Changing Austin

Denise Davis on Collaboration: In Business, In Politics, and Across Industries

How do you find common ground in Texas politics and business when collaboration feels impossible? Denise Davis has spent more than 20 years doing exactly that. As Board Chair of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, former Chief of Staff for the Texas House of Representatives and partner at Davis Kaufman PLLC, Davis has built a reputation for helping business leaders, policymakers and entrepreneurs move Austin forward through strategic collaboration and bipartisan leadership.
In this episode of the Changing Austin Podcast, powered by Amplify Credit Union, Denise Davis shares insights on Texas politics, Austin economic growth, leadership, entrepreneurship and the future of business in Central Texas. From navigating high-stakes policy conversations to mentoring the next generation of Austin innovators, Davis explains why finding common ground is essential to shaping Austin’s future.
Listeners will hear how Davis’ experience in public policy, government relations and business advocacy continues to influence her leadership at the Austin Chamber of Commerce and across the Texas business community.
Follow Denise Davis on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-davis-55444917/
Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/stacy.armijohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo
About Changing Austin:
Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.
VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com
Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1a5623a8-9852-4a9b-948c-0f686aa14e4c/changing-austin
Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/changing-austin/id1820951608
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gOBx6yCBEovj4IEb8LEhj?si=89088bb99af24177
Changing Austin is powered by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking. #austin #austintexas

Hugh Forrest on SXSW, Creativity and Connection

Few people have shaped Austin’s rise quite like Hugh Forrest.
As the first paid employee of South by Southwest, Forrest joined in 1989 when Austin was still a college town and SXSW was a scrappy music festival fueled by creativity, risk-taking and a handful of local venues. Over the next three decades, he helped transform SXSW into a global powerhouse spanning music, film, technology and culture, helping put Austin on the world stage.
In this episode of the Changing Austin podcast, powered by Amplify Credit Union, Chief Experience Officer Stacy Armijo sits down with Forrest to unpack SXSW’s evolution, Austin’s creative identity and what’s next for one of America’s fastest-growing cities.
From the city’s signature approachability to the urgent need to preserve space for artists, entrepreneurs and innovators, Forrest shares a clear perspective on what made Austin special and what must be protected as it continues to grow.
Follow Hugh Forrest on Instagram and LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/hughwforresthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hughforrest
Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/stacy.armijohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo
About Changing Austin:
Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.
VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com
Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1a5623a8-9852-4a9b-948c-0f686aa14e4c/changing-austin
Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/changing-austin/id1820951608
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gOBx6yCBEovj4IEb8LEhj?si=89088bb99af24177
Changing Austin is powered by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking. #austin #austintexas

Mayor Kirk Watson on Managing Austin's Success and GenATX

What would it take for Austin to become the best city in America for kids? That question is driving Generation ATX, an initiative launched by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and the City of Austin in 2025. The goal is simple but ambitious: unite the community around improving outcomes for more than 176,000 students across Central Texas.
In this episode of the Changing Austin podcast, powered by Amplify Credit Union, Chief Experience Officer Stacy Armijo sits down with Mayor Watson to explore the vision behind Generation ATX and what it will take to make Austin the best place to grow up. Drawing on his first term as mayor beginning in 1997 and his return to office, Watson reflects on how Austin’s biggest challenges are tied to its rapid growth and success, and how the city can address affordability to ensure that Austin works for its next generation.
Follow Mayor Kirk Watson on Instagram and LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/kirkpwatson/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirk-watson-045ab81b
Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/stacy.armijohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo
About Changing Austin:
Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.
VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com
Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1a5623a8-9852-4a9b-948c-0f686aa14e4c/changing-austin
Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/changing-austin/id1820951608
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gOBx6yCBEovj4IEb8LEhj?si=89088bb99af24177
Changing Austin is powered by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking. #austin #austintexas

Janice Omadeke on Leadership, Mentorship and Entrepreneurial Success

For some professionals, success means mastering one industry over decades. But author and entrepreneur Janice Omadeke takes a different approach. She describes herself as a “hummingbird,” moving across industries and ideas to drive innovation, scale leadership systems, and build more effective organizations.
In this episode of the Changing Austin podcast, powered by Amplify Credit Union, Chief Experience Officer Stacy Armijo sits down with Omadeke to explore her rapid rise as a leadership expert and entrepreneur in Austin’s growing tech ecosystem.
From founding The Mentor Method, an enterprise mentorship platform designed to strengthen workplace culture and leadership development, to shaping conversations around the future of work, Omadeke shares how cross-industry thinking fuels creativity, innovation, and scalable impact.
Follow Janice Omadeke on Instagram and LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/janiceomadekehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/janiceomadeke
Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/stacy.armijohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo
About Changing Austin:
Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.
VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com
Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1a5623a8-9852-4a9b-948c-0f686aa14e4c/changing-austin
Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/changing-austin/id1820951608
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gOBx6yCBEovj4IEb8LEhj?si=89088bb99af24177
Changing Austin is powered by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking. #austin #austintexas

Joel Kocher: Chasing the Moment from Dell Computers to Humann

Joel Kocher couldn’t tell you why he’s been so successful at identifying the game-changing potential of companies. He just knows the moment when he sees it. But that doesn’t mean Kocher can’t connect some of the dots that brought him to his current role as the co-founder and CEO of Humann, a nutrition company focused on cardiovascular health.
In this episode of the Changing Austin podcast powered by Amplify Credit Union, Chief Experience Officer Stacy Armijo sits down with Kocher to discuss his unconventional business journey. From gambling his career on the vision of Michael Dell at Dell Computers to being in the right conference room at the right time to help turn Humann into one of the official brands of University of Texas Athletics, Kocher reflects on those make-or-break moments in life that have long defined his career as an entrepreneur and business leader.
Follow Jeremiah Bentley on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkocher
Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:
www.instagram.com/stacy.armijowww.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo
About Changing Austin:
Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.
VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com
Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1a5623a8-9852-4a9b-948c-0f686aa14e4c/changing-austin
Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/changing-austin/id1820951608
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gOBx6yCBEovj4IEb8LEhj?si=272e2d14b0ad45ec
Changing Austin is powered by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking.

Jeremiah Bentley: Building Community from Insurance to Soccer

What do Texas Mutual Insurance Company and Austin FC have in common? Both organizations begin and end with the strength of their communities. That is the perspective offered by Jeremiah Bentley, vice president of marketing and community affairs at Texas Mutual Insurance Company and co-host of the Moontower Soccer podcast focused on Austin FC.
In this episode of the Changing Austin podcast by Amplify Credit Union, Chief Experience Officer Stacy Armijo sits down with Bentley to discuss how his work as a Central Texas business leader and soccer podcaster has shaped his view of what makes the Austin community special. Bentley also shares why you do not need deep knowledge of workers’ compensation insurance or Major League Soccer to take advantage of everything Texas Mutual and Austin FC have to offer.
Follow Jeremiah Bentley on LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/jbentley_atx/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiah-bentley-63097b6/
Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:
www.instagram.com/stacy.armijowww.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo
About Changing Austin:
Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.
VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com
Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1a5623a8-9852-4a9b-948c-0f686aa14e4c/changing-austin
Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/changing-austin/id1820951608
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gOBx6yCBEovj4IEb8LEhj?si=272e2d14b0ad45ec
Changing Austin is brought to you by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking.

Sarah Pitre: Alamo Drafthouse Still Serves Cinema in the Streaming Age

How does the movie theater experience stay relevant in the age of streaming? That’s the question Sarah Pitre, Head Film Buyer at Alamo Drafthouse, tackles every week as she balances studio releases, repertory programming and evolving audience preferences. Her work helps keep Alamo Drafthouse a top destination for both arthouse films and big-budget movies nationwide.
In this episode of the Changing Austin podcast from Amplify Credit Union, Chief Experience Officer Stacy Armijo sits down with Pitre to explore how Alamo Drafthouse continues to champion cinema culture, from its Austin origins to its expanding national footprint. Pitre shares insights on film curation, community-driven programming and why the theatrical experience still matters for movie lovers.
Follow Sarah Pitre on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahpitre/
Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:
www.instagram.com/stacy.armijowww.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo
About Changing Austin:
Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.
VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com
Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1a5623a8-9852-4a9b-948c-0f686aa14e4c/changing-austin
Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/changing-austin/id1820951608
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gOBx6yCBEovj4IEb8LEhj?si=272e2d14b0ad45ec
Changing Austin is brought to you by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking.

Madeline Hollern: Why Modern Media Must Adapt or Die

As Austin transforms into one of the fastest-growing cultural hubs in the country, local media outlets are being forced to adapt or fall behind. Few understand that better than Madeline Hollern, Editor in Chief of Austin Monthly. From expanding local restaurant coverage to partnering with global celebrities, Hollern and her team are redefining how Austin stories are told and how the city shows up on the national stage.
In this episode of the Changing Austin podcast by Amplify Credit Union, Chief Experience Officer Stacy Armijo talks with Hollern about the evolution of modern media and the increasingly blurred line between traditional journalism and content creators. Hollern also shares why local storytellers, including small business owners and longtime journalists, need to get comfortable on camera in a world where personal identity and professional brand are now inseparable.
Follow Madeline Hollern on Instagram and LinkedIn:
www.instagram.com/madelinehollernwww.linkedin.com/in/madeline-hollern-5a6b917
Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:
www.instagram.com/stacy.armijowww.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo
About Changing Austin:
Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.
VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com
Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1a5623a8-9852-4a9b-948c-0f686aa14e4c/changing-austin
Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/changing-austin/id1820951608
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gOBx6yCBEovj4IEb8LEhj?si=272e2d14b0ad45ec
Changing Austin is brought to you by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking.

Jamie Herlich: Why Good Theater Is Always Good Business

What does it mean to take the reins of the oldest theater company in Texas? For Jamie Herlich, becoming the managing director of ZACH Theater in Austin meant delivering on ZACH’s mission to produce homegrown theater in the heart of the city. It also meant opening doors to a new generation of theatergoers and showing the Central Texas community why the performing arts matter more than ever.
In this episode of the Changing Austin podcast powered by Amplify Credit Union, Chief Experience Officer Stacy Armijo sits down with Herlich to discuss a decade of transformation for ZACH Theater. From a small change in spelling — switching from “theatre” to “theater” — to expanding ZACH’s year-round lineup of live performances and arts education programs, Herlich explains why cultural institutions like ZACH play a vital role in Austin’s creative economy and the long-term growth of Central Texas.
Follow Jamie Herlich on Instagram and LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/jmherlichhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jherlich
Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/stacy.armijohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo
About Changing Austin:
Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.
VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com
Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1a5623a8-9852-4a9b-948c-0f686aa14e4c/changing-austin
Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/changing-austin/id1820951608
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gOBx6yCBEovj4IEb8LEhj?si=272e2d14b0ad45ec
Changing Austin is brought to you by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking.

Matt Cisneros: Dedicating Your Life to Media and Migas

Matthew Cisneros spends his days thinking about two things: media and migas. As co-owner of Cisco’s Restaurant and Bakery, one of Austin’s most iconic Tex-Mex restaurants, and founder of Backyard Ventures, a growing media and influencer marketing agency, Cisneros bridges the worlds of legacy brands and digital startups.
In this episode of the Changing Austin Podcast by Amplify Credit Union, Chief Experience Officer Stacy Armijo sits down with Cisneros to explore how these two beloved Austin institutions reflect the city’s evolving business landscape. From preserving a 75-year-old Austin restaurant tradition to innovating in influencer partnerships and local media, Cisneros shares how Austin’s past and present remain deeply connected.
Follow Matt Cisneros on Instagram and LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/matthewcisneros https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattcisneros1 
Follow Stacy Armijo on Instagram and LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/stacy.armijohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo
About Changing Austin:
Changing Austin examines the people shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. From reimagining business models to doubling down on nonprofit missions, Changing Austin shares real stories about Austin's unique past and promising future.
VISIT Changing Austin at www.changingaustin.com
Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1a5623a8-9852-4a9b-948c-0f686aa14e4c/changing-austin
Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/changing-austin/id1820951608
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gOBx6yCBEovj4IEb8LEhj?si=272e2d14b0ad45ec
Changing Austin is brought to you by Amplify Credit Union, Austin's home for fee-free commercial banking.