Tag

values

Aug 06
Love21

Richard Ramos

By Author, Podcast No Comments

What does it really take to raise strong, grounded kids in a world full of noise and pressure? 

This week on Here’s What We Know, join us for a much-needed conversation with Richard R. Ramos, founder of Parents on a Mission, mentor to at-risk youth, and champion of family reconciliation. We explore what it means to lead with love, humility, and emotional maturity as a parent.

Richard shares practical tools for breaking generational cycles, rebuilding trust, and guiding your children with confidence. If you’re a parent, educator, or someone who works with families, this episode will leave you encouraged and equipped.

This episode is sponsored by:

In this Episode:

  • Why healing your own past is the key to becoming a stronger parent
  • How to earn your child’s loyalty in a world full of distractions
  • The quiet power of humility and modeling accountability
  • What “preparation for separation” really means and why it matters
  • Simple ways to build a lasting family legacy, starting today

Quotations:

“I could help more people, but the truth is, there are a lot of families out there or parents that don’t want help. And I can’t do anything about that.” ~ Richard Ramos

“I always tell a parent, growing old is automatic, but growing up is not. And when you don’t keep growing in your maturity, what ends up happening is you have that 35-year-old dad with a 15-year-old mentality. And the problem with that is then they start having children.” ~ Richard Ramos

“If we have the humility and we show as an authority figure, we show our children that, yeah, I’m the person in authority, but I still have the humility to recognize when I’m wrong, admit it, and ask for forgiveness. And that goes a long way. That in itself would solve so many family issues.” ~ Richard Ramos

“Society today is undermining the authority of parents.” ~ Richard Ramos

“We can’t force people to learn and grow and be. They have to want to learn and grow and be better.” ~ Richard Ramos

“​We don’t need to be afraid to have our kids around other kids and other things, because if you don’t do that and you isolate your children, you’re weakening their immune system, and you’re weakening their ability to learn what real life is all about because real life is tough.” ~ Richard Ramos

“We’re battling for heart, mind, and loyalty. Loyalty is a gift that we choose to give. And so when kids are giving that gift to their mom and dad, it’s a done deal.” ~ Richard Ramos

“It doesn’t take a village to raise a child. just takes good parenting. But one child can raise up a whole village. And that’s the power of parenting. And we know through history, one person, just one person, can change a community, can change a state, a nation, or the world.” ~ Richard Ramos

“We’re the only thing on earth that God gave the ability to have free will to choose.” ~ Richard Ramos

“You can be the gardener and the rose at the same time.” ~ Richard Ramos

“We are victims of the choices we make in our circumstances. And if we remember that, we’re not playing the blame game. We’re taking responsibility for ourselves and looking within ourselves and growing ourselves and forgiving ourselves because we’re not going to get it right all the time.” ~ Richard Ramos

Bio:

Richard is an author, speaker, and parent coach with over thirty years of experience in leadership development, family dynamics, and community building. He has made a significant national and international impact through his work with high-risk youth, parents, and families, creating safe, supportive environments for personal growth and community transformation. Richard has trained over 2,000 parent mentors through his innovative leadership curriculum and has authored several books, including Parents on a Mission and From the Margins to the Mainstream—Preparing Latino Youth for Leadership in the Twenty-First Century.

As a recognized expert in preventing community violence and fostering positive family environments, Richard brings a unique blend of personal experience and professional insight to his work. His passion for helping families navigate the challenges of stepparenting and build meaningful connections within their homes has reached communities across the globe. Through his coaching, training, and writing, Richard empowers individuals to lead with confidence and create lasting change in both their families and communities. His mission is clear: to help families not just survive but thrive in a world that demands resilience and connection.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://www.richardrramos.com/

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

Jun 11
Love21

Dustin Gutkowski

By 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/

Apr 09
Love24

Timothy Glover aka Dash Gordon

By Community, Podcast No Comments

Some superheroes wear capes… but this one delivers hope, joy, and community impact.

This week on Here’s What We Know, join us for an extraordinary episode where we dive into the inspiring journey of Timothy Glover, aka Dash Gordon—a man who turned life’s challenges into something truly incredible—a mission of making a real difference. This conversation will inspire you to make a difference—big or small—in your own community. Tune in now!

This episode is sponsored by:

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In this episode:

  • Meet Dash Gordon: How Tim transformed his life and found purpose in unexpected ways.
  • The Birth of the Dash Gordon Foundation: What started as a simple DoorDash gig evolved into something much greater.
  • From Personal Struggles to Community Hero: From foster care to becoming a local superhero.
  • Impactful Initiatives: The Winter Formal & A Night to Remember Pageant—bringing joy to special needs individuals.
  • Unwavering Faith & Purpose: How faith and resilience shaped his journey.

Quotations:

“People would smile and they’d laugh and they’d wave, and I would play loud music and I would just have a good time. And I’d pop into restaurants, and the crowd would go crazy, and they’d want to take pictures with their kids and with themselves and with their families. So I just kept doing it.” ~ Tim Glover aka Dash Gordon

“We just kind of want to do everything at a level that the kids and the young adults and the parents will never forget.”  ~ Tim Glover aka Dash Gordon

“We’re making sure that all of these individuals get an equal opportunity and maybe sometimes even better than young adults and people without disabilities. mean, where our motto is we’ve made actually having a disability and a special need like really cool.“  ~ Tim Glover aka Dash Gordon

“It’s a person first, then the disability. But if you have a good memory, if you just remember their name, you never have to worry about the person first and their disability; just call them by their name.”  ~ Tim Glover aka Dash Gordon

“I make myself available for everything.”  ~ Dash Gordon

“If I help fundraise or anything, I expect nothing in return. I don’t ask for anything. I don’t ask for donations. I don’t ask for anything. I’ll do it.”  ~ Tim Glover aka Dash Gordon

“We’re just going to continue to let the world know this. Every single individual with a disability or special need or whatever else that’s been put on this earth was put here to be seen. That’s it. They’re not to be pushed aside. They’re not to be a second thought. They are they are pushed to be they’re here to be seen and so we’re gonna make sure that their voices are like a Bose stereo you are going to encounter an Individual with a disability or a special need and you are not going to have a choice because we are going to put it in your face.”  ~ Tim Glover aka Dash Gordon

“The moms and the dads will tell you there’s something about this Dash Gordon guy that can make these kids do things that we’ve never seen before. We can’t; he just does. He just gets them; they’re in such a comfort zone with me. They just do things they normally don’t do, and they do it at a different level. And the parents are seeing a lot of this stuff for the first time.”  ~ Tim Glover aka Dash Gordon

Bio:

​Timothy Glover, affectionately known as “Dash Gordon,” is a community advocate and founder of the Dash Gordon Foundation, dedicated to uplifting special needs, disabled, and at-risk individuals. In March 2022, Tim began delivering food for DoorDash to fund a vacation for his wife, Natalie, who was battling stage five kidney failure. Seeking to bring joy to his deliveries, he donned a superhero costume and adopted the moniker “Dash Gordon,” transforming routine deliveries into moments of delight for his community. 

This initiative quickly evolved into the Dash Gordon Foundation, which creates inclusive events and provides resources for individuals with disabilities and their families. Tim’s efforts have garnered widespread recognition, establishing him as a local hero in League City, Texas. Through his foundation, Tim continues to spread joy and foster a sense of belonging, demonstrating the profound impact of compassion and community engagement.​

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://www.thedashgordonfoundation.org/

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dash_gordon2022/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dashgordon

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thedashgordonfoundation

Mar 05
Love32

Chia-Lin Simmons

By Education, Leadership, Personal Growth, Podcast, Technology No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, we’ve got the perfect episode to inspire you—just in time for International Women’s Day! Meet Chia-Lin Simmons, CEO of a NASDAQ company, AI startup founder, licensed New York State attorney, and all-around powerhouse. From dreaming of a publishing career to leading at Google, Audible (Amazon), and Harman, her journey proves that success isn’t always a straight line—and that’s more than okay.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure, or just needed a reminder that your path is yours to create, this episode is for you! 

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!)

License #: 679261

In this episode, we dive into:

  • Taking unexpected career turns (and why they often lead to the best opportunities)
  • Why soft skills—like adaptability and resilience—are just as important as hard skills
  • AI, creativity, and why human innovation still matters
  • The future of work and why treating employees like adults is the way forward
  • The power of finding your people and learning from every step of the journey

Quotations:

“College is a really great place. You will find your tribe, you’ll find your place, whatever college you go to.”  ~ Chia Lin Simmons

“Whatever you study doesn’t mean that that’s what you’re going to do in life. And eventually people find the space that’s really an area, a place that they feel like they can contribute to.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons

“Whatever you do, you want to do something that hopefully will make somebody’s lives a little better.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons

“We always need people who are creators in the world.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons

“Work experience is one that they’re building together. Work culture is a live thing. It’s not a static thing that we impose on other people.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons

“If they can get their work done, do I care if they’re doing it like in another state? Do I care if they’re doing it on the beach? Are they delivering what they need to deliver? You know, the reality is I don’t care so long as the work gets delivered; meetings are had so that we can actually get things done together.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons

“With really good managers, they’re looking for opportunities; they can see what you can do, and they’re looking for opportunities for you to feel like you can stretch. And if you pick a really great person, they can stretch to in ways and learn in ways that you cannot imagine.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons

“I do believe in putting in practice and working at something; there’s no overnight success in many ways. Like you’re putting in your time, you’re learning, and you’re applying, right? It may not be always directly the same thing, but whatever you’re learning in business, it’s you’re putting in the hours and times to basically be proficient at being in business.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons

“Working skills and practicing is important. And then being at the right place at the right time also makes a difference.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons

“When you take a new job, you’re looking at it the way that an investor would look at an opportunity because you’re investing your time.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons

“I always tell people shareholders and boards do not hire me to basically, the words of Gretzky, right? And in ice hockey, I shouldn’t be skating to where the puck is. I have to skate to where the puck is going to be. And so you may not see it now, but I see where the puck is going to be and that’s where I need to drive towards, not where it is today.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons

Bio:

Chia-Lin Simmons is the CEO of LookyLoo, a technology startup that brings together social, big data and machine learning AI to help identify fit in apparel, increase conversion, increase customer confidence and drive down return rates for apparel and online retailers. Chia-Lin is active in the automotive, transportation, digital media ande-commerce technology space as a consultant and advisory board member for a number of companies in the space. Her interest and expertise in the automotive technology space stems from her role as the former VP of Marketing & Content for Harman International’s (NASDAQ: HAR, now a Samsung business) Connected Car business. Chia-Lin helped build and launch Harman’s Connected Car service Aha which is featured in Honda, Subaru, Porsche and other automotive partners and availability in millions of vehicles and more than 50+ countries worldwide. Prior to her starting her own company, Chia-Lin was an executive at a number of high visibility technology companies. She was the former Head of Global Partner Marketing for Google’s digital business Google Play Music and the Google Play Store, the VP of Marketing and General Manager of Playphone North America, a senior business development executive at Time Warner/ AOL, as well as the VP of Strategic Alliances at Audible (an Amazon company). Chia-Lin serves on the Board of Directors for Servco Pacific, a $1.3B global automotive / goods company, and recently gave presentations on Autonomous Vehicles and legal concerns to more than 400+ autonomous car experts in Silicon Valley. In her free time, Chia-Lin founded the #bindersproject, which helps connected women tech founders with global funders looking to accelerate female founded startups. Chia-Lin graduated Magna cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from U.C. San Diego and received her MBA from Cornell University, where she was a Park Leadership Fellow. Chia-Lin is a licensed New York State attorney and earned her JD from George Mason University School of Law.

Guest Contact Info:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/csimmons/

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

X: https://x.com/chialinsimmons