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Host Kent Hance shares insightful, educational and often hilarious stories from his legendary life as a lawyer, a former U.S. Congressman, a university chancellor, and most notably, a native Texan. With themes ranging from leadership to politics and great friendships with some colorful characters, this podcast is an opportunity for Hance to share some of his rare, behind-the-scenes experiences and to solidify his unofficial title as The Best Storyteller in Texas.
The People of Texas podcast, hosted by TPPF Distinguished Senior Fellow Sherry Sylvester, explores the stories of modern-day Texas icons.
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The Best Storyteller In Texas Podcast
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Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient James C. McCloughan
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In this episode: Kent talks to Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient James C. McCloughan. Drafted into the United States Army in 1968, Jim served as a combat medic with the Americal Division where he rose to the rank of Specialist Five. In one battle alone “Doc” McCloughan has been credited with moving into the “kill zone” on ten occasions, saving…
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Fan Favorite Friday: “Hold Up Her Head, Luke; I Think She Smells Alfalfa”
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This week's Fan Favorite is from June 7, 2021 Kent shares priceless courtroom stories, including a client who mixed up his cases and a juror who hilariously misconstrued a note passed by a female juror. Clients will usually tell you the truth but sometimes they don’t. When they say, “Ask her about Hitler!”, that is just bizarre. From marital infide…
Kent recalls regretting the time he questioned a college professor about a grade he received.By Kent Hance
When Kent was a Member of Congress a constituent approached him with what she thought was a dumb question. Two years later that question was signed into law.By Kent Hance
A person attending a town hall meeting pulled Kent aside and asked what she thought was a dumb question. Two years later that question was signed into law.By Kent Hance
Kent describes the problems with too many acronyms.By Kent Hance
In this episode: Kent wonders if the incredible number of TV ads for law firms is good or bad for the profession. He gives several examples of professionally produced ads and some that make him question the ads’ target audiences. If you are struggling with daylight saving time, you are not alone. Kent shares the findings of a recent study showing d…
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Fan Favorite Friday: Ed Whitacre, Part Two Fixing the “Fabric of the United States”
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This week's Fan Favorite is from April 2021 How did the White House persuade Ed Whitacre to help save General Motors, and what was the personal reason he agreed to take the job? How did he catapult GM from bankruptcy to a billion-dollar profit powerhouse within months? And which GM model sells like hotcakes in China as a luxury vehicle? Kent and Ed…
In this episode: Kent talks with Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick about his life before entering Texas politics — from growing up in inner-city Baltimore, to his first campaign for senior class president, and onward through a long, quixotic career as a radio DJ, TV sports broadcaster, restaurateur, and radio station owner. Patrick salutes numerous p…
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Fan Favorite Friday: Ed Whitacre, Part 1: It’s Always About the People
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This week's Fan Favorite is from April 2021 Kent Hance talks with Ed Whitacre, the former chairman and CEO of two of the largest corporations in the nation, General Motors and AT&T. Whitacre tells us what he really thought about Kent when they first met in college and why it’s sometimes okay to be the second choice. He also discusses the biggest de…
Kent's childhood friend, Snake Adams wondered why someone was called "Ten Toes Johnson." His answer left both Kent and Snake confused.By Kent Hance
Kent shares a trick you can use the next time you want to buy a used car.By Kent Hance
John L Cox was a humble billionaire that had a better recollection of his athletic career than the public did.By Kent Hance
In the second of a two-part series, Kent sits down with former Texas Commissioner of Agriculture and current Texas Oil & Gas Association President Todd Staples. Commissioner Staples discusses the hand-in-hand relationship between energy security and national security, what he tells foreign delegations wanting to know the secret to successfully deve…
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Fan Favorite Friday: What You Don't Know About The Reagan Tax Cut
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This week's Fan Favorite is from June 2021. The late State Senator Babe Schwartz is on a mission to get a gun but winds up with some unforgettable advice from the sheriff. Kent Hance shares what really happened that led to the passing of Reagan’s historic tax cut. He also highlights what has changed in politics that makes compromise harder to come …
Kent shares his thoughts on how social media posts can hurt your chances of getting a job.By Kent Hance
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Be Careful Telling People What You Do For a Living
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Kent made the mistake of telling a fellow airline passenger what he did for a living. His new friend then told him how he should handle things.By Kent Hance
Kent knew he shouldn't have said it, but he did anyway.By Kent Hance
In part one of this two- Todd Staplespart series, Kent sits down with the president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association, Todd Staples. Prior to serving as president of TXOGA, Staples was twice elected statewide and served as the 11th Texas Commissioner of Agriculture from 2007-2014. He served with distinction as a member of the Texas Senate from 200…
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Fan Favorite Friday: You Name Dropper You
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This week's Fan Favorite is from May 2021. In this episode: Kent recounts some humorous examples of false advertising he’s seen over the years—like the overhyped boll weevil exterminator his dad once ordered, and a machine touted to turn rot-gut whiskey into high-priced spirits that fell far short of its seller’s claims. What would have pleased the…
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The Type of Athlete Eddie Robinson Recruited
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Grambling Head Football Coach Eddie Robinson recruited a specific type of athlete.By Kent Hance
Kent shares his experience after being aboard the USS Ronald Reagan and the USS Harry Truman.By Kent Hance
When compared to the rest of the world, Americans give a staggering amount of money to charity.By Kent Hance
Kent has often said he would have liked to have met Sir Winston Churchill. In this episode Kent shares some of the personality traits possessed by Churchill that helped him lead Great Britain through World War II.By Kent Hance
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Fan Favorite Friday: A Good Pitch, a Barf Bag, and the Power of Silence
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This week's Fan Favorite Friday is from April 25, 2021 In this episode: Hance divulges his shameless trick for flying in style, his daughter’s savvy 7th-grade sales strategy, and the most impressive way to follow up after an interview. He also shares the two words that do not mix and recalls the powerful nine-word speech that brought the house down…
Kent shares something the CEO of Conoco told him about the difference in graduates from Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech.By Kent Hance
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Short Story: I Remember How Quickly They Left the First Time
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Kent shares a quote about power from former White House Chief of Staff James Baker and stresses the importance of good relationships. Tell us your favorite Kent Hance Story. Send a Direct Message to: Facebook @kenthancethebeststorytellerintexas Twitter @KentRHance Instagram @BeststorytellerpodcastBy Kent Hance
Kent was feeling pretty good about himself after appearing on Meet The Press and Face The Nation until a Parade Marshall in Denver City, Texas brought him right back to reality.By Kent Hance
In this episode: On Feb 3, 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, “The Big Bopper” J.P. Richardson, and pilot Roger Peterson were killed in a plane crash after performing in Clear Lake, Iowa. Kent recalls where he was when he heard the news, how Buddy Holly inspired The Beatles, and how in the aftermath of what became known as “The Day the Music Died” …
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Fan Favorite Friday: I’m the Guy Who Stole the Chickens!
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This week's Fan Favorite Friday is from June 2023. Kent talks about expert witnesses in lawsuits — how to choose them, how to prepare them, and the importance of verifying their credentials. He recounts his own experiences serving as an expert, including the grueling nature and pitfalls of the work, and recalls some of the best expert witnesses he’…
Congressman Charlie Wilson once invited Kent on a trip he was planning with other members of Congress. Kent could not believe how long it was and where they were going. Tell us your favorite Kent Hance Story. Send a Direct Message. Facebook @kenthancethebeststorytellerintexas Twitter @KentRHance Instagram @Beststorytellerpodcast…
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Short Story: Campaigns Always Bring Out Funny Lines
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Political campaigns always produce funny lines from candidates. In today's Short Story, Kent recalls some of the rougher ones and some of the funny ones. Tell us your favorite Kent Hance Story. Send a Direct Message. Facebook @kenthancethebeststorytellerintexas Twitter @KentRHance Instagram @Beststorytellerpodcast…
In this episode: Good communication skills are crucial in all your dealings, business and personal, and overusing acronyms is a major error. Kent gives examples of how it can impede communication speed and clarity, calls out two of the biggest offenders, and shares how he handles the people and organizations that make this mistake.…
It is important to think things all the way throughBy Kent Hance
In this episode: As legislative sessions convene in states nationwide, Kent reflects on some favorite experiences during his time in the Texas Senate. They include one state senator’s unusual reason for asking the presiding officer for unanimous consent to move his desk and why once, when he and his family were visiting the US Senate, the sergeant …
Kent's guest in this episode is the author of The Myth of American Inequality, former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm. Senator Gramm uses official government statistics to argue that the rich in America are not getting richer and the poor are not getting poorer, Americans are living better today than at any time in history, and the American dream is alive …
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A Three-Legged Hog Probably Isn’t Gonna Be the Grand Champion
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In this episode: Kent talks about the importance of following your instincts when making decisions. Facts are vital and so is experience, but nothing is more crucial than listening to your gut. Kent shares instances in which listening to his gut has saved him a lot of money and heartache. Research bears out the accuracy of gut instincts, and Kent c…
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You're Wrong. Don't Sign Up For My Class.
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In this episode: Kent closes out 2022 by observing that trying and failing are part of life, and adversity is necessary to build the character and determination that leads to success. He laments the tendency of society to reward young people for simply showing up and illustrates his points, as usual, with entertaining stories involving old friends …
In this episode, Kent shares how his mother used guilt to teach him the importance of tithing. He also tells the stories of how manual labor made his son a better student and how it made him want to be a lawyer. Kent also recalls how an uninformed county commissioner nearly derailed the recruitment of two Harvard University researchers.…
In this episode: Kent talks about how college bowl games have exploded and gives some little-known facts about a competition that began in 1902 with the Rose Bowl — “the Grandaddy of them All” — to some little-known college playoffs that were ill-advised and short-lived, and everything in between. He delves into the history of the games, the circum…
In this episode: Kent shares what to do and more importantly what not to do at company Christmas parties. He also reveals what is considered the most amazing thing to happen in the United States Senate in the last 200 years and how the small town of Muleshoe, Texas played a major part in the 2022 Heisman Trophy race, Kent will connect the dots for …
In this episode: Kent discusses the importance of building good relationships and what members of Congress should return to doing to cultivate them. He also recalls how, after enjoying success, both he and former Texas Tech Head Football Coach Spike Dykes were quickly brought back to reality.By Kent Hance
In this episode: Kent shares the story of Kyle Thompson who, as a teenage soldier from rural Texas, was one of nearly 1,000 American soldiers, sailors and marines who became known as “the Lost Battalion” of World War II. Kent details how Thompson’s family was notified their son was still alive, how little he survived on and how President Roosevelt’…
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If You’re Really Thankful, Share With Others
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In this episode: Kent shares his thoughts on various facets of college basketball as the season gets underway. In the process, he recalls experiences involving great players, talented recruiters, unusual venues, and humorous recruiting adventures and misadventures. What does it take to be a great recruiter? What is the one thing a team needs to be …
In this episode: Kent gives his perspective on the election results generally, as well as on specific races both called and uncalled. He talks about certain outcomes that are good for each party; results that likely changed several swing states to solidly red or blue; and factors that greatly impact elections, such as name identification, candidate…
In this episode: Kent talks with US Representative Tony Gonzales of San Antonio, who represents Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, which runs from El Paso to San Antonio and Del Rio and encompasses 42% of the southern border. Gonzales discusses his childhood, family, and stellar career in the Navy, which gave him the leadership skills and tenacity…
In this episode: Kent proffers his predictions of the outcome for the midterms, talks about races that could be Election Day nail-biters, and discusses high-profile contests in states like Georgia and Texas. He observes that the electorate seems oblivious to scandal these days, with people voting more on issues than on personalities. And perhaps th…
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If You’ll Quit Lying About Me, I’ll Stop Telling the Truth About You!
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In this episode: Every citizen’s greatest responsibility is to vote. With this idea in mind, Kent gives Part 1 of a crash course on elections. This week, he talks about the proper motivation for running for office and the mechanics of setting a campaign into motion and following through successfully. He tells us the number-one reason people vote fo…
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Run Hard, Stay to Your Left, and Get Back As Soon As Possible
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In this episode: Kent shares highlights of his recent trip to Iceland as part of an excursion of the US Association of Former Members of Congress, a group that travels the world at their own expense promoting democracy. He talks about Iceland’s history, beauty, and friendly people, as well as meeting with dignitaries such as the American ambassador…
In this episode: Why the great Mack Brown once wore red and black when he visited Texas Tech and a “saying of the day” that applies to everyone in business. Kent shares some colorful stories about legendary coaches, including words they’ve uttered that were unsuitable for print. The best Jack Copeland story yet: “Would you like to meet Joe Willie?”…
