists Podcast⁠

⁠Texas Hill Country Podcast Network⁠

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⁠Nancy Huffman

Welcome to a special production of the Hill Country Podcast, which is a 12-part series collaboration with the communicators of tomorrow from right here in the Texas Hill Country. The Hill Country Podcast and the Texas Hill Country Podcast Network have partnered with the talented students from Dr. Adolfo Mora’s Communications class at Schreiner University to turn the microphone over to them. Join us each episode as these fresh voices explore critical topics, challenge modern ideas, and provide their unique perspectives on the world of communication.

In this first episode, Carter, Connor, and Nathan discuss how music intensifies the viewer’s experience of different film genres such as drama, romance, and comedy. They explore various aspects such as the psychological effects of instruments, the use of light motifs, and the role music plays in animated and CGI films. The conversation delves into how music enhances storytelling, connects the audience emotionally, and influences cultural perceptions. The hosts provide examples from iconic movies like Star Wars, Toy Story, and the Fast and Furious series, examining how different musical themes contribute to the films’ popularity and impact.

Key highlights:

Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts

Hill Country Authors Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

Cover Art

Nancy Huffman

Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. This week, Tom welcomes Melissa Sanchez, the Senior Director of Public Policy at the Alzheimer’s Association, to discuss her role and key initiatives, including Proposition 14.

Melissa shares insights into her professional journey, emphasizing the importance of public policy in shaping lived experiences. The discussion delves into Proposition 14, a significant initiative aiming to transfer $3 billion over ten years to support the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, mirroring the success of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Melissa highlights the Alzheimer’s Association’s multifaceted approach, including care and support, research advancement, and advocacy, while addressing the broader economic and social impacts of dementia. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to support Proposition 14 and get involved with the Alzheimer’s Association.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts

Hill Country Authors Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

Cover Art

Nancy Huffman

Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this area of Texas so unique. This week, Tom welcomes back Mark Haufler and Pat Lee from the Hill Country Youth Orchestras to discuss the upcoming 2025-2026 season.

They all discuss preparations for the new academic year, including student auditions and orchestral placements. Pat highlights the various levels of orchestras at Kerrville and Boerne campuses, the music selections, and events lined up for the season. Mark discusses current and future fundraising initiatives, including the annual ‘High Tea’ event scheduled for December 6th and the efforts to expand their presence in Boerne. They also touch on the healing power of music, particularly in the aftermath of the July 4th flood. Lastly, the episode offers a glimpse into the planned fall concerts and end-of-year holiday celebrations.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Hill Country Youth Orchestras

Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts

Hill Country Authors Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

Cover Art

Nancy Huffman

Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this area of Texas so unique. This week, Tom welcomes back Dalton Rice, City Manager of Kerrville, to discuss the city’s ongoing recovery efforts following a recent disaster.

Dalton details the three key phases of recovery: search and rescue, debris removal, and long-term rebuilding. He shares insights into the challenges faced, ranging from missing persons to economic recovery, with a particular focus on small businesses and parks. Dalton highlights the contributions of various entities, including local organizations, state and federal agencies, and volunteers. He also speaks about the strategic operations within the Emergency Operations Center and how the city managed resources and coordination during and after the crisis. He emphasizes the unique collaborative spirit in Kerrville and the importance of public-private partnerships in disaster recovery. Finally, he discusses future challenges and the anticipation of the holiday season as a time for community resilience and reflection.

Key highlights:

Resources:

City of Kerrville

Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts

Hill Country Authors Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

Cover Art

Nancy Huffman