fatherhood

Jul 08

Mike Oppenheim

By Chrissy Bernal Author, Faith, Grief, Podcast No Comments

Most people expect a conversation about death to feel heavy. This one feels surprisingly hopeful.

This week on Here’s What We Know, we sit down with Mike Oppenheim, host of the podcast Coffin Talk, for a conversation about fatherhood, grief, faith, forgiveness, and the question every person eventually asks: What happens when we die?

Mike shares the heartbreaking story of losing his son, how he found healing without living in anger, and why spending years with hospice patients changed everything he believed about what matters most.

Whether you share these beliefs or not, you’ll find something meaningful in this episode.

This episode is sponsored by:

Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!

(Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!) License #: 679261

In this Episode:

Growing up in Berkeley and the culture that shaped Mike’s early years
How a spur-of-the-moment college application sent him to the University of Pittsburgh
The custody battle and international parental child abduction that took his son to Thailand
Working through the U.S. State Department and the reality of cross-border custody cases
Volunteering at Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix and choosing the dementia ward
Why hospice families struggle more than the patients themselves
The origin story of the Coffin Talk podcast
America’s discomfort with aging and mortality compared to other cultures
Faith, fear, and why anger never solves anything
Blended family life, his current wife, and his two young daughters
The moment his daughter finally got to talk to her brother

Quotations:

“What faith also is getting in touch with your heart, with your feelings, with the part of you that isn’t just a brain. And to me, my heart doesn’t get angry. My body doesn’t get angry. My brain gets angry. My ego is what tells me to be mad, which is different from being sad and crying.” – Mike Oppenheim

“I wish our culture would step back and at least acknowledge that those people who have faith, and it doesn’t matter; they can have faith in nothing, but having faith in nothing and then making lemonade out of that is exactly what anyone could be doing.” – Mike Oppenheim

Bio:

Mike Oppenheim is an author, speaker, and the creator of the Coffin Talk podcast, where he asks guests one timeless question: What do you think happens when you die? After experiencing profound personal loss, Mike found purpose in hospice volunteering and helping others have honest conversations about life, death, grief, and hope. Through his writing and podcast, he encourages people to live with greater compassion, curiosity, and appreciation for the time we have.

Guest Contact Info:

Substack: https://mikeyopp.substack.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeyopp38/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mikeyopp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-oppenheim-8a5562186/

Oct 01

Love23

Ryan Murphy

By Chrissy Bernal Podcast, Professional Athlete, Sports No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, Gary Scott Thomas sits down with nine-time Olympic medalist and world record holder Ryan Murphy for a heartfelt conversation about Olympic glory, family stories, and a brand-new chapter called fatherhood.

Ryan shares his journey from a determined seven-year-old with big dreams to becoming a five-time gold medalist. He opens up about the joy of raising his daughter Eevi, the perspective fatherhood has given him, and why he’s passionate about water safety for kids. Plus, he reveals the mindset that continues to fuel his drive toward the 2028 Olympics.

This episode is sponsored by:

In this Episode:

Adjusting to life with baby Eevi and the joy of parenthood while keeping love and balance alive
How becoming a parent reshapes the way Ryan sees family history
Childhood in Illinois and Florida, college years at Cal Berkeley, and proposing to Bridget in San Francisco
Why Ryan gravitated toward swimming and the thrill of individual competition
Learning resilience and motivation through tough defeats
Calories, genetics, and the daily grind behind an Olympian’s body
Rivalries that turn into lifelong respect and the true meaning of leading Team USA as captain
The physical challenges of swimming, from burning quads to pressure on the back
Why Ryan believes Katie Ledecky is the greatest swimmer of all time
His mission to teach kids water safety through early swim lessons
His Olympic dreams for LA 2028, his interest in media, and his vision for expanding swim schools

Quotations:

“At the baseline of my personality, l’m exceptionally competitive in everything I’m doing. So yeah, I wanted to go to the Olmpics for swimming.” ~ Ryan Murphy

“When it started to get more serious for me at age 12, that’s when I gave up other sports and I had to go a little bit more introspective and be like, okay, what do I enjoy the most? And what do I want to spend my time doing outside of school? And I chose swimming. And ultimately I chose swimming because that was the sport that made me the most nervous. I would get nervous before every single swim meet and that’s how knew that I cared.” ~ Ryan Murphy

“I want to be exceptional at whatever I’m doing. Like swimming is, swimming, it’s fun to try to be the best in the world. So I love, I love that pursuit.” ~ Ryan Murphy

Bio:

Ryan Murphy is one of the world’s premier backstroke swimmers, a world record holder, and a multiple Olympic gold medalist. Known for his exceptional underwater skills and consistent performances, Murphy has established himself as a dominant force in backstroke events on both the national and international stages. His technical proficiency and competitive drive have made him a cornerstone of the U.S. national swimming team. Off the lanes, Ryan is also a devoted husband and new father, committed to combining his passion for sport with a mission to promote water safety, swim education, and a legacy of family values.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: http://www.ryanmurphy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryan_f_murphy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanmurphyswim/

Jun 11

Love21

Dustin Gutkowski

By Chrissy Bernal Business, Music, Personal Growth, Podcast No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, be ready for a deeply inspiring conversation as we sit down with Dustin Gutkowski, entrepreneur, family man, and host of The DG Show, who went from being homeless at 14 to building a $100 million business. With a heart as big as Texas and a love for 90s country music, Dustin opens up about what fuels him: storytelling, fatherhood, resilience, and relationships. Give it a listen today!

This episode is sponsored by:

(Bring your dream cabinet to life!)

(Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!)

In this Episode:

Dustin’s rise from hardship to hope
Dive into discussions about love for 90s country and artists like Midland, The Cadillac Three, and Post Malone
Understand how Dustin’s personal struggles inform his parenting philosophy
Building a people-first business in the roofing industry
What it means to be your child’s hero

Quotations:

“I’d probably fight someone over Midland, and I’m not proud of that but I would go there, like I will defend them.“ ~ Dustin Gutkowski

“No matter how famous, no matter how successful, no matter where everybody’s at in their life, they all have a story. And you just, you figure out that, like, although all of our stories are different per se, they’re all the same.” ~ Dustin Gutkowski

“You being unique and you being you is what makes you special. But when you really peel back the layers, it’s like, we’ve all been through this stuff. We’ve all been through something, and it’s really unique to hear people’s stories and how they got there. And it almost gives you a different perspective from your story.” ~ Dustin Gutkowski

“When it got hard for me, I was going to double down. And I was just going to keep going because I was like, what do I have to lose? Man, I’m just a white trash kid from the trailer park that was homeless at 14. Like, what do I have to lose? Like, what’s the worst thing that’s going to happen to me? It’s already happened to me. And I just had that mindset of, I’m one day going to get there and I’m going to keep going, keep going, keep going.” ~ Dustin Gutkowski

“Winning is more fun than fun is fun.” ~ Dustin Gutkowski

“I really had a complex of thinking I was better than everyone from a standpoint. I thought there was no one out there that could compete with me, but I also had a high insecurity that everybody was outworking me, everybody was better than me. And so I had to constantly try to get better at things. And so I just had such a competitive nature that I competed at everything I did. And as I got older, I realized this could be a real difference maker for me because most people are scared to compete, and most people are afraid to because they’d rather be friends and fail than go out there and have people hate them to be great. And I’m like, look, not everybody’s got to like me. I’m not here. This isn’t a popularity contest.” ~ Dustin Gutkowski

“I’m not worried about everybody liking me. When I go home, I worry about what my wife thinks of me and my three children. And that’s it. And I fundamentally ground myself in everything I do is predicated on being a good father. That’s like, that’s my legacy. Like, what do my kids say about me? How do my kids turn out? If I’m not my kid’s hero, I have bigger things to worry about. And so every single thing I do is predicated on being a good father.” ~ Dustin Gutkowski

“I’m just trying to be my kid’s hero. And when it’s all said and done and my clock strikes zero, like, what are my kids going to say about me? That’s all I care about.” ~ Dustin Gutkowski

“I watch how other people treat their kids. Because to me, it’s like the one person that counted on you the most was the person you decided to bring into this world. And if you can’t be there for them, well, you’re not going to be there for me and you’re not going be there for anyone else.” ~ Dustin Gutkowski

“I want to be the person I was supposed to be. And how I do that is look, when the door is closed and the lights are off and no one sees what you’re doing, what kind of decisions do you make? If no one would ever find out, what do you make?” ~ Dustin Gutkowski

“Whose story is bigger? It doesn’t matter. Have some empathy towards other people.” ~ Dustin Gutkowski

Bio:

Dustin Gutkowski is the founder of Results Roofing, a DFW-based company serving residential, commercial, and multi-family clients. Built on the belief that relationships matter more than transactions, Dustin created a culture rooted in gratitude, service, and kindness—shaped by his own journey from homelessness at 14 to business leadership. A champion for both customers and employees, he ensures every client receives above-and-beyond care, including a complimentary 360° inspection with photo documentation. Dustin is also the host of The DG Show podcast, where he shares real stories of resilience, business, and personal growth.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://resultsroofing.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dustingutkowskirr/

YouTube: @Dustingutkowski

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dustin.gutkowski/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-gutkowski-9a8474177/

Oct 16

Love13

Zach Tucker & Jeremy Grater

By Chrissy Bernal Personal Growth, Podcast No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, we’re sitting down with the hosts of The Fit Mess Podcast, Zach Tucker and Jeremy Grater, to dive into their personal stories of fitness, friendship, and transformation. If you’re looking for a little inspiration with a touch of realness, you’re in the right place.

This episode is sponsored by:

(Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!)

(Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any Mike Counsil Plumbing and Rooter service!)

In this Episode:

Discover how they started their unexpected podcast journey and open up about life beyond fitness.
Learn about Zach and Jeremy’s 13-year friendship, which began through their wives during pregnancy.
Hear how their stories go beyond fitness to explore mental health, personal growth, and the power of forgiveness.
Listen to Zach’s inspiring transformation from nearly 300 pounds and a smoker to a long-distance runner.
Discover how a knee injury became Jeremy’s wake-up call, leading him to embrace bike commuting and mindfulness practices.
Zach and Jeremy emphasize the power of vulnerability and learn why they believe small steps, both in fitness and mental health, make the biggest impact over time.
Zach opens up about how forgiving his mother brought him peace, while Jeremy shares valuable lessons from therapy, including how to challenge inherited negative self-talk.
Discover their refreshing, realistic approach to wellness. Their advice? Focus on small, manageable changes—whether it’s a short walk or five minutes of mindfulness.

Quotations:

“If we just share our experience, we don’t necessarily have to be experts. But if it helps other guys the way it helps us to hear the conversations that we’re having, why not? Let’s do it.” ~ Jeremy Grater

“You can’t just fix things. Like you got to understand why something’s broken in the first place.” ~ Zach Tucker

“I am the happiest, healthiest I’ve ever been because not only did I lose a ton of weight, but like all the exercise and all the clean eating, it really helped me manage all the mental health issues, anxiety, and depression that were running rampant because of it.” ~ Zach Tucker

“All the imposter syndrome I was having about, like, they’re going to find out one day that I don’t really belong in this job I’ve had for a decade. Like it all just started to go away because I found that just by focusing on what’s right in front of you right now.” ~ Jeremy Grater

“I’d spent so long running from my feelings and running from my fears that I never stopped to realize that like I actually had it pretty good.”~ Jeremy Grater

“I’m at peace because I can’t dwell on that, right? You’ll, you’ll destroy yourself if you dwell on situations like that. You just have to move on, be okay with it, and forgive it.”~ Zach Tucker

“I learned that those voices, the things that I was saying to myself, were not me.” ~ Jeremy Grater

“I’m doing my best here and it’s not going to be very good, but just by being here, that’s enough.” ~ Jeremy Grater

“Mistakes happen. It’s okay.” ~ Jeremy Grater

“One of the biggest things is just really learning ⁓ what you believe about yourself and why you believe it.” ~ Jeremy Grater

“Now I look forward to going to the gym because I know that I’m going to be able to put myself through something challenging, put myself through something hard, and accomplish it where I spent most of my life looking at the hard thing and running the other way.” ~ Jeremy Grater

“The training in the gym. Yes, it trains your body, but for me, it trains my mind to overcome those obstacles and to find the hard things in my life and lean into them because I know that on the other side of that is the reward.” ~ Jeremy Grater

Bio:

Zach Tucker resides in Albany, NY with his young daughter. Zach has a passion for helping people define and meet their wellness goals. He thinks that every person is different and there is no one size fits all solution for someone’s wellness. He is on a mission to share his story and some of the tools that helped him on his own wellness journey. Zach is certified to teach yoga and Insanity® Live.

Jeremy Grater is a married father of two young girls and lives in rural British Columbia. He’s been in the broadcasting and podcasting business for about two decades. Jeremy is a certified REBT Mindset Life Coach.