Rob Walters is a lawyer’s lawyer—an antitrust expert, constitutional scholar, and courtroom veteran with a long record of public and private sector impact. In this episode, Rob shares insights from landmark cases (like AT&T-Time Warner and LIV Golf), breaks down today’s antitrust landscape, and explains the legal tension between the executive and judicial branches. With experience ranging from federal litigation to Dallas civic leadership, Rob offers a unique perspective on the shifting balance of power in American government and why legal norms matter more than we might think.

In This Episode:

[00:02:05] Why Law? Rob reflects on his journey into law—how growing up abroad and witnessing global politics shaped his passion for justice and intellectual rigor.

[00:08:34] Antitrust 101 & the Chicago School Legacy A breakdown of how antitrust evolved, where it’s headed, and why current approaches may be dangerously muddled.

[00:11:53] Big Tech & the Power Question Do Meta and Google have too much influence? Rob offers a nuanced view of dominance, innovation, and where antitrust fits in.

[00:19:00] AT&T vs. DOJ: Behind the Scenes The high-stakes courtroom drama of the AT&T-Time Warner merger and how the team—including CEOs Randall Stephenson and John Stankey—went toe-to-toe with the DOJ.

[00:25:00] LIV Golf & Saudi Investment How Rob approaches controversial clients like LIV Golf, the impact on global sport, and the importance of legal representation—even when geopolitics get messy.

[00:30:23] Chevron Doctrine & Supreme Court Shifts Why the Chevron case matters, how the Court is reshaping agency power, and the return of judicial interpretation over executive deference.

[00:36:00] Is the Judiciary Still Independent? A look at how the courts act as a check on power, the politicization of judges, and the enduring role of judicial neutrality.

[00:42:00] Executive Orders and Separation of Powers Rob weighs in on Presidential use of E.O.s and the critical balance between the branches of government.

[00:55:00] Government Overreach? From universities to private enterprise and law firms—where does legal oversight end and overreach begin?

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In this episode, we sit down with Clay Cooley—a Dallas-born entrepreneur and automotive powerhouse who went from sacking groceries to owning 22 car dealerships and employing thousands. Known for his “Shop Me First, Shop Me Last, Either Way Come See Clay” slogan, Clay unpacks his journey of hustle, hard knocks, reinvention, and relentless growth. We talk entrepreneurship, failure, family business, the effects of COVID on the used car marker, the impact of EVs, and how the car business has evolved (and stayed the same). If you’ve ever seen a Clay Cooley ad, this episode will give you insight into the brain—and heart—behind the brand.

In This Episode:

[01:05] The Clay Cooley Tagline – The origin of the iconic “Come See Clay” slogan

[02:00] From Groceries to GMC – How Clay got his start in the car business

[04:50] Lubbock Lessons – Growing up, working young, and the value of early hardship

[07:07] Starting His First Lot – The leap into entrepreneurship, repos, and maxed-out credit cards

[13:00] Scaling Up – Moving from hustling solo to acquiring multiple franchises

[17:00] Learning From Failure – Why missteps are key to long-term success[19:00] Leadership & Culture – Dress codes, internal training, and hiring from within

[23:00] The Family Guarantee – Clay’s return-any-car policy and its impact on business

[27:00] Why Texas Wins – Why dealerships thrive more in the Sunbelt vs. other states

[28:00] Revenue Breakdown – Where the real money is in a dealership

[31:00] New vs. Used – Why COVID upended the used car market and what comes next

[36:00] Ad Strategy – From newspaper liners to family-made TV commercials

[39:40] Passing the Torch – How his kids are modernizing operations and leading with tech

[40:00] AI in Auto Sales – Where automation is improving the dealership experience

[44:00] Planning for Perpetuity – Slimming corporate, scaling smart, and future-proofing

[46:00] Private Equity & Price Inflation – Why rollups are changing dealership dynamics

[48:00] The Local Advantage – Why being community-rooted still matters

[50:00] Will Dealerships Die? – Clay’s take on EVs, Tesla, and the franchise future

GUEST RESOURCES

https://www.claycooley.com/

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Cynt Marshall, the first Black Female CEO in the NBA and former AT&T executive, shares her incredible journey from growing up in public housing to leading major organizations with a philosophy grounded in joy, integrity, and people-first leadership. She opens up about her early lessons, personal losses, and how she transformed a workplace in crisis into a national model of inclusion and culture. We also discuss Mark Cuban, the Mavs' new ownership, the Luka trade, and the future of the Mavericks. Cynt’s take on leadership, her perspective on the Mavs, and her unwavering optimism make this one of our most interesting conversations yet.

In This Episode

• [01:38] The Origins of “Cynt the Sprint”

• [02:50] The Three L's of Leadership: Listen, Learn, Love

• [04:30] Killing the Light and Changing the Culture

• [07:30] Joy vs. Happiness: A Philosophy of Resilience

• [09:54] Breaking Barriers at UC Berkeley

• [13:30] Grace at Delta Gamma: A Lesson in Belonging

• [15:30] Corporate Growth at AT&T & Navigating Bias

• [20:00] The Call from Mark Cuban

• [34:00] The Mavericks Culture Crisis

• [38:00] Introducing CRAFTS: A New Leadership Framework

• [42:00] Fan-Centric Thinking & Building Mavs TV

• [48:30] From Customer Service to Coaching Staff

• [52:00] The Role of Faith in Corporate Culture

• [55:20] Mentoring the Next Generation of Leaders

• [59:10] Why Diversity Isn’t Enough—Inclusion Matters

• [01:03:00] What Legacy Really Means

• [01:07:00] Getting Real About Work-Life Balance

• [01:12:00] “You’ve Been Chosen”: The Message Behind the Memoir

Resources Mentioned

You've Been Chosen by Cynthia Marshall

The Power of Nice by Linda Kaplan Thaler & Robin Koval

Tom Leppert's Article on the Luka Trade

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Fred Perpall is not just the CEO of The Beck Group and the President of the USGA—he’s a powerhouse of purpose, grit, and vision. From humble beginnings in The Bahamas to becoming a national leader in architecture and golf, Fred shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, his leadership philosophy, and why golf is more than just a game. This episode explores how he built a meaningful life by refusing to compartmentalize work, play, and purpose.

In This Episode

[00:00] Meet Fred Perpall: Bahamian roots, basketball dreams, and a journey to leadership

[04:00] Golf’s Unexpected Gift: How a private club and a generous offer changed everything

[08:00] Seeing Opportunity, Not Division: Learning from success instead of resenting it

[12:30] Sports, Self-Esteem, and Showing Up: From athlete to top of his class to CEO

[17:00] On Work Ethic and Confidence: Outworking everyone and staying grounded

[21:30] From Architect to CEO: Curiosity, mentorship, and leading with vision

[26:00] Managing Across Generations: What’s changed and why it’s a good thing

[30:00] Architecture + Construction: Making two worlds work under one roof

[34:00] Tech, AI & Innovation in Construction: How Beck is preparing for the future

[38:00] Golf as a Mirror of Life: Integrity, community, and learning from the game

[42:00] Adaptive Open & Inclusion: Making golf accessible for everyone

[45:00] Golf’s Growth & Equity: Expanding the game without losing its soul

[48:00] Topgolf & New Entrants: Embracing change while keeping the core

[51:00] Golf Ball Rollback: Why USGA is speaking for the future of the game

[53:00] Golf Ball Rollback Debate: Why performance limits matter and protecting tradition

[56:00] Access & Equity in Golf: Fred’s vision for a more inclusive, community-based sport

[58:30] Golf as Cultural Connector: From the barbershop to the country club

[1:01:00] Global Perspective: What the U.S. can learn from how other countries embrace golf

[1:04:30] Leadership and Legacy: Mentorship, servant leadership, and building up others

[1:08:00] USGA’s Long Game: Investing in the future of the game—especially junior and adaptive players

[1:11:30] Final Word: Faith, family, and making your whole life count—not just your title

Resources Mentioned

• The Beck Group

• USGA (United States Golf Association)

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Ken Hersh, energy entrepreneur and current CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, shares his unconventional journey from liberal arts major to pioneering a whole new industry in energy private equity. From early business failures and bold pivots to investing with Richard Rainwater and creating Natural Gas Partners, Ken breaks down the highs, lows, and lessons learned. He also dives into public policy, the evolution of America’s energy landscape, and the fine line between good ideas and good investments.

In This Episode

[00:00] Intro: Who is Ken Hersh?

[01:07] Early Days and Business Plan Origins

[02:00] Founding NG Partners in a Pre-Private Equity World

[05:00] Resilience, Background, and the Fastest Tortoise

[07:30] Education, Princeton, and Finding His Own Path

[10:00] Morgan Stanley, Energy Markets, and Breaking In

[13:00] The Fortuitous Call from Richard Rainwater

[16:00] Bold Moves and Moonlighting with McKinsey

[20:00] Birth of Natural Gas Partners and First Investments

[24:00] Pivoting Strategy When the Market Shifted

[28:00] Betting on People vs. Assets

[30:00] What Makes a Good Founder?

[34:00] Investing Philosophy and Risk Alignment

[36:00] The Energy Transfer Home Run

[41:00] Mentorship from Richard Rainwater

[45:00] Reflections on Energy Policy and Public Perception

[50:00] U.S. Energy Independence and Shale Revolution

[55:00] The Realities of Energy Transition and Clean Tech

Resources Mentioned

• The Fastest Tortoise by Ken Hersh

• Natural Gas Partners (NGP Energy Capital)

• George W. Bush Presidential Center

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In this conversation, we take a deep dive into R. Gerald Turner’s remarkable 30-year run as president of Southern Methodist University. We cover everything from faith and small-town values to high-stakes athletics and billion-dollar fundraising campaigns. Turner reflects on leadership decisions, including firing a popular football coach at Ole Miss, building SMU’s academic and athletic infrastructure, securing the George W. Bush Presidential Library, and navigating the politics of higher education. It’s a masterclass in values-based leadership, institutional transformation, and the delicate balance between tradition and innovation.

In This Episode

[02:00] Leadership and LongevityWhy being on the same page with trustees was the cornerstone of Turner’s legacy.

[03:30] From New Boston to AcademiaHow a small Texas town, sports, and family shaped his early years.

[06:00] Faith and LeadershipTurner’s lifelong spiritual foundation and its impact on academic life.

[09:00] Decision Making Under PressureFrom Ole Miss controversies to student development during COVID.

[13:30] The Death Penalty & Rebuilding SMU FootballThe long road back and why facilities, traditions like the Boulevard, and student experience matter.

[20:00] Athletic and Academic RebuildHow sports success translates into applications and why facilities are investments.

[25:00] The ACC LeapBehind the scenes of SMU’s jump to the ACC and alumni stepping up with $100M.

[32:00] Winning the Bush LibraryPolitics, land deals, and strategic influence that brought a presidential library to campus.

[38:00] The Value of Higher Ed TodayWhy college still matters and the myths about billionaire dropouts.

[41:00] Free Speech & Campus PoliticsThe influence of critical theory, Trump-era backlash, and balancing academic perspectives.

[47:00] SMU’s Future & Next Leadership What’s next under President Hartzel and the importance of continuity with vision.

Resources

The Bush Library

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Commissioner John Wiley Price, often dubbed “Our Man Downtown,” sits down with Tom and Kyle for a wide-ranging conversation on his four decades of service in Dallas County. As the longest-serving commissioner in Texas—and possibly the nation—Price offers a unique, unfiltered perspective on the intersection of policy, race, faith, and leadership.The episode digs deep into the structural issues that continue to shape life in Dallas: inequities in infrastructure, disparities in healthcare access, the troubling state of public education, and the persistent challenges of criminal justice.

He doesn't shy away from controversy, either. From views on the intentional underfunding of public schools to breaking down how book bans and voucher programs threaten generational progress, Price challenges listeners to confront their held beliefs. Whether you agree with him or not, this episode is a masterclass in leadership, legacy, and not backing down from the fight.

In This Episode

[01:10] A Legendary Run: 41 years as commissioner and why he's just getting started

[04:00] The Origin of “Our Man Downtown”

[06:00] Infrastructure & Equity: Roads, Water, and the Politics of Development

[08:15] Minority Contracting and Measured Progress

[12:00] Education as Civil Rights: From Rosenwald Schools to Modern-Day Bans

[18:00] Why Third Grade Reading Scores Predict Prison Populations

[20:00] Charter Schools, Vouchers, and the Erosion of Public Education

[29:00] Parkland Hospital, UT Southwestern, and Healthcare Deserts

[38:00] Fair Park, FQHCs, and the Role of Churches in Community Health

[44:00] National Healthcare Needs and Dying of Whiteness

[52:00] Inside the Jail System: Management, Mental Health & Gender Dynamics

[58:00] Criminal Justice Creativity: Burglar Court and Behavioral Pods

[01:04:00] Homeward Bound: Local Models That Work

[01:08:00] Leadership by Presence: Why JWP Shows Up Every Day

Resources Mentioned

Dying of Whiteness by Jonathan M. Metzl

A Better Life for Our Children by Julius Rosenwald

Black Labor, White Wealth by Dr. Claud Anderson

Watermark Church South Dallas

Homeward Bound Inc. - Behavioral Health Agency

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Rob Kaplan, former President of the Dallas Federal Reserve, takes us through his remarkable journey across three major arenas: finance, academia, and public service. From his days on the Goldman Sachs management committee to shaping U.S. monetary policy, Kaplan shares powerful lessons on leadership, economic foresight, mentoring future leaders, and the strategic risks facing the U.S. economy today. He unpacks everything from Fed decision-making and global competitiveness to AI, tariffs, and why listening might be the most underrated skill in business.

In This Episode

[00:45] From Markets to Mission: Kaplan’s early fascination with finance and his journey through Goldman Sachs

[06:50] Learning to Lead: The importance of mentoring, listening, and building strong teams

[15:30] Harvard Years & Learning to Teach: Why academia changed how he managed economists at the Fed

[20:00] Inside the Fed: What really happens in those high-stakes policy meetings

[26:10] Structural vs. Cyclical Thinking: Why this distinction matters in economic forecasting

[32:00] Tariffs, Tax Bills & Tension: Breaking down current U.S. fiscal and trade policy moves

[38:20] Global Economic Risk & Reserve Currency Reality

[43:00] Productivity, AI, and the Long Game for Growth

[48:00] Education, Skills Training & What Keeps Rob Up at Night

[53:40] Trust, Institutions, and America's Competitive Advantage

Guest Resources

Follow Robert Kaplan

Robert Kaplan’s Books

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