What’s next for Central Texas? The Changing Austin podcast explores this question by spotlighting the people shaping one of America’s fastest-growing regions. In each episode, host Stacy Armijo talks with a local business or nonprofit leader about how they’re adapting to rapid growth, evolving their strategies, and leading with purpose in today’s dynamic Austin community. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories and hard-ear ...
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Amplify Credit Union Podcasts
Step into 'Mind Matters,' where we reveal the high-stakes world of CEOs, from their first-day jitters to game-changing strategies, and equip you with invaluable insights and practical advice essential for your personal growth and leadership journey. Podcast Powered by Ownest: https://ownest.ai/ Podcast Produced by Old Soul: https://aoldsoul.com/
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Jamie Herlich: Why Good Theater Is Always Good Business
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What does it mean to take the reins of the oldest theater company in Texas? For Jamie Herlich, becoming the managing director of ZACH Theater in Austin meant delivering on ZACH’s mission to produce homegrown theater in the heart of the city. It also meant opening doors to a new generation of theatergoers and showing the Central Texas community why …
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Matt Cisneros: Dedicating Your Life to Media and Migas
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Matthew Cisneros spends his days thinking about two things: media and migas. As co-owner of Cisco’s Restaurant and Bakery, one of Austin’s most iconic Tex-Mex restaurants, and founder of Backyard Ventures, a growing media and influencer marketing agency, Cisneros bridges the worlds of legacy brands and digital startups. In this episode of the Chang…
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Chris Seals: Still Austin Is Keeping Whiskey Weird
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When Chris Seals first read his father Cleveland’s post-retirement dream to launch a whiskey distillery in Austin—the city’s first since Prohibition—he was skeptical. But what started as a risky idea turned into a globally recognized whiskey brand that’s deeply rooted in Austin's creative spirit. In this episode of the Changing Austin podcast by Am…
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Harvey Kronberg: Why Texas Politics Still Sets Its Watch by the Quorum Report
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Since joining the Quorum Report in 1989 as a contract writer, Harvey Kronberg has become a trusted voice in Texas politics. In this episode of the Changing Austin podcast, Stacy Armijo sits down with Kronberg for a candid conversation about how Austin has evolved over the past four decades. From its laid-back “slacker” reputation in the 1970s to it…
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John Garrett: How Community Impact Shows That Print Media Is Still Good Business
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In 2005, John and Jennifer Garrett launched the very first issue of Community Impact Newspaper from their garage. What started as a hyperlocal experiment has grown into the largest local news organization in Texas, serving millions of readers with neighborhood-focused journalism. On this episode of the Changing Austin Podcast, host Amplify Credit U…
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Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette: How Waterloo Greenway Helps Austin Reimagine Its Heart
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It isn't often you get to be part of something that will better your entire city for generations to come, but that's exactly what Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette has done as chief executive officer of Waterloo Greenway Conservancy. In this episode of Changing Austin, Dr. Burnette explains why she came out of retirement to lead this effort, describing t…
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Adam Butler: Empowering Austin’s Top Businesses To Build a Powerful Brand Voice
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When your creative agency develops the branding for Austin's first Major League Soccer team, Austin FC, your place in Austin marketing history is secured. In this episode of Changing Austin, Adam Butler, co-founder of Butlers, discusses how Austin's entrepreneurial spirit and creative culture fueled the city's growth and helped his company find its…
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Kara Hanaoka: Why Austin's Restaurant Scene Starts With Its Workers
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As Austin continues its rapid growth, it's important to ensure our food workers are not left behind. In this episode of Changing Austin, Kara Hanaoka, Executive Director of Good Work Austin, shares how local businesses and nonprofits are working together to foster healthy careers in the service industry. Follow Kara Hanaoka on LinkedIn: https://www…
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Davon Barbour: Why Austin’s Growth Doesn’t Have To Leave Anyone Behind
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Austin is growing fast—but growth alone isn’t success. In this episode of Changing Austin, Davon Barbour, president and CEO of the Downtown Austin Alliance, shares how the city can expand without displacing the people and businesses that give it heart. Follow Davon Barbour on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davonbarbour Follow Stacy Armijo on…
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Judge Denise Hernández: Creating Inclusive Spaces in Austin's Court System
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In the second episode of the Changing Austin podcast, the Honorable Denise Hernández (County Court at Law No. 6) joins host Stacy Armijo to discuss the importance of creating inclusive spaces in your place of work: whether that is a courtroom or a credit union. Follow Judge Hernández on Instagram and LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/denisecreate…
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Mason Ayer: The Evolution of Kerbey Lane from Late-Night to Family-Friendly
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In the first episode of the Changing Austin podcast, host Stacy Armijo is joined by Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe CEO Mason Ayer. The two talk about Kerbey Lane's legacy as an Austin original, the road to organizational transparency, and what it takes to go from late-night hotspot to a family-friendly restaurant. Follow Mason Ayer on LinkedIn: https://w…
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Meet Stacy Armijo, Chief Experience Officer at Amplify Credit Union and host of the new Changing Austin podcast. In this short introduction, Armijo share the goal of the series: to build a platform for leaders from Austin's nonprofit and business sectors to share their perspectives on our changing city. Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn…
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The Journey of Carrie Forbes From Arts Degree to CEO
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Welcome to another episode of Mind Matters! In today's show, our host Kendall Raessler sits down with the incredible Carrie Forbes, CEO of League Data Limited. Known affectionately as "Miss Technology" within the credit union world, Carrie shares her unique journey from an arts degree holder to a powerful leader in technology and finance. Get ready…
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Overcoming Obstacles: Chad Elledge's Journey to Executive Leadership
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In this episode, host Kendall Raessler welcomes Chad Elledge, the Executive Vice President and Risk Officer for Texas Heritage National Bank. Chad takes us on a fascinating journey from his early days in East Texas to earning a computer programming degree from Texas A&M, and eventually transitioning into the banking sector in an unconventional path…
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The Radical Transparency Approach: Insights from Amplify's CEO Kendall Garrison
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In this episode, we delve into Kendall's remarkable leadership journey, including his unexpected challenges when he took over as CEO just nine weeks before the pandemic hit. Kendall shares how his commitment to radical transparency and fee-free banking has revolutionized Amplify, improved employee engagement, and provided better financial solutions…
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Overcoming Challenges: Steve Afdahl's Journey Transforming Greenbelt and Trust
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In this episode, we're joined by a very special guest, Steve Afdahl, a CEO of Greenbelt and Trust with a remarkable journey. we'll explore Steve's unique approach to leadership, the challenges of transitioning from a larger network to a singular focus, and his dedication to promoting equality in the workplace. Steve will also share valuable insight…
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Nurturing a Close-Knit Company Culture with Christopher Weaver
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In today’s conversation, Chris opens up about inheriting the bank at a young age and evolving his role from marketing director to president. He shares insights into the incredible growth of the bank, from $56 million to nearly $700 million in assets, all thanks to a supportive team and dedicated employees who Chris treats like family. We'll explore…
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Mastering the CEO Role: George De La Rosa Shares Transformation Journey at Luminus Financial
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In this episode of Mind Matters, host Kendall Raessler delves into the high-stakes world of CEOs with guest George De La Rosa, CEO of Luminus Financial. George shares his remarkable journey in the credit union industry spanning 30 years, from his early days to becoming one of the youngest CEOs in Canada. Together, they explore the emotional and bus…
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CEO Insights: PJ Wharton on Leadership and Growth Strategies at Yampa Valley Bank
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In this episode, we sit down with PJ Wharton, President and CEO of Yampa Valley Bank, who shares his incredible journey from his early days in Pennsylvania to leading a top community bank in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. PJ delves into the importance of community, the value of people in the banking sector, and how he navigated his initial days as CE…
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The Making of a CEO: Crystal Dionne's Transition from Public to Private Sector
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In this episode, we dive into the world of community banking with Crystal Dionne, CEO of Primary Bank. With a dynamic transition from a long career in municipal finance to the high stakes of founding and leading a community bank during a tumultuous economic period, Crystal shares her story. From building the bank from the ground up to navigating th…
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From the Ground Up: How Tut Fuller Reimagined Banking for the Modern Era
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Today's guest, Tut Fuller, the innovative CEO and founder of Capra Bank, shares his fascinating journey from an aspiring medical professional to a pioneering businessman. Under Tut's leadership, Capra Bank has flourished, amassing over $300 million in assets by focusing on medium-sized businesses and everyday consumers. Throughout this discussion, …
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The Human Touch in Technology: Yankie Markowitz's Business Philosophy
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Join us in this episode of Mind Matters as we sit down with Yankie Markowitz, CEO of the SBA Loan Group. Yankie shares his unique journey from his start as a New York Life agent to becoming a major player in syndicating deals and navigating real estate and investment banking. His story is one of resilience and determination, especially during the 2…
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CEO Brian Pillmore on Building Trust and Mentorship in Leadership
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Welcome to Mind Matters, the podcast that lets you step inside the minds of CEOs and learn the secrets behind their successes and strategies. Today, we're honored to have an exemplary guest with us, a visionary in the financial world, Brian Pillmore, the CEO and founder of Visbanking. Whether you're an aspiring leader or a seasoned executive, Mind …
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Michael Abernathy on Mentorship, Management, and Making a Difference
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Welcome to another insightful episode of Mind Matters, the podcast that delves deep into the minds behind business innovations and leadership. I'm your host, Kendall Raessler, and today we have a truly captivating guest, Michael Abernathy, the CEO of Buckeye Credit Union, a trailblazer in the financial sector. Michael brings a wealth of knowledge a…
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Neal Oswald: Mastering the Art of Consultation in High-Stakes Finance
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Welcome back to Mind Matters, the podcast that journeys into the minds of impactful CEOs, unveiling the secrets behind their successes and the keys to personal and professional growth. Today, we're thrilled to be joined by Neal Oswald, COO of Wanilah Advisors, a seasoned leader with a fascinating career trajectory, from his start at Ernst and Young…
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From Part-Time Teller to Credit Union CEO: Ronaldo Hardy's Tale
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Welcome back to Mind Matters, the podcast where we explore the journeys and insights of influential leaders in business and life. I'm your host, Kendall Raessler, and in today's episode, MM with Ronaldo Hardy, we're diving into the incredible story of Ronaldo Hardy's rise from humble beginnings to becoming a transformational leader in the credit un…
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Navigating the Tides of Leadership: Insights from CEO Eric Dillon's Journey to Success
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In this episode, host Kendall Raessler interviews Eric Dillon, the President of General Bank Canada, who shares invaluable experiences and wisdom from his professional journey. Eric discusses his career shift from chemistry to economics, his progression from retail banking to leading small banks, and the impactful lessons he learned as a first-time…
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Building a Tech Business: CEO Insights and Strategies for Scaling and Talent Acquisition
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In this episode, host Kendall Raessler sits down with Jeff Tisdale, CEO of Landcor. They dive into a compelling conversation about Jeff's professional journey, the challenges he faced as a new CEO, and the strategies he implemented to scale his organization. Jeff provides invaluable insights on motivating and building culture with the right talent,…
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Unveiling the World of CEOs: Insights and Strategies with Scott Steele, CEO of Citizens Bank Weston
27:07
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In this episode of Mind Matters, we had the pleasure of hosting Scott Steele, CEO of Citizens Bank Weston. With an extensive background in community banking and experience navigating through acquisitions, Scott shares valuable insights into leadership, change management, and the dynamics of scaling a community bank. From his West Virginia roots to …
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Unveiling CEO Strategies: Insights and Advice for Personal Growth and Leadership with Jim Donnelly
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In this episode, our host Kendall Raessler engages in an insightful conversation with Jim Donnelly, CEO of Wayne Bank. Jim shares his diverse professional journey, from serving in the state legislature to transitioning into a career in banking. He discusses his approach to leadership, listening to employees, balancing the needs of the team and the …
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Leslie Smith: Leading a Female-Owned Mortgage Brokerage into the Future
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In today's episode, we're super excited to sit down and talk with Leslie Smith, who together with her partner runs Smith Brody Associates. This company isn't just any company; it's a mortgage broker business in Indiana that's owned by women, which is pretty cool. Leslie's going to share some really important lessons and stories from her long career…
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Ronnie Stephens on the Golden Rule of Leadership in the CEO Hot Seat
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In today's episode, the remarkable Ronnie Stephens, CEO of Wymar Federal Credit Union, shares his wealth of knowledge and expertise. Ronnie has a ton of experience and knows a lot about the finance world. He's going to tell us all about how he ended up working in finance by chance, the big moments that made him the leader he is today, and the cleve…
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Step into 'Mind Matters,' where we reveal the high-stakes world of CEOs, from their first-day jitters to game-changing strategies, and equip you with invaluable insights and practical advice essential for your personal growth and leadership journey. And now, Mind Matters... let's step in!By Ownest
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