Mike Landess Connects

Are you ready to uncover the secrets behind Tyler's economic boom? Get ready to take notes from our conversation with Scott Martinez, the president and CEO of the Tyler Economic Development Council. He analyzes the city's exciting economic growth in 2023, and the ambitious plans set for 2024, including an insightful discussion on the Yella Wood anchor at the I-20 industrial park, and why...

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of entrepreneurial success in East Texas? Join Day Shelmire, the director of UT Tyler Longview Small Business Development Center. He delves into the world of small businesses in the region, exploring the wealth of free services available. From creating business plans to securing funding, Shelmire unveils how the center is a beacon of support for business develop...

Hear firsthand about the trials and triumphs of Smith County Judge Neal Franklin's dynamic first year in office. From the groundbreaking of a state-of-the-art $179 million county courthouse to a conveniently located $19 million parking structure, Franklin has led the county to monumental achievements. Find out how he overcame the daunting challenge of finalizing property purchases without the...

What if you could get an insider's view of the political tug-of-war happening in Congress right now? East Texas US Rep. Nathaniel Moran unravels the realities of his first year navigating national politics. He brings to light the unique struggles faced due to a slim majority, the influence of social media, and the importance of maintaining statesmanship amidst discord. Moran explains traversi...

Is the future of education undergoing a dramatic shift? Join Dr. Kirk A Calhoun, the president of The University of Texas at Tyler as he tackles this provocative question. His ambitious plan to grow the student population from 10,000 to 15,000 over the next five years alone is a testament to his commitment to making education accessible and affordable for all. From navigating the political landsca...

How would you feel about music legend Dolly Parton performing here in Tyler, again? Well, that's a question Tyler Mayor Don Warren has been pondering. Mayor Warren  shares more about Tyler's transformation plans, new public construction, and the social media whirlwind surrounding the city's appeal for a Dolly Parton repeat concert. Alongside the excitement of revitalization plans, t...

Curious about how the face of healthcare is changing in East Texas? Join us on a journey deep into the heart of Bethesda Health Clinic, a beacon of hope for over 20,000 uninsured individuals over the past two decades. Bethesda's director of community relations, Megan Riaz, illuminates the organization's path, highlighting the recent expansion of Bethesda Pediatrics and how it's maki...

Want to get an inside look at the future of healthcare education and training? Join us as we sit down with Dr. Julie Philley, the dynamic Executive Vice President for Health Affairs at UT Tyler. She takes us on a journey through the school’s four health affairs components – a fresh-faced medical school, a flourishing School of Nursing, the Fisch College of Pharmacy, and the School of Health Profes...

What fuels, Fred Smith, the innovative mind behind The Gathering, a Tyler-based organization involved in fostering and maintaining Christian philanthropy around the world. In addition to founding and running The Gathering, Fred publishes "Fred's Blog" and a podcast every Thursday.  In our latest episode, Fred takes us on a captivating journey into his writing process, where scriptur...

What if you knew the secret behind Texas's growing economy and vibrancy? Unearth the fascinating insights as your host, Mike Landess, connects with Dr. Krist Swimberghe, dean of the UT Tyler Soules College of Business, in a mesmerizing conversation about the burgeoning Hispanic population and its impact on Texas.  This is a story about more than just numbers; it's about the influence, re...

Are you aware of the fascinating transformation of newspapers from the historical Courier Newspapers in Tyler to the contemporary digital platforms? Join host Mike Landess as he explores this intriguing evolution with our Santana Gallacher, managing editor of the Tyler Morning Telegraph and ETX View magazine. Enjoy a remarkable tale of survival against the odds - replete with the grit, adaptabilit...

Have you ever wished you could be a fly on the wall during the creation of a magical new holiday musical? Well, host Mike Landess is pulling back the curtains and inviting you to join us for a fascinating conversation with Kelvin Reed, the co-creator of “True North.” They chat about Reed’s lifelong love for music and how bedtime stories turned into an enchanting Broadway tale. He also shared the h...

Imagine walking through the aisles of your local grocery store, filled with fresh produce, high-end products and traditional staples. Now imagine that this store, a beacon of quality, is one of more than 150 locations in four states, all under the same banner - Brookshire Grocery Company. In this episode, we welcome the man behind the success, CEO Brad Brookshire. We'll traverse the journey o...

Imagine walking through the art galleries of UT Tyler, every wall adorned with the innovative creations of budding artists. That's the experience we take you through as Mike Landess chats with Merrie Wright, the Art and Art History Department chair at UT Tyler. Merrie guides us through the labyrinth of art education at the university, highlighting the dual-purpose nature of its three gallerie...

Ever wondered how you could make your holiday shopping meaningful? Join us as we chat with Alyssa Allare, chairperson of the Tyler Junior League's annual Mistletoe & Magic event, a festive fiesta that intertwines the joy of shopping with the spirit of giving. This four-day shopping spree is decked with novel surprises, including a preview party, private shopping mornings, and a delightful...

Join us for an uplifting conversation with the dynamic Mary Foster, Campaign Director for United Way of Smith County. Mary offers us a peek into the phenomenal journey of Tyler Gives, an innovative online giving platform that has redefined fundraising in the midst of a pandemic. The generosity of the community saw it raise a whopping $168,000 in its first year and an impressive $297,000 in its sec...

Have you ever wondered about the journey of your drinking water, and the processes that ensure its safety? Kate Dietz, director of utilities for the City of Tyler demystifies the science and systems behind Tyler's city water. She goes beyond the surface, discussing everything from common yet potentially carcinogenic compounds found in our environment, to the material of your water service lin...

Are you aware of the vibrancy and entrepreneurial spirit the Hispanic community is bringing to Texas? Dr. Krist Swimberghe, dean of Soules School of Business at UT Tyler, shares the latest Hibbs Brief, highlighting the immense influence and relevance of the Hispanic population in Texas. With a deep dive into the evolving demographics, Dr. Swimberghe examines how this growth is not just reshaping t...

Decipher the intricate dynamics of Texan politics and legislation with Dr. Ken Wink, a UT Tyler political science professor. Tackling more than a dozen constitutional amendments, from property tax cuts to energy, Dr. Wink also spotlights the contentious school voucher program. He'll unravel the tussle between the Texas House and the Senate, the governor's political maneuvers, and the pot...

If you've ever wrestled with a so-called "blister pack" of medication, you know it's named that because getting into it can cause blisters on your fingers. There must be a simpler way, right? Join us as we chat with Nathan Lamaster , a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and the creative mind behind a new device called the Pill Puncher.  Nathan's invention, inspire...

Are you ready for an adventure in the intriguing world of poetry? In this episode, journey through the life and works of Louise Glück, the Nobel laureate poet who died recently (Oct. 13, 2023). Our guide on this voyage is Dr. Ann Beebe , a UT Tyler Literature and Languages professor. From Glück's initial struggles to her eventual rise to literary stardom, Dr. Beebe helps us navigate the intri...

Navigating university life can be difficult for anyone, but especially for first-generation college students. What can institutions do to help? UT Tyler's Dr. Colleen Swain , associate provost for Academic Success and dean of Undergraduate Studies knows firsthand. She shares insider details about UT Tyler's unique program, "I'm First," which is designed to bridge the gap f...

Venture through the intriguing world of historical preservation with Amanda Herterich, the new executive director of Historic Tyler . As an East Texas native, Herterich shares her experiences of preservation work in Southeastern Alaska in the Tongass National Forest, a project that not only solidified her love for preservation but also her relationship with the man who would become her husband, Co...

Have you ever wondered about the potent healing power of music? Vicky Conway, a senior lecturer in music with the UT Tyler School of Performing Arts reveals the surprising effects of music as part of healthcare. She delves into the fascinating ways music aids in various health scenarios - from helping stroke victims recover their speech, to triggering memories in Alzheimer's patients, and eve...

What is occupational therapy? What is its societal impact, and why is there an increasing demand for occupational therapy in today's world? Anjali Parti, the program director, clinical associate professor, and interim chair of UT Tyler's Department of Rehabilitation Sciences helps us understand the field of occupational therapy. She sheds light on its role in enhancing functional indepen...