BuffSpeak: Recent Episodes
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BuffSpeak is the official podcast of the Paul and Virginia Engler College ofBusiness at West Texas A&M University. The social media era has given everyone a voice on multiple platforms, but not all voices are created equally. At BuffSpeak, we are committed to bringing thought leaders of the day to your favorite podcast app. Starting right at home in our College, to local, national, and international guests, we strive to bring you the most relevant voices that rise above the din.
Give a listen as Dr. Amjad Abdullat, Dean of the Engler COB, talks about the challenges facing colleges and schools of businesses, as well as the future of higher education in business.
“Societal Impact” can be a fuzzy subject, but it’s something we care about and work toward here. Take a minute to listen as Dr. Leslie Ramos Salazar explains what it means and why it’s important.
The field of Digital Marketing changes practically every week, and sometimes it is hard to keep up with it. Listen in as digital expert Mason Gray walks us through everything that is happening today.
A big behind-the-scenes aspect of the Engler College of Business is its commitment to continuous improvement, which is driven by our ongoing assessment of courses and programs. Tune in as Dr. Neil Meredith explains the process.
Podcast hosts are accustomed to asking questions. But what happens when a host becomes a guest? Listen to Skylar Gallop of Hey Amarillo tell her story and answer all the hard questions.
It is not all that unusual to encounter married academics. But in the same discipline? Tune in to listen to a pair of Econ profs tell how they navigate these waters.
What started as a small attempt to help students obtain professional clothing has turned into a year-long effort. Meet the keepers of the Clothing Closet helping students be dressed to kill.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is our gem out on the High Plains, and the secret is out: It is one of the biggest tourism draws to the region. Tune in as a Park admin and volunteer tell the story of this natural wonder.
If there is anyone in the COB who has done it all, it is Dr. Murray Jennex. Tune in for a story that will blow your mind.
Anyone who has been out to Palo Duro Canyon the last few years is probably familiar with the Sad Monkey Mercanmtile. Meet the two brothers who started it, naming it after a long-time favorite attraction in the park.
WT had such a successful time last year with Coursera professional certifications that it is back for another round! Join me as I chat with Dr. Mary Liz Brooks, our coordinator.
With cannabis products available legally in a majority of US states, usage has never been higher (pun intended). But how does it affect career outcomes? Drs Shaffer and Li share the findings from their recent study.
It’s a popular hashtag these days on social media, especially among Gen Zers. But there have been many “indicators” for years. Listen as Dr. Neil Meredith dissects each of them.
The best communities are those that are accessible to all, regardless of how they move about. Meet Chris Pittman, whose new organization PATH is trying to do just that for Amarillo and Canyon.
There isn't a road map for these trying financial times, but there are experts to help lead the way. Tune in as '93 MBA Alum and wealth manager Anupam “AJ” Johri sorts through the obstacles.
Every day we are greeted by headlines pulling us into a never-ending stream of news related to the economy. It is inescapable. Economics Prof Eric Hoffman explains all we need to know about inflation, interest rates, and tariffs.
The West Texas Enterprise Center is here to coach existing and small business start-ups. Oh, and there's a pot of money available—$500,000 total—for those who wish to compete for a little cash infusion. Listen to Brian Enevoldsen tell how his organization helps area businesses.
Everyone wants to be an influencer these days, but the real money is in livestreaming. Tune in to a convo with a livestream phenom who has fans literally throwing money at him.
Nate Xu is one of our newest--and youngest--faculty members. In no time flat he hit stride with a major publication, and has endeared himself to his students. Give a listen as he tells how he got here from China, via Illinois.
What challenges do women business leaders face in this region? Professors Dr. Leslie Ramos-Salazar, Dr. Jillian Yarbrough, and Dr. Elaina Cantrell Robinson discuss their research, "Her Business Story: Narratives of Women Business Leaders of the Texas Panhandle."
A select group of College of Business students is being taught by a retired CEO and company President. They're learning Management from someone who spent his career doing it. David Hudson tells his story in this episode.
One of the most important documents a graduate owns is their resumé, the story of themselves. Kat Kane joins me to discuss Quinncia, an online tool to help COB students optimize theirs before they hit the job market.
Game theory is something that most of us do without even thinking about it, yet few know what it is or can fathom the math behind it. Listen as Economist Dr. Eric Hoffmann explains this phenomenon and his research in the field.
Higher Ed is about more than just the name of the school, it's about the ethos, the mindset that drives the brand. Give a listen as we explore the Engler Edge and how it sets our students apart from the rest.
The COB was recently selected to be part of an elite pilot program in the A&M System, and it's all about students earning professional certifications. Listen to Dr. Mary Liz Brooks as she explains this powerful program.
Somehow we've made it to the 40th episode overall without interviewing the Dean of the College of Business, Dr. Amjad Abdullat. We remedy that with this episode, and dive deep into the COB, Dr. Abdullat's vision for us, and much more.
Universities depend on there always being young adults coming of age and opting for higher education. But what happens when universities face a demographic cliff like the one coming? Tune in for a deep chat with Dr. Neil Terry, Provost and EVP at WTAMU.
Economics is often described as being the "dismal science," but as my three Econ Bros colleagues demonstrate, it is anything but!
It's one thing to have basic HR functions covered at the office, but our new MS degree in Strategic HR takes this to a whole new level.
Not all Mother Road travelers seek nostalgia. One person—Dr. Nolan Stolz—traveled it repeatedly to gain inspiration for an orchestral suite.
It's everywhere. We can't escape it, no matter how hard we try. Join the Marketing faculty as they pontificate on the issues of the day.
The changing nature of Texas demographics leaves us with no clear ethnic majority, and we are becoming increasingly bilingual. Jennifer Anguiano of the Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce explains how the association helps connect businesses and customers in our diverse culture.
Corporations have faced crises since their inception, but social media has put companies in the crosshairs for every little thing they say. Dr. Kris Drumheller discusses what went wrong, and how to handle these crises.
One of the most complex distribution systems in the US involves getting alcoholic beverages from manufacturers to retailers, and ultimately to final consumers. J Pat Richmond spent his entire career with one company doing just that, and along the way, came back to school—WT, of course—to finish what he started.
Cities don't run themselves, they need City Managers. When everything is going well, no one says anything. But as soon as the traffic lights seem a little out of sync, or you hit the same pothole a couple of times, the City Manager starts feeling the heat. Joe Price is the City Manager of Canyon Texas, and is our guest on this episode of BuffSpeak. Listen in to learn what the City Manager does to make our lives better.
Elections can be among the most contentious times for voters, whether it be city, state, or local. After all, much is riding on the line, and sentiments often run high. Dr. Dave Rausch explains the ins and outs of elections in our country, the problems with polls, and the challenges of being a disinterested observer while commenting in local media.
Perhaps the most contentious subject in casual conversation is the weather. It's either too hot, too cold, too windy...too something! But when everything is perfect, the discussion subsides and we enjoy the moment. Our guest on this episode is John Harris, Chief Meteorologist at KAMR Channel 4 in Amarillo. We'll take a look at the intricacies of being a weather forecaster, the risks he takes in making those predictions, El Niño coming this winter, and the climate change being felt all around us.
They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The same can be said of Societal Impact, an imperative many universities and corporations embrace today. It's just up to each to figure out how they're going to make that impact. Join me with guest Dr. Kelly McCauley as she tells how she took her class down this road.
Sports is an American fixation. It matters not whether it is professional or amateur, we love a good game. Our guest on this pod is Dr. Brandli Sitzel, Sports Economist and Associate Professor of Economics here at WT. Together we take a deep dive into the arena of sport and all the money that gets spent along the way.
Change is a constant in modern culture, and much of it is centered on technology and innovation. Dr. Jeffry Babb has his finger on the pulse of this change, and is also Chair of the Sigma Lecture Series in the College of Business. Tune in for a chat about all of these changes in our lives, as well as this year’s Sigman Lecture.
Fandom is a many-splendored thing. It can be centered on sports teams, brands, and celebrities, as well as television shows and movies. Those fans have such deep-seated affinities that they will happily spend money, travel great distances, and do whatever it takes to participate in solo or group fandom activities. Marq Smith and Edward Candelaria are two people who know those affinities all too well. They took their leadership in Facebook groups for both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, and turned it into the Breaking Bad Store in Old Town Albuquerque. There fans can find all manner of souvenirs from the two shows, as well as tour their own private museum of show props, wardrobe, and other ephemera. Join us for a thought-provoking chat about what drives people to dive in so deep to something they hold so dear.
It’s time to turn the tables! This time Nick Gerlich gets to be the guest, and we introduce Elaina Cantrell Robinson as Guest Host for this special episode on Route 66. Gerlich has co-authored two books on 66, written dozens of magazine articles about it, and appeared on local media many times extolling the virtues of this ribbon of pavement. Join us for a lovely drive down the past lane.
When Joanna appeared on BuffSpeak a few months ago, we wound up leaving a lot of hot topics on the table. There’s simply so much to discuss in the field of business law, and we wanted to reprise that guest spot with a quick return to hit on pressing issues happening right here in Texas.
When Joanna appeared on BuffSpeak a few months ago, we wound up leaving a lot of hot topics on the table. There’s simply so much to discuss in the field of business law, and we wanted to reprise that guest spot with a quick return to hit on pressing issues happening right here in Texas.
Pizza is one of our greatest culinary mainstays. Some might even say guilty pleasures. At its core, pizza is a pretty basic food source, but once you dress it up, that’s when it can dance on the table. Brian Kelleher is our guest for this episode, and he’s been making pizzas in Amarillo for the better part of this century, both at the current 575 Pizzeria, and with an earlier incarnation. Listen in as he tells his story, as well as his recent decision to expand to the Dallas market.
Amarillo has been graced by the presence of Route 66 ever since its creation in 1926. With the Centennial of the Mother Road only a few years away, the Amarillo Convention & Visitor Bureau has partnered with several individuals and entities to create the first-ever Texas Route 66 Festival, which will be June 1-10 right here. And it’s just the beginning. Join guest Kashion Smith, Executive Director of the Amarillo CVB, as she tells the story.
It was quite the honor for Amarillo to be able to claim the National Teacher of the Year; it’s quite another that she–Shanna Peeples–is now on faculty at WT. That’s rarified air as far as education goes. And never mind that you can forget all those degrees of separation we heard about in the movies.
Non-profits are often overlooked when it comes to marketing, but they need the same marketing tools as do the for-profits. It’s just that they don’t have a profit motive. Broc Carter is the Director of Marketing & The Panhandle Gives Campaign at Amarillo Area Foundation, and he tells us how he spearheaded Giving campaigns through both a pandemic and a highly inflationary period.
Roadside attractions have long been the stuff of American highways. It’s just that most of them were created decades ago. Louie Keen, though, has set out to reinvent the genre in the modern era with his own quirky take on how to put smiles on travelers’ faces. And sell some fudge along the way.
He’s the face of WT, the captain of our ship. Dr. Walter Wendler is no stranger to academic, having been on faculty or in administrative roles for the better part of five decades. Tune in as our President talks about his plans for academics, athletics, and more.
It’s been in the news since late last year. Artificial Intelligence is being used to write blogs, social media posts, and even exam essays. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Joanna Kimbell, Clinical Assistant Professor of Business Law & Management, as we hash out ways to use AI responsibly, as well as how to control it in the classroom. Oh, and no AI was used to write this blurb!
There are roughly 13 million trucks on American highways, hauling everything from soup to nuts. We may take them for granted, but without them, retailer shelves would be empty. COB grad and serial entrepreneur Shane Redline tells us how he got started in the trucking business about a decade ago, and quickly grew from very humbler beginnings to one of the fastest growing trucking companies in Texas. And just for fun, he’ll tell us about the strangest load his company ever hauled.
We all know we’re supposed to do it, but sometimes it’s hard, especially when you’re young. But that is the best time to do it, according to COB grad and Financial Planner Joseph Peterson. Tune in for tips on how to get started.
Gina Woodward is bullish on small business in Amarillo. Of course she should be, because she’s the Regional Director of the Small Business Development Center in Amarillo. Our local SBDC office is under the umbrella of the Engler College of Business. Tune in to hear why Gina is so optimistic, as well as the many services her office provides to small businesses to help them stay on track to profitability.
If there is ever a business discipline that will always be in great demand, it is Accounting. For when there are sales and profits to be made, there are numbers to report to various taxing entities. It is an evergreen occupation, and it is our goal to produce the best the industry can hire. Recent grad Corey Orthengren does not disappoint in this category, having earned his BBA in 2019, his MPA in 2020, and now his CPA in 2022. Not one to sit still for long, he plans to reach for his CFP, and then likely continue toward his CFA. He’ll need an extra-wide business card for all that alphabet soup! In this episode, listen as Corey tells about what drives him to keep plowing this field, one that requires him to remain a lifelong learner.
There’s a great Japanese word that describes what we strive for in academia: Kaizen. Essentially, it means “change for the better or continuous improvement.” And this is no lofty goal or PR statement. It is an imperative, as expected by our accreditors and every other constituent we claim.In other words, no resting on laurels. No matter how good you think you are doing, you can always do better.Our guest this week is one of our own: Dr. Jillian Yarbough, Clinical Assistant Professor of Management as well as Assistant Director of Continuous Improvement. She spends much of her time working with College of Business faculty to monitor and track how well our students are doing in relation to our college’s learning objectives, as well as how we’re continuously improving.
It’s no small task to write a book. But Amarillo author Andrew Brandt makes it look easy.Starting first in the self-published realm, and more recently with a publisher, Andrew has won awards for his young adult thrillers, but has also branched out into adult literature as well. And as Andrew quickly learned, being an author is a lot like a home-based business. He is always in marketing mode, and can do a pop-up book signing anywhere, anytime. While COVID made it tough for him to do these, though, he used the quarantine time to cement his daily writing discipline. Now, he can churn out 1000 words a day with ease.Join us for an up close and personal conversation with one of Amarillo’s finest wordsmiths, and find out what it takes to join the ranks of author.
The way we consume media has changed drastically in the last decade, as streaming video has come to dominate our televisions. The average American household has four streaming subscriptions, and binge viewing has become the new normal. But this made it very difficult for advertisers, especially local firms, to reach out to potential customers. It was relatively easy when cable and satellite were the norm, but how can you advertise a local car dealer on Hulu or Paramount+?Turns out it can be done, too, and Jacob Buse has digital marketing solutions for local companies. Jacob is a Marketing Consultant for Sinclair Communication, which owns ABC7 here in Amarillo. He is exceptionally knowledgeable about all of the latest ways to reach customersTune in to find out how local ads in your streaming portal got there, and where digital marketing is going in the future.
The pandemic found Jason Boyett and Michele McAffrey plotting and launching a new magazine, Brick & Elm, for the Amarillo market. It’s a niche publication to be sure, but one that is much-needed. Together they have their fingers on the pulse people, places, and things of Amarillo, and have found their way onto many local coffee tables.
There is likely no more knowledgeable Amarillo historian than Wes Reeves. It just also happens that he is the Senior Media Relations Representative for the local power company. He thus knows a lot about where we’ve been, and where we are going. Listen for an electrifying episode about the past, present, and future of Amarillo.
If ever there has been a patriarch in the Engler College of Business, it has been Dr Owens. But after 46 years he is retiring, leaving a legacy of thousands of former students who have taken his knowledge into the workforce. Listen as he reflects on inflation, oil, ethics, and more in this fitting farewell.
In the second half of this extended interview, Brennen Matthews shares his thoughts on how important road trips are in American culture, and specifically how the Mother Road—Route 66—is a conduit to seeing the past through the eyes of the present. He includes specific insights into why this is such an important part of our culture.
In a most unlikely scenario, Kenyan Brennen Matthews and his family found their way to Toronto, and then on a chance tour down Route 66, decided to create a new magazine celebrating the Great American Road Trip. Join Brennen as he tells how, in spite of changing media consumption patterns, ROUTE Magazine has overcome the odds and founds its place on newsstands nationwide. It’s Americana through and through.
If it seems like there’s a craft brewery on every corner, you would not be far off. Pondaseta Brewing is Amarillo’s premier craft brewery, and owner Kaleb West shares the tale of how we wound up moving over from bikes to beer, and his thoughts on where the industry is going, both locally and nationally.
West Texas A&M University is proud to be an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution), and enrollments in the College of Business reflects this commitment to meeting the academic needs of a growing demographic. Join Dr. Ramos Salazar as she tells her story, and how, as a Latina, she is giving back not only in her classroom and research activities, but also by leading an important student organization.
Your BuffSpeak host is Dr. Nick Gerlich, the Hickman Professor of Marketing. Gerlich has been at WT since 1989, and was a pioneer in our online programs in 1997. He brings with him a long career filled not only with teaching and research, but also writing for regional and national magazines. He is comfortable in front of a microphone, asking the tough questions. In his spare time, he travels the US photographically documenting old roadside attractions and vintage neon signs.
As General Manager of Newschannel 10, the CBS affiliate in Amarillo, Brent McClure is on top of all things digital. He has captained his organization into the previously uncharted waters of digital media, and evolved at a time when others could not find their way. Tune in to find out how an old-school TV station has become a shining example of how media companies must be in the 21st century.