Take This Down

On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with Rodney McIntosh, founder and executive director of VIP Fort Worth, for a powerful conversation about growing up in inner-city Fort Worth, overcoming trauma, and transforming pain into purpose. Rodney shares his journey from gang involvement and instability as a young man to becoming a pastor, community leader, and advocate working to br...

On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with Marcus Hudson to discuss growing up in Como, the importance of preserving community history, and the work being done to build a stronger future for generations to come. Marcus shares how his upbringing balanced the values of education, family, and accountability while navigating the realities of growing up in a historic Fort Worth neigh...

On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with Sharon Herrera, founder of LGBTQ Saves, and board member Candice Puente for a powerful and emotional conversation about creating safe spaces for LGBTQ youth. Sharon shares her personal journey growing up in Texas without resources or affirmation and how a single affirming adult saved her life. After witnessing a rise in LGBTQ teen suici...

On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with Jarred Howard, executive leading the development of the National Juneteenth Museum, for a powerful conversation about legacy, faith, and economic transformation in Fort Worth. Jarred reflects on growing up in Stop Six, his family lineage tracing back to Amanda Davis (the first Black property owner in the community) and how pride in Fort...

On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with Rachel Capua, Vice President of External Operations and Dean of the Fort Worth campus at Tarleton State University, for a conversation about education, opportunity, and transformational leadership. Rachel shares how growing up in a family that valued persistence and second chances shaped her belief in the power of higher education. As a...

On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with Fort Worth native Lachelle Goodrich, Founder and Executive Director of CHAMP, for a powerful and personal conversation about advocacy, healing, and disrupting systems. Lachelle shares her journey growing up in Fort Worth, becoming a mother at 14, teaching middle school history, and eventually earning her master’s in counseling. After th...

On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with recently retired Bob Jameson, longtime CEO of Visit Fort Worth, to reflect on a 41-year career dedicated to telling the story of Fort Worth. Bob shares how an aptitude test early in his career confirmed what he already felt — he belonged in the service industry. From leading the Worthington Hotel for nearly three decades to steering Vis...

On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with world-renowned speaker and entrepreneur Johnny Wimbrey for one of the most powerful conversations yet. Johnny opens up about growing up in Fort Worth, living in a battered women’s shelter, being surrounded by gangs and violence, and the moment that changed everything — standing in a church with a gun, ready to retaliate for a friend’s m...

On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with Shawn Lassiter, Founder and Executive Director of Braver Together, to discuss community advocacy, education, and building equity from the ground up. Shawn shares how growing up in a close-knit community in Florida shaped her early passion for speaking up and serving others — a calling that began at just five years old. From being the fi...

On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with Jimmy Kinley, CEO of Kinley Construction, to talk about leadership, legacy, and what it means to put people first. Jimmy reflects on taking the reins of a 130-year-old family business, the responsibility that comes with generational leadership, and how stepping away from comfort helped him rediscover purpose. He opens up about faith, fa...

On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with Carlos Gonzalez-Jaime, Executive Director of Transform 1012, to explore a powerful story of identity, resilience, and community healing. Carlos shares what it was like growing up in Mexico as the only son among five sisters, navigating identity in a deeply traditional culture, and how his early life shaped his drive to create spaces of...

On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits with Robert Sturns, Executive Director of Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County and longtime Fort Worth economic development leader. Robert shares lessons from a storied family legacy of public service, why he first chased broadcasting, a formative military moment about humility and leadership, and how 25 years in economic development led him to...

On this episode of Take This Down, Ty sits with Jeff Postell, CEO of Post L Group and founder of Building Pathways. Jeff shares how he went from a 19-year-old laborer to leading one of DFW’s fastest-growing construction companies, why “bid, win, build” became his mantra, and how Building Pathways connects motivated adults to skilled trade careers—with wraparound support for transportation, housing...

On this episode of Take This Down, Ty sits with Traci Berry, CEO of New Heights Adult High School, to unpack how her journey from Capitol Hill and policy work led to writing the Texas laws that established adult high schools—giving thousands a second chance at a real high school diploma (not just a GED). They dive into why adult education changes families, how New Heights removes barriers (childca...

On this episode of Take This Down with Ty Stimpson, Ty sits down with Diann Smith — a former health care executive, cancer survivor, and dedicated advocate for the Voices of Black Women study through the American Cancer Society. Diann opens up about her journey through breast cancer, the lessons she learned about hope, resilience, and speaking up for herself in corporate America. She also shares h...

Roy Charles Brooks recently retired as Tarrant County Commissioner for Precinct 1 after an impressive 20-year tenure. Prior to that, he served as precinct administrator for his predecessor, Dionne Bagsby. Altogether, he dedicated 34 years to Tarrant County—a remarkable career in public service defined by unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, and a deep commitment to his community. Brooks sa...

Kristina Robertson is the Executive Director of Project 4031, a non-profit agency that provides assistance to terminally ill children and adults with a life expectancy of six months or less. The organization offers financial assistance to struggling families, helps fulfill final wishes, and provides essential medical equipment. Kristina sat down with attorney Ty Stimpson and shared her journey, re...

Dan Buhman is the General Manager of the Tarrant Regional Water District, the agency responsible for providing raw water to 2.3 million people in 11 rapidly growing North Texas counties and managing a 27-mile federal floodway that protects thousands of lives and billions of dollars in property throughout the Fort Worth area. Dan sat down with attorney Ty Stimpson to talk about his upbringing in so...

Rich Andreski is the President and CEO of Trinity Metro, the public transit agency that provides bus and commuter rail service in Tarrant County. Rich sat down with attorney Ty Stimpson to talk about his humble upbringing in New Jersey, his dream to be an astronaut, and how he ended up at the helm of Fort Worth's public transportation system. Rich is excited about the future of public transportati...

Susan Garnett is the Chief Executive Officer at MHMR of Tarrant County, a non-profit organization that has provided mental health services for youth and adults for over 50 years. In May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, Susan sat down with attorney Ty Stimpson to talk about her upbringing in a small Florida town, her own experience with a child with intellectual disabilities, and the importan...

Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes has been with FWPD for more than two decades, serving in multiple ranks across numerous divisions before taking the helm in 2021. He sat down with attorney Ty Stimpson and talked about his modest upbringing outside of Weatherford, his unconventional journey into law enforcement, and the foundational role of faith, family, and friends in his life — in that order....

Dr. Michael McFarland, superintendent of the Crowley Independent School District, has spent the last 30 years transforming public educations systems - a career that has enriched communities and shaped countless futures. He sat down with attorney Ty Stimpson and talked about growing up in Jasper, playing strong safety at Baylor University, and how his upbringing and education molded him into being...

Julie Butner is the President and CEO of the Tarrant Area Food Bank, a non-profit organization that serves a million meals a week and is the primary source of donated food for hunger-relief charities and programs. She sat down with attorney Ty Stimpson and talked about growing up as an Army brat, her early admission to TCU, and serving as a young female officer during Desert Storm. Years later, th...

Deah Berry Mitchell is a cultural historian, culinary connoisseur, and celebrated columnist - a creator who has her hand in many projects, including co-founding a food and black history bus tour. She sat down with attorney Ty Stimpson to talk about growing up in Sherman and how she cultivated and capitalized on her love of food, culture, and writing.#deahberrymitchell #historian #takethisdownDeah...

Anette Landeros is the President and CEO of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She sat down with attorney Ty Stimpson and talked about growing up humbly in San Antonio and her unconventional path to the helm of one of the state's most influential and successful Hispanic non-profit business organizations. The FWHCC celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.#anettelanderos #fwhhc #takethis...