From C Student to Billion-Dollar Boardrooms: How Gary Peterson Hustled His Way to the Top đ
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
Release Date: 12/12/2025
Texas Upsets and Everyday Legends
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
Episode Description âCan you trust the numbers, or are they just another tool for a clever storyteller?â đď¸ This episode of Kent Hance, The Best Storyteller in Texas, opens with a classic Texas saying: âFigures never lie and liars figure.â Kent dives into the drama of a shocking Senate race upset in Tarrant County, where overconfidence and low turnout flipped a safe seatâreminding listeners that âRepublicans need to remember, you got to get out your vote.â The national media may spin the story, but Kentâs insight cuts through the noise. From the chaos of deadly winter...
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âThe Cowboy Hat on a Snow Driftâ
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
âIs the loudest person in the room ever the smartestâor just hard of hearing?â đ§ In this riveting episode of Kent Hance, The Best Storyteller in Texas, Chancellor Kent Hance takes listeners on a journey through the wild extremes of Texas weather, unforgettable characters, and the kind of stories only a true Texan can tell. From blizzards that bury cowboys and their horses, to the infamous âSnowmageddonâ of 2021 that changed the stateâs energy grid forever, Kentâs tales blend humor, history, and hard-earned wisdom. Key moments include: Legendary Texas Weather: Hear about the...
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The Communications Crisis
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
In this episode, Kent discusses the pitfalls of using acronyms in professional and governmental communication, drawing from his experiences as a state senator and congressman. He shares anecdotes illustrating how acronyms can create confusion and alienate newcomers. Emphasizing the importance of clear and concise communication, Kent advocates for using full terms to ensure understanding among all audiences. Through personal stories and practical advice, he underscores the need for inclusivity and clarity to foster effective and collaborative environments.
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âPower, Purpose, and the Price of a Good Storyâ
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
Episode Description âDoes power truly change peopleâor does it simply reveal who they are?â đ¤ In this riveting episode Kent dives deep into the nature of influence, sharing unforgettable stories from his time in Texas politics, the halls of Washington, and the global stage at Davos. From the quirks of federal judges to the high-stakes drama of world leaders, Kentâs tales are as insightful as they are entertaining. Listeners are treated to a front-row seat at the World Economic Forum, where Kentâs panel on energy competed with Playboy Magazine for attentionââFind out who your...
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Oil, Opportunity & Outrage
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
Kent Hance, The Best Storyteller in Texas Jan 12, 2026 âOil, Opportunity & Outrageâ đ§ Episode Description Have you ever asked yourself, âWhat happens when you focus more on losing than winning?â đ¤ This episode of Kent Hance, The Best Storyteller in Texas, is packed with gripping stories, sharp wisdom, and laugh-out-loud moments you wonât want to miss! Kent kicks things off with the saying of the day: âIf you think about what youâre going to do in case you lose, you have lost.â đ From the streets of Minneapolis to the halls of Congress, Kent explores...
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Senator Phil Gramm, How to Eliminate Two-Thirds of The National Deficit in One Year
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
Episode Description "How can someone receive nearly $77,000 in government benefits and still be officially counted as poor?" Thatâs the provocative question at the heart of this eye-opening episode of Kent Hance, The Best Storyteller in Texas. Kent welcomes legendary former Senator Phil Gramm, author of The Myth of American Inequality, for a candid, no-holds-barred conversation that will challenge everything you thought you knew about welfare, poverty, and the American Dream. Dive into the shocking realities behind federal welfare programs, where benefits like food stamps,...
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âOil, Power, and the Price of Leadership: Venezuelaâs Unbelievable Downfallâ
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
âWould you hand the fate of your nation to someone who never finished high school?â This episode opens with a question that sets the stage for a gripping exploration of Venezuelaâs dramatic journey from prosperity to crisis. Kent Hance takes listeners on a vivid ride through the countryâs history, revealing how the worldâs richest oil reserves became a symbol of squandered potential and political missteps. Listeners will be hooked by Kentâs storytelling as he draws powerful comparisons between Venezuela and Texas, highlighting how leadership choices can make or break a nation. The...
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Bite the Bullet: Texas Legends, Political Showdowns, and Outrageous True CrimeâTune In Now!
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
Episode Description đ¤ âAre you ready to make the hard decisions, or will you bite the bullet and face them head-on?â Thatâs the challenge that kicks off this episode, where Kent Hance blends Texas history, wild adventures, and sharp political insights into a tapestry only the best storyteller in Texas can weave. From the annexation of Texas to the firebombing of London, Kent draws powerful parallels between moments of unity and division, asking listeners to reflect on what it means to stand togetherâor apart. His philosophy is clear: âIf youâre getting in a war, you should not...
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"From College Football Controversies to Christmas Camels: Kent Hance Unleashes Texas-Sized Tales!"
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
Title: "From College Football Controversies to Christmas Camels: Kent Hance Unleashes Texas-Sized Tales!" Episode Description: "Why do we worry so much about yesterday and tomorrow, when today is all we truly have?" đ Thatâs the thought-provoking question that kicks off this episode of Kent Hance, The Best Storyteller in Texasâand the stories that follow are as unforgettable as the wisdom behind it. Join Kent Hance as he dives into the heart of Texas sports, sharing firsthand insights on the college football playoffs, the drama of teams left out, and the wild...
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âA Penny Saved, a Catâs Lawsuit, and the Wildest Texas Tales: Holiday Hustle & Hilarity with Kent Hanceâ đď¸â¨
The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
âHave you ever wondered why a penny saved is truly a penny earnedâor how a cat could end up in a courtroom over a color TV?â đžđ¸ In this unforgettable episode of Kent Hance, The Best Storyteller in Texas, Kent dives headfirst into the heart of the holiday season, unraveling the quirks of Texas life, the high stakes of small-town business, and the wild stories that only Kent can tell. From the make-or-break months for local shops to the hilarious tale of a dime-wrapped Christmas gift, every moment is packed with wit, wisdom, and a dash of nostalgia. Key highlights include: Holiday...
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đ Episode Description
"What drives someone to turn rejection into a billion-dollar opportunity?"
In this riveting episode of Kent Hance, The Best Storyteller in Texas, Kent sits down with Gary Petersonâa man whose journey from humble beginnings in Lubbock to the boardrooms of the Houston Texans and Astros is nothing short of legendary. Peterson, a self-proclaimed C student, shares how a fear of failure and relentless work ethic propelled him from a modest three-bedroom home to managing over $40 billion in oil and gas investments.
Listeners will be hooked as Gary recounts the heartbreak of missing out on his dream school, the lessons learned from Vietnam-era classmates, and the pivotal moment when a bankâs rejection became the catalyst for founding NCAP Investmentsâthe largest private equity firm for oil and gas in the country.
Key Moments & Themes:
- đş Band President to Boardroom Boss: How early leadership in high school band shaped Garyâs approach to business.
- đź Turning Setbacks into Success: âWhen God shuts the door, he opens a window.â Garyâs story of being rejected by First National Bank of Dallas and how it led to greater opportunities.
- đ Sports, Strategy, and Serendipity: The inside scoop on owning stakes in the Houston Texans and Astros, and why betting on the Astros was one of his best moves.
- đ Global Hustle: Flying across continents to secure investments from Asian sovereign funds, and the art of building trust worldwide.
- đŞ Work Ethic Over Grades: âWe outworked everybody.â Why grit and persistence matter more than a perfect GPA.
- đ Giving Back: The importance of community, faith, and philanthropy in Garyâs journey, including his leadership in healthcare and addiction recovery initiatives.
Memorable Quotes:
- âI attribute my success to fear of failure. I never wanted to fail. And I didnât have a big trust fund. We didnât have any money. So I just outworked everybody.â
- âYou donât go to the board at Dartmouth or Southern Cal and tell them one thing and be doing something else. Youâve got to be believable.â
Guest Background:
Gary Peterson is a Texas Tech graduate, founder of NCAP Investments, board member of the Houston Texans and Astros, and a respected leader in the oil and gas industry. His story is a testament to resilience, integrity, and the power of believing in yourselfâeven when the odds are stacked against you.
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