SmarterU

Tom Purcell is one of the most prolific comedic forces of this generation. He has been called Stephen Colbert's "Muse and Alter Ego in Nerdiness", and is undeniably one of the architects modern Late Night television. 21 years as writer, executive producer and show runner of the Colbert Report and Late Night With Stephen Colbert, we sat down with Tom just after Late Night ended to discuss the journey, what makes comedy funny, how they managed to stay funny and relevant for decades, and what might be next in the life of this comedic savant.

Sports betting is exploding. And, nobody knows that world better than David Bockino, author of Over/Under: An Unexpected History of Sports Betting, the book that the New York Times Book Review called one of the most anticipated non-fiction books of 2026. Bockino spent 8 years as an ESPN executive and 10 years as a Professor of Sports Management at Elon University. In this episode, we explore the deep history of sports betting, its integral role in the development of American sports, and the complex legal and cultural landscape shaping its future. Discover how betting has been intertwined with sports from the very beginning and what that means for the industry today.

Emily Potts is the Founder and CEO of EPS Strategies. She is a rising communications star in the Lone Star State. In this practical and powerful episode, Emily shows us how to start, grow, and build our own personal and corporate brands.
key topics
The true scope of public relations beyond press releases The importance of reputation management and trust building Leveraging earned media and owned content for visibility The impact of AI on media and search engine optimization Strategies for consistent messaging and audience engagement The role of storytelling in personal and corporate branding Adapting to the evolving digital ecosystem and social media Ethical considerations and integrity in PR practices \
takeaways
Public relations is about reputation management, not just press releases. Consistent, authentic storytelling builds trust and brand loyalty. Earned media is more credible and valuable than paid advertising. AI is transforming how we find and engage with audiences. Building relationships over time is key to successful PR. Small organizations can compete by focusing on niche audiences. Authenticity and integrity are crucial for long-term success. A well-maintained news ecosystem enhances visibility. PR is a long-term investment, like gardening. Understanding your audience and where they consume content is vital.

Trusted Chiropractor for the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars for over 30 years, Mary Collings shares insights on the importance of recovery, sleep, and posture for overall health and athletic performance. Discover practical tips to improve your sleep environment, daily habits, and understanding of the body's natural rhythms. sleep, recovery, posture, circadian rhythm, athletic performance, health tips, chiropractic, stress management key topics The role of sleep in recovery and health Impact of posture and footwear on spinal health Understanding and leveraging circadian rhythms Micro habits to improve sleep and daily well-being The importance of environment and routine in health key frameworks Circadian Rhythm Model Micro Habits for Sleep Improvement action items Get sunlight in the morning to reset your circadian clock Create a sleep-friendly environment by reducing blue light and screens Practice micro habits like walking backwards and stretching during the day Adjust your workspace and sleep setup for better posture and support

Brad Coleman became a professional race-car driver at just 15 years old. After competing at the highest levels of motorsports—including NASCAR—he made an extraordinary turn: from driving at breathtaking speeds to teaching the next generation how to drive safely.
Today, Brad is the owner and CEO of SafeWay Driving, one of Texas’s most established driver-education companies. In this episode of smarterUmedia, Brad sits down with Steve Lipscomb to discuss the discipline, risk, preparation and split-second decision-making required in professional racing—and how those lessons helped him become an entrepreneur and business leader. Brad shares what it was like to enter professional racing as a teenager, how he handled pressure and setbacks, why he left the racetrack for the boardroom, and how he is working to transform driver education and make the roads safer.

Social Entrepreneurs build, bolster and change the world every day. In this episode, World Poker Tour Foundation President David Gitter, discusses how the power of poker has helped the organization raise well over 50 Million Dollars for meaningful causes with their partners. David shares insights on starting with 'yes' instead of 'no', the importance of innovation, giving back, and leveraging personal strengths to make a difference in the world.

Kirby Hocutt, Director of Athletics at Texas Tech University, shares insights on the evolving landscape of college sports, the importance of viewership, athlete education, and the impact of recent legislative changes. Discover how Texas Tech is building a brand on the rise, balancing athletic success with academic excellence, and navigating the future of collegiate athletics.

We continue celebrating democracy with Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman who provides a message of hope for the City of Angeles as he deploys a new system of justice he calls "The Hard Middle," emphasizing a case-by-case approach, community engagement, and holistic solutions to crime and homelessness. Discover how his strategies aim to balance public safety, community trust, and justice.

In this episode, Jeff Clements discusses the critical issue of money in politics, the history of campaign finance reform, and the constitutional path to fixing systemic corruption through a proposed amendment. This conversation highlights the importance of civic engagement and constitutional change to restore democracy.

In this episode, David Daley, best-selling author of Anti-Democratic and Rat F**cked, and Why Your Vote Doesn't Count, discusses the systemic intricacies of how politicians cheat when they draw district lines (gerrymandering/redistricting) and the outsized influence of the Supreme Court on American democracy. Discover how systemic manipulation affects elections and what citizens can do to restore fairness and representation.