How innovation is transforming Texas—and where the biggest opportunities are emerging.In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, I had the chance to talk with entrepreneur Justin McKenzie, host of <a href='https://www.buildingtexasshow.com/'>The Building Texas Show.</a> We explore innovation across Texas—from small towns to major cities—and discuss workforce development and emerging industries.Justin shares insights from his career journey, along with lessons from interviewing leaders across the state.This episode is perfect for anyone interested in innovation and career opportunities in Texas.You’ll Learn<ul><li>Where innovation is happening across Texas</li><li>Why workforce development matters for future jobs</li><li>How local leaders shape economic growth</li><li>About Justin&apos;s passion for Texas and <a href='https://www.txst.edu/'>Texas State University </a></li><li>Advice for entrepreneurs and students</li></ul>Key Takeaways<ul><li>Opportunity exists across Texas—not just in big cities</li><li>Strong communities and leadership drive innovation</li><li>The future of work is evolving quickly</li><li>Success starts with taking action and learning as you go</li></ul>About JustinJustin McKenzie is an entrepreneur and host of The Building Texas Show, a podcast focused on highlighting innovation and economic development across Texas. He is a two-time Texas State graduate with experience in manufacturing, startups, and workforce strategy.<ul><li><a href='https://www.linkedin.com/posts/justinmckenzie_from-big-projects-to-one-pothole-leading-activity-7404551543003455488-Xmss?utm_source=chatgpt.com'>Follow Justin McKenzie on LinkedIn</a> </li><li><a href='https://www.buildingtexasshow.com/'>Visit The Building Texas Show website</a> </li><li><a href='https://www.youtube.com/%40thebuildingtexasshow?utm_source=chatgpt.com'>Subscribe on YouTube</a></li></ul>This interview was recorded at Live Oak Studios on the campus of Texas State University.  <a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new">Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! </a>   Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please <a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'>let me know.</a> Check out <a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;reserved=0'>my TEDx talk</a>.  Why you should take action - then figure it out.

<description>&lt;p&gt;How innovation is transforming Texas—and where the biggest opportunities are emerging.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Stories of Change and Creativity&lt;/em&gt;, I had the chance to talk with entrepreneur Justin McKenzie, host of &lt;a href='https://www.buildingtexasshow.com/'&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Building Texas Show&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/a&gt; We explore innovation across Texas—from small towns to major cities—and discuss workforce development and emerging industries.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Justin shares insights from his career journey, along with lessons from interviewing leaders across the state.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This episode is perfect for anyone interested in innovation and career opportunities in Texas.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;You’ll Learn&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Where innovation is happening across Texas&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why workforce development matters for future jobs&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How local leaders shape economic growth&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;About Justin&amp;apos;s passion for Texas and &lt;a href='https://www.txst.edu/'&gt;Texas State University &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Advice for entrepreneurs and students&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Key Takeaways&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Opportunity exists across Texas—not just in big cities&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Strong communities and leadership drive innovation&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The future of work is evolving quickly&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Success starts with taking action and learning as you go&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;About Justin&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Justin McKenzie is an entrepreneur and host of &lt;em&gt;The Building Texas Show&lt;/em&gt;, a podcast focused on highlighting innovation and economic development across Texas. He is a two-time Texas State graduate with experience in manufacturing, startups, and workforce strategy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/posts/justinmckenzie_from-big-projects-to-one-pothole-leading-activity-7404551543003455488-Xmss?utm_source=chatgpt.com'&gt;Follow Justin McKenzie on LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.buildingtexasshow.com/'&gt;Visit The Building Texas Show website&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/%40thebuildingtexasshow?utm_source=chatgpt.com'&gt;Subscribe on YouTube&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;This interview was recorded at Live Oak Studios on the campus of Texas State University. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new"&gt;Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please &lt;a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'&gt;let me know.&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Check out &lt;a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;amp;reserved=0'&gt;my &lt;b&gt;TEDx&lt;/b&gt; talk&lt;/a&gt;.  &lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Why you should take action - then figure it out.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

How innovation is transforming Texas—and where the biggest opportunities are emerging. In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, I had the chance to talk with entrepreneur Justin McKenzie, host of The Building Texas Show. We explore innovation across Texas—from small towns to major cities—and discuss workforce development and emerging industries. Justin shares insights from his career journey, along with lessons from interviewing leaders across the state. This episode is perfect fo...

Justin McKenzie on Innovation in Texas: Entrepreneurship, Workforce Development, and Economic Growth

What does it really mean to solve a problem in the age of AI?In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, I sat down with Dr. Aniruddha Bora, assistant professor of computer science at Texas State University, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we think about problem solving.  I met Dr. Bora when I moderated a panel at South by Southwest (SXSW) at <a href='https://www.texashouse.org/'>Texas House</a> as part of the Texas State University Global Innovation Roundup.From his early interest in science in India to his work in applied mathematics, Dr. Bora shares how interdisciplinary thinking can lead to meaningful innovation. I found Bora to be smart, kind and a joy to be around.  His energy is contagious.    Key Takeaways<ul><li>Problem solving starts with the right questions—not just the right tools</li><li>AI is most powerful when combined with mathematics and real-world data</li><li>Innovation often happens at the intersection of disciplines</li><li>Understanding what you don’t know is essential to learning</li><li>The future of education is about guiding curiosity, not just delivering answers</li></ul>Why This Episode MattersAs AI becomes more integrated into everyday life, the ability to think critically and solve meaningful problems is more important than ever. This episode offers a fresh perspective on how curiosity and creativity can drive real-world impact.Learn more about Dr. Aniruddha Bora, assistant professor of computer science at Texas State University, and his work in artificial intelligence and real-world applications<a href='https://faculty.txst.edu/profile/2633408'> here.</a> This podcast episode was recorded at the Live Oak Podcast Studio at Texas State University.  Photo by <a href='https://www.texashouse.org/'>Texas House. </a> 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with a colleague, student, or friend who’s interested in AI and creative problem solving. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new">Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! </a>   Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please <a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'>let me know.</a> Check out <a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;reserved=0'>my TEDx talk</a>.  Why you should take action - then figure it out.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;What does it really mean to solve a problem in the age of AI?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Stories of Change and Creativity&lt;/em&gt;, I sat down with Dr. Aniruddha Bora, assistant professor of computer science at Texas State University, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we think about problem solving.  I met Dr. Bora when I moderated a panel at South by Southwest (SXSW) at &lt;a href='https://www.texashouse.org/'&gt;Texas House&lt;/a&gt; as part of the Texas State University Global Innovation Roundup.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From his early interest in science in India to his work in applied mathematics, Dr. Bora shares how interdisciplinary thinking can lead to meaningful innovation. I found Bora to be smart, kind and a joy to be around.  His energy is contagious.    &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Key Takeaways&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Problem solving starts with the right questions—not just the right tools&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;AI is most powerful when combined with mathematics and real-world data&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Innovation often happens at the intersection of disciplines&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Understanding what you don’t know is essential to learning&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The future of education is about guiding curiosity, not just delivering answers&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why This Episode Matters&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As AI becomes more integrated into everyday life, the ability to think critically and solve meaningful problems is more important than ever. This episode offers a fresh perspective on how curiosity and creativity can drive real-world impact.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Learn more about Dr. Aniruddha Bora, assistant professor of computer science at Texas State University, and his work in artificial intelligence and real-world applications&lt;a href='https://faculty.txst.edu/profile/2633408'&gt; here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This podcast episode was recorded at the Live Oak Podcast Studio at Texas State University.  Photo by &lt;a href='https://www.texashouse.org/'&gt;Texas House. &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;🎧 &lt;em&gt;Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with a colleague, student, or friend who’s interested in AI and creative problem solving.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new"&gt;Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please &lt;a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'&gt;let me know.&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Check out &lt;a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;amp;reserved=0'&gt;my &lt;b&gt;TEDx&lt;/b&gt; talk&lt;/a&gt;.  &lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Why you should take action - then figure it out.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

What does it really mean to solve a problem in the age of AI? In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, I sat down with Dr. Aniruddha Bora, assistant professor of computer science at Texas State University, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we think about problem solving.  I met Dr. Bora when I moderated a panel at South by Southwest (SXSW) at Texas House as part of the Texas State University Global Innovation Roundup. From his early interest in sc...

Artificial Intelligence and Problem Solving: Real-World Innovation with Dr. Aniruddha Bora

How does experiential learning prepare college students for real-world careers? At Texas State, journalism students don’t just study reporting — they do it. They cover major news events and interview real people.  Students report on impactful stories like the aftermath of the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde and the 2025 deadly Central Texas flooding.   In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, Judy Oskam talks with <a href='https://faculty.txst.edu/profile/2266636'>Dino Chiecchi,</a> associate professor of practice at Texas State University.  He&apos;s a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of newsroom experience. During our conversation, we explore how classroom instruction meets professional practice.  We talk about why mentorship and real-world experience matter in higher education.What You’ll Learn• Why experiential learning helps students build professional skills  • How expert faculty elevate classroom learning  • The importance of mentoring in developing confidence and resilience  • How students can publish meaningful work before they graduate  • Why telling the stories about real people mattersThe articles written by Texas State University students were published in the Austin American Statesman and the Texas Standard.  Check out the SJMC website for <a href='https://sjmc.txst.edu/newsroom/newsroom-archive/2026-news-archive/journalism-project-hillcountry-story.html'>more information</a>.  You can learn more about Professor Chiecchi&apos;s book here: <a href='https://www.amazon.com/Josue-Young-Mans-Life-Suicide-ebook/dp/B0C4W96LRC'>Josue: A Young Man&apos;s Life Lost to Suicide.  </a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new">Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! </a>   Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please <a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'>let me know.</a> Check out <a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;reserved=0'>my TEDx talk</a>.  Why you should take action - then figure it out.

<description>&lt;p&gt;How does experiential learning prepare college students for real-world careers? &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;At Texas State, journalism students don’t just study reporting — they do it. They cover major news events and interview real people.  Students report on impactful stories like the aftermath of the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde and the 2025 deadly Central Texas flooding.  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, Judy Oskam talks with &lt;a href='https://faculty.txst.edu/profile/2266636'&gt;Dino Chiecchi,&lt;/a&gt; associate professor of practice at Texas State University.  He&amp;apos;s a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of newsroom experience. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;During our conversation, we explore how classroom instruction meets professional practice.  We talk about why mentorship and real-world experience matter in higher education.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;What You’ll Learn&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• Why experiential learning helps students build professional skills&lt;br/&gt; • How expert faculty elevate classroom learning&lt;br/&gt; • The importance of mentoring in developing confidence and resilience&lt;br/&gt; • How students can publish meaningful work before they graduate&lt;br/&gt; • Why telling the stories about real people matters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The articles written by Texas State University students were published in the Austin American Statesman and the Texas Standard.  Check out the SJMC website for &lt;a href='https://sjmc.txst.edu/newsroom/newsroom-archive/2026-news-archive/journalism-project-hillcountry-story.html'&gt;more information&lt;/a&gt;.  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can learn more about Professor Chiecchi&amp;apos;s book here: &lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.amazon.com/Josue-Young-Mans-Life-Suicide-ebook/dp/B0C4W96LRC'&gt;Josue: A Young Man&amp;apos;s Life Lost to Suicide.  &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new"&gt;Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please &lt;a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'&gt;let me know.&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Check out &lt;a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;amp;reserved=0'&gt;my &lt;b&gt;TEDx&lt;/b&gt; talk&lt;/a&gt;.  &lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Why you should take action - then figure it out.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

How does experiential learning prepare college students for real-world careers?  At Texas State, journalism students don’t just study reporting — they do it. They cover major news events and interview real people.  Students report on impactful stories like the aftermath of the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde and the 2025 deadly Central Texas flooding.    In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, Judy Oskam talks with Dino Chiecchi, associate ...

Experiential Learning in Journalism Education: Real-World Reporting and Mentorship with Dino Chiecchi

If you’re a high-achieving professional who feels successful everywhere except your health, this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity might be for you.  I can certainly relate!Many driven professionals excel in their careers but struggle with health in midlife because they apply the same optimization mindset that works at work to their bodies. In this episode, Judy Oskam talks with Tony Sherock, Certified Personal Trainer— Health Behavior Specialist and Tiny Habits® Certified Coach.  He explains how identity-based habits can create lasting health change.This conversation reframes health as part of who you are, not another project to manage. You’ll walk away with practical insights you can apply immediately to rebuild your health in a way that lasts.What You’ll Learn• Why high-achieving professionals often struggle with health in midlife • Why traditional diets and fitness plans fail busy professionals over 40 • The role identity plays in health behavior change • How tiny, adaptable habits create lasting health improvements About Tony SherockTony Sherock is a Health Behavior Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, and Tiny Habits® Certified Coach. He is the founder of Habits To Health – Tony Sherock, LLC, and works with busy midlife professionals (40+) who are juggling demanding careers, family life, and caregiving responsibilities.Tony helps high achievers rebuild their health by shifting away from fast, optimized effort toward slow, sustainable habit change that fits real life. His work is informed by a background in broadcasting and higher education, as well as his own personal health transformation—from being pre-diabetic and on multiple medications to creating lasting change through behavior science.<a href='https://www.habitstohealthcoach.com/'>https://www.habitstohealthcoach.com/</a>You can find Tony Sherock on Facebook, Instagram, &amp; Skool:<a href='https://www.facebook.com/groups/1605709083060117'>https://www.facebook.com/groups/1605709083060117</a><a href='https://www.instagram.com/tonysherock_habits_to_health/'>https://www.instagram.com/tonysherock_habits_to_health/</a><a href='https://www.skool.com/the-habit-hub'>https://www.skool.com/the-habit-hub</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new">Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! </a>   Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please <a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'>let me know.</a> Check out <a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;reserved=0'>my TEDx talk</a>.  Why you should take action - then figure it out.

<description>&lt;p&gt;If you’re a high-achieving professional who feels successful everywhere except your health, this episode of &lt;em&gt;Stories of Change and Creativity&lt;/em&gt; might be for you.  I can certainly relate!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Many driven professionals excel in their careers but struggle with health in midlife because they apply the same optimization mindset that works at work to their bodies. In this episode, Judy Oskam talks with Tony Sherock, Certified Personal Trainer— Health Behavior Specialist and Tiny Habits® Certified Coach.  He explains how identity-based habits can create lasting health change.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This conversation reframes health as part of who you are, not another project to manage. You’ll walk away with practical insights you can apply immediately to rebuild your health in a way that lasts.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;What You’ll Learn&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• Why high-achieving professionals often struggle with health in midlife&lt;br/&gt;• Why traditional diets and fitness plans fail busy professionals over 40&lt;br/&gt;• The role identity plays in health behavior change&lt;br/&gt;• How tiny, adaptable habits create lasting health improvements&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;About Tony Sherock&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Tony Sherock &lt;/b&gt;is a Health Behavior Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, and Tiny Habits® Certified Coach. He is the founder of Habits To Health – Tony Sherock, LLC, and works with busy midlife professionals (40+) who are juggling demanding careers, family life, and caregiving responsibilities.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tony helps high achievers rebuild their health by shifting away from fast, optimized effort toward slow, sustainable habit change that fits real life. His work is informed by a background in broadcasting and higher education, as well as his own personal health transformation—from being pre-diabetic and on multiple medications to creating lasting change through behavior science.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.habitstohealthcoach.com/'&gt;https://www.habitstohealthcoach.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can find Tony Sherock on Facebook, Instagram, &amp;amp; Skool:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/groups/1605709083060117'&gt;&lt;b&gt;https://www.facebook.com/groups/1605709083060117&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/tonysherock_habits_to_health/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;https://www.instagram.com/tonysherock_habits_to_health/&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.skool.com/the-habit-hub'&gt;https://www.skool.com/the-habit-hub&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new"&gt;Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please &lt;a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'&gt;let me know.&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Check out &lt;a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;amp;reserved=0'&gt;my &lt;b&gt;TEDx&lt;/b&gt; talk&lt;/a&gt;.  &lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Why you should take action - then figure it out.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

If you’re a high-achieving professional who feels successful everywhere except your health, this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity might be for you.  I can certainly relate! Many driven professionals excel in their careers but struggle with health in midlife because they apply the same optimization mindset that works at work to their bodies. In this episode, Judy Oskam talks with Tony Sherock, Certified Personal Trainer— Health Behavior Specialist and Tiny Habits® Certified Coa...

Why High Achievers Struggle With Health After 40 | How Identity-Based Habits Actually Work with Tony Sherock

If you’re a fan of Outlander, the historical fiction series set in Scotland, like I am, this episode is for you. In this conversation, I talk with Dr. Alexandra “Alex” Dold, a literary scholar and historian known as the “Doctor of Outlander,” about her academic journey and career path.  We discuss how historical fiction can become public history — inviting people to connect with history beyond textbooks and classrooms.During this episode, you’ll learn how Outlander and other historical fiction can build bridges between fans, public audiences, and academic inquiry. Alex also shares insights from her own path — from studying literature in Germany to completing a PhD in Scotland on Outlander as public history.  You&apos;ll hear how that journey reshaped her understanding of how stories can make reading and history more accessible for everyone.What You’ll Hear in This Episode<ul><li>How historical fiction functions as public history</li><li>Why stories like Outlander make history feel accessible and emotionally resonant</li><li>Dr. Alex Dold’s academic journey — from pursuing language and literature to transforming it into public-facing scholarship</li><li>Practical ways listeners can continue engaging with history and reading outside formal academic spaces</li></ul>Why This MattersHistorical fiction often gets dismissed as “just entertainment.” Alex’s work reframes it as public history.  It&apos;s a way that everyday readers and viewers connect with the past and develop meaningful questions. This episode invites listeners to:<ul><li>see the Outlander stories they love as gateways to learning,</li><li>recognize curiosity as a valid path to knowledge, and</li><li>think about how reading habits can lead to deeper exploration.</li></ul>Guest Info<a href='https://alexdold.com/'>Dr. Alexandra “Alex” Dold </a>is a literary scholar and historian whose research focuses on historical fiction as public history. She completed her PhD in history examining the Outlander novels at the <a href='https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/research-enterprise/cultural/centre-for-history/'>University of the Highlands and Islands, Centre for History, Dornoch.  </a>Dr. Dold explored the role of Outlander in shaping how people engage with history beyond traditional academic spaces. You can find out more about Dr. Dold and her scholarship below: <a href='https://alexdold.com/'>https://alexdold.com/</a>OutlanderDr. Diana Gabaldon is the author of the award-winning The Outlander series.  You can learn more about about the series and Diana <a href='https://dianagabaldon.com/wordpress/'>here</a>.  The final season of Outlander airs in March 2026. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new">Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! </a>   Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please <a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'>let me know.</a> Check out <a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;reserved=0'>my TEDx talk</a>.  Why you should take action - then figure it out.

<description>&lt;p&gt;If you’re a fan of &lt;em&gt;Outlander&lt;/em&gt;, the historical fiction series set in Scotland, like I am, this episode is for you. In this conversation, I talk with Dr. Alexandra “Alex” Dold, a literary scholar and historian known as the “Doctor of Outlander,” about her academic journey and career path.  We discuss how historical fiction can become public history — inviting people to connect with history beyond textbooks and classrooms.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;During this episode, you’ll learn how &lt;em&gt;Outlander&lt;/em&gt; and other historical fiction can build bridges between fans, public audiences, and academic inquiry. Alex also shares insights from her own path — from studying literature in Germany to completing a PhD in Scotland on &lt;em&gt;Outlander&lt;/em&gt; as public history.  You&amp;apos;ll hear how that journey reshaped her understanding of how stories can make reading and history more accessible for everyone.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;What You’ll Hear in This Episode&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;How historical fiction functions as public history&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why stories like &lt;em&gt;Outlander&lt;/em&gt; make history feel &lt;em&gt;accessible&lt;/em&gt; and emotionally resonant&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Dr. Alex Dold’s academic journey — from pursuing language and literature to transforming it into public-facing scholarship&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Practical ways listeners can continue engaging with history and reading outside formal academic spaces&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why This Matters&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Historical fiction often gets dismissed as “just entertainment.” Alex’s work reframes it as public history.  It&amp;apos;s a way that everyday readers and viewers connect with the past and develop meaningful questions. This episode invites listeners to:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;see the &lt;em&gt;Outlander&lt;/em&gt; stories they love as gateways to learning,&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;recognize curiosity as a valid path to knowledge, and&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;think about how reading habits can lead to deeper exploration.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Guest Info&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://alexdold.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dr. Alexandra “Alex” Dold&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/a&gt;is a literary scholar and historian whose research focuses on historical fiction as public history. She completed her PhD in history examining the &lt;em&gt;Outlander&lt;/em&gt; novels at the &lt;a href='https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/research-enterprise/cultural/centre-for-history/'&gt;University of the Highlands and Islands, Centre for History, Dornoch.  &lt;/a&gt;Dr. Dold explored the role of Outlander in shaping how people engage with history beyond traditional academic spaces. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can find out more about Dr. Dold and her scholarship below: &lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://alexdold.com/'&gt;https://alexdold.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Outlander&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Dr. Diana Gabaldon is the author of the award-winning The Outlander series.  You can learn more about about the series and Diana &lt;a href='https://dianagabaldon.com/wordpress/'&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;.  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The final season of Outlander airs in March 2026.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new"&gt;Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please &lt;a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'&gt;let me know.&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Check out &lt;a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;amp;reserved=0'&gt;my &lt;b&gt;TEDx&lt;/b&gt; talk&lt;/a&gt;.  &lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Why you should take action - then figure it out.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

If you’re a fan of Outlander, the historical fiction series set in Scotland, like I am, this episode is for you. In this conversation, I talk with Dr. Alexandra “Alex” Dold, a literary scholar and historian known as the “Doctor of Outlander,” about her academic journey and career path.  We discuss how historical fiction can become public history — inviting people to connect with history beyond textbooks and classrooms. During this episode, you’ll learn how Outlander and other historical ...

Outlander as Public History: Dr. Alex Dold on Making History and Reading Accessible

Stories of Change and Creativity is a conversation podcast that explores the human side of creativity, careers, and life transitions. Hosted by professor and former journalist Judy Oskam, the show features inspiring interviews with artists, scholars, entrepreneurs, students, and everyday changemakers. &nbsp;https://linktr.ee/judyoskam

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