Basically Famous Podcast

We’re wrapping up Season 9 with a big life update and answering your questions! From getting started early in your career and knowing when it’s time to leave a position, to navigating career growth, taking risks, and figuring out what’s next, we’re covering it all. Tyler also shares a major personal update: her time at Texas Tech has officially come to an end, and she’s headed to Dallas for her ne...

Lorinda “Lo” Van Newkirk is a powerhouse entrepreneur, innovator, and leader with more than 25 years of experience building businesses and breaking barriers across the agricultural, Western, and fashion industries. As the founder and president of Lucky Chuck®, Lorinda has built a brand recognized for durable, performance-driven products trusted by cowboys and cowgirls across the country. Her entre...

Dr. Jennifer Ann Scasta is a believer, wife, mom, and lifelong advocate for agriculture, people, and the power of relationships. A proud graduate of Texas A&M University, Jennifer Ann spent the last 15 years working for the university — first in career services and later in fundraising and development. In this episode, Jennifer Ann opens up about a major career transition and what it looks lik...

Brandi Richards is a third-generation cattlewoman; she and her husband own and manage Diamond Cattle Feeders, a 20,000-head feedyard in Hereford, Texas. But her work in agriculture extends far beyond the feedyard. Since 1992, she has worked in veterinary product sales, providing cattle producers across the Texas Panhandle with vaccines, antibiotics and dewormers. Brandi retired in 2025 and joined...

Sarah Franklin has been immersed in agriculture her entire life, growing up on her family’s farm before earning an agricultural economics degree from Texas A&M University. A graduate of the TALL XIV cohort, Sarah is passionate about giving back to her community and the agriculture industry through her involvement with organizations including the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and her local...

Claudia Scott Wright is the owner of R&W Real Estate, Inc., a commercial real estate firm founded in 1998 specializing in brokerage, consulting, and appraisal services. Built on the motto, “We don’t Lie, Cheat or Steal… and all that other stuff we can work out,” Claudia and her team pride themselves on providing honest, personalized service and industry expertise. A fifth-generation rancher, C...

What started with $85, a kitchen table, and a pair of handmade earrings turned into an internationally recognized brand. In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Kelsey, the founder of Rhinestone Lipgloss to hear how a custom horse show outfit sparked an unexpected business, why she walked away from a secure 9-to-5 to chase her dream, and how listening to her customers helped grow the company into...

Texas-born singer-songwriter Delaney Ann has been making waves in country music since releasing her debut EP at just 13 years old. Now 26, she's written more than 300 songs, performed across the country, opened for artists like Lucas Nelson and Dwight Yoakam, and signed with Synapse Publishing & Entertainment as both a songwriter and recording artist. As an eighth-generation Texan, Delaney's m...

Sami Jo Smith grew up as a pastor’s daughter and moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, when she was just five years old. The first time she saw Miss Frontier ride by, she knew she wanted to be part of that tradition someday. Although she spent much of her youth as a competitive swimmer, Sami Jo was continually drawn to the western industry. With the support of her family and a local horse-loving family who...

Bryce Albright, Executive Director of the Dude Ranchers' Association. As the association celebrates its 100th anniversary, Bryce is helping lead the organization into its next century while honoring the traditions that have defined the dude ranch industry for generations. The dude ranch industry has been a part of Bryce's life from the very beginning. Growing up and working on a DRA member...

Julie Bass serves as the Chief Mission Officer for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, an organization dedicated to promoting agriculture through a family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, celebrates Western heritage, supports Texas youth, and provides year-round educational opportunities throughout the community. A proud graduate of Texas A&M University, Julie h...

Stacy Stockard Caliva is a writer and graphic designer based in Lubbock, Texas. She serves as director of communications and marketing for the Texas Tech University Office of Advancement, where she oversees the voice of philanthropy across the university and shapes communications for prospective and current donors. A proud Red Raider, Stacy earned her JD from the Texas Tech University School of La...

Kensie Darst Todd has never been afraid to chase a dream — even when it meant stepping outside of her comfort zone and creating a path all her own. Two generations removed from the ranching lifestyle, Kensie followed every opportunity that came her way and built a career rooted in storytelling, western culture and agriculture. Today, Kensie works in marketing for the American Paint Horse Associati...

Allison Burenheide is a proud graduate of Texas A&M University and Oklahoma State University who has never been afraid to bet on herself, take risks, and grow through every opportunity. Today, she leads global marketing at Vence, helping shape innovation and storytelling within the agriculture industry on an international scale. Throughout her career, Allison has built a reputation for leading...

Dr. Kallie Covington and Payton Priest are passionate about their careers, their families, and raising the next generation. These working moms join us to share what life looks like balancing careers, motherhood, and marriage to husbands in the agriculture industry. In this episode, we discuss how life changes after having kids, the realities of managing work and family, and how to better support a...

Leslee Kay Hurwitz is a dream chaser, lifelong learner, and someone who has built a lifestyle that truly embodies her spirit. Alongside Sandy, she has helped lead the Clinics as a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) since the early 2000s. Together, the pair also ventured into real estate investment and development, eventually acquiring what would become Transition Ranch through years of r...

Stacy Stockard Caliva is a writer and graphic designer based in Lubbock, Texas. She serves as director of communications and marketing for the Texas Tech University Office of Advancement, where she oversees the voice of philanthropy across the university and shapes communications for prospective and current donors. A proud Red Raider, Stacy earned her JD from the Texas Tech University School of La...

Michelle Simpson Tuegel grew up in Bridgeport, Texas, and has built an impressive career marked by determination, resilience, and passion. As a young athlete, Michelle competed on the U.S. Water Ski Team before pursuing a law degree and eventually founding The Simpson Tuegel Law Firm. Today, her firm is a passionate team of victims’ rights attorneys and advocates focused on cases involving sexual...

Dr. Kyre Larrabee is shaping the next generation of veterinarians as an Assistant Professor of Veterinary Practice at the School of Veterinary Medicine at Texas Tech University. A graduate of Oklahoma State University, Kyre was a member of the OSU rodeo team before continuing her education there to earn her veterinary degree. Her teaching centers on clinical and professional skills across both sma...

Dr. Kelley Ranly serves as an Extension Program Specialist and Leadership Coordinator for Texas 4-H and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, where she leads the charge in developing and coordinating statewide agricultural leadership programs for high school students across Texas. From overseeing Texas 4-H Horse Validation to playing a key role in the Texas State 4-H Horse Show, Kelley is deeply inves...

Carley Myers serves as the Senior Vice President of Marketing at the 6666 Ranch. Originally from New York, Carley made her way to Texas to attend Texas Christian University, where she competed on the equestrian team. In this episode, we talk about her journey from falling in love with horses at a young age to leading marketing efforts for one of the most iconic ranches in the world. She shares how...

Today on the podcast, we sit down with Kelsi Uechtritz ofIcon Global to talk all things NCHA Celebrity Cutting. Happening April 11 at 6 PM in Fort Worth, this exciting event brings together celebrities and top riders for a great cause—benefiting UT Southwestern. We dive into what makes this event so special, who’sinvolved, and the impact it’s making beyond the arena. Plus, learn more about Icon Gl...

This special edition episode features Boss Mares Inc. https://www.bossmaresinc.org/ Patti Colbert, one of the founders joins us to share more about the mission of Boss Mares Inc. and their current opening for grant applications. If you are looking to take your business and passion to the next level, consider applying for a grant. Grant applications close March 31st. You’ve got a vision. Let the Bo...

We always hear how important it is to be on LinkedIn but never what to post, how to engage and how to be relevant. This quick episode breaks down how to build your profile and what you can be sharing on your account!

This month, host Tyler Schuster is sharing more on personal branding. From what is a personal brand to building your own personal brand statement, Tyler breaks down how she built her brand and what she is doing to continue to build it. Personal branding is vital in the world we live in. It will influence your life professionally and personally. The sooner you identify your values and passions, the...