Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / Amazon Music Dr. Arquimides Reyes shares his inspiring journey from a small farm in El Salvador to becoming an associate professor of animal science at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. His story exemplifies how agricultural education, mentorship, and the FFA can transform lives and create leaders who give back to their communities. Watch Full Interview: https://youtu.be/3-gAVt-t8C4 • Grateful for family, God, teaching opportunities, and the FFA which instilled purpose and passion for agriculture• Grew up on a small dairy and beef farm in El Salvador before coming to the United States at age 11• Initially…
Author: Texas FFA
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / Amazon Music George Couros, author of “The Innovator’s Mindset,” shares his journey from reluctant teacher to educational innovator and how exceptional leadership transformed his perspective on education. He explores how creating environments where both adults and students can thrive leads to better educational outcomes while preparing communities to navigate an uncertain future. Watch Full Interview: https://youtu.be/EkCY_k5TcXE • Originally from a small Canadian town where community shaped his educational philosophy• Found his passion for education through an exceptional principal who gave teachers ownership• Focuses on developing all learners in an organization, not just students• COVID provided…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / Amazon Music Dr. Justin Terry, Superintendent of Forney ISD, shares how mentorship and innovative educational approaches are transforming students’ futures through entrepreneurial mindsets and real-world experiences. Watch Full Interview: https://youtu.be/TjPGJye5rX0 • Mentorship as a foundation for leadership development – having both internal and external mentors provides guidance and diverse perspectives• The Opportunity Central (OC) – a 350,000 sq. ft. facility that’s student-run, multifunctional, and serves as both educational space and community event center• Creating a culture of innovation through consistent messaging and values like “people first” and “inspiring innovation”• Helping students develop their competitive edge…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / Amazon Music Winston Chandler’s 27 years as a dorm parent at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch transformed countless lives through his wisdom, faith, and commitment to helping troubled youth find their path. His simple yet profound wisdom—”you’re never going to learn anything unless something depends on you”—became the foundation for developing responsibility, work ethic, and character in the boys under his care. Watch Full Interview: https://youtu.be/O8iFJsQ5IUk Story Notes: • Boys Ranch provided structure, responsibility, and purpose for troubled youth• Winston’s philosophy centered on hard work, faith, and caring for something beyond yourself• Accountability in agriculture teaches…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / Amazon Music In this episode of the Growing Our Future podcast, host Aaron Alejandro sits down with Dr. Coach Nate Hearne, an esteemed coach, educator, and mentor. They discuss the power of mentorship, leadership, perseverance, and faith in shaping young lives. From his humble beginnings to coaching state championship teams, Coach Hearn shares powerful lessons on building a culture of excellence and standing firm in leadership. Watch Full Interview: https://youtu.be/G3ijL_Iw4OE Story Notes: Grateful for students and their potential to shape the future. Inspired by the educators who mentored him in his youth. The power of…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / Amazon Music In this episode of Growing Our Future, host Aaron Alejandro sits down with Chip Baker, a dynamic speaker, educator, author, and host of The Success Chronicles. Together, they dive into the power of passion, personal growth, and leadership. Chip shares his inspiring journey from a small-town upbringing to becoming a nationally recognized figure in education and motivation. His story is filled with lessons on perseverance, faith, and the importance of a strong foundation. Chip’s message is clear—success leaves clues. By learning from others, taking ownership of your actions, and maintaining a strong work ethic, anyone…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / Amazon Music In this episode, James McLamb joins host Aaron Alejandro to discuss the impact of encouragement—both as a simple word and as a transformative action. James shares his journey from agriculture education to youth leadership development, emphasizing the power of mentorship, servant leadership, and personal growth. From his early experiences in the FFA to founding Generation Youth, James highlights the role of mentorship, life skills, and leadership development in shaping young minds. Whether in the classroom, in mission work, or coaching the next generation of leaders, he believes in empowering others to unlock their…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / Amazon Music On this episode of the Growing Our Future podcast, we speak with Steve Durman, an expert in marketing, storytelling, and technology. Steve shares his journey in helping companies share their stories and marketing. Through his journey he shares the importance of taking risk and having faith when determining next steps in life. Steve was a key developer in the creation of the MYTEXASFFA website and promotional videos associated with the project. It was a great interview to hear how he became familiar with the Texas FFA and is now proud to help us…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / Stitcher / RSS In this episode of the Growing Our Future podcast, host Aaron Alejandro speaks with 13-year-old Baxter Whitworth, a young entrepreneur passionate about agriculture and Brahmin cattle. They discuss the importance of trust, teamwork, and core values in leadership, as well as the role of agriculture in feeding a growing population. Baxter shares his insights on encouragement, the significance of working together, and the need for continuous learning in leadership. The conversation emphasizes the importance of youth in agriculture and the potential for future leaders to inspire change. Watch Full Interview: https://youtu.be/4Sg2PP_sqQ8 Story…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / Stitcher / RSS In this episode of the Growing Our Future podcast, host Aaron Alejandro engages in a heartfelt conversation with Trenell Walker, who shares his inspiring journey from aspiring NFL player to motivational speaker and life coach after a life-altering spinal cord injury. The discussion emphasizes the importance of gratitude, resilience, and the power of the mind. Trenell introduces his ‘Trenell Effect,’ a framework for personal growth that includes taking action, being resilient, encouraging others, and never quitting. The conversation also touches on the significance of leadership and making impactful decisions in life. Listeners…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / Stitcher / RSS In this episode of the Growing Our Future podcast, host Aaron Alejandro engages with Dr. Curtis Paulson, a pioneer in agricultural communication. They discuss the importance of gratitude, the influence of early life experiences, and the significance of taking risks in education and agriculture. Dr. Paulson shares his journey from a farm boy in Minnesota to a leader in ag communication, emphasizing the value of work ethic, innovation, and the role of technology in shaping the future of agriculture. The conversation highlights the impact of land-grant universities and the collaborative efforts that…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / Stitcher / RSS In this episode of the Growing Our Future podcast, host Aaron Alejandro engages with legendary rodeo announcer Bob Tallman, exploring themes of gratitude, agricultural heritage, and the importance of education in agriculture. They discuss the role of organizations like 4-H and FFA in shaping young people’s futures, the challenges facing the agricultural industry, and the need for conservation and resource management. The conversation emphasizes the significance of understanding where our food comes from and the opportunities available in agricultural careers. Watch Full Interview: https://youtu.be/AuQ6-qR3qaQ Story Notes: The Importance of Gratitude in Agriculture…