In this episode of the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way launches the first installment of a six-part series focused on failure, reinvention, leadership, and personal brand building. Joined by longtime friend Raul Cabrera, president of Miguel Studios in Fort Worth, Texas, Joe goes back to his early Texas days to reflect on a business venture that did not go as planned and the lessons that came from it. What unfolds is an honest conversation about risk, entrepreneurship, accountability, resilience, and how some of life’s hardest setbacks become the very things that shape future success.
Joe and Raul revisit how they first met through dance lessons, how that relationship evolved into a business opportunity, and what it was like to be part of an ambitious concept that was simply ahead of its time. From there, the conversation moves into the realities of leadership, including the weight of making decisions that affect other people’s lives, the importance of transparency during difficult times, and the growth that comes from owning your mistakes instead of hiding them. Raul also shares how his own path through ministry, marketing, and entrepreneurship led him to content creation and digital strategy, offering practical insight for anyone looking to build a brand and tell their story more effectively.
This episode is both deeply personal and highly practical. It is a conversation about what happens when your biggest failures become your greatest teachers, and why leaders who are willing to own their shortcomings often earn the deepest trust. It also sets the tone for the rest of the series, which will continue exploring Joe’s journey, the people who shaped it, and the lessons that can help others step into advocacy, confidence, and platform-building for themselves.
In this episode:
- Joe kicks off a new six-part series centered on failure, growth, and self-advocacy
- Raul Cabrera joins the show to reflect on Joe’s early Texas chapter
- A look back at an ambitious business concept that failed, and why
- Lessons on leadership, risk tolerance, and the cost of hiding hard truths
- Why accountability in the moment can strengthen trust and team culture
- Reflections on ministry, calling, burnout, and life transitions
- Raul’s journey into digital marketing, social media strategy, and content creation
- Why YouTube and TikTok matter for personal brand building
- A fun rapid round featuring college traditions, food, In-N-Out, and social media advice
About the guest:
Raul Cabrera is the president of Miguel Studios in Fort Worth, Texas, a content studio and digital marketing company that helps organizations with content creation, social media management, and digital strategy. His career path has spanned hospitality, ministry, marketing, and entrepreneurship, giving him a unique perspective on leadership, communication, and building something from the ground up.
Connect with Raul Cabrera and Miguel Studios:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raulmiguelcabrera/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_raul_cab/
Miguel Studios Web: https://miguelstudios.com
Miguel Studios Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miguelstudiosfw/
