Stories of Change & Creativity

Scottish interior designer and entrepreneur Emma Cross shares how childhood experiences, creativity, travel, and a willingness to say yes shaped her life and career.

Emma Cross knew she wanted to be a designer when she was five years old.

In this episode of Stories of Change & Creativity, I sit down with Emma Cross, a Scottish interior designer and entrepreneur, to explore the experiences that shaped her life and career.

I first d...

What experiences shape who we become?

In this episode of Stories of Change & Creativity, Judy Oskam talks with Kelly Engram, educator, Texas State University graduate, and founder of Prairie Fire Hair.

Kelly's journey has been full of challenges and turning points.  As a young single mother, she was busy working and raising her son.   Kelly started college but life got in the way.   She returned and finished school...

Graduation season always makes me reflective. In this first short solo episode from my new Making Life Work series, I share some thoughts from commencement weekend at Texas State University.  The stories unfolding behind every graduate walking across the stage — stories about growth, creativity, and figuring out what comes next.

Our students have experience in journalism and storytelling projects, student media, internshi...

In this Mother’s Day episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, Judy Oskam talks with her daughters, Danielle and Jessica, about adoption, family, and experiences that shape identity and creativity.

Judy reflects on the decision to adopt from China.  She shares how motherhood changed her understanding of creativity and personal growth.

Dani and Jess share their perspective on parenting, identity, and what it means to gro...

How innovation is transforming Texas—and where the biggest opportunities are emerging.

In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, I had the chance to talk with entrepreneur Justin McKenzie, host of The Building Texas Show. We explore innovation across Texas—from small towns to major cities—and discuss workforce development and emerging industries.

Justin shares insights from his career journey, along with ...

What does it really mean to solve a problem in the age of AI?

In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, I sat down with Dr. Aniruddha Bora, assistant professor of computer science at Texas State University, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we think about problem solving.  I met Dr. Bora when I moderated a panel at South by Southwest (SXSW) at Texas House as part of the Texas State Univer...

How does experiential learning prepare college students for real-world careers? 

At Texas State, journalism students don’t just study reporting — they do it. They cover major news events and interview real people.  Students report on impactful stories like the aftermath of the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde and the 2025 deadly Central Texas flooding.  

 In this episode of Stories o...

If you’re a high-achieving professional who feels successful everywhere except your health, this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity might be for you.  I can certainly relate!

Many driven professionals excel in their careers but struggle with health in midlife because they apply the same optimization mindset that works at work to their bodies. In this episode, Judy Oskam talks with Tony Sherock, Certified Personal...

If you’re a fan of Outlander, the historical fiction series set in Scotland, like I am, this episode is for you. In this conversation, I talk with Dr. Alexandra “Alex” Dold, a literary scholar and historian known as the “Doctor of Outlander,” about her academic journey and career path.  We discuss how historical fiction can become public history — inviting people to connect with history beyo...

In this music-filled episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, Judy Oskam sits down with singer-songwriter and education leader Dr. Candace Hastings to explore what it means to live a creative life of purpose.  They talk about identity, community, and meaning. Along the way, you’ll hear excerpts from Candace’s new album, including “Soft Place to Land” and “Horses I Left Behind,” songs sha...

What do you say when someone you love is dying—and you know your time together is limited? In this practical and compassionate episode, Judy Oskam talks with Dr. Maureen Keeley, a leading researcher on end-of-life communication, from Texas State University.  

Dr. Maureen Keeley offers a research-based framework for anyone caring for an aging parent, supporting a loved one through illness, or anticipating loss.  Liste...

January is often framed as a month of restriction—Dry January, less sugar, less indulgence, less everything. But what if January wasn’t about giving things up? What if it was about trying?

In this Try January episode, Judy Oskam weaves together powerful insights from past conversations to explore how meaningful change begins. Experts comment on building identity capital and setting goals, mentorship, creativity, adventur...

What is home?
Is it a place, a memory, a landscape—or a journey? In this episode, Judy Oskam explores the transformative meaning of home with Amy Denet Deal.  She's the founder of 4 Kinship, Indigenous Futures Forever, and the Diné Skate Garden Project.

Amy’s story is one of remarkable courage and clarity. In her mid-50s, she left the corporate fashion world and returned to her Navajo roots. Her journey home rev...

What if celebration isn’t something “extra,” but something essential to living a meaningful, connected life?  If you're like me, you're always looking for reasons to celebrate and enjoy life. 

 In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, I sit down with Dr. R. Jon McGee—anthropologist, author, and longtime Texas State University professor— to explore the topic of celebra...

How do sports, culture, and communication shape who we are?  In this episode, Judy Oskam talks with University of Alabama Sports Scholar Dr. Kenon Brown.
 
 Dr. Brown is a professor of advertising and public relations, co-director of the Beyond Sports Initiative, and co-author of the book -  The United States of Sport: Media Framing and the Influence of the Intersection of Sports and American Culture.
...

What’s your relationship with money? Do you worry about having enough? Does money guide all of your decisions?  

In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, I talk with Mary Liz Burns about the psychology of money. She has more than two decades of experience in personal finance communications and media.  Mary Liz has an MBA with a focus on financial psychology and is a certified senior advisor.

After a succes...

For our 100th episode, I sit down with Dr. Kelly Damphousse, the 10th president of Texas State University. A sociologist by training, President Damphousse talks candidly about the midnight moment that set the tone for his presidency.   He shares his personal journey – from growing up in a trailer court with no plans for college to becoming a university president.

We also discuss the university’s momentum — fro...

Do you know your values? You might think you know your values, but are you living your values, right now? 

In this short episode, Judy Oskam reflects on a recent experience she shared with her daughter, Danielle. Together, they attended the Becoming You intensive led by Dr. Suzy Welch at the NYU Stern School of Business. The New York workshop centered on values and purpose. It encouraged participants to explore what ma...

What does it really mean to be free? 

In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, Judy Oskam sits down with Christian Ray Flores—a high-performance coach, entrepreneur, and author of the Little Book of Big Reasons to Love America: A Love Letter from an Immigrant. 

Christian has lived through revolutions and the fall of the Soviet Union. From that perspective, he offers a powerful take on the American spirit a...