From French Horn to Oil Fields: Vicki Hollub’s Unstoppable Rise to CEO
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
Release Date: 08/21/2025
From French Horn to Oil Fields: Vicki Hollub’s 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 father’s relentless pursuit of carpentry perfection and how it shaped her work...
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Crisis, CO₂, 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 Hance’s 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 Oxy’s stock plummeted and how Hollub responded within hours. The emotional...
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“Lone Wolf Gonzaullas, Fastball Walker & Bonnie and Clyde: Texas Legends and Unforgettable Tales”
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? They’re 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, Gonzaullas’ story is one for the ages. Kent also reflects on: 🎓 A law...
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“Talk Is Cheap, But Voting Is Free”: Kent Hance on Elections, Snake Adams, and the Power of Political Trends
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
📘 "What issues are going to impact me and my family in America for the next five years—and 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 it’s not all politics—Kent brings his signature storytelling...
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“Camp David, Cockfighting & Congressional Maps: Kent Hance Unpacks the Unexpected”
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
📘 “How do Camp David, cockfighting, and gerrymandering all connect?” That’s 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 David’s storied history—from FDR’s Shangri-La to Reagan’s horseback rides and Bush’s 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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🎙️ “Cherry Bombs, Border Battles & Birthday Cakes: Kent Hance on Loyalty, Law, and Leadership”
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
“If you don’t have time to do it right, what makes you think you’ll have time to do it twice?” 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 decades—from 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
📘“Would you have dropped the bomb?” That’s the question Kent Hance wrestles with in this riveting episode, as he dives into one of the most consequential decisions in world history—President Truman’s 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 isn’t just about history—it’s packed with colorful tales and sharp insights. From the grit of Red...
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“From Talent Shows to Grammys: Rudy Gatlin’s 70-Year Journey in Country Music”
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
📘 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 Gatlin—one-third of the legendary Gatlin Brothers—and 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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🎙️ “Beer Bottles, Gospel Roots, and the Road to Nashville: Rudy Gatlin’s Backstage Stories”
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
📘What do chicken wire, gospel hymns, and a canceled real estate course have in common? They’re all part of Rudy Gatlin’s unforgettable journey in Part 2 of his conversation with Kent Hance. In this episode of Kent Hance: The Best Storyteller in Texas, Rudy Gatlin—of the legendary Gatlin Brothers—returns 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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“Moon Dreams, Sonic Booms, and the Juice That Wasn’t Worth the Squeeze”
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 we’d 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...
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"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 father’s relentless pursuit of carpentry perfection and how it shaped her work ethic.
- Her mother’s magnetic personality and GED triumph, teaching Vicki the power of human connection.
- A surprising pivot from music to mineral engineering, sparked by a French horn and a brutally honest professor.
- Her eye-opening assignments in Russia, Venezuela, and Ecuador, revealing the universal values shared across cultures.
- The bold moves that led to Oxy’s dominance in the Permian Basin, and the visionary leadership of Steve Chazen and Armand Hammer.
- Facing gender bias head-on in the field, and the importance of having advocates—not just mentors—in your corner.
With memorable quotes like, “Sometimes we don’t tell people how impactful they are to us until they pass away,” and “Trust is such a powerful thing,” this episode is a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and staying true to your values.
Whether you're a student, a professional, or just someone who loves a good story, this episode will leave you inspired and energized.
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