The Building Texas Show

05/29/2026

City of Johnson City, Texas sits on the Pedernales River… and can't drink a single drop of it.

Mayor Stephanie Fisher — now in her second term — is navigating one of the most unusual growth stories in the Texas Hill Country. The town has 67 Airbnbs out of only 540 residential homes. There's no hotel. And the city's entire water supply depends on a single aquifer with a permit they're already pushing the limits on.

But here's what makes this story worth watching: she's not panicking. She has a plan, from unlocking the LBJ corridor as a tourism anchor, to attracting a boutique hotel that could change the town's economic trajectory overnight — Mayor Fisher is thinking long-term about what sustainable growth actually looks like for a small Texas town on the edge of something big.

If you've ever driven through Johnson City on the way to Fredericksburg and kept going… this episode might make you reconsider.

New episode of The Building Texas Show is live now —

Johnson City sits on the Pedernales River — and still can't tap a drop of it for drinking water. With 67 of 540 homes now operating as Airbnbs and no hotel i...

05/10/2026

Space smells like burnt sunscreen — at least that's what this astronaut told us.

Every astronaut describes it differently, but they're all convinced they're right. What would YOU say it smells like?

We're going deep on Texas's role in the next era of space exploration — subscribe so you don't miss it.

05/07/2026

Stained Glass is seen in Churches around the world. Explore how the designs are made with Cavallini Co., Inc.

05/04/2026

Planning stained glass windows for your church? Before you search online, watch this first

Cavallini Co., Inc. — based in Texas, installed worldwide — has been creating custom sacred stained glass for over 70 years. And in this episode, they explain exactly why the process takes up to 18 months, what structural engineering goes into every panel, and why no two windows are ever the same.

This is Episode 2 of our 6 part series sharing The Cavallini Legacy on The Building Texas Show. Be sure to subscribe for the rest of this series and more!

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/AK-twizfsOU?si=dwW7VE_mzQNMpC2V

6 likes, 2 comments. "Why Your Church's Stained Glass Takes 1.5 Years to Build | Cavallini Legacy Ep. 2"

05/02/2026

Have you heard about surfing in Central Texas? Our friends at Waco Surf are doing it right! I enjoyed hearing about the history of City of Waco - Public Information! Destination Waco has been busy and Waco has transformed!

Where are you traveling this summer?

6 likes. "Waco Wave Pool — The Story Behind Texas's Most Surprising Destination"

05/01/2026

WHOA! School Board elections are happening across the State tomorrow. Did you vote early? Are you voting on election day? May 2nd - for Boerne ISD!

Veteran trustee points to "A" ratings, balanced budgets, and rising teacher pay as voters prepare to cast ballots Saturday

04/28/2026

Are you near Round Rock Chamber? Did you know they offer events and programs for Non-members? Check out our latest episode, and put Round Rock's Startup week on your calendar.

7 likes. "Why This Texas City Is Giving Away Free Startup Programs — And It's Working"

04/20/2026

Enjoying a rainy day across the Texas Hill Country tonight. Do me a favor and learn about the City of Marble Falls, Texas and plan your next trip! Visit Marble Falls TX - has a lot of great things happening.

Enjoy our latest episode and be sure to like and subscribe on YouTube!

7 likes. "Marble Falls, TX: Close Enough to Austin, Far Enough Away | Building Texas Show"

04/15/2026

This was a lot of fun! At SXSW I met Dr. Judy Oskam and had the opportunity to come back to Texas State University as Texas State University Alumni and share my story. If you haven't been on campus lately, you should take a trip!

Thank you to everyone who has supported The Building Texas Show - if you don't already please subscribe on YouTube. 2026 has already brought some incredible stories! Do you have a Texas story that needs to be told?

In a special episode of the Change & Creativity Podcast, host Judy Oskam interviews Justin McKenzie, host of the Building Texas Show. They discuss Texas’s innovation ecosystem, the critical role of local leadership, and how storytelling can drive economic development from the Panhandle to the Hill...

04/14/2026

If you have ever been to a networking event, or pitch contest, this book gives a good perspective on what is happening behind the scenes. It is hard work, a heavy lift, and it requires a lot of the right ingredients to GO!

Are you building something? If so, check out Paul's newest book!

Live from South by Southwest (SXSW) 2026 in downtown Austin, startup strategist Paul O’Brien joined The Building Texas Show to discuss the launch of his new book, Startup Ecosystems. O’Brien shared strategic insights on navigating SXSW, building resilient innovation hubs, and the critical import...