Hosted by Aaron Alejandro, this episode features a captivating conversation with Roger Rickard, the Founder & President of Voices in Advocacy®, and author of "7 Actions of Highly Effective Advocates." Roger shares his journey from humble beginnings in a blue-collar town to becoming a renowned advocate and leader in advocacy efforts. In this episode, Aaron and Roger delve into Roger's early experiences in political campaigns, highlighting the importance of grassroots efforts and personal conn...
Feb 09, 2024•45 min•Ep. 49
Welcome to another episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast with host Aaron Alejandro, featuring Joanna Pineda,Founder, CEO and Chief Troublemaker at Matrix Group International, and host of the "Associations Thrive" podcast. Joanna shares her journey from the Philippines to Silicon Valley, her pivotal role in the development of the online bidding system for FCC spectrum licenses, and the founding of Matrix Group in 1999. Key traits in her journey include resilience, risk-taking, and tenacity, w...
Jan 25, 2024•42 min•Ep. 48
Welcome to another episode of Growing Our Future! Host Aaron Alejandro expresses gratitude for the audience's continuous support and the opportunity to learn from inspiring guests. This week's special guest is Terren Moore, the dynamic Agency Owner of Moore Farms & Insurance. Aaron expresses excitement about having Terren on the podcast and looks forward to delving into his experiences and insights. The episode begins with a focus on planting the right seeds for a prosperous future and nurtu...
Jan 11, 2024•46 min•Ep. 47
In this episode of the Growing Our Future podcast, host Aaron Alejandro welcomes Bruce Cobb, Executive VP at Certified Angus Beef. The episode explores Bruce's journey in agriculture, emphasizing the role of mentors and ethical leadership. Bruce shares insights on the positive aspects of competition and the importance of aligning values in leadership. The discussion highlights the virtues of ethical leadership and the opportunities for young professionals in the evolving field of agriculture. Bo...
Dec 21, 2023•39 min•Ep. 46
Welcome to another insightful episode of the Growing Our Future podcast hosted by the visionary Aaron Alejandro. This week, we are privileged to have a distinguished guest, Mitchell Dale, Chairman of the Texas FFA Foundation Board of Directors and President of McRee Ford. The conversation highlights the importance of gratitude, family, and faith in shaping Mitchell's life. Mitchell shares insights into the success and values of McRee Ford, a family-owned dealership in Texas. The episode also del...
Dec 07, 2023•43 min•Ep. 45
Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Growing Our Future podcast. Host Aaron Alejandro brings you another insightful conversation with a special guest who has sown seeds of greatness throughout his life. Today's guest is none other than Congressman Bill Sarpalius, the Grand Duke of Lithuania. Let's dive into his incredible journey and the lessons he shares. Congressman Hon. Bill Sarpalius' life epitomizes the American Dream. Abandoned by his father, he faced homelessness with his brothers ...
Nov 16, 2023•42 min•Ep. 44
In this episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast, host Aaron Alejandro interviews Lieutenant Colonel Don "Doc" Ballard, a Medal of Honor recipient and Vietnam War hero. Doc shares his upbringing surrounded by military veterans, emphasizing the values of caregiving, community support, and gratitude. Despite humble beginnings, Doc started his own business at 14, teaching him the importance of hard work and entrepreneurship. Doc joined the Navy to fund his education and found himself in Vietnam as...
Nov 02, 2023•55 min•Ep. 43
Aaron welcomes the listeners to another exciting episode of the Growing Our Future podcast. He emphasizes the importance of guests who share their insights and experiences, highlighting the significance of planting the right seeds in agriculture for a prosperous future. James Huang, President of eXp Commercial, a publicly traded company. James shares his journey, from his childhood in New York City to his role as a commercial real estate leader. He emphasizes the importance of leadership, volunt...
Oct 19, 2023•42 min•Ep. 42
Welcome back to another captivating episode of the Growing Our Future podcast, hosted by the insightful Aaron Alejandro. Today, Aaron sits down with a true luminary in the field of agricultural education, Dr. Gary Moore, a passionate historian and educator whose impact has been felt across generations. In this episode, Aaron and Dr. Moore delve deep into the roots of agricultural education, exploring the very essence of what makes this field unique. Dr. Moore, a distinguished figure in the agric...
Oct 05, 2023•53 min•Ep. 41
In this episode of the "Growing Our Future" podcast, host Aaron Alejandro welcomes Tucker Brown as their special guest. The podcast aims to explore insights, expertise, and experiences from individuals who are actively shaping the future. As Abraham Lincoln once said, "The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next," emphasizing the importance of what we sow today for a better tomorrow. Tucker Brown, the 6th generation of the R.A. Brown Ranch...
Sep 21, 2023•44 min•Ep. 40
In this week's episode of the "Growing Our Future" podcast, host Aaron Alejandro is joined by the esteemed CEO of the National FFA, Scott Stump. Together, they embark on a captivating journey through Scott's life and career, exploring the transformative power of FFA, the importance of saying "yes," and the pivotal role agriculture education plays in shaping the future. Aaron delves into Scott's unique journey and career path, highlighting his background in agriculture education and biochemical e...
Sep 07, 2023•40 min•Ep. 39
Welcome to the "Growing Our Future" podcast, where Aaron Alejandro invites inspiring guests to share insights on agriculture, advocacy, and making a positive impact. In this episode, Aaron is joined by Michelle Miller, also known as "The Farm Babe," an influencer, advocate, and social media powerhouse promoting truth in agriculture and debunking myths. Together, they delve into the importance of effective communication, the power of advocacy, and bridging the gap between farmers and consumers. M...
Aug 17, 2023•51 min•Ep. 38
Welcome to another exciting episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast, where Aaron Alejandro brings you subject matter experts to share their insights, experiences, and expertise in the world of agriculture and beyond. Today's guest is none other than Corey Rosenbusch, the President and CEO of the Fertilizer Institute, a trade association based in Washington, DC, representing the fertilizer industry. Corey's journey from a small town in Texas to leading a significant industry association is trul...
Aug 03, 2023•43 min•Ep. 37
In this episode of the "Growing Our Future Podcast," host Aaron Alejandro welcomes Neely Nelson, the Head of Public and Government Affairs, Strategy, and Citizenship for ExxonMobil. Aaron emphasizes the importance of nurturing the future by bringing on exceptional guests who share their time, expertise, and insights. Neely, being no stranger to the FFA and a prominent figure in agriculture and government affairs, joins the show to discuss her journey, gratitude, and leadership experience. Aaron ...
Jul 20, 2023•44 min•Ep. 36
Welcome to another exciting episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast, where Aaron Alejandro brings you insights, experiences, and expertise to help plant the seeds of greatness for a better future. In this episode, Aaron is joined by Dr. Justin Ransom, the Senior Director of Sustainable Food Policy at Tyson Foods. Dr. Ransom shares his knowledge and expertise on the future of food and how to shape it to meet the growing demand for production and feeding the world. Dr. Ransom's impressive backgr...
Jul 06, 2023•30 min•Ep. 35
In this week's episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast, host Aaron Alejandro brings on a special guest, Tuhon Harley Elmore. Tuhon Harley is not only a successful businessman but also an accomplished martial artist and a true American warrior. Aaron shares his excitement about this unique episode, as Tuhon Harley's words and presence have deeply intrigued him since their first encounter. Together, they aim to explore various topics and provide valuable insights and experiences for the audience...
Jun 22, 2023•52 min•Ep. 34
In this episode of the Growing Our Future podcast , Host Aaron Alejandro is joined by a special guest, Jon Gordon, a renowned author, speaker, and influencer. Aaron emphasizes the importance of nurturing and cultivating the future through the act of growing. Just like in agriculture, to know the future, one must actively plant the right seeds, nurture them, and eventually harvest the fruits. Jon expresses his gratitude for his family, particularly his wife, daughter, and son, highlighting their ...
Jun 08, 2023•47 min•Ep. 33
In this episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast, host Aaron Alejandro interviews Dr. Temple Grandin, a renowned professor of animal science at Colorado State University. Dr. Grandin shares her journey as a severely autistic child and the support she received from mentors and teachers throughout her life. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing different kinds of thinking, such as visual, pattern-based, and verbal thinking. Dr. Grandin discusses her work in designing livestoc...
May 26, 2023•43 min•Ep. 32
In this episode, Aaron interviews Kay Allison Crews, Certified Professional Parliamentarian-Teacher (CPP-T) and Professional Registered Parliamentarian (PRP). Kay has been serving the FFA as their parliamentarian both in Texas and nationally for several years. Aaron introduces Kay as the subject matter expert behind the scenes, and the audience gets to learn about her pathway to becoming a parliamentarian. In the podcast, Kay talks about the credentials she carries, including the professional re...
May 12, 2023•52 min•Ep. 31
The Growing Our Future podcast welcomes Russell Graves, a professional photographer who shares his experiences and insights about his career. Host Aaron Alejandro introduces Russell as an international superstar in the photography world and begins by asking him what he is grateful for today. Russell expresses his gratitude for his health, family, and being an American. He is also happy about spending a few days in the great outdoors. Russell shares background and how he started his journey as a ...
Apr 27, 2023•45 min•Ep. 30
In this episode of the Growing Our Future podcast, host Aaron Alejandro welcomes Chairman Bryan Daniel, Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission, to discuss his journey to leadership and the importance of helping young people find success. Bryan grew up in the FFA and has now gone on to make a significant impact in his position, and Aaron is honored to have him on the show. They discuss the power of gratitude and being thankful for the opportunities that allow them to make a difference in the ...
Apr 13, 2023•47 min•Ep. 29
Director and Chief Operations Officer, and he has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to agriculture and young people. Tune in as Aaron and Si talk about the essence of leadership, Si's FFA journey, and how to make yourself exceptional. Si Cook is the Executive Director and Chief Operations Officer of the Texas Farm Bureau. He has a degree in agriculture education and has worked in the agriculture industry for over 25 years. Si is a former FFA member and has a deep-rooted passion for young peopl...
Mar 23, 2023•41 min•Ep. 28
On this episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast, Host Aaron Alejandro introduced Dr. Lyda G. Garcia,Associate Professor, Meat Science and Extension Meat Specialist at College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. Dr. Lyda discussed her educational journey and her experiences as a professor at the Ohio State University. Born and raised in Hebbronville, Texas, Dr.Lyda was surrounded by a strong Hispanic culture that instilled the values of hard work, edu...
Mar 09, 2023•56 min•Ep. 27
This episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast features Justin Bradley Reyes, the Manager of Member Services & Engagement for the Latino Corporate Directors Association (LCDA). Justin shares his story of how his FFA journey started and how it has contributed to his professional success. He also talks about his experience of working in the public policy field, which led him to his current role. He emphasizes the importance of being resourceful and utilizing contacts and connections within the...
Feb 23, 2023•41 min•Ep. 26
On this episode of Growing Our Future Podcast, Aaron Alejandro introduced Dan Owolabi, Speaker, Author, Presenter, and Executive Director of Branches Worldwide. Dan talks to us about authentic leadership and how to lead with nothing to hide, nothing to prove, and nothing to lose. He also shares his journey in life, which led him to his current position, and how his parents, both Nigerian immigrants and deaf, impacted his self-perception. Dan also shares his thoughts on cognitive dissonance and h...
Feb 09, 2023•42 min•Ep. 25
On this episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast, Aaron Alejandro introduces Codie Hedge, President, Senior Lending Officer at Graham Savings, and Kyle Anderson, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones. Today’s episode focuses on financial planning and management. They discuss the importance of financial responsibility and how to manage college debt. Codie and Kyle both share their personal experiences and advice on how to build a successful financial future. Story Notes: The Importance of Financial ...
Jan 26, 2023•55 min•Ep. 24
On this episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast, Aaron Alejandro introduces Marla Calico, President and CEO of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE). Marla had worked as general manager of the Ozark Empire Fair before joining IAFE, first as Director of Education and then as COO. IAFE is a voluntary, not-for-profit corporation serving state, provincial, regional, and county agricultural fairs, shows, exhibitions, and expositions. Its associate members include state and p...
Jan 05, 2023•53 min•Ep. 23
On this episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast, Aaron Alejandro introduces John Sharp, Chancellor of Texas A&M University. John Sharp has served over a decade as the Chancellor of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. His journey began at Bloomington High School’s FFA (Future Farmers of America) Program that grounded him in foundational principles that gave him the confidence to lead today. High responsibility, beating a fear of public speaking and rebounding from failures a...
Dec 22, 2022•42 min•Ep. 22
On this episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast, Aaron Alejandro introduces Kent Hance, Founding Partner at Hance Scarborough, LLP & Chancellor at Texas Tech University. In December 2006, Hance became the third chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, which was comprised of Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the time. Under his leadership, the system set records in enrollment, research and degrees awarded, and doubled in size, growing from two ...
Dec 08, 2022•37 min•Ep. 21
In this Growing Our Future Podcast episode, Aaron Alejandro introduces Mike Rowe,TV host, writer, narrator, producer, actor and spokesman. Mike’s performing career began in 1984, when he faked his way into the Baltimore Opera to get his union card and meet girls, both of which he accomplished during a performance of Rigoletto. His transition to television occurred in 1990 when to settle a bet ,he auditioned for the QVC Shopping Channel and was promptly hired after talking about a pencil for near...
Nov 17, 2022•38 min•Ep. 20
