THE WACO EXPERIENCE

D. SCOTT SMITH, MBA

An American Story – in Waco, Texas. The City of Waco is celebrating a significant anniversary – the 175th. Established in1849, Waco is a prospering community. This show is broadcast on KBBW from Waco in Central Texas and as a podcast. I’m D. Scott Smith, a new resident to Waco, inspired to create this radio program and podcast based on my many years of involvement with chambers of commerce. It’s been my experience that the local chamber is the one place in the universe where leaders from business, government, and non-profit organizations sit at the same table with the same goal: building nice communities. Each of these groups are necessary to reach that goal…and each has a different set of tools. Working together they provide jobs, products & services, and infrastructure for the citizens. In this program I interview leaders from businesses, our local governments, and non-profit organizations to gain insight, learn what is available, and…perhaps, get a little peek behind the scenes. You’ll get to know the people and their stories. Along the way, you may just learn more about yourself and your community. The Waco Experience is an American story. And though the individuals I speak with represent the Greater Waco area in Central Texas, this story is repeated in communities across America. Businesses, governments, and non-profit groups working together for a more perfect union; promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty. Seventy-three years after the founding of the United States of America, and 175 years ago, Waco, Texas was founded. A growing community. Like all communities, people have endured hardships and celebrated abundance. Wherever you live, the story of Waco is your story. I look forward to bringing you conversations with leaders from businesses, local government, and our non-profit community. You’ll discover that the story of Waco, Texas is similar to your own community. Thank you for joining me on this journey. Waco’s story, much like the story of America herself, is one of growth, resilience, and collaboration. Through the voices of business, government, and non-profit leaders, we will continue to explore how these key players work together to make our communities better places to live and work. The conversations we have in this program serve as a reminder that while each community is unique, the challenges we face and the solutions we create are universal. Whether you live in Waco or beyond, I know these stories will resonate with you and perhaps even inspire you to become more involved in your own community. I look forward to bringing you insightful discussions in the episodes ahead. Don’t forget - you can catch The Waco Experience every Saturday morning at 8:30 AM on KBBW in Central Texas (and share this podcast with those you know.) The Waco Experience, An American Story.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Inez Russell of Friends for Life

    Visit our website: https://www.thewacoexperience.com/ Host D. Scott Smith of "The WACO EXPERIENCE, An American Story" each week brings interviews with leaders in business, government, and non-profit organizations. They all have the same goal: building a strong community. Each of these groups provide jobs, products & services, and infrastructure for citizens. Visit our sponsors by clicking this link: https://www.thewacoexperience.com/sponsors Founder and Executive Director of Friends for Life - Inez Russell. In this episode we replay the interview with Inez originally in episode 2 of this show. Friends for life is co-hosting the National Volunteer Caregivers Network Conference June 11-13, 2026 at the AC Hotel in Waco. The mission of the National Volunteer Caregiving Network is to support members of the National Network and to create new, sustainable interfaith volunteer caregiving programs. The Network was created as a result of the Faith in Action initiative launched by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation over 40 years ago. This initiative started the Faith in Action initiative with a nationwide contingency of over 1,000 nonprofits. 🎧 Listen now on The WACO Experience: An American Story wherever you get your podcasts.Runtime: 28 minutes, 30 seconds Originally aired on KBBW Radio at 8:30 AM, Saturday, February 7th, 2026. This episode is sponsored by: Military Creator Con April 16-18, 2026. Use code scotts10 for a discount.PresentGifting.com ChordBuddy.com Guitar & Ukulele Learning SystemBitty & Beau's Coffee, WacoHeart of Texas TV – Indoor Digital BillboardsQuality Cabinets - Delivery when you are ready.Independent Planner – For Independent ThinkersThe book, Networking for Students 📻 The WACO Experience: An American Story airs Saturdays at 8:30 AM on KBBW Radio – 105.9 FM in Waco, 101.3 FM in Killeen-Temple, 100.3 FM in Round Rock-Austin, and everywhere on the legendary 1010 AM. #theWACOexperience #radioshow #KBBW #motivationalListener #DScottSmith #TodaysOffice #TalkShow #1000thanks #Waco #WacoTexas #podcast

    29 min
  2. 2 FEB

    PresentGifting.com with Entrepreneur Mark Senefsky

    Visit our website: https://www.thewacoexperience.com/ Host D. Scott Smith of "The WACO EXPERIENCE, An American Story" each week brings interviews with leaders in business, government, and non-profit organizations. They all have the same goal: building a strong community. Each of these groups provide jobs, products & services, and infrastructure for citizens. Visit our sponsors by clicking this link: https://www.thewacoexperience.com/sponsors Owners of Quality Cabinets - Thuy Phan and Quynh Pham. In this episode we hear their American story of coming to the United States with no resources or the language. Their success is founded on their hardships and caring for people. 💬 "AI is a topic on everybody's mind - is it going to be the ruination of western civilization or is it a godsend. " - Mark Senefsky 🎧 Listen now on The WACO Experience: An American Story wherever you get your podcasts.Runtime: 28 minutes, 30 seconds Originally aired on KBBW Radio at 8:30 AM, Saturday, January 31, 2026. This episode is sponsored by: PresentGifting.com ChordBuddy.com Guitar & Ukulele Learning SystemBitty & Beau's Coffee, WacoHeart of Texas TV – Indoor Digital BillboardsQuality Cabinets - Delivery when you are ready.Independent Planner – For Independent ThinkersThe book, Networking for Students 📻 The WACO Experience: An American Story airs Saturdays at 8:30 AM on KBBW Radio – 105.9 FM in Waco, 101.3 FM in Killeen-Temple, 100.3 FM in Round Rock-Austin, and everywhere on the legendary 1010 AM. #theWACOexperience #radioshow #KBBW #motivationalListener #DScottSmith #TodaysOffice #TalkShow #1000thanks #Waco #WacoTexas #podcast

    29 min
  3. 26 JAN

    Qualtity Cabinets - Thuy and Quynh

    Visit our website: https://www.thewacoexperience.com/ Host D. Scott Smith of "The WACO EXPERIENCE, An American Story" each week brings interviews with leaders in business, government, and non-profit organizations. They all have the same goal: building a strong community. Each of these groups provide jobs, products & services, and infrastructure for citizens. Visit our sponsors by clicking this link: https://www.thewacoexperience.com/sponsors Owners of Quality Cabinets - Thuy Phan and Quynh Pham. In this episode we hear their American story of coming to the United States with no resources or the language. Their success is founded on their hardships and caring for people. 💬 "When we first came to America, we actually were in the projects and we started with a slum lord. And we didn't know English at the time, and we didn't know our rights. " - Thuy Phan 🎧 Listen now on The WACO Experience: An American Story wherever you get your podcasts.Runtime: 28 minutes, 30 seconds Originally aired on KBBW Radio at 8:30 AM, Saturday, January 24, 2026. This episode is sponsored by: PresentGifting.com ChordBuddy.com Guitar & Ukulele Learning SystemBitty & Beau's Coffee, WacoHeart of Texas TV – Indoor Digital BillboardsQuality Cabinets - Delivery when you are ready.White Bluffs ConstructionIndependent Planner – For Independent ThinkersThe book, Networking for Students 📻 The WACO Experience: An American Story airs Saturdays at 8:30 AM on KBBW Radio – 105.9 FM in Waco, 101.3 FM in Killeen-Temple, 100.3 FM in Round Rock-Austin, and everywhere on the legendary 1010 AM. #theWACOexperience #radioshow #KBBW #motivationalListener #DScottSmith #TodaysOffice #TalkShow #1000thanks #Waco #WacoTexas #podcast

    29 min
  4. 19 JAN

    Nicholi Martinez of Startup Waco

    Visit our website: https://www.thewacoexperience.com/ Host D. Scott Smith of "The WACO EXPERIENCE, An American Story" each week brings interviews with leaders in business, government, and non-profit organizations. They all have the same goal: building a strong community. Each of these groups provide jobs, products & services, and infrastructure for citizens. Visit our sponsors by clicking this link: https://www.thewacoexperience.com/sponsors Nicholi Martinez of Startup Waco. In this episode Nicholi shares about his role in the business startup ecosystem - and plays original music. 💬 "I see amazing people taking leaps and strides to hit their dreams and goals...local businesses are what makes Waco so great." - Nicholi Martinez 🎧 Listen now on The WACO Experience: An American Story wherever you get your podcasts.Runtime: 28 minutes, 30 seconds Originally aired on KBBW Radio at 8:30 AM, Saturday, January 17, 2026. This episode is sponsored by: PresentGifting.com ChordBuddy.com Guitar & Ukulele Learning SystemBitty & Beau's Coffee, WacoHeart of Texas TV – Indoor Digital BillboardsQuality Cabinets - Delivery when you are ready.White Bluffs ConstructionIndependent Planner – For Independent ThinkersThe book, Networking for Students 📻 The WACO Experience: An American Story airs Saturdays at 8:30 AM on KBBW Radio – 105.9 FM in Waco, 101.3 FM in Killeen-Temple, 100.3 FM in Round Rock-Austin, and everywhere on the legendary 1010 AM. #theWACOexperience #radioshow #KBBW #motivationalListener #DScottSmith #TodaysOffice #TalkShow #1000thanks #Waco #WacoTexas #podcast

    29 min
  5. 12 JAN

    Community Volunteer & Entrepreneur Christine A. Smith

    Visit our website: https://www.thewacoexperience.com/ Host D. Scott Smith of "The WACO EXPERIENCE, An American Story" each week brings interviews with leaders in business, government, and non-profit organizations. They all have the same goal: building a strong community. Each of these groups provide jobs, products & services, and infrastructure for citizens. Visit our sponsors by clicking this link: https://www.thewacoexperience.com/sponsors Community volunteer and entrepreneur Christine A. Smith. In this episode how she integrated into a community where she did not even know one person when she moved to Waco 16 months ago. 💬 "We moved to Waco...for the people." - Christine A. Smith 🎧 Listen now on The WACO Experience: An American Story wherever you get your podcasts.Runtime: 28 minutes, 30 seconds Originally aired on KBBW Radio at 8:30 AM, Saturday, January 10, 2026. This episode is sponsored by: PresentGifting.com ChordBuddy.com Guitar & Ukulele Learning SystemBitty & Beau's Coffee, WacoHeart of Texas TV – Indoor Digital BillboardsQuality Cabinets - Delivery when you are ready.White Bluffs ConstructionIndependent Planner – For Independent ThinkersThe book, Networking for Students 📻 The WACO Experience: An American Story airs Saturdays at 8:30 AM on KBBW Radio – 105.9 FM in Waco, 101.3 FM in Killeen-Temple, 100.3 FM in Round Rock-Austin, and everywhere on the legendary 1010 AM. #theWACOexperience #radioshow #KBBW #motivationalListener #DScottSmith #TodaysOffice #TalkShow #1000thanks #Waco #WacoTexas #podcast

    29 min
  6. 5 JAN

    Elizabeth Meigs

    Visit our website: https://www.thewacoexperience.com/ Host D. Scott Smith of "The WACO EXPERIENCE, An American Story" each week brings interviews with leaders in business, government, and non-profit organizations. They all have the same goal: building a strong community. Each of these groups provide jobs, products & services, and infrastructure for citizens. Visit our sponsors by clicking this link: https://www.thewacoexperience.com/sponsors Transformational Speaker Elizabeth Meigs. In this episode Elizabeth shares her story from despair to success. Those who have benefited from her work include veterans, first responders, and those who are impacted by PTSD. 💬 "The doctors were preparing my family for my death." - Elizabeth Meigs. 🎧 Listen now on The WACO Experience: An American Story wherever you get your podcasts.Runtime: 28 minutes, 30 seconds Originally aired on KBBW Radio at 8:30 AM, Saturday, January 3, 2026. This episode is sponsored by: PresentGifting.com ChordBuddy.com Guitar & Ukulele Learning SystemBitty & Beau's Coffee, WacoHeart of Texas TV – Indoor Digital BillboardsQuality Cabinets - Delivery when you are ready.White Bluffs ConstructionIndependent Planner – For Independent ThinkersThe book, Networking for Students 📻 The WACO Experience: An American Story airs Saturdays at 8:30 AM on KBBW Radio – 105.9 FM in Waco, 101.3 FM in Killeen-Temple, 100.3 FM in Round Rock-Austin, and everywhere on the legendary 1010 AM. #theWACOexperience #radioshow #KBBW #motivationalListener #DScottSmith #TodaysOffice #TalkShow #1000thanks #Waco #WacoTexas #podcast

    29 min
  7. 29/12/2025

    Baylor Alumnus Greg Stephens

    Visit our website: https://www.thewacoexperience.com/ Host D. Scott Smith of "The WACO EXPERIENCE, An American Story" each week brings interviews with leaders in business, government, and non-profit organizations. They all have the same goal: building a strong community. Each of these groups provide jobs, products & services, and infrastructure for citizens. Visit our sponsors by clicking this link: https://www.thewacoexperience.com/sponsors Greg Stephens. In this episode Greg shares a deep insight into organizational culture. 💬 "We so often worry about things we can't do anything about. Even in a down economy business happens." - Greg Stephens 🎧 Listen now on The WACO Experience: An American Story wherever you get your podcasts.Runtime: 28 minutes, 30 seconds Originally aired on KBBW Radio at 8:30 AM, Saturday, December 27, 2025. This episode is sponsored by: ChordBuddy.com Guitar & Ukulele Learning SystemBitty & Beau's Coffee, WacoHeart of Texas TV – Indoor Digital BillboardsQuality Cabinets - Delivery when you are ready.White Bluffs ConstructionIndependent Planner – For Independent ThinkersThe book, Networking for Students 📻 The WACO Experience: An American Story airs Saturdays at 8:30 AM on KBBW Radio – 105.9 FM in Waco, 101.3 FM in Killeen-Temple, 100.3 FM in Round Rock-Austin, and everywhere on the legendary 1010 AM. #theWACOexperience #radioshow #KBBW #motivationalListener #DScottSmith #TodaysOffice #TalkShow #1000thanks #Waco #WacoTexas #podcast

    29 min
  8. 22/12/2025

    John Lomperis of Petros Network

    Visit our website: https://www.thewacoexperience.com/ Host D. Scott Smith of "The WACO EXPERIENCE, An American Story" each week brings interviews with leaders in business, government, and non-profit organizations. They all have the same goal: building a strong community. Each of these groups provide jobs, products & services, and infrastructure for citizens. Visit our sponsors by clicking this link: https://www.thewacoexperience.com/sponsors John Lomperis of PetrosNetwork.org. In this episode John shares about the missionary work of Petros Network. 💬 "Nearly 2 million people come to Christ in very remote, unreached areas of the world." - John Lomperis 🎧 Listen now on The WACO Experience: An American Story wherever you get your podcasts.Runtime: 28 minutes, 30 seconds Originally aired on KBBW Radio at 8:30 AM, Saturday, December 20, 2025. This episode is sponsored by: ChordBuddy.com Guitar & Ukulele Learning SystemBitty & Beau's Coffee, WacoHeart of Texas TV – Indoor Digital BillboardsQuality Cabinets - Delivery when you are ready.White Bluffs ConstructionIndependent Planner – For Independent ThinkersThe book, Networking for Students 📻 The WACO Experience: An American Story airs Saturdays at 8:30 AM on KBBW Radio – 105.9 FM in Waco, 101.3 FM in Killeen-Temple, 100.3 FM in Round Rock-Austin, and everywhere on the legendary 1010 AM. #theWACOexperience #radioshow #KBBW #motivationalListener #DScottSmith #TodaysOffice #TalkShow #1000thanks #Waco #WacoTexas #podcast

    29 min

About

An American Story – in Waco, Texas. The City of Waco is celebrating a significant anniversary – the 175th. Established in1849, Waco is a prospering community. This show is broadcast on KBBW from Waco in Central Texas and as a podcast. I’m D. Scott Smith, a new resident to Waco, inspired to create this radio program and podcast based on my many years of involvement with chambers of commerce. It’s been my experience that the local chamber is the one place in the universe where leaders from business, government, and non-profit organizations sit at the same table with the same goal: building nice communities. Each of these groups are necessary to reach that goal…and each has a different set of tools. Working together they provide jobs, products & services, and infrastructure for the citizens. In this program I interview leaders from businesses, our local governments, and non-profit organizations to gain insight, learn what is available, and…perhaps, get a little peek behind the scenes. You’ll get to know the people and their stories. Along the way, you may just learn more about yourself and your community. The Waco Experience is an American story. And though the individuals I speak with represent the Greater Waco area in Central Texas, this story is repeated in communities across America. Businesses, governments, and non-profit groups working together for a more perfect union; promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty. Seventy-three years after the founding of the United States of America, and 175 years ago, Waco, Texas was founded. A growing community. Like all communities, people have endured hardships and celebrated abundance. Wherever you live, the story of Waco is your story. I look forward to bringing you conversations with leaders from businesses, local government, and our non-profit community. You’ll discover that the story of Waco, Texas is similar to your own community. Thank you for joining me on this journey. Waco’s story, much like the story of America herself, is one of growth, resilience, and collaboration. Through the voices of business, government, and non-profit leaders, we will continue to explore how these key players work together to make our communities better places to live and work. The conversations we have in this program serve as a reminder that while each community is unique, the challenges we face and the solutions we create are universal. Whether you live in Waco or beyond, I know these stories will resonate with you and perhaps even inspire you to become more involved in your own community. I look forward to bringing you insightful discussions in the episodes ahead. Don’t forget - you can catch The Waco Experience every Saturday morning at 8:30 AM on KBBW in Central Texas (and share this podcast with those you know.) The Waco Experience, An American Story.