Janell Evans

When Dr. Anders Leverton talks about ADHD, he does so from two perspectives: as a pediatrician who helps children and families navigate the diagnosis every day, and as someone who has lived with ADHD since childhood himself. In this episode of Hey Amarillo, Dr. Leverton shares the path that led him to pediatrics and the deep sense of purpose that drives his work. Our conversation explores the challenges and misconceptions surrounding ADHD, why he believes understanding the condition can be life-changing for families, and how his own experiences have helped him build remarkable connections with his patients. Dr. Leverton also offers a refreshing perspective on ADHD, describing it not as a limitation, but as a superpower when understood and supported in the right ways. Whether you're a parent, educator, someone with ADHD, or simply curious to learn more, this conversation brings clarity, compassion, and insight to a topic that affects so many families.

Janell Evans is the director of 211, the information and referral service operated by United Way of Amarillo & Canyon. Every day, her team helps connect people with the resources and support they need, whether they're facing financial hardship, housing challenges, mental health concerns, family crises, or countless other life circumstances. In this episode of Hey Amarillo, Janell shares what she's learned from years spent helping people navigate some of their most difficult moments. We talk about the most common needs her team encounters, the misconceptions many of us have about who needs help and why, and the realities facing individuals and families across our community. What I appreciated most about this conversation was how often it challenged my assumptions. Janell brings both the heart of a helper and the perspective of someone who has spent years listening closely to people's struggles and connecting them with solutions. It's an insightful, compassionate conversation about the needs that exist all around us—and the people working every day to meet them.

If you want to understand the Texas Panhandle, spend some time talking with a rancher. Donnie Trammell comes from a long line of them. His grandfather was a rancher. His father was a rancher. Donnie has spent his life raising cattle, and now his sons and grandchildren are carrying that tradition forward. In this episode of Hey Amarillo, Donnie shares the story of a family rooted in the land and committed to feeding their community. We talk about the realities of modern ranching, the challenges facing agricultural producers today, and what popular culture gets right—and wrong—about life on the ranch. We also discuss how the Trammell family has expanded beyond cattle through local meat production and retail, helping connect Panhandle families directly to food raised close to home. Through ventures like Tir Bluen Farms and 6 Ranchers storefronts, they're creating new ways for consumers to support local agriculture while learning more about where their food comes from. This conversation is a tribute to a way of life that has shaped our region for generations—and to the people working to ensure it continues for generations to come.

Few people know the history of Boys Ranch quite like Mike Pacino. After spending decades at Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, Mike has witnessed firsthand the impact the organization has had on generations of young people. But he also knows the stories that came long before Boys Ranch existed—the stories of Old Tascosa, the wild frontier town that once stood along the Canadian River. In this episode of Hey Amarillo, Mike takes us back to a time of cowboys, Comancheros, outlaws, and shootouts, sharing the colorful history of one of the Texas Panhandle's most legendary places. We also talk about how that same land became home to Boys Ranch and the lasting influence it has had on thousands of young people from across the country. This conversation feels less like an interview and more like sitting around a campfire listening to an old cowboy tell the stories of the land he knows by heart. And honestly, I could have listened all day.

When Deidre Parish stepped into the role of superintendent of Amarillo ISD, she inherited responsibility for one of the largest organizations in the Texas Panhandle—serving nearly 30,000 students and leading thousands of employees across the district. But for Deidre, leadership starts with listening. In this episode of Hey Amarillo, Deidre shares her approach to guiding Amarillo ISD through a rapidly changing educational landscape. We talk about the opportunities and challenges that technology brings into the classroom, the realities facing today's students, and why schools need to do a better job telling the success stories that often go unnoticed. Thoughtful, passionate, and deeply committed to public education, Deidre offers an inside look at what it means to lead a school district and prepare students for the future.

John Marmaduke spent decades building one of America's most recognizable entertainment retailers. As President and CEO of Hastings Entertainment, he transformed a small collection of struggling stores into a nationwide chain that became a destination for books, movies, music, and more. In this conversation, John reflects on the rise of Hastings, the dramatic changes that reshaped the music and entertainment industries, and the business principles that guided his leadership along the way. His approach to running successful companies is surprisingly straightforward, grounded in understanding people, managing finances wisely, and focusing on fundamentals. Along the way, John shares stories from a remarkable career that brought him into contact with everyone from Sam Walton to Michael Jackson to Brooks & Dunn. Part walk down memory lane to a world of CDs, video rentals, and bookstore browsing, and part masterclass in business, leadership, and entrepreneurship, this conversation offers valuable lessons for anyone interested in how great companies are built—and how industries evolve.

Kari Bachman, Senior Services Director at the Warford Activity Center, has spent her career helping people thrive. From serving in the Peace Corps to leading camps and nonprofit organizations across the country, her work has always centered on building connections, strengthening communities, and supporting those who need it most. Today, that mission continues through her leadership at Warford, where she and her team are creating opportunities for Amarillo's older adults to stay engaged, connected, and supported. Kari shares how Warford partners with organizations, volunteers, and neighbors across the community to ensure seniors feel valued and cared for, while honoring the dignity and wisdom that come with aging. In this conversation, we explore what it means to age with dignity, why communities should prioritize caring for older adults, and the lessons we can learn when we take the time to listen to those who have spent decades building the world around us.

Few people get a closer look at a community than a police officer. Over the course of his career with the Amarillo Police Department, Matt Adams has served in roles that have taken him into nearly every corner of the city—from patrol and school resource officer assignments at local campuses to the juvenile gang unit, and now moving into homicide investigations. Each position has offered a different window into the challenges, struggles, and resilience of the people who call Amarillo home. In this episode of Hey Amarillo, Matt shares what he's learned from years spent meeting people on some of the best—and worst—days of their lives. We talk about how public perceptions of law enforcement have changed, the realities officers face today, the challenges confronting our community, and the lessons he's learned about grace, empathy, and human nature along the way. It's an honest conversation about policing, but it's also a conversation about people. Matt's perspective is thoughtful, grounded, and surprisingly hopeful—and it's a reminder that understanding often begins with grace.

Daniel Rosenbach and his family are restoring Amarillo's historic helium plant and transforming it into a new community gathering place. In this conversation, we explore the fascinating history behind Amarillo becoming the "Helium Capital of the World," including the plant's role in wartime efforts and its decades of operation before being decommissioned. We also talk about the challenge of preserving the history and character of a place while bringing it back to life for a new generation.

Amber Asher is a neuroscientist focused on brain health and aging, but the work she's doing extends far beyond research. Alongside her mother—a longtime nursing home nurse—Amber is helping communities have more honest, informed conversations about dementia, Alzheimer's, and the mental health challenges that often come with aging. Together, they're combining science, lived experience, and practical care to make difficult topics feel more approachable and less isolating for families. It's a thoughtful conversation about caregiving, compassion, and the importance of understanding the people we love as they age.