Intersections
Kyle Waldrep and Tom Leppert
Hosted by Kyle Waldrep and Tom Leppert, Intersections is a multi-generational look at the critical issues facing America.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 9, 2025 • 1h 45min
Pro Footballer Daryl Johnston on What it Takes to Succeed in the NFL and Life.
Former Dallas Cowboys fullback and current NFL Broadcaster Daryl “Moose” Johnston joins the show to talk grit, leadership, and the journey from small-town roots to NFL glory. From being overlooked to redefining the fullback position, Moose shares how preparation, work ethic, and accountability shaped his life. He dives into lessons from Jimmy Johnson, the early days with Emmitt and Troy, and how a college snub set fire to his competitive spirit. Oh—and find out where the nickname “Moose” really came from.In This Episode[05:10] Small Town, Big Dreams[11:30] Proving Them Wrong[18:50] Lessons in Discipline[24:30] A Coach Changes Everything[29:45] Draft Day Curveball[36:00] Jimmy Johnson’s Turning Point[43:20] Building a Dynasty[52:00] Redefining the Fullback[01:04:00] Legacy and Leadership[01:24:00] Reflections on Football and LifeLike and Subscribe🍏 Apple🎧 Spotify📹 YoutubeFollow UsLinkedInInstagram—Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co.
Dec 2, 2025 • 1h 4min
From Texas to D.C. — Margaret Spellings on Education, Policy & Progress
Former U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings joins Kyle and Tom for a deep dive into the state of American education—past, present, and future. From her early days in Texas politics to shaping national education policy under President George W. Bush, Spellings reflects on landmark legislation like No Child Left Behind, the power of bipartisanship, and the current crisis in K–12 learning. The conversation ranges from career highlights and political stories to bold ideas for accountability, school choice, and the future of higher education.In This Episode[03:00] Why education is the beating heart of state government[06:00] George W. Bush, Texas politics, and an unlikely gubernatorial win[12:30] Crafting No Child Left Behind—and surviving 9/11 while doing it[20:15] What worked, what didn’t, and why testing got personal[25:00] The accountability unwind and COVID's lingering impact[30:00] The truth about teachers' unions and school vouchers[36:00] Can school choice work if capacity doesn’t exist?[39:00] The role of higher education & why some programs are cash cows[45:00] Is college still worth it? And the growing backlash over student debt[50:00] The cultural tug-of-war over curriculum and who controls it[54:00] A generational education crisis—and what it means for the U.S. [58:00] Leadership, legacy, and what’s next for Margaret SpellingsLike and Subscribe🍏 Apple🎧 Spotify📹 YoutubeFollow UsLinkedInInstagram—Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co.
Nov 25, 2025 • 1h 23min
Randall Wallace: The Man Behind Braveheart and the Stories That Move Us
Randall Wallace—writer of Braveheart, We Were Soldiers, and Secretariat—joins Tom and Kyle for a moving conversation about storytelling, faith, resilience, and the pursuit of truth. From growing up in the South to studying religion and Russian literature, to making one of Hollywood’s most iconic films, Wallace traces the through-line of love, sacrifice, and transformation. He shares how faith carried him through financial ruin, how a prayer became the genesis of Braveheart, and why his next project on the Resurrection might be the boldest one yet.In This Episode[00:01:00] Home Roots & Hollywood Dreams[00:06:00] Sales, Setbacks, and Seminars[00:09:00] The Leap to Nashville & Opryland[00:17:00] A Screenwriter is Born[00:26:00] The Braveheart Origin Story[00:38:00] Mel Gibson & Making the Movie[00:52:00] We Were Soldiers[01:08:00] Faith, Sacrifice, and the ResurrectionLike and Subscribe🍏 Apple🎧 Spotify📹 YoutubeFollow UsLinkedInInstagram—Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co.
Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 15min
Dr. Geoffrey Ling on Neurotech, DARPA & Why the Military Backed a Real-Life Luke Skywalker Arm
Dr. Geoffrey Ling is a neurologist, neurosurgeon, anesthesiologist, military veteran, entrepreneur, and all-around force of nature. In this deep-dive conversation, he takes us through his journey from Johns Hopkins to the battlefield, to DARPA and beyond—leading the charge in trauma medicine, brain health innovation, and prosthetics that literally read your mind. He reflects on his time with the Gray Team, building brain-controlled arms, and co-leading the BrainHealth Project—casting a bold vision for how America can lead in neuroscience, AI, and leadership if we bet big on bold ideas.In This Episode[02:00] Military Brilliance: Johns Hopkins, DARPA, and battlefield innovation[04:30] Developing brain tech to save soldiers' lives[07:45] DARPA: What it is, why it matters, and what it launched[13:00] JFK, Eisenhower, and the moon mission mindset[19:40] How IEDs and brain trauma changed combat medicine[25:00] Measuring the invisible injury of blast waves[30:00] Making Brain-Controlled Prosthetics Real: From sci-fi to 60 Minutes[37:45] Jan’s Story: Flying a fighter jet with your brain[42:30] Brain-Machine Interfaces: Where AI meets human potential[48:00] Why the U.S. Can Win in AI[52:00] Brain Health Revolution: Dementia prevention.[58:00] The BrainHealth Project: Metrics for brain health and cognitive fitness[01:04:00] Closing the Gap: from lifespan to healthspan[01:10:00] Optimism for America: Unleashing our best mindsResources MentionedCenter for BrainHealth at UT Dallas – https://centerforbrainhealth.orgBrainHealth Project – https://centerforbrainhealth.org/science/participate-in-a-study/brainhealth-projectDARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) – https://www.darpa.mil/60 Minutes segments featuring Dr. Geoff Ling - https://youtu.be/t6WctpD3rkk?si=uynrPdAaKnTIuLGOLike and Subscribe🍏 Apple🎧 Spotify📹 YoutubeFollow UsLinkedInInstagram—Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co.
Nov 11, 2025 • 1h 13min
How Ray Washburne Built a Dallas Icon — And He Isn't Done.
Ray Washburne—entrepreneur, real estate mogul, restauranteur, and former head of OPIC—joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of Dallas, the economics of restaurants, and how he bought Highland Park Village in the middle of a financial crisis. From starting a newspaper as a kid to expanding global fuel distribution, Ray shares hard-won insights on spotting trends, trusting instincts, and staying ethical in business. Also: why Texas Roadhouse is crushing it, what Cracker Barrel got wrong, and how Dallas can shape the next 15 years.In This Episode[02:00] Ray’s entrepreneurial spark[00:07:15] Real Estate Foundations & Austin Industries[00:09:30] The Origin of Mi Cocina & M Crowd[00:13:40] Red Lobster, Shrimp Deals & Restaurant Economics[00:17:50] The Shrinking Middle Class & AI Displacement[00:20:10] When Charlie Munger Dropped By[00:21:50] Buying Highland Park Village: The Backstory[00:26:30] The Evolution of Highland Park Village[00:32:00] Building a Retail Ecosystem[00:36:20] Sunoco, Strategy & Global Distribution[00:41:00] The Future of Oil, Gas, and EVs[00:46:30] Public Service & OPIC Experience[00:51:00] Ethics, Risk, and Saying “No”[00:55:30] Why Dallas Has the Edge[01:00:10] The Next 15 Years for the City[01:05:00] Final Reflections: Success, Timing & IntegrityLike and Subscribe🍏 Apple🎧 Spotify📹 YoutubeFollow UsLinkedInInstagram—Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co.
Nov 4, 2025 • 1h 12min
Running a City, Raising Kids & Dodging Partisan Chaos: Meet Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker
Mayor Mattie Parker joins the show to talk about Fort Worth as one of the fastest-growing cities in the country—and how she’s leading it with both strategy and soul. From working behind the scenes in Texas politics to becoming one of the youngest mayors of a top-10 U.S. city, Mattie shares her journey, the challenges of balancing motherhood with leadership, and what it really takes to keep a city running well. She dives deep into public safety, infrastructure, economic development, and why keeping politics local (and not ideological) is crucial for progress.In This Episode[00:00] Intro: Who is Mattie Parker?[01:17] Balancing motherhood and mayorship[02:45] Her path from small-town Texas to the state capitol[06:30] Working through law school and launching a career in politics[09:34] What motivated her to run for mayor—and why it surprised her[13:50] Nonpartisan governance in a polarized time[16:00] Dealing with threats, outrage culture, and public pressure[17:15] Fort Worth’s growth and how it’s stayed true to itself[21:20] The benefits of a council-manager government model[23:30] Fort Worth vs. Dallas—more collaboration than competition[26:10] Why education is at the heart of Fort Worth’s future[30:21] What’s working in economic development (and why)[33:00] Retaining the “small-town feel” in a booming city[35:00] Regional leadership and balancing city vs. metro priorities[38:15] Public safety, police accountability, and staffing up[42:50] Infrastructure priorities and transit innovation[46:30] Navigating state vs. city governance battlesGuest ResourcesKeep up with Mayor MattieCheck out Go Time with Mayor Mattie ParkerLike and Subscribe🍏 Apple🎧 Spotify📹 YoutubeFollow UsLinkedInInstagram—Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co.
Oct 28, 2025 • 1h 3min
What Every 25-Year-Old on Wall Street Needs to Hear
Bob Doll, longtime investment manager and current CEO/CIO at Crossmark Global Investments, joins the show for a deep dive into markets, faith, and leadership. With a career spanning Merrill Lynch, BlackRock, Nuveen, and now a faith-based investing firm, Bob shares how he integrates values into portfolio management. He unpacks his quantitative approach to stock picking, reflects on getting “canceled” at BlackRock for his faith, and offers practical wisdom for young professionals looking to align purpose with profession. It’s equal parts investment strategy and professional guidance.In this Episode[01:02] From Math Major to Money Manager: How Bob Doll discovered investing as a calling[05:27] Inside the Mind of a Portfolio Manager: Daily habits, models, and discipline[16:15] Faith Meets Finance: Bob’s BlackRock exit and journey to Crossmark[25:00] Aligning Investments with Values: What faith-based investing really means[32:15] Market Outlook: Bullish with caution — inflation, valuations, and AI’s impact[44:10] Housing, Debt & Demographics: Long-term challenges facing the U.S. economy[54:30] Is It Worth It? Bob reflects on career, calling, and legacyGuest Resourceshttps://www.crossmarkglobal.com/Like and Subscribe🍏 Apple🎧 Spotify📹 YoutubeFollow UsLinkedInInstagram—Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co.
Oct 21, 2025 • 1h 8min
The Business of Winning: The Story Behind the NFL and Chiefs' Dynasty
Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt sits down with Tom and Kyle for a wide-ranging conversation about family legacy, sports business strategy, and leadership driven by faith. From his grandfather H.L. Hunt’s oil empire to his father Lamar Hunt’s formation of the AFC and eventually the Super Bowl , Clark shares how visionary thinking runs in the family. He dives deep into building the Chiefs’ modern dynasty—highlighting pivotal moments like hiring Andy Reid, drafting Patrick Mahomes, and navigating the global expansion of the NFL. Plus, personal reflections on parenting, faith, and carrying on the Hunt legacy in Kansas City and beyond.In This Episode[00:01:26] Growing Up Hunt: Sports-filled weekends, role models, and legacy[00:05:00] Family & Faith: Raising sports-loving kids with purpose[00:06:17] Lessons from Lamar: Servant leadership and fan-first thinking[00:08:37] Visionary Moves: How a hotel TV game sparked the AFL[00:13:00] Creating the Super Bowl[00:17:35] Moving to KC: Why the Texans became the Chiefs[00:19:14] Birth of the “Kingdom”: Fans and global reach[00:20:01] Chiefs Dynasty: Hiring Andy Reid and trusting Brett Veach[00:28:00] Drafting Mahomes: Strategy, risk, and a smoke screen[00:40:47] Global NFL: Germany, Brazil, and expanding the fanbase[00:46:00] Monetizing Abroad: Brand growth over ticket sales[00:47:33] Small Market Advantage: TV money, parity, and a Hunt principle[00:49:26] Arrowhead’s Future: Renovation vs. replacement[00:53:00] World Cup 2026: Hosting games and honoring Lamar’s vision[00:56:00] MLS Growth: Competing with Europe and Messi’s impactLike and Subscribe🍏 Apple🎧 Spotify📹 YoutubeFollow UsLinkedInInstagram—Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co.
Oct 14, 2025 • 1h 11min
Nextdoor, Shondaland, and Raising Good Humans with Nirav & Megha Tolia
Tom and Kyle sit down with dynamic couple Nirav and Megha Tolia to dive into what it's like to partner in life and leadership. Nirav, serial entrepreneur and CEO of Nextdoor, and Megha, former President and COO of Shondaland, share their personal and professional journeys—from small-town Texas and LA roots to global business impact. The two talk about family values, cultural identity, raising kids, building businesses, and why they’ve planted roots in Dallas. It's a masterclass in navigating ambition, marriage, and meaningful impact. And stick around to hear their passion for equipping the next generation of entrepreneurs.In This Episode[01:00] Odessa, Texas and early cultural experiences[03:30] Nirav’s pivot from medicine to entrepreneurship[05:30] Megha’s family story, growing up bicultural in LA[08:45] Philanthropy: Ashram education in Gujarat[11:00] Parenting philosophies: Work ethic, gratitude, exposure[13:30] How Nirav & Megha met—family setups and instant connection[17:00] Megha’s rise through brand management to Shondaland[21:00] Nirav’s entrepreneurial journey: Yahoo, Epinions, Nextdoor[27:30] What makes Nextdoor different[32:00] Fanbase failure & learning to pivot[36:00] Sabbatical in Florence, pandemic pivots, and the Dallas move[42:30] Getting involved at SMU and the Spears Institute[48:00] Their shared belief in creating access through community[51:00] Final thoughts on ambition, identity, and intentional livingGuest ResourcesConnect with MeghaConect with NiravNextdoor Shondaland SMU Spears InstituteLike and Subscribe🍏 Apple🎧 Spotify📹 YoutubeFollow UsLinkedInInstagram—Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co.
Oct 6, 2025 • 20min
Capitalism, Socialism, and the TikTok Economy
In this episode, Kyle and Tom dive deep into the generational divide over capitalism, the changing nature of work, and what younger Americans misunderstand about economic systems. From rising distrust in corporate America to the evolution of the creator economy, they unpack how shifts in education, wages, and political narratives are shaping economic opinions today. They also discuss the rise of socialism in political platforms—especially in New York—and how it may impact the future of leadership and innovation in America.In This Episode[00:00] Generational Views on Capitalism[02:45] What Happened to Middle-Class Growth?[05:50] The Rise of the Creator Economy[07:40] Loyalty, Jobs & the New Workforce[09:50] NYC’s Socialist Shift[12:00] Defining Reality vs. Wishing It[14:00] Capitalism, Risk & Innovation[17:45] Freedom vs. Government Control[19:40] Coast vs. Heartland Politics[20:15] Guardrails of the Free MarketLike and Subscribe🍏 Apple🎧 Spotify📹 YoutubeFollow UsLinkedInInstagram—Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co.
