Connecting the Dots with Jeff Sandford

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...

On this week’s episode of Connecting the Dots, we welcome Kerri Massey, President and CEO of Holy Angels in Belmont, North Carolina. Holy Angels is a private, 24-hour care facility dedicated to serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Kerri shares more about the heart behind Holy Angels, the importance of compassion and service, and how organizations like this...

Bo Moore is an upcoming music artist with a story built on hard work, growth, and staying with it. After coming up short in last year’s Larry Joe Taylor Singer/Songwriter Contest, Bo came back better, won this year’s contest, and earned the chance to debut at the festival. In this episode of Connecting the Dots, Bo talks about how he got into music, what he learned from losing, how he improved as...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, we sit down with Stephenville Mayor Lonn Reisman to talk about his journey to Stephenville, his legendary coaching career, and the moments that made him want to call this community home. Lonn shares why he decided to stay in Stephenville, what led him to run for mayor, and how a simple decision to not say “no” helped change the trajectory of a young man’s ba...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, we sit down with Dan Hunter, State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency, to talk about agriculture, leadership, and the role FSA plays in supporting farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across Texas. From helping producers navigate programs and resources to understanding the challenges facing today’s agriculture industry, Dan shares what it take...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, we sit down with Steve Urayzs, Athletic Director at Tarleton State University, to talk about leadership, growth, and the vision behind Tarleton Athletics’ rise on the national stage. From navigating the transition to Division I to building a culture of excellence across every program, Steve shares what it takes to lead at a high level and how Tarleton contin...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, we sit down with Texas country legend Larry Joe Taylor to talk about his journey, the evolution of Texas music, and the impact of the iconic Larry Joe Taylor Music Festival. As our very first episode, we couldn’t think of a better guest to help set the tone—connecting stories, people, and the roots that make Stephenville special.