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Creating Us - A podcast for Texas Tech University System & beyond

Creating Us - A podcast for Texas Tech University System & beyond

Hosted by Office of Leader and Culture Development

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Episodes

130

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

A learning and development podcast focused on bringing the Texas Tech University System Values Based Culture to life.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
June 15, 2026Episode 1956 min

The Leader Fast Lane - Episode 19 - with Cole Johnson, EVP & COO of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I talk with Cole Johnson, Executive Vice President of Operations and Chief Operations Officer for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Some highlights include:6:28 - Seek to improve yourself and other opportunities will come; say "yes" 11:48 - "Brains are sexy": be a lifelong learner20:54 - Collaboration and competition are needed to achieve big things32:14 - Make decisions based on values and information on hand, and be willing to pivot if need to40:00 - Trust your people, and verify with grace46:58 - For emerging leaders, a strong work ethic and a sense of others-focus are key

June 8, 2026Episode 1846 min

The Leader Fast Lane - Episode 18 - with Dennis Mikula, Jr., CEO of the Land Improvement Contractors of America

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I talk with Dennis Mikula, Jr., CEO of the Land Improvement Contractors of America (LICA). Dennis is an accomplished people-focused leader and world-class connector. In the episode, he shares:5:37 - Leadership is more about people than operations7:02 - His motto: People First. Purpose Always. Team Over All11:51 - How to balance tradition and innovation/change18:57 - How to maintain professional accountability without creating fear24:06 - Leaders in new roles should focus in listening & relationship-building35:24 - The importance of constructive conflict37:41 - The difference between networking and relationship-building

June 1, 2026Episode 1754 min

The Leader Fast Lane - Episode 17 - with Amanda McAfee, CEO & President of the Lubbock Area United Way

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I had a delightful conversation with Amanda McAfee, President and CEO of the Lubbock Area United Way. Amanda is an amazing leader that builds value-driven teams, leads effective community collaboration, and raises up new leaders. Listen in as she talks about:2:22 - Saying "yes" to opportunities as a young leader & learner8:37 - Letting the journey take you where it takes you15:00 - Why it is important to surround yourself with wise people19:24 - Leading with an abundance - as opposed to scarcity - mindset24:29 - Building team culture and enjoying the fruits of a healthy team32:14 - How to build a coalition of diverse constituents41:11 - Avoiding burnout: take off the superhero cape49:22 - It's ok to fail, as failure is learning

May 25, 2026Episode 1655 min

The Leader Fast Lane - Episode 16 - with Steve Sosland, former Vice Chancellor of Leader & Culture Development at TTUS

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I talk with Steve Sosland, Founder & President of Second Mountain Coaching and former Vice Chancellor for Leader & Culture Development at the Texas Tech University System. Steve has decades of experience leading others and training up leaders. There's a lot here for leaders of all stripes. Steve shares:5:00 - about his Army Ranger experience and what it taught him about leadership12:21 - his goal to train people for their next role before they are promoted18:04 - what a values-based culture looks like day-by-day24:43 - about knowledge hoarders versus knowledge sharers28:02 - how to build a values culture44:36 - how "yet" is a powerful word that gives us permission to grow49:02 - how we have a choice in how we respond to others.

May 18, 2026Episode 1542 min

The Leader Fast Lane - Episode 15 - with Ginger Kerrick Davis, former NASA Flight Director

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I talk with Ginger Kerrick Davis, former NASA Flight Director and Regent at the Texas Tech University System. Ginger is an exceptional leader with practical insight and tips for leaders at all levels. Highlights of this episode include:2:32 - Ginger's role in the development and success of Artemis II6:00 - her admonition not to "model yourself" after other but to glean leader tips7:30 - "leaders come in all shapes and sizes"13:43 - how to make risk-informed decisions and leave emotion out of the equation22:26 - psychological safety, and idea killers versus idea boosters in a team37:56 - "The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does great things themself but who inspires and empowers others to do great things."

May 11, 2026Episode 1449 min

The Leader Fast Lane - Episode 14 - with Andrew Natsios, Executive Professor at The Bush School

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I speak with Andrew Natsios, Executive Professor at the Bush School at Texas A&M. Andrew shares about his leadership experiences at the highest levels of politics, diplomacy, and higher education. We talk quite a bit about USAID and its legacy as well. Some key points:2:34 - the experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy5:10 - how leading and managing differ6:24 - "you can't demand loyalty from you people if you aren't loyal to them"7:26 - leadership is more about responsibility than authority11:29 - the importance of getting the real story from on the ground colleagues20:31 - the two most important roles for senior executives26:27 - misconceptions about global development42:04 - leading in ambiguity

May 4, 2026Episode 1338 min

The Leader Fast Lane - Episode 13 - with TTU Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I am joined by Texas Tech University Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt. Kirby shares about:1:59 - the role of an athletic director6:31 - leaders he modeled his approach after10:31 - how he makes decisions in a rapidly changing environment17:26 - how to assess culture in an organization19:00 - the guiding principles of the athletics department20:38 - how to address high performers that may erode culture24:58 - ensuring decisions align with values despite external pressure27:43 - what brings him joy about his job33:19 - personal habits that help him stay sharp34:24 - how he resets after tough setbacks37:16 - your attitude and effort are things you can control every day

April 27, 2026Episode 1253 min

The Leader Fast Lane - Episode 12 - with Carlos Morales, CEO of Caprock Home Health

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I talk with Carlos Morales, CEO of Caprock Home Health Services. Carlos shares about:4:26 - his leadership journey8:21 - the importance of leaders continuously focusing on self-improvement12:13 - new leaders don't need to know all the answers; instead, build a strong team21:56 - his default instinct under pressure is collaboration24:29 - the development of a values-based culture at Caprock, and its effect31:26 - how to discern values fit for prospective new employees36:24 - the importance for leaders to have a strong support network42:51 - great teams have a clear vision & roles, practice extreme ownership, and engage in honest communication & healthy conflict

April 13, 2026Episode 1151 min

The Leader Fast Lane - Episode 11 - with Midwestern State University President Stacy Haynie

Send us Fan MailJoin me as I speak with Midwestern State University Texas President Dr. Stacy Haynie. We talk about leaders needing to be willing to take punches, how to make difficult, weighty decisions, taking risks, MSU Texas's values of community and people-centeredness, learning from failure, the importance of showing up and being curious, and that control and trust are not friends as a leader. Dr. Haynie is an amazing leader. Take a listen!

April 6, 2026Episode 1048 min

The Leader Fast Lane - Episode 10 - with Ken Parker, co-Founder & CEO of NextThought

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I talk with Ken Parker, Vice President of Learning Innovation at Public Strategies. Ken has four decades of experience in technology and education and has keen insight into issues facing higher education today. We talk about when values are tested in leadership decisions, how difficult moments clarify what matters most, what distinguishes a learning organization from one that just provides training, what hiring for fit means, and how leaders should think about AI.

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