A Mindful Place: Supporting Mental Health in the Panhandle
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 compassionate behavioral health services closer to home. Together, they explore the realities of rural mental health, the importance of community collaboration, and how Aspire is working to create new...
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Finding Purpose After Service: BOOM Adventures with Blake Siebrecht
This is the Panhandle
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 mission, and how BOOM Adventures helps fill that gap through outdoor experiences, community events, and peer-to-peer connection. The organization serves not only veterans and first responders but also...
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Rising From the Ashes: Brandi Reed on Healing, Hope, and Family Support Services
This is the Panhandle
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 West Texas A&M University. After earning her degree in mass communications, she spent years serving others—working everywhere from nonprofit and community service roles to mission-driven work...
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The Next Chapter at Amarillo Area Foundation with Keralee Clay
This is the Panhandle
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 learning curves that shaped her: managing the Amarillo Civic Center at a young age, moving to New York City with everything she owned in a Ryder truck, and building a career that blended...
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From Florida to the Panhandle: Getting to Know Dr. Jamelle Connor
This is the Panhandle
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 introduces us to their three very different (and very close) daughters, talks about falling in love with Amarillo’s hidden-gem culture—from Comic Con to the symphony—and dishes restaurant...
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Adoption, Accounting, and Amarillo: A Conversation with Laura Storrs
This is the Panhandle
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 challenges of raising a blended family, and the unique connection her husband—also adopted—brings to their home. Laura also reflects on her deep ties to community, from Rotary traditions to her new...
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Opportunity Youth: Building Pathways in the Panhandle
This is the Panhandle
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 education or the workforce—and why addressing their needs is critical for the future of the Texas Panhandle. Beth unpacks local research, the challenges of tracking this population, and the...
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More Than a Superintendent: The Life and Leadership of Dr. Deidre Parish
This is the Panhandle
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 her early teaching days, Dr. Parish shares the winding path that led her from biology research labs to public school classrooms, and eventually to district leadership. Along the way, she opens up...
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Mother-Daughter Strength: Amy & MK Lovell’s Story
This is the Panhandle
🎙️ 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 support, and hard-won hope. Amy, a longtime advocate for nonprofits and co-founder of The Panhandle Gives, opens up about her life in the Panhandle, her work, and how a routine mammogram...
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From Spearman to Spain: A Fulbright Story with Filiberto “Fili” Avila
This is the Panhandle
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-level students in Spain. Fili reflects on: His academic and leadership experiences at WTAMU The impact of the Rogers LEAD program and student government Helping launch the Market on...
info_outlineThe 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 various sectors including arts, agriculture, and nonprofit work. They emphasize the Panhandle's strength lies in its people's ability to come together, adapt to challenges, and support each other, while also hoping to change external perceptions about the region by showcasing its depth, creativity, and remarkable community-driven initiatives.