Building Pathways to Opportunity with Dr. Ben Alexander

Lindsay Dawson and uThrive Academy

She's worked in finance, served the CIA, represented the United States abroad, and now she's fighting for the most vulnerable in her own backyard. In this episode of the Ashley B. Cash Show, Ashley sits down with Lindsay Dawson for a conversation that covers it all. Lindsay's journey is anything but ordinary. She launched her career in finance with ConocoPhillips, was recruited by the CIA as a Middle East Economic Analyst, and went on to serve as a U.S. diplomat at the American Embassy in Abu Dhabi. But it was after nearly a decade of public service that Lindsay found her deepest calling — fighting human trafficking, walking alongside survivors, and working hand in hand with local law enforcement to make a difference on the ground. In 2023, she founded uThrive Academy, an organization dedicated to empowering vulnerable women through financial literacy and life skills. And in November 2024, she added yet another chapter to her remarkable story, winning a seat on the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees — where she now oversees a $760 million budget and advocates fiercely for students, parents, and teachers. This is a story about courage, purpose, and what happens when a woman refuses to put a ceiling on what she can accomplish. You do not want to miss this one. Tune in! About The Ashley B. Cash Show: The Ashley B. Cash Show features conversations with education leaders, policy experts, parents, teachers and reform advocates who are working to transform K-12 education. Host Ashley B. Cash brings her perspective as both a parent and business owner to explore systemic education issues and practical solutions for creating better outcomes for students, families, and communities. About Ashley:  As both a mother and business owner, Ashley brings a unique dual perspective to education reform advocacy, driven by her desire for better educational outcomes for future generations and informed by her firsthand experience with the skills gap facing employers today. Her passion for transforming K-12 education stems from witnessing the real-world consequences of educational failures and recognizing the critical need for a system that prepares students for diverse career pathways, not just college. Through this podcast, Ashley champions solutions including aptitude-based education tracks, expanded school choice, practical skills integration, and alternative career pathways that align with students' individual strengths and interests. Follow @AshleyBCashOfficial on Instagram & @Ashley Bowes Cash on Facebook. Visit www.AshleyBCashOfficial.com for more content and features.

Building Pathways to Opportunity with Dr. Ben Alexander

In this episode, Ashley sits down with Dr. Ben Alexander, CEO of Workforce Solutions South Plains in Lubbock, Texas. With nearly two decades of experience in higher education and workforce development — including his tenure as Executive Director of Workforce Development at South Plains College — Dr. Alexander has built his career on creating real pathways to opportunity for everyday people. He holds a doctorate in business management, has championed public policy before state legislators, and was appointed by the Texas Supreme Court to the Texas Access to Justice Foundation. Simply put, he knows the workforce landscape inside and out. In this conversation, Dr. Alexander shares why soft skills — not just hard skills — are the true keys to hireability, and why building those skills needs to start even earlier than we think. It's a perspective that every job seeker, parent, educator, and employer needs to hear. 🌐 Learn more at workforcesouthplains.org [http://workforcesouthplains.org] About The Ashley B. Cash Show: The Ashley B. Cash Show features conversations with education leaders, policy experts, parents, teachers and reform advocates who are working to transform K-12 education. Host Ashley B. Cash brings her perspective as both a parent and business owner to explore systemic education issues and practical solutions for creating better outcomes for students, families, and communities. About Ashley:  As both a mother and business owner, Ashley brings a unique dual perspective to education reform advocacy, driven by her desire for better educational outcomes for future generations and informed by her firsthand experience with the skills gap facing employers today. Her passion for transforming K-12 education stems from witnessing the real-world consequences of educational failures and recognizing the critical need for a system that prepares students for diverse career pathways, not just college. Through this podcast, Ashley champions solutions including aptitude-based education tracks, expanded school choice, practical skills integration, and alternative career pathways that align with students' individual strengths and interests. Follow @AshleyBCashOfficial on Instagram & @Ashley Bowes Cash on Facebook. Visit www.AshleyBCashOfficial.com for more content and features.

The Currency of Knowledge | Catherine Komen, Director of TTU Red to Black

What does it really take to change the way young people think about money — and can that change start before they ever open a bank account? In this episode of the Ashley B. Cash Show, host Ashley sits down with Catherine Komen, Director of Red to Black at Texas Tech University — a financial literacy program that meets students where they are and helps them make a plan to get where they want to go, providing education, workshops, and coaching in a judgment-free environment. With over two decades of experience in the financial industry, Catherine brings both heart and expertise to one of the most important conversations we can have: how do we truly set the next generation up for financial success?  Ashley and Catherine dig into why financial literacy can't wait — because the earlier we plant those seeds, the deeper the roots grow. They explore how to bring kids into the day-to-day financial operations of the home, why children absorb far more from what they observe than what they're told, and how to gently help young adults recognize the gaps between what they think they know and what they still need to learn. There's no shame in asking questions — in fact, seeking out professionals and leaning on trusted resources is one of the most powerful tools we have. The conversation also gets real about the mindset work that underlies all financial progress. Money isn't good or evil — it's a tool. And the negative beliefs many of us grew up with around wealth can quietly hold us back for decades. Catherine and Ashley talk about how culture, values, and identity all shape our relationship with money, and why remembering where you came from — no matter the hardships or the blessings — is part of building a foundation you can be proud of. This one is for the parents, the students, the educators, and anyone who believes that education paired with purpose can truly change lives. About The Ashley B. Cash Show: The Ashley B. Cash Show features conversations with education leaders, policy experts, parents, teachers and reform advocates who are working to transform K-12 education. Host Ashley B. Cash brings her perspective as both a parent and business owner to explore systemic education issues and practical solutions for creating better outcomes for students, families, and communities. About Ashley:  As both a mother and business owner, Ashley brings a unique dual perspective to education reform advocacy, driven by her desire for better educational outcomes for future generations and informed by her firsthand experience with the skills gap facing employers today. Her passion for transforming K-12 education stems from witnessing the real-world consequences of educational failures and recognizing the critical need for a system that prepares students for diverse career pathways, not just college. Through this podcast, Ashley champions solutions including aptitude-based education tracks, expanded school choice, practical skills integration, and alternative career pathways that align with students' individual strengths and interests. Follow @AshleyBCashOfficial on Instagram & @Ashley Bowes Cash on Facebook. Visit www.AshleyBCashOfficial.com for more content and features.

Built to Last | Tucker Brown

On this episode of The Ashley B. Cash Show, we're bringing the ranch to the classroom — and everywhere else. Tucker Brown is a sixth-generation rancher and steward of the R.A. Brown Ranch in Throckmorton, Texas — a family operation dating all the way back to 1895 — and he's proof that some of the most valuable real-world skills aren't taught in a textbook. From raising elite cattle genetics and Quarter Horses to earning millions of views a month on TikTok and Instagram, Tucker has built a life rooted in hard work, legacy, and purpose. In this conversation, we dig into the lessons ranching teaches that no classroom can fully prepare you for — resilience, responsibility, stewardship, and what it truly means to show up every single day. Whether you're just starting out or decades into your journey, Tucker's story is a reminder that the most important education happens with real world skills. About The Ashley B. Cash Show: The Ashley B. Cash Show features conversations with education leaders, policy experts, parents, teachers and reform advocates who are working to transform K-12 education. Host Ashley B. Cash brings her perspective as both a parent and business owner to explore systemic education issues and practical solutions for creating better outcomes for students, families, and communities. About Ashley:  As both a mother and business owner, Ashley brings a unique dual perspective to education reform advocacy, driven by her desire for better educational outcomes for future generations and informed by her firsthand experience with the skills gap facing employers today. Her passion for transforming K-12 education stems from witnessing the real-world consequences of educational failures and recognizing the critical need for a system that prepares students for diverse career pathways, not just college. Through this podcast, Ashley champions solutions including aptitude-based education tracks, expanded school choice, practical skills integration, and alternative career pathways that align with students' individual strengths and interests. Follow @AshleyBCashOfficial on Instagram & @Ashley Bowes Cash on Facebook. Visit www.AshleyBCashOfficial.com for more content and features.

The Texas Story with Dr. Donald Frazier

What does it truly mean to know the Texas story — and who is responsible for making sure it gets told? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Donald S. Frazier, Director of The Texas Center at Schreiner University, six-time author, historian, filmmaker, and the man Governor Greg Abbott appointed to lead the Texas 1836 Project. Dr. Frazier shares his journey from the college classroom to the forefront of public history, what it will take to restore pride and accuracy in how we teach Texas to the next generation, and why getting parents engaged is one of the most powerful tools we have. Of course, we dive into education reform — what's broken, what Texas is doing about it, and how short-form video and parent engagement could be the key to unlocking student success. This is a conversation every Texas parent, educator, and history lover needs to hear. Learn more about Dr. Frazier's work at thetexascenter.org [https://thetexascenter.org] and subscribe to The Texas Center on YouTube at youtube.com/@thetexascenter [https://www.youtube.com/@thetexascenter]. About The Ashley B. Cash Show: The Ashley B. Cash Show features conversations with education leaders, policy experts, parents, teachers and reform advocates who are working to transform K-12 education. Host Ashley B. Cash brings her perspective as both a parent and business owner to explore systemic education issues and practical solutions for creating better outcomes for students, families, and communities. About Ashley:  As both a mother and business owner, Ashley brings a unique dual perspective to education reform advocacy, driven by her desire for better educational outcomes for future generations and informed by her firsthand experience with the skills gap facing employers today. Her passion for transforming K-12 education stems from witnessing the real-world consequences of educational failures and recognizing the critical need for a system that prepares students for diverse career pathways, not just college. Through this podcast, Ashley champions solutions including aptitude-based education tracks, expanded school choice, practical skills integration, and alternative career pathways that align with students' individual strengths and interests. Follow @AshleyBCashOfficial on Instagram & @Ashley Bowes Cash on Facebook. Visit www.AshleyBCashOfficial.com for more content and features.