Connecting the Dots with Jeff Sandford

Paige Murray joins host Jeff Sandford for Episode 21 of Connecting the Dots! An author, mother, and familiar face in the Western world, Paige brings a unique story to the place she calls home—Stephenville, Texas. Get to know the woman behind the books, her connection to life on the TY Ranch, and the creativity that has shaped her journey. #ConnectingTheDots #PaigeMurray #Stephenville #The254

Tylan Hines joins Jeff for Part 4 of Connecting the Dots: Tarleton Homecoming Edition! We’re celebrating Homecoming with a conversation about Tarleton football, representing the Texans, and what it means to be part of the Tarleton and Stephenville community. Follow Connecting the Dots for more stories from the people who make our community special.

It's Homecoming Week in Stephenville, Texas, and we're keeping the celebration going with Part 2 of our Tarleton Homecoming Edition! In this episode of Connecting the Dots, we're joined by Abby James , a member of the six-time national champion Tarleton State Cheerleading program! We talk about what it takes to be a Tarleton cheerleader, the hard work and dedication behind the scenes,...

We’re celebrating Tarleton Homecoming! 💜🤍 Emily Sword and Riley Shellenberger join Jeff Sandford for Part 1 of our Tarleton Homecoming Edition. We talk about SEDA, the podcast but also traditions, the preparation, and what makes this week mean so much to Tarleton students, alumni, and the Stephenville community. Join us as we celebrate school spirit, people coming home, and the people who help m...

Homecoming brings old friends back together and gives us another chance to celebrate the traditions we love. In Episode 3 of The Upside, we talk about people coming home, the memories they bring with them, and what makes Stephenville so special: our community and the people in it.

Ken Witt joins Jeff on Connecting the Dots to share his story—from the Army and a career in law to ranching, radio, and podcasting. They talk about what brought Ken to Stephenville, his work with Cowboy 93 KSTV, and why he believes in this community. Get to know the man behind the microphone and the path that brought him here.

Episode 19 of Connecting the Dots kicks off our Young Entrepreneur Series with Kason Philips, owner of GRND Fitness in Stephenville. Kason joins us to talk about how he got started, what it takes to build a fitness business, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. We also talk about the people and community that make Stephenville a place to grow. If you enjoy the episode, like, subscribe, and...

In Episode 18 of Connecting the Dots, Brandon Huckabee joins us for a conversation about leadership, public service, and the community he calls home. Brandon shares the experiences that shaped him, the responsibilities that come with serving others, and his perspective on the growth and future of Stephenville and Erath County. The conversation also gives viewers an opportunity to learn more about...

On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 lives were lost in an attack that forever changed America. In this special episode, we look back at the events of that day, honor the innocent lives taken, and remember the first responders who ran toward danger when others were trying to escape. Through moments of tragedy, courage, sacrifice, and unity, we reflect on how Americans came together in the face of u...

In Episode 2 of The Upside, we’re talking about something everyone is experiencing right now Back to School! 🎒📚 In this short mini episode, Jeff talks about why back-to-school season feels a little different here in Stephenville than it does in most communities. Sure, some things stay the same more traffic, new beginnings, changing routines, and everyone getting settled back in. But here in Step...

Todd Whitten: Building Tarleton Football | Connecting the Dots Ep. 16 On Episode 16 of Connecting the Dots, we sit down with Tarleton State Football Head Coach Todd Whitten to talk about his coaching journey, the growth of Tarleton Football, and what it takes to build a winning culture. Coach Whitten shares stories from throughout his career, his connection to Stephenville and Tarleton State, the...

Episode 15 of Connecting the Dots features Stephenville ISD Superintendent Eric Cederstrom. In this conversation, Eric shares his path into education, what led him to Stephenville, and what it takes to lead a growing school district. We talk about the challenges facing public education, the importance of supporting teachers and students, the future of Stephenville ISD, and what makes this communit...

What started as an idea to share meaningful conversations has grown into something bigger than we ever expected. To every guest who has sat down with us, every person who has watched, shared, commented, or supported Connecting the Dots. And hitting 254,000 feels especially fitting for a podcast built right here in the 254. We’re grateful for how far this has come, and we’re excited for what’s next...

In Episode 14 of Connecting the Dots, Jeff Sandford sits down with accomplished entrepreneur, business leader, and visionary Cathy Bonner. Cathy’s career has included serving in Governor Ann Richards’ cabinet as Director of the Texas Department of Commerce, leading major organizations in both the public and private sectors, and helping create programs that have developed generations of women leade...

Introducing The Upside, a new series from Naylor House Productions focused on finding the encouraging side of today’s biggest stories. In a world where the news can often feel negative or overwhelming, The Upside looks for the progress, people, and possibilities that deserve more attention. Each episode takes a current topic and offers a fresh perspective without ignoring the challenges, but choos...

Coach Sterling Doty joins us on this episode of Connecting the Dots to share his journey through football, leadership, and his return home to Stephenville. From playing college football at the University of Houston to becoming a head coach and rebuilding the program at Magnolia High School, Coach Doty has experienced the game from several different perspectives. He discusses what brought him back...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, we sit down with Eric Haut, the new Tarleton Men’s Basketball Head Coach. Coach Haut shares more about his journey in coaching, stepping into a new program, and the importance of building the right culture from the start. He talks about two of the biggest priorities when taking over a program scheduling and recruiting while also giving insight into what fans...

New segment. New perspective. Welcome to The Upside Where we take the headlines, the culture, and the conversations happening across the country and look for the good. In our first mini episode, we’re talking American pride, ranch dressing, and the little things that bring people together. Because sometimes, the upside is closer than we think.

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, we sit down with Kasey Mock to hear more about his journey, how he got started, and what eventually brought him to Stephenville. Kasey shares stories about business, family, hunting, and the values that have shaped him along the way. From building a life in Stephenville to raising a family in a community focused on quality and culture, this conversation give...

July 4th Episode of the Pod! 🇺🇸 We’re celebrating Independence Day with a special edition of Connecting the Dots featuring a message from Jeff Sandford, patriotic moments around Stephenville, and a reminder of what makes our community so special. Be on the lookout for this short but meaningful July 4th episode!

In Episode 10 of Connecting the Dots, we sit down with Lathes “Momma T” Towns for a conversation full of energy, leadership, and Tarleton pride. Momma T shares her story, the impact she has made on students and the Stephenville community, and what it means to truly bleed purple. From the relationships she has built to the passion she brings everywhere she goes, this episode highlights the heart be...

On this week’s episode of Connecting the Dots, we sit down with Chad Decker, owner and operator of Hard Eight BBQ. Known for his barbecue and the impact Hard Eight has made across the state of Texas, Chad shares the story behind how it all began, what life looked like before the restaurant, and the work it took to build Hard Eight into what it is today. We also get to hear about the lessons learne...

On this episode of Connecting the Dots, we sit down with the legendary JJ Hampton — an 18-time World Champion, 25-time National Champion, and a proud member of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame. JJ shares her story of growing up in the western world, building a championship career, and what it took to compete at the highest level across multiple disciplines. She also opens up about the importance...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, Jeff sits down with James Andrae to talk about the craft behind shaping hats and the uniqueness that goes into every cowboy hat he creates. Each hat tells a different story — shaped by the person wearing it, the life they live, and the style that makes them who they are. James shares what goes into creating a custom hat, from the small details to the persona...