Lance Avery Morgan
Morning Shows To Major Moves…Here’s How Amanda Tatom Keeps Austin Inspired
In a city where creativity flows as freely as margaritas on South Congress, Amanda Tatom stands out as a true Austin original—equal parts grace, grit, and go-getter charm. Whether she’s on a television screen, moderating a panel, or elevating a brand with her signature style, Amanda owns a room with effortless confidence.
A longtime fixture in Austin’s media and lifestyle scene, Amanda first captured the city’s attention as a fan-favorite morning show host, where her magnetic presence and natural ease made every guest feel like a star. But her narrative doesn’t stop at the teleprompter. With an instinct for storytelling and a talent for connecting people, she has since crafted a career that blends broadcast savvy with entrepreneurial spirit—proving that reinvention isn’t just a buzzword but an art form.
From red carpets to boardrooms, from charity galas to coffee shop brainstorming sessions, Amanda embodies the modern Austin woman: Stylish but approachable, ambitious yet grounded, a tastemaker who never loses sight of the town that made her. Whether she’s spotlighting the best of the city or helping others refine their own personal brand, Amanda Tatom is more than just a voice in the conversation—she’s setting the tone, as her pal and our pop cultural arbiter Lance Avery Morgan learns.
The best career advice I’ve received is…
Amanda Tatom: Be a sponge; there is always something new to learn.
Three qualities that got me where I am today are…
Amanda Tatom: Faith, authenticity, and my vivid imagination.
Easiest career decision I ever made is…
Amanda Tatom: Letting go of perfection. After a seven-year hiatus, I was hired back into the TV business on my 40th birthday. Formerly a news anchor, I came back to host a lifestyle show in Austin, and while it was a dream come true professionally, my personal life was in crisis. Maybe it was because I didn’t have the energy, but I just could not act like I had it all together. The buttoned-up news lady was gone; it was a time to let go of being inhibited or embarrassed and to laugh at myself and just be me. That mindset turned out to be the biggest positive for my second rodeo in television and now, in my social media career. I call myself a reformed perfectionist, and it’s a much more comfortable and refreshing way to live.
Due to my ongoing involvement with collecting fashion, I have found that…
Amanda Tatom: Confidence is absolutely where style begins. While investment pieces stand the test of time, you should definitely treat yourself to quality when you can, and you don’t always have to spend a lot of money to look chic and put together.
What is influencing me right now is…
Amanda Tatom: A return to elegance and class and being comfortable in my own skin.
How I made my first dollar…
Amanda Tatom: The summer I started driving and I had two jobs; I was a hostess at Steak and Ale and a fragrance model for Liz Claiborne perfume at various malls in the metroplex.
First music I bought was…
Amanda Tatom: Hold Me by Fleetwood Mac on their vinyl album, Mirage. I played it over and over again on my little record player.
Book that left a lasting impression on me…
Amanda Tatom: The daily devotional, Jesus Calling. I have two copies from two dear friends, and they are almost falling apart. They remain relevant and comforting year after year.
On that note, my favorite fictional character is…
Amanda Tatom: Ted Lasso.
My real-life hero has got to be…
Amanda Tatom: My three girls. Grace under pressure, wise, funny, smart, tenacious and strong. They’re the best.
What everyone should try in their lifetime is…
Amanda Tatom: Silent disco through the streets of a foreign city (in my case Sorrento). Talk about releasing your inhibitions.
If I could compete in an Olympic sport, or create one, it would be…
Amanda Tatom: Belting out songs while driving in my car. I would medal for sure.
If I lived in a foreign city, it would be…
Amanda Tatom: London or Florence.
If I weren’t doing what I do, I would…
Amanda Tatom: Write a book.
The last meal that truly impressed me was…
Amanda Tatom: The pasta we made in our cooking class last April in Tuscany.
A celebrity I would prank phone call and what I would ask them is…
Amanda Tatom: Neal McDonough from Yellowstone. I would ask him if he ever gets mistaken for my husband, Troy.
Last thing I binge/marathon watched…
Amanda Tatom: Severance. So intense, strange, and addictive.
My hidden talent that most people might not guess is…
Amanda Tatom: I can always remember what I was wearing when: insert occasion…first middle school dance, first date with my husband Troy, my ninth birthday party…whatever. My memory is tied to my clothes.
If I had a superpower, I’d want it to be…
Amanda Tatom: Teleportation. I would love not to spend so much time getting from place to place.
A simple way to get people to laugh is easy. Just…
Amanda Tatom: Ask them what their spirit animal is.
A phrase I might overuse would be…
Amanda Tatom: Fantastic.
My motto? Easy.
Amanda Tatom: It is…stay in your lane.
Favorite scent these days is…
Amanda Tatom: Thè Noir 29 by Le Labo because it’s sexy, interesting, enticing, and reminds me of my husband.
My style icon is…
Amanda Tatom: Rene Russo in The Thomas Crown Affair, wearing head-to-toe Michael Kors. Iconic.
My personal style signifier is…
Amanda Tatom: A ladylike yet sexy mix of high/low and often including one accessory that doubles as a conversation piece.
The classic designer I wish was still designing today would be…
Amanda Tatom: Coco Chanel.
In my fridge, you will always find…
Amanda Tatom: Cottage cheese, the makings of a mini charcuterie board, and champagne.
My perfect day would end…
Amanda Tatom: With a glorious cotton candy sunset while I’m sitting on my back patio listening to great music, watching my girls get ready for their evening plans, and drinking champagne with Troy.
On my tombstone, it will say…
Amanda Tatom: Cheers.
