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In this episode of Texas Nobility, host Blaise Regan sits down with Taylor County Expo Center Executive Director Rochelle Johnson—the day before the gates open for the West Texas Fair & Rodeo! From starting out as a college receptionist to spearheading the massive $55M transformation of the grounds, Rochelle shares the incredible inside story of keeping West Texas heritage alive and thriving. In this episode, we cover:  -From the Ground Up: How decades of hard work and the 2016 bond shaped today's world-class facilities.  -Fair Secrets: What really goes into pulling off massive events like the West Texas Fair and the Western Heritage Classic.  -Big Country Growth: A candid look at Abilene’s booming economy, local data centers, and tackling the housing and hotel crunch.  -Leadership 101: Hard-earned advice for nonprofit directors and community boards.  Listen now!

Taylor County Republican Party Chairman Ryan Goodwin joins Blaise Regan on Abilene It’s Getting Better to discuss local leadership, volunteer-driven politics, and the major policy issues shaping Texas. They discuss:  Grassroots Politics: Why face-to-face neighborhood connections and dedicated precinct chairs remain the heartbeat of local voter turnout.  The Data Center Boom: Balancing the economic wins for Abilene businesses with the urgent need for water, housing, and regulatory guardrails.  School Choice & Property Taxes: Navigating school funding realities, the push to eliminate STAR testing, and the complex path toward property tax relief.  The 2026 Midterms: A candid look at the high-stakes Senate race between Talarico and Paxton, party platforms, and why voter engagement matters up and down the ballot.

What does it take to transform a regional university into a Division I national player while keeping local community roots deeply planted?  In this episode of American Audacity, host Blaise Regan sits down with ACU Athletic Director Zack Lassiter. From navigating the turbulent waters of modern college athletics—including Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the transfer portal—to discussing the explosive growth of Abilene's infrastructure along the I-20 corridor, Zack shares an insider's perspective on leadership, culture-building, and what it truly means to run a mission-driven athletic department. Zack discusses: -His transition from major public athletic powerhouses (LSU, Oregon State, Utah) to ACU five years ago, and why taking a bold leap into Division I athletics was a game-changer for the university and the broader "Big Country" region.  -Connecting Town and Gown: How ACU shifted from a traditional "box office" mindset to an active community partner, welcoming non-alums and local families into top-tier athletic experiences.  -The Modern Collegiate Landscape: A candid look at the realities of the transfer portal, NIL economics, and why culture, self-awareness, and disciplined leadership still outweigh raw funding dollars.  -Hiring for Character: Zack breaks down his precise philosophy for scouting and hiring head coaches who align with ACU's core institutional mission.  -National Visibility: The lasting cultural and enrollment ripple effects of ACU's historic March Madness run and how athletic success puts a city on the national map.

In this episode of Abilene: It's Getting Better with American Audacity, host Blaise Regan sits down with Joey Light, the long-serving superintendent of Wiley ISD in Abilene, Texas. As he prepares to wrap up his remarkable 19-year tenure, Superintendent Light reflects on the explosive growth of the district, modern educational hurdles, and the deep roots that keep a growing West Texas school district feeling like home. Joey discusses: - Rapid Growth & Expansion: From a graduating class of roughly 175 students two decades ago to managing modern class sizes approaching 500 per grade level, He shares how it's different playing in a 3A class versus a 5A now.  - Facilities & Capital Improvements: An inside look at the implementation of Wylie's $240 million bond package, including the newly opened South Elementary, expansions at the high school, state-of-the-art career and technology education (CTE) classrooms, and upgraded athletic facilities.  - Policy in Practice: A candid discussion on cell phone ban, the shift away from screens in school, and House bill 6 on discipline in public schools.  - School Safety & The Marshal Program: Light details the evolution of campus security in Abilene, explaining the district's proactive approach to safety, the introduction of school resource officers (SROs), and the role of the Texas school marshal program. - The Voucher Debate & Educational Landscape: Discusses the state's school voucher program, accountability standards, and the reality of private school capacities in West Texas. - Looking Ahead: Reflections on future district planning—including the long-term possibility of a second high school—and Superintendent Light's advice for the community as a new school year kicks off. Listen & Subscribe

"Kids these days don't have the work ethic and respect we had growing up." You've heard a variation of that line a million times from your generation and the older generation. Learn the reasons why and what can be done to help the next generation of boy become men. In this powerful episode Blaise Regan sits down with Chris Daughtery, the founder of the transformative From Boys to Gentlemen program in Abilene.  After rapid-fire questions on tie-tying, mentorship, and the toughest kid to reach, Chris digs into the real work: -why single moms sometimes become disciplinarians at the cost of nurturing,  -why single dads carry a different and less-discussed wound; -why “I’m not going anywhere” might be the worst thing a mentor can promise an abandoned kid.  Chris discusses: The Four Pillars of Youth Development: Why emotional intelligence, critical thinking, communication, and conflict resolution are non-negotiable for today's youth. Flipping the Script on Single-Parent Dynamics: Chris shares eye-opening insights into how trauma responses and hyper-correction manifest in single-mother and single-father households—and how community stepping stones fill the gap. Unpacking the "Emotional Closet": Why anger is often the only socially acceptable outlet for boys, and how mentors can safely help them process suppression and abandonment. Advice for Educators: Practical wisdom on maintaining healthy boundaries, avoiding burnout, and mastering the art of "doing no harm" in the classroom. Support the Mission & Connect Help Chris and the team scale their impact through the $115,000 campaign (One Mission, One Community, Five Commitments) to hire dedicated staff and expand the From Boys to Gentlemen program in local schools:  Website: fbthenumber2g.com  Instagram: ⁠@fbtg_mentoring⁠  Nonprofit Fiscal Sponsor: Wealth Empowers the People (501(c)(3))

Jay Patterson, Abilene City Councilman, answers 15 Rapid Fire Questions and then discusses: -The benefits and challenges of the data centers in Abilene; -How the $21 million "surplus" sales tax revenue will be used; -Airport improvements; -and as owner of a cigar shop, the Leaf, what mistakes new cigar smokers make.  Take a listen and enjoy!

Riley Rodriguez does 20 Rapid Fire Question and then it's a lively discussion between him and the host Blaise Regan on: -regulating Data Centers, removing incentives, and addressing housing issues; -How the government should regulate rent and rentals and Riley's details on this; -Small government versus big government role; -Abortion and Transgender issues as a Democrat in West Texas; -Giving more power from the legislature to the counties and cities; -Whether America should have a Third Party/Multi Party system and the effect of "Big Money" in politics, and much more.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.