This episode is a double-header with not one but two coaches. Join Amy and Jared as they visit with Lubbock-Cooper High School Campus Athletic Director and head football coach, Chip Darden as well as Lubbock-Cooper Liberty High School Campus Athletic Director and head football coach, Joe Sexton. Having both been raised in West Texas, they share about the importance of athletics in the life of a student and how a strong culture is paramount to not only the program but the school as well.
In this episode, you’ll hear Chip and Joe’s thoughts on why playing more than one sport is a good idea, the lessons that students teach them and their favorite pre-game ritual (you’ll need a “Suspicious Mind” to figure it out). We think you’ll agree, this is a blue-chip episode.
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42:46
Season 4, Episode 7: Building an Environment of Success
Growing up the son of a banker, Keith Bryant aspired to have a career in finance. Then one day Keith realized that he wanted to impact the lives of young people and that his calling lay in the field of education. Starting out in coaching, Keith eventually moved to administration and is now the Superintendent for the Lubbock-Cooper Independent School District, one of the fastest growing school districts in the state. Utilizing a student-centered approach, Keith has found success and was recently named, “Texas Superintendent of the Year”.
In this episode, you’ll her about Keith’s thoughts on the importance of maintaining a strong culture within a growing school district as well as his vision of success for all children within the LCISD family. Be sure to tune into this episode and you may even get an inside scoop on the next possible Lubbock Cooper mascot…spoiler alert, it’s not a piranha.
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25:57
Season 4, Episode 6: The Best Storyteller in Texas
A West Texas boy, Kent Hance grew up on Dimmit and knew from an early age that he wanted to be involved in politics. Over the years, Kent has been involved in many aspects of government, becoming the 3rd Chancellor of Texas Tech University in 2006. During his tenure as the longest serving Chancellor, Texas Tech doubled in size and broke enrollment records. If those achievements weren’t enough, Kent also hosts his own podcast as The Best Storyteller in Texas.
In this episode, you’ll hear Kent’s thoughts on the positive aspects of West Texas, how to outwork anyone and the idea of the simple vision. If you want to be entertained by a man who has been in the company of Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan and Lee Iacocca, you won’t want to miss this episode.
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45:58
Season 4, Episode 5: God Had a Different Plan
Growing up in Kentucky, Eveline Rivers wanted to be a designer, but her life journey took a different course. Given a servant’s heart from her grandmother, over the years Eveline has established many successful non-profits such as the Eveline Rivers Christmas Project and Eveline’s Sunshine Cottage which helps single mothers, and their families break the cycle of poverty through education.
In this episode, you’ll hear Eveline’s thoughts on leadership, her Olympic torch experience and the value of having strong and supportive cheerleaders in your life. IF you want to be inspired by an extraordinary woman who has managed many amazing achievements throughout her life, this is the episode for you.
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51:08
Season 4, Episode 4: What’s the Buzz All About?
When Paige and George Nester began a fun project growing pumpkins with their children they never dreamed of where the journey would lead them. What started as a couple of bee hives to pollinate the pumpkins soon grew into several highly successful businesses, Creek House Honey Farm and Honey Buzz Winery and Events Center. Although based in Canyon, Texas, now you can find their bee-centric lip balm and skincare products sold by retailers throughout the country.
In this episode, you’ll hear the Nesters talk about the triumphs and failures of caring for one of the most important contributors to the world’s ecosystem as well as the definition of mead and the trials of the lowly male bee. Amy says this episode is “unBEElievable”! Bad puns aside (very bad) we think this inspiring interview about the hard work, vision and entrepreneurship of the Nesters is hard to BEEt.
The Spirit of West Texas podcast is about stories - real, authentic conversations with some of our very best customers and friends. Each episode, we’ll explore the people, businesses and values that embody the never-say-never, get the-job-done spirit that shines through everywhere you look in West Texas. We share untold stories of big dreams and the many struggles and sacrifices that West Texans have gone through to achieve them.
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