The Scott Townsend Show

Scott Townsend
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The Scott Townsend Show explores meaningful ideas, interesting people, books, culture, and everyday life through thoughtful conversations, practical insights, and a healthy dose of humor.

  1. Oct 15

    #261 What's Next For Bartlesville? A Conversation with David Austin

    What does Bartlesville need to do today to make sure it's a great place to live tomorrow? In this episode of The Scott Townsend Show, I sit down with my good friend David Austin, who's running for the Ward 2 seat on the Bartlesville City Council in the November 3 election. David and I have known each other for years, and while we've talked plenty about football and his impressive collection of NFL memorabilia, this time we're talking about something a little closer to home: the future of Bartlesville. We get into some of the biggest issues facing our community, including economic development, affordable housing, water security, infrastructure, and the city's use of automated license plate reader cameras. We also discuss whether data centers would be a good fit for our community, how city resources should be distributed among the five wards, and what kind of growth Bartlesville should pursue. And because this is The Scott Townsend Show, we also manage to talk about breakfast cereal, football, David's journalism career, and the five Super Bowls he's attended. Topics we cover: Why David decided to run for Ward 2 Bartlesville's housing shortage and the proposed Rebuild Capitol Hill initiative Attracting businesses and creating good-paying jobs The potential benefits and drawbacks of data centers Protecting Bartlesville's long-term water supply Street improvements and allocating resources fairly among the five wards Flock cameras, public safety, and personal privacy City budgets, spending priorities, and tourism David's leadership philosophy and his background in journalism, corporate communications, and community service Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome and introduction to David Austin 04:08 – Why David is running for Ward 2 06:15 – Infrastructure, streets, and housing needs 10:00 – Economic development and bringing jobs to Bartlesville 13:57 – Would data centers be good for Bartlesville? 17:57 – Affordable housing and Rebuild Capitol Hill 20:20 – Bartlesville's water supply and long-term planning 27:53 – How street improvement funds are allocated 30:41 – Working with the state on major road improvements 33:39 – David's philosophy of servant leadership 35:37 – Flock cameras, public safety, and privacy 44:00 – City finances and responsible budgeting 45:44 – What would success on the City Council look like? 48:34 – David's background and community involvement 52:28 – Football, marriage, and five Super Bowls 54:15 – How voters can learn more about David Austin 55:40 – Closing thoughts► Subscribe to my Youtube channel --- https://bit.ly/3iV8sOT Resources and Links -------------------------------------------- My contact info: LinkedIn https://bit.ly/2ZZ4qwe Twitter https://bit.ly/3enLDQa Facebook https://bit.ly/2Od4ItO Instagram https://bit.ly/2ClncWl Executive Producer: Ben Townsend Creative Consultant: Matthew Blue Townsend Follow The Scott Townsend Show podcast on Spotify https://spoti.fi/3eDwLgG iTunes https://apple.co/3jAwCyu Stitcher https://bit.ly/3gYaDiO TuneIn https://bit.ly/2OzlH9V Voice Actor: Britney McCullough Logo by Angie Jordan https://blog.angiejordan.com/contact/ Theme Song by Androzguitar https://www.fiverr.com/inbox/androzguitar

  2. Oct 1

    #260 Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Be Useful

    I liked Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life. Some of it was basic, and some stories were familiar—but the book still gave me plenty to think about. In Episode 260 of The Scott Townsend Show, I share my honest reaction to the book, including a passage about reconnecting with what you loved doing when you were young. I also discuss why his examples of leadership as governor of California stood out to me, especially his willingness to own his mistakes. The section about complaining hit close to home. Pointing out a problem is easy. Deciding what I’m willing to do about it takes more effort. Have you read Be Useful? Which idea stayed with you? Let me know in the comments. Subscribe to The Scott Townsend Show, and share this episode with someone who enjoys books about leadership and personal growth. Feedback: scott@scotttownsend.info #BeUseful #ArnoldSchwarzenegger #bookreview Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and overall reaction 00:40 The seven concepts 01:05 Having a clear vision 02:25 Leadership as governor and owning mistakes 03:25 Shifting gears: complaining versus taking action 05:05 Familiar advice worth practicing 05:35 My recommendation and closing thoughts ►Subscribe to my Youtube channel --- https://bit.ly/3iV8sOT You can look for these videos every week, so please hit subscribe to stay in the loop for each new show!

  3. Oct 1

    #259 The 9 Worst Ways To Complain At Work

    In this episode, I walk through some of the most damaging ways people handle complaints at work and at home—and why those habits create more conflict instead of solving the original problem. I explain how a legitimate concern can turn into an angry blowup, a rumor campaign, or an even bigger workplace problem. This episode is for anyone who wants to raise concerns without damaging trust, morale, or their own credibility. For now, I’m focusing on what not to do. I’ll save the better ways to raise a concern for a follow-up episode. Key topics Waiting until my anger builds up and then exploding in the car, hallway, store, or meeting Complaining to everyone except the person who can actually help How gossip and whisper campaigns damage trust and workplace culture Attacking someone’s character instead of describing the specific behavior Using loaded words such as “always,” “never,” “lazy,” or “stupid” to exaggerate an issue Presenting rumors as facts after information gets distorted through the telephone game Complaining publicly, including in front of customers, coworkers, or children Sending angry texts or emails in the moment instead of letting them sit Identifying a problem without explaining the outcome I want Retaliating against someone for raising a concern through whispers, lies, or blocked opportunities Time Stamps: 00:00 — Introduction 00:08 — The worst way to complain 00:55 — How complaining drains people and workplaces 01:25 — The wrong ways to complain 02:24 — Don’t wait until anger builds up 03:22 — What happens when you explode 04:25 — The impact on coworkers and family 05:35 — Complaining to everyone except the person who can help 06:34 — How complaints become character assassination 07:55 — Complaining erodes trust and workplace culture 09:19 — Attack behavior, not someone’s character 10:52 — Avoid “always,” “never,” and name-calling 13:25 — Don’t present rumors as facts 14:53 — Don’t complain publicly or in front of customers 17:24 — Don’t send angry texts or emails 18:06 — Explain the desired outcome, not just the problem 19:27 — Never retaliate against someone who raises a concern 22:56 — Recap: the worst ways to complain 23:50 — Building healthier communication habits 25:21 — Like, comment, and support the show 25:49 — Closing thoughts 26:33 — Find more episodes ► Subscribe to my Youtube channel --- https://bit.ly/3iV8sOT

  4. Sep 16

    #258 Customer Service As A Practice

    Customer service is usually treated as a department, a slogan, or a survey score. In this episode, I make the case that it is better understood as a professional practice—a craft built through judgment, reflection, and thousands of small encounters with real people.

  5. Sep 11

    #257 Where Were You on 9/11?

    Where were you on September 11, 2001? In Episode 257 of The Scott Townsend Show, I sit down with my brother, Ben Townsend—a rancher and regular contributor to the show—to remember the morning that changed America. Ben recalls driving to work at USAA in San Antonio when the first reports described a small plane hitting the World Trade Center. By the time he reached the office, employees were gathering around televisions. Then they watched the second plane strike, and it became clear that this was no accident. I share my memories of traveling from Bartlesville to Tulsa that morning and entering the Williams Center, a skyscraper that suddenly felt very different as the news unfolded. We talk about the confusion and horror of that day, the courage and kindness that followed, and the sense of unity Americans experienced afterward. Twenty-five years later, we also ask a difficult question: How do we preserve the memory of 9/11 for generations who were not yet born—and how do we recover some of the unity we have lost? Subscribe to The Scott Townsend Show for conversations about people, ideas, books, leadership, culture, and the moments that shape us. #September11 #NeverForget #911Remembrance #AmericanHistory #TheScottTownsendShow

  6. Sep 2

    I Tried To Pay My Library Fine

    I Tried to Pay My Library FineI recently returned two overdue library books expecting to pay a fine. Instead, I learned that my local library no longer charges overdue fines. That announcement surprised me. I’ve been going to the library since I was a child, when my grandfather would take me to pick out books. Back then, returning a book on time—and paying a small fine when you didn’t—was simply part of the arrangement. In this episode, I reflect on how much libraries have changed and wrestle with what happens when the financial consequence for an overdue book disappears. Does eliminating fines make libraries more welcoming and accessible, or does it make due dates feel optional? In This EpisodeMy childhood trips to the library with my grandfatherThe old machine used to record checked-out booksReturning two books that were more than a month overdueMy surprise when I learned that there was no fineWhy borrowing a shared resource comes with responsibilityHow overdue books can affect the next readerWhy fines may discourage some people and families from returningWhether eliminating fines improves access without reducing accountabilityWhy public libraries remain extraordinary community resourcesQuestions to ConsiderHas your local library eliminated overdue fines?Does removing fines encourage more people to use the library?Without a penalty, what motivates readers to return books on time?Is the due date still meaningful if there is no financial consequence?Do the benefits of improved access outweigh concerns about responsibility?Join the ConversationHave you noticed fines disappearing at your local library? Do you think going fine-free is a good idea? Share your thoughts in the comments or email me at scott@scotttownsend.info. Connect With the ShowWebsite: thescotttownsendshow.com YouTube: @TheScottTownsendShow

  7. Aug 27

    #255 The Complete Don Quixote as Adapted By Rob Davis - A Review

    I finally discovered the story behind the famous phrase “tilting at windmills” after finding Rob Davis’s illustrated adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes’s Don Quixote at my local library. What I expected to be a funny tale about an overly confident would-be knight became a surprisingly thoughtful story about imagination, purpose, friendship, and the stories we create about ourselves. In this episode, I discuss Davis’s inventive artwork, Don Quixote’s questionable grip on reality, and poor Sancho Panza—the loyal sidekick who keeps following his friend into trouble, usually while thinking about his next meal. I also explain why this accessible adaptation earned five stars from me and made me want to tackle Cervantes’s original novel.

  8. Aug 5

    #254 Burn and Learn w/Tyler Glenn

    In this episode of the Scott Townsend Show, Tyler Glenn shares his journey from a casual cook to the founder of Red Dirt Rubs, a seasoning company rooted in Oklahoma culture. He discusses his passion for cooking, the challenges of developing unique flavor profiles, and the importance of community engagement in building his brand. Tyler emphasizes the art of barbecue, the significance of fire control, and the leap of faith it took to transition from sharing his seasonings with friends and family to selling them commercially. He also highlights the marketing strategies that have helped him succeed in a competitive market.TakeawaysTyler Glenn's journey began with a passion for cooking and seasoning. He learned to cook through trial and error, influenced by family. Barbecue is an art that requires control over fire. Confidence in his product came from positive feedback from friends and family. Creating unique flavor profiles involves a lot of experimentation. The seasoning market is highly competitive, requiring standout products. Consistency in product quality is crucial for customer trust. Community engagement plays a vital role in his business success. Tyler emphasizes the importance of American-made products. He has built a strong reputation with consistent five-star reviews. Website: https://www.thescotttownsendhow.netlify.app Sound Bites00:

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5
out of 5
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About

The Scott Townsend Show explores meaningful ideas, interesting people, books, culture, and everyday life through thoughtful conversations, practical insights, and a healthy dose of humor.

Information

  • Creator
    Scott Townsend
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    261
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Scott Townsend
  • Show Website
    The Scott Townsend Show

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