Tag: Hill Country

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Hill Country Authors

Hill Country Authors Podcast: Dark Texas: A Worst-Case Look at the Texas Power Grid—Through Fiction

Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write about the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, host Tom Fox interviews fellow UT grad Charles J. Petrie about his novel Dark Texas, inspired by his frustration with articles claiming the Texas power grid failure during the Snowpocalypse “could have been worse.”

 

Petrie, a PhD in computer science with research experience, explains he dug into grid resilience and found deeper risks, including reliance on gas-fired generation even though gas pipeline pressure depends on electricity via compressors, and the vulnerability of black start capability: he says 82% of Texas black start generators were inoperable during the event, with some unable to run without electricity or stored fuel oil, and others not maintained in a competitive market. Petrie chose fiction because a technical treatment became too complex and a novel could make people care; he describes characters taking over the writing, cites influences and craft lessons from various authors, shares he’s drafted a sequel prompted by a dark epilogue, and recounts publishing with Stoney Creek Publishing after 50 agent rejections.

Key highlights:

  • Why Write Dark Texas
  • Texas Grid Risks Explained
  • Black Start Breakdown
  • Turning Research Into Fiction
  • Characters Take Over
  • Authors and Writing Lessons
  • Finding a Publisher

Resources:

Dark Texas on Stoney Creek Publishing

Connect with Charles on Facebook

Learn more about Stoney Creek Publishing

Podcast Cover Art

Nancy Huffman Fine Art

Tom Fox

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

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The Hill Country Podcast

The Hill Country Podcast: Kerr250’s Evolution Car Show: Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday and Community Resilience

Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this one of the most unique areas of Texas. In this episode, host Tom Fox speaks with Doug Hetzler about Kerr250, a community effort to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary leading up to July 4, 2026.

They discuss the “Evolution Car Show” envisioned as 250 cars displayed in chronological order to show the evolution of American auto manufacturing. The event will be a free show at Louise Hays Park, featuring food trucks and vendors, with the aim of rebuilding positive community memories after the flood. Doug describes other Kerr250 initiatives, including DAR-supported flag displays on Sydney Baker Street, commemorative tree sales with medallions, and a Fourth on the River program split into a memorial and a celebration. He emphasizes broad community participation, provides the website (kerr250.com) and contact (info@kerr250.com), and encourages inclusion of everyday vehicles, not just high-end classics.

Highlights include:

  • Vision for Evolution Car Show
  • What Is Kerr250
  • How to Join and Website
  • Why 250 Years Matter
  • Car Show Open to All Cars

Resources:

Kerr250 Website

Evolution Car Show

Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts

Hill Country Authors Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

Cover Art

Nancy Huffman

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Hill Country Hustlers

Hill Country Hustlers: Mason County Chamber Momentum: Events, Small Business Growth & Putting Mason on the Digital Map

On Hill Country Hustlers, host Zachary Green interviews Taylor Krull, Executive Director of the Mason County Chamber of Commerce since July 2025, about her background, her move from the Midwest to Texas, and why Mason’s people and tight-knit Hill Country culture drew her in.

Taylor shares how she brought stronger organization and processes to the Chamber with volunteer help, expanded member support through social media marketing and on-site video creation, and built regional collaboration with nearby chambers. She highlights upcoming events including the Mason Arts & Wine Festival (first weekend of April), a Mason–Brady joint mixer at Peters Prairie (April 9), a May mixer (May 7), quarterly Ladies Night Out (next May 15), June’s first Hotdog & Hot Rod Night with a car show and street dance, and July’s Roundup Weekend (July 11) with added festivities, plus ways Chamber membership helps businesses with visibility and promotion.

Key highlights:

  • How Mason Became Home
  • Why Mason Stood Out & Career Before the Chamber
  • Launching New Chamber Events & Hitting the Ground Running
  • Social Media for Small Towns
  • Hill Country Unity and Flood Response
  • Spring & Summer Events Lineup
  • Hill Country Community Spirit & Why Mason Feels Unique

Resources:

Follow Mason County Chamber of Commerce on:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

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The Hill Country Podcast

The Hill Country Podcast – Inside Local Journalism in Kerr County with Irene Van Winkle

Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this one of the most unique areas of Texas. Today, Tom Fox visited with Irene Van Winkle, a writer, journalist, and photographer for the West Kerr Current newspaper in Ingram.

Irene shares her journey into journalism, experiences working at various local media outlets, and the critical role local newspapers play in small communities like Kerr County. She discusses the unique aspects of local journalism, the impact of natural disasters like floods on the community, and how local media helps in bringing the community together. Irene also touches on the importance of high school sports and the supportive community networks in smaller towns. The episode concludes with Irene’s personal connection to Ukraine and her support for the country’s fight for freedom.

Key highlights:

  • Irene’s Background and Journey to Kerr County
  • Career in Journalism
  • The Print Media Scene in Kerr County
  • The Role and Character of the West Kerr Current
  • Impact of Local Sports Coverage
  • July 4th Flood and Community Resilience
  • Rebuilding and Recovery Efforts

West Kerr Current

 Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts

Hill Country Authors Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

Cover Art

Nancy Huffman

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Hill Country Hustlers

Hill Country Hustlers – Overcoming Adversity and Building Success: Isaias Rojo’s Journey in Construction

In this episode of the Hill Country Hustlers podcast, host Zachary Green sits down with Isaias Rojo, a young and driven entrepreneur from Kerrville, Texas.

Isaias shares his journey from a challenging foot injury to launching a successful concrete and construction business with his father in 2021. They discuss the highs and lows of starting and running a business, emphasizing the importance of hard work and perseverance, and offer valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. Discover how Isaias balances his work with family, the lessons he has learned along the way, and his passion for the concrete industry.

Key highlights:

  • Isaias’s Backstory and Early Life
  • Starting a Business with Family
  • Business Operations and Services
  • Challenges and Overcoming Adversity
  • Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Resources:

Visit Rojo Concrete and Construction on:

Facebook

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Hill Country Hustlers

Hill Country Hustlers: Building a Business with Heart: Juan Marquez’s Journey with NVS Custom and Collisions

In this episode of the Hill Country Hustlers podcast, Juan Marquez, co-owner of NVS Customs & Collision, shares his entrepreneurial journey, from the company’s inception in 2011 with his brother Alex, to becoming one of the busiest collision and restoration shops in the area.

Juan discusses the key struggles they faced, such as gaining customer trust and managing growth, and emphasizes the importance of passion, transparency, and strong customer relationships in their business model. He also offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the significance of loving what you do over solely focusing on making money.

Key highlights:

  • Juan Marquez’s Journey
  • Growth with Quality
  • Team and Leadership
  • Customer Relationships
  • Lessons for Entrepreneurs

Resources:

Visit and Follow NVS Customs & Collision on:

Instagram

Facebook

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Hill Country Hustlers

Hill Country Hustlers – Exploring the Journey and Services of Wine-Heimer Tours LLC with JD Rose

In this episode of the Hill Country Hustlers Podcast, host Zachary Green welcomes JD Rose, also known as Duane Weinheimer, to discuss his company, Wine-Heimer Tours LLC.

They dive into JD’s background, how he got started in the wine tour and transportation business, his experiences with Uber, and the transition to owning party buses and a van for wine tours in Fredericksburg. JD emphasizes the importance of safety and fun in his services, which include party buses with karaoke, wedding shuttles, and more. He also emphasizes the importance of referrals and repeat business and shares his insights on marketing and social media. Additionally, JD introduces his newly adopted dog, Scarlet, and discusses the impact of community support during challenging times. The episode concludes with a mutual appreciation for the vibrant communities of Kerrville and Fredericksburg and a call to explore local wine tours.

Key highlights:

  • The Origin of Wine-Heimer Tours LLC
  • Party Buses and Wine Tour Experience
  • Wine Tours and Transportation Safety
  • Challenges in the Wine Tour Business
  • Adopting Scarlet: A Heartwarming Story

Resources:

Visit Wine-Heimer Tours LLC on:

Business Website

Instagram

Facebook

Follow JD Rose on:

Facebook

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Magnificent 7 Rides Again

The Magnificent 7 Rides Again: Reflections and Future Plans: A Conversation with Elaine Capers

Welcome to The Magnificent 7 Rides Again, a captivating podcast series that delves into the vibrant world of seven talented female artists painting amidst the breathtaking landscapes, wildlife and vistas of the Texas Hill Country. Join us as we explore their creative journeys, uncover the inspirations behind their work, and celebrate their unique perspectives on art and life.

In this Season 2, we visit with the artists after their 2024 exhibit, The Magnificent Seven Rides Again, at the Kerrville Art and Culture Center. In this episode, host Tom Fox welcomes back Elaine Capers.

Elaine shares her positive reflections on this year’s show, including the diverse and beautiful subject matters that captivated a wide audience from different regions. She highlights the enthusiasm of both returning and new patrons, including children who were fascinated by the artwork, specifically Deanna Eixman’s paintings of baby animals.

Elaine also delves into her personal experiences and successes during the show, like new commissions and sales, discussing how she unwinds and finds inspiration for future projects. She touches on the importance of continual growth as an artist, recounting a pivotal workshop decision that influenced her journey. Looking ahead, Elaine expresses excitement about experimenting with watercolors and planning for the upcoming shows, with ideas already forming for next year’s exhibition. This episode offers an insightful look at the ups and downs of an artist’s journey and the community’s support surrounding it.

Key Highlights:

  • Reflections on This Year’s Show
  • Exploring New Artistic Directions
  • Personal Growth and Artistic Journey
  • Looking Forward to Next Year’s Show

Resources:

Elaine Capers on Instagram

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

The Hill Country Artists Facebook Page

Categories
The Hill Country Podcast

The Hill Country Podcast: Layng Guerriero on The Guadalupe River Center

Welcome to award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this one of the most unique areas of Texas.

This week,  Tom talks with Layng Guerriero about his journey from Houston to Kerrville and his involvement in local community projects.

They delve into the development of the Guadalupe River Center, a visionary project aimed at creating a multi-use facility by Nimitz Lake.

The episode explores the origins, partnerships, and components of the project, including state-of-the-art river access facilities, vocational training, and environmental stewardship.

Guerrero also shares insights into the importance of Rotary Club and public-private partnerships in driving community improvements.

Key Highlights:

  • Moving to Kerrville: A Personal Journey
  • Rotary Club Experience
  • The Guadalupe River Center Project
  • Community Involvement and Public-Private Partnerships
  • River Center Features, Educational and Environmental Initiatives
  • Importance of the River Center for the future of Kerrville

Resources:

Guadalupe River Center

Other Hill Country-Focused Podcasts

Hill Country Authors Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

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The Hill Country Podcast

The Hill Country Podcast: A Deep Dive into Filmmaking with CJ Goodwyn

Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas.

This week Tom visits Hill Country movie director CJ Goodwyn, who shares his journey from growing up in Kerrville, his transition into the film industry, and his experiences making feature films.

They discuss his creative process, the challenges he faced, and his most recent works, including ‘GH5,’ ‘Jackson,’ ‘Eyes of a Roman,’ and ‘Sherlock Holmes: Mare of the Night.’ CJ also talks about his approach to humanizing the iconic character of Sherlock Holmes and his unique methods of screenwriting and production in the Texas Hill Country.

Key Highlights:

  • CJ Goodwyn’s Early Life and Entry into Filmmaking
  • The Journey of Making the First Feature Film
  • Exploring CJ’s Feature Films and Creative Process
  • Deep Dive into ‘Sherlock Holmes: Mirror of the Night’
  • The Creative Process Behind Screenwriting
  • Filmmaking in the Texas Hill Country
  • Future Projects and Where to Find CJ’s Work

Resources

CJ Goodwyn on Linkedin

CJ Goodwyn on YouTube

CJ Goodwyn on Facebook

Other Hill Country-Focused Podcasts

Hill Country Authors Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network