Ep. 8 - Turning a life-changing diagnosis into a life-saving career w/Kristen Doyle

Ep. 8 - Turning a life-changing diagnosis into a life-saving career w/Kristen Doyle

How does surviving cancer change the course of a life—and inspire a mission to help others survive? On this episode of Titans of Texas with Casey Claiborne, Casey sits down with Kristen Doyle, CEO of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), to discuss her remarkable journey from attorney to cancer survivor to leading one of the nation's largest state-funded cancer research organizations. Doyle shares the deeply personal story of her leukemia diagnosis at age 32, her life-saving bone marrow transplant, and how that experience ultimately led her to leave a successful legal career and dedicate herself to advancing cancer prevention, research, and treatment across Texas. The conversation covers: * Growing up in Ohio and building a legal career in Texas * Surviving leukemia and receiving a bone marrow transplant * Leaving private practice to join CPRIT * How CPRIT funds cancer research and prevention across Texas * The economic and medical impact of investing in life sciences * Leadership lessons from running a statewide organization * Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and young professionals Doyle also explains how CPRIT helps bridge the "valley of death" between scientific discovery and patient care by funding early-stage research, clinical trials, and Texas-based biotechnology companies. She discusses why accountability, peer review, and transparency have been central to the organization's success. Throughout the conversation, she reflects on the progress made in cancer treatment over the past two decades, her vision for CPRIT's future, and why she hopes to help take the "luck" out of surviving cancer. 00:00 — Intro & Meet Kristen Doyle 01:01 — Growing up and choosing law 05:04 — A career in public service and utility law 09:28 — The leukemia diagnosis that changed everything 14:30 — Returning to work and finding a new mission 21:34 — What is CPRIT? 25:26 — Funding breakthrough cancer research 27:22 — Becoming CEO of CPRIT 33:05 — Leading one of Texas' largest research initiatives 36:24 — Progress in cancer treatment and survival 39:37 — Advice for entrepreneurs and young professionals 41:58 — Closing thoughts

Ep. 7 - The "Brain Surgery" of P.R. w/Katherine McLane

What does it take to build one of Texas' premier strategic communications firms? On this episode of Titans of Texas with Casey Claiborne, Casey sits down with Katherine McLane, Founder and CEO of The Mach 1 Group, to discuss her remarkable journey from growing up in Germany and East Texas to serving at the highest levels of government before launching one of the state's leading strategic communications firms. McLane reflects on her career working with President George W. Bush, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Livestrong Foundation, sharing the experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy and ultimately inspired her to become an entrepreneur. The conversation covers: * Growing up in Germany and East Texas * Working on presidential and gubernatorial campaigns * Serving in the Bush Administration and Schwarzenegger's office * Leading communications during the Livestrong crisis * Founding and growing The Mach 1 Group * Building a successful strategic communications firm * Leadership, entrepreneurship, and giving back McLane also offers an inside look at the world of crisis communications, explaining how preparation, trust, and clear messaging can help organizations navigate their most challenging moments. Throughout the conversation, she shares lessons learned from launching her own business, growing a nationally recognized team, and balancing expansion while maintaining the boutique culture that has defined The Mach 1 Group's success. The episode concludes with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, thoughts on careers in public affairs and communications, and why Texas continues to be one of the best places in America to start and grow a business. 00:00 — Intro + Meet Katherine McLane 01:30 — Growing up in Germany and East Texas 06:34 — Finding a career in politics and communications 11:18 — The George W. Bush campaign 15:43 — Working for Arnold Schwarzenegger 23:28 — Joining the Bush Administration 25:56 — The Livestrong Foundation years 30:30 — Starting The Mach 1 Group 34:32 — Growing a successful business 39:50 — Giving back through community service 41:02 — Advice for young entrepreneurs 42:42 — What's next for The Mach 1 Group? 43:23 — Closing thoughts

Ep. 6 - Business, Education & Building MoakCasey w/Dan Huberty

How do you build a successful career across business, politics, education, and entrepreneurship? On this episode of Titans of Texas with Casey Claiborne, Casey sits down with Dr. Dan Huberty, CEO of MoakCasey, former Chairman of the Texas House Public Education Committee, entrepreneur, investor, and longtime business leader, for a conversation about leadership, risk-taking, public service, and building successful organizations. Huberty shares the story of growing up in Ohio, working construction through college, breaking into the parking industry, and eventually building a decades-long career in commercial real estate, parking operations, and business management before entering Texas politics. The conversation covers: • Growing up in Ohio and early career lessons • Building a 35-year career in the parking industry • Commercial real estate and investment strategies • Working for T. Boone Pickens • Entrepreneurship and creating Capital Cafe • Winning a Texas House seat through grassroots campaigning • Serving on the Humble ISD school board • Leading the House Public Education Committee • School finance reform and public education policy • The impact of COVID on commercial real estate • Acquiring and leading MoakCasey • Advice for entrepreneurs and business leaders Huberty also reflects on the challenges of balancing a successful private-sector career with service in the Texas Legislature, where he spent twelve years representing House District 127 and ultimately chaired one of the most influential committees in state government. The discussion explores the dramatic impact COVID had on downtown real estate, parking operations, and investment markets, along with the lessons Huberty learned navigating one of the most difficult business environments of his career. Throughout the episode, Huberty emphasizes the importance of relationships, calculated risk-taking, adaptability, and long-term planning. Whether discussing commercial real estate, public education, or entrepreneurship, he argues that success often comes from saying "yes" to opportunities and being willing to move outside your comfort zone. The episode concludes with practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, thoughts on the future of downtown business districts, and reflections on building a career that spans both the public and private sectors. 00:00 — Intro + Meet Dan Huberty 01:20 — Launching Capital Cafe in Austin 03:42 — Growing up in Ohio 05:30 — Working construction through college 06:15 — Cleveland unions and organized crime stories 09:27 — First jobs after college 11:25 — Discovering the parking business 14:29 — Building a career in parking and real estate 15:52 — Oklahoma City, Hawaii, and career growth 18:30 — Lessons from managing major operations 22:10 — Owning parking assets and real estate 26:21 — COVID and the collapse of downtown business 32:27 — Entering Texas politics 34:11 — School board service and first campaigns 37:53 — Winning office and campaign lessons 41:45 — Public education and legislative leadership 45:14 — School finance reform in Texas 47:15 — Leaving the Legislature and next steps 49:16 — Buying and leading MoakCasey 51:29 — Advice for entrepreneurs 57:41 — Favorite drink at Capital Cafe 58:19 — Closing thoughts

Ep. 5 - Leading Kerbey Lane Cafe Through Austin’s Evolution w/Mason Ayer

How does an Austin institution survive for nearly 50 years while the city around it changes dramatically? In this episode of Titans of Texas with Casey Claiborne, Casey sits down with Mason Ayer, CEO of Kerbey Lane Cafe, to discuss the history of one of Austin’s most iconic restaurant brands, the challenges of leading a family business, and what it takes to stay relevant in a rapidly changing city. Ayer shares the remarkable story of how his parents launched the original Kerbey Lane Cafe in 1980, how he initially pursued a legal career before returning to the family business, and the lessons he learned transforming the company during a period of significant growth. The conversation covers: • The origins of Kerbey Lane Cafe and Austin in the early 1980s • Growing up inside a family-owned restaurant business • Leaving corporate law to join Kerbey Lane • Standardizing operations across multiple locations • Leadership, company culture, and employee development • How Austin’s growth has changed the restaurant industry • Adapting menus while preserving iconic traditions • Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic • Supporting local businesses and community organizations • Why family-owned businesses matter to Austin’s identity • Entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and leadership lessons Ayer also reflects on the realities of restaurant ownership, the importance of creating a welcoming culture for both employees and customers, and why community engagement remains central to Kerbey Lane’s mission. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes that long-term success requires constant adaptation while remaining true to the values that made the business successful in the first place. The episode closes with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, lessons from law school, and thoughts on the future of Kerbey Lane Cafe and Austin’s local business community. 00:00 — Intro + Meet Mason Ayer 01:32 — How Kerbey Lane Cafe got started 04:00 — Growing up in the family business 07:33 — Law school and a legal career 14:56 — Leaving law to join Kerbey Lane 16:16 — Taking over and modernizing operations 19:27 — Growth, training, and leadership 21:23 — How Kerbey Lane evolved with Austin 23:30 — COVID-19 and surviving the pandemic 25:47 — Why 24-hour dining disappeared 27:20 — The culture and values behind Kerbey Lane 28:43 — Keeping Austin businesses alive 31:05 — Championing local entrepreneurship 33:01 — The future of Kerbey Lane Cafe 35:07 — Advice for young entrepreneurs 37:07 — Law school versus business school 38:00 — Closing thoughts

Ep. 4-John Paul DeJoria-John Paul Mitchell Systems and Patron Spirits Co.

How do you go from living in your car with your young son to building multiple billion-dollar companies? On this episode of Titans of Texas, host Casey Claiborne sits down with legendary entrepreneur and philanthropist John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems and Patrón Spirits Co. DeJoria shares the incredible true story behind one of America’s most inspiring entrepreneurial journeys — from growing up poor in Los Angeles, to selling encyclopedias door-to-door, to launching a global haircare empire with just $700. The conversation dives deep into the mindset, resilience, and philosophy that helped DeJoria overcome homelessness, rejection, financial collapse, and repeated setbacks on the road to becoming one of Texas’ most successful business leaders. Major topics include: • Growing up in poverty in Los Angeles • Being voted “least likely to succeed” in school • Learning sales through door-to-door encyclopedia sales • Living in his car while raising his young son • Starting John Paul Mitchell Systems with only $700 • How he convinced distributors to take a chance on the company • Building Paul Mitchell into a global haircare powerhouse • The creation and explosive rise of Patrón Tequila • Why early distributors believed premium tequila would never work • Selling Patrón to Bacardi • Launching his new tequila company, Bandero Tequila • Why Texas became home for his family and businesses • The philosophy behind “Success Unshared Is Failure” • Charity, philanthropy, and giving back • Supporting Mobile Loaves & Fishes in Austin • Joining Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge • Entrepreneurship advice for young business owners • Dealing with rejection and failure • Why enthusiasm matters in business • The future of AI and entrepreneurship • Why Texas is one of the best places in the world to start a business DeJoria also discusses his upcoming book, Success Unshared Is Failure, which combines his personal story with practical business advice and lessons on leadership, resilience, positivity, and generosity. Throughout the episode, DeJoria emphasizes the importance of kindness, persistence, and looking forward instead of dwelling on failure. His message is simple: success means very little unless you use it to help others. 00:00 — Intro + John Paul DeJoria joins 02:06 — New book: Success Unshared Is Failure 05:18 — Growing up poor in Los Angeles 08:27 — Being voted “least likely to succeed” 10:08 — Living in his car with his son 12:27 — Starting Paul Mitchell with $700 16:34 — Landing the company’s first distributor 19:53 — Making his first million 22:17 — The origin story of Patrón Tequila 24:41 — Why distributors thought Patrón would fail 25:28 — Selling Patrón + launching Bandero Tequila 27:11 — Moving to Texas 28:00 — Film production + philanthropy 30:35 — Joining the Giving Pledge 33:31 — Mobile Loaves & Fishes and helping the homeless 36:29 — Advice for young entrepreneurs 39:58 — Why Texas is great for business 41:10 — AI, skilled trades, and the future of work 45:49 — Final thoughts on success and legacy