Jessie McMeans

Jessie McMeans always wanted to be an educator, but that path started to change when she found herself conflicted by what she was seeing in Houston public school classrooms. Years later, back home in Amarillo, she still felt pulled toward creating an educational experience that better incorporated families and responded to the individual needs of children. What came from all of that was a big leap: Golden Plains Community School, a new private school on Amarillo's north side. Jessie talks about building a school alongside the community it serves, and what it looks like to follow where you feel tugged.

Devin Singleton has spent his career behind the camera, working as a videographer and producer and telling other people's stories. But some stories are much more personal. In this episode of Hey Amarillo, Devin talks about his career in media and videography before the conversation turns to the loss of his brother to suicide and the ways that loss has shaped his life and his work. Devin is now bringing that experience to a limited series for Panhandle PBS exploring the lives of people who have lost someone they love to suicide. Our conversation goes beyond grief and into the language we use around suicide, the stories we tell about those who die, and the people who are left to carry a loss that is often incredibly difficult to talk about. This is a heavy episode, but an important one. Devin brings thoughtfulness, vulnerability, and a perspective that challenges some of the ways we have learned to talk — and not talk — about suicide. Content warning: This episode includes an extended conversation about suicide, suicide loss, and grief.

Randall Renfroe is the owner of Allstate Security Industries, an Amarillo-based company nearing 100 years in business. But his path to leading the family company is a remarkable one. Randall shares an extraordinary childhood shaped by his younger brother's critical illness, experiences that took his family from abject poverty to the White House, painful family rifts, and the tough grandfather who eventually mentored him into the business. It's a candid conversation about family, loss, resilience and the unlikely road to success.

Kenzie Crabtree is a local singer-songwriter and musician who has also found herself at the center of a great little community of Amarillo artists and musicians. Through Backyardagain Sessions, Kenzie periodically opens up her own backyard to showcase local songwriters and give them a place to play their original music. The sessions have been enthusiastically supported by the community and have become a space for people to play their own songs, listen to each other and simply be together. Kenzie and host Skylar Gallop talk about Backyardagain, the music scene in Amarillo, making art and what it means to have a space where you can create and be seen. Kenzie is funny, warm and clearly deeply invested in her own art and creating — and in helping other people do the same.

Matthew Rosas didn't take the traditional route into fashion. He started as an athletic coach, then followed his creativity into an entirely different world — designing clothes, producing fashion shows, and building a brand right here in Amarillo. In this episode of Hey Amarillo, Matthew takes us inside an industry I knew very little about. We talk about where he finds inspiration, what goes into taking an idea from his head to the runway, and how he's using pieces from America's Best Thrift Store to upcycle clothing into original street fashion. But underneath the clothes and the creativity is a whole lot of heart. Matthew talks about the influence of his family, the art and experiences that shape his work, and what it means to build something that feels entirely his own. It's a conversation about fashion, yes — but it's also about having the courage to reinvent yourself, finding inspiration in unexpected places, and creating something meaningful from what's already around you.

From the north side of Amarillo to leading the largest security company in the world, Elton Bradley has built an extraordinary career without ever losing sight of where he came from. As General Manager of one of the world's biggest security companies, Elton has found remarkable professional success. But ask people in Amarillo who he is, and many will point to something else entirely: the Northside Toy Drive. What began as a small effort to help 25 families at Christmas has grown into one of Amarillo's most impactful nonprofits. Today, the organization serves thousands of families year-round, providing everything from Christmas gifts to scholarships, utility assistance, and hope when it's needed most. In this episode, Elton shares the story behind his career, why giving back has always mattered, and how a handful of people with a simple idea built a movement that's changing lives across Amarillo. Along the way, he proves that leadership doesn't have to be complicated—you just have to care enough to get the work done. Funny, humble, and deeply passionate about his community, Elton Bradley is the kind of person who makes Amarillo a better place.

Growing up in the Texas Panhandle, Dr. Shanna Peeples never imagined that teaching would one day take her around the world. But after years in the classroom—and an unwavering commitment to her students—she was named the National Teacher of the Year, launching her into one of the most extraordinary years of her life. In this episode, Shanna reflects on the moments that shaped her as an educator, the students who changed her perspective, and why the classroom remains at the heart of everything she does. She also pulls back the curtain on the whirlwind experience of becoming National Teacher of the Year—a journey that led to international travel, unforgettable encounters, and more than a few unbelievable stories. Shanna is as funny as she is thoughtful, and she speaks about education with the kind of conviction that reminds us why great teachers matter. Whether you're an educator or simply someone who remembers the teacher who changed your life, this conversation is full of insight, laughter, and a renewed appreciation for the people who dedicate themselves to helping others learn.

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.