Take This Down

Lorena Vargas, vice president of the Texas Wesleyan Alumni Association, joins Ty Stimpson to share how growing up in Fort Worth’s Diamond Hill and North Side communities shaped her path as a first-generation college student. Raised by a village that constantly encouraged her to pursue more, Lorena reflects on the family members, mentors, and community resources that helped her see higher education...

Paige Charbonnet, executive director of LVT Rise, joins Ty Stimpson to discuss how a Fort Worth news article changed the direction of her life and led her to become deeply involved in the Las Vegas Trail community. Paige shares how compassion, service, and a willingness to listen shaped her leadership style and ultimately brought her from volunteering in the neighborhood to leading LVT Rise. The c...

Rickie Clark, executive director of My Brother’s Keeper, joins Ty Stimpson to share how growing up on the South Side of Chicago shaped his lifelong commitment to young people. From becoming a father at a young age to leaving Chicago for Jarvis Christian College, Rickie reflects on the experiences that changed the trajectory of his life and why he has spent decades giving young people the exposure,...

Dee Lara, project manager of the Historic North Side District, joins Ty Stimpson to discuss the work underway to preserve the culture and character of one of Fort Worth’s most significant neighborhoods while preparing it for future growth. D. shares her own story of spending part of her childhood in Mexico City before growing up in Fort Worth, and how her immigrant parents instilled the values of...

Sabrina Connor, president of Women in Power Empowering, joins Ty Stimpson to discuss how her upbringing in Fort Worth, the strength of her family and community, and becoming a young mother shaped her commitment to helping other women move forward. Sabrina shares how the people who poured into her taught her that circumstances do not have to determine your future and why building a strong village c...

Fred Rouse III joins Ty Stimpson to share how a phone call in 2020 revealed a part of his family history he had never known. At 46 years old, Fred learned that his grandfather and namesake, Fred Rouse, had been the victim of a racial terror lynching in Fort Worth in 1921. The discovery changed the direction of his life and gave new meaning to the name he had carried for decades. Fred reflects on p...

On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with Lauren King, Executive Director of Partnership Homes, to discuss homelessness, affordable housing, and the collaborative efforts working to create lasting solutions across Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Lauren shares her journey from growing up in Fort Worth to finding her calling in social work and eventually leading Partnership Homes,...

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...