Episodes

  • The Ziglar Explosion & Circle of Gumption Conference 2025

    The Ziglar Explosion & Circle of Gumption Conference 2025
    Sep 3 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 welcomes back Kenneth O'Neill to discuss the highly anticipated third annual Ziglar Explosion and Circle of Gumption Conference which will be held in Kerrville TX on October 9-11, 2025. Kenneth shares exciting details about the conference, including the speaker lineup, special events, and the principles of Zig Ziglar that continue to influence people globally. He also introduces his book 'The Circle of Gumption,' his weekly podcast, and discusses themes such as integrity, leadership, and resilience. The conversation concludes with a glimpse into Kenneth's passion for connecting with people and sharing wisdom. Key Highlights · Upcoming Zig Ziglar Conference · Conference Speakers and Highlights · Keynote on Gumption, Grit, and Guts · Balancing Work and Family Life Resources Circle of Gumption Website Ziglar Explosion Kenneth O’Neal on LinkedIn Other Award-Winning Texas Hill Country Network Podcasts Hill Country Authors Podcast Hill Country Artists Podcast Texas Hill Country Podcast Network Podcast Artwork Nancy Huffman Fine Art
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    25 mins
  • Red Cross and Rotary Club’s Response to July 4th Floods with Kristy Vandenberg

    Red Cross and Rotary Club’s Response to July 4th Floods with Kristy Vandenberg
    Aug 27 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 one of the most unique areas of Texas. This week, Tom welcomes back Kristy Vandenberg to discuss the aftermath of the July 4th floods. Kristy shares her experience and involvement with the Red Cross and Rotary Club, highlighting their immediate response, shelter operations, volunteer efforts, and community support. She details the role of the Red Cross in providing lodging, feeding first responders, and assessing damage, as well as the Rotary Club’s resource mobilization and donation initiatives. Looking ahead, Kristy emphasizes the importance of strategic rebuilding and the community’s collaborative effort to support flood victims. Listeners are provided with information on how to donate and volunteer. Key highlights: Discussing the Aftermath of July 4th Floods Role of the Red Cross in Disaster Relief Shelters and Volunteer Efforts Rotary Club’s Involvement and Support Future Recovery and Rebuilding Plans Resources Rotary Club of Kerrville Hill Country Red Cross 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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    20 mins
  • Discovering Blue Roan Coffee with James Love

    Discovering Blue Roan Coffee with James Love
    Aug 20 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 one of the most unique areas of Texas. This week, Tom welcomes James Love, the General Manager of Blue Roan Coffee in Kerrville, TX. They discuss James’s professional journey from Portland to becoming involved in the coffee industry, and the unique aspects that set Blue Roan Coffee apart, including their commitment to organic products and customer health. James shares insights on coffee bean quality, roasting processes, and the importance of sourcing beans from smallholder farms. They also explore the challenges and plans for Blue Roan Coffee, and the impact of creating a quality, health-focused product in the community. Key highlights: The Art and Science of Coffee Roasting Challenges and Innovations in Coffee Production Blue Roan Coffee’s Unique Offerings The Kerrville Coffee Scene Resources: Blue Roan Coffee Blue Roan on Instagram 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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    22 mins
  • Trey Atkission: Leadership, Service, and Community in Kerrville

    Trey Atkission: Leadership, Service, and Community in Kerrville
    Jul 23 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 one of the most unique areas of Texas. This week, Tom welcomes Trey Atkission, the general manager of Cecil Atkission Motors in Kerrville. Trey shares insights about his professional journey from studying accounting and professional selling at Baylor to his various roles in the automotive industry, culminating in his current leadership position. They discuss the unique combination of skills that have benefited Trey in his career, highlighting the importance of communication and sales abilities for accountants. Trey also reflects on the responsibilities and rewards of running a business in a small town, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and support. The episode also touches on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Trey’s leadership during this challenging time. Key highlights: Trey Atkission’s Early Life and Education Professional Journey: From Airplane Broker to Dealership Manager Community Involvement and Responsibilities Resources: Trey Atkission on LinkedIn Cecil Atkission Motors Website 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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    22 mins
  • 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 the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. In this episode, Tom Fox is joined by Marc Duncan, a disaster recovery and prevention expert, and they take a deep dive into the details of what happened in Kerr County and Kerrville over the July 4th weekend. They discuss the similarities between frameworks used in the public sector and corporate risk management, exploring the complexities of coordinating multiple stakeholders during a disaster, the importance of training and awareness, and the crucial role of effective communication. They also discuss the integrated response of public and private organizations, as well as the ongoing efforts to manage both immediate and long-term recovery after a natural disaster. This episode offers valuable insights into the multifaceted field of emergency management, as well as the practical steps involved in responding to and recovering from major weather-related events. Key highlights: 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 Please 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.
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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 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 welcomes Jen Hardy, who shares her inspiring journey from a high school soccer player in Austin, Texas, to 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 the ways she addressed her own shortcomings to better support her athletes. After leaving public education, Jen now 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 Shriner 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 Shriner · 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