American Audacity

BLAISE REGAN
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

Show focused on how big and small issues affect the daily lives of Americans through conversations with elected officials, business owners, and exploration.

  1. 4h ago

    Texas Nobility - Jared Calvert - Pilot of Vintage Airplanes, Director of the Ranger Airfield, City Councilman for Ranger, Texas

    Jared Calvert has spent his life ferrying vintage biplanes across the country — landing on highways, wheat fields, and once for a Mission: Impossible shoot — but his real fight has been on the ground in Ranger, Texas, population 2,300 and falling. Since 2007 he’s single-handedly rebuilt Ranger Airfield, once visited by Amelia Earhart, into a working museum and refuge for antique aircraft, funded almost entirely by the aviation community and his own unpaid hours. Then the city tried to take it from him. After Ranger signed a contract letting private hangar owners build on the field, the city reversed course and demanded millions — a move that led to a breach-of-contract lawsuit, a government-immunity fight, and ultimately a full house-cleaning: 22 city officials removed, five elected positions recalled with 100% success, and Jared himself elected to city council with 78% of the vote. In this episode: what it actually costs to save a piece of Texas history nobody else was going to save, how one person’s willingness to stand up took down an entire city government, and why Jared says he still doesn’t feel proud of any of it — he was just doing what should’ve been done. Plus: flying planes older than your grandparents, sourcing engine parts for machines nobody makes anymore, and why vintage aviation is one of the last true levelers left in America.

    Texas Nobility - Jared Calvert - Pilot of Vintage Airplanes, Director of the Ranger Airfield, City Councilman for Ranger, Texas

  2. 4d ago

    Senator Charles Perry - Texas State Senator for Abilene, Lubbock, and San Angelo on Funding Water in Texas, Data Centers, Nuclear Energy, and Property Taxes

    In this episode, Blaise Regan sits down with Texas State Senator Charles Perry, who represents the people of Abilene, Lubbock, San Angelo, and the many counties in between. We kick things off with a fast-paced round of rapid-fire questions covering everything from the best West Texas barbecue and hidden canyon gems to his pick for the best college football team in the nation. Following the quick hits, Senator Perry dives into his personal journey—from growing up in Sweetwater, Texas, and studying at Texas Tech, to building a successful CPA practice before stepping into public office out of a conviction to "put up or shut up" regarding the direction of our state and country. He shares deep insights into the realities of the legislative process, the surprising level of bipartisan success in the Texas Senate, and his top legislative priorities, including long-term water funding and supporting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Later in the conversation, Senator Perry tackles critical infrastructure challenges facing Texas, breaking down the influx of data centers entering the state, how we manage their water usage and water funding demands, and the vital role of expanding energy and power production—with a specific focus on the potential and necessity of nuclear energy to secure Texas's future. We discuss if abolishing property taxes is even feasible, along with the Cedar Ridge Reservoir and state mandates on counties and cities. Senator Perry does not shy away from any answer, in fact, he is able to dive in on a granular level and his depth of knowledge is worth listening to for a Texan passionate about their state.  Tune in for an engaging conversation on West Texas leadership, resources, and the hard work it takes to serve well.

    Senator Charles Perry - Texas State Senator for Abilene, Lubbock, and San Angelo on Funding Water in Texas, Data Centers, Nuclear Energy, and Property Taxes

  3. 6d ago

    Texas Nobility - Emily Gernaat: Owner of Frontier and Legacy, Horse Trainer, and 4th Generation Dairy Farmer

    In this episode of Texas Nobility, we sit down with Emily Gernaat - the Owner of Frontier and Legacy Marketing in Texas, horse trainer in Tennessee and Texas, and a 4th Generation Dairy Farmer.  Texas Nobility is not just about being born in Texas, it's about the ethos, spirit, character, and values that embody and infuse the Texan way of life that makes a person noble. Hailing originally from Michigan before making her way down to Texas by way of Oklahoma and Tennessee, Emily shares her journey of building a life and creative business in West Texas. We dive into her roots working early-morning chores on a family dairy farm, the realities of creative entrepreneurship, capturing striking moments in wide-open country (including photographing big boy Mercer for the Everett Ranch), and what it truly means to live and work with Texas Nobility.

    Texas Nobility - Emily Gernaat: Owner of Frontier and Legacy, Horse Trainer, and 4th Generation Dairy Farmer

  4. Jul 16

    Joe Waldron - Superintendent of Abilene ISD

    Joe Waldron, the new Superintendent of Abilene ISD, answers 15 Rapid Fire Questions about Texas and then we dive into: -How the school voucher law has affected public education; -How the billions of new construction for data centers affect public education funding;  -How public education is really funded in Texas...first the taxpayers, then the state general funds, explained in an easy way to understand; -How AI is being implemented into schools and has changed how teachers teach and students learn; -How the ban on cell phones in schools has played out; -What the future of Abilene ISD holds for the next 3-5 years.

    Joe Waldron - Superintendent of Abilene ISD

  5. Jun 25

    Emily Crawford - Abilene City Manager

    Emily Crawford, the Abilene City Manager, answers 20 Rapid Fire Questions and then gets down into the nitty gritty. If you've wanted to know the  -projected growth of Abilene over the next ten years,  -how many temporary workers and permanent workers the data center is projected to employ,  -how much water the data center uses on the daily, monthly, and annually (hint: it may blow your mind, in a good way),  -how the City is looking at using the $21 million in 'surplus' sales tax it received this year,  -how it receives potentially $50 million over the next two years and then $4 million annually for the next 8 years.  This is one of my favorite episodes because she doesn't dodge any question, she answers with facts and in ways easily understood.  This is a must listen for Abilene residents, for Big Country residents, and really for anyone that is interested in hearing how a data center impacts a community.

    Emily Crawford - Abilene City Manager

  6. Jun 9

    Weldon Hurt - Mayor of Abilene, Texas

    Weldon Hurt, Mayor of Abilene, does 20 Rapid Fire Questions followed by an in depth discussion with Blaise Regan on: -the Data Centers, their impact on the community, the challenges they brought and the benefits, the safeguards and agreements on water, sounds, and taxes; -how Abilene will spend the $20 Million in additional sales tax revenue this year; -the Abilene Firefighters Association negotiation and what to expect; -the Housing issues and how long it will last; -the important but quiet issues not making the headlines; -and where Abilene will be in 10 years.

    Weldon Hurt - Mayor of Abilene, Texas

  7. Jun 4

    Tim Condon - Angry Cactus Owner & Executive Chef

    TIM CONDON, owner and executive chef of the Angry Cactus, answers 20 Rapid Fire questions about himself, Angry Cactus, and the restaurant industry, and followed by an in depth discussion about what it takes to open a second restaurant, the drive and passion, the differences between Abilene and San Angelo where his first restaurant is, his favorite dishes, the advice and tips he gives to new chefs, and much more.  Tim Condon is a man that embodies the difference between America and other countries...our drive, our passion, and our audacity to believe we can build and accomplish things before we know how. And then we go do it.  Angry Cactus opens late this Summer. Follow them on socials to see their soft opening dates and grand opening dates. You can also go have dinner at their downtown San Angelo location anytime.

    Tim Condon - Angry Cactus Owner & Executive Chef

  8. May 29

    Ben Bailey - Candidate for Abilene City Council

    Ben Bailey, candidate for Abilene City Council, answering 20 Rapid Fire questions followed by in depth discussion on how to spend $20 million in sale tax revenue, housing, how to budget time for public service, how we zone and increase the supply of housing, and where he'd like to see Abilene in ten years. Vote: Early voting starts Monday. Runoff Election Day is June 13th. Don't let others decide the budget for you.

    Ben Bailey - Candidate for Abilene City Council
See All (67)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Show focused on how big and small issues affect the daily lives of Americans through conversations with elected officials, business owners, and exploration.

Information

  • Creator
    BLAISE REGAN
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 American Audacity
  • Show Website
    American Audacity

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