Trailblazing Tex

Trailblazing Tex

By Brittany MetcalfBusinessCareers
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Trailblazing Tex episodes

  • Trailblazing Tex - Darryl Blackburn & Sgt. Lee Donovan (Bringing Voices Together)

    Both Darryl and Sgt. Donovan had highly viewed episodes. Listeners appreciated their perspectives and their conversation. Sgt. Donovan reached out to me after listening to Darryl's episode and had a great idea– bring them both back to the show and we further this conversation. To no surprise, Darryl was all in for this episode. Grateful for these two gents for coming back and bringing their voices together. Here is a sample of the questions that get asked and answered:

    • Why do you think everything is coming to a head?
    • What does defund the police mean to you?
    • Should we release body cam footage to the public?
    • What are your thoughts on social workers answering calls?


      • 1 hr 41 min
    • Trailblazing Tex - Daniel Kissoon (Co-Owner of Sutaria Training & Fitness)

      Daniel Kissoon, co-owner of Sutaria Training & Fitness in Houston, joins the show! I met Daniel Nov. 2019 in Austin, and I found his story intriguing. People have windy paths, but at the end of the day, they blaze their own trails and do fulfilling and impactful work. We discuss:

      • Sutaria and what separates his gym from the rest
      • Beginning his college career
      • Then, deciding to join the Marines, where he served for 4 years
      • Back to school at Univ. of Houston to pursue his degree
      • How he got into fitness and owning a gym
      • His favorite part about training
        • 39 min
      • Trailblazing Tex - Coach Matthew Wilson (Boys Basketball Coach at John Cooper)

        Coach Matthew Wilson, Boys Basketball Coach at The John Cooper School, joins the show! Coach Wilson and I go way back to our high school days, and I am happy we could sit down and chat. As the podcast continues to address our current social landscape, Trailblazing Tex and Coach Wilson had to re-record his episode. We still address is playing and coaching career, but we also cover about racial issues and injustices. We chat about:

        • His playing career (he played at both NYU and American)
        • His coaching career (D1, D2, JuCo, and high school)
        • His experiences
        • Learning and educating yourself
        • Conversations he is having with his players
        • His podcast: “The Extra Pass Podcast”
          • 1 hr 1 min
        • Trailblazing Tex - Sgt. Lee Donovan (Special Victims Division, Crimes against Children's Unit, Houston PD)

          Sergeant Lee Donovan with the Houston Police Department, Special Victims Division, Crimes against Children's Unit joins us today! My goal is to have many voices on to the show. Most of us are on the same side and fight for what is right. Sgt. Donovan spends his time putting away people that prey on some of the the most vulnerable people in society– children. We discuss:

          • His transition from the corporate world to becoming a cop
          • How he navigated his career and became Sergeant
          • HPD protocols and how police are taught
          • Current protests and what can be done
            • 1 hr 5 min
          • Trailblazing Tex - Darryl Blackburn (Petroleum Engineer)

            Darryl graciously joins the show. We had an incredible conversation! It’s a bit longer than the other episodes, but 100% worth the watch and/or listen. We cover a lot in this episode:

            • Where he’s originally from in Houston
            • How he ended up becoming a petroleum engineer
            • Him being a Little and part of Big Brothers Big Sisters as a kid. Now he’s a Big for BBBS. Listen in to hear why he believes this organization makes the greatest impact
            • George Floyd, and other lives lost at the hands of law enforcement
            • Privilege
            • Being intentional with who we support. If we want to support our communities, and specific businesses, like black businesses (artists, chefs, film makers, etc.), we must do it intentionally. Do a little research about the businesses around you!
            • Places to eat in Houston to support black owned restaurants


              • 1 hr 55 min
            • Trailblazing Tex - Officer Ari Ross (Ohio St. PD)

              I decided to shift the focus of the Trailblazing Tex podcast due to recent events. Officer Ari Ross joins us, and I am incredibly grateful to be able to sit down, have this discussion, while listening and learning. On today’s episode we discuss:

              • Her career and how she landed in law enforcement
              • Racial injustice within our country
              • Her experience with the protests as a member of law enforcement
              • What we can all do to help to continue to fight for what is right– we all have our own role to play
              • Her involvement with Marietta College and being on MCAA
              • A discussion around Marietta’s mascot
                • 1 hr 12 min
              • Trailblazing Tex - Jeremy Goodson (Academic Excellence Coordinator at Univ. of Pikeville)

                I had the pleasure of sitting down with this southern gent! Jeremy not only works at UPike, but he also is a student where he just graduated with his undergraduate degree, and now he is off to pursue his MBA at UPike. A few things we chat about: 

                * How to adjust as an institution during COVID-19 

                * What it was like graduating at home 

                * He and UPike have a podcast called "UPIKE Bearcast": https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upike-bearcast/id1504960677 

                * Defining a hotdog as a sandwich

                 * Some basketball banter

                40 min
              • Trailblazing Tex - Macey Sutherland (Triathlete and ex-pat)

                It was great catching up with someone I have known for quite some time. Macey is a Texan who currently lives in Argentina. Before moving abroad, she got into triathlons. We chat about: 

                * Life abroad 

                * Her Spanish speaking 

                * How she got into the tri-world 

                * Training for a triathlon

                41 min
              • Trailblazing Tex - Sam Morrow (Singer-songwriter)

                It was a pleasure chatting with Sam Morrow, singer-songwriter. We cover quite a few topics:

                • How he started playing music
                • His influences
                • The struggles of the music industry right now
                • Venues he would love to play
                • How good T-Pain really is
                  • 42 min
                • Trailblazing Tex - Anna Wiernicki (Washington Correspondent)

                  Special mid-week episode with special guest Anna Wiernicki–Washington Correspondent. We talk about...

                  -Fun times growing up (like a fry falling out of her wallet)

                  -How we miss Texas and Whataburger

                  -Her projects

                  -What it’s like in DC during such a crazy and polarizing time

                  -Cool people she has interviewed

                  -Oh, and more food

                  45 min

                About Trailblazing Tex

                From the publisher's feed

                Trailblazing Tex, where we hear from people who have blazed their own trails – their obstacles, adversity, and perseverance. Additionally, we will learn about what our guests' interest are, how they better themselves and their communities, their hobbies and passions, and of course, favorite food in their respective cities.