Episodes

  • Lessons from Kerrville and Kerr County's July 4th Disaster

    Lessons from Kerrville and Kerr County's July 4th Disaster
    Jul 9 2025
    Welcome to award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. In this episode, I am joined by Marc Duncan, a disaster recovery and prevention expert. We take a deep dive into the details of what happened in Kerr County and Kerrville over the July 4th weekend. We discuss the similarity of frameworks used in the public sector and corporate risk management. The conversation touches on the complexities of coordinating multiple stakeholders during a disaster, the importance of training and awareness, and the critical role of communication. We also discuss the integrated response of public and private organizations, and the ongoing efforts to manage immediate and long-term recovery after a natural disaster. This episode provides valuable insights into the multifaceted field of emergency management and the practical steps involved in responding to and recovering from major weather-related events. I hope you will consider donating to support the rebuilding efforts that will be necessary following this tragic event. You can donate to flood relief for victims of the Kerr County flooding by visiting the Hill Country Flood Relief here: https://bit.ly/4klTYpz. · Understanding Risk Management · Challenges in Emergency Management · Training and Awareness · Handling Weather-Related Disasters · Post-Disaster Coordination and Recovery · Role of Private and Nonprofit Organizations Resources Other Hill Country Network Podcasts Hill Country Authors Podcast Hill Country Artists Podcast Texas Hill Country Podcast Network Artwork Nancy Huffman Fine Art
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    29 mins
  • Tribute to Jane Ragsdale

    Tribute to Jane Ragsdale
    Jul 7 2025
    It is with great sadness I post this podcast. It is a recording I did with Jane Ragsdale back in 2023. Jane was the owner of the Heart O’the Hill Camp near Hunt TX. She died as a result of the massive flood which roared down the Guadalupe River in the early morning hours of July 4. As of the posting of this podcast there are over 80 confirmed dead, 11 know still missing and an unknown number of missing. One of the worst hit was a girls’ camp, Camp Mystic which lost 27 dead. Jane was from a summer camping family as her parents Si and Kathy Ragsdale ran a boys’ camp, Camp Stewart, also in Hunt TX from the mid-1960s until 2015 when Jane’s nephew Jeepers Ragsdale took over running Camp Stewart. Jane was beloved in both the camping community and the greater Hill Country community. She was a leader and did annual mission work in Guatemala. This podcast focused on her mission work. I hope you will consider a donation to help the rebuilding that will be needed after this tragic event. You can donate to flood relief for victims of the Kerr County flooding by going to the Hill Country Flood Relief here.
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    24 mins
  • From Small Town Dreams to College Baseball: Noah Ochoa’s Journey

    From Small Town Dreams to College Baseball: Noah Ochoa’s Journey
    May 21 2025
    Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. This week, we have guest host RJ Ochoa from Schreiner University, who sits down with his older brother, Noah Ochoa, to discuss Noah’s extensive baseball journey. Noah shares his experiences playing baseball from high school in Loveland to various college levels, including EPCC, University of Arkansas Fort Smith, and Schreiner University. They delve into his recruitment process, the challenges of JUCO ball, and the transition to a four-year college program. The conversation also touches on the emotional culmination of their baseball journey, playing together in Noah’s final college season. Additionally, they discuss the impact of the transfer portal, handling setbacks, and plans post-baseball, offering insights and advice for aspiring athletes facing similar challenges. Key highlights: High School Baseball Journey Recruitment, Challenges, and Experiences in JUCO Transition to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Adapting to New Challenges at Schreiner University Life After and a Lesson from Baseball Advice for Future Athletes Resources: Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts Hill Country Authors Podcast Hill Country Artists Podcast Texas Hill Country Podcast Network Reel Creators of the Texas Hill Country Rotary Voices of Kerrville Cover Art Nancy Huffman Fine Art
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    52 mins
  • Resilience and Leadership in Coaching with Jen Hardy

    Resilience and Leadership in Coaching with Jen Hardy
    May 13 2025
    Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. This week, Tom welcomes Jen Hardy, who shares her inspiring journey from being a high school soccer player in Austin, Texas, to becoming a successful coach and leader. Jen talks about her challenging yet transformative experience at Schreiner University, where she transitioned from playing to coaching soccer. She elaborates on how she developed her leadership skills, the lessons learned from coaching, and how she addressed her shortcomings to support her athletes better. After leaving public education, Jen co-leads the Academy of MotivAction, focusing on supporting high-stress professionals in overcoming burnout and building resilience. She also discusses her recent honor of giving the commencement speech at Schreiner University and her key message on the importance of self-identity beyond professional achievements. Key highlights: Early Life and Journey to Kerrville College Soccer Experience at Schreiner Transition to Teaching and Coaching Coaching Philosophy and Growth Current Career and Business Ventures Commencement Speech and Reflections Resources: Jen Hardy on LinkedIn MotivAction Other Hill Country Network Podcasts Hill Country Authors Podcast Hill Country Artists Podcast Texas Hill Country Podcast Network Artwork Nancy Huffman Fine Art
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    27 mins
  • Crisis Preparedness with Coni Myers

    Crisis Preparedness with Coni Myers
    May 7 2025
    Welcome to award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique areas of Texas. This week Tom Coni Myers, an expert in crisis preparedness and sustainability. Coni discusses her extensive background, including her time as a FEMA inspector and trainer, and how it led her to her current mission of educating communities on disaster resilience through her initiative, Be Prepared Be Ready. The highlight of their conversation is Coni's Kids for Kids initiative, which empowers young people to become spokespeople for emergency preparedness in their communities, thereby addressing broader concerns including mental health and sustainability. Throughout the episode, Coni emphasizes the importance of local community involvement and innovative solutions in disaster preparedness and sustainability, making a strong case for proactive measures to mitigate the impacts of increasing climate-related disasters. Key Highlights · The Importance of Crisis Preparedness · Kids for Kids Initiative · Community and Organizational Collaboration · Preparedness and Sustainability in Business · Innovative Solutions for Disaster Resilience · Kids for Kids: Spokesperson Campaign Resources Coni Meyers on LinkedIn Coni Meyers on Instagram Coni Meyers on Facebook Other Hill Country Network Podcasts Hill Country Authors Podcast Hill Country Artists Podcast Texas Hill Country Podcast Network Artwork Nancy Huffman Fine Art
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    29 mins
  • From Car Audio to Coins: Mike Russ’s Entrepreneurial Journey

    From Car Audio to Coins: Mike Russ’s Entrepreneurial Journey
    Apr 30 2025
    Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. This week, Tom sits down with Kerrville-based entrepreneur Mike Russ, owner of Mr. Mint Coins & Collectibles. Mike shares his journey from starting a car audio business at 19 to eventually transitioning into the collectibles market. He details his experience in buying and selling gold, silver, collectible coins, and sports memorabilia. Mike discusses the importance of educating new collectors, his passion for coins, and how he has built a successful business around his lifelong hobby. The conversation also touches on the challenges and rewards of running a small business, the impact of market trends on gold and silver prices, and Mike’s plans for the future of his shop. Listeners will get insights into the unique world of collectible trading and the practical aspects of managing such a venture. Key highlights: Mike’s Business in Kerrville Mike’s Journey as an Entrepreneur Transition to Coin and Collectibles Business Details on Collectibles and Coins Buying and Selling Gold Resources: ⁠MR Mint Coins & Collectibles⁠ Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts ⁠Hill Country Authors Podcast⁠ ⁠Hill Country Artists Podcast⁠ ⁠Texas Hill Country Podcast Network⁠ Cover Art ⁠Nancy Huffman Fine Art
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    18 mins
  • Overcoming Adversity: Kiara Garza’s Journey

    Overcoming Adversity: Kiara Garza’s Journey
    Apr 23 2025
    Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. This week, we have our first guest host from Schreiner University, RJ Ochoa, who visits with Kiara Garza, a junior from the Class of 2026 and a guard on the Schreiner Women’s basketball team, to discuss her journey from Rio Grande City, TX, to pursue a degree in exercise science. Garza shares her experiences growing up in a small, close-knit community and how it influenced her personality and aspirations. She delves into her high school basketball career, reaching the Thousand Point Club and transitioning to college basketball with its higher level of competition and maturity. The discussion takes a poignant turn as she recounts her freshman year injury, a severe ankle fracture, and the subsequent challenging recovery period. Despite the setback, her determination, buttressed by a strong support system of family, friends, and teammates, kept her motivated to return to the court. Garza talks about the emotional and physical hurdles she had to overcome and emphasizes the importance of resilience, teamwork, and never giving up on oneself. She also shares her future goals in basketball, plans for PT school, and a personal dream of opening a cafe with karaoke. The episode concludes with Rabell giving heartfelt advice to younger athletes facing setbacks or doubts. Key highlights: Growing Up in Rio Grande City Transition to College Basketball and Freshman Year Injury-Recovery and Mental Struggles Return to the Court and New Coach Balancing Life as a Student Athlete Advice for Young Athletes Resources Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts Hill Country Authors Podcast Hill Country Artists Podcast Texas Hill Country Podcast Network Reel Creators of the Texas Hill Country Rotary Voices of Kerrville Cover Art Nancy Huffman Fine Art
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    27 mins
  • Addressing Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention and Recovery in the Hill Country

    Addressing Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention and Recovery in the Hill Country
    Apr 16 2025
    Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. This week, Tom welcomes back Abby Filyaw and Phil Taylor from the Hill Country Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Together, they take a deep dive into the pressing issues of alcohol abuse and recovery in the Hill Country. They discuss the continuing prevalence of alcohol abuse, particularly among teenagers, and emphasize the importance of prevention, education, and recovery support services. The discussion highlights the critical role of building individual recovery plans and the need for person-centered care. Additionally, they touch on the importance of forming networks with other healthcare providers to offer comprehensive support to individuals facing substance abuse and mental health challenges. The episode concludes with the introduction of the Recovery Bill of Rights, which advocates for the dignity and respect of individuals in recovery. Key highlights: Alcohol Abuse and Recovery in 2025 Teenage Alcohol Abuse and Prevention Person-Centered Care in Recovery Mental Health and Substance Use Community and Healthcare Network Recovery Bill of Rights Resources: Check out the Hill Country Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (HCCADA) for further information on services, programs, and resources. Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts Hill Country Authors Podcast Hill Country Artists Podcast Texas Hill Country Podcast Network
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    23 mins