Fearless

Fearless Unscripted | A.J. Ramos

A.J. Ramos has enjoyed tremendous athletic success, but he has never forgotten is hometown roots or what really matters in life. A former MLB All-Star who grew up in Lubbock and played baseball for Estacado and Texas Tech, Ramos also benefited from the influence and presence of family. They’ve been his anchor every step of the way. Taylor Peters sits down with Ramos in the latest episode of Fearless Unscripted. Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Fearless Unscripted | Emma Rodriguez

Emma Rodriguez has become a celebrity at Texas Tech this year. The U.S. Army aviator and wife of Red Raider star linebacker Jacob Rodriguez has garnered national attention as well.

On a recent return to Lubbock, Emma took the time to sit down with Taylor Peters to talk about football, faith and what makes Texas Tech special.

S5 | Episode Three | A $10K Degree

In August 2025 Christie Loveless did something that was 40 years in the making. After leaving college in the mid-80s following a tragedy, she walked the stage as a Texas Tech University graduate in the same weekend as her son, Kolby.

 

Texas Tech’s $10K Degree Completion Program allowed her to recognize that dream with an affordable, accelerated and flexible bachelor’s degree program. Now, she is a walking ambassador of Texas Tech Online.

 

For more information about Texas Tech Online’s $10K Degree Completion Program: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/online/10K/

 

Learn more about Texas Tech Online: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/online/start/

 

Read more about Christie's story and others who have made their goals a reality through the $10K Degree Completion Program: https://www.ttu.edu/now/posts/2024/08/adult-learners-relish-path-to-completing-the-incomplete.php

S5 | Episode Two | Virginia Finster

Virginia Finster went from being a young single mother of two, wondering what her next step was to becoming an ambassador for online education and a true story of success. Her determination and grit represent all we strive to be as Red Raiders.

Learn more about Texas Tech Online: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/online/programs/?subNav=Online%2B

S5 | Episode One | Marching On | The Story of Judith Johnson

Judith Johnson is wrecking the idea of retirement.

 

The 65-year-old Texas Tech student is studying music after retiring from a career in nursing. In fact, she's now become the oldest member to ever play in the Goin' Band from Raiderland. This trailblazer is not fazed by marching alongside students who could be her grandchildren – she’s actually quite composed.

 

“I’ve learned I can do anything,” Johnson says. “It’s my mind that tells me I can or can’t do something, not my age.”

 

Watch Judith's story on our Texas Tech YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/0bYP-UIOqWw

Fearless Unscripted | Joey McGuire

As Texas Tech head football coach Joey McGuire enters his fourth season at the helm of the Red Raider program, he sits down with Taylor Peters on the latest episode of Fearless Unscripted.

 

The two talk about The Brand, supporting the players, what the Lubbock community means to him, the pressure of a new season and much more.

 

Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Introduction

 

:32 Women Behind the Brand and using it to support One Voice, a non-profit founded by Josh and Taylor Abbott.

 

3:24 what Joey and his wife, Debbie love about Lubbock and the people that make it their home.

 

6:28 Navigating the changing world of college athletics and how he keeps his staff and players focused.

 

9:27 How coach encourages and supports the student-athletes in a world of growing pressure including NIL deals.

 

14:23 Getting to celebrate an appearance in the national championship with Texas Tech Softball in the spring.

 

16:54 What his wife, Debbie, offers the program and the support she provides to the student-athletes.

 

21:48 Success stories from student-athletes that stick with coach and still make him emotional.

 

27:41 What makes coach most excited heading into the season.

Fearless Unscripted | William Clark Green

William Clark Green is a Texas Country music icon. Lubbock is the birthplace of his career that started while he was a student at Texas Tech. From touring across the world, to hosting one of the largest music festivals in West Texas, he doesn't plan to slow down anytime soon.

 

Introduction

 

Cotton Fest had its first sell out crowd with nearly 10,000 people in attendance.

2:53 High Cotton Relief Fund has helped hundreds over the years since it was created by Will. The foundation has become his life's work and he's using his platform to serve families in times of need.

8:06 Lubbock was the birthplace of his music career, why he decided to get his degree when he could have turned to music full time.

10:14 The people who inspired him and helped him start his career in Lubbock.

12:40 Advice to younger artists who are just getting their start.

15:19 What is motivating and inspiring to him about serving individuals through his foundation?

Testing Will's knowledge of country music from artists who got their start at Texas Tech and Lubbock.

S4 | Bonus | Pioneers of Practice: Vet School’s Inaugural Class

In May, the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine made history with its inaugural graduation — delivering on Texas Tech’s promise to bring critical veterinary care to rural and regional communities across the state. In this episode of Fearless, we meet the newly hooded doctors who will meet this purpose.

 

Watch the Ceremony: https://youtu.be/JZdsb-KSgko

See the Story: https://stories.ttu.edu/first-of-their-kind?source=share-texastechuniversity

What's next for the graduates: https://www.ttu.edu/now/posts/2025/05/school-of-veterinary-medicine-grads-reflect-on-serving-rural-regional-communities.php

Fearless Unscripted | Emily Jones McCoy

Emily Jones McCoy has seen quite a bit in her decade-plus as a sideline reporter for the Texas Rangers, but this Texas Tech grad is just a West Texas girl at heart. The wife and mom of two finds herself now in a season of transition, from the broadcast booth and television studio, to adventures beyond the baseball diamond. Listen to Fearless on your favorite podcast platform: https://linktr.ee/fearlesstexastechpodcast

Listen to Emily's podcast, The Mom Game here: https://open.spotify.com/show/1i3k7Spo21tLaLa1EGhCyO?si=9ce9b3e6d6fb49b0

 

:05 - Introduction

3:23 - Reliving the 2023 Rangers season that ended in a World Series victory

9:00 - Work-Life Balance & Motherhood: Emily Jones' Reality

14:20 - Amid a changing landscape of sports, Emily is looking to spend more time with her family and taking a step back from her reporting role.

18:20 - What led to Emily's decision to attend Texas Tech and the KCBD-TV experience that launched her broadcast career.

22:15 - Taylor shares an insightful phone call with Emily from yers ago.

25:49 - Emily's Best Piece of Advice: The Importance of Authenticity

31:00 - Conclusion

Fearless Unscripted | Brandon Weaver

Brandon Weaver's adventures across the country are well documented in his podcast, The Tinstreamer, and is featured in immersive storytelling as a freelance writer for a variety of publications. In what he calls his writing career 2.0, Brandon has rediscovered his passion for the outdoors through his friendship with Texas Tech professor Jerod Foster as he finds himself along for the ride in some of Texas Tech's most unique student experiences.

 

Listen to The Tinstreamer Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1hx2q4RTwx4xLt3vuvtO0D?si=17938c85b2b8409f

 

Learn more about the College of Media & Communication here: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/

 

Listen to Shifting Gears, featuring Adventure Media 2023 here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5m0qfl8oZIqHYr0vo6HpuX?si=b4e0420118ba40c6

 

Introduction- What are we doing in Post, Texas?

 

5:40 Where did Brandon's love for the outdoors come from?

 

6:30 How a wildlife refuge in Muleshoe, Texas, became the birthplace of one of Brandon Weaver's most important friendships.

 

9:50 The Great Plains Project was a cross-country venture from the Mexico to Canada border. Where the idea came from and how it became a course for Texas Tech students.

 

16:40 What Brandon, Jerod and COMC students have learned through the years with experiential learning opportunities like the Great Plains Project and Adventure Media.

 

25:54 The unique challenges the Great Plains Project posed and how Brandon overcame them.

 

30:06 What role did yoga and squats play in keeping Brandon on the bike for the 3-week Great Plains Project trip.

 

38:21 Adventure Media was the spark that relaunched what Brandon calls his writing career 2.0

 

52:49 What makes Brandon hopeful about the future of higher education and Texas Tech.