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The McKinney Podcast
By James Jenkins & Fred MahusayLeisure
The McKinney Podcast episodes
- Tim Henley - Bridge 2913
Welcome to The McKinney Podcast, where we celebrate the people and happenings that make our city "Unique By Nature."
Our guest for this episode is Tim Henley, District Catalyst at Bridge 2913.
The MCKPOD is presented by RiskWell and FredShots Photography and recorded at the RiskWell studio in McKinney. Your hosts are James Jenkins and Fred Mahusay.
Key Topics:
Why parents feel uncertain about life after graduation and the college-only default
Raising kids in the AI era with more access but less foundation
Identity and confidence as the difference between students who face the future and avoid it
Taking a 39-question HR level assessment that points students to matched careers
Origin of the assessment through Carl Nielsen's HR work on strengths and stress
Trades and apprenticeships as valuable alternatives to the college-only path
Helping parents move from conveyor belt thinking to individualized guidance
Narrowing 30 careers to two through interviews, part-time jobs, and a step-by-step guidebook
Shifting from a knowledge economy to a skills economy in the age of AI
Investing in hope by sponsoring students through studentcareercoaching.org
Visit https://www.mckinneypodcast.com to subscribe to the email list and never miss an episode.
Join the #MCKPOD community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mckinneypodcast and engage with your neighbors and fellow fans of the show.
Check out the #MCKPOD YouTube Channel to watch the video versions of our episode and see lots of additional content: https://youtube.com/@mckinneypodcast
James and Fred would love to hear from you with any comments, questions, or ideas! Email the show at [email protected] and you may be featured on a future mailbag segment.
54 min - Ruth Thompson - Hugs Cafe
Welcome to The McKinney Podcast, where we celebrate the people and happenings that make our city "Unique By Nature."
Our guest for this episode is Ruth Thompson, Founder of Hugs Cafe.
The MCKPOD is presented by RiskWell and FredShots Photography and recorded at the RiskWell studio in McKinney. Your hosts are James Jenkins and Fred Mahusay.
Key Topics:
Teaching adults with disabilities to cook at the Market Street cooking school
A recurring dream that led to a restaurant employing people with disabilities
Opening Hugs Cafe in 2015 after two years of securing nonprofit status
Team members who never wanted to leave, and the resulting change of model
Launching the greenhouse and training academies to reach more lives
Running a social enterprise with higher labor costs and no subminimum wages
Why no tips are taken, to protect team members' Social Security benefits
Mentoring affiliates nationwide and serving on the Texas Restaurant Association board
The new McKinney building, requests to expand, and pacing future growth
Leadership succession and using her remaining decade with purpose
Visit https://www.mckinneypodcast.com to subscribe to the email list and never miss an episode.
Join the #MCKPOD community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mckinneypodcast and engage with your neighbors and fellow fans of the show.
Check out the #MCKPOD YouTube Channel to watch the video versions of our episode and see lots of additional content: https://youtube.com/@mckinneypodcast
James and Fred would love to hear from you with any comments, questions, or ideas! Email the show at [email protected] and you may be featured on a future mailbag segment.
49 min - Michael Reeves - The Andy App
Welcome to The McKinney Podcast, where we celebrate the people and happenings that make our city "Unique By Nature."
Our guest for this episode is Michael Reeves, Founder of The Andy App.
The MCKPOD is presented by RiskWell and FredShots Photography and recorded at the RiskWell studio in McKinney. Your hosts are James Jenkins and Fred Mahusay.
Key Topics:
Growing up in Richardson and Plano and early entrepreneurial instincts
Selling Cutco knives and credit card machines door to door
Growing a merchant services company to 200 employees before its sale
Entering property taxes and building a property tax lending business
Selling the lending company to private equity and launching The Andy App
Using AI to file exemptions and protest property taxes every year
Winning the McKinney Economic Development Innovation Award and North Texas Demo Days
Why protesting every year matters, even with exemptions, and documenting property imperfections
Ethics, hardship savings, and counties adopting their own AI
Expanding beyond Texas and adding property tax protests to tax filing
Resources Mentioned:
www.theandyapp.com
Visit https://www.mckinneypodcast.com to subscribe to the email list and never miss an episode.
Join the #MCKPOD community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mckinneypodcast and engage with your neighbors and fellow fans of the show.
Check out the #MCKPOD YouTube Channel to watch the video versions of our episode and see lots of additional content: https://youtube.com/@mckinneypodcast
James and Fred would love to hear from you with any comments, questions, or ideas! Email the show at [email protected] and you may be featured on a future mailbag segment.
51 min - Joy Booth & Shannon White - Grace To Change
Welcome to The McKinney Podcast, where we celebrate the people and happenings that make our city "Unique By Nature."
Our guests for this episode are Joy Booth, Development Consultant, and Shannon White, Founder and Executive Director of Grace To Change.
The MCKPOD is presented by RiskWell and FredShots Photography and recorded at the RiskWell studio in McKinney. Your hosts are James Jenkins and Fred Mahusay.
Key Topics:
Joy's 25 years of federal auditing and move into nonprofit work
Outpatient substance abuse treatment for adults and adolescents in Collin County
Shannon's path from teacher to founder, shaped by her own recovery
An Allen diversion program keeping first offender students out of the justice system
Why addiction touches every neighborhood and how treatment targets root causes
Social media, screen time, and their overlap with youth substance abuse
Easy access to THC products and kratom in McKinney
Why recovery-friendly workplaces matter to the business community
Advice for parents, including free drug testing and open conversations
Fiesta for Our Future, the October 15 fundraiser celebrating 15 years
Resources Mentioned:
https://gracetochange.org
Visit https://www.mckinneypodcast.com to subscribe to the email list and never miss an episode.
Join the #MCKPOD community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mckinneypodcast and engage with your neighbors and fellow fans of the show.
Check out the #MCKPOD YouTube Channel to watch the video versions of our episode and see lots of additional content: https://youtube.com/@mckinneypodcast
James and Fred would love to hear from you with any comments, questions, or ideas! Email the show at [email protected] and you may be featured on a future mailbag segment.
1 hr 9 min - Nick Good - The Good Home Team
Welcome to The McKinney Podcast, where we celebrate the people and happenings that make our city "Unique By Nature."
Our guest for this episode is Nick Good, Owner & Broker Associate of The Good Home Team.
The MCKPOD is presented by RiskWell and FredShots Photography and recorded at the RiskWell studio in McKinney. Your hosts are James Jenkins and Fred Mahusay.
Key Topics:
Growing up in Plano, leaving high school early, and starting college at 17
College path through Texas Tech, UNT, and UT Dallas
Early ventures with his brother and chasing financial freedom through real estate
Starting in real estate in 2007 and surviving the 2008 crash
Turning down a salaried job to commit fully to his own business
Building The Good Home Team and a real estate portfolio
Solving problems as the foundation of business and mastering the people business
Moving to McKinney in 2014 and watching the city transform
Choosing McKinney Christian Academy and finding a chosen family community
Building a men's circle and championing mental health awareness
Resources Mentioned:
https://nickgood.com
https://www.livinginmckinney.com
Visit https://www.mckinneypodcast.com to subscribe to the email list and never miss an episode.
Join the #MCKPOD community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mckinneypodcast and engage with your neighbors and fellow fans of the show.
Check out the #MCKPOD YouTube Channel to watch the video versions of our episode and see lots of additional content: https://youtube.com/@mckinneypodcast
James and Fred would love to hear from you with any comments, questions, or ideas! Email the show at [email protected] and you may be featured on a future mailbag segment.
51 min - Greatest Hit: Chief Joe Ellenburg & Darryl Saffold - McKinney Police Department
Welcome to The McKinney Podcast, where we celebrate the people and happenings that make our city "Unique By Nature."
This is a "Greatest Hits" episode, spotlighting our conversation with Chief Joe Ellenburg, Chief of Police at the McKinney Police Department, and Darryl Saffold, Public Information Officer at the McKinney Police Department.
The MCKPOD is presented by RiskWell and FredShots Photography and recorded at the RiskWell studio in McKinney. Your hosts are James Jenkins and Fred Mahusay
Key Topics:
Chief Ellenburg’s journey from corrections officer to Chief of Police
The role of a Public Information Officer in law enforcement
McKinney’s unprecedented growth and its impact on policing
Community policing and engagement efforts to build trust
The evolution of crime-solving with modern technology
Recruiting and retaining officers in today’s law enforcement climate
The importance of mental health and officer wellness
How McKinney remains one of the safest cities despite rapid expansion
Resources Mentioned:
https://www.mckinneytexas.org/166/Police
Visit https://www.mckinneypodcast.com to subscribe to the email list and never miss an episode.
Join the #MCKPOD community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mckinneypodcast and engage with your neighbors and fellow fans of the show.
Check out the #MCKPOD YouTube Channel to watch the video versions of our episode and see lots of additional content: https://youtube.com/@mckinneypodcast
James and Fred would love to hear from you with any comments, questions, or ideas! Email the show at [email protected] and you may be featured on a future mailbag segment.
59 min - Greatest Hit: Allison Monroe - Volunteer McKinney
Welcome to The McKinney Podcast, where we celebrate the people and happenings that make our city "Unique By Nature."
This is a "Greatest Hits" episode, spotlighting our conversation with Allison Monroe, Executive Director at Volunteer McKinney.
The MCKPOD is presented by RiskWell and FredShots Photography and recorded at the RiskWell studio in McKinney. Your hosts are James Jenkins and Fred Mahusay
Key Topics:
Allison shares her journey from Peace Corps volunteer to nonprofit leader.
Experiences in the Middle East and lessons on community service.
Scaling global education platforms to empower creators.
Rebuilding after a devastating cyberattack.
The mission of Volunteer McKinney to connect nonprofits with community resources.
The upcoming Volunteer Spirit of Volunteerism event and its community impact.
Measuring volunteer hours to showcase community value.
Resources Mentioned:
https://volunteermckinney.org
https://www.facebook.com/VolunteerMcKinney
https://www.linkedin.com/company/volunteer-mckinney
Visit https://www.mckinneypodcast.com to subscribe to the email list and never miss an episode.
Join the #MCKPOD community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mckinneypodcast and engage with your neighbors and fellow fans of the show.
Check out the #MCKPOD YouTube Channel to watch the video versions of our episode and see lots of additional content: https://youtube.com/@mckinneypodcast
James and Fred would love to hear from you with any comments, questions, or ideas! Email the show at [email protected] and you may be featured on a future mailbag segment.
39 min - Greatest Hit: Roy Ponder - POW Ponder On Weather
Welcome to The McKinney Podcast, where we celebrate the people and happenings that make our city "Unique By Nature."
This is a "Greatest Hits" episode, spotlighting our conversation with Roy Ponder, Owner of POW Ponder On Weather.
The MCKPOD is presented by RiskWell and FredShots Photography and recorded at the RiskWell studio in McKinney. Your hosts are James Jenkins and Fred Mahusay
Key Topics:
Roy Ponder's early fascination with weather and the evolution of his career
The significant role of social media in Roy's professional growth
Transitioning from a hobby to a full-time weather forecasting career
Insights into weather patterns and the challenges of forecasting
The development and launch of My Storm Hero
Roy's approach to entrepreneurship and diversifying income streams
Future plans and the impact of weather forecasting on personal and community safety
Resources Mentioned:
www.ponderonweather.com
www.mystormhero.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/roy-ponder-a40440b7
https://www.instagram.com/pow_ponder_on_weather
https://www.youtube.com/@POWPonderonWeather
Visit https://www.mckinneypodcast.com to subscribe to the email list and never miss an episode.
Join the #MCKPOD community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mckinneypodcast and engage with your neighbors and fellow fans of the show.
Check out the #MCKPOD YouTube Channel to watch the video versions of our episode and see lots of additional content: https://youtube.com/@mckinneypodcast
James and Fred would love to hear from you with any comments, questions, or ideas! Email the show at [email protected] and you may be featured on a future mailbag segment.
42 min - Josh Stone & Erik Woodward - North Texas AI
Welcome to The McKinney Podcast, where we celebrate the people and happenings that make our city "Unique By Nature."
Our guests for this episode are Josh Stone and Erik Woodward, Co-Founders of North Texas AI (NTX AI)
The MCKPOD is presented by RiskWell and FredShots Photography and recorded at the RiskWell studio in McKinney. Your hosts are James Jenkins and Fred Mahusay.
Key Topics:
Josh's early tech immersion, from a childhood Tandy computer to a multimedia degree
Josh's dot-com career, including early work on Fandango and leadership at AT&T and Hotels.com
Josh's shift into startups, launching multiple ventures starting in 2007
Josh and Erik co-founding North Texas AI to drive applied AI adoption
How NTX AI meetups build community and hands-on learning for attendees
Using blockchain and Web3 to verify authentic content in an AI-driven world
Josh tracing the path from vibe coding to AI agents and digital workforces
Helping enterprise clients build AI policies and move past initial fear
Josh on copyright complications from co-creating a book with AI
Erik on past tech disruptions and confidence in society's ability to adapt
Visit https://www.mckinneypodcast.com to subscribe to the email list and never miss an episode.
Join the #MCKPOD community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mckinneypodcast and engage with your neighbors and fellow fans of the show.
Check out the #MCKPOD YouTube Channel to watch the video versions of our episode and see lots of additional content: https://youtube.com/@mckinneypodcast
James and Fred would love to hear from you with any comments, questions, or ideas! Email the show at [email protected] and you may be featured on a future mailbag segment.
59 min - Nesim Zeydanli - Naba Style Nails
Welcome to The McKinney Podcast, where we celebrate the people and happenings that make our city "Unique By Nature."
Our guest for this episode is Nesim Zeydanli, Co-founder of Naba Style Nails.
The MCKPOD is presented by RiskWell and FredShots Photography and recorded at the RiskWell studio in McKinney. Your hosts are James Jenkins and Fred Mahusay.
Key Topics:
Growing up in Bursa, Turkey and studying business in Istanbul
Completing mandatory military service after graduating college
Studying international trade at UCLA before returning to Turkey
Working across textiles, brokerage, and e-commerce before a career pivot
Becoming a certified personal trainer and bodybuilder in Turkey
Meeting his wife Anna at the gym and building a family together
Researching McKinney and Plano before choosing McKinney for their move
Opening a boutique Russian-style nail salon focused on precision and longevity
Overcoming the challenge of building trust as new immigrant business owners
Finding unexpected support from the McKinney community and chamber network
Resources Mentioned:
https://www.nabastylenails.com
Visit https://www.mckinneypodcast.com to subscribe to the email list and never miss an episode.
Join the #MCKPOD community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mckinneypodcast and engage with your neighbors and fellow fans of the show.
Check out the #MCKPOD YouTube Channel to watch the video versions of our episode and see lots of additional content: https://youtube.com/@mckinneypodcast
James and Fred would love to hear from you with any comments, questions, or ideas! Email the show at [email protected] and you may be featured on a future mailbag segment.
59 min
About The McKinney Podcast
From the publisher's feed
The McKinney Podcast celebrates what makes McKinney, Texas an amazing place to live that is "Unique By Nature." We are co-hosted by Fred Mahusay, owner of FredShots Photography, and James Jenkins, CEO of RiskWell.
The McKinney Podcast features lively commentary on local happenings and interviews with civic leaders, entrepreneurs and citizens who are making our city a wonderful place to live and work.
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