"Atomic Decisions, Cowboy Wisdom, and $100 Enchiladas: Kent Hance Unfiltered"
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
Release Date: 08/04/2025
From French Horn to Oil Fields: Vicki Hollubâs Unstoppable Rise to CEO
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
"What if your biggest career breakthrough started with a failed dream?" In this compelling episode of Kent Hance: The Best Storyteller in Texas, Kent sits down with Vicki Hollub, the trailblazing CEO of Occidental Petroleum (Oxy) and the first woman to lead a major U.S. oil company. From her humble beginnings in Bessemer, Alabama, to commanding global energy operations, Vicki shares a deeply personal and inspiring journey of grit, perseverance, and vision. Listeners will be captivated by stories of: Her fatherâs relentless pursuit of carpentry perfection and how it shaped her work...
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Crisis, COâ, and Carl Icahn: How Vicki Hollub Led Oxy Through the Storm
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
"What do you do when oil prices crash, a pandemic hits, and your boardroom turns into a battlefield?" In this gripping continuation of Kent Hanceâs conversation with Vicki Hollub, CEO of Occidental Petroleum, listeners are taken behind the scenes of one of the most turbulent chapters in energy industry history. From navigating the high-stakes Anadarko acquisition to surviving a price war and global pandemic, Hollub shares how she led with resilience, strategy, and heart. This episode dives deep into: The moment Oxyâs stock plummeted and how Hollub responded within hours. The emotional...
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âLone Wolf Gonzaullas, Fastball Walker & Bonnie and Clyde: Texas Legends and Unforgettable Talesâ
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
What do a one-man riot squad, a tattoo framed by a mortician, and a triple play in Little League have in common? Theyâre all part of this wildly entertaining episode of Kent Hance: The Best Storyteller in Texas Podcast. In this episode, Kent Hance shares the larger-than-life story of Lone Wolf Gonzaullas, a legendary Texas Ranger who brought law and order to oil boomtowns with a pearl-handled .45 and a white Stetson. From walking criminals through town in chains to advising Hollywood on authenticity, Gonzaullasâ story is one for the ages. Kent also reflects on: đ A law...
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âTalk Is Cheap, But Voting Is Freeâ: Kent Hance on Elections, Snake Adams, and the Power of Political Trends
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
đ "What issues are going to impact me and my family in America for the next five yearsâand the next twenty?" In this compelling episode of Kent Hance: The Best Storyteller in Texas, originally published in November 2024, Kent dives deep into the heart of American democracy with a timely and passionate reflection on Election Day. From international perspectives on U.S. elections to the razor-thin margins in battleground states, Kent offers a candid look at the political landscape and why voting matters more than ever. But itâs not all politicsâKent brings his signature storytelling...
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âCamp David, Cockfighting & Congressional Maps: Kent Hance Unpacks the Unexpectedâ
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
đ âHow do Camp David, cockfighting, and gerrymandering all connect?â Thatâs the question Kent Hance playfully poses in this eclectic and thought-provoking episode that spans presidential retreats, outlawed blood sports, and the political chessboard of congressional redistricting. Kent opens with a reflection on Camp Davidâs storied historyâfrom FDRâs Shangri-La to Reaganâs horseback rides and Bushâs 487-day escape from Washington. With vivid storytelling, Kent shares personal memories of visiting the retreat, including the signing of the Camp David Accords and a...
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đď¸ âCherry Bombs, Border Battles & Birthday Cakes: Kent Hance on Loyalty, Law, and Leadershipâ
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
âIf you donât have time to do it right, what makes you think youâll have time to do it twice?â That timeless quote from legendary coach John Wooden sets the tone for this episode, where Kent Hance explores the power of preparation, the importance of keeping your word, and the consequences of ignoring common sense. In this wide-ranging and deeply engaging episode, Kent shares stories that span decadesâfrom a birthday cake that won political loyalty to a cherry bomb prank that nearly ended in a shootout. He reflects on the value of small gestures, the wisdom of West Texas bankers, and...
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"Atomic Decisions, Cowboy Wisdom, and $100 Enchiladas: Kent Hance Unfiltered"
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
đâWould you have dropped the bomb?â Thatâs the question Kent Hance wrestles with in this riveting episode, as he dives into one of the most consequential decisions in world historyâPresident Trumanâs call to end WWII with atomic force. With the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima looming, Kent reflects on the gravity of leadership, the cost of war, and the legacy of the Manhattan Project, all through his signature lens of wit, wisdom, and West Texas storytelling. But this episode isnât just about historyâitâs packed with colorful tales and sharp insights. From the grit of Red...
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âFrom Talent Shows to Grammys: Rudy Gatlinâs 70-Year Journey in Country Musicâ
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
đ What do you get when you mix a Texas Tech law class, a childhood talent show, and a Grammy-winning country music career? You get Rudy Gatlinâone-third of the legendary Gatlin Brothersâand the unforgettable stories that shaped his life. In this heartwarming and hilarious episode of Kent Hance: The Best Storyteller in Texas, Kent sits down with his former student and longtime friend, Rudy Gatlin, for Part 1 of a two-part conversation that spans decades of music, family, and fame. From humble beginnings in Abilene to the bright lights of Nashville and Johnny...
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đď¸ âBeer Bottles, Gospel Roots, and the Road to Nashville: Rudy Gatlinâs Backstage Storiesâ
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
đWhat do chicken wire, gospel hymns, and a canceled real estate course have in common? Theyâre all part of Rudy Gatlinâs unforgettable journey in Part 2 of his conversation with Kent Hance. In this episode of Kent Hance: The Best Storyteller in Texas, Rudy Gatlinâof the legendary Gatlin Brothersâreturns with more behind-the-scenes stories from a life spent on stage and on the road. From dodging beer bottles in rowdy honky-tonks to singing gospel in Oak Cliff churches, Rudy shares the highs, lows, and hilarious moments that shaped his 70-year music career. Listeners will hear about...
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âMoon Dreams, Sonic Booms, and the Juice That Wasnât Worth the Squeezeâ
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
In this captivating episode of Kent Hance: The Best Storyteller in Texas, Kent takes us on a nostalgic and thought-provoking journey through two of the most ambitious technological marvels of the 20th century: the Apollo moon landings and the supersonic Concorde jet. With his signature wit and wisdom, Kent reflects on the boundless optimism of the 1960s and 70s, when Americans believed weâd be living on the moon and flying across the globe in under three hours. Kent revisits the excitement and eventual disillusionment surrounding these innovations, exploring how high costs, political...
info_outline đâWould you have dropped the bomb?â
Thatâs the question Kent Hance wrestles with in this riveting episode, as he dives into one of the most consequential decisions in world historyâPresident Trumanâs call to end WWII with atomic force. With the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima looming, Kent reflects on the gravity of leadership, the cost of war, and the legacy of the Manhattan Project, all through his signature lens of wit, wisdom, and West Texas storytelling.
But this episode isnât just about historyâitâs packed with colorful tales and sharp insights. From the grit of Red Raiders like Jody Arrington and Cody Campbell to the revival of the Presidential Fitness Test, Kent celebrates Texas pride and perseverance. He shares unforgettable anecdotes, including a $100 enchilada hustle, a root beer-fueled tip chase, and a divorce case cracked by bathroom scales.
Listeners will laugh, learn, and reflect as Kent blends humor with hard truths, reminding us that âthereâs never been a horse that canât be rode, and never been a cowboy that canât be thrown.â
đ Key Moments & Themes:
- Trumanâs atomic bomb decision and its global impact
- The Manhattan Projectâs secretive operations and Texas ties
- Jody Arringtonâs legacy of historic tax cuts
- Revival of the Presidential Fitness Test and youth wellness
- Customer service stories that prove hustle pays
- Geography quirks like the Panama Canalâs surprising orientation
- NFL team rankings and the power of parity
- College football nostalgia and stadium quirks
- Legal revenge and clever courtroom wins
đŹ Notable Quotes:
- âLuck never hit a guy sitting in the shade.â â Coach Darrell Royal
- âIf they ever hang me, I want that group to go get the rope.â â Kent Hance on bureaucracy
- âYou donât rob a Little League stand and expect sympathy from the jury.â
đŁ Call to Action:
If you love Texas tales, historical deep dives, and stories that make you laugh out loud, subscribe to Kent Hance, The Best Storyteller in Texas Podcast. Donât forget to leave a review, share this episode, and tune in weekly for more unforgettable moments from the Lone Star legend himself.