What really goes on behind the scenes of one of East Texas’ most beloved traditions? On this episode of East Texas UNFILTERED, J. Chad Parker sits down with Liz Ballard, executive director of the Texas Rose Festival, for a fascinating conversation about the history, traditions, personalities, and challenges behind the festival that has helped put Tyler on the map. Liz shares how the Texas Rose Festival began in 1933, the role roses and tourism played in Tyler’s identity, and how the festival has evolved through generations of change—including the challenges of COVID and the traditions surrounding the Rose Festival court. But this conversation goes far beyond roses. Liz opens up about her journey from growing up in Texas and attending Texas A&M to building an 18-year career at Swann’s Furniture, raising a family, volunteering in the Tyler community, and ultimately becoming the woman responsible for helping lead one of Tyler’s biggest annual celebrations. From the Queen’s Coronation and Rose Festival Parade to the volunteers, families, traditions, and personalities that make the festival possible, Liz gives J. Chad Parker an inside look at what it really takes to keep the Texas Rose Festival going. Who is the real Rose Queen? The answer may not be who you think.
🌹 Watch, listen, and discover the story behind the roses on East Texas UNFILTERED.

What does a lifetime of caring for your health and caring for others look like? Grace Ram joins East Texas UNFILTERED with J. Chad Parker to share a life shaped by both. Grace spent decades ahead of the curve on nutrition and natural health. She later turned that passion into Whole Health, a Tyler restaurant and health store that became a local favorite for nearly 30 years.

Grace also talks about the most important role of her life. Her daughter Christina was born with Down syndrome and faced open-heart surgery as a baby. Grace shares what 35 years of motherhood have taught her about strength, responsibility and making sure Christina has a full and meaningful life. She also explains why Breckenridge Village has become such an important part of their future.

Then Chad brings Christina, better known to her friends as Selena, onto the show herself. She talks about Breckenridge, working out, her friends and one of her favorite places in Tyler. It is a fitting ending to a conversation about health, family and a community that takes care of its own. Like and subscribe for more East Texas stories.

Every time her husband deployed, Teresa Shick knew there was a chance he might not come home. Her husband Jerry served as a Navy SEAL through years of war and repeated deployments. Teresa raised their family while carrying that uncertainty every day. She also became an ombudsman for SEAL families and stood beside other wives during some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Teresa shares what life was like inside the tight-knit SEAL family. She talks about casualty notifications and helping families after a service member was killed. She also explains the constant fear that came with every deployment. Even a government vehicle parked near her home could make her wonder if the knock on the door was finally coming for her. Through it all, the wives became their own kind of team.

After Jerry retired, Teresa discovered another problem. Military spouses often spend decades holding their families together and then lose their own sense of purpose when the service ends. Teresa created the Pillar Foundation to help those women through that transition. The organization connects Special Operations spouses with other women who understand their lives and helps families build a new community after military service. Watch now to hear Teresa’s story and the story of the women who stand behind some of America’s most elite warriors. Like and subscribe for more East Texas stories.