Hey Amarillo

This week on Hey Amarillo, I'm joined by America Adame, Executive Director of the Wesley Community Center in Amarillo's El Barrio neighborhood.

The Wesley provides an incredible range of services that support families and strengthen community, and A...

This week on Hey Amarillo, we sit down with Paul Borchardt, who, until very recently, ran one of Amarillo's most beloved and historic landmarks: Wonderland Amusement Park.

Paul's story starts far from the Texas Panhandle — growing up on a farm in Iowa, serving in the Navy, falling in love...

This week on Hey Amarillo, we're joined by Laurie Higgins-Kerley, founder of Dove Creek Equine Rescue and Led by Horses, fo...

I'm joined by Lorie VanOngevalle, Executive Director of Friends of Cross Bar, for a conversation rooted in fresh air, open spaces, and the joy of being outdoors.

Lorie shares her path to a life spent outside — how she found her way into this work and why expanding access to public lands matters so deeply to her. As an outdoorsy woman working to make it easier for...

This week on Hey Amarillo, I'm talking with Suzanne Bellsnyder, a Spearman, Texas resident and a powerful voice for rural Texans across the state.

Through her two rural newspapers, a growing online presence, and her work in Texas political circles, Suzanne is helping bring "kitchen table...

This week on Hey Amarillo, I'm joined by Warren Coble — Potter County Commissioner, pastor, and longtime servant to Amarillo's North Heights community.

From criminal justice to ministry to county leadership, Warren's life has been marked by a deep love for people and a steady commitment to showing up when it matters most. In t...

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-ro...

In this episode, we talk with Adam Leathers, a lifelong advocate for people and communities. Adam currently serves at the United Way of Amarillo & Canyon, but his career has taken him from supporting migrant farmworkers to working alongside unhoused neighbors in Kansas City, and now to strengthening the social safety net here in the Texas Panhandle.

Adam brings a...

This week, we're joined by Caroline Ellison, one of the area's lead wildlife biologist for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. She's an expert in her field, but what makes her stand out is her ability to talk about complex ecological issues in a way that's easy to understand and deeply engaging.

In this episode, we dive into the health of our wild spaces, exploring everything from the resilient bison to the iconic horned toad ...

This week on Hey Amarillo, I sit down with Katt Massey—an Amarillo native whose journey has taken her from Dallas to Denver and right back home again. With a background in nonprofit and civic leadership and a memorable run for City Council, Katt has dedicated much of her career to serving this community, especially through the arts.

This week on Hey Amarillo, we're celebrating a decade of creativity with Wilson Lemieux, founder of Lemieux Company. From humble roots in the Texas Panhandle to producing video content for national sports franchises and cutting-edge tech companies, Wilson's journey is one of passion, craft, and deep local love.

In this episode...

This week, Skylar sits down with Representative Caroline Fairly, who represents part of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle in the state legislature. As the youngest woman ever elected to the Texas House, Caroline brings sharp insight, energy, and a grounded perspective to her work.
They talk about her first legislative session—what contributed to her success, how her politically engaged father in...

This week, Skylar sits down with Delvin Wilson, founder and grill master behind Delvin's Barbecue—a beloved spot in Amarillo's North Heights neighborhood. Delvin shares his story of growing up working in Houston seafood restaurants, honing his craft in country clubs across the South (including during the Midland/Odessa oil boom of the '80s), and ultimately bringing his passion to Amarillo. Their ...

This week's guest is Ryan Hazelwood — a friend, mentor, and longtime leader in local TV broadcasting. Ryan's career has taken him from the classroom to the newsroom, including years as a news director and instructor in the West Texas A&M University Department of Communication, where we first met.

In this conversation, Ryan reflects on the relationships that have ...

This week's guest is Sonya Letson, a lifelong advocate for justice and democracy. From serving three terms as Potter County Attorney to her work as a municipal court judge, assistant district attorney, and in leadership with the League of Women Voters, Sonya's career reflects a deep commitment to fairness, civic health, and the preservation of democratic sys...

David Elizalde: Andrea's Project and Choosing to "Give a Lot"
When David Elizalde's daughter, Andrea, was killed in a drunk driving accident, his life was forever changed. Out of that tragedy, David created Andrea's Project, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving and advocating ...

Michael Kashuba: Parks, People, and Public Spaces
Michael Kashuba grew up in Canada, but today he's the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Amarillo. In this episode, Michael shares his journey to Amarillo, what it's like to oversee the city's parks system, and how he thinks about outdoor spaces as part of community life. Funny, thoughtful, ...

Leila Daraei grew up in Iran, moved to Amarillo in her 30s, and started her U.S. life working as a janitor at Amarillo College. Today, she's a professor on the same campus. In this episode, Leila shares her remarkable story — from navigating cultural transitions to the mentors and instructors who believed in her along the way. It's a conversation about resilience, opportunity, and the power of com...