Aggie Greats

As Aggies, we are held to a higher standard. A standard where we measure our success not by the inheritance we leave for someone but by the legacy we leave in someone. Join us as we learn more about Sam Langenbahn '24, the legacy he is striving to leave here at Texas A&M, and his heart for others.

Howdy! Welcome to an episode that hits super close to home. Change has been one of the biggest struggles recently, and it forced me to explore how to manage it effectively. Today, I share all the things I've learned in this journey so you can navigate change, hopefully much better than I have! I hope you take away practical strategies, some advice from others much wiser than me, and have some laughs along the way. This week, let's embrace growth, overcome obstacles, and thrive through life's transitions. T

Join us in this episode of Aggie Greats, where we sit down with Claire Harvey '01, former center and captain of the volleyball team here at A&M. Now the CEO of EIV resources; Claire talks about her path from being a student-athlete to becoming CEO, the trials she overcame, and how she uses the principles she learned as an athlete in her life now. She shares invaluable pieces of advice about embracing hard work, prioritizing teamwork, and what it means to be a team player.

Howdy! In this episode, Carter Bajoit and I dive into the difficult yet crucial topic of 'letting good things die.' Whether you are in a significant transitionary period from sports, relationships, or other life phases, there are "good" things we inevitably must let go of. We discuss the struggle of defining one's identity outside of familiar territories and the significance of understanding one's 'why' when making difficult decisions. Join us as we explore the nuanced interplay of purpose, significance, community, and faith and how it shapes everyday decisions and life decisions.

Howdy! In this episode, we sit down with Mark Lowery, the CEO and founder of Lowry Property Advisors, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, family, and innovation. Mark shares insights from his journey as an Aggie, growing up in College Station and graduating from Texas A&M with a degree in finance and real estate. We dive into the importance of prioritizing family and creating a work-life balance, as well as the core values that shape the culture at Lowry Property Advisors. Mark also discusses his experiences as a member of the Aggie 100, an elite group of the fastest-growing Aggie-owned businesses. Join us as we explore how to lead with passion, integrity, and humility.

Howdy, and welcome back! This week, we get to sit down with Aggie Great BJ Hendler and discuss his unconventional path to Texas A&M and the Corps of Cadets. In this episode, we discover the "Burning Desire" each of us holds and how his mentors have shaped his approach to business, family, and community. BJ shares wisdom on finding work-life balance, building strong teams, giving back through education, and living out core values like honor and selflessness. Join us for an uplifting reminder of how the Aggie spirit empowers us to keep learning, serve others, and make a difference in those around us!

What if we told you success is not the highest form of achievement? We get so wrapped up in the day-to-day search for success that we fail to realize the impact of significance. And that is what we talked about with Britt Harris today. Britt Harris is a 4th generation Aggie who was formerly the CEO of Bridgewater, the CIO of Texas Teachers, and currently runs Titans of Investing. He has set the bar extremely high for what it means to be a leader, and he shares what it looks like to lead and love others well by speaking the truth with love.

Howdy Ags and welcome back!! It's a new semester and we wanted to start it off with a bang! How do we manage our own energy in the circles we run in? How do we build others up and pour into them? What does it look like to manage those who are draining the energy from the team? These are all topics we discuss in today's episode.

It's officially SUMMER!! Today we sit down with Joe Navarro, An Aggie Christian Tiktok and Instagram influencer who spreads his faith in an exciting and engaging manner, to answer the question, "Where is your joy found?". Join us as we explore Joe's journey through A&M and discover the secrets to finding joy in life. We also dive into the topic of building your own personal brand, gaining insights and practical tips for establishing a unique identity in today's digital world. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that challenges you to seek joy and create your own brand in this new season.

We've wanted to share this episode for SO long. And today is the day! In this episode of the podcast, we explore the journey of Nathan Drain, a Texas A&M University Yell Leader who has turned his passion for the school into something few Aggies ever get to do. Nathan's story is an inspiration to anyone who is seeking to identify their purpose in life and use their passions to make a positive impact on their community and the organizations they are involved in.

Throughout the episode, we discuss the importance of finding your passion and how to channel that passion into a purposeful career. Nathan shares his personal experiences with us, detailing how he discovered his passion for Texas A&M and how he has used that passion to grow the Aggie Spirit and other organizations he is involved in.

Whether you are a student, professional, or just looking to make a difference in your community, this episode is for you. Join us as we explore the journey of Nathan Drain and discover how to identify your purpose and use your passions to grow Texas A&M and the organizations you are in.

Who would have thought!! Graham Taylor is WITH US TODAY!! I couldn't think of anyone better to discuss the importance of community than my brother and best friend Graham, who is literally Mr. Community. The way he pursues others in community and invites others in a way that makes them feel special is a unique skill I try to learn each day. Today, we sit down and dive into what does effective community look like and how can we pursue it as we look to strengthen our own 5C Framework.

Howdy, and welcome to the fourth episode of our minisode series aimed at creating Aggie Greats! In this episode, we will discuss the importance of communication in high-pressure situations with Jacob Robbins. Jacob has spent the last 18 years working for the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, where he has held various roles, including stack operator, robotics operator, and sniper.

As a SWAT team member, Jacob knows firsthand the importance of clear communication in life-or-death situations. Whether it's coordinating with team members, relaying critical information to commanders, or communicating with hostages, effective communication can make all the difference in the outcome of a high-stress situation.

In this episode, Jacob shares some of the lessons he has learned about communication throughout his career. He discusses the importance of being concise and clear in your messages, how to prioritize information when communicating under pressure, and the value of being able to adapt and improvise in unexpected situations.

Beyond just discussing the importance of communication in law enforcement, Jacob's insights have broader applications to our daily lives. Whether it's communicating with coworkers, family members, or friends, the skills and strategies that Jacob shares can help us all be better communicators.

Tune in to this episode to learn more about how to develop effective communication skills and apply them in high-pressure situations.

In this episode, we sit down with Bo Sandoval, a seasoned professional in the field of strength and conditioning. With over 4 years of experience as the director of strength and conditioning at the UFC performance institute, Bo has trained some of the top athletes in the world. Currently responsible for the oversight and development of A&M's sports performance staff, Bo shares his insights on managing high-performance teams.

During our conversation, we also touch on how family is an important training ground for developing leadership. Bo shares his own experiences, the lessons he learned from his family, and how he has incorporated those values into his leadership style.

We delve into the importance of recovery and how it can be the difference between winning and losing. Bo stresses that effort is not a problem - everyone works hard - but what sets athletes apart is who has shown up more recovered and closer to 100%. We discuss his training philosophy, including the importance of building a strong foundation and the role of mental toughness in achieving success.

Whether you're an athlete or a leader in any field, this episode offers valuable insights into managing high-performance teams and building a strong foundation for success. Join us as we learn from one of the top experts in the field of strength and conditioning.

This episode of our podcast delves into the importance of competence and how it is derived from one's core values and character. We'll explore how our values and beliefs shape our actions and decision-making and how this ultimately determines our level of competence. We'll also discuss the role of self-awareness and continuous learning in developing and maintaining competence. Join us as we explore the connection between who we are as individuals and how we perform in our professional and personal lives.

In this episode, we explore the importance of character and how it's the second "C" in our 5C framework. We discuss why strong character is essential for successful leadership and how it sets the tone for the entire organization. We also touch on self-awareness, self-reflection, and the impact of our character on leadership and relationships. Tune in to learn how character is the foundation of trust and respect in all areas of our lives.

In this episode of our podcast, we sit down with Sunjay Letchuman to discuss the importance of getting involved on campus and the dangers of becoming too consumed by social media. Sunjay, an active member of the Aggie community, shares his personal experiences and insights on how we can make the most of our time in college by getting involved in clubs and organizations and how we can use social media as a tool to stay informed and connected, rather than a distraction from the critical issues facing our society. Whether you're a current student or an alumnus, this episode is packed with valuable advice and inspiration for making the most of your time at A&M.

This episode delves into the importance of core values and how they lay the foundation for character, competence, communication, and community. We discuss how core values are the guiding principles that shape our actions, decisions, and interactions with others. They are the foundation upon which we build our sense of self and relationships with others. 

Over the next few weeks, we will explore each of these areas in more detail, examining how core values influence our character, our ability to perform tasks and achieve goals, our ability to communicate effectively, and our ability to build and maintain positive relationships. Whether you are a business leader, a parent, or simply someone looking to live a more fulfilling life, this series will provide valuable insights and practical strategies for living with purpose and integrity. Tune in as we explore the importance of core values and how they can help us lead more meaningful, authentic lives.

Kenner shares some of the most amazing advice that was shared on the podcast this past year. You'll hear nuggets of wisdom from Colonel Mike Fossum, Dr. Lauren Craig, Nick Baker, Clay Morrison, and Jackson Rollo. Plus, don't miss the HUGE growth updates of the Aggie Greats community over the past year. Wishing you and your family all the best in the new year!

T's & G's

Kenner Taylor

What a fantastic opportunity to sit down with Colonel Mike Fossum, a former astronaut, current VP of A&M, and COO of A&M Galveston. Not only do we talk about what it's like being strapped to 4,000,000 lbs of rocket fuel, but we also go into depth about what it means to be an Aggie and part of such a unique network of high-talent individuals. Looking for what it truly means to be an Aggie Great? Skip to the end where we get one of the most comprehensive responses to date. 

Welcome back, Aggie Greats! Today we are joined with one of the coolest, most down-to-earth Aggie who currently serves as the President of Rollo Insurance and hosts his own podcast, The One and Done Podcast. Join us as we talk about making tough career choices, finding your passion, and what it means to be an Aggie today.

Listen to my episode on his podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kenner-taylor-host-aggie-greats/id1550792449?i=1000578409957

Leading a team to Elite 8 status is an enormous feat, especially when coordinating the efforts of those from all over the country. Join us as Val shares his leadership secrets and advice for those looking to be a part of a team full of Aggie Greats. 

Today we are joined by Maria Pope, a Business Honors grad who was actively involved in all things A&M. Today, she works in DC and is avid about helping other Aggies learn to leverage their network both in and out of school. Join us as we explore what it looks like to build better connections, grow from others, and passionately serve those around us.

What separates the good from the great? It all comes down to habits. Those small decisions you make every day have an immense impact on who you become in the long run. 

We did it! Season 1 is in the books! In this episode, we share our takeaways from the first season and summarize what it means to be an Aggie Great from what we learned from our guests. 

Know an Aggie Great? Share them with us on our Instagram: @AggieGreats

Today, Nick '14 and I cover a wide range of topics, from money management to leveraging the Aggie Network, to his experience working as the body man for Tony Buzbee. Join us as we geek out on all things A&M and explore what it looks like to be an Aggie Great in today's ever-changing landscape.

Today, Michael Harding describes his journey through A&M as a first-generation college student, his experiences in various companies following graduation, and the leadership challenges he faced as the CFO of Talos Energy. We also unpack what he looks for when hiring and what character traits make up an Aggie Great.

Contact: mharding@mays.tamu.edu

Are you succeeding daily? There's a good chance you are; you just don't recognize it! Today we discuss what it looks like to win daily, the fascinating psychology behind the concept, and how to lead others in their journey of daily success. 

Attitude + Aptitude = High Performance. In this episode, we debunk the myth that the best athletes are more skilled. Without the right attitude, however, these skills go to waste. At the end of the day, it typically boils down to a combination of skill and the right attitude.

We're back this week with doubles and singles All-American Shane Vinsant. Not only did Shane compete on the professional tour after graduating A&M in 2016, but he then went on to co-found EV Assets LLC with his fellow teammate Jeremy Efferding. This was a fascinating conversation so get ready to dig in!

Reflecting on The Boys in the Boat, I found interesting correlations between the book's themes and David Goggins' mantra "Who is gonna carry the boats?". Join me as we unpack how to "carry the boats" within our team environments. 

Failing is an inevitable part of life. What separates the good from the great? In short, the great have learned to fail better! In this episode, we unpack how to fail better and actually learn from our mistakes to grow stronger. 

Book Recommendations: 

• John Maxwell’s “Fail Forward”
• Ryan Babineaux’s, “Fail Fast, Fail Often”

In this episode, we dive head-first into the topic of gratitude! We then explore ways to become more grateful in our day-to-day lives as student-athletes. 

Howdy and welcome to the Aggie Greats podcast! Our goal is to get into the minds, habits, learnings, and lifestyles of some of the most impactful leaders, coaches, and high performers here at Texas A&M. We are so glad you are joining us for such an exciting journey!