PODCAST · education
Tale Lights Podcast
by Erik Thormaehlen
Texas professional educator, Erik Thormaehlen, sets out on an episodic journey of professional development. This podcast includes interviews with (mostly retired) coaches, superintendents, principals, teachers, and various professional educators. Usually the subject will be a retired AD/HFC but to keep it interesting, that’ll change from time to time.
Episodes
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#48.2 Kerry Barboza
Kerry Barboza grew up in San Antonio, Texas. After attending high school at Thomas Jefferson, Kerry was on his way to Oral Roberts in Tulsa, before checking out the coast of Virginia while working on his Master’s Degree and getting his feet wet in the news/sports reporting business. Kerry made it...
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#48.1 Kerry Barboza
Kerry Barboza grew up in San Antonio, Texas. After attending high school at Thomas Jefferson, Kerry was on his way to Oral Roberts in Tulsa, before checking out the coast of Virginia while working on his Master’s Degree and getting his feet wet in the news/sports reporting business. Kerry made it...
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#47 Dickie Faught
Dickie Faught grew up near Brownfield, Texas, and attended college at San Angelo State University. Coach Faught began his coaching career in Klondike, Texas. After a two year stint in Klondike, Coach Faught made a jump back towards home and went to Brownfield as an assistant coach for a few years...
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#46 Robbie Shivers
Coach Shivers grew up in Boerne, Texas. He graduated the Salutatorian of BHS in the Class of 1992. As a high school basketball player, Robbie helped the Boerne Greyhounds reach the 1990 State Championship game. He then went on to Stephen F. Austin University to play college basketball and…
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#45 Rip Sewell Tribute
In the 45th edition of the Tale Lights Podcast, I did something different. I sat down with a former player of Coach Rip Sewell to honor the deceased coach that made a major impact in the lives of kids out in Ozona, Texas, for many years. Blake Moody not only played football and ran track for…
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#44 Rick Keith
Rick Keith grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast, when his family's livelihood sent them headed out east to Connecticut. In many ways it was a real blessing because in Connecticut, "Tex", as he was called, would find the sport of cross country. As a state qualifying cross country runner, and a member…
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#43 Steve Taylor
Steve Taylor grew up the son of a Baptist preacher in Spur, Texas. He went on to play college football at San Angelo State University. After a couple of years as a graduate assistant, Coach Taylor decided it was time to go for the "big money" in the Texas Public School System! Coach Taylor headed...
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#42 Chan Priest
Chan Priest grew up in the small town of San Saba, Texas, where his father was the Head Football Coach of the Armadillos. We talk in depth about the history of "The Graveyard" (the football field in San Saba) and Coach Priest tells a great story about the time his father and older brother (who…
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#41 Gary Proffitt
Gary Proffitt grew up in Ballinger, Texas. Coach Proffitt went to college at San Angelo State University, and then entered into his coaching career as an assistant coach of the Goldthwaite Eagles in 1980. Working under Coach Chan Priest, the Eagles won their first state football title in 1985. In...
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#40 Lynn Graves
Lynn Graves grew up on a farm in Buncombe, Texas. He attended high school at Carthage High School and then went to college at Stephen F. Austin State University. Prior to being a head coach, Coach Graves spent time as an assistant at SFA, and in Jacksonville ISD. Coach Graves began his head...
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#39 Matt Wernecke
Matt Wernecke grew up in Wharton, Texas. No thanks to the help from a pair of double bogey's, Matt caught the eye of the Sam Houston State University Golf Coach, where he went on to play golf in college. After graduating, and finishing his collegiate career, Coach Wernecke began his career in...
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#38 Callan Nokes
Callan Nokes is the Head Golf Coach and Assistant Athletic Director at Westlake High School, in Austin, Texas. Coach Nokes has coached the Chaps to 6 state titles in Golf, and 15 trips to the state tournament in 17 years! Tune in to learn a little bit about what it takes to be a successful golf...
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#37 Rose Helmke
Rose Helmke grew up in San Antonio. She attended Thomas Jefferson High School, and enjoyed taking pictures of fighter jets at Randolph Field. Rose spent many years as an elementary educator, not only in Texas, but also in New Mexico! Have you ever thought about being a double dipper? Rose…
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#36 Sam Harrell
Sam Harrell grew up in Seminole, and later moved to Brownwood, where he would play football for Coach Gordon Wood. Coach Harrell was the son of a coach, and had the privilege playing for, learning from, or coaching against, nearly every great football coach in Texas history! He graduated from ACU...
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#34 Tale Lights Podclass Dos!
Get ready for another Podblast! That's right, COVID-19 may keep on kicking, but so does the Tale Lights Podclass! Enjoy this ad free version of the podcast, and satisfy the yearn to learn, woooooo!
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#33 Rick Bachman
Rick Bachman grew up in San Angelo. After graduating high school, he joined the Navy and set sail. Upon returning to the San Angelo area he enrolled in college at Angelo State University. Coach B began his career down in Alice. After spending time in Alice, he decided to head back out west to...
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#32 Scott Hippensteel
Scott Hippensteel grew up surrounded by farm life in the State of Indiana. Coach Hippensteel was recruited by the University of Texas for the sports of cross country and track & field.. He came to Texas and he began his career as a permanent sub at Lanier High School, prior to taking a job as a...
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#31 Ben H. English
Ben English spent his early years in the schools of Terlingua, and graduated from Fort Stockton HS. After high school, Ben joined the United State Marines and headed for San Diego. Following his military service, Ben went to school at Angelo State and then began a career with the Texas DPS, as a...
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#30 Billy Nabours
Coach Billy Nabours spent more than two decades at Comfort High School. He was one of the most recognizable coaches in the area, and loudly supported each and every one of his runners. He had kids participate at the state meet in just about every event imaginable, along with sending boys and…
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#29 Mike Barnett
Mike Barnett grew up in Luling, TX., and coached in Luling for 31 years. Coach Barnett coached his hometown cross country team to a UIL record, seven straight state chmapionships in cross country. Join me as we learn a lot more about a man that did incredible things for the children of Luling!...
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#28 Jennifer Fox
Jennifer Fox grew up in the Houston area and went to Cypress Creek High School. Go Cougars! Coach Fox then went on to play softball at UTSA, where a small burgeoning university program, was able to crack the Top 25 (at the time the first time in history). Coach Fox went into public education and...
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#27 The Tale Lights Podclass!
Join me for an ad free version of the Tale Lights Podcast that transforms into the Tale Lights Podclass! My kids are yearning for the learning and I've got the fire to keep on burning baby, woooooo! Quarantine? Coronavirus? Any of that stopping you? It might have stopped the STAAR Test, but as my...
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#26 Greg Dick
Mr. Dick has led the Friendswood Mighty Mustang Marching Band to ten consecutive UIL State Marching Band Contests, with seven appearances in the finals, and three runner-up finishes! The list of awards and successes for bands led by Mr. Dick are far too numerous to place in this small box, but…
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#25 Michael O'Rourke
If you've listened to the first two episodes of the Tale Lights Podcast, you know exactly what Coach Tommy Bludau and Coach Mike Williamson had to say about the importance of junior high football in terms of their successes. I have maintained a great relationship with "Coach O" over the years. He...
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#24 Richard Herbst
Richard Herbst was born and raised in Boerne, Texas. In his basketball coaching career, he amassed a record of 699-336 After a brief stint in Texas Public Education, Coach Herbst went on to coach men's and women's basketball at the collegiate level. Coach Herbst was an assistant at Colorado State...
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#23 Brent Kornegay
Join me as we hop in the truck of current George West ISD Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, Brent Kornegay. We will be talking Devine, Llano, Orange Grove, Yoakum, and George West. What it's like coaching in your hometown. We talk about college at Texas Lutheran University, the…
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#22 Floyd Ciruti
Floyd Ciruti grew up in Baytown, Texas. He went to college at Sam Houston State University, where he was an All-American Center Fielder. After his playing days were behind him, he continued his passion for the game of baseball by becoming the head baseball coach of the Wharton Tigers. Leading the...
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#21 Walt Wendtland
Walt Wendtland grew up in Rosenberg, Texas, and went on to play baseball for Wharton County Junior College and Mississippi State, prior to taking a position as a teacher and coach in Bay City, Texas. Coach Wendtland went on to an administrative career that involved stops at Lamar Consolidated and...
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#20 Chuck Foster
In this episode I sit down with Boerne - Samuel V. Champion Head Baseball Coach, Chuck Foster. We start off in Pampa and head out to Odessa during his childhood, before moving on to the Houston suburb of Deer Park, San Jacinto College, Clemson University, and then a return home to coach all kinds...
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#19 Dub Farris
We reach back to humble beginnings in Carlsbad, New Mexico, to a career as the Head Football Coach at Odessa High, San Antonio Marshall, and Dickinson, all the way to becoming an athletic administrator with Round Rock and NISD, we cover it all! The name of Coach Dub Farris is easily recognizable...
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Tale Lights #18 Alan Rich
Alan Rich was elected to the Boerne ISD Board of Trustees in 2006. Prior to that, he grew up in San Antonio, and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. Alan then went on to Abilene Christian, before returning to the area and become an elected member of the Boerne ISD School Board. Alan is…
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Tale Lights #17 Devlyn Lovell
Coach Devlyn Lovell has coached teams at the Antonian College Preparatory High School to 15 state championships. We will be talking all about the TAPPS world and in the middle of two runs at Antonian, we'll talk about Coach Lovell's transition to the college world, before coming back to the high...
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Tale Lights #16 Dr. Robert Zayas
Coach Zayas coached me twenty years ago in the eighth grade, when I was a snot-nosed little punk in the jr. high at Boerne Middle School! Believe me, I was not easy to deal with! Fast-forward two decades later and this man is in charge of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association...
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Tale Lights #15 Steve Van Meter
Coach Steve Van Meter spent the majority of his career as the Head Football Coach of the Friendswood Mustangs, a program that has only known four different head football coaches in it's entire 60+ year existence. "Coach Van" not only coached the mustangs for twenty years, but he also played on…
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Tale Lights #14 Russell Hawkins
One of the few reporters I've ever liked! Russell Hawkins has photographed some of the best athletes and biggest events in Texas sports. We'll be talking about his time in the USMC, officiating football games out in El Paso, covering the Sun Bowl, and so much more! Mr. Hawkins is a quiet and very...
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Tale Lights #13 Stan Leech
Stan Leech is very unique in the State of Texas. Most ADs are head football coaches, but when Stan Leech got the chance to assume the Athletic Director position in Boerne, he orchestrated an era of unmatched athletic success in the small community by hiring quality coaches, supporting all…
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Tale Lights #12 Bill Sultenfuss
Lt. Col. Bill Sultenfuss is a retired United States Marine and retired public educator. When I moved to Boerne in 1996, living on Park Place created great opportunities to make friends such as, Chris Lowry, Brad Henson, and Matt Beaman, which led to a highly rational fear of the scary old guy who...
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Tale Lights #11 Dave Fulkerson
Dave Fulkerson was the cross country coach at Boerne High School and Boerne - Samuel V. Champion High School, where he led teams to six state championships and the 2009 Nike Cross National Championship. Tune in to hear about his upbringing in Oregon, a state title in Hawaii, and much much more!...
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Tale Lights #10.2 Bob Ledbetter
His Texas Sports Hall of Fame Biography says it all! http://www.tshof.org/about/thsfhof/details/index.html?staff_id=846 Three state titles, three perfect seasons, the 1991 tie in the semifinals, and everything else one might imagine. This will be a podcast you can't possibly afford to miss....
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Tale Lights #10.1 Bob Ledbetter
His Texas Sports Hall of Fame Biography says it all! http://www.tshof.org/about/thsfhof/details/index.html?staff_id=846 Three state titles, three perfect seasons, the 1991 tie in the semifinals, and everything else one might imagine. This will be a podcast you can't possibly afford to miss....
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Tale Lights #9.2 Paul Talbert
Coach Paul Talbert was the Head Football Coach in Palestine Westwood, Tuloso-Midway, Wall, Comfort, Malakoff, and Gorman. Coach Talbert led the Comfort Bobcats to 80 wins in 8 years, multiple appearances in the quarterfinals and semifinals, and an athletic program that was experiencing a great…
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Tale Lights #9.1 Paul Talbert
Coach Paul Talbert was the Head Football Coach in Palestine Westwood, Tuloso-Midway, Wall, Comfort, Malakoff, and Gorman. Coach Talbert led the Comfort Bobcats to 80 wins in 8 years, multiple appearances in the quarterfinals and semifinals, and an athletic program that was experiencing a great…
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Tale Lights #8.3 Danny Threadgill
Danny Threadgill is a retired educator that served as Athletic Director, Head Football Coach, Head Track Coach, and numerous other positions. Hear all about his upbringing in Houston, TX., where his brother raised the cougar mascot for the University of Houston, his move to Omaha, return to…
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Tale Lights #8.2 Danny Threadgill
Danny Threadgill is a retired educator that served as Athletic Director, Head Football Coach, Head Track Coach, and numerous other positions. Hear all about his upbringing in Houston, TX., where his brother raised the cougar mascot for the University of Houston, his move to Omaha, return to…
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Tale Lights #8.1 Danny Threadgill
Danny Threadgill is a retired educator that served as Athletic Director, Head Football Coach, Head Track Coach, and numerous other positions. Hear all about his upbringing in Houston, TX., where his brother raised the cougar mascot for the University of Houston, his move to Omaha, return to…
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Tale Lights #7 Paul Darden
Paul Darden has coached the Sundown HS Cross Country Teams for nearly two decades. Most people have bought a dozen roses, a dozen eggs, or a 12 pack of soda... but how many can say they they’ve won a dozen state championships in the sport they coach? Paul can! With six state titles on the boys...
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Tale Lights #4.2 Larry Taylor
Saddle up! As we take a ride with retired superintendent, Larry Taylor! Episode 4.2 is now available. Read more about Larry Taylor and other upcoming guests at: www.talelightspodcast.com/podcast-interviews This is part two of a multi-part interview. We’re a couple of talkers, so who knows how…
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Tale Lights #6 - Mike Chaney
Coach Chaney was a Head Football Coach at Whiteface, Era, Bowie, and Alvord, Coach Chaney then went to work for John Fellows at Iraan, before later being a coordinator on a state runner-up football team at Iraan, alongside Head Coach Mark Kirchoff. We discuss the season that included tragedy and...
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Tale Lights #3 - Ron Mills
Ron Mills retired from education in 1993 in the land of Blue Bell Ice Cream, Brenham, TX. Coach Mills enjoyed a career that started in Groom, went on to Panhandle, over to Canyon, and then down to the gulf coast where he became the Head Football Coach of the Bay City Blackcats. Coach Mills led…
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Tale Lights #5 - Cagen Chaney and the CDL
Do you have coaches on your staff that need to get a CDL? Do they not even know where to begin? Join Cagen Chaney and I as we walk through the process of getting the CDL in this day and age. Coach Chaney has been teaching and coaching for two years and we promise to have some helpful and…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Texas professional educator, Erik Thormaehlen, sets out on an episodic journey of professional development. This podcast includes interviews with (mostly retired) coaches, superintendents, principals, teachers, and various professional educators. Usually the subject will be a retired AD/HFC but to keep it interesting, that’ll change from time to time.
HOSTED BY
Erik Thormaehlen
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Tale Lights Podcast have?
Tale Lights Podcast currently has 55 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Tale Lights Podcast about?
Texas professional educator, Erik Thormaehlen, sets out on an episodic journey of professional development. This podcast includes interviews with (mostly retired) coaches, superintendents, principals, teachers, and various professional educators. Usually the subject will be a retired AD/HFC but to...
How often does Tale Lights Podcast release new episodes?
Tale Lights Podcast has 55 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Tale Lights Podcast?
You can listen to Tale Lights Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Tale Lights Podcast?
Tale Lights Podcast is created and hosted by Erik Thormaehlen.
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