Podcasts about Austinite

When you're an Austinite, words like Brownout and Superfónicos paint a very clear, distinct picture. Not only in sound, but in community and philosophy. A distillation of this comes from Superfónicos co-founder Jamie Ospina's debut solo album The Vessel, a collection of songs of resilience, community, and storytelling blending sonic influences from Africa and Latin […] The post Jamie Ospina: “The Vessel” appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The University of Texas' Women's Basketball team came closer to being national champions this year than almost ever before. And among the millions of fans who watched the pennant chase was one Austinite who was simultaneously digging into the program's very beginnings. Even before Title IX, Lady Longhorns played basketball — and for some time, played the sport exclusively, before it gained popularity among Texas men. Journalist and newly-minted PhD Jessica Luther joins host Nikki DaVaughn to dive into how the team's past is still impacting its performance.  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 7th episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST LBJ Presidential Library Zach Theatre Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Michael Malice (“YOUR WELCOME”) invites comedian and new Austinite, Bryan Callen, onto the show to talk about Bryan's reasons for his recent move to the lovely city of Austin, his critical look at Critical Race Theory, and what he means when it comes to, “the pesky truth.”Bryan and Michael also give their personal recommendations of the books that will, “f*ck you up for life.” x.com/bryancalleninstagram.com/bryancallen/https://bryancallen.com/Order THE WHITE PILL: http://whitepillbook.com/Order THE ANARCHIST HANDBOOK: https://www.amzn.com/B095DVF8FJOrder THE NEW RIGHT: https://amzn.to/2IFFCCuOrder DEAR READER: https://t.co/vZfTVkK6qf?amp=1https://twitter.com/michaelmalicehttps://instagram.com/michaelmalicehttps://malice.locals.comhttps://youtube.com/michaelmaliceofficialIntro song: "Out of Reach" by Legendary House Cats https://thelegendaryhousecats.bandcamp.com/The newest episode of "YOUR WELCOME" releases on iTunes and YouTube every Wednesday! Please subscribe and leave a review.This week's sponsors:Fast Growing Trees – Biggest Online Nursery in the US: www.FastGrowingTrees.com/welcome , or www.FastGrowingTrees.com using promo code WELCOME (15% off)Monetary Metals – Secure Your Investments: www.monetary-metals.com/malicePlutoTV – Streaming TV: www.Pluto.tv (Free)Sheath - Dual Pouch Underwear: www.sheathunderwear.com , promo code: MALICE (20% off)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's WANDER THE WORLD WITH SHARON podcast, travel writer Sharon K. Kurtz talks about moving to from Dallas to the southwest side of Austin, Texas. Sharon's discovered a whole different side of Austin beyond downtown—where legendary BBQ, scenic wineries, and live music venues create a uniquely Texan experience. Hear about Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the Mercer Dance Hall in Driftwood, Austin City Live, the annual Bat Fest, and the iconic bluebonnet bloom in the spring.  Whether you're a longtime Austinite or just curious about what makes this city special, this episode will highlight both the well-known attractions and the hidden gems that make Austin such a great place to live.   Sharon Kurtz is an accomplished travel writer and award-winning photographer based in Austin, Texas, dedicated to exploring the world and sharing her adventures through compelling storytelling. Her travels have taken her to more than 50 countries on six continents—her carry-on is always packed, ready for the next adventure. Enjoy Sharon's writing at https://sharonkkurtz.com/.  Big Blend Radio's "Wander the World with Sharon" Podcast features award-winning travel writer and photographer Sharon K. Kurtz. New episodes air every first Wednesday at 12pm CST at https://wandertheworldwithsharon.podbean.com/   This episode is also being shared and featured on other Big Blend Radio Network Channels including "Vacation Station." Check out our network of podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

For one Austinite, this city was crucial to the fight for Women's Rights in the 1960s. So decades after her activism helped desegregate dorms at The University of Texas at Austin and secure women's reproductive rights, it's been difficult for her to watch abortion access disappear. So what gives author Alice Embree hope, and how is she working on making things better for women and other Texans years later? Embree joins host Nikki DaVaughn to share her experiences and advice for today's campus activists in this special episode for Women's History Month.  Learn more about the  sponsors of this March 27th episode: Tecovas Visit Port Aransas Zach Theatre Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Why did you decide to own a property management business instead of working for someone else? Did you just want money, or was it something deeper that drove you to become an entrepreneur? In this episode of The Property Management Growth Show, industry growth expert Jason Hull sits down with Rich Walker, Founder of Quik! Forms to discuss adaptability as an entrepreneur and embracing change. You'll Learn [01:55] Entrepreneurial Tendancies from a Young Age [13:49] Reasons for Starting a Business [20:08] Embracing Change and Facing Adversity [30:31] The Power of In-Person Interaction Quotables “ You build something people want, they'll pay you for it.” “There's no value in worry.” “We think we want more money because we think it's going to give us more freedom and fulfillment, but we actually have less fulfillment and less freedom the more money we make.” “If everybody thinks they're right, then my beliefs can be just as right.” Resources DoorGrow and Scale Mastermind DoorGrow Academy DoorGrow on YouTube DoorGrowClub DoorGrowLive TalkRoute Referral Link Transcript [00:00:00] Rich: What do you get when you have your best work? [00:00:01] Rich: You get joy, you get fulfillment, you get productivity, you get engagement and you get the highest possible outcome from every person on your team. That's why I'm an entrepreneur more than anything else. [00:00:11] Jason: All right. Welcome DoorGrow property managers to the property management growth show. If you are a property management entrepreneur that wants to add doors, make a difference, increase revenue, impact lives, help others, and you're interested in growing your business and life and you're open to doing things a bit differently, then you are a DoorGrow property manager DoorGrow property managers love the opportunities, daily variety, unique challenges, and freedom that property management brings. Many in real estate think you're crazy for doing it. You think they're crazy for not because you realize that property management is the ultimate high trust gateway to real estate deals, relationships, and residual income. At DoorGrow, we are on a mission to transform property management business owners and their businesses. We want to transform the industry, eliminate the BS, build awareness, change perception, expand the market, and help the best property management entrepreneurs win. I'm your host, property management, growth expert, Jason Hull, the founder and CEO of DoorGrow. Now let's get into the show. [00:01:13] Jason: And my guest today, I'm hanging out with a local Austinite, fellow friend that I know locally, CEO and co founder of Quik! Forms Processing, Rich Walker. Welcome Rich.  [00:01:26] Rich: Hey everybody. Really an honor to be here. Jason. Thanks for having me on your show today.  [00:01:30] Jason: Yeah, glad to have you. [00:01:31] Jason: So you're doing some really cool stuff in business. And it's been great. We're in a mastermind locally together. And and you're going to be speaking to our audience at DoorGrow Live, you know, for those listening, make sure you get your tickets to DoorGrow Live. And you've written some books, like tell everybody, give us some background on Rich and how you kind of got into entrepreneurism and like, what you do. [00:01:55] Rich: So, well, boy, this could be a long story or I'll try to keep it brief. Look, I grew up very poor. I was the product of a broken household, if you will. And I learned very early on that if you make something people want, they'll pay you for it. It's amazing. So I started my first business at age 12. I took a $300 investment and turned it into over $1,100 in one day at an event. [00:02:18] Rich: And I was stunned. I was just struck with all these people handing me fistfuls of cash to buy my product. And I said, "wow, this is what I'm going to be. I'm going to be an entrepreneur. I'm going to build businesses." [00:02:29] Jason: What was the product at age 12?  [00:02:31] Rich: Oh, man. So I should show it to you. I'd have to go off screen to get it. [00:02:35] Rich: But if you know what surgical tubing looks like stretchy latex tubing, and you know what a pen tip looks like, take the pen tip, shove it into the tube, tie a knot on the other end, and then get a garden hose with a cone shaped nozzle and it blows up a long tube of water. Like a squirt gun. Yeah, we called them water weenies. [00:02:52] Rich: Yeah, I made those. Yeah! Yeah.  [00:02:56] Rich: So, but imagine before the super soaker came out, what were your options? You had water balloons, hand grenades, you had squirt guns that went five feet, you had the hose stuck to the house and then water weenies, which squirted 30 feet and carried gallons of water on your back. [00:03:13] Rich: So you are the king of the water fights.  [00:03:15] Jason: Yeah, and you got a good workout.  [00:03:18] Rich: Yeah, amazing.  [00:03:19] Jason: How long were these tubes? How long would you cut them?  [00:03:23] Rich: The longest cut length would be three feet, but when it filled up, it was nine feet. So imagine, draped around your neck, down to your toes, with water.  [00:03:31] Jason: Nine feet of water filled hose. [00:03:32] Jason: Yeah. Yeah.  [00:03:33] Rich: Yeah. So you were just a walking, like fire truck.  [00:03:36] Jason: I just got back from funnel hacking live and Russell Brunson always shares a story of starting by selling potato guns online, like how to build potato guns. This sounds very reminiscent.  [00:03:47] Rich: Yeah, very much. It was a really awesome experience. I mean, honestly, going from having nothing to having money in my hands. [00:03:54] Rich: And actually I saved up money at age 12, just about to turn 13. I saved it until I bought my first car when I turned 16.  [00:04:01] Jason: Wow. Wow. All right. So you ever heard of the marshmallow tests they give kids? I'm not sure. It's like, it's delayed gratification versus instant gratification, right? So they put a marshmallow in front of them and they make them wait with it. [00:04:14] Jason: And they're like, you can eat this marshmallow, but if you don't eat it by the time I get back, then I'll give you two marshmallows or something like this. I think it's how it goes. And most kids fail. They're like, "Oh, I really want that." Or they'll put cookie or whatever it is, you know, showing you saving money, when there's like, you could buy video games as a kid, like whatever, right? That's some serious delayed gratification right there, so.  [00:04:38] Rich: You know, Jason, I got to tell a bigger story here because really this is what happened at age eight, I went to my friend's house and my friend had a radio controlled car. [00:04:46] Rich: It was a kit you had to build yourself, but it would drive 35 miles per hour off road. It was amazing. This is the eighties, right? Yeah. And I wanted that car so bad. And we were so poor. There was no way my parents were going to buy me a $300 car. And in today's money, that's like 12 to 1500 bucks. Okay. Yes. [00:05:03] Rich: So that's not going to happen. So I started saving my money, birthday, Christmas money. I would sell candy around the neighborhood. I would rake leaves for a neighbor and make $2. Anything I could do, anything I could do to save money. It took me four years. To save up the $300. And that summer that I got introduced to water weenies was by my neighbor. He was a supplier to physicians. His son and I played all the time. And he came out and gave us these water weenies to play with, but then he took them back and all the other kids wanted one. So I was kind of observant and I said, "Hey, In your shed, I see a reel of tubing. Can I buy that from you?" [00:05:36] Rich: It was like 25 feet of tubing. "He's like, okay, how much?" It was like 12 bucks or something. Ran home, grabbed the money out of my bank account, gave it to him, went home, started cutting links, destroyed every pen in my house and started selling. And within a day or two, I had sold $50 worth of stuff. So I went and bought another 25 feet and sold another $50 bucks. [00:05:53] Rich: Then I went to summer camp and I rode my bike and squirted every kid I could find had 20 kids chasing me on my bike. And then I'd sell them all the water. So over that course of that summer, I got to the $300 mark and I bought the car. Now, my uncle saw all this behavior and said, "Rich next summer, I'm hosting fourth of July. [00:06:10] Rich: You could have a booth and sell these water weenies there. Would you like to do that?" I'm like, "yeah, absolutely." Months and months go by, go through winter, go into spring, my mom reminds me of this opportunity. And I'm like, okay, so I go to my neighbor, "How much for a thousand feet of tubing?" "300 bucks." [00:06:24] Rich: Guess what I don't have? I don't have 300 anymore.  [00:06:27] Jason: Yeah.  [00:06:27] Rich: So I said to him, "Hey, look, your son is about to have his birthday. Wouldn't it be cool if he had this RC car? He loves playing with it. Would you barter with me and trade me for the tubing?" And the guy's a saint. Honestly, I wish I could find him and say thank you because he did it. [00:06:42] Rich: His son got a great car. I got the tubing. I wrote a letter to Scripto pen company and said, "Hey, I'm doing a project. I need some sample pen tips. Would you mind sending me some?" They sent me a box of 5,000 pen tips for free.  [00:06:52] Jason: What?  [00:06:53] Rich: No cost. And so then I had all the materials to put it together and showed up at 4th of July, started selling by 7am, sold out by 1pm. [00:07:01] Rich: And this is why I said I had fist fulls of money. I had people at this, you know, long table. I had people out eight to 10 people deep lined up to buy these things. And it's all I could do is to take money and give them a water weenie. My pockets filled up with cash and my mom would pull the cash out of my pockets and put it in a safe box over and over again that day. [00:07:18] Jason: What were you selling each one for  [00:07:20] Rich: Anywhere from like $1.50-4.00 or something, depending on the length.  [00:07:24] Jason: Yeah.  [00:07:25] Rich: Yeah.  [00:07:25] Jason: Okay.  [00:07:26] Rich: It was such an incredible experience. And that's why I said, man, I'm going to be an entrepreneur. So I just knew that I was bitten and I had to do this and look, I'm age 50 now, my company that I own today, Quik! Just celebrated our 23rd anniversary, and I've started 10, about 10 different business ventures and companies since age 12. So I've always just had this desire to fulfill my own sense of freedom and creativity and serve people. Yeah. So yeah, that's really the genesis of it. [00:07:55] Rich: Like you build something people want, they'll pay you for it. And it's an amazing thing.  [00:07:59] Jason: I love it. You see a problem, you saw an opportunity. And lots of other people saw the problem. They just didn't see the opportunity. They're like, man, I would love that one of these. It's nice, you know, and you were able to fill that need. [00:08:12] Jason: So that's a great story. Love that story. That's how you kind of got it like, you know, bit by the bug of entrepreneurism.  [00:08:19] Rich: Yeah. Now, the Quik! company started because in the nineties, I worked at other companies that worked at Arthur Anderson, for example, and I learned technology, especially from like a backend perspective of big tech. How does it all work? How does it flow together? And I decided to get out of tech consulting late in the year 2000.  [00:08:39] Jason: Yeah.  [00:08:39] Rich: And in doing that, I really went back to my degree in college, which was finance and said, "I really love finance. Let me help people with their money." So I became a financial advisor. [00:08:47] Jason: Okay.  [00:08:48] Rich: And in doing that. You go out and get your licenses, you work really hard for all that, you work really hard to gain the trust and respect of your first client, and then they finally say, "yes, I will open an account with you," and guess what your reward is? Yeah, fine, you can make a commission that's a reward. [00:09:01] Rich: No, you get to handwrite paperwork. And I thought, man, this sucks. I am not going to make $4 an hour handwriting paperwork for people. I used to charge $200 an hour as a consultant, so how do I fix this problem? And I decided to build software, because I was a technologist, that would fill out my forms. Jason, it was a hack. [00:09:19] Rich: It was a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet with fields overlaid on images. It was just a hack. It just made it work, but everybody around me for six months kept saying, "Rich, give me your software. I hate filling out forms," and I was in this quandary of, "wow, I have found a need. But I want to be a financial advisor. What do I do?" And after six months, I finally said, "okay, let's build the product." So we did our first install in February 11, 2002 and never looked back. I mean, we found out people really wanted this and it's changing people's lives. It was empowering them to do their best work, which is not paperwork. And today we manage a library of over 42,000 forms. [00:09:57] Rich: And we generate over a million forms every month across wealth management industry, serving well over a hundred thousand financial professionals.  [00:10:05] Jason: Yeah.  [00:10:05] Rich: So yeah. Yeah.  [00:10:07] Jason: That's awesome. Yeah. I had a short job. I worked for a while at Verizon, like in their business DSL tech support. Like I was an internet support guy and after every call, it was a call center, after every call that we did, we had to fill out this ridiculous form it just took so much time and we were measured on the time that we were unavailable between calls and how many calls we completed. And so I found some sort of like macro tool because there was only like three, maybe four types of tickets that we would do. [00:10:40] Jason: It was always the same sort of challenges. But we had to fill out all of these fields of ridiculous, stupid stuff. And so I use this macro tool that basically if I type a certain thing, it would just spit out a whole bunch of other stuff and it would go tab from field and fill it all out. And so I set this up because I started to see these patterns. [00:11:00] Jason: And so then I, similar to what you did I solved the problem for myself. So I built this thing that I could then just do this type of ticket, this type of ticket. And then there were other people on the floor and they're like, "man, I'm going to get fired. I can't do this. I can't do this fast enough." [00:11:14] Jason: Well, so then I'm starting to help people. So now I'm like a virus on the floor and the managers didn't like me for some reason. Like my manager did not like that I was doing this. I don't know why. Because maybe he didn't come up with the idea. I don't know. Yeah. Then I'm starting to help other people so they don't get fired, and I'm showing, you know, other people on the floor, how to set this up and how to do this and giving them my formula and, you know, for the script language for how to do this. And they're able to close their tickets out like really fast. They're just like "bloop!", and it's like "vrrrrrr", and they're like, cool next. [00:11:47] Jason: Right. And what was baffling to me at the time is that it was not seen as a positive by my superiors. It was seen as a problem and I'm like you are an idiot and this is where I kind of realized Like a lot of times, you know, you've heard of the Peter principle? Yeah. Which for those listening... [00:12:09] Rich: You're at your highest level of mediocrity.  [00:12:12] Jason: Or incompetence. [00:12:13] Jason: Right?  [00:12:14] Jason: And so, yeah, which means basically people get promoted because they're good at a certain level and then they get promoted again, just beyond their current capacity or ability to perform well. And now they're at a level where they are no longer able to intellectually maybe rise to the occasion or be good. [00:12:32] Jason: And so businesses are just full or rife with all of these people that like, especially big organizations, cause I was at HP. You know, I just saw it everywhere. I always had idiots like above me is what it felt like that were telling me I couldn't do things or slowing me down and I'm like, "don't you see?" [00:12:50] Jason: And then what would happen is months later, that idea that I was trying to push that they were fighting me on was their new idea. They're like, "I have this new idea."  [00:13:01] Rich: What you're explaining is the real truth. And it took me a while to figure this out for why I'm an entrepreneur.  [00:13:07] Jason: Yeah.  [00:13:08] Rich: I want to be able to do my best work and anytime I've worked for others, I've been limited and held back.   [00:13:14] Rich: So I really was seeking a way to empower myself to do my best work. And in my company, in our culture, it boils down to empowering others to do their best work. I want my team to do their best work. I want my vendors and my partners and my customers to all do their best work. Because what do you get when you have your best work? [00:13:31] Rich: You get joy, you get fulfillment, you get productivity, you get engagement and you get the highest possible outcome from every person on your team. That's why I'm an entrepreneur more than anything else. I mean, yeah. Ooh, I'd like to make money. Oh, I want freedom. I want creativity, but honestly, at the core of it, how do I get to do my best? [00:13:49] Jason: I love this. So some of you listening to this episode, you've heard me talk about my framework of the four reasons for starting a business. I call it the four reasons. And this is what makes us different than everyone else on the planet. And we're rare. Entrepreneurs are rare people. We are the minority. [00:14:05] Jason: We feel like we're living on a planet as aliens a lot of times. We're like, "why doesn't everyone think this way?" It's super weird. So entrepreneurs, the reason we start businesses is we want four things. We think we want money, usually in the beginning. But what we really want is what money will give us. [00:14:22] Jason: And that's these things. It's freedom. Well, first is fulfillment. The most important is fulfillment. We want to enjoy life, enjoy what we're doing, make a difference, whatever but we want fulfillment in whatever that means to us. And then second, we want freedom. We want autonomy. Usually in the beginning, we have, we start trying to start a business. [00:14:40] Jason: We think we want more money because we think it's going to give us more freedom and fulfillment, but we actually have less fulfillment and less freedom the more money we make. And so then we start to wake up like, "Hey, this sucks. Like, how do I like be pickier about my clients or how do I change this?" [00:14:56] Jason: You know? But fulfillment and freedom are one and two. Third, once we have those, we want contribution. We want to feel like we're making a difference, having an impact and we want to benefit other people. And that's what a business is designed to do, right? Solve real problems in the marketplace. [00:15:10] Jason: It's contribution. If not, it's snake oil, right? It's taking people's money. So fourth, once we have fulfillment, freedom, contribution, the fourth is we need support. And that's why we build a business because we can't max out on fulfillment, freedom, contribution if we are wearing every hat and we're miserable. [00:15:29] Jason: Yeah. Because we don't want to do everything. Not everything is fun for us. right? There's the pieces you love and there's pieces you just don't love, right? And that's true for every business owner, but we're all different. Like some of us love accounting. Some of us don't love accounting, right? Some of us love sales. [00:15:44] Jason: Some of us don't love sales, right? Some of us love ops. Some of us are bad at ops, right? And so, there is though what I call the fifth reason. This is what makes everyone else different than us. We want this one too, but everyone else in the planet prioritizes this fifth reason over the first four. [00:16:02] Jason: It's safety and security. Oh, right. Yeah. They want that. That's more important than freedom, fulfillment. They will give up freedom. You saw this during the pandemic. Most people were like, "forget your freedoms. I want to feel safe. Give me safety and security." Right. I remember here in, I was in North Austin. I went to Costco during the pandemic and masks were kind of optional, right? They were optional. And I'm walking around Costco without a mask and everyone else has masks on for the most part. And anyone that didn't have a mask, I was like, "Hey, do you own a business?" And they're like, "yeah." And we're looking at each other like we know like the world's gone fucking nuts. Like, what's going on? We had a knowing like, "yeah, everyone's crazy."  [00:16:42] Rich: Man, I wish I'd asked that question. I would have met a lot more entrepreneurs that way. Because I was out there, no mask, any chance I got. Right. I mean, I didn't want confrontation with people. [00:16:51] Jason: And for those listening, there's nothing wrong with this, right? We need both, right? Not everyone can be entrepreneurial. It would be a crazy world, right? We need people that are willing to work for us, right? We need both. And they want the four reasons too. Like nobody's going to say, "Oh, I don't want freedom." But they want safety and security first and that's most people on the planet. [00:17:11] Jason: And so psychologically, entrepreneurs, we're just wired different. We will give up safety and security in order to have freedom and fulfillment.  [00:17:20] Rich: I'll tell you how I did that, Jason.  [00:17:21] Jason: Yeah.  [00:17:22] Rich: So imagine, I'm a tech consultant charging $200 an hour. I'm making $350,000 a year. I'm age 24 or 25, driving my dream car. [00:17:31] Rich: I have everything. Yeah. I go become a financial advisor and I make very little money. I mean, I had savings basically, and then I start the software company. I have no income. I literally say, "I'm going to start this company." I have zero income. I had no house, no wife, no kids. So, I mean, that made it easier. [00:17:49] Rich: And for the first ...  [00:17:51] Jason: people will say "you're nuts". They're already saying he's crazy. But every entrepreneur listening is like we get it.  [00:17:55] Rich: No, that's what you do. I cashed out my 401k. I sold the dream car, cashed out any equity I had in that. I bought a cheaper car, et cetera. [00:18:03] Rich: And then I said, "okay, I'm going to have my dream car back in a year or two." Yeah. In the first four years of my business, my income was $1,000 a month. I mean, I made $12,000 year for four years straight. And so here's the thing. A thousand dollars a month doesn't pay my rent. My rent was $1200 to $1500 during that time. [00:18:21] Jason: Right.  [00:18:22] Rich: So here's the question that you'd ask yourself. How did you sleep at night? And I'll tell you this one thing. Every time I paid rent on the first of the month, I actually did not know how I would have the money in 30 days to pay rent again, right? So how do you sleep at night? I slept great. It never bothered me. [00:18:39] Rich: I didn't lose one minute of sleep over that financial burden. Okay. I just looked at it as that's another tool I've got to figure out how to make money with this. And there were things that happened. It's like sometimes a big credit card bill came through when somebody bought our software or sometimes I borrowed money off the credit card to pay the bill. [00:18:58] Rich: It was just different things happen. And you know what, in those four years? I was never late once. My wife and I contrast. She could not do that. She just cannot live that way, she could never have that kind of risk profile for me. I was just like, "yeah, whatever. I'll figure it out every single time." [00:19:13] Jason: So you trusted. You trusted yourself and maybe God, I don't know, but you trusted your ability to create, right? You knew you had confidence you could create money.  [00:19:24] Rich: Yeah. And I learned that being poor. I mean, in college, I went to USC, one of the most expensive schools around, but I paid my own way to go there. [00:19:33] Rich: And during college, there were so many weeks, I can't even count them, where I'd wake up on Monday with exactly $5 to my name. That's all the money I had access to. And I had to get to Friday before I got my paycheck and I had to pay for parking and food, et cetera. I was so scrappy. I would look at what ads were in the paper and I find people doing focus groups that would pay me $10 for 30 minutes of my time to go pretend to shop and pick products. [00:19:58] Rich: So I'd go make an extra 10 bucks and now I had triple my money to get through the week. I did so many creative things. So I knew at that point, like, yeah, money is just a tool. We'll figure it out. We'll always make it work. So, you know, I want to bring this up because this is the thing, you know, you mentioned at the start of the show that I'm going to be at your event, the #DoorGrowShow, right? [00:20:15] Rich: DoorGrow Live. Yes. Okay. Yeah. And what I'm going to talk about is one of my books and it's called, "It's My Life!". I'm going to hold it up for anybody watching. "It's My Life! I can have..." sorry, there's two books. "I can change if I want to." My other book's called "It's my life! I can have the job I want," but I'm going to talk about change. Because one of the questions inherent to this problem of how do you go through these hardships? [00:20:38] Rich: How do you go through these struggles, which would stress most people out like crazy? Comes down to your ability to handle change.  [00:20:46] Rich: And it starts with you. Adaptability. Yeah. Now, look, I was forced into it because. I'm 50, but I've moved 33 times in my life. I had moved 29 times by the time I was 32. [00:20:58] Rich: Wow.  [00:20:59] Rich: And I was forced to move as a kid. I had no choice about that. I was forced to make new friends. I was forced to go into new schools and new cities and new states.  [00:21:06] Jason: Military family or...? [00:21:08] Rich: No. Divorces. Job transfers, etc.  [00:21:11] Jason: That's a lot of change, a lot of turmoil. Yeah.  [00:21:14] Rich: Yeah. Yeah. I mean, really a very challenging childhood that I don't look back on with any negativity towards, but I was forced to learn how to change and adapt to change. [00:21:25] Rich: And out of that, around age 12, I developed a methodology for how I could change myself and the behaviors and the feelings I had. Because I started to look at the world. This actually comes from religion. I mean, you brought up God. My father was a minister in a church when I was born, but it was very extreme. It was considered a cult. [00:21:41] Rich: My stepfather was in the Catholic church, so we attended Catholic services. I lived in Salt Lake City, Utah. I've been to plenty of Mormon events, the LDS church. I know all about that. I've been part of other types of church.  [00:21:53] Rich: I grew up Mormon actually. So I was exposed to all these different religions. And what I saw was everybody said they're right. [00:22:01] Rich: And I'm not taking issue with that. I'm not trying to say one's better than the other, but just as an observation, if everybody thinks they're right, then my beliefs can be just as right. And that empowered me to say, "what do I want to believe about the world?" How do I want to choose beliefs that will help me be the best I can be? [00:22:18] Rich: And simultaneously at age 12, my mom was going through a huge awakening in herself. She was reading books by Dr. Wayne Dyer and all sorts of self improvement books, because she wanted to get better. And she was sharing those lessons with my brother and I. So I was learning through osmosis. I was learning through observing my mom go through these changes, but I was also observing the world around me, and I realized I can make changes to myself and become better, which means I could have lower stress. So let's go all the way back to the story of how do I start a company with no money? How do I believe I don't have to be stressed out about the money? And it comes down to your core beliefs of what you actually believe about your ability to go figure it out or your ability to let it stress you out or what even stress means in your life. [00:23:02] Rich: I'm sure you've talked about this with your group here. There's no value in worry. Like worrying about a problem, what does that actually get you? It gets you anxiety and stress. It doesn't solve the problem. It doesn't add value into your life. So therefore I looked at it and said, how do you not worry? [00:23:19] Rich: How do you not stress out about things? So what I'm excited to share with your audience when I get up on stage is how to use my methodology to become more resilient, to accept change for what it is, to learn how to control the change so that you can be the person you want to become. And therefore you can go through the hardships, the challenges, the biggest potential failures or actual failures that you're going through in your business and in your life and win on the other side, because you become a better person through the whole thing. [00:23:47] Jason: Love it. Yeah. I mean, running a business can be tough. It can be very hard. Entrepreneurs go through a lot of challenges. I often joke DoorGrow was built on thousands of failures, you know? But we have that hope and we keep moving forward. And so being resilient is essential. [00:24:06] Jason: Being adaptable is essential. Otherwise it's just takes a toll. It takes a toll on our body. It takes a toll on our health. We don't make progress. We don't have as effective of decision making and there's like, if we're not in a state of worry, not in a state of stress, we make infinitely better decisions. [00:24:24] Jason: Like decisions made from fear, decisions made from stress generally are almost never good decisions. So, and if you think about all the decisions we make on a daily basis in our own business, If you just have a healthy mindset, you will be at a very different place, even in a short period of time. And I've had periods of stagnancy. [00:24:43] Jason: I've had periods of hardship and I've had periods of like dramatic growth.  [00:24:47] Rich: Yeah. And transition. I love the graphic and I'm sure everybody's seen it where two guys are digging and one guy is giving up and the other guy keeps going and the diamonds are right there. The gold is right there. Okay. Right. The guy who gives up is one foot away from the gold and the guy who keeps digging hits it because he just went that one extra foot. [00:25:07] Rich: And to me, that is that point of exasperation where you're saying, "Oh my gosh, this is the worst day of my life. The worst month of my life. This is so challenging. It's, everything's wrong. And you embrace the change and suddenly things change faster." Now you may not strike the gold that you want. You may not win the biggest account you want, but I mean, look, you can read the biography on Elon Musk with his story of SpaceX and Tesla, and he was betting the farm on both of them. He was down to two weeks of payroll, I think when NASA came in with a one and a half billion dollar check to fund the rocket boosters they wanted. Like he is at the absolute lowest point and boom, the greatest thing happens. [00:25:42] Jason: You know, when we take these risks, they create great stories. And even if it doesn't work out, the risk, it still makes a great story. It does. Because we're going to figure it out. The one thing is if we're committed, if we're committed to getting the result, it's inevitable. [00:25:56] Jason: It will eventually come. It might take a little longer, but yeah, if we're committed and man, like, yeah, he took some big risks. He was committed.  [00:26:04] Rich: Yeah, but it comes back to you. I've met so many entrepreneurs who do stress out. They lose sleep. In fact, one of the most common things I hear from entrepreneurs is, "Hey, what makes you lose sleep at night?" Nothing. Honestly, my three year old makes me lose sleep, but losing business, man, it doesn't bother me in the same way that I think a lot of other people do. And that's because I know who I am. I know what my beliefs are and I've challenged myself to change the ones that don't work.  [00:26:31] Rich: I'll give you one other example here, Jason, to think about, and again, this is not a judgment towards anybody. [00:26:36] Rich: I was in an audience of entrepreneurs, man, I don't know, 12, 15 years ago. And the guy on stage said, "okay, everybody here, raise your hand. If you have ADHD," I was maybe one of two people who didn't raise their hands. I've never been diagnosed with ADHD and I refuse to accept the label of ADHD for whatever purpose the label means. [00:26:55] Rich: What if though, what if ADHD is your superpower? And what if the label of ADHD of treating it with drugs and you can't stay focused and still is a negative by all the other aliens on this planet? Because you said as entrepreneurs, we feel alien. What if it's everybody else's assessment of you versus your own? [00:27:12] Rich: What if your own assessment was your ADHD is actually your superpower?  [00:27:16] Rich: Sure. You've got the ability to hyper focus. You've got the ability to like do something unique or exceptional. Yeah.  [00:27:22] Rich: Or switch gears on 10 conversations in a day, because that's what happens during your day as an entrepreneur.  [00:27:28] Jason: Yeah. [00:27:28] Rich: Right. And adaptability. So I look at that again, going back to how I view your belief systems and my book on change, is that you can take something that a lot of people look at as, "Oh, that's harmful for our relationship or whatever. I say, no, I'm going to turn it into my superpower." [00:27:44] Rich: And take a different view of it because it's you. It's not me. It's not my judgment of you. It's your own judgment of you. How do you want to be? Yeah, I'm excited to share this with everybody when we get up there.  [00:27:55] Jason: Yeah, it'll be awesome to have you there. You know, the reason I'm having you come and other speakers that have nothing to do with property management, by the way, for the property managers, is I find that it's never really a business issue that's holding people back in business. [00:28:09] Jason: And I mean, I've talked to thousands of property managers, I've coached hundreds. And when I dig in it's never that they're focusing too little time on their business that's the problem. It's always related to mindset, self belief. You know, that's really what's holding them back. And so I think this, this'll, this'll be really awesome. [00:28:31] Jason: I'm really excited for you to benefit our clients that'll be at this event. And those of you that are not yet clients that are coming to DoorGrow Live, I think this'll be a game changer for them to just kind of shift their mindset a little bit and increase their resiliency. So, yeah, I'm excited for that. [00:28:46] Rich: Yeah. I am equally excited because you said one of the four pillars is contribution. And I didn't write this book for my business. It has nothing to do with software and efficiency. I wrote this book because my sister and her husband at the time were at the beginning of a divorce and they were both coming to me independently to ask me questions and I'm helping them. [00:29:04] Rich: And they both independently said, "Rich, you should write a book about this someday." And it was on Thanksgiving that year when they both tried to use me as a conduit to each other, where I said, "I'm fed up, I'm done." And honestly, Jason, I just spent the next whatever days until the 23rd of December writing the book. [00:29:20] Rich: I stopped watching TV and it just flooded out of me. I never thought I'd write a book. I don't even like reading books. I listen. So I wrote the book before Christmas and then I hand bound it and gave it to them as a gift and it went nowhere. It was lost on them.  [00:29:32] Jason: Yeah.  [00:29:33] Rich: And then I realized, man, I've got this thing. [00:29:35] Rich: I've got to get it out there to the world and help other people, because this is one of the ways I get to contribute in the world. Yeah. My business contributes too, and I love that, but at the core of who I am personally, I want to empower people to be their best version of themselves. Yeah. I can do that with the book. [00:29:50] Rich: I can do that with the podcast I have. I can do that with the software that we generate. There's a lot of ways to have that effect. And that is my lightning rod. So when you ask me to come speak, it's an easy yes, because this is an opportunity for me to help others become their best version of themselves. [00:30:06] Rich: Maybe by giving them a tool set that they can then use to implement for themselves and create the person they've always wanted to be, or they know is inside of them that's afraid to come out or just maybe just one behavioral change. I don't know. It's up to them.  [00:30:19] Jason: I love books. I think books are awesome. [00:30:21] Jason: I read lots and lots of books. I'm reading books all the time. Like I usually have like three or four books I'm reading at a time because maybe I am ADHD, but you know, I get bored of something and I then focus on something else or whatever. I love books. What I've noticed though, because I've gotten to be around a lot of the people that have written some of these books... I pay a lot of money to go to masterminds or events. Like I just got to see Tony Robbins at Funnel Hacking Live. It was really great. I learned some awesome stuff. Right. And I think there's some magic in being able to be around and be in the energy space of the person that is giving you this idea. [00:30:58] Jason: It's not the same. Like being in person and doing stuff, I've noticed this weird thing that people absorb information different. They perceive it different. It's not the same as being on video like this. I've taught lots of people through video and over again, when they would come show up to DoorGrow Live or come in person, things would just click in a different way. [00:31:16] Jason: And I started to call it, mentally I called it the 'real bubble.' I have to pierce this bubble that it's not real. I think our unconscious mind doesn't perceive this as real.  [00:31:26] Rich: Right.  [00:31:27] Jason: Right. But you and I met in person, so we know we're real people. So our unconscious mind is like, "Oh Rich and Jason. We're real people." So we know this, our brain knows this, but until I meet somebody, fist bump them, high five, give them a hug, whatever, like, and they see me in person, my clients don't get as big of results.  [00:31:45] Rich: Yeah.  [00:31:45] Jason: Their unconscious mind is somehow like "Oh, this is that digital universe or TV universe. That's not real. I don't know." So if they come and like experience this... even if you get his book, like get his book, but I'm excited for people to be in your energy field to experience you and for you to teach this and there's something you could say the same words that are exactly in your book, but people will absorb it differently. [00:32:08] Jason: I've seen this over and over again, and they will get so much more out of this. That's why I'm excited to have you come present this. So.  [00:32:14] Rich: Yeah, there's no replacing face to face. There's absolutely no replacement for the energy and the connection that's made when you're face to face. I 100 percent agree and I wish we could do more of it. So i'm glad for the event and the opportunity to do it in my hometown. [00:32:29] Rich: It's great.  [00:32:30] Jason: Yeah, it'd be an easy drive not too far. So yeah All right. So, cool. I'm really excited about this. So for those of you that are listening go to DoorGrowLive.Com get your tickets. This is different than other property management events. Property management events, usually people go to these conferences and they're really there to like hang out at the bar and escape their life and their problems. [00:32:52] Jason: DoorGrow Live's different and you can go to the bar. There's bars at the Kalahari resort. You can do that and you can hang out with people. But people come to our event because they want to be around other people in that space of other people that are really growth minded. And that's who I attract in the industry. [00:33:08] Jason: We have the most growth minded property management business owners. Like these are people that are focused on being a better person, a better husband, a better father, better wife, better parent, you know, whatever. Like, and they're focused on you know, taking care of their team, making a difference in the industry. [00:33:24] Jason: And I really believe good property managers can change the world. They can have a massive ripple effect. They affect all their clients, the investors' lives. They positively impact the tenants' lives. They can have a big ripple effect. They can affect a lot of people. And that's exciting is inspiring for me to be able to, you know, Help benefit them and bring that to the table. [00:33:44] Jason: So these are leaders. These are people that affect families. And so, you know, by you coming and presenting, I think there's definitely a ripple effect and a positive impact that can happen. So if you're a property manager listening and you don't care about any of that stuff, then just don't go to DoorGrow Live, because we don't want you there anyway. [00:34:00] Jason: All right. So Rich, any quick tip that you could give to people before we wrap up our conversation and then how can people, you know, get ahold of you and, or you know, or whatever you want to plug. Floor's yours  [00:34:12] Rich: I'm going to leave everybody with one of my core beliefs. That is an empowering one. [00:34:17] Rich: And it's this: confidence is knowledge of yourself. We all want more confidence, right?  [00:34:22] Rich: And the reason I call it knowledge of yourself is because you should be able to take confidence and apply it to any given situation. It's not a hundred percent confident all the time. It's confident about something you're doing. [00:34:33] Rich: My typing speed's near a hundred words per minute. I have absolute confidence in my ability to type, for example, right?  [00:34:39] Jason: Yeah.  [00:34:40] Rich: My, my other skills may not be the same. So how do you build confidence? It's you build knowledge of yourself and it's a lot of what we've been talking about is your own personal growth and who you are and all that's going to lead to more confidence. [00:34:53] Rich: So that's just one of the things I'll share. Best way to find me probably LinkedIn. I'm the Quik! Forms CEO and that's Q U I K. There is no C in the word 'quick' for my company. You could try to email me as well. rwalker@quikforms.Com. You could spell it with a C because we own both domains, but yeah, if you reach out to me on LinkedIn, there's one thing you should do, send me a personalized note, tell me why you want to meet me because I'm very happy to meet you and share my network with you. But if you're trying to sell me and spam me, I don't answer those. So just give me a personal note and I'm very happy to talk to you.  [00:35:23] Jason: Just say, "Hey, I heard about you on the DoorGrow podcast and you know, the property management growth podcast like..."  [00:35:30] Rich: Yeah. And I'll look, I'll plug one little thing. I don't know how relevant it is to your audience, but my podcast is called The Customer Wins. And I talked to business leaders about how they help their customers win, how they overcome challenges of growth, how they create a really excellent customer experience. [00:35:45] Rich: And about 20 percent of my guests come in with totally different perspectives. I had a custom suit broker on, I had a golf pro, I had a magician and the majority of people in the financial services space. But I'm telling you, there's a lot you can learn about building a better customer experience from listening to people talk about it and hear about it. [00:36:03] Rich: So I've studied that a lot for several years. Like that's, it's a big deal to me. I mean, you have to, if you're running a coaching business, coaching businesses are generally high churn. Education businesses are really like a low engagement. Yeah. So I've had to figure a lot of things out to make this go really well,  [00:36:19] Rich: so, yeah. [00:36:20] Rich: Yeah. Well, I mean, I really don't care about how many subscribers or listens I get on my podcast. That's not what I care about. I want people to get value. Yeah. So if you get value from it, awesome. Let me know. Awesome. Very cool.  [00:36:32] Jason: 110 words per minute. It's pretty fast. Do you type on QWERTY or did you change your keyboard? [00:36:37] Rich: No, I type on a normal keyboard. At one point I was at 115. Right now I'm around 100. I bought a device called a Kara quarter, which is a totally different configuration where you can type about 300 words per minute, but I've yet to learn it new skill. I'm just not picking on yet.  [00:36:51] Jason: So. I hear a lot of world typing speed records are set in Dvorak and I switched to Dvorak simply because my wrist started hurting when I was going through college. [00:37:02] Jason: So I actually pop all the keys off all my keyboards and rearrange them into Dvorak. So I know I'm a nerd. So, and you just change the setting. On Mac books and Mac keyboards, it's like doing brain surgery. It'd be really careful, but for the geeks out there. Maybe you'd appreciate this, but it has the most commonly used vowels on the home row of the left hand and the most commonly used consonants on the home row of the right hand. [00:37:27] Jason: Oh, that makes sense. And so world speed record. So, and it took me like a month to just get used to it. Like you would pick it up really fast. So how fast are you? I'm not that fast. I just did it because my wrists were hurting. I actually don't type that much. Honestly, you know, I'm like talking and drawing a lot more than I'm typing, but I'm probably faster than I would be with QWERTY. [00:37:50] Jason: So I don't know. I've never really like done a speed test or, you know, typing test to see, but I don't think I'd beat you. That's my guess, your QWERTY handicap. So, cause QWERTY was designed to slow down typewriters.  [00:38:04] Rich: Like the hammer strike colliding. Yeah. Of the old type that, yeah. So I'll leave you with a fun fact. [00:38:11] Rich: The average typing speed in my company is about 85 words per minute.  [00:38:14] Jason: Nice. Okay. It's pretty good.  [00:38:15] Rich: Tell you there's people faster than me here. Yes.  [00:38:18] Jason: Yeah. Cool. Well, Hey Rich, great to have you on here. Appreciate you hanging out with me and I'm excited to have you at DoorGrow Live.  [00:38:25] Jason: My pleasure. And thank you for having me today, Jason. [00:38:27] Jason: All right. So for those that are, you know, struggling with growth, you're wanting to figure out how to grow your property management business, or you're just getting stuck in the operational challenges. You're tired of telling your team all the time, thinking, "why won't they just think for themselves" and frustrated and you're dealing with operational systems challenges to get to that next level, reach out to us at DoorGrow. [00:38:49] Jason: We might be able to change your life. So, go to DoorGrow. com. And if you'd like to join our free community and Facebook group and, you know, learn about us get access to you know, some free stuff, go to doorgrowclub.Com to join our community. And of course, go check out DoorGrowLive.Com, get your tickets. [00:39:08] Jason: It's going to be in May and we would love to see there in person. And a little bit of that DoorGrow magic is going to change your life. We'll see you there. Bye everyone.

Hugh Forrest is the President and Chief Programming Officer of South by Southwest (SXSW), one of the world's leading festivals celebrating music, film, technology, and innovation. A native of Austin, Texas, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the city's creative and entrepreneurial identity. Joining SXSW in its early days, he leveraged his background in publishing and technology to help grow the festival into an internationally recognized event. Under his leadership, SXSW has expanded beyond music to include industry verticals such as health tech, transportation, and artificial intelligence, all while staying true to its mission of fostering creativity and connection.His contributions to Austin's cultural and business landscape have earned him numerous accolades, including being named Austinite of the Year and receiving the Diversity Champion of the Year award. Passionate about collaboration and innovation, Hugh remains committed to the power of in-person interactions, emphasizing their importance in an increasingly digital world.In this episode, he takes us behind the scenes of SXSW's evolution, recounting its early days in the 1980s when Austin's club owners took a chance on a fledgling festival during spring break—a decision that would shape the city's global reputation. He discusses SXSW's transformation from a music-focused event into a multidisciplinary hub for film, interactive media, health tech, and transportation. Addressing concerns that the festival has become too corporate, he argues that while SXSW has grown, its core mission of celebrating creativity and community remains unchanged. Throughout the conversation, Hugh also shares his personal journey, reflecting on how his deep ties to Austin have influenced his leadership and vision for one of the world's most influential cultural events.Ami's life update and travel adventures: Ami shares her recent travels, including attending the Grammys and the Super Bowl, before introducing Hugh (0:30)How Hugh Forrest got involved with SXSW: Hugh recalls his early days in Austin, his background in publishing, and how he was hired for his desktop publishing skills (4:10)The birth of SXSW: A festival born from rejection: Hugh shares how SXSW came to be after a failed partnership with a New York music event, and how Austin club owners reluctantly gave them a chance (6:42)SXSW's evolution: From music to tech, film & beyond: The festival's expansion beyond music to include film, interactive media, health tech, and transportation—shaped by Austin's growth (10:21)Balancing corporate growth and grassroots creativity: Hugh addresses criticisms that SXSW has become too corporate, explaining how they balance big brands with indie creatives (14:54)Navigating controversies: DEI, social issues and speaker curation: Discussion on how SXSW handles political and social challenges, including diversity, equity, and inclusion (1:13)Personal highlights: Bruce Springsteen, David Byrne and memorable moments: Hugh shares one of his biggest regrets—missing most of Bruce Springsteen's keynote—and reflects on other standout festival moments (24:20)Austin's transformation and SXSW's role in the city's growth: The impact of SXSW on Austin's economy and identity, and Hugh's thoughts on the city's evolution (28:11)Hugh's perspective: Success, creativity and the future of SXSW: Rapid-fire Q&A on success, creativity, and what excites him about the future of SXSW (35:26)Connect with Hugh Forrest:LinkedInXLet's talk Connect:Instagram This podcast is produced by Ginni Media.

Send us a textTiger Hanner has been a rock for years for Texas law enforcement, defending officers in some of the toughest legal battles. As TMPA's longtime Austin Area Attorney, he's seen it all—from high-profile cases to the everyday struggles officers face in the courtroom. In this episode of the Blue Grit Podcast, Tiger shares war stories from the legal trenches, the challenges of representing those who wear the badge, and why standing with TMPA means standing for justice. Tune in for an unfiltered look at the legal battles that shape the future of Texas policing.Support the showemail us at- bluegrit@tmpa.org

This week, the Texas Senate passed a bill to give $10,000 vouchers to families to use at private schools, one of Gov. Greg Abbott's top priorities. On today's Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by multidisciplinary storyteller Mase Kerwick and executive producer to talk about the bill's challenges now in the Texas House, where it failed to progress during the last legislative session. Plus, why an Austinite is saying that Lockhart is the new Live Music Capital of the World, and where to watch the Super Bowl this Sunday. And hey, want to join our team? We're hiring a producer, and you can apply here.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Join us for an insightful episode of From Waterloo to the Alamo, Shop Talk, as host Traci Turnquist-Wilson sits down with Libby Fish, Global Real Estate Advisor with Engel & Völkers and proud native Austinite. Together, they dive into what it was like growing up in Austin and reflect on the city's incredible transformation over the past 30+ years. Libby also shares her expert insights on buying and selling homes in the Greater Austin area, tips for breaking into the competitive real estate industry, and more! Whether you're an Austin enthusiast, a market insider, or someone dreaming of joining the real estate world, this episode has something for you!

Welcome to Shop Talk on From Waterloo to the Alamo! This episode features Richard Caprioli, Regional Sales Manager for Engel & Völkers and a seasoned Global Real Estate Advisor with a stellar career marked by over $23 million in sales. Richard shares his journey to becoming a top producer, revealing the strategies, dedication, and mindset it takes to reach this level of success in the competitive real estate market.But Richard's expertise doesn't stop at personal achievement. He explains how his years of experience have seamlessly transitioned into his role as Sales Manager, where he mentors and empowers agents to excel. From building confidence in new agents to fine-tuning the skills of seasoned professionals, Richard's leadership is shaping the future of Engel & Völkers' success.As a longtime Austinite, Richard also takes us beyond the world of real estate, sharing his personal list of “must-do” activities to experience the vibrant lifestyle of the Texas capital. Whether you're exploring the city's hidden gems or its iconic hotspots, Richard's recommendations will give you a true taste of what makes Austin so special.Don't miss this in-depth conversation filled with expert advice, inspiring stories, and practical tips for navigating both the real estate industry and the Austin lifestyle. Whether you're a real estate professional, an Austin enthusiast, or just looking for inspiration, this episode has something for everyone!

Can you critique a city that you truly love? Author Alex Hannaford, who moved to Austin after falling in love with it — and then left after growing dismayed 20 years later — says actually, it's necessary. Hannaford doesn't hold back in “Lost in Austin,” which takes a close look at the tug-of-war between the economic booms that have made Austin businesses thrive and the downturns that allow creatives to stay in town and in business. Hannaford joins executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec, who isn't defensive about Austin at all.   Plus, stay tuned after Alex's interview for a special segment: A mile in their boots, where we feature the unsung heroes of Austin. Today, we'll hear from Hannah Gabel, literary director for the Texas Book Festival, which takes place downtown this weekend.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Is your work aligned with your true calling in life? Or are you being paid to overlook your overwhelming disinterest in the work? Is your work-life driven by an illusion where the trivial is disguised as important? Tragically, this week's guest admits, “I spent 10 years doing an enormous amount of work but feeling as if I created nothing of substance.” Most of us know the feeling, but it doesn't have to be this way. In other words, work doesn't have to suck. Today, I'm thrilled to have my good friend and fellow Austinite, Paul Millerd joining us on the show. Paul is a fellow former corporate consultant who has spent the past 7 years blazing an unconventional trail, leaving the rat race behind to pursue a life of creativity, curiosity, and freedom as an independent author and creator. If you're looking to reclaim your inner ambition, as Paul writes: “The only true and worthwhile edge is deeply caring about what you do.”  The real journey isn't in indulging our desire to escape work, but in finding meaningful work that is true to our mission and purpose here on earth. In this conversation, Paul shares the raw, unfiltered story of his journey - from the uncertainty and loneliness of leaving a successful consulting career, to the unexpected joys and challenges of building a life around his curiosity and passions. We'll dive into the frameworks he's developed for discerning "good work" from "bad work," and how he's navigated the ebb and flow of creative entrepreneurship, including the decision to turn down a lucrative publishing deal. Whether you're feeling trapped in a soul-sucking job, or simply curious about what's possible when you break free of societal scripts, you're going to find an abundance of wisdom and inspiration in Paul's story. In this episode, you'll discover: Paul's framework for differentiating between "good work," "good enough work," and "bad work," and how you can apply this to your life How to find a balance between creative work and financial stability How to break free of your attachment to social status, material possessions, and your identity as an “achiever” Sage advice for those who are considering leaving the traditional corporate world to pursue their passions and creative interests How to coexist with your doubts and fears and feelings of uncertainty (instead of numbing or running away from them) How to reclaim your ambition to pursue YOUR good work And much more… Read the show notes: https://fatburningman.com/paul-millerd-why-he-blew-up-his-life-and-you-should-too/  Go to https://pmillerd.com/goodwork/ to get Paul Millerd's brand new book “Good Work: Reclaiming Your Inner Ambition.” Join the Abel James' Substack channel: https://abeljames.substack.com/  Listen and support the show on Fountain: https://fountain.fm/show/6ZBhFATsjzIJ3QVofgOH  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/fatburningman  Like the show on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fatburningman  Follow on X: https://x.com/abeljames  Click here for your free Fat-Burning Kit: http://fatburningman.com/bonus  Brought to you by: DS-01™ Probiotics and Prebiotics from Seed.com - Save 25% off your first month with promo code 25WILD LMNT Electrolytes from DrinkLMNT.com - Collect your FREE 8-Pack of Electrolytes with any purchase: DrinkLMNT.com/Wild 

Is your work aligned with your true calling in life? Or are you being paid to overlook your overwhelming disinterest in the work? Is your work-life driven by an illusion where the trivial is disguised as important? Tragically, this week's guest admits, “I spent 10 years doing an enormous amount of work but feeling as if I created nothing of substance.” Most of us know the feeling, but it doesn't have to be this way. In other words, work doesn't have to suck. Today, I'm thrilled to have my good friend and fellow Austinite, Paul Millerd joining us on the show. Paul is a fellow former corporate consultant who has spent the past 7 years blazing an unconventional trail, leaving the rat race behind to pursue a life of creativity, curiosity, and freedom as an independent author and creator. If you're looking to reclaim your inner ambition, as Paul writes: “The only true and worthwhile edge is deeply caring about what you do.”  The real journey isn't in indulging our desire to escape work, but in finding meaningful work that is true to our mission and purpose here on earth. In this conversation, Paul shares the raw, unfiltered story of his journey - from the uncertainty and loneliness of leaving a successful consulting career, to the unexpected joys and challenges of building a life around his curiosity and passions. We'll dive into the frameworks he's developed for discerning "good work" from "bad work," and how he's navigated the ebb and flow of creative entrepreneurship, including the decision to turn down a lucrative publishing deal. Whether you're feeling trapped in a soul-sucking job, or simply curious about what's possible when you break free of societal scripts, you're going to find an abundance of wisdom and inspiration in Paul's story. In this episode, you'll discover: Paul's framework for differentiating between "good work," "good enough work," and "bad work," and how you can apply this to your life How to find a balance between creative work and financial stability How to break free of your attachment to social status, material possessions, and your identity as an “achiever” Sage advice for those who are considering leaving the traditional corporate world to pursue their passions and creative interests How to coexist with your doubts and fears and feelings of uncertainty (instead of numbing or running away from them) How to reclaim your ambition to pursue YOUR good work And much more… Read the show notes: https://fatburningman.com/paul-millerd-why-he-blew-up-his-life-and-you-should-too/  Go to https://pmillerd.com/goodwork/ to get Paul Millerd's brand new book “Good Work: Reclaiming Your Inner Ambition.” Join the Abel James' Substack channel: https://abeljames.substack.com/  Listen and support the show on Fountain: https://fountain.fm/show/6ZBhFATsjzIJ3QVofgOH  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/fatburningman  Like the show on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fatburningman  Follow on X: https://x.com/abeljames  Click here for your free Fat-Burning Kit: http://fatburningman.com/bonus  Brought to you by: DS-01™ Probiotics and Prebiotics from Seed.com - Save 25% off your first month with promo code 25WILD LMNT Electrolytes from DrinkLMNT.com - Collect your FREE 8-Pack of Electrolytes with any purchase: DrinkLMNT.com/Wild 

Is your work aligned with your true calling in life? Or are you being paid to overlook your overwhelming disinterest in the work? Is your work-life driven by an illusion where the trivial is disguised as important? Tragically, this week's guest admits, “I spent 10 years doing an enormous amount of work but feeling as if I created nothing of substance.” Most of us know the feeling, but it doesn't have to be this way. In other words, work doesn't have to suck. Today, I'm thrilled to have my good friend and fellow Austinite, Paul Millerd joining us on the show. Paul is a fellow former corporate consultant who has spent the past 7 years blazing an unconventional trail, leaving the rat race behind to pursue a life of creativity, curiosity, and freedom as an independent author and creator. If you're looking to reclaim your inner ambition, as Paul writes: “The only true and worthwhile edge is deeply caring about what you do.”  The real journey isn't in indulging our desire to escape work, but in finding meaningful work that is true to our mission and purpose here on earth. In this conversation, Paul shares the raw, unfiltered story of his journey - from the uncertainty and loneliness of leaving a successful consulting career, to the unexpected joys and challenges of building a life around his curiosity and passions. We'll dive into the frameworks he's developed for discerning "good work" from "bad work," and how he's navigated the ebb and flow of creative entrepreneurship, including the decision to turn down a lucrative publishing deal. Whether you're feeling trapped in a soul-sucking job, or simply curious about what's possible when you break free of societal scripts, you're going to find an abundance of wisdom and inspiration in Paul's story. In this episode, you'll discover: Paul's framework for differentiating between "good work," "good enough work," and "bad work," and how you can apply this to your life How to find a balance between creative work and financial stability How to break free of your attachment to social status, material possessions, and your identity as an “achiever” Sage advice for those who are considering leaving the traditional corporate world to pursue their passions and creative interests How to coexist with your doubts and fears and feelings of uncertainty (instead of numbing or running away from them) How to reclaim your ambition to pursue YOUR good work And much more… Read the show notes: https://fatburningman.com/paul-millerd-why-he-blew-up-his-life-and-you-should-too/  Go to https://pmillerd.com/goodwork/ to get Paul Millerd's brand new book “Good Work: Reclaiming Your Inner Ambition.” Join the Abel James' Substack channel: https://abeljames.substack.com/  Listen and support the show on Fountain: https://fountain.fm/show/6ZBhFATsjzIJ3QVofgOH  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/fatburningman  Like the show on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fatburningman  Follow on X: https://x.com/abeljames  Click here for your free Fat-Burning Kit: http://fatburningman.com/bonus 

In our third “Mayoral Mondays” episode, host Nikki DaVaughn interviews Austin mayoral candidate Carmen Llanes Pulido. She's a native Austinite, and a community organizer who grew up in the activist movement alongside her father, and joins City Cast Austin to tell Austinites why she deserves their vote for mayor. We've already interviewed candidates Jeffery Bowen and Doug Greco, and we'll publish interviews with the remaining candidates in the next few weeks.  We'd like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Tucked behind a 1940's house, this new home peeks out from an alley in historic East Austin. The primary design intent was to make a compact space feel generous with tall ceilings, views to the outdoors, and changeable components. Clerestory windows look into neighbouring pecan trees and provide serene daylighting. The primary axis through the house ends in a window seat overlooking the protected backyard, nestled between neighbouring houses. Counterbalanced shed roofs nod to the gables of nearby houses in contemporary language. Our clients are a new type of Austinite; they work from home and enjoy walking everywhere. As such, they prioritized a screen porch to enjoy the street life of the neighbourhood, but no garage. Spaces transform from live to work with foldaway cabinetry and pieces that do double duty like an island / table. The living room expands into the screen porch with glass doors that fold away.Elizabeth Alford founded Pollen Architecture in Austin, Texas in 2008 with Michael Young, and Dason Whitsett. Elizabeth's work centers on creating engaging spaces that are carefully integrated into their surroundings, both natural settings and urban contexts. Elizabeth uses section, natural light and materiality to enrich the experience of a space. Prior to forming Pollen, Elizabeth ran her own firm, Elizabeth Alford Projects in Austin and New York, doing projects including studio renovations and farm buildings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode Matt sits down with Bob Peck. Bob is a festival award-winning filmmaker, author, lawnmower, meditator, and a spiritual student of Christ, Krishna, the Buddha, and Paramahansa Yogananda. With bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies & Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas, he has made ‘conscious films'—spiritual & advocacy documentaries—since graduating in 2011. He's also a Kriya Yoga practitioner through KYI and a certified mindfulness & meditation teacher. His day job is centered around ads and mindfulness in Big Tech. A native Austinite, he lives with his wife and young son in Austin, Texas. Original Sin Is A Lie is his first book.   Was Jesus a Yogi that traveled to India to study Kriya Yoga? Did he activate his Kundalini? How are Religions all connected? This and more on this episode! Enjoy.     Find Bob: https://www.instagram.com/bobpeck   https://www.originalsinisalie.com/   Find Matt: https://www.instagram.com/mattxian   https://www.mattxian.com

Crickett's Top 5 Strengths are:  Harmony, Restorative, Relator, Learner & Responsibility Crickett Berlin is a native Austinite. She has been married to her husband, Scott, for 17 years and they have two teen boys, Jett and Maverick. Crickett worked for over a decade as a registered nurse but now works as a licensed therapist providing Christian based counseling. Crickett also serves in her church community facilitating grief support groups and caring for women who are experiencing difficult life transitions. Crickett and her family love to explore the world and she has traveled to over 40 different countries! To learn more about Crickett and her counseling Christian Counselors of Austin About Crickett Find out your strengths by taking the CliftonStrengths Top 5 Assessment   Workshops and Coaching with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths

In this exciting episode of From Waterloo to the Alamo, we welcome special guest Rianna Alberty, a 5th generation Austinite and Magna Cum Laude graduate of St. Edward's University. With deep roots in the Austin real estate scene, Rianna has carved out her niche in the luxury home remodeling industry since 2013. As a REALTOR® and lead designer at LuxeHAven Homes, Rianna shares her insights on transforming Austin's homes into architectural masterpieces. In addition to her real estate expertise, Rianna is an investor in Kingdom, a popular East 7th Street nightclub. Tune in as she discusses her passion for real estate, design, and her unique connection to Austin's evolving landscape.Don't miss this captivating conversation as Rianna shares her journey from her family's Austin legacy to leading LuxeHaven Homes and contributing to the vibrant local nightlife! Find us on Apple, Spotify and all major platformshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-waterloo-to-the-alamo/id1756122919#RiannaAlberty #FromWaterlooToTheAlamo #AustinRoots #HomeRemodeling #LuxeHAvenHomes #DesignInspiration #ATXNightlife #KingdomNightclub #AustinBusiness #RealEstateAdvisor #EngelandVolkersAustin #EngelandVolkersSanantonio #Podcast #Shoptalk #RealEstate #AustinRealEstate

It’s New Music Friday. It’s time to pump some fresh life into your playlists so let’s get straight to it; there’s new stuff from an awesome Austinite and a Howdy Gals-presented release show this weekend to boot. Both of which you might’ve already caught wind of through yesterday’s Austin Music Minute. Yep, it’s Madison Baker, […] The post Madison Baker: “WANNABE” appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Sophia Razzaque is an Architect, Austinite, daughter of an architect; she was recognized with an emerging professional achievement award by the AIA, and is now serving as President of AIA Austin. VISIT https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/ INSTA https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/ Music Credit: Jon Guerra WANG ARCHITECTS: https://www.wangarchitects.com/

In the live music capital of the world, you don't have to look hard to find talented musicians. Finding a native Austinite who grew up learning to sing from his mother (a Grammy-nominated opera singer!), plays upright bass with the South Austin Jug Band, and has sold real estate across Texas since 2006...that's a different story!This week, Randy and Mary sit down with Will Dupuy to learn about the double life of a real estate agent and professional musician. Will shares how he uses YouTube to market his listings with song, his favorite types of properties, and weighs in on whether or not agents should attend the home inspection. Randy and Will talk tech, from sewer scopes and security cameras to Uber for Business, and Will breaks out his trusty guitar for a summer concert on the podcast! Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

The dog days are officially upon us, and the start of school is still a few weeks away. But with budgets blown to cover summertime fun, how can an Austinite possibly survive here in August without going into (more) debt? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Elissa Rozentuller and Eva Ruth Moravec to share some local knowledge on how to save money on back-to-school, how you can join the underconsumption trend, and what you can do for free during these hot summer days and nights. For even more tips on how to make the most of August in Austin, check out Hey Austin's take on what to do this month.  City Cast Austin's guide to August is made possible by our awesome exclusive launch sponsor, Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Yesterday we praised Queen Serene for their ability to pivot away from pigeonholing their own sound. So in that same sentiment of dodging predictability, today we're calling on another Austinite who's kept us guessing: Lizzie Karr. With a range of inspirations that span from D'Angelo to Ani DiFranco, you can already tell from the get-go that […] The post Lizzie Karr: “Honey” appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Poetry. Painting. Tailoring. And that’s all in one audacious Austinite’s regular wheelhouse, without even accounting for their live performance pursuits. Like…save some media forms for the rest of us, sheesh! While there’s assuredly a ton of people out there who fit that bill, today we’re talking about Austin’s Isis Destiny, formerly Amira Isis Destiny. Since […] The post Isis Destiny: “R U Mine ?” (feat. Opera Mauv) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Ladies and gentlemen, red flags of all ages...This week we've got a special treat for you, it's the debut episode of First Date Live! Lauren Compton has brought her show to the Creek and Cave stage here in Austin and tonight she's not alone. Joining her to roast, praise, and judge a gauntlet of prospective dates are Mark Normand and Ari Shaffir! Instead of the usual apps, mains, and desserts, Lauren has brought unique challenges and trivia questions to help narrow down who the most dateable Austinite truly is. The best of the best are subjected to a song competition that may or may not get us flagged for copyright, but that's half the fun. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the anxiety inducing madness of dating in front of a live audience. https://www.tiktok.com/@iamlaurencompton https://store.ymhstudios.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brigitte Bandit, an Austinite and drag performer, joins host Nikki DaVaughn to talk about celebrating Pride in Austin. Aside from doing drag full-time and hosting a monthly open mic drag show, Bandit has become known for her LGBTQ-plus advocacy work, and has addressed lawmakers at the Texas Capitol and policymakers at Austin City Hall. We'd like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Each city has those things you have to know, those unspoken rules that can help you survive the day-to-day, or at least to not be confused for a tourist. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by producer Elissa Rozentuller and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec, who together share their nine essential rules every Austinite should know. We'd like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 512-200-2227⁩ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Do you wish you had mom friends who would push you, who would get you out of a rut? Do you feel like you don't have a community that you belong in? I know this pops up oftentimes during the summer season. And so I wanted this conversation to soothe your soul and give you a chance to change that. Let's connect if this resonates with you: https://www.instagram.com/melissallarena/ Do you ever feel lonely? I can relate. As a mom in those early days, the feeling of loneliness was all too familiar. I remember nursing my son, waiting for my husband to get home, and feeling the weight of solitude. Similarly, when I launched my business, I found myself at my kitchen table grappling with business challenges without a sounding board. Loneliness is not uncommon for moms or entrepreneurs, but it has certainly been amplified by the pandemic. However, amidst these challenges, we now have the option to connect online. That's why today's conversation is so important. Allow me to introduce you to Cherie Werner, a proud Austinite for 35 years and the founder and CEO of Fiesta, an inclusive startup community. Cherie brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to fostering success and connections. I'm thrilled to host this conversation because I believe connecting with others who share similar experiences or have advanced perspectives in motherhood or entrepreneurship is crucial for success. So, enjoy the conversation with Cherie and notice her “fertile imagination”, a guide for maximizing every mom's superpower for maximum impact. That's the title of my book, by the way. Cherie exemplifies this imagination by creating unique connections and community, especially when she decided to homeschool her daughters. You'll hear how she achieved this, involving dads, kids, and families in a vibrant community. It's a testament to what's possible when you awaken and stretch your imagination, a process I detail in my book, which you can find at www.fertileideas.com. Also noteworthy is that this episode is brought to you by: From Contact to Connection: The Mompreneur's Go-First Networking & Follow Up Playbook: https://witty-thinker-2643.ck.page/21e52edb87 Download my step by step networking and follow-up process, as well as out-of-the-box proven ways to build relationships with the busiest of influencers, prospective podcast guests, and mentors! WARNING: this is for ambitious AF moms with growing businesses. AND BONUS: 30-second elevator pitch template included! The free playbook helps you: -Write an elevator pitch that will be memorable and distinguish you from everyone else. -Improve your networking skills, especially if you're a mom founder who can't go out and leave it to chance that she'll meet the business investor, mentor, or partner of her dreams. -Learn how to become a better networker without feeling like a fish out of water. -Write your emails to introduce yourself to strangers without overthinking how to begin an email or how to prove in the email that speaking with you will be worth their time. -Push beyond the fear that often holds you back, thinking “Oh, I can't do that” or “Who am I to approach that person?” -Think strategically about your outreach goals by considering why you want to talk to specific people, along with what you need to know so you don't get caught out there feeling like a deer in headlights without the right words to say. -Think ahead about how you intend to make it worth their time and how you can use your platform to feature them as an expert, among other things. -Calm your networking jitters beforehand by guiding you on how to research the event and its attendees before heading out. -Gain fresh ideas for follow-ups that will feel good to you and the recipient, instead of just emailing the person over and over again. -Use a timeframe to conduct your networking or outreach efforts so they become a habit. -And includes email templates galore! Official bio for Cherie I'm Cherie Werner—a native Texan and a proud Austinite for 35 years. As the Founder and (CEO) Chief Empowerment Officer of FIESTA, an inclusive startup community, I bring a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to fostering success and connections. With 38 years of marriage to Jon Werner and our three daughters as my top priorities, my journey in mentoring began in college. It evolved into a rich history of community building, exemplified by the growth of the Austin WholeHearted Home School community (1995-2001). Collaborating on startup ventures like Bones in Motion (2001-2008) and KOYA Innovations (2018-2023) has equipped me with unique insights and empathy into the founder's journey. At FIESTA, we've hosted over 50 events, welcoming 7,000+ attendees since July 2021, and achieved a remarkable 65% growth in 2023 and 2022. As a certified life coach, I am dedicated to creating a dynamic environment where entrepreneurs can thrive, forge meaningful relationships, be seen, and succeed. I am excited to bring this spirit of collaboration, empowerment, and drive to the vibrant Austin Tech community. Links: https://fiesta.community https://www.instagram.com/cheriewerner/ https://www.facebook.com/cherie.werner Transcript: Cherie, I wanted to just launch the conversation around the idea of seeking connection and community. So I know that for moms, it feels, it feels lonely, especially those early days when you're a new mom. And when you're just like wondering to yourself, how did I, how am I going to do this? How am I going to survive? And then entrepreneurship is kind of the same thing. At least. At first, it's a lonely endeavor. And so you're at a different mom stage than me. I have school age kids. You have adults. So first, like, are we going to survive? And then second, share some wisdom that can help us feel connected. And like, we're part of something bigger than ourselves. Yeah. Wow. Wow. Great question. Yes, you will survive at times. You might feel like you're not surviving and just remember that it's a season and it too shall pass. And I think the other thing is you never, you're never not a mom. I mean, my adult children have said, yeah, but I need my mom, even though they're adult children.  And then I think that you have your biological children, but then you also have the chosen children. So I'm known in this ecosystem as a startup mama. And I think it's because a lot of these young millennials and startup founders that are coming here to Austin, they, they need a mom. They need someone that they can call or just it sees them and is cheering them on. I think that's the biggest role for moms is that you're involved in your kiddos lives and you're cheering them on and you want the best for them.   One of the mantras that we had and I, and this came later in the teen years was that our ceiling is their floor only as much as we're investing in ourselves and growing our children have higher grounds to  stand on.   I love that. I really love that. And so I'm wondering more about your motherhood journey.   So early on, just to give us perspective, because right now a lot of moms are having to make that tough choice between full on entrepreneurship. Let's get some funding. Let's just try to outsource a lot of motherhood so that this way we can like be that at the helm of business. Right. And for some of us, like myself, it's kind of like, well, that's scary.   Like I have these three little boys and I kind of like them and I want to really help shape their, their perspective on a lot of things. I want to be there. I want to be their people leader, you know? And so I'm curious, like when you first became a mom, like what were the decisions that you had to make and looking back, like, how do you feel about them?   Another great question. I was a mom. It seems like so long ago And it was a long time ago because just for perspective my daughters I have three daughters and they're 35 33 and 22 and yes, there's a 10 year gap between the youngest and the middle one and Same marriage i've married going on 38 or 39 years.   I can't remember exactly which one but When we, when I was pregnant with my first child, I always intended to go back to work. We were living up in the D. C. area, and I mean, there was no way we could afford the home that we were in and stuff like that, unless both of us were working. And after having my daughter, I had maternity leave, and once that was over, and I had to go back into work,  I didn't anticipate having this strong emotional attachment to my daughter.   I mean, to the point where I'm like, I can't leave her. I don't want to leave her. And my husband and I made a decision that I would stay at home. And, and I really, I mean, like, I was really scared to be a mom. I, I had, I mean, I, I have a good relationship with my mom today, but my mom. Did the best that she could with the knowledge that she had just like I think all moms need to give themselves that grace and you're doing the best that you can with the knowledge that you have at that time, because me as a mom with my older daughters and my youngest completely different.   I was more relaxed with the youngest. But when Karen was was born, I stayed at home and I loved it. And, and then Courtney came along and we moved like two weeks after she was born from Virginia to Austin. Now, something nobody ever told me about, there are high stressors in women's lives and you need to be careful in how many stressors are going off at one time.   And so we were moving, I was leaving this amazing chosen family, like that brought meals over, they cleaned my house, they helped me because I was on bed rest with my Second child and and she came, she was like four weeks premature and so then we take off. We leave Virginia. We drive, we drive to Texas and we're in a house.   My husband goes to work. I'm left alone. And I kind of  had what I thought was a breakdown. But like looking back, it was postpartum depression. And uh, Yeah, and I didn't have the support so like moving to a new place and not having support that so that just goes to show you the value and the importance of having that community.   I mean, we all need it from very early on from our family of origin into all these different seasons of life.   Yeah, and I think it's, it's interesting because I think it's something that before I hit record, we were talking about, which is this whole idea of relational poverty. I had never heard of that.   And I know that you do a great job in the Fiesta community in terms of making sure that people know one another. We actually like get to see one another, have like mini little groups together, the breakout sessions. And I appreciate that. And so I'm just wondering, okay. Just to kind of like walk listeners through this.   So you started out, you had a chosen family, you had like what I'm envisioning, like this ideal scenario where somebody brought you food. Like, that's like amazing. And then now you're like driving all the way to Texas. You don't know anyone, but you have two children at the time. And then you land there, your husband goes to work.   And then you're like, Oh my goodness. Like that, that to me does sound a little bit like relational poverty. Is that kind of like in reference to the similar thing? Well, I mean,   relational poverty, as I defined it, it's a deep lack of connectedness with others. So I didn't have the connectedness. I, we knew nobody here in Austin.   John was, took a job with IBM. So he knew the people he was working with. And we need that deep connectedness with other individuals. Like, just to give you a contrast, I knew nobody at first, like for the first month, we were staying in a hotel room with two little ones.  And then compared to Virginia, when we were up there, like I said, we, I met together with this group of women and couples and, and we were involved in a church up there at the time.   And so like, it was, it wasn't just going to church. It was like, we had this really intentional community with several of the guys that my husband was working with in, in there. Wives and I was always really nervous about being a mom because my parents divorced early on and my mom  Had an aneurysm when I was like eighth grade and I had always wanted to be close I'm I'm I'm I'm a loyalist and eight on the in a six on the enneagram and I just wanted that close nurturing relationship But I remember when she had the aneurysm and she was in the hospital, she kind of drew me close to her.   And she said, this is why I never got close to you and your sister. And I was thinking, like thinking about that. I just think, gosh, that's so sad because we missed out on, on, on this fear of, of what could happen versus being in the moment. And Making the most of that moment and so I think that was like a real pivotal time in my life because I never felt that connectedness with my mom early on and and so I wanted to provide that for my kiddos.   I wanted them to know as a as a family. We had a Oh, I I'm trying to think of, but it's, it's like a  thing that we put, these are our models as a family, we will be connected no matter how big or, or far apart we are from each other. And, and, and that is just that intentional intentionality  of reaching out, letting them know that, that we're thinking about them.   And we we've done that. I mean, we started the, the Koya company together, which was all about it. Helping to end relational poverty. And this is before COVID, COVID accelerated and, and, and, and really brought that to light, like the importance and what loneliness does to individuals. So if anything good came out of COVID, I think that that's one thing that it's okay to talk about mental health and the need not to isolate and be around other individuals, because it's important.   And we're made that way.   Yeah. I, I, I mean, it's evolutionary, right? So it's like, if you're not in a group, then you are at risk for, for death. So that's, that's a lot of times why people have this like massive fear of abandonment, because it's like you that if you don't have your clan, or you're not in a clan, it's kind of like, wow, there's, there's a lot that you have to do to fend for yourself.   And so it's, it's interesting in the sense that when I think about a mom who has to make, you know, A similar choice now, right? And we're in a different era, but  kind of feels familiar in the sense that society is set up in a certain way, granted now internet speeds are fast and everything. But at the same time, you mentioned that whole deep, deep, deep connection.   And I can't really say that when I'm on a Zoom call, I feel like this, like, deep connection. Like, it's like, you, you might meet the person, but on the surface, kind of get to know them, facts and figures, things like that. But there, there is that beauty of like in person events, which I know that you definitely create that atmosphere.   And, and when you were a mom early on in Austin, you still figured out a way to build that sense of community and in person deep connection. And I think it's, it's a good use of your imagination. You have a fertile imagination, which is the name of my book. So why don't you share? With listeners, kind of like how that idea of like connecting with other moms or homeschooling came about and what did you learn about that that maybe you use in Fiesta?   Yeah, so I, I, I'm like, it's so funny, the things that I've done in life, I, I, I, I would say I'm the least likely person  to have done that. So when my daughters, we moved from Austin to California. And when we moved to California, my husband took a job and he was traveling a lot. And because of his travel schedule and, and, and also my experience in, in being in school, like, I can remember not really liking school, especially elementary school and being very, I, I was diagnosed with ADD,  but that's a long time ago.   And, but people who have ADD, what I realized is that we're super creative, think outside the box kind of folks. And, and one of the, the, the problems with the educational system is that it makes you, it puts you in this box that kind of follows you along and have a hard time seeing yourself outside of that.   It wasn't until I got to college that I could see myself differently. And anyway, while I was in California. My, my daughter's Karen and Courtney, they're so opposite. I mean, Karen came out and I mean, laughing and just bubbly and, and Courtney is more introspective. And at the time was  more sensitive. I mean, I can remember if you raised your voice and I I'm, I'm expressive.   So I raised my voice. I it's not yelling, but she would cry. And I thought to myself, and I have no idea why, but I'm like, man, I feel like if she goes to school, who she's created to be is going to be warped. And, and I, I'm like, kids are going to like tear her to pieces if she cries on the playground for everything.   And, and so I started looking into homeschooling and I went to a meeting and when I walked in, unlike here in Texas at the time, the people who homeschooled that I knew, I mean, like, They made their own bread and they wore jumpers and I'm like, I will never homeschool. That's what I remember vividly saying.   I would never homeschool. And, and, and so, but in California. It looked a lot different and, and, and I, because I, nobody was wearing the jumpers and I went to this event and they brought out this big boa constrictor cause it was like a kids zoo day and the kids were all sitting around and families and stuff like that.   And I just thought, wow, that looks, this looks really cool. And so that I started looking more into it and reading about it. And then I came across. A gal named Sally Clarkson, who for moms, I mean, but it's from a, a Christian perspective, her books were, she was my mentor from afar. So people, moms are like, If, if you can't have a in person mentor, books can be your mentor's podcast.   She has an incredible podcast. I mean, she used to do conferences and then I got really involved in that. And I was on, on their board for about 10 years and they were out of Colorado and they would do these conferences in Dallas and Colorado and all over. And.  So that's, that was my mentorship into it.   And when I came back to Austin, I'm like, I don't want to be like that as, as a homeschool. I want, I want homeschooling to look exciting and have a way to bring not just the moms together, but couples together and the kids together, like for a PE co op and like a library day. And so I created the wholehearted.   Austin wholehearted homeschoolers, and we had probably 75 families that were part of it over the course of seven years, and it wasn't until 2001 that I stepped away, which is when I was pregnant with my youngest, and the reason being is because I again had some preterm labor type of issues, and, um. And I, I mean, I enjoyed it because it was a way everybody talked about socialization while we were socializing.   I mean, we were like my daughter, Karen, probably wouldn't be the photographer she is, but at the age of 14, we gave her a camera for her birthday and at 15, she and I went to Dallas and she took this. Week long photography course, did her first wedding at 15 and, and, and started her career that way. I think with the kids, they were able to experience life based off of what they were really interested in.   And to this day, I don't know if my daughters would have traveled as much as they traveled, had they not had that experience.  So yes, that's how homeschooling came about. I, I, and Kaylee, when she came in, it came time for schooling her. We put her in a private school for like two or three years and she was struggling.   And then I homeschooled her and she continued to struggle. And then we had her tested and we realized that she had something called dyscalculia, which is like dyslexic, but for math. And had she been in a school setting, that would have never been diagnosed, number one, probably, and number two, I, at that point, didn't make math a big issue, because it's like, okay, she's not going to be a mathematician, we're going to figure this out, and I remember going to a counselor and them saying, well, she might not ever go to college, you know, and I'm like, The labels we put on kids and the things that we say about kids really impact them.   And that's one of the problems, like with the school system I had was I saw these kids that were in reading groups and this is the, the advanced reading group. This was the normal reading group, but these were the kids that were behind and that would follow them in elementary school from grade to grade.   So that's why I like the idea of. Just bringing people of all ages, I think together, the one, the one room schoolhouse to me is very appealing.  So,   yeah, my, my twins actually had like a one room schoolhouse, but it was Montessori, right? So different years and then there was like a leader and then like they got to choose their own work and practical life was part of it.   So like, I totally understand like the whole, like some of the nuances. And I know people who ironically are actually. Teachers in the school system who homeschool their kids. It's like, okay, wait a minute. Hmm. Why is that? You wonder. I have to share something with you. A lot of moms that I've partnered with, mom founders, have told me that following up after going to networking events tends to be hard,  awkward, and a lot of them really don't know how to do it.   And that's why I decided to write a playbook that is absolutely free for you to download. If you've ever felt awkward or like networking has been transactional or following up has been impossible to kind of do consistently, it's called From Contact to Connection. It's the Mompreneur's Go First Networking and Follow Up Playbook.   I wanted to just share why is it go first? It's go first because I've heard from moms that hey, I actually do like networking as long as other people approach me. And my whole thing is that it is important for you to create your own opportunities and I want to empower you to do so. So my gift to you as a listener of this podcast is my playbook.   You will have an opportunity to download my personal step by step networking and follow up process, as well as out of the box proven ways to build relationships with the busiest of  influencers. with perspective podcast guests and mentors too. And you don't have to just be a podcaster to get the benefits.   You have to be a mom founder though, to really see the results by way of your income, by implementing my strategies. Now, I do want to say that I also offered a bonus 30 second elevator pitch template. I share with you my pitch. I give you a Mad Libs style Template that you can fill in the blanks and my intention is really to be sure that you have a starter kit to help you go out there and network, whether you're doing it now or come this fall.   Now, this playbook really, really packs a punch of value. It's going to help you improve your networking skills. Even if you're a mom founder, and maybe you're in the season where you can't go out there and schmooze with people at happy hours, maybe you're the type of person that is going to have to figure out how to get people to Zoom with you one on one.   And I've got you covered in this playbook. In this playbook, I'm going to help you become a better networker. So this way you don't feel like a fish out of the water. So you'll see some templates and ways that I have approached pretty big name people. And you'll want to use my language and edit it to your tone so that this way people have a good idea for who you are and you could feel more authentic about your emails out.   In the playbook, you're going to have an opportunity to really push beyond the fear that often holds you back. For example, Oh, I can't do that, or who am I to approach that person? No, I will be encouraging you. I will be that person in your little pocket telling you, go for it, in this playbook. You'll also have an opportunity to think more strategically about your outreach goals.   So let's just imagine this September, you want to reach out to prospective investors. I give you some questions to really think through of who exactly you would want to connect with. So there's a lot that happens in this playbook. Again, the elevator pitch is also part of it. I would encourage you to head on over to the show notes today, and you will see a direct link for the playbook.   Or you could simply type into, um, any browser, fertileideas. com. So head on over to fertileideas. com for your copy of this playbook. It's specific for mom founders. You're also going to have an opportunity in the playbook to calm your networking jitters because I'm going to share with you how I research before reaching out to people.   And that has made all the difference for me and my clients. You will also have a good sense of a good timeframe to actually do these follow up activities. A lot of times we tend to feel like we're being annoying or we're being persistent, but honestly, there's a right and wrong way of doing it. So I want to share with you what's worked for me in my playbook.   So head on over to fertile ideas. com. I so appreciate that you're listening to this conversation and enjoy the rest of the episode.   I, I think the thing I've learned is, is I really, I think it really depends on, on you and why you're doing what you're doing. So, as I said early, it was a way for us to be together with my husband when he was home and then when he was traveling and then I really, school became fun for me.   So like, as I prepared and learned things. I was excited about it. The kids really grasped it. They understood it better. But if I didn't like it, they didn't like it for the most part. So teacher really does impact the love that I, I think the most important task is to teach a child to learn, and they will always learn.   As young adults, even now me doing what I do, it involves so much computer stuff that Technology. I didn't have those skills. I've had to kind of teach it my learn it myself and go on and look at videos and stuff. So   Yeah. Yeah. And I think a lot of what you're sharing is the fact that. There's, there's like these like misunderstandings about connection and community.   And I think one misunderstanding, and for me, it's something that I'm getting from this conversation. And it's this, it's like somebody else doesn't have to actually create that community for you. Like, you actually can take ownership. Of creating your own community and in a situation like you just shared, like homeschooling, like I've heard, like, oh, the kids are going to not be socialized and it's so lonely and blah, blah, blah.   But what I heard you say is that even in that situation. When other people specifically were like, Oh, socialization there, there goes that like you still manage to use your imagination to create community and like get the deep connections that you were looking for. And you moved again. Like I didn't, I didn't not notice that I'm like, wow.   Okay. So I think it's, it's interesting because something that I know a lot of moms. Struggle with now is this lack of making mom friends. Like, I know it's a little bit off topic, but it's still like connection and deep, real conversation. Like, so you moved from Virginia to Texas, to California, or something like that.   Virginia,   Texas, Texas, California. And then like two and a half years later came back to Texas. And so like, okay. So that in   my opinion, I'm like, okay. So. Sheree, what is the key to establishing and keeping great mom friends, especially if you're moving around? Yeah,   you know, I, I think there's season. So everywhere I've gone, I've had friendships and, and I mean, I still keep in touch with him.   I tend to be the one that picks up the phone and calls. I think that life. So here's the deal. When I was raising Karen and Courtney, we. There were clear boundaries like in there was those in between moments to be with others and you would drive 30 minutes or whatever to be with a friend like we what was really interesting about our homeschool group was they were from all over Austin and and I had people driving 45 minutes in for events.   I think once technology became more widely used and stuff like that, people  like you didn't meet in homes anymore. You met out at restaurants and you were, you never had those boundaries because you had a phone ringing or pinging you or, or, and things like that. And, and those are all distractions. I think two relationships, deep relationships, because time.   Is, is the one commodity that we can't get back. And, and there's so many things competing for our attention. And I know for myself. You have to be super intentional, like how and who are you gonna spend time with? And, and again, right now I'm in a season of life that is really different than most people because we just moved my in law, my husband's an only child, from New Orleans, where they flipped all of their life, 50 years, in the same four bedroom house to a one bedroom apartment, and they're going to be who we invest and spend more time with right now because it's, that's a season of life that we're in.   And, and I have my other obligations. So I think it's better to go deep with one or two people who really get you and understand and put it on the calendar, like that intentionality and say, okay, this is what I want from the relationship, kind of defining it. And I, I, I, I just, there's. Life is so complex, right?   We all need counselors someone to talk to because like when that becomes the focus of a friendship and it's one sided the other person will eventually like I And I, I need something else because it's about giving and receiving. And, and so it's like, make sure that you're comfortable with who you are and that you have something to give to somebody.   And the saying that says, you know why I like you? Because you like me. And then you want to spend that time together. So, I mean,  yeah, it's, I mean, You tend to want to find friends that are close by because the idea of having to drive, especially when you have two, three kids is, is hard. I think finding mentors in your life as you're going through these different seasons.   And my husband and I always said, you know, look for the next season of life for you. So if, if you're newly married and know you want to have kids, finding a couple that has kids that you can hang out with and watch them, because that. Hugely impacted my desire to want to have kids for the, for the longest.   I didn't think I wanted kids or children. And then I was around this one couple and I watched them interact with their kiddos. And I'm like, Oh my gosh, is that what parenting looks like? I mean, I just, I, I was mesmerized by how they interacted with their three boys. And it just was like, Wow. Okay. I can do that.   I want to do that.   So  that's amazing. I think, I mean, it's, it's important to just kind of have a good sense of what's, what's possible. What's something that maybe you never considered was within your cards and, and might actually bring you joy and happiness, right? You can't tell if you're not in the room and kind of experiencing that laughter, you know, yeah.   It's inviting for sure. So let's imagine that not from a spaceship, although that was the thought that came in my mind, but let's imagine there's like this mom, brand new mom, she just got here to Austin this year and she has a business idea. And she's just like, okay, I'm here. I heard this is where technology is buzzing.   And there's all these like startups and app people. What should she do first so that she starts to kind of get to know what's available to her in terms of support and resources in Austin?  Wow.   Well, so part of why I started Fiesta was to make things more easily accessible. I really feel like communities.   I don't know if you've traveled abroad, but I've gone to Germany. And one of the things I love is that you have these town centers and everything centers around this town center. You have your baker, the. Everything and into one another. And so.  I mean, Austin is big and trying to find those resources online is, is, is important.   It depends on what type of, I mean, what she's trying to build. Is she wanting to focus more on work type of relationships? Then I would say finding time to network will be important. And, you know, I've created a calendar to help folks find events easy. And there's, there's mom groups, there's co ed groups.   There's so much here in Austin. I mean, I literally, you can be busy almost every night of the week doing stuff. If you're, I mean, finding groups that maybe you're based off of, of cultural interest, I think that's also helpful. And. Meet up event. Right. You can Google it these days. It's so easily accessible.   And then the places that you hang out because I do think that spending time in the car with kiddos that are screaming and not happy that just kind of grates on you as a mom. And it's like, by the time you get there, you're just like,  Where, where you're going and it's not so like finding that happy in between place where you don't have to spend hours or in the car because of the crazy traffic here.   And I think that's the case in other places. It's nice. One of the nice things about COVID is that. We're more aware of how to use virtual stuff. So I think using that, if you have a friend from another place, keeping that relationship going, because you get each other in and putting it on the calendar, again, intentionality, you have to be intentional, put it on the calendar because if it's not on the calendars, Likely not to happen, but if you put it on the calendar and something comes up, you can always change it.   So that's why I, I say put it on the calendar  and yeah, so, and have a support. I mean, like, I think this is a conversation before having kiddos that couples need to have is, is knowing what. Your desires are because I think some women really are created to be career women. They, they, they've always wanted to be an attorney.   I, I think of this one gal that works over at Perkin and Cooey and she just got a nu some kind of a, a award for what she does. But she just had her fifth child of Alaska. She was at the event we were at on Wednesday night and.  She has worked as an attorney all of this time and, and, and her baby is probably two months old.   And I mean, she just flew in and, and, but again, that's a conversation I'm sure she and her husband had that this is what I want to do. This is why I went to school. I want you to. Will you support me in this? And, and what will that look like? So for couples, it could be the husband picking up a lot more of the load, or it could be that you hire folks to come in to help with the childcare and then when they're old enough, I mean, you do childcare.   So those are all decisions I think to make ahead of time as a couple, you know, before you get there.  Would help. And then if you have family close by, can they help out? I think I love the conversations we were having on Wednesday that as women are involved in companies in advocating for child care on premise with them, that's things are going to start to change and they are changing.   I mean, it's a lot different than when I Was having kiddos. So, I mean, I think it's only going to get better. And I jokingly say, I think the Barbie movie has done a lot for, for, for that too, like the, the whole stereotyping that, you know, you can work, but can you work and have a family? And I think you can, it's just a discussion that needs to be had.   Yeah, Cherie, thank you for this. I think this is important. A lot of, a lot of moms are, and I, and I find it slightly hilarious, if I'm being honest. It's kind of like, I don't know, I kind of feel like women have always been having babies. Like, this is not new. Yeah.  It's like, Why are we still talking about the same thing?   Right. But I mean, there's, there's a lot of things that are involved and a lot of different priorities that have to be decided upon ideally by the woman herself. And then there's also choices. And, and I just want to caveat, like if you're high powered in your field and you have those hours, I think every mom needs to just be really, really honest with herself and understand that.   There's some, there's a support system behind that sister, like, like there's no way on this earth that you could like duplicate yourself yet until AI really gets advanced, but, but I think there's, there's options, there's also options in, in not having to feel lonely, whether you're a mom or an entrepreneur.   And I think as far as. Your experiences early on with like homeschooling, like you, you share the fact that you could use your imagination to really figure out what you need, everybody needs something a little different. Some people don't want to be smothered and some people want a lot of love. And some people want, you know, something with a little bit more.   I don't even know, like something that's a little more defined, for example, in terms of a relationship. So, Cherie, let's say that people want to continue to follow you, learn more about you, learn about Fiesta. Where should they go online? What website should we point them to and social media?   Yeah, so fiesta.   community. com, community. And is the website, if you are an entrepreneur, if you're looking for events and things of that sort, you can find me on Sri Werner on Instagram and Facebook. And it's Sri at Fiesta dot communities, my email, if you want to reach out to me and yeah, those are the big things. And I just want to encourage moms.   I mean, like, remember this is a season and  I think that being a mom. Actually best prepared me for what I'm doing today. I learned so much because there's that one image out there that shows if you paid a mom for everything that she does, cause she, she's a caregiver. She, do you know what I'm talking about?   Have you seen that? Okay. Good driver.   Everything. Exactly.   And, and we need to, I mean like we need to remind each other of the fact that we do a lot and we have a lot to offer. And, and instead of judging one another, if we're, this is where it goes back to emotional generosity that we were talking about earlier on.   Like, Pointing out something to a mom and, and encouraging her or a working woman, just saying, Hey, you bring so much to this arena. I'm so glad that you're choosing to work and offering, like, is there anything I can do to help you? Or do you need anything? And, and just being that person to, to ask. And then I think as women, it's okay to vocalize it's hard.   I'm struggling. I, I, I'm not doing a good job. I need help. I mean, like, learn those words and, and use them because that only way that other people can be let in is if you let them in. So to all the moms out there, if, if you need somebody, reach out, let them know. And, and I, I, I mean, we're such a supportive community.   I know.  You will find somebody that will step up to be there for you.   Absolutely. Thank you, Cherie. Yeah, thank you. When it comes to some of the first people that I met here in Austin after our time in Australia, Cherie was one of those individuals who had and offered a very warm smile. So here are the three things that I want to share with you as it relates to finding community wherever you are and not feeling so lonely as a mom, nor as an entrepreneur.   So this is what I got from the conversation with Cherie. So the first point is you have to be intentional, be intentional about creating connections, understand what you need from those relationships. But be intentional, put it on your calendar or it won't happen. The second one is go for deep connections.   And if you are just zooming with individuals, then that is going to be pretty surface level unless you've been in the same room and shared a cup of coffee, for example, which is something that here in Austin, we do a lot. And that's actually a little new for me as a New Yorker. So deep relationships really make a difference.   They're awesome and helpful for your mental health. And then the third point is the one that I love about. Finding friends or people to connect with who are ahead of you along your mom stage or motherhood journey. I think having a perspective of what it looks like to be the parent of a teenager or having the perspective of what it looks like, or it can look like to be an empty nester when you're a mom like me with kids in school is a good thing to seek.   So those are the three things that I think are really important as it relates to the conversation with Sheree. And I really invite you to connect with Sheree, go to a Fiesta event. If you're here based in Austin, say hello. Cause I will probably be there too and have a wonderful, wonderful day. Again, you're not alone. You're totally not alone. If anything, you have me here on the other side of this microphone. So definitely reach out to me, Melissa@MelissaLlarena.com And I will say hi back. Pinky promise.  

What fuels the soccer passion of Northwest Arkansas? Join us as we chat with Al Schaefer, the driving force behind Smoke and Barrel and the head of the local American Outlaws supporter group chapter. Discover how this Army brat turned Austinite found a home in Northwest Arkansas and championed the local soccer scene with unyielding dedication. We discuss the region's rapid growth, diversity, and community spirit, and how Smoke and Barrel has become the heartbeat for local soccer fans. Al's journey is a testament to the power of community and the magnetic pull of the beautiful game.From the electrifying U.S. national teams to the legendary Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, we explore the highs and lows of soccer fervor. Listen as we recount unforgettable moments like the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the recent tune-up game against Colombia. Al gives us a glimpse into the challenges of sustaining local support groups and the triumphs that come with it, offering a heartfelt tribute to the passion and resilience of the Northwest Arkansas soccer community. Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to the sport, this episode is a celebration of soccer's unifying spirit and the people who keep it alive.

Host Nikki DaVaughn sits down with Evil MoPac, the anonymous social media persona masquerading as an Austin highway. We won't give up their identity, but will give you the inside scoop on their true feelings about the made-in-Austin Cybertrucks, and their creator, Tesla's Elon Musk, now an Austinite himself. We'd like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 512-200-2227⁩ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

As an entrepreneur, investor, and Army veteran, Craig is a true Austinite super connector immersed in the city's vibrant tech community. He is the Special Advisor for Military and Veteran Affairs for Capital Factory and serves on the Advisory Boards of VetsInTech, Texas Venture Labs at UT McCombs School of Business, and DivInc. After 17 years of military service that earned him a Bronze Star, he co-founded the transportation platform RideScout, which was acquired by Mercedes-Benz.In 2014, Craig co-founded Moonshots Capital alongside Kelly Perdew to invest in extraordinary leadership in the military veteran community and beyond. Craig holds a B.S. in Political Science from West Point, where he was their first Truman Scholar and later served as Assistant Professor of Political Science.He also holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and Econometrics from Columbia University, is a member of the 2016 class of Henry Crown Fellows with the Aspen Institute and was recently named a Future Texas Legend Veteran by the Texas Business Hall of Fame. He is married to Lawton Posey Cummings and has two children, Addison (21), and Cooper (18).Find out more at:https://www.moonshotscapital.com/https://medium.com/leadership-prevailshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/unleashcraig/

In this conversation, we dive into Irlen Syndrome with Laura Ward Woelfel, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor and fourth-generation Austinite. As someone who was diagnosed with Irlen Syndrome herself in 1991, there's no one better to explain this topic — and to help others who may also have it… Irlen Syndrome, a visual processing issue distinct from other vision problems, had a profound impact on Laura's life. Initially misdiagnosed as dyslexic or ADD, her life took a turn for the better when she discovered Irlen Syndrome and sought the necessary support. This newfound understanding and intervention transformed her academic performance, propelling her from a 'C' student in undergrad to a stellar 4.0 student in graduate school.  Now, Laura uses her knowledge and passion to help students with learning disabilities. Whether it be learning difficulties or reading issues, she uses integrative counseling and a series of cognitive behavior methods to bring awareness to her clients. Join us now to find out: The difference between dyslexia and Irlen Syndrome. How Laura found out she had Irlen Syndrome and how it changed her life.  The symptoms of Irlen Syndrome and how to identify them. Who Irlen Syndrome affects, and what causes it.  You can learn more about Laura and her work by clicking here! Take advantage of a 5% discount on Ekster accessories by using the code FINDINGGENIUS. Enhance your style and functionality with premium accessories. Visit bit.ly/3uiVX9R to explore latest collection. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/30PvU9

After an extraordinary embassy raid, Mexico breaks ties with Ecuador as the U.S. joins other nations in condemnation.How Central Texas has become a big player in the push for U.S.-built semiconductors.A Texas runner heads to Boston for what will be his last marathon after being diagnosed with ALS two years ago. We’ll hear from Austinite […] The post Hurricane season forecast to be ‘most aggressive' ever appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

In this Ep Zach talks with longtime friend and fellow Austinite, Alex Gehring. Alex is the bass player for shoegaze heads, Ringo Deathstarr. Zach and Alex share their experiences of joining bands in their youth, the world of wonders and downsides of never-ending tours and how they their seasoned selves see touring these days. Alex tells Zach how her stepfather's influence started her rock n roll journey why she still plays the bass he gifted her in college. The two commiserate on their Texas upbringing and Alex tell us about her new band, Nuclear Daisies.   Alex Gehring Ringo Deathstarr Nuclear Daisies Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop Episode sponsored by Thunder Road guitars

In this episode Jordan and Ryan look back on what's transpired in the Austin Real Estate Market and ahead to what they think could happen in 2024. They provide a lot of data coupled with the personal experience of both being top Realtor's in Austin and Real Estate Investors in this market. Ryan first moved to Austin in 1992 to attend the University of Texas and has been a proud Austinite for more than 32 years. He served for six years on his Westcreek Neighborhood Association board and has served as a board member and emeritus board member of the Austin-based non-profit Hand To Hold since 2015. In addition, Ryan supports numerous local charities and organizations including Austin Sunshine Camps, Ronald McDonald House, Foundation Communities, Odyssey School, KW Cares, and more. Outside of work, Ryan and his wife Andi are busy raising their two boys Andrew and Spencer and working alongside his clients building their personal wealth through real estate investing. For more on Ryan: https://www.ryankellygroup.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ryankellygroup/  Jordan Moorhead is a licensed sales agent in Texas and an active rental property investor. He owns 69 units himself and currently lives in Austin, TX. Jordan has been investing passively in apartment syndications for the past few years. He attends 2-3 conferences and Gobundance mastermind events every year. His portfolio includes duplexes, single family homes and mobile home parks. The Moorhead Team is excited to bring you information about investing in real estate in the Central Texas area! More information can be found at our website at www.themoorheadteam.com and our YouTube page The Moorhead Team. We're always aiming to bring you great free content about investing in real estate in Austin, TX! Follow us on Instagram: @themoorheadteam  Make sure to sign up for our email list for off market properties and market updates!

Intuitive Medium Ashley Munk interviews Bob Peck, author of the book Original Sin is a Lie. They discuss topics including resurrection and what Jesus meant when he said he “brings the sword.” Bob Peck is a festival award-winning filmmaker, author, lawnmower, meditator, and a spiritual student of Christ, Krishna, the Buddha, and Paramahansa Yogananda. With bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies & Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas, he has made ‘conscious films'—spiritual & advocacy documentaries—since graduating in 2011. He's also a Kriya Yoga practitioner through KYI and a certified mindfulness & meditation teacher. His day job is centered around ads and mindfulness in Big Tech. A native Austinite, he lives with his wife and young son in Austin, Texas.

Stephanie sits down with Bob Peck, author of the book Original Sin Is A Lie!Bob Peck is a festival award-winning filmmaker, author, lawnmower, meditator, and a spiritual student of Christ, Krishna, the Buddha, and Paramahansa Yogananda. With bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies & Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas, he has made ‘conscious films'—spiritual & advocacy documentaries—since graduating in 2011. He's also a Kriya Yoga practitioner through KYI and a certified mindfulness & meditation teacher. His day job is centered around ads and mindfulness in Big Tech. A native Austinite, he lives with his wife and young son in Austin, Texas. Original Sin Is A Lie is his first book.originalsinisalie.comInstagram: @originalsinisalieMormons on Mushrooms – Ways to ContributeOur podcast is supported by our amazing listeners and magical community. If you'd like to energetically contribute to what we're creating, there are several ways to do so:Become a PatreonSend a Contribution (buy us a booch)!Purchase Mormons on Mushrooms Merchandise

A lifelong Austinite and UT graduate, Cooper has worked in a variety of roles in the commercial real estate space throughout his career in Central Texas. Most recently, Cooper served in a business development role for Heritage Title for over 9 years. His diverse background serving clients in a variety of roles is an ideal fit for his position at Wildhorn Capital, where he manages the company's capital relationships and focuses on deal sourcing in Austin.   Cooper is involved in a wide range of Austin organizations. He is a member of the Real Estate Council of Austin's Executive Council. Cooper is also a school board member of Austin Achieve Public Schools. He has previously served as a board of director for the Urban Land Institute, International Council of Shopping Centers and Hill Country Conservancy. He and his wife, Camille, are Deacons at the Austin Stone Community Church and parents to two wonderful sons.     What You Will Learn: Who is Cooper Drenner? What led Cooper to getting into investing? Cooper shares how their business started. What are the strategies Cooper to that made him successful? Try not to get blown away with someone's track record. You're gonna make better decisions investing with someone who's like minded rather than somebody who's just pouting an IRR. What type of cash on cash returns do Cooper normally look for in Austin? Cooper shares one of his deals and how they were able to get a great deal. The more information you have, the more thorough and detailed it is, generally that allows you to dramatically reduce the downside risk of any decision. Cooper shares how she can be contacted. Additional Resources from Cooper Drenner: Website: http://wildhorncap.com/ Phone: 1 (415) 446-8932 Email: cooper@wildhorncap.com LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/wildhorn-capital/ Facebook: http://facebook.com/WildhornCapital Twitter: https://twitter.com/WildhornCapital Attention Investors and Agents Are you looking to grow your business? Need to connect with aggressive like-minded people like yourself? We have all the right tools, knowledge, and coaching to positively effect your bottom line. Visit:http://globalinvestoragent.com/join-gia-team to see what we can offer and to schedule your FREE consultation! Our NEW book is out...order yours NOW!   Global Investor Agent: How Do You Thrive Not Just Survive in a Market Shift? Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3SV0khX HEY! You should be in class this coming Monday (MNL). It's Free and packed with actions you should take now! Here's the link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sNMjT-5DTIakCFO2ronDCg

We discuss whether putting Oreo McFlurry on a cheeseburger is as gross as it sounds, whether Jason will still be an Austinite when he moves to Manor, and if Kim Kardashian deserves the title of GQ's Tycoon of the Year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Leschber built 1836 Property Management from the ground up as a Texas State Alum, starting from behind the desk of his home office with one employee and one property. Leschber, along with his team of real estate investment professionals, have grown the company at an average of 20% year-over-year, to become one of Austin's top property management companies.  Matt can have an effective conversation with anyone, even Siri. Here's a juicy tidbit about Mr. Leschber, he's a typical Austinite who can't have gluten. It's true. So if you feel like broadening your knowledge on real estate investments, business development, writing textbooks on property management, sailing, flying planes, playing guitar or even preparing for an Ironman, give Matt a call and meet him for a flour-free treat on SoCo. For more on Matt: https://www.youtube.com/user/1836realty https://www.facebook.com/1836PropertyManagement https://www.instagram.com/1836propertymanagement/ The Moorhead Team is excited to bring you information about investing in real estate in the Central Texas area! More information can be found at our website at www.themoorheadteam.com and our YouTube page The Moorhead Team. We're always aiming to bring you great free content about investing in real estate in Austin, TX! Check us out on Instagram: @themoorheadteam  Make sure to sign up for our email list for off market properties and market updates!

On this week's podcast, local Austinite, entrepreneur, and avid golfer Tyler Mycoskie joins the program to talk about the longest club in your bag. Tune in to learn about Tyler's company and how it could finally fix your swing off the tee box.Sign up for Partner Discounts like Dollar Driver Club here: https://randomgolfclub.com/pages/rgc-membershipThe EAL Show is brought to you by L.A.B. Golf! Get your remote fitting here.Go to PrizePicks.com/ealshow and use code ealshow for a first deposit match up to $100!Head to FACTORMEALS.com/ealshow50 and use code ealshow50 to get 50% off.SHOPIFY.COM/ealshow to take your business to the next level today.Craving more golf podcast content? Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to RGC Radio YouTube Channel.Follow us!RANDOM GOLF CLUBwww.randomgolfclub.comIG: @randomgolfclubTwitter: @randomgolfclubTikTok: @randomgolfclubofficialERIK ANDERS LANGIG: @erikanderslangTwitter: @erikanderslang

Today on The Arwen Lewis Show - Arwen welcomes Music Artist A third generation Austinite, Al splits his time between Houston and the Big Bend high desert area of Far West Texas. His album of new music, Somewhere in West Texas, recorded in Marfa, TX, features an all-star lineup of musicians, including Fran Christina (Fabulous Thunderbirds, Bonnie Raitt), Scrappy Jud Newcomb (Ian McLagan, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Patty Griffin, Slaid Cleaves) and Chris Maresh (Eric Johnson, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Kenny Wayne Shepherd). Al says of the album: "Great songs, two guitars, bass, drums, and a cloud of dust - recorded way out West." Jimmie Dale Gilmore says, “Something Good is Gonna Happen - in fact it already has! The new album, “Somewhere in West Texas” by Al Staehely is full of heart, humor, and fun. This recording is a long overdue, surprising, genre-leaping addition to the catalog of an iconic rock star. His Texas roots shine through as do the musicianship and pitch-perfect, no-frills production. It is a jewel.” "Somewhere in West Texas", the new album by Americana singer-songwriter Al Staehely is out now along with the focus track “Mercy of The Moon” can be viewed HERE: https://youtu.be/1NMPxhXJGbg LINKS: http://www.alstaehely.com/ https://www.facebook.com/al.staehely https://www.instagram.com/alstaehely/ CONTACT: Facci PR Sarah Facciolo – Sarah@faccipr.com The Arwen Lewis Show Host | Arwen Lewis Executive Producer | Jeremiah D. Higgins Producer - Sound Engineer - Richard “Dr. D” Dugan https://arwenlewismusic.com/ On Instagram, Follow Arwen Lewis Here: @thearwenlewisshow @arwenlewis www.thejeremiahshow.com On Instagram @jeremiahdhiggins https://linktr.ee/jeremiahdhiggins

Jamie's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are: Learner, Connectedness, Relator, Strategic & Input Jamie is a native Austinite who grew up making music in the church. She has a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from The University of Texas and has been teaching music and singing professionally for 16 years. Her worship experience began early, as a cantor in the Catholic Church, often singing with her Baptist father and big brother, and her music path continued after college as a contract musician and choir director for several Presbyterian congregations in Austin. Thanks to her broad professional experience and family history, Jamie has a passion for ecumenism and has participated in worship in many denominations across the city. When she's not making music, you can find her on Bull Creek trail, probably listening to Bible Project podcasts and accompanied by her dog, Theo (a.k.a. The Most Excellent Theophilus). The pandemic increased her passion for writing and gardening, leading to several published articles and a blog about the lessons she learns while trying to grow things in Central Texas. Find out your strengths by taking the CliftonStrengths Top 5 Assessment   Workshops and Coaching with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths    

Bob Peck is a festival award-winning filmmaker, author, lawnmower, meditator, and a spiritual student of Christ, Krishna, the Buddha, and Paramahansa Yogananda. With bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies & Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas, he has made ‘conscious films'—spiritual & advocacy documentaries—since graduating in 2011. He's also a Kriya Yoga practitioner through KYI and a certified mindfulness & meditation teacher. His day job is centered around ads and mindfulness in Big Tech. A native Austinite, he lives with his wife and young son in Austin, Texas. "Original Sin Is A Lie" is his first book.   This episode is a grand adventure & deep exploration of Christianity, the Bible, Eastern Philosophy & Mysticism.   Topics of Discussion: What is original sin & where did it come from? (Hint: Not Jesus) The parallels amongst different religions Beautiful teachings & stories from the Bible, Paramahansa Yogananda, A Course in Miracles, etc. And so much more   _________________________________ Get your copy of “Original Sin is a Lie” Donate & support Bob in getting the book translated to Spanish!   _________________________________   Connect with Bob: Website Instagram TiKTok _________________________________   Resources mentioned in the podcast: Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda Thich Nhat Hanh & Ram Das interview on “Holding anger like a mother holds a baby” A Course in Miracles The Yoga of Jesus by Paramahansa Yogananda The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You by Paramahansa Yogananda   _________________________________ Connect with Cortney: Cortney's Instagram Unique Way Instagram Cortney's Website Cortney's Newsletter   _________________________________   To say thank you for taking the time to subscribe, rate & review the podcast I'm gifting you my Zoom Yoga Library (11 creative vinyasa classes). All you have to do is take a screenshot of your rating & review & send it to hello@cortneyostrosky.com. I'm so grateful for your support & think you'll love these classes!

In this episode, we hear from Brannen Temple, a native Austinite, as he shares his remarkable journey. From growing up in Austin in the 70s to his career as a musician, the importance of studying his craft and the invaluable lessons he has gained from being a father.   The post Brannen Temple appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

In this week's First $1,000 segment, we hear from an Austinite who operated a side hustle teaching people to take better photos with their smartphones. He did this for two years before moving on to a new project. Side Hustle School features a new episode EVERY DAY, featuring detailed case studies of people who earn extra money without quitting their job. This year, the show includes free guided lessons and listener Q&A several days each week. Show notes: SideHustleSchool.com Email: team@sidehustleschool.com Be on the show: SideHustleSchool.com/questions Connect on Twitter: @chrisguillebeau Connect on Instagram: @193countries Visit Chris's main site: ChrisGuillebeau.com If you're enjoying the show, please pass it along! It's free and has been published every single day since January 1, 2017. We're also very grateful for your five-star ratings—it shows that people are listening and looking forward to new episodes.

As the capital of Texas celebrates the coming of a new year with exuberance, a dark shadow eclipses the city as an unknown killer stalks the streets. A Black woman working as a servant to a rich white Austinite is murdered, and her boyfriend barely survives. In a city rife with violence, the brutality of the killing shakes up its citizens. And the terror has only just begun. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/darkness-podcast/support