Austin Community Capital

Feeling isolated despite living in a bustling city? On this episode of Austin Community Capital , community architect David Gonzales ("Gonzo") reveals how simple, non-transactional gatherings can redefine your social circle and deepen your life. Discover how to cultivate genuine vulnerability without awkwardness, build spaces where you feel seen and supported, and apply timeless leadersh...

Ever wonder how serving others might actually be the secret to solving your own burnout and finding real purpose? In this captivating episode, host Austin Clemens sits down with Dana Rushing—psychotherapist, former hospital CEO, author, and President of the Austin Westlake Rotary Club. Dana shares her wild journey from a vanished Panhandle oil town to the African plains, taking lessons from Texas...

Imagine waking up in a home built with non-toxic hempcrete, picking fresh breakfast straight from your land's permaculture forest, and walking outside to a community of heart-centered neighbors who truly care. In this episode of Austin Community Capital , Austin Clemens sits down with Kelly Krezek, founder of New Earth Development. Kelly shares how she studied seventy eco-villages across the g...

What does it take to scale a tech unicorn while keeping your faith, family, and friendships intact? In this episode, Jasper AI co-founder Chris Hull joins host Austin Clemens to break down the real secret behind sustainable success: radical relational trust and physical proximity. You'll learn how to replace transactional networking with authentic community, how to navigate messy relational co...

In this episode, Steve Leach reveals how leaning into curiosity, asking better questions, and embracing radical authenticity can transform your personal and professional relationships. Discover how building a tight-knit "band of brothers" helped him survive stage four cancer and learn practical ways to trade isolation for deep, meaningful connection. Tune in to unlock a fresh perspective...

Ever wondered how your physical environment shapes your inner peace, productivity, and personal connections? Join host Austin Clemens and corporate strategy turned interior design visionary Hannah Nokes as they unpack the secret link between physical space, human connection, and community culture. You'll discover why order is the ultimate form of beauty, how curated workspaces transform team c...

What happens when a U.S. Navy veteran, cognitive framework nerd, and future management consultant sits down at an Austin sushi bar? In this episode of Austin Community Capital , host Austin Clemens chats with Dean about the art of striking up conversations with strangers, reframing Myers-Briggs into a practical business tool, and why high-speed transit could be the secret to curing urban lonelines...

Ready to rethink the way you sweat? In this episode of Austin Community Capital, we sit down with James Quigley, the General Manager and "Gym Dad" of East Austin Athletic Club. James breaks down how he's dismantling gym intimidation and replacing it with raw, ego-free human connection. You’ll walk away understanding the transformative power of "social fitness" and how inves...

What happens when you combine the fierce ambition of New York City Broadway with the open-hearted hospitality of Texas? You get Tyler Mount. In this electrifying episode, we sit down with Tony Award-winning producer and Henry Street Creative CEO Tyler Mount to uncover the raw, unfiltered truth about building an empire. Tyler shares his incredible journey from a theater-obsessed kid in a small town...

Join host Austin Clemens as we sit down with the incredible Lurleen Ladd, a musician, philanthropist, and the fiercely compassionate founder of Wavemakers Women in Music. After building a successful career in healthcare, Lurleen transitioned to the music industry at age 38, only to discover a profound lack of community and support for women over 40. Rather than accept the status quo, she built a n...

What if the secret to scaling a nine-figure business is the exact same secret to raising resilient, grounded kids? In this episode, we sit down with Darius Mirshahzadeh- serial entrepreneur, high-growth CEO, and author of The Core Value Equation . Darius strips away the corporate jargon to serve up a raw, unfiltered look at what it takes to build a life of deep intention. From his early hustle cat...

What separates a temporary fast-food trend from a legendary local institution that an entire city deeply loves? In this episode of Austin Community Capital , host Austin Clemens sits down with Patrick Terry , the legendary co-founder of P. Terry's Burger Stand. Discover how Patrick and his wife Kathy turned a tiny 527-square-foot shack on South Lamar into a Central Texas empire by putting raw...

What happens when you apply the cutthroat precision of commercial real estate and venture capital to the raw, open-hearted world of non-profit charity? You get a philanthropic revolution. In this episode, native Austinite Brittany Morrison pulls back the curtain on "The Giving Gap"—the massive disconnect between a donor's intent and real community impact. She shares her raw journey t...

What if the jewelry you wear held an ancient secret, a royal lineage, or a piece of sustainable history? In this episode, we sit down with Catherine Sinkule, the brilliant curator behind Austin's stunning estate showroom, Alador. Catherine strips away the intense secrecy of the billion-dollar jewelry industry to give you a transparent, clear-eyed education on buying luxury. You'll learn th...

What if the ultimate secret to surviving adult stress is hiding inside a heavy metal mosh pit or a thirteen-year-old’s bicycle ride? In this episode, host Austin Clemens sits down with author, investor, and Every Man leader John Fitch to explore the profound architecture of staying "stoked." Learn how John applies longboard wave-reading principles to help corporate founders navigate high-friction...

What happens when you throw out the modern urban rulebook and actually talk to the strangers in your neighborhood? In this episode, host Austin Clemens sits down with local entrepreneur and ultrarunner Ron Adeniyi to explore the immense power of street-level serendipity. Learn how a simple five-minute conversation blossomed into a profound studio dialogue, and discover how choosing courage over co...

Step into the mind of Alan Graham, the real estate mogul who walked away from the "Art of the Deal" to master the art of belonging. In this episode, you’ll discover why "housing never solves homelessness" and how a radical shift toward community can heal a city. If you’ve ever felt a disconnect in our modern world, Alan’s story will show you how to find your footing and build a...

Step into the world of Schuyler Williamson , where real estate meets radical intentionality. In this episode, you’ll discover how a former Army Ranger and pro athlete became one of Austin’s top real estate leaders by prioritizing love over transactions. Learn why the key to leading a successful company—and a fulfilling life—starts with leading yourself first. If you’re ready to trade chaos for cla...

Belonging is a restless pursuit, especially in a city like Austin, Texas where everyone seems to be from somewhere else. Carolyn Grant understands this better than most. A citizen of three countries, Carolyn’s life has been a series of profound shifts—from the top teaching hospitals of London to the quiet coffee shops of Austin. She is an "experience architect" of the soul, specializing...

What does it take to build a community that actually lasts? This week, host Austin Clemens sits down with Piper Nelson, the CEO of I Live Here I Give Here , to uncover the 3 pillars of her altruistic agenda. From her unique upbringing on a boarding school campus to her 15-year tradition of "Friday adventures," Piper Nelson reveals how simple rituals—like dinner-table reflections—can chan...

What does it take to build a lifetime of service? Join host Austin Clemens and non-profit powerhouse Ann Jerome as they discuss her journey from New Orleans to the helm of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas. You’ll learn how early experiences with refugees shaped her leadership, why mentorship is the key to Austin’s future, and how to find balance while living in the "sandwich generati...

Austin is a city of searchers, a sun-drenched sanctuary for those who left the familiar behind to build something that lasts. David Bull knows the weight of that search. From the deep-tilled soil of an Indiana farm homesteaded in the 1800s to the high-stakes corridors of Austin’s financial world, David Bull’s journey hasn't been a straight line—it’s been a series of "all-in" bets and...

Tired of "networking" that feels like a chore? Join host Austin Clemens and UT Austin lecturer Cameron Cler as they dissect the "Constellation Dinner"—a blueprint for deep, non-small talk connection. From her 13-country global trek to the local splash pads of Austin, Cameron shares how to stop reacting to life and start intentionally building a "chosen family." Learn...

Are you "successful" but strangely miserable? Join host Austin Clemens and brand visionary Ushi Patel as they dismantle the myths of professional identity. Discover how a year of silence and a "healthy bad breakup" led Ushi Patel to create the Seeing Me Method—a framework for leaders to align their internal fire with their external brand. If you're ready to stop "producing" and start "creating" a...

What does it take to stay relevant in a city that changes every five minutes? In this episode, we sit down with Austin icon Sean McDonald. From his high-octane years at Dell to co-founding and selling Ant’s Eye View, Sean has mastered the art of the pivot. Now a professor at UT Austin, he shares why he’s obsessed with "sending the elevator back down" to the next generation. If you’ve eve...