In this episode, I sit down with Gary Pitner, a true Panhandle original and one of the most knowledgeable people you will ever meet when it comes to Amarillo and our region.
Gary has spent essentially his entire life in Amarillo and more than 40 years serving as Executive Director of the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission. Along the way, he has had a front-row seat to history — from watching the original Amarillo High burn downtown as a child, to helping secure the first medical helicopter for use in the Texas Panhandle.
He is not just a leader and planner… he's a storyteller and a historian with unmatched insight into the people, challenges, and progress that have shaped our community. Gary reminds us that the Panhandle as we know it isn't very old — and that real, meaningful change takes intention, persistence, and decades of work to move a community forward.
This episode is thoughtful, fascinating, and surprisingly fun — full of stories, wisdom, and a deep love for the Panhandle.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Black History Is Happening Now
A curated mix of conversations celebrating the voices, journeys, and truths defining Black history today. Presented by The Black Effect Podcast Network. Where Black Thoughts Live!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.