A conversation with Lauren Hough, the New York Times bestselling author and essayist. Her critically acclaimed 2021 book, Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing, details her upbringing in a doomsday cult, her eventual Air Force stint and other careers, and includes several mentions of the years she spent in Amarillo as a child and then a teenager. Hough shares with host Jason Boyett about the role Amarillo played—and continues to play—in the story of her life, how she has become the Panhandle correspondent for Texas Highways, and why being from West Texas carries a lot of currency in the world. This episode is supported by Storybridge and Panhandle Plains Historical Museum.

A conversation with Sheila Sims, a long-time local architect and the president of Sims + Architects. Her firm has designed many prominent local buildings, from the new Amarillo City Hall to the FirstBank Southwest Center at AC to the Harrington Cancer and Health Foundation building near the Medical Center. After earning a degree from Texas A&M, Sims returned to Amarillo to work for Lavin Architects as an intern—and never looked back. She shares with host Jason Boyett about taking over leadership of Lavin right before the pandemic, why she loves being an architect in Amarillo rather than the Metroplex, and what it's like for her work product to be visible to everyone in the community. This episode is supported by Sheman Dental and Panhandle Plains Historical Museum.

A conversation with Tony Ensor, the President and General Manager of the Amarillo Sod Poodles, the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks and baseball's 2023 Minor League Organization of the Year. Before Amarillo, Ensor led the front office of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox and the Birmingham Barons. The first time he appeared on Hey Amarillo (via phone) was in 2019 at the height of the local controversy about the team name. Six years later, he shares with host Jason Boyett how his own career developed, how that moment of drama made the organization stronger, and why Amarillo is the key to the Sod Poodles' overwhelming success. This episode is supported by Storybridge and Panhandle Plains Historical Museum.

Shannon Herrick, M.D. is a long-time local pediatrician and the  Regional Chair and Associate Professor for the Amarillo Pediatric Administration at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, which has just opened a new pediatrics clinic in southwest Amarillo. In this conversation with host Jason Boyett, Herrick shares how she ended up in Amarillo after growing up in San Antonio, how she balances a medical practice with her educational and administrative duties at TTUHSC, and the impact of the pandemic—then and now—on her work as a pediatrician. This episode is sponsored by Amarillo Hearing Clinic and SKP Creative. Get tickets for the Hey Amarillo 300th Episode Live Show on May 5, 2023.

Justin Thompson is a social worker with a career spanning from full-time instruction at WTAMU to several years on staff at Boys Ranch. He recently was profiled in Brick & Elm Magazine about his vintage golf clubs collection and the founding of the Tiger Flight Golf Club at Hamlet Elementary. Thompson tells host Jason Boyett about his career, the Tiger Flight origin story, his golf club addiction, and his sister Hali and advocacy among adults with special needs. This episode is sponsored by Jimmy John's and La-Z-Boy of Amarillo. Get tickets for the Hey Amarillo 300th Episode Live Show on May 5, 2023.

A conversation with Cynthia Barela Graham, a family law attorney and the current chair of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Graham spent time as a criminal defense lawyer before turning her attention to family law, and currently emphasizes an approach known as "collaborative divorce." She tells host Jason Boyett how this mediation process helps couples navigate divorce without mud-slinging or conflict, how she maintains career balance, and why Amarillo's quality of life is so attractive to her. This episode is sponsored by Amarillo Hearing Clinic and Shemen Dental. Get tickets for the upcoming Hey Amarillo 300th Episode Live Show.

A conversation with Stephanie Brady, the founder and executive director of Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. A former vet tech and experienced wildlife rehabber, Brady moved to Amarillo in 2015 only to discover she was the only rehabber in the area with an official permit. Within a year, she had organized Wild West, and last year the organization cared for more than 3,000 orphaned and injured animals. In this episode, Brady tells host Jason Boyett how she first got started, how local perception is changing related to injured animals, and what's next for her thriving organization. This episode is sponsored by Wieck Realty and Aaron Mahnke of "Lore," presented by WTAMU and PPHM. Get tickets for the Hey Amarillo 300th Episode Live Show on May 5.

A conversation with Joe Garcia III, the Chief Revenue Officer for eCatholic. Garcia lives in Amarillo and works remotely for this global tech company, which gives him the time and ability to serve the local community as "JPEG Joe," a local portrait and sports photographer. He's also the managing partner of Press Pass Sports, an independent publication covering sports in the Texas Panhandle. Garcia tells host Jason Boyett how he found his way to Amarillo in the first place, the winding path into his multiple careers, and why high-quality sports coverage is in such demand in a place like the Texas Panhandle. This episode is sponsored by Amarillo Hearing Clinic and SKP Creative.

A conversation with Zack Wilson, executive director of High Plains Food Bank. Wilson's first experience with the Food Bank was as a communication intern when he was a WT student. More than two decades later, he's heading up this massive nonprofit, which serves the entire Texas Panhandle and distributes more than 8 million pounds of food a year. In this conversation with host Jason Boyett, Wilson details finding his way into his career, how the pandemic forced an important transformation at the Food Bank, and how the organization can be so efficient with each contributed dollar. This episode is sponsored by La-Z-Boy of Amarillo.

A conversation with Mary Jane Johnson, the general and artistic director for Amarillo Opera. Before taking that role a few years ago, she was one of the world's great dramatic sopranos in the international opera scene. While based in Amarillo, she performed worldwide, from Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera in New York to the Sydney Opera House in Australia. She's been the subject of a PBS documentary ("Mary Jane Johnson: From the Heart") and shared a stage with Luciano Pavarotti. In this interview with host Jason Boyett, Johnson shares how she found her way into opera, what it was like performing all over the world, and why she's so excited about Amarillo Opera's upcoming performance of "Rigoletto" by Verdi.

A conversation with Adrian Escobar, the Outdoor Recreation Planner for the Cross Bar Management Area. Escobar is employed by the Bureau of Land Management—a federal agency. The only BLM land in Texas is located just a few miles northwest of Amarillo, and he's working to turn that historic property into a Special Recreation Management Area that includes campsites, trails and other outdoor activities. In this conversation with host Jason Boyett, Escobar explains how he ended up here after growing up on a dairy farm along the Texas border, why the government manages thousands of acres in the Texas Panhandle, and what he hopes the Crossbar can be once funding is in place. This episode is sponsored by Wieck Realty.

A conversation with Angela Knapp Eggers, the Senior Managing Director of the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health in Amarillo. A former ballerina whose career has spanned both the nonprofit and for-profit spheres, Knapp Eggers worked for cattleman Paul Engler during the big Oprah trial in 1998 and guided the Lone Star Ballet through the 2007-2008 global financial crisis. Since 2010, she's worked to improve the lives of women and girls through the Institute. She shares about this journey with host Jason Boyett—including why learning to take risks has been so essential to her career. This episode is sponsored by Jimmy John's and SKP Creative.

A conversation with Matt Griffith, the vice president of Rockrose Development, the company behind the development of Amarillo neighborhoods including The Colonies, Westover Park and Pinnacle. Griffith began designing houses in high school, worked in planning for the City of Amarillo, and has now spent nearly 30 years with Rockrose. He shares with host Jason Boyett about the role of developers in a city like Amarillo, how he found his way into that role, and why Amarillo is now on the radar of big national retailers. This episode is sponsored by La-Z-Boy of Amarillo.

A conversation with Stephani Serna, who lives in Amarillo but works for Porsche Financial Services. Stephani grew up in Amarillo but was born in Mexico, which means she spent most of her childhood in the High Plains without legal immigration status. A DACA recipient, Stephani grew up in extreme poverty and spent her childhood navigating the anxiety of deportation while also serving as a language interpreter for her mother and grandparents. She eventually became a U.S. citizen, graduated from high school and college, landed at Porsche, and has even given a TedX talk. She shares her story with host Jason Boyett, including the impact of local organizations like Mission 2540. This episode is supported by Shemen Dental and Panhandle Plains Historical Museum.

A conversation with Rachel Flores, the Executive Director of Amarillo Art Institute. This nonprofit offers art workshops and classes all year long at Sunset Center, where Flores is helping spearhead the renovation of Arts in the Sunset. In this episode, she tells host Jason Boyett about growing up in Bushland, moving back to Amarillo as an adult, and beginning her job just a year before the passing of Ann Crouch, the artist and visionary who owned and managed the Sunset Center property. On the cusp of its reopening, Flores explains the vision behind the restored Arts in the Sunset and the eventual return of the city's beloved First Friday Art Walk. This episode is sponsored by Shemen Dental.

A conversation with Joshua Raef, the owner/operator of Chick-fil-A Georgia Street and Chick-fil-A Westgate Mall. Raef tells host Jason Boyett about growing up in Amarillo Catholic schools, how he got into the restaurant business and how his businesses have weathered challenges—from the pandemic to the chain's nationwide controversies related to politics and gay marriage, more than a decade ago. In 2015, Raef and his wife, Erica, also spearheaded the passage of House Bill 635, a state law that guarantees parents the right to the remains of their unborn children. Raef explains how that law got passed and why it mattered so much to his family. This episode is sponsored by Wieck Realty.

A conversation with Idella Jackson, who serves as the Constable Precinct 4 for Potter County. Jackson arrived in Amarillo as a young single mother—and a high school dropout—determined to provide for her children and build a career. She spent more than a decade at the William P. Clements Unit with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, then nearly eight years with the Potter County Sheriff's Office before being elected Constable in 2013. In this conversation with host Jason Boyett, Jackson explains what her law enforcement job entails, the hurdles she overcame in her career, and why its so valuable for young children see a Black woman in uniform. This episode is sponsored by SKP Creative.

A conversation with Kelli Bullard, who is temporarily retired after careers in publishing, communications, senior living and the nonprofit world (among other workplaces). Kelli recently authored an article in Brick & Elm Magazine about her journey to recover from multiple brain surgeries to treat a brain tumor, and the frightening complications that resulted during the process. In this episode, she and host Jason Boyett discuss her Amarillo work history, her illness, and Kelli's personal questions about why she got better when others don't. This episode is sponsored by Gaut Whittenburg Emerson and Jimmy John's.

A conversation with Kevin Carter, the President and CEO of the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation. Kevin spent his early career in Plainview before arriving in Amarillo in 2019, and quickly realized he was here to stay. With the AEDC, his job is to sell Amarillo as a destination for primary businesses, with the goal of expanding industry and manufacturing in the city. In this episode, Carter tells host Jason Boyett how he ended up in this position, why he loves promoting Amarillo to outside companies, and why he believes the city is poised for future growth. This episode is sponsored by Gaut Whittenburg Emerson and La-Z-Boy of Amarillo.

A conversation with Gwen Hicks, the Executive Director of Amarillo Angels, an organization that provides community for children and families in foster care. Hicks founded the organization in 2016 after a long career in education, from teaching elementary school to serving as a junior high counselor to coordinating Head Start at Region 16. In this episode, she shares with host Jason Boyett how her education career cultivated a passion for seeing kids succeed, how the challenges of the foster care system get in the way of that success, and the unique way Amarillo Angels helps kids and their families. This episode is sponsored by Gaut Whittenburg Emerson and Shemen Dental.

A conversation with the Rev. Jared Houze, Rector at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Jared is a 7th-generation Texan who grew up in Dallas but has spent most of his adult life in West Texas. He and his family arrived in Amarillo during the summer of 2020. He shares with host Jason Boyett about his ministry calling and conversion to the Episcopal tradition, his journey from rural churches to St. Andrew's, and what he is learning about community and diversity here in Amarillo. This episode is sponsored by the Discover Amarillo app and Wieck Realty. 

A conversation with chiropractor and voice actor Jeff S. Williams, who currently juggles two careers: He's the owner of Creek Stone Integrated Medical, which combines chiropractic work with acupuncture, a nurse practitioner, and massage and spa services. But he's also a voiceover artist in high demand, thanks to his folksy, working-man baritone and a side gig he experimented with during the pandemic. Williams shares with host Jason Boyett how each of these careers began and why, in Amarillo, no one bats an eye when their chiropractor also records a lot of radio ads. This episode is sponsored by SKP Creative, La-Z-Boy of Amarillo, and Leslie Massey Farmer's Insurance.

A conversation with Sister Elizabeth Ann Dockery of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ and the convent known as Prayer Town Emmanuel. Located near Boys Ranch, Prayer Town is a Franciscan Charismatic Religious Community. Elizabeth Ann is an Amarillo native, former music educator and a past member of the Amarillo Symphony. She shares with host Jason Boyett about her music career, her conversion to Catholicism and the path to discovering her religious vocation. She also explains the role of Prayer Town in this community. This episode is sponsored by SKP Creative and Shemen Dental.

A special episode about the late Mike Boyett, the father of host Jason Boyett. Mike passed away a year ago this week, on December 16, 2021, at age of 73 after a brief journey with brain cancer. He spent most of his career as an Amarillo architect and was part of a close-knit community of friends connected to Paramount Baptist Church, where Mike volunteered in multiple capacities. In this series of interviews—both in-person and over the phone—Jason speaks to Mike Boyett's former colleagues, peers and friends about his dad's legacy. This episode is sponsored by SKP Creative and Wieck Realty.

A conversation with Jim Dewitz, the local owner/operator (along with his wife, Candy) of Big Jim's Pizza, the iconic KN Root Beer, and the Tascosa Drive-In Theater. Originally from the Chicago area, Dewitz came to Amarillo in his late teens, then built a career in construction and apartment management before ending up an owner of the La Bella Pizza on Olsen. He rebranded it as Big Jim's—and soon added the other two businesses to his portfolio. Dewitz shares with host Jason Boyett why he stayed in Amarillo, his rocky path to entrepreneurship and what he loves about this community. This episode is supported by Amarillo Habitat for Humanity and Panhandle Plains Historical Museum.

A conversation with Mary Bralley, the president of Los Barrios de Amarillo and a longtime marketing, public relations and business development professional. Bralley shares with host Jason Boyett about her early days as a single mother living in poverty, as well as the steps she took to receive help, gain stability, improve her education and become more involved in the community. In addition to her work with Los Barrios, her early struggles gave way to positions of influence, including service on the AISD school board and a variety of local nonprofits and foundations. This episode is sponsored by SKP Creative, Discover Amarillo, and Jimmy John's.

A conversation with Andy Marshall, the President and CEO at FirstBank Southwest. Andy isn't originally from this area—he arrived here from Tulsa in 2017—and isn't original to banking, either. His first career was in the military, where he served in security forces for the U.S. Air Force and then, in the late 1980s, as an Army squadron border officer stationed in Amberg, Germany, at the height of the Cold War. Marshall tells host Jason Boyett how he ended up in banking, why he landed in Amarillo, and how lessons from the military impact his leadership today. This episode is sponsored by SKP Creative, PestTex Pest Control and Leslie Massey Farmers Agency.

A conversation with Crystal Solis, a hair stylist at Braxton Paul Salon and 22-year veteran of the local hair industry. Solis' first introduction to cosmetology came from vocational classes at Palo Duro High School. More than two decades later, she found herself at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, on location, styling the hair of the groom's mother right before the wedding of Tiffany Trump and Michael Boulos. Solis tells host Jason Boyett how she ended up in that unique position and why Amarillo's hair industry has given her such a fulfilling career. This episode is sponsored by Shemen Dental and La-Z-Boy Furniture. 

A conversation with Pedro Limas, the owner of Sound by Design, a home entertainment installation company. Limas started the business in 1998 after earning what he calls a "6-year associate's degree." In this conversation with host Jason Boyett, he shares his story of entrepreneurship and why he's so passionate about volunteering, as well as his love of mountain biking in Palo Duro Canyon. Then Limas details how a recent heart attack—which happened barely a week before this podcast recording—caught him totally off guard. This episode is sponsored by Mind & Child's "Parenting 101" and Texas Tech Physicians Pediatrics.

A conversation with John Gamble, the senior principal cloud architect at Zillow. An Amarillo native, Gamble has spent the last decade living in Seattle and working in cloud infrastructure management for companies including Amazon, REI and now the Zillow Group. But last year, the reality of remote working allowed him to relocate his family back to Amarillo. He tells host Jason Boyett how his time at WT launched him into the tech world, how moving back to the Panhandle improved his quality of life, and how Amarillo can attract other skilled remote workers like him. This episode is sponsored by Wieck Realty the Discover Amarillo app, and Texas Tech Physicians Pediatrics.

A conversation with Julie Granger, founder of the Sister-Bear Foundation, a nonprofit serving adults who've suffered spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, strokes and other trauma. In this episode, Granger tells host Jason Boyett about the accident that paralyzed her daughter, Kathryn, and how it led to the organization. She also shares about value of therapy in dealing with her own past trauma, including her mother's long-unsolved murder and why that cold case recently found resolution. (Trigger Warnings: suicide and eating disorders.) This episode is sponsored by Mind & Child's "Parenting 101," Texas Tech Physicians Pediatrics and Blue Handle Publishing.

A conversation with Evan Guerrero, the WTAMU student and science educator behind the TikTok account @evanthorizon, which has more than 2.1 million followers. He is finishing up a physics degree, but this Amarillo native has already become a rising star in the astronomy world thanks to his fun, space-focused videos. In this conversation with host Jason Boyett, Guerrero shares how a telescope purchase set him on this unlikely path, how a gap year (or two) gave him perspective, and how he navigates an increasingly complex social media environment. This episode is sponsored by SKP Creative, La-Z-Boy Furniture, and Texas Tech Physicians Obstetrics & Gynecology in Canyon.

A conversation with Tony Foster, executive director at Amarillo Area Mental Health Consumers, an organization most people know as the Agape Center. Foster has a lengthy history in mental health work, including authorship of articles on recovery and mental health stigma for prominent psychology journals. But he's also had his own struggles with mental health. Foster shares with host Jason Boyett about a season in which he was homeless in Amarillo, and how the Agape Center—which he now leads—ended up helping him get back on track. (Trigger Warning: Discussion of sensitive mental health topics.) This episode is sponsored by Mind & Child's "Parenting 101" course, Shemen Dental, and Texas Tech Physicians Obstetrics & Gynecology in Canyon.

A conversation with Emily Hunt, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Engineering at WTAMU and the CEO/Founder of BTG Products. Hunt's research focus is novel nanostructured materials and has included work for the U.S. Department of Defense. In the process, she's also figured out commercial uses for her antimicrobial products, which you can now find at Lowe's and Home Depot. In this conversation with host Jason Boyett, Hunt shares about being one of few women in her field when she started, about the nanotechnology she has developed, and what it could mean for the Panhandle's future. This episode is sponsored by Discover Amarillo and Texas Tech Physicians Obstetrics & Gynecology in Canyon.

A conversation with Todd McLees, the Managing Partner at Innovation Outpost, an innovative new learning center associated with Amarillo College. McLees came specifically to Amarillo to work for this initiative after several decades as an executive in the tech world. McLees shares with host Jason Boyett about his short career as the Milwaukee Bucks mascot, why Amarillo is becoming a hub for technical skills, and how Innovation Outpost helps individuals gain credentials that make a difference in career trajectory. This episode is sponsored by Mind & Child, Wieck Realty and US Cleaners.

A conversation with Carter Estes, the executive director (and first full-time staff member) of Elevate Amarillo, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting young professionals through networking, professional development, and community service. Estes is also a City of Amarillo employee, having served in multiple positions since earning a Masters of Public Policy at the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School—formerly the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Estes tells host Jason Boyett about his path from growing up in White Deer to attending Harvard, and how that journey ultimately brought him to Amarillo. This episode is supported by La-Z-Boy of Amarillo and Panhandle Plains Historical Museum.

A conversation with Tim Oditt, Head of School at Ascension Academy. Oditt arrived in Amarillo in the summer of 2020 to guide this college-prep school, after having spent the previous decade at a private school in Ohio and a military academy in Virginia. Oditt is an Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne. In this episode, he shares with host Jason Boyett about his career in private schools, the role Ascension plays in the local education sphere, and why his family was so glad to return to West Texas. This episode is sponsored by Shemen Dental, Blue Handle Publishing and KWTS “The One.”

A conversation with Skylar Gallop, a former TV news reporter and anchor who now serves as the Texas Panhandle Regional Advocacy Director for Raise Your Hand Texas. A WT graduate, Gallop spent several years in the San Angelo and Tyler media markets before returning to this area. She shares with host Jason Boyett about her TV news career—and why she stepped away from it. She also details her stint as the Communications Director for the Williams Group in Amarillo and why she now advocates for public schools across the Panhandle. This episode is sponsored by PestTex Pest Control and KWTS “The One.”

A conversation with Leslie Massey, a Farmers Insurance Agent in Amarillo and co-owner of The Shop, an event venue. After an early career selling online advertising for the newspaper, Massey changed careers after the 2008 financial crisis. She explains to host Jason Boyett how she built up her insurance business, the challenges the industry is facing today, and why she also helps manage an event venue. They also discuss her home, which was originally built by the legendary gambler Amarillo Slim. This episode is sponsored by SKP Creative, KWTS “The One,” and La-Z-Boy Furniture.

A conversation with Donivan Blair, an Amarillo resident who lives here but travels all over the world as the bassist for the rock band The Toadies, which he joined in 2008. Over the past couple decades he has recorded 17 albums—several with the band Hagfish, which he founded—and performed in hundreds of venues. Doni also holds a first-degree black belt in Taekwondo, is learning Jiu Jitsu, and is the author of the memoir Even If It Kills Me, a book about martial arts, rock and roll, and mortality. This episode is sponsored by Discover Amarillo, KWTS “The One,” and Purpose + Passion Boutique.

A conversation with Rickie Johnson, a motivational speaker in Amarillo who specializes in financial literacy seminars. His family moved frequently when Johnson was a kid—he grew up in Pampa, Tulia, and various stints in Amarillo. He tells host Jason Boyett how his upbringing in a low-income household convinced him most families didn't struggle with a lack of income, but a lack of knowledge about how to handle money when it was available. Johnson's work in sales and exposure to colleagues making better financial decisions inspired him to help others learn good money habits. This episode is sponsored by Wieck Realty and US Cleaners.

A conversation with Lilia Escajeda, a retired banker and long-time community leader. Born in El Paso, Escajeda arrived in Amarillo in the 1970s. Upon being hired by Amarillo National Bank, she became the first female loan officer of any bank in Amarillo. She spent decades at ANB before retiring in 2010, after which she served elected terms as the first Mexican-American woman on the Amarillo College Board of Regents as well as the Amarillo City Council. Escajeda shares with host Jason Boyett about her upbringing, why she's so involved in the community, and how she believes Amarillo needs to continue to grow. This episode is sponsored by Shemen Dental and Book Puma Online.

A conversation with Randy Ray, Director of Broadcast Engineering at West Texas A&M University and a Canyon City Commissioner. A native of Pampa, Ray graduated from WT before spending the next 15 years in Nashville, where he ended up managing the huge Sunset Studios. He returned to WT in 2002 to help design the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex. Ray shares with host Jason Boyett about his stint in a prominent Christian rock band, the opportunity that brought him back to the Panhandle, and why he's excited about Canyon's future. This episode is sponsored by Purpose + Passion Boutique.

A conversation with Lindsay Irwin, who owns CannFusion Juice with her husband, Jarratt. After attending high school and college in the Metroplex area, Lindsay traveled for several years around the United States before landing in Amarillo. Once here, she helped found the Amarillo Community Market, taught school, and launched CannFusion, a brand of juice shots blended with hemp-derived CBD and THC. She tells host Jason Boyett about the personal value of her itinerant years and how the market for cannabinoid products is changing. This episode is sponsored by the Discover Amarillo app and Reviews by SKP Creative.

A conversation with Eric Gomez, principal of the new West Plains High School in the Canyon Independent School District. Gomez is not only in the process of staffing the first new high school in the city in decades, but also helping establish its culture and personality. In this conversation with host Jason Boyett, the former coach shares how he found his way into education, how a personal tragedy forged a powerful connection with the community, and how he feels with the first semester at West Plains just a few days away. This episode is sponsored by La-Z-Boy Furniture, Wieck Realty and PestTex Pest Control.

A conversation with Kim May, the CEO/Founder at Nobox Creative, a strategic marketing firm. Kim grew up in Denver but arrived in Amarillo as a young adult after fleeing domestic violence. In Amarillo she found a place to start over and spent the next decade in the early cellular phone industry. She tells host Jason Boyett how she found her footing in telecommunications, shifted careers as the industry changed, and now applies her marketing mindset to businesses, nonprofits, and even political campaigns as an advertising strategist. This episode is sponsored by Book Puma Online, Purpose + Passion Boutique, and the TEXAS Outdoor Musical.

A conversation with Elizabeth Pakravan, the founder and executive director of Martha Root Community Building, a nonprofit that equips children and their parents in underserved communities. Originally from Paraguay, Pakravan spent several years in Oregon before moving to Amarillo two years ago. She is a member of the Bahá'í faith, and her work reflects the promotion of unity and betterment of society that are central to this fast-growing global religion. Pakravan tells host Jason Boyett about her work, her appreciation for Amarillo as her family's new home, and how locals respond to her religious tradition—especially given the pervasive Christian beliefs of the Texas Panhandle. This episode is supported by SKP Creative, Storybridge, and Panhandle Plains Historical Museum.

A conversation with Johnny Terra, an Amarillo-based CPA and partner at LPT CPAs + Advisors. Johnny grew up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but came to the Texas Panhandle on a full basketball scholarship to Wayland Baptist University. He remained in the area after college, and work eventually brought him to Amarillo. In this conversation with host Jason Boyett, Terra shares about the culture shock of his arrival in Plainview, why he and his family made Amarillo home, and how he recently merged his CPA firm with Lovelady, Christy and Associates to form LPT CPAs. This episode is sponsored by Shemen Dental and the TEXAS Outdoor Musical. Get Hey Amarillo Beerfest tickets.

A conversation with Courtney White, assistant city attorney for the City of Amarillo. Growing up the daughter of two lawyers, White initially started her legal career in a local firm before shifting her attention to municipal law—one of the most generalist occupations within the legal community. White tells host Jason Boyett what she loves about being a "low-level bureaucrat," what legal work looks like at City Hall, and why she was nominated this spring to become president-elect of the 35,000-member Texas Young Lawyers Association. (Ultimately White lost that election but enjoyed the campaign process.) This episode is sponsored by Shemen Dental and the TEXAS Outdoor Musical.

A conversation with Jim Womack, Executive Director of Family Support Services. A native of southeast Colorado, Jim arrived in the Panhandle for college, and has since served this area in a variety of different roles from the criminal justice system to the nonprofit world. In this conversation with host Jason Boyett, Womack shares about leading Family Support Services through a fire that destroyed its headquarters in 2020—all while navigating his own cancer diagnosis and treatment during the pandemic. This episode is sponsored by SKP Creative, La-Z-Boy Furniture and the TEXAS Outdoor Musical.