Giving Their Lives Back
Sandy Coats “We’ll win or we’ll lose, but we’re not going to hide the ball.” Sandy Coats, Site Director and Senior Counsel for Boeing Defense Oklahoma, joins Thomas Hill for an engaging conversation about life and leadership. With many years as the US Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, Sandy has firsthand knowledge of…
Read MoreThe Middleman
I spent a significant portion of my life doing things to avoid emotional pain. A couple days ago, I caught a lyric from a new single by Twenty One Pilots. In their song, “Choker”, lead singer Tyler Joseph sings, “pain is just a middleman.” That is a really concise way to describe what it took…
Read MoreDo the Most Good
Lee Roland “We have the responsibility to do something with the blessings God gave us.” Lee Roland is a recognized and celebrated Difference Maker. With his years as an educator and administrator, Lee brings first-hand knowledge and mesmerizing stories to this gripping conversation with Thomas Hill. The principles Lee used to radically transform a challenged…
Read MorePebbles In Our Shoes
I used to run. A lot. At one point my running partners and I were doing 200-mile relays with four people and competing in 100-mile individual races. I learned something very important during this time of my life. It’s the little things that matter. Often it isn’t the mountains ahead that wear you out, it’s…
Read MoreGood Things
Lance Lang “I want to fall in love with helping other people win.” Lance Lang, founder of Hope Is Alive, joins Thomas Hill for a personal and inspiring conversation about addition, recovery, vision, and hope. While sharing what drives him (“It’s always about the next person”), Lance talks about why people are drawn to vulnerable…
Read MoreIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities
Delmore Schwartz wrote “In Dreams Begin Responsibilities” in 1937 when he was only 23. Though he wrote for the rest of his turbulent life, he was plagued by alcoholism and mental illness and unable to match his early success. As a result of alcohol and drug abuse, he died alone and mostly forgotten in 1966.…
Read MoreRemember That Time…
Ryan Plotkin “It’s more than just a job. It’s a group of people together pulling in the same direction.” Ryan Plotkin, President of MD Building Products, joins Thomas Hill for a candid conversation about creating relationships, being authentic, and using what Ryan refers to as the leader’s best tool – his ears. “You have to…
Read MoreWalking In The Light
Walking early in the morning, I have noticed how the color of things around me changes as the sun begins to rise. When it is still mostly dark with just a hint of light in the eastern sky, the colors I can see are muted. In the circle around a streetlamp, everything is tinted with…
Read MoreLean In Together
Percy Kirk “If you don’t take care of your people, there’s no way your people are going to take care of your customers.” Percy Kirk, Sr. VP/Regional Manager of Cox Communications, joins Thomas Hill for a conversation about leadership, community, and the importance of direct involvement. From the employee led Cox Charities initiative to the…
Read MoreMowing The Grass
I mowed my lawn again this weekend. Actually, it was Friday, but many people consider that the beginning of the weekend, so I think that counts. I have cool season grass in my backyard, and this time of year it grows like crazy. It really needs mowing twice a week to keep it in any…
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