Life Uncensored: The Sam Deen Podcast

Maxine Sumner shares the story behind Native Son, her community-driven restaurant in Canton, Texas, covering everything from a whirlwind Round Top pop-up to taking over the Van Zandt Country Club dining program.

She discusses her path from bartending in San Francisco and L.A. to restaurant ownership, Vipassana meditation, hospitality principles, staff coaching, and plans for growth — plus practical bartending tips and the values that guide their business.

 

This show is Sponsored by www.VanZandtCoffee.com &

Deen Property Group www.SamDeen.com.     &

Eagles Nest Golf Lounge in Canton, Texas.  &

Native Son - Canton, Texas

Sam interviews Dan Curtis, commander of Canton VFW Post 12219, about founding the post, community programs, and the upcoming "Veterans Helping Veterans" resource fair on May 9th. He discusses local services—VA benefits, home loans, home health care, scholarships, and memorial events—and how veterans and families can access them.

Dan also shares personal stories from his military service, basic training, and resiliency work, highlighting mental health efforts, community outreach, and contact information for local veteran resources.

In this episode Courtney Roark, founder and president of the new Auxiliary to Canton VFW Post 12219, discusses the group’s mission to support veterans through local outreach, fundraisers, and community programs.

She explains their ongoing shoe-drive fundraiser with Funds2Org, Veterans Day and Valentine’s visits to nursing homes, partnerships like Patriot Paws, suicide-prevention training, meeting times, and how listeners can donate time, money, or shoes and contact the auxiliary.

My friend, Patrik Daniel, joins me to tell a funny story about his Ponderosa experience.  We then dive into small business ownership, Superior Glass and Mirror, and the life of a dirt track racer.  I thoroughly enjoyed this episode.  Call for a glass estimate at 903-567-0922.  Follow Patrik Daniel on Facebook to learn about racing.  #75

Rachel Snow joins me to ask about my recent Red Stag hunting trip to La Pampa, Argentina with the Big Fish Foundation.  Check out this wonderful organization at www.bigfishfoundation.org and donate if you can.  

VZ County Judge Andy Reese joins me to share his plan for restoring our county court house.  We talk a little about the court house history, its restoration needs, and the needs of our county.  

Paul joins me today to share his history in business, lessons learned, and the history of the First Monday Grounds.   He shares valuable information to anyone wanting to participate in Free Enterprise.  

This show is sponsored by www.VanZandtCoffee.com 

and the new Eagles Nest Golf Lounge in Canton, TX.  

Lance is my first cousin and is currently running for Wills Point ISD School Board Position 6.  He is a 5th Generation Tiger and Wills Point resident, husband, and father of two kids.  Reach out to Lance anytime on social media or email at lybrandlance482@gmail.com 

Chief Beverly joins me on the show today to speak about Fire Safety and the challenges our Volunteer Fire Departments face.  He also speaks on what we need to teach ourselves and our kids about fire safety.  To donate or to join the South VZ Volunteer Fire Dept, please visit SVZVFD.org or reach out to Gregg on social media.  

 

This show is sponsored by www.vanzandtcoffee.com and the new EaglesNets Golf Lounge in Canton, TX.  https://www.eaglesnestctx.com

I joined Randall on his YouTube show, the Alexander Hour for a fun episode about me and the current political heat of Van Zandt County.  

This show is sponsored by www.vanzandtcoffee.com 

Also sponsored by the new Eagles Nest Golf Lounge in Canton, TX.  Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.  

Don Good is a retired Garland Firefighter who is currently running for Van Zandt County Judge.  He has a heart for serving the community and it was a pleasure having him on my show!  Follow him on Facebook at "Vote Don Good For Van Zandt County Judge". or listen to the show for his email and phone number.  

 

Sponsored by www.VanZandtcoffee.com 

Sponsored by Deen Property Group, find my listings at www.SamDeen.com

If interested in supporting the show, please reach out to me at samdeenrealestate@gmail.com 

Tonda joins me today to discuss the role of the DA, how she got here, and challenges her office faces.  She also responds to criticism and social media attacks against her campaign.  

Support her campaign at https://www.tondaistexastough.com.  Reach out to her for more information about certain cases and/or if you'd like one of her signs in your yard.  

This podcast is sponsored by www.vanzandtcoffee.com and the real estate brokerage, Deen Property Group.  Find my listings at www.samdeen.com.  Also, call me anytime to buy or sell property.  Thanks!!

Today, I get the absolute pleasure of sitting down with one of my early mentors, Earl Brown.  Earl was my Scoutmaster growing up and taught me so many things.  He is the reason I'm an Eagle Scout and I cannot thank him enough for volunteering his time to so many young Boy Scouts in Canton, TX.  We talk about scouts, tennis, music, and memories.  

Kevin stops in to ask me about Entrepreneurship for a project he is doing for TrepCamp.  

Garrett joins me to talk about brewing beer, how he made a very tasty pilsner from Van Zandt Coffee (Morning Buzz), the ins and outs of operating a brewery in Canton, TX.  Please, stop by Q&Brew in Canton, TX for some excellent food and locally brewed beer!  

 

This pod is sponsored by www.vanzandtcoffee.com  

Andy joins me this afternoon to discuss owning his new gym (TX Fitness in Forney, TX), his background, and a bunch of other fun insights on investing, college, and travel.  Follow Andy's gym on instagram @tx_fitness_forney.