Black Belts, Barbecue & Building the Future of Lockhart with Holly Malish

What does earning a black belt have in common with building a thriving community? For Holly Malish, both require discipline, patience, and a willingness to keep moving forward.Mick Hawton sits down with Holly Malish, Economic Development Director for the City of Lockhart, for a conversation that moves from the deeply personal to the future of one of Central Texas’ fastest-changing communities.Holly shares the story of earning her black belt alongside her father, including the grueling seven-day testing process and the lasting connection martial arts gave them. She also reflects on honoring her father’s memory through karate after his passing.Then the conversation turns to Lockhart, the legendary Barbecue Capital of Texas, and the growth reshaping the community. Holly discusses thousands of new homes in the development pipeline, investments in quality-of-life amenities, attracting businesses and jobs, and the importance of making intentional decisions today that will still make sense years from now.The road trip music is absolutely wild this episode, covering everything from ’90s hip-hop, Broadway show tunes, and Queen to Shazam and Mick’s unexpected appreciation for High School Musical.