America Adame
Hey Amarillo
This week on Hey Amarillo, I’m joined by America Adame, Executive Director of the Wesley Community Center in Amarillo’s El Barrio neighborhood. The Wesley provides an incredible range of services that support families and strengthen community, and America stepped into leadership just over a year ago with clarity, confidence, and vision. In our conversation, she shares how she imagined the leader she wanted to become — and then took the steps to make that future real. America also speaks with remarkable courage about her own journey through a very difficult season of life, and how her two...
info_outline
Paul Borchardt
Hey Amarillo
This week on Hey Amarillo, we sit down with Paul Borchardt, who, until very recently, ran one of Amarillo’s most beloved and historic landmarks: Wonderland Amusement Park. Paul’s story starts far from the Texas Panhandle — growing up on a farm in Iowa, serving in the Navy, falling in love, and eventually finding his way to Amarillo, where he joined his wife’s family in running an amusement park that has become part of the fabric of this community. For decades, Paul and his family poured their energy, care, and dedication into Wonderland, creating a place that generations of families...
info_outline
Laurie Higgins-Kerley
Hey Amarillo
This week on Hey Amarillo, we're joined by Laurie Higgins-Kerley, founder of Dove Creek Equine Rescue and Led by Horses, for one of the most moving conversations I’ve ever had about grief. Laurie began this work after the loss of her husband, during a season when she herself was searching for healing. Through her horses, she experienced a kind of quiet, steady restoration—and eventually felt called to create spaces where others could experience that same healing presence. Our conversation explores grief honestly and tenderly. It doesn’t shy away from how painful loss can be, but it also...
info_outline
Lorie VanOngevalle
Hey Amarillo
I’m joined by Lorie VanOngevalle, Executive Director of Friends of Cross Bar, for a conversation rooted in fresh air, open spaces, and the joy of being outdoors. Lorie shares her path to a life spent outside — how she found her way into this work and why expanding access to public lands matters so deeply to her. As an outdoorsy woman working to make it easier for people to experience and enjoy the land around them, Lorie brings both passion and practicality to the conversation. This episode is fun, thoughtful, and a great reminder of why our outdoor spaces are worth cherishing,...
info_outline
Suzanne Bellsnyder
Hey Amarillo
This week on Hey Amarillo, I’m talking with Suzanne Bellsnyder, a Spearman, Texas resident and a powerful voice for rural Texans across the state. Through her two rural newspapers, a growing online presence, and her work in Texas political circles, Suzanne is helping bring “kitchen table issues” and "serious legislation" affecting rural communities into the statewide conversation. She has a rare ability to connect policy with real life — translating what’s happening at the Capitol into what it means for families, towns, and communities just like ours. Our conversation is thoughtful,...
info_outline
Warren Coble
Hey Amarillo
This week on Hey Amarillo, I’m joined by Warren Coble — Potter County Commissioner, pastor, and longtime servant to Amarillo’s North Heights community. From criminal justice to ministry to county leadership, Warren’s life has been marked by a deep love for people and a steady commitment to showing up when it matters most. In this conversation, he shares what he’s learned about leadership, faith, and walking with a community through its hardest moments.
info_outline
Gary Pitner
Hey Amarillo
In this episode, I sit down with Gary Pitner, a true Panhandle original and one of the most knowledgeable people you will ever meet when it comes to Amarillo and our region. Gary has spent essentially his entire life in Amarillo and more than 40 years serving as Executive Director of the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission. Along the way, he has had a front-row seat to history — from watching the original Amarillo High burn downtown as a child, to helping secure the first medical helicopter for use in the Texas Panhandle. He is not just a leader and planner… he’s a storyteller and a...
info_outline
Adam Leathers
Hey Amarillo
In this episode, we talk with Adam Leathers, a lifelong advocate for people and communities. Adam currently serves at the United Way of Amarillo & Canyon, but his career has taken him from supporting migrant farmworkers to working alongside unhoused neighbors in Kansas City, and now to strengthening the social safety net here in the Texas Panhandle. Adam brings a sharp intellect, deep compassion, and years of hands-on expertise in understanding what communities truly need to thrive. His perspective on service, dignity, and practical problem-solving offers a powerful look at what it means...
info_outline
Caroline Ellison
Hey Amarillo
This week, we’re joined by Caroline Ellison, one of the area's lead wildlife biologist for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. She’s an expert in her field, but what makes her stand out is her ability to talk about complex ecological issues in a way that’s easy to understand and deeply engaging. In this episode, we dive into the health of our wild spaces, exploring everything from the resilient bison to the iconic horned toad lizard, and beyond. Whether you’re an environmental enthusiast or just curious about the state of our natural world, this conversation is a must-listen!
info_outline
Katt Massey
Hey Amarillo
This week on Hey Amarillo, I sit down with Katt Massey—an Amarillo native whose journey has taken her from Dallas to Denver and right back home again. With a background in nonprofit and civic leadership and a memorable run for City Council, Katt has dedicated much of her career to serving this community, especially through the arts. In this conversation, we talk about what it means to show up for your city—even when things don’t go as planned—and how she’s continuing to support Amarillo through her current work in healthcare. Katt is energetic, funny, and refreshingly honest, with a...
info_outlineIn this episode, I sit down with Gary Pitner, a true Panhandle original and one of the most knowledgeable people you will ever meet when it comes to Amarillo and our region.
Gary has spent essentially his entire life in Amarillo and more than 40 years serving as Executive Director of the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission. Along the way, he has had a front-row seat to history — from watching the original Amarillo High burn downtown as a child, to helping secure the first medical helicopter for use in the Texas Panhandle.
He is not just a leader and planner… he’s a storyteller and a historian with unmatched insight into the people, challenges, and progress that have shaped our community. Gary reminds us that the Panhandle as we know it isn’t very old — and that real, meaningful change takes intention, persistence, and decades of work to move a community forward.
This episode is thoughtful, fascinating, and surprisingly fun — full of stories, wisdom, and a deep love for the Panhandle.