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 one of the most unique areas of Texas. This week, Tom welcomes Gene Dowdy, the Director of Music at Schreiner University and conductor of the Symphony of the Hills.

Gene shares his serendipitous journey to becoming a conductor and the importance of succession planning in organizations. He also discusses the profound role music plays in promoting healing and community wellness, emphasizing initiatives that involve music and health. Additionally, Gene provides an overview of the Symphony of the Hills’ upcoming 25th anniversary season, highlighting the planned concerts and their significance. The episode underscores the symphony’s commitment to community engagement and highlights the emotional power of music.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Symphony of the Hills Kerrville

Professor Eugene Dowdy at Schreiner University

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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 one of the most unique areas of Texas. This week, Tom welcomes Abby Filyaw and Lamar Davis from the Hill Country Council on Alcohol and Drug Awareness.

Abby Filyaw introduces Lamar Davis to discuss the complex topics of shame and guilt within the context of addiction recovery. The conversation explores definitions of shame and guilt, their impact on recovery efforts, and how different recovery processes like the 12 Steps and refuge recovery help address these feelings. The episode also touches on the significance of National Recovery Month, celebrated every September, and the role of community support and peer experiences in overcoming addiction-related stigma and promoting sustained recovery.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Check out the Hill Country Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (HCCADA) for further information on services, programs, and resources.

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Hill Country Authors Podcast

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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 one of the most unique areas of Texas. This week, Tom Fox welcomes Mindy Wendele, President and CEO of the Kerrville Chamber of Commerce, to discuss how our community came together in the aftermath of the recent flood. Mindy shares the story of the Chamber’s swift action, the creation of the Rebuilding and Recovery Fund, and the many ways neighbors have helped one another. You’ll hear about the grants awarded to local businesses, the efforts to combat fraud, and the ongoing journey to rebuild Kerrville and Kerr County. This episode is a celebration of our town’s resilience and the people who make it special.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Visit kerrvillechamber.biz for the Rebuilding and Recovery Fund.

Stop by: 1700 Sidney Baker Street, Kerrville, TX

Call: (830) 896-1155

Other Award-Winning Texas Hill Country Network Podcasts

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Hill Country Artists Podcast

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Podcast Artwork

Nancy Huffman Fine Art

⁠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 one of the most unique areas of Texas. ⁠This week, Tom welcomes back Kenneth O’Neal to discuss the highly anticipated third annual Ziglar Explosion and Circle of Gumption Conference, taking place in Kerrville, TX, on October 9-11, 2025.

Kenneth shares exciting details about the conference, including the speaker lineup, special events, and the principles of Zig Ziglar that continue to influence people globally. He also introduces his book ‘The Circle of Gumption,’ his weekly podcast, and discusses themes such as integrity, leadership, and resilience. The conversation concludes with a glimpse into Kenneth’s passion for connecting with people and sharing wisdom.

Key highlights:

 Resources:

Circle of Gumption ⁠Website⁠

⁠Ziglar Explosion⁠

Kenneth O’Neal on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Other Award-Winning Texas Hill Country Network Podcasts

⁠Hill Country Authors Podcast⁠

⁠Hill Country Artists Podcast⁠

⁠Texas Hill Country Podcast Network⁠

 Podcast Artwork

⁠Nancy Huffman Fine Art

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 one of the most unique areas of Texas. This week, Tom welcomes back Kristy Vandenberg to discuss the aftermath of the July 4th floods.

Kristy shares her experience and involvement with the Red Cross and Rotary Club, highlighting their immediate response, shelter operations, volunteer efforts, and community support. She details the role of the Red Cross in providing lodging, feeding first responders, and assessing damage, as well as the Rotary Club’s resource mobilization and donation initiatives. Looking ahead, Kristy emphasizes the importance of strategic rebuilding and the community’s collaborative effort to support flood victims. Listeners are provided with information on how to donate and volunteer.

Key highlights:

Resources

Rotary Club of Kerrville

Hill Country Red Cross

Other Hill Country Network Podcasts

Hill Country Authors Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

Artwork

Nancy Huffman Fine Art

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 one of the most unique areas of Texas. This week, Tom welcomes James Love, the General Manager of Blue Roan Coffee in Kerrville, TX.

They discuss James’s professional journey from Portland to becoming involved in the coffee industry, and the unique aspects that set Blue Roan Coffee apart, including their commitment to organic products and customer health. James shares insights on coffee bean quality, roasting processes, and the importance of sourcing beans from smallholder farms. They also explore the challenges and plans for Blue Roan Coffee, and the impact of creating a quality, health-focused product in the community.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Blue Roan Coffee

Blue Roan on Instagram

Other Hill Country Network Podcasts

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Artwork

Nancy Huffman Fine Art

Welcome to 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 one of the most unique areas of Texas. This week, Tom welcomes Trey Atkission, the general manager of Cecil Atkission Motors in Kerrville.

Trey shares insights about his professional journey from studying accounting and professional selling at Baylor to his various roles in the automotive industry, culminating in his current leadership position. They discuss the unique combination of skills that have benefited Trey in his career, highlighting the importance of communication and sales abilities for accountants. Trey also reflects on the responsibilities and rewards of running a business in a small town, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and support. The episode also touches on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Trey’s leadership during this challenging time.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Trey Atkission on LinkedIn

Cecil Atkission Motors Website

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Hill Country Authors Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

Artwork

Nancy Huffman Fine Art

Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. In this episode, Tom Fox is joined by Marc Duncan, a disaster recovery and prevention expert, and they take a deep dive into the details of what happened in Kerr County and Kerrville over the July 4th weekend. They discuss the similarities between frameworks used in the public sector and corporate risk management, exploring the complexities of coordinating multiple stakeholders during a disaster, the importance of training and awareness, and the crucial role of effective communication. They also discuss the integrated response of public and private organizations, as well as the ongoing efforts to manage both immediate and long-term recovery after a natural disaster. This episode offers valuable insights into the multifaceted field of emergency management, as well as the practical steps involved in responding to and recovering from major weather-related events.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Other Hill Country Network Podcasts

Hill Country Authors Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

Artwork

Nancy Huffman Fine Art

Please consider donating to support the rebuilding efforts that will be necessary following this tragic event. You can donate to flood relief for victims of the Kerr County flooding by visiting the Hill Country Flood Relief here: https://bit.ly/4klTYpz.

It is with great sadness I post this podcast. It is a recording I did with Jane Ragsdale back in 2023. Jane was the owner of the Heart O’the Hill Camp near Hunt TX. She died as a result of the massive flood which roared down the Guadalupe River in the early morning hours of July 4. As of the posting of this podcast there are over 80 confirmed dead, 11 know still missing and an unknown number of missing. One of the worst hit was a girls’ camp, Camp Mystic which lost 27 dead.  

Jane was from a summer camping family as her parents Si and Kathy Ragsdale ran a boys’ camp, Camp Stewart, also in Hunt TX from the mid-1960s until 2015 when Jane’s nephew Jeepers Ragsdale took over running Camp Stewart. Jane was beloved in both the camping community and the greater Hill Country community. She was a leader and did annual mission work in Guatemala.  This podcast focused on her mission work.  

I hope you will consider a donation to help the rebuilding that will be needed after this tragic event. You can donate to flood relief for victims of the Kerr County flooding by going to the Hill Country Flood Relief here.

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, we have guest host RJ Ochoa from Schreiner University, who sits down with his older brother, Noah Ochoa, to discuss Noah’s extensive baseball journey.

Noah shares his experiences playing baseball from high school in Loveland to various college levels, including EPCC, University of Arkansas Fort Smith, and Schreiner University. They delve into his recruitment process, the challenges of JUCO ball, and the transition to a four-year college program. The conversation also touches on the emotional culmination of their baseball journey, playing together in Noah’s final college season. Additionally, they discuss the impact of the transfer portal, handling setbacks, and plans post-baseball, offering insights and advice for aspiring athletes facing similar challenges.

Key highlights:

Resources:

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Hill Country Authors Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast

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Reel Creators of the Texas Hill Country

Rotary Voices of Kerrville

Cover Art

Nancy Huffman Fine Art