HEY ETX

What does it take to rescue two people trapped in a hot air balloon basket 920 feet in the air? Captain Stephen Winchell of the Longview Fire Department lived it. In this episode, Stephen walks us through the extraordinary Gregg County tower rescue that captured national attention, his journey from a small-town Wisconsin kid to East Texas first responder, and the faith that grounds every climb, every call, and every quiet moment at home with his family.Discover more local stories and stay connected: https://heyetx.vista.page/Chapters00:00 - Meet Captain Stephen Winchell01:28 - The Longview Fire Department & Special Ops04:51 - From Wisconsin to East Texas06:18 - What Special Operations Actually Does08:15 - The Morning of February 28th12:47 - The Climb: 920 Feet Up19:15 - Reaching the Survivors21:10 - Lowering Them to Safety25:20 - National Media & Community Impact30:05 - The Heart of the Fire Service32:50 - The Big Seven48:20 - Closing Prayer & Thanks#HeyETX #Podcast #EastTexas #SupportLocal #CommunityVoices #ETXStories #LongviewFireDepartment #HotAirBalloonRescue #CaptainWinchell #GreggCounty #FirstResponders #TowerRescue #FaithAndService

Meet Shane and Courtney Goswick — the husband-and-wife team behind Local Lights, a family-owned Christmas light company bringing holiday magic to homes across East Texas. They share the story of building (and selling) their first lighting business, what 20 years of marriage and entrepreneurship taught them about identity, and how hanging lights became a way to love their neighbors well. Shane also opens up about co-hosting The Uncomfortable Truth, a faith-centered podcast that started with a few friends at Cracker Barrel and grew into a five-year ministry reaching people across East Texas and beyond.Find out more about Local Lights here: https://yourlocallights.com/Watch The Uncomfortable Truth podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@uncomfortabletruthDiscover more local stories and stay connected: https://heyetx.vista.page/Chapters:00:00 - Intro & Sponsors01:12 - Meet Shane & Courtney Goswick03:09 - How They Met & Marriage Story06:15 - From Lawn Care to Christmas Lights09:42 - Small Business Lessons & Working Together16:31 - Selling the Business & Starting Over24:09 - Finding Identity Beyond Business28:02 - The Local Lights Customer Experience32:44 - Spreading Joy Through Lights33:50 - The Uncomfortable Truth Podcast46:25 - The Big Seven Questions61:23 - Closing Prayer & Thanks#HeyETX #Podcast #EastTexas #SupportLocal #CommunityVoices #ETXStories #LocalLights #ChristmasLights #SmallBusinessOwners #FamilyBusiness #HallsvilleTX #TheUncomfortableTruth #FaithAndBusiness #HolidayLighting

What happens when a Longview native with a deep family legacy of military service sees her combat-veteran friend struggle to get a single counseling appointment? She builds something that changes lives. Grace Henderson, co-founder and executive director of Operation True North, joins us to share how a friendship forged after deployment grew into a nonprofit that has delivered over 11,000 hours of counseling and 390+ peer support groups for veterans, first responders, medical professionals, and their families right here in East Texas. This is a story about serving those who serve — and why mental health care, community, and connection matter more than ever.Discover more local stories and stay connected: https://heyetx.vista.page/To learn more about Operation True North: https://operationtruenorth.com/Chapters00:00 – Intro & Sponsor Spotlight01:25 – Meet Grace Henderson02:40 – A Family Legacy of Military Service04:50 – Co-Founding Operation True North07:30 – Who OTN Serves: Veterans to First Responders09:50 – Peer Support Groups & Counseling11:50 – Marriage & Family Counseling That Heals14:05 – Milestones: 11,000 Hours & 390+ Groups15:45 – Patriot Day Golf Classic & Will Summers' Story20:00 – Breaking the Mental Health Stigma23:30 – How to Get Involved: 5K, Resource Hub & More27:30 – The Big Seven with Grace#HEYETX #Podcast #EastTexas #SupportLocal #CommunityVoices #ETXStories #OperationTrueNorth #VeteransSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #FirstResponders #LongviewTX #MilitaryFamilies #Nonprofit

What happens when two East Texas families decide to bring a beloved 1981 mini golf venue back from the dead? Robert Parkison, co-owner of Tap Shot in Longview, shares the sweat-equity story behind renovating 36 holes, adding pickleball, laser shooting simulators, an arcade, a 10-tap beer wall, and a full food menu — all while saving the iconic animal statues the community refused to let go. From a Fourth of July lake conversation to a marriage proposal in front of the elephant, this is what happens when East Texans rally around a local treasure.Discover more local stories and stay connected: https://heyetx.vista.page/Chapters:00:00 - Show Intro & Sponsors01:11 - Meet Robert Parkison of Tap Shot02:28 - Growing Up in Marshall, Texas03:36 - How the Tap Shot Idea Was Born05:00 - The Renovation Journey06:47 - Saving the Beloved Animal Statues09:14 - Beyond Mini Golf: Pickleball & More11:31 - The Story Behind the Name Tap Shot13:06 - Community Reaction & Memorable Events15:59 - Challenges, Timeline & What's Next18:48 - The Big Seven Questions25:14 - Prayer for Robert's Father, Rex#HeyETX #Podcast #EastTexas #SupportLocal #CommunityVoices #ETXStories #TapShot #LongviewTX #MiniGolf #FamilyFun #SmallBusiness #Pickleball #MarshallTX #LocalEntertainment

What does it take to turn someone's dream home into reality — and build a thriving business with your spouse along the way? Lucas and Lainey Mock, the husband-and-wife team behind Crossbeam Contracting in Longview, Texas, share their journey from lawn care and a church maintenance crew to running a full-scale construction company. From residential remodels to commercial projects across East Texas, they talk about why quality, communication, and relationships matter more than just getting the job done — and how faith and family keep it all grounded.Check them out here: www.crossbeamcontracting.comDiscover more local stories and stay connected: https://heyetx.vista.page/Chapters:00:00 Welcome to Hey East Texas01:31 Meet Lucas & Lainey Mock of Crossbeam Contracting02:56 From Lawn Care to Construction: The Origin Story04:20 Blue Carpet, a Flood, and a Chimney Fire07:20 Growing the Business Since 201309:20 Why Quality and Trust Matter With Your Home12:10 Dividing Responsibilities as a Husband-and-Wife Team16:10 Communication, Timelines, and the Heart of the Home22:00 Favorite Projects and Building Lifelong Relationships28:00 The Big 7: Lessons, Faith, and Skydiving37:30 Closing Prayer and Wrap-Up#HEYETX #Podcast #EastTexas #SupportLocal #CommunityVoices #ETXStories #CrossbeamContracting #LucasAndLaineyMock #HomeRemodeling #LongviewTX #HusbandAndWifeBusiness #ConstructionEastTexas #FaithAndFamily #MobberlyBaptistChurch

What happens when a family pours everything — even living in the back of an auto shop with six kids — into building a business on honesty and faith? Tony and Josh Spraggins, two of several family members behind Spraggins Auto Repair, share 25 years of family-run service in Longview and their bold step into Tyler. From sweeping floors at 14 to navigating today's high-tech diagnostics, their story is a testament to doing things the right way and treating every customer with respect and honesty.Discover more local stories and stay connected: https://heyetx.vista.page/Find out more about Spraggins Auto Repair here: https://www.spragginsautorepairtx.com/Chapters00:00 - Intro & Sponsor Shoutouts02:30 - Meet Tony & Josh Spraggins04:15 - From Sweeping Floors to Owning a Shop05:50 - Living at the Shop with Six Kids08:15 - Family at the Heart of the Business08:55 - Why Honesty Matters in Auto Repair10:15 - The Complexity of Modern Vehicles13:30 - Building Trust with Every Customer16:35 - Preventative Maintenance Tips from a Pro20:00 - Opening the Tyler Location22:55 - The Big Seven Rapid-Fire Questions36:15 - Prayer & Closing#HeyETX #Podcast #EastTexas #SupportLocal #CommunityVoices #ETXStories #SpragginsAutoRepair #LongviewTX #TylerTX #AutoRepair #FamilyBusiness #FaithAndWork #AutomotiveTechnician #CarMaintenance #EastTexasAutoRepair

Meet Jason Williams — co-owner of Fabulous Cookies in Longview, Texas — who, along with his brother John and close friend Jason Holt, took over a beloved 20-year bakery tradition from founder Jeff Steinmeyer and hasn't changed a single thing about the recipe. In this episode, Jason shares the wild story of buying the shop, the chaotic first day of extended hours that sold 200+ dozen cookies in seven hours, and some big first-time announcements about nationwide shipping, a mobile app, a building expansion, and new flavors on the way. It's a celebration of local entrepreneurship, family, faith, and the community that makes East Texas sweet.Discover more local stories and stay connected: https://heyetx.vista.page/Find out more about Fabulous Cookies here: https://fabulouscookies.com/Chapters00:00 - Intro & Sponsors02:30 - Meet Jason Williams04:00 - The Story Behind Fabulous Cookies05:10 - Buying the Bakery: Jason's Journey07:20 - Keeping the 20-Year Tradition Alive09:00 - The Cookie Rush & 400% Growth13:00 - Shipping, Delivery & Online Ordering14:30 - The Four Fabulous Cookie Flavors18:30 - Saturday Hours & Building Expansion22:00 - Challenges, Family & What's Next30:50 - The Big Seven Questions38:30 - Prayer & Closing#HeyETX #Podcast #EastTexas #SupportLocal #CommunityVoices #ETXStories #FabulousCookies #LongviewTX #JasonWilliams #BakeryBusiness #SmallBusiness #LocalBakery #EastTexasFood #CookieShop #MobberlyBaptistChurch

Reed Livesay, President and CEO of Pine Cove, joins us to share his journey from the corporate world to camp ministry — and how Pine Cove is transforming families, students, and college staff across East Texas and beyond. From camp traditions and core values to the incredible stories of life change happening every summer, this conversation celebrates a ministry that's deeply rooted in our region and growing across the nation.Learn more about Pine Cove here: https://www.pinecove.com/Discover more local stories and stay connected: https://heyetx.vista.page/Chapters:00:00 - Welcome & Sponsor Shoutouts01:33 - Meet Reed Livesay: From Auditor to Camp CEO04:52 - Pine Cove's Core Values06:42 - Camps & Locations Across Texas and Beyond10:38 - Growth, Legacy, and Stewardship11:57 - The Pine Cove Family Culture13:36 - What Makes the Camp Experience Special15:41 - Why Family Camp Is in High Demand17:13 - The Camp Names Tradition19:19 - Hopes, Dreams & a Story About Prayer23:43 - How to Attend or Support Pine Cove25:43 - The Big Seven & Closing Prayer#HeyETX #Podcast #EastTexas #SupportLocal #CommunityVoices #ETXStories #PineCove #ReedLivesay #ChristianCamps #TylerTexas #CampMinistry #FamilyCamp #FaithAndFamily #NextGeneration

When Dr. Andy Mack was eight years old, he was cutting sutures for his father in a Longview emergency room, back before HIPAA made that impossible. Nearly four decades later, he's an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who has cared for East Texas smiles his entire career, and a former Longview mayor who spent nine years in office, leading the city through COVID-19 and a historic ice storm. On this Season 5 premiere, Dr. Mack sits down with Brandon to talk about growing up on a dirt road in Longview, the family of surgeons who raised him, and the faith that carried him through the hardest season of public office.Discover more local stories and stay connected: https://heyetx.vista.page/#HEYETX #Podcast #EastTexas #SupportLocal #CommunityVoices #ETXStories #LongviewTX #DrAndyMack #OralSurgeon #FormerMayor #LongviewMayor #EastTexasLeaders #FaithAndFamily #communityleadership

For James Chesnut, a good day on the water was never really about the fish count. It's about the peace he gets to hand someone else, a grieving widower who just needed to breathe again, a dying grandfather's last trip with his son and grandson. East Texas Outdoors exists because James believes everyone needs a reset, and he's found his calling giving people exactly that.This week on HEY ETX Spotlight, James — owner of East Texas Outdoors and a full-time air traffic controller — joins Brandon to share how a single fishing trip during COVID turned into a full guide service on two of East Texas's best crappie lakes, the team that makes it possible, and the moments on the water that remind him why he does this work.Discover more local stories and stay connected: https://heyetx.vista.page/Chapters:00:00 – Welcome to Hey ETX Spotlight00:53 – Meet James Chesnut & East Texas Outdoors02:11 – What East Texas Outdoors Is All About02:41 – How It Started: A COVID Fishing Trip with Marty Thomas04:01 – The Team Behind East Texas Outdoors05:34 – Gear, Sponsors & Keeping the Boat Running06:37 – Guided Trips on Lake O' the Pines & Lake Bob Sandlin07:33 – Why Hire a Fishing Guide?08:55 – Best Crappie Lake & the Forward-Facing Sonar Debate10:30 – The Moment Behind "Lost in the Pines"13:27 – The Trips That Give People Peace17:25 – Air Traffic Control, Time & Growing a Business19:44 – What's Next for East Texas Outdoors22:14 – Find & Book with East Texas Outdoors#HEYETX #Podcast #EastTexas #SupportLocal #CommunityVoices #ETXStories #EastTexasOutdoors #FishingGuide #LakeOThePines #CrappieFishing #HallsvilleTX #FishingTherapy