The Inn Between Podcast

New Season, New Adventures: Baby News, Nonprofit Launch, and Inspiring Art in the Hill Country

📄 Show Notes (SEO Optimized + Timestamps):

After a year-long hiatus, Jake and Leah are back with a brand-new season of The In Between Podcast! In this exciting kickoff episode, they share big life updates — from welcoming a new baby to launching their nonprofit artist residency program in the stunning Texas Hill Country.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] Welcome Back & Life Update Jake and Leah return after a break, sharing the joys and challenges of their year — including becoming parents and starting a nonprofit.

• [02:06] Launching the Nonprofit Artist Residency How The In Between transformed from a side project into a fully funded nonprofit supporting artists with residencies, stipends, and community art projects.

• [03:23] Territory Art Festival 2026 Plans to bring muralists, sculptors, land artists, and earth artists to create permanent public art throughout Concan and Lakeview.

• [04:18] Art That Connects with Nature Why the Hill Country's natural landscape is central to the vision — and how land art blends seamlessly into the environment.

• [06:41] Upcoming Labor Day Weekend Bike Fest A family-friendly event at the brand-new Bushong Mountain Bike Park, complete with art displays from residency artists.

• [08:05] Exploring the New Bike Park Jake and Leah share their first-hand experience hiking the trails, from stroller-friendly loops to challenging mountain bike climbs.

• [11:18] Songs on the Frio Festival How a podcast interview inspired Leah to volunteer and attend this one-of-a-kind songwriter showcase — and why it's a must-see in 2025.

• [14:32] Other Local Events to Watch From smokehouse cookouts to riverside gatherings, Jake and Leah preview the area's vibrant event calendar.

• [15:11] 100-Year Anniversary of Tourism in Concan A look ahead at a major 2026 celebration honoring a century of visitors coming to the Texas Hill Country.

• [16:48] Season Wrap-Up & What's Next How the podcast will roll out new episodes and how you can support the show by subscribing and leaving a review.

Keywords: Texas Hill Country podcast, artist residency program, nonprofit art, Territory Art Festival, Concan Texas events, Bushong Mountain Bike Park, Songs on the Frio, public art installations, local Texas festivals, creative community stories.

Derek Lacey is a life coach who focuses on insomnia and how it affects one's relationship with food and the environment. For more information on his work and services, visit:

Website: Dereklaceycoaching.com

FB- https://www.facebook.com/thelifecoachforinsomniacs

IG - https://www.instagram.com/thelifecoachforinsomniacs/

SHORT BIO

Derek Lacey shares his personal battle with insomnia, a struggle that deeply impacted every aspect of his life. This journey led him to a profound understanding of sleep disorders, particularly insomnia, and inspired him to become a life coach in this field. His initial focus on health and nutrition naturally evolved into a specialization in the intricate relationship between these factors and sleep. The circadian rhythm, a human's natural 24-hour cycle of physical, mental, and behavioral experiences, is deeply influenced by our exposure to light throughout the day and night, which signals our body when to release melatonin. Everyday habits such as exposure to phone light before bed, frequency of food intake, and nervous system dysregulation can affect a person's ability to fall asleep. Derek's methodology involves more internal work (i.e., psychological and spiritual) and resolving the factors that come from within and their effect on the subconscious mind. Jake and Derek reminisce about the past and generational changes that take people away from the fundamentals of the human experience, such as being outside and active and using all five senses (i.e., being barefoot on the ground). The business of helping people sleep has expanded from mattresses to items such as temperature-changing pillows and mouth tape. As people scroll on Amazon to find the latest item to help them sleep, they lose sleep confidence as the neural pathways develop in their minds, convincing them that they were not designed to experience proper sleep. The resistance is created, and it's better to work on dissolving that resistance and toward physical and mental acceptance of sleep when it's time to sleep. The human body naturally has a system in place to prepare the body for sleep. Pay attention to those systemic changes and cooperate with those natural bodily instincts to prepare for sleep.

Episode 33: Being In The Shadow with Eclipse Chaser Dr. Kate Russo

Dr. Kate Russo (Pronounced Roo-so) - Author | Psychologist | Eclipse Chaser

Founder, Being in the Shadow

Only Australian member of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Solar Eclipse Task Force

For more information :

Email: [email protected]

FB-@Beingintheshadow

Website- http://www.beingintheshadow.com

NEW BOOK- Amazon link

https://a.co/d/dWw9bsp

SHORT BIO

Dr. Kate Russo is an Author, Psychologist, Eclipse Chaser, and Founder of Being in the Shadow. Kate has now seen 13 total solar eclipses from 11 countries in her 24 years of chasing and will be an eclipse chaser for life. She has published three books on the experience of totality, leads niche eclipse tours, and is in demand as a speaker and in the media due to her passion for the awe and wonder of totality. From her exciting experiences and academic research insights, Kate will highlight how you can prepare for the most incredible show on earth.

Dr. Russo was backpacking for some time and was in the UK when she heard about the path of totality that would occur nearby. She traveled to the coast of France to get on the path despite not knowing much about it and described the experience as something you couldn't just sit and watch. The sky suddenly turns dark, the birds change their behavior, the temperature drops, more of the sun is covered, it gets eerie, and so many things happen at once. When you look up as the moon's shadow passes you, it looks like a hole in the sky. Totality feels like a lifetime, and you don't want it to end. Dr. Russo recalls feeling like a changed person after it's over, and there is a range of emotions. You feel insignificant but connected to something greater, and time is irrelevant. She describes that every continent has given her a different experience due to the time of day, elevation, and season. In Mongolia, she was part of a small tour walking up a hill, and you couldn't see anything man-made, just the landscape immersed in nature.

Dr. Russo leads eclipse tours and firmly believes in letting participants, including herself, prepare for the event 15 minutes prior, letting everyone be caught up in the moment, and then reconvening with the group afterward. She recommends setting boundaries for that sacred space and a set time for that experience, which can range in the number of minutes, so it's best to take it in as much as you can. Dr. Russo admits it's not the time for deep thinking or logic but rather to celebrate. She tracks the weather two days in advance for a total eclipse to see clear skies. It's harder to pinpoint a location if it's a cloudy day. For an annular eclipse, cloudy skies are sufficient and won't affect your viewing location. Her experience organizing events and taking charge influenced her to write more guidance literature to encourage venturing into the unknown while on the ground. Her focus is evidence-based techniques and strategies, and she enjoys working with small rural communities who show their passion for the experience differently from city communities. This experience isn't just an event but rather the heart and soul of a small community and a way to observe the rest of the environment that gives vital context to the eclipse experience.

Have you ever gone tubing, soaking up the sun, enjoying the company of the people around you, and thought, "Man, I wish I could do this all the time!" If you answered yes, we're about to give you a really great excuse to get on the rivers in Uvalde County more often. Today on the Inn Between, we have Hailey Hart, the River Cleanup and Digital Marketing Manager of Uvalde County Visitor Center!

Hailey is a community-driven individual who organizes river cleanups in Uvalde County, offering participants $15 an hour to clean the river while floating down it through the Uvalde County Visitor Center. The proceeds from these cleanups support various charities. The events attract people of all ages, providing budget-friendly activities for families and nature enthusiasts. Hailey's efforts go beyond monetary contributions, encouraging active engagement in environmental preservation.

The Uvalde County Visitors Center, with Hailey's involvement, hosts exciting events like star parties and activities for kids, captivating visitors from near and far. Painting river rocks has become a beloved tradition, fostering creativity and a connection with nature.

Her strong work ethic comes from growing up in her parents' business, where she learned the value of hard work and dedication. Hailey's commitment to excellence shines through in everything she does, from organizing cleanups to ensuring visitors have a memorable experience.

During summertime in her childhood, Hailey enjoyed meeting people from different places, forming friendships that transcend geographical boundaries. Embracing friends from "outside the canyon" enriched her life, broadening her perspectives and fostering cultural exchange.

Connect with Hailey or the Uvalde Visitor Center

email- [email protected]

Office- (830) 232-4310

web- visituvaldecounty.com

FB-VisitUvaldeCounty

Youtube- Visit Uvalde County

IG-Txhillcountryrivers

[00:00] Show intro

[00:46] Hailey and what she does

[04:43] River clean ups and the Trash Bash

[10:38] FFA chapters competing to rebuild and redesign yellow bag dispensers

[15:06] Things Hailey is working on at the visitor center

[19:56] Hailey's childhood: her parents, tourism, and summer time

[29:33] Big things coming up for the visitor center

[35:26] The birding festival

[38:28] What Hailey is excited about this summer

[39:37] Wrapping it up

Join us on this exciting episode of The Inn Between as we dive into the world of western fashion with Spencer Davis, a talented influencer who knows how to rock her bougie style on a budget. Hailing from Louisiana and spending significant time in Texas, Spencer has found her passion for western fashion while maintaining a normal everyday job in the oil and gas business.

Spencer's journey towards discovering her unique personality led her to embrace her love for boots, fringe, and all things western. However, she noticed a lack of cute western clothes in her size, inspiring her to navigate the fashion landscape and curate a collection that works for her, all while staying budget-friendly and size-inclusive. Throughout her journey, Spencer has discovered numerous boutiques and brands that cater to her style preferences and are accessible to others who want to embrace the bougie cowgirl aesthetic.

In this episode, Spencer shares her tips for finding great deals and her aversion to credit cards, opting for payment plan systems that don't charge interest. She also discusses her approach to dealing with negativity on social media, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries with strangers online.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into fashion, budgeting, and maintaining a positive online presence. Don't miss the chance to join the conversation with Spencer Davis and learn how to unleash your bougie side without breaking the bank.

IG: @Bougie_cowgirl

[00:00]

[00:46] Welcome to Spencer

[01:55] Who Spencer is and what she does

[05:40] How Spencer found her style

[07:26] What it was like for Spencer to get started

[10:32] Spencer's perspective on size inclusion

[12:35] Boutiques Spencer loves

[13:58] How do we become bougie on a budget?

[18:47] Anti-credit card

[21:51] Negativity on social media and dealing with it

[26:49] Takeaways

[27:27] The collaboration weekend

[31:03] Wrapping it up

Welcome to an exhilarating episode of The Inn Between! Today, we're thrilled to chat with Erica Sagebiel, the Director of Uvalde County Visitor Center: Texas Hill Country River Region. Get ready for a fascinating glimpse into this captivating region!

Join us as we discover Erica's role in working with local businesses for events, marketing, and providing invaluable support. Marketing grants have allowed Uvalde County businesses to reach a wider audience, while beautification grants have spruced up the area with delightful touches like Tessa and Leah's wildflowers.

Erica shares her excitement for the upcoming solar eclipse, hoping it sparks a chain of visitors returning to the Concan area. September brings a fantastic river clean-up event, a community day, and a fundraiser for underfunded local volunteer fire stations. The Texas Hill Country River Region strikes the perfect balance between promoting tourism and protecting the natural resources that make it so special.

From water conservation education to nature amphitheaters, this incredible organization leaves no stone unturned in educating tourists, business owners, and the local community. Join us for an engaging and playful conversation as we explore the wonders of Uvalde County Visitor Center: Texas Hill Country River Region and Erica Sagebiel's inspiring vision for a sustainable and unforgettable destination.

email- [email protected]

Office- (830) 232-4310

web- visituvaldecounty.com

FB-VisitUvaldeCounty

Youtube- Visit Uvalde County

IG-Txhillcountryrivers

[00:00] Show intro

[00:46] Welcome to Erica Sagebiel

[01:32] What Erica and Texas Hill Country River Region does

[11:38] Things Erica is excited about for 2024

[18:27] The balance between promoting tourism and protecting natural resources

[24:30] Workshops and classes for local business owners

[27:09] Educating the younger generation to be good stewards

[29:58] Erica's favorite part of her job

[32:52] Wrapping it up

Welcome to another episode of The Inn Between. Today, we have a fascinating tale to share about Josh and Tessa Shandley, the owner/operators of Josh's Frio River Outfitters. Their journey began back in 1991 when Josh was just twelve years old. Josh and his dad had a love for the outdoors and fishing, so they decided to open a simple bait and tackle shop. They didn't aim for anything extravagant, just a place to share their passion with the local community and tourists. Surprisingly, the response was overwhelmingly positive, and their business started to thrive.

That's when Tessa entered the picture. Inspired by her entrepreneur father, she joined forces with Josh to take the business to new heights. Growing up, both Josh and Tessa were encouraged to explore and figure things out, which instilled in them a sense of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Now, as parents themselves, they want to pass down those same values to their children. In the Frio area, it's common for children to grow up in their parents' businesses. This upbringing teaches them valuable people skills, as they interact with customers who are either happy or upset. Throughout the episode, Josh and Tessa share heartwarming stories from their experiences as business owners, aiming to make a positive impact on everyone they serve.

Join us as we delve into the journey of Josh and Tessa Shandley, from their humble beginnings to the thriving business they run today. Get ready for inspiring tales, insights into parenting, and the importance of fostering innovation.

IG- @tessashandley

FB- Josh'sFrioRiverOutfitter

joshsfrioriveroutfitter.com

[00:00] Welcome to Josh and Tessa!

[01:55] How Josh's Frio River Outfitters came to be

[06:00] Before Tessa and after Tessa

[07:57] Tessa and her background

[10:30] Growing up encouraging independence

[13:39] Where to connect with Josh and Tessa

[14:27] Being innovative with parenting and business

[22:58] Stories from the business and a couple rabbit trails

[37:34] Josh's name is actually his nickname

[39:14] Tourism is about making a good vacation for people

[41:19] Getting to play a part in a family's memories

[46:36] What Josh and Tessa are most excited for this summer

[52:02] The unique perfume (and the cologne)

[57:57] Wrapping it up

Join us on today's episode of The Inn Between as we talk to Doug, owner of the Frio RIver Private Access! Leah's chance encounter with Doug sitting by a sign that said "River Access" led to an unforgettable tour. Soon, this hidden gem became a must-visit on Tripadvisor. With limited capacity for a cozy experience, the place offers swimming holes, paddleboarding, and shallow areas for kids. Visiting during the off-season unveils vibrant foliage, while Doug and his father share their knowledge of native plants and the valley's Native American history.

At Big Tree Ranch, marvel at Texas' largest trees on captivating tree tours. Nearby ranches offer bat flight tours, where historical ranches lead to the second-largest bat colony in the US. Doug's deep connection to the land adds a personal touch, as he inherited the ranch from his late uncle. Concan is a paradise for birding enthusiasts, with Doug potentially spotting a majestic bald eagle along the Frio River. Even butterfly lovers journey from Pennsylvania to witness the enchanting creatures.

Join us on a captivating journey through Frio River Private Access, revealing hidden treasures and immersing you in the natural wonders of this captivating Texas destination.

Facebook- Frio River Private Access

Tripadvisor- Frio River Private Access

[00:00] Show intro

[00:47] Welcome to Doug

[02:09] How Leah met Doug

[06:30] The history of Big Tree Ranch

[10:45] Activities on the Frio: during flood stage and normal levels

[17:22] Kayak vs. canoes

[18:49] A higher price for privacy and beauty

[22:30] Nature, research, and passing on the knowledge

[33:45] What it was like for Doug to grow up on the ranch

[35:44] Year round location: good weather, dark skies, birding, and animals

[42:45] Partnership from The Inn Between and Frio River Private Access

[46:35] Wrapping it up

A small town girl with big dreams, Yessenia started out in hair and makeup in LA but was soon experimenting with photography when she got back to her hometown in Uvalde county. Through her work as a photographer, Yessenia tries to capture the beauty she sees through her lense to empower clients. Even though she lives in a small town, Yessenia has learned the power of "yes" and is sharing how she stays open to opportunity.

Yessenia is a goal chaser and has an amazing opportunity to do a modeling and photography workshop in Nashville this year that she's telling us all about. From trailer park shoots to putting wings on a horse, Yessenia loves bringing her client's visions to life and really exploring through her work. She really values community over competition and it really shows through in our conversation today.

IG Yesenia.Bailey.photography

FB: BaileyPhotography

Tiktok: Yesenia.Bailey.photo

[00:00] Show intro

[00:46] All the way from Uvalde, Yessenia Bailey!

[01:42] Uvalde girl goes to LA

[04:00] When did photography start?

[09:00] How do you get people out of their shell?

[11:13] Hair and makeup: the full packages

[14:14] Showing your face on social media

[17:51] Where the hustle comes from

[20:06] The craziest thing Yessenia's done

[22:55] Small town mentality

[24:49] The journey to saying yes

[28:46] The cattle trailer for potraits

[31:06] About the workshop

[36:41] What is Yessenia's favorite and creative session

[45:15] Things on the horizon

[46:59] Closing comments

[50:24] Outro