This is the Panhandle

In this episode, Raul Rodarte Shuto sits down with Julie Winters , Executive Director of Aspire: A Mindful Place , to discuss the growing need for accessible mental health support in rural Texas Panhandle communities. Julie shares her journey through years of service with Hutchinson County United Way, the personal experiences that shaped her passion for this work, and how Aspire is helping bring c...

In this episode of This is the Panhandle , host Raul Rodarte Soto sits down with Blake Siebrecht of BOOM Adventures (Brothers of Our Military Adventures) to explore how the organization is creating purpose, connection, and healing for veterans, first responders, and their families across the Texas Panhandle. Blake shares how transitioning out of service can leave many searching for identity and mi...

In this episode, Broc Carter sits down with Brandi Reed, the CEO of Family Support Services, to talk about the life experiences that shaped her leadership—and the critical, behind-the-scenes work Family Support Services provides across the Texas Panhandle. Brandi shares her journey from being born in Fresno, California, to growing up in tiny Logan, New Mexico, before moving to Amarillo to attend W...

In this special edition of  This Is the Panhandle , Broc Carter sits down with Amarillo Area Foundation CEO Keralee Clay for a wide-ranging conversation about her "long and windy road" back to the Texas Panhandle—and the leadership journey that brought her to the Foundation's top role. Keralee shares her deep Panhandle roots, her unexpected pivot into vocal performance and opera, and the steep lea...

Guest: Dr. Jamelle Connor, President of Amarillo College Host: Kimberly Anderson, Amarillo Area Foundation Episode summary: Kimberly sits down with Dr. Jamelle Connor to meet the person behind the title. Jamelle shares her Florida upbringing (yes, baton twirling and boat days!), how high-school band shaped her life, and the long-story-short of finally dating and marrying her husband, Martin. She i...

In this episode of This is the Panhandle , host Kimberly Anderson sits down with Laura Storrs , CFO of the City of Amarillo, to uncover the person behind the title. Born and raised in Amarillo, Laura shares stories of her childhood, the influence of her parents, and how she discovered her passion for accounting. She opens up about her journey into motherhood through adoption, the blessings and cha...

In this episode of This is the Panhandle , Broc sits down with colleague Beth Gunn , Grant Program Officer at the Amarillo Area Foundation. Beth shares her personal journey—from starting with the foundation through CYD, to leading scholarship programs, and now focusing on education grants. Together, they explore the concept of Opportunity Youth —young people ages 16–24 who are disconnected from ed...

In this inspiring episode of This is the Panhandle , host Kimberly Anderson sits down with Dr. Deidre Parish, the new superintendent of Amarillo ISD. While many know her for her impressive career in education—including two doctorates and leadership roles from rural districts to large urban schools—this conversation goes deeper, uncovering the personal side of Dr. Parish. From her Lubbock roots to...

🎙️ This is the Panhandle —  In this very special episode, host Broc Carter sits down with Amy Lovell and her daughter Mattie Kate (MK) Lovell for the first-ever mother-daughter conversation on This is the Panhandle . Amy and MK share a deeply personal story about facing Amy's unexpected breast cancer diagnosis and the journey that followed — one marked by early detection, tough choices, family sup...

In this inspiring episode, Broc Carter sits down with Filiberto Avila—known to many as Fili—a Spearman, Texas native currently wrapping up a Fulbright fellowship in Madrid, Spain. Fili shares his incredible journey from growing up in a rural Panhandle town to becoming student body president at West Texas A&M University, participating in the Rogers LEAD program, and ultimately teaching university-l...

In this episode, host Raul Rodarte Suto sits down with John Wittler, Executive Director of Ogallala Commons, to explore his inspiring journey from growing up on a farm in southeast Colorado to leading a multi-state nonprofit focused on revitalizing rural communities. John shares his unconventional path—opting out of college to pursue entrepreneurship, finding meaning through work and family, and e...

In this episode of This is the Panhandle , host Kimberly Anderson sits down with Don Powell to explore the person behind his prominent titles and accomplishments. While Don's résumé includes leadership roles such as President & CEO of First National Bank of Amarillo, FDIC Chairman, and federal coordinator for Gulf Coast recovery efforts, the conversation focuses on his personal journey, values, an...

In this episode of This Is the Panhandle , host Kimberly Anderson sits down with Doug Loomis—recently retired superintendent of Amarillo ISD—to explore his journey from growing up in Dalhart to leading one of the region's largest school districts. Doug shares personal stories about his upbringing, football days, and family life; reflects on the lessons that shaped his leadership and advocacy for p...

🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode, host Raul Rodarte Suto sits down with Ryan Pennington, Executive Director of the Refugee Language Project. Ryan shares his journey—from growing up in Washington State to studying linguistics and Bible translation at Dallas Baptist University, then serving as a missionary in remote villages of Papua New Guinea. He reflects on the challenges of first‐contact lang...

🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode of This is the Panhandle , host Kimberly Anderson sits down with longtime friend and community leader Anette Carlisle. Known for her extensive service in education and community development, Anette shares insights into her early life in Borger, Texas, her academic journey in zoology, and her passion for nature and birding.  The conversation delves into her perso...

🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode of This is the Panhandle , host Raul Rodarte Suto reconnects with longtime friend and community leader Myron Sims. They delve into their shared history in Amarillo, reflecting on early educational experiences and the challenges faced during their formative years. Myron shares his journey from uncertain college beginnings to his current role as a Career Pathway S...

Episode Spotlight: Glenn Backus and The Market on Tierra Blanca Glenn Backus, director of The Market on Tierra Blanca in Canyon, Texas, shares how this innovative grocery-store-style food pantry is transforming the fight against food insecurity in Randall County. Located at 3900 South Tierra Blanca Drive, the Market offers a dignified, client-choice experience for individuals and families—98% of w...

Kristen Moudy, Executive Director of the Wheeler Chamber and EDC, shares her journey from Dallas back to her hometown of Wheeler, Texas, to invest in rural community development. In this episode, she talks about improving quality of life through collaborative projects like downtown revitalization and the Tom Britt Memorial Park, while addressing common misconceptions about Economic Development Cor...

Kullen Sorrels, a third-year veterinary student at Texas Tech, shared his journey from Dalhart, Texas, to veterinary school. He highlighted the rigorous first year, which involves 22-23 hours of classes per week, and the hands-on experience that begins in the first semester. Colin emphasized the importance of grit and adaptability. He also discussed the unique community at Texas Tech, where studen...

The podcast introduces three new co-hosts from the Amarillo Area Foundation - Kimberly Anderson, Kevin Friemel, and Raul Rodarte Suto - who will bring diverse perspectives to sharing stories about the Texas Panhandle. The hosts discuss the unique characteristics of their region, highlighting its pioneering spirit, philanthropic nature, innovative problem-solving, and rich community talent across v...

Since the historic fires raged across our area, Hemphill County Judge Lisa Johnson has been right on the frontline of the disaster. She recently sat down with us to discuss the inside perspective. In the episode, she shares the behind-the-scenes workings of the largest fire in Texas history and how she worked to keep her community safe in a very turbulent time.   To give to the Panhandle Disaster...

This week we sit down with Mary Coyne with Panhandle Behavioral Health Alliance.  She shares what PBHA is working on, what the data is showing, and how to increase mental health access in this Texas Panhandle.   Learn more about PBHA: CLICK HERE Learn more about Panhandle Mental Health Guide: CLICK HERE www. PanhandleMentalHealthGuide.org

This week , we sit down with Dr. Amy Stark , Texas Tech Physicians Psychiatrist . Dr. Stark talks about how substance abuse can be detrimental to mental health.  Her goal is to break down the stereotypes regarding substance abuse.         Learn more about Dr. Stark here:  CLICK HERE  

This week, we sit down with Bobby Medford, a Licensed Professional Counselor with the Dallam-Hartley Counties Hospital District.  Bobby talks about meeting the mental health needs in a rural setting.  He shares how seniors have fared through the Covid 19 Pandemic and how they have settled into a new normal that can cause more problems in isolation.       Learn more about DHCHD HERE.  

This week , we continue our mental health focus by talking with Family Support Services', Jim Womack.  Jim talks about how FSS is meeting the heightened demand s for mental health services since the start of the covid 19 pandemic.  He shares how FSS began using telehealth services to meet the needs in the top 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle.       To learn more about FSS: CLICK HERE or call 806...