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

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

  1. 4d ago

    The Leader Fast Lane - Episode 24 - with Derek McIntire, COO of TCP Software

    Send us Fan Mail Derek McIntire, COO of TCP Software, joins me in this episode. Derek is an exceptional leader of a highly successful business and shares best practices on engaging with AI/LLMs, leading with vision, qualities he most values in leaders, and the impact Angelo State University has had on him.

  2. Jul 13

    The Leader Fast Lane - Episode 23 - with General David Hill, Executive Director of the Society of American Military Engineers

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I am joined by General (ret.) David Hill, Executive Director of the Society of American Military Engineers, and the former Commandant of the United States Army War College. In our conversation, General Hill shares why: Leadership is never about yourself—it's about the mission and the people entrusted to you.Humility means taking responsibility when things go wrong and giving credit when they go right.Kindness and high standards are not opposites—they reinforce one another.Optimism isn't wishful thinking; it's a leader's responsibility during uncertainty.

  3. Jul 6

    The Leader Fast Lane - Episode 22 - with Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Leader Fast Lane, I sit down with Texas Tech University President Lawrence Schovanec for a candid conversation about leadership in one of higher education's most complex environments. Drawing on more than four decades at Texas Tech—as professor, dean, provost, and president—Dr. Schovanec shares practical insights on making difficult decisions, leading through uncertainty, balancing competing stakeholder interests, and keeping an institution focused on its mission. The conversation explores the importance of humility, empathy, strategic thinking, and maintaining hope during times of significant change, offering leadership lessons that apply well beyond higher education.

  4. Jun 29

    The Leader Fast Lane - Episode 21 - with Jesse Rudy, Founder/CEO of Redeem International

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I talk with an old colleague, Jesse Rudy, who is the Founder & CEO of Redeem International, a Christian non-profit dedicated to protecting some of the world's most vulnerable widows and orphans from violent abuse and exploitation.  Jesse is a leader I greatly admire. Listen as he shares about the risks of conflating your profession with your identity, how to deal with anxiety and stress in a healthy, sustainable way, and how to prepare yourself to have difficult conversations.

  5. Jun 22

    The Leader Fast Lane - Episode 20 - with Mike Millegan, Founder/CEO of the Millegan Advisory Group

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I talk with Mike Millegan, an exceptional leader of four decades across several sectors. An alumnus of Angelo State University, Mike considers his time at ASU as formative and foundational to his remarkable career success.

  6. Jun 15

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

    Send us Fan Mail In 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 learner 20:54 - Collaboration and competition are needed to achieve big things 32:14 - Make decisions based on values and information on hand, and be willing to pivot if need to 40:00 - Trust your people, and verify with grace 46:58 - For emerging leaders, a strong work ethic and a sense of others-focus are key

  7. Jun 8

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

    Send us Fan Mail In 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 operations 7:02 - His motto: People First. Purpose Always. Team Over All 11:51 - How to balance tradition and innovation/change 18:57 - How to maintain professional accountability without creating fear 24:06 - Leaders in new roles should focus in listening & relationship-building 35:24 - The importance of constructive conflict 37:41 - The difference between networking and relationship-building

  8. Jun 1

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

    Send us Fan Mail In 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 & learner 8:37 - Letting the journey take you where it takes you 15:00 - Why it is important to surround yourself with wise people 19:24 - Leading with an abundance - as opposed to scarcity - mindset 24:29 - Building team culture and enjoying the fruits of a healthy team 32:14 - How to build a coalition of diverse constituents 41:11 - Avoiding burnout: take off the superhero cape 49:22 - It's ok to fail, as failure is learning

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

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