Life at Dead Cat Ranch

Stacy Betts

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Places & Travel

Life at Dead Cat Ranch the Podcast

6d ago

Which Location Should You Choose for a Photoshoot? A Texas Answer

If you've ever asked yourself which location you should choose for a photoshoot, this one's for you, y'all. In this episode, we talk through exactly what makes a great backdrop for commercial photography shoots, filming, documentaries, and creative projects — and why so many photographers keep coming back to the same 1,200 acres here in East Texas. I'm Stacy Betts, and we proudly operate Dead Cat Ranch in Palestine, Texas. When you're scouting a location, you're really weighing a handful of things: variety, light, access, privacy, and whether the people behind the property actually care about your vision. We'll walk through all of it. From wide-open pastures and tree lines to golden-hour sunsets best enjoyed from a rocking chair, spring dogwood blooms, and quiet spaces that give any shoot a renewed perspective, this land offers the kind of range that saves you from booking three separate locations. Here's what you'll learn: how to think through backdrop variety for a photoshoot, why light and timing matter more than most folks realize, what to ask a property owner before you book, and how exceptional hospitality can make or break a shoot day. Whether you're planning a commercial, a documentary, a family session, or a full creative production, we want you to feel confident in your choice. When you're ready to escape to nature and style, come see us. Visit deadcatranchtx.com or give us a call at 903-372-0728. We're located at 3775 FM 315, Palestine, Texas. Thank you for your time, sincerely — come out and relax, play, and stay at Dead Cat Ranch.
Aug 24

Best Place to Stay in Palestine, TX? Your Labor Day Family Escape

If you've been asking yourself, "What's the best place to stay in Palestine, Texas?" — well, y'all, we're so glad you found us. In this episode, we're talking about why Labor Day weekend is truly the sweet spot for a family escape here in East Texas, and how a little time on the land can leave you feeling recharged and carrying home a renewed perspective. I'm Stacy Betts, and we operate Dead Cat Ranch, a beautiful 1,200-acre getaway nestled in the picturesque landscape near Palestine, Texas. This place was originally my dad's ranch — a man who cherished every acre of it — and we've made it our mission to share that same beauty and warm Texas hospitality with families like yours. In this episode, you'll learn why that last long weekend of summer is the perfect time to gather everyone before the busy season sets in, what makes Palestine such a special corner of East Texas, and how our "Relax, Play, Stay" experience gives your family room to reconnect. We'll walk through everything from horseback riding, fishing, and ATV trails to the pool, hot tlub, and axe throwing — plus our bunkhouse that sleeps 20 and cozy Airstream lodging, so the whole family can stay together. Whether it's a family reunion, a couples getaway, or a girls' or guys' trip, we've got room for all of it. So grab a cup of coffee and let's plan your Labor Day escape. Come out and relax, play, stay at Dead Cat Ranch — book now at deadcatranchtx.com or give us a call at 903-372-0728. Thank you for your time, sincerely.
Aug 16

Can One Venue Really Sleep 20 and Keep Everyone Together?

So, how many people can a venue actually fit — and can one place really keep your whole group together under the same roof? Y'all, that's the question we're answering on this episode. Here at Dead Cat Ranch, our bunkhouse sleeps 20, and we're walking you through exactly how a group getaway comes together on our 1,200-acre family retreat in the beautiful landscape of East Texas. I'm Stacy Betts, and we founded Dead Cat Ranch in Palestine, Texas to give families, friends, and businesses a place to reconnect and escape the everyday. In this episode, we talk through what it really means to keep everyone together — from the 20-person bunkhouse to our Airstream lodging — and why togetherness matters so much for family reunions, church retreats, couples' and girls' and guys' trips, graduation celebrations, and corporate team-building weekends. We'll cover the honest questions folks ask before they book: how the sleeping arrangements work, how a big group shares the same space without feeling crowded, and how the whole "Relax, Play, Stay" experience comes to life with horseback riding, fishing, ATV trails, the pool and hot tub, and evenings spent watching sunsets from a rocking chair. Our whole heart here is exceptional hospitality — putting our guests first and helping y'all leave with a renewed perspective. When you're ready to gather your people for a weekend of relaxation and fun in nature, come see us at deadcatranchtx.com or give us a call at 903-372-0728. Come out and relax, play, stay at Dead Cat Ranch. Thank you for your time, sincerely.
Aug 10

What Makes a Retreat Successful? Lessons from Dead Cat Ranch

Welcome, y'all. Ever wonder what separates a forgettable weekend away from a retreat that leaves you truly transformed? In this episode, we sit down to talk about what actually makes a retreat successful — and it's not just the pretty scenery, though we've got 1,200 acres of that here in East Texas. We're Dead Cat Ranch, a family getaway nestled near Palestine, Texas, and over the years we've hosted corporate retreats, family reunions, church groups, romantic getaways, and creative shoots. Along the way, we've learned a few things about what makes folks leave feeling recharged and renewed. In this conversation, we walk you through the heart of our "Relax, Play, Stay" framework and why exceptional hospitality, real connection, and putting guests first are the foundation of every meaningful retreat. You'll hear our take on the biggest mistake retreat planners make (hint: it's forgetting the people), how the right balance of downtime and activity strengthens team cohesion and morale, and why fostering genuine fellowship matters more than a packed itinerary. Whether you're planning a corporate team-building retreat, a girls' trip, or a quiet couples getaway, we hope you'll walk away with a renewed perspective and a fresh idea or two. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in with us. When you're ready to escape the everyday, come out and relax, play, stay at Dead Cat Ranch. Visit us at deadcatranchtx.com or give us a call at 903-372-0728. We're at 3775 FM 315, Palestine, Texas. Thank you for your time, sincerely — looking forward to hearing from you.
Aug 2

What Does 1,200 Acres Really Look Like? A Tour of Dead Cat Ranch

Ever wondered what 1,200 acres of East Texas actually looks like? Come walk it with us. In this episode, we take y'all on a tour of Dead Cat Ranch, our family getaway nestled in the beautiful landscape near Palestine, Texas — and we promise, it's bigger and more breathtaking than words on a page can hold. We'll paint you a picture of what stretches across all this land: rolling pastures where the horses graze, quiet fishing spots, ATV trails winding through the trees, and those wide-open skies where the sunsets are best enjoyed from a rocking chair. We'll talk about the spaces where folks come to relax, play, and stay — from the bunkhouse that sleeps 20 to our Airstream lodging, the pool, the hot tub, and everything in between. Whether you're dreaming up a corporate retreat, a family reunion, a romantic getaway, or a commercial photography shoot, this episode will help you imagine how a place this size can hold every kind of gathering. Along the way, we'll share a little about why this land means so much to our family, and how we hope every guest leaves with a renewed perspective and a real sense of connection. This is a place built on exceptional hospitality, respect, and the simple joy of escaping the everyday together. When you're ready to see all 1,200 acres for yourself, come out and relax, play, stay at Dead Cat Ranch. Visit us at deadcatranchtx.com or give us a call at 903-372-0728. The trails are waiting. Thank you for your time, sincerely — y'all come see us.
Jul 24

Why "No" Is the Most Powerful Word at Dead Cat Ranch

Hey y'all, I'm Stacy Betts, and my family proudly operates Dead Cat Ranch — a 1,200-acre getaway nestled in the beautiful landscape of East Texas, right here in Palestine. In this episode, I'm getting honest about a little word that carries a whole lot of weight: "No." For years I thought saying no meant letting people down. But I've learned that "no" is actually how you protect the things that matter most — your guests, your team, your land, and your peace of mind. I'll share why setting boundaries has made Dead Cat Ranch a better place to relax, play, and stay. We'll talk about the guests I've had to turn away — the ones who showed disrespect or a lack of manners toward my employees, my property, and this land my father built. I'll be honest with y'all: standing up for fairness and respect is one of my non-negotiables, and saying no to the wrong fit is how I say yes to exceptional hospitality for everyone else. Whether you're planning a corporate retreat to boost morale, a family reunion, or a romantic getaway, this conversation is about the integrity, kindness, and accountability behind everything we do out here in East Texas. If you're a business owner, a parent, or just someone who struggles to draw a line, I think you'll walk away feeling a little more empowered to protect what you love. Ready to escape to nature and style? Come on out and relax, play, and stay with us. Visit deadcatranchtx.com or give us a call at (903) 372-0728. Thank you for your time — sincerely, looking forward to hearing from you. The trails are waiting.

6 Episodes

Life at Dead Cat Ranch the Podcast

Creator

Stacy Betts
Years Active

2026
Episodes

6
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Stacy Betts