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Most people see the Texas Rangers on the field.
But what they’re doing off the field might be even more important.
On this episode of Your Dark Companion, Mike Rhyner, Grubes, and the crew sit down with Justin Henry, Senior Director of Development for the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, to talk about how a Major League Baseball team can impact an entire community.
From youth baseball programs in West Dallas to scholarships, disaster relief, and veteran support, Justin explains how the Rangers are using their platform to do more than just win games—they’re helping shape lives.
The conversation dives into:
How the Rangers Foundation has donated over $80 million through grants and scholarships
The impact of the Texas Rangers Youth Academy, serving thousands of kids each year
Why building relationships is at the heart of fundraising
The reality of working inside a professional sports organization beyond baseball
And Justin’s personal journey—from financial advisor to nonprofit leader
There’s also a deeper layer to this episode, as Justin shares insights from his book Shameless, opening up about guilt, growth, and learning how to show up for others in a more meaningful way.
It’s a conversation about community, purpose, and what sports can be when they’re done right.
⏱ Chapters
0:00 — Lightning Strike Open & Rangers Banter
Classic YDC chaos and early show energy
4:05 — Meet Justin Henry & The Rangers Foundation
What the foundation actually does—and why it exists
5:53 — From Financial Advisor to Fundraiser
Justin’s career path and finding purpose in people
6:43 — Youth Academy & Community Impact
How the Rangers are helping kids dream bigger
13:53 — The Story Behind “Shameless”
Guilt, growth, and learning how to be vulnerable
15:27 — How Fundraising Really Works
Connecting donors to real community needs
20:12 — Ballpark Experience & Fan Impact
Why the stadium environment matters more than you think
23:25 — Inside a Major League Organization
What it’s like working with a professional sports team
28:44 — The World Series Effect on the Community
How winning amplified the Rangers’ impact
32:50 — Sponsor: CBD House of Healing
34:41 — Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit Concert
37:26 — The Three Pillars: Develop, Honor, Serve
The foundation’s mission and how it guides everything
41:11 — Partnering with Other Organizations
Why collaboration matters in nonprofit work
46:00 — Real Community Impact Stories
Where the work actually shows up
48:06 — Scholarships, Grants & Long-Term Change
53:33 — Kids, Baseball & Life Lessons
Why this goes far beyond sports
56:41 — NIL and the Changing Landscape of College Sports
58:53 — Recruiting, Development & Opportunity Gaps
1:03:15 — Stolen Water Media Growth & What’s Next
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
But what they’re doing off the field might be even more important.
On this episode of Your Dark Companion, Mike Rhyner, Grubes, and the crew sit down with Justin Henry, Senior Director of Development for the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, to talk about how a Major League Baseball team can impact an entire community.
From youth baseball programs in West Dallas to scholarships, disaster relief, and veteran support, Justin explains how the Rangers are using their platform to do more than just win games—they’re helping shape lives.
The conversation dives into:
How the Rangers Foundation has donated over $80 million through grants and scholarships
The impact of the Texas Rangers Youth Academy, serving thousands of kids each year
Why building relationships is at the heart of fundraising
The reality of working inside a professional sports organization beyond baseball
And Justin’s personal journey—from financial advisor to nonprofit leader
There’s also a deeper layer to this episode, as Justin shares insights from his book Shameless, opening up about guilt, growth, and learning how to show up for others in a more meaningful way.
It’s a conversation about community, purpose, and what sports can be when they’re done right.
⏱ Chapters
0:00 — Lightning Strike Open & Rangers Banter
Classic YDC chaos and early show energy
4:05 — Meet Justin Henry & The Rangers Foundation
What the foundation actually does—and why it exists
5:53 — From Financial Advisor to Fundraiser
Justin’s career path and finding purpose in people
6:43 — Youth Academy & Community Impact
How the Rangers are helping kids dream bigger
13:53 — The Story Behind “Shameless”
Guilt, growth, and learning how to be vulnerable
15:27 — How Fundraising Really Works
Connecting donors to real community needs
20:12 — Ballpark Experience & Fan Impact
Why the stadium environment matters more than you think
23:25 — Inside a Major League Organization
What it’s like working with a professional sports team
28:44 — The World Series Effect on the Community
How winning amplified the Rangers’ impact
32:50 — Sponsor: CBD House of Healing
34:41 — Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit Concert
37:26 — The Three Pillars: Develop, Honor, Serve
The foundation’s mission and how it guides everything
41:11 — Partnering with Other Organizations
Why collaboration matters in nonprofit work
46:00 — Real Community Impact Stories
Where the work actually shows up
48:06 — Scholarships, Grants & Long-Term Change
53:33 — Kids, Baseball & Life Lessons
Why this goes far beyond sports
56:41 — NIL and the Changing Landscape of College Sports
58:53 — Recruiting, Development & Opportunity Gaps
1:03:15 — Stolen Water Media Growth & What’s Next
Creators and Guests
Host
Mike Rhyner
Mike Rhyner… "a little on the bumpy side, but rather likable"…so stated famously by a grade school teacher in Oak Cliff, where Mike grew up. A complicated guy, yet a guy who can do long division and remember call strike three to A Rod. Probably best left unattended. Don't expect assistance from him if a medical situation arises.
What is Your Dark Companion Podcast?
"Whatever I want it to be about on a given day; is what it is." Your Dark Companion couples your familiar friends from radio, Mike and Grubes! Mike brings his classic interviews that draw you in, and Grubes—The Devil—drops…well the drops, and throws the occasional grenade. Mike likes to draw on his fascinating acquaintances and friends allowing them to tell their stories as you've never heard them. But he also goes outside his network, sharing Grubes' network, and often outside of both, to bring you those they don't know, but believe have a story that will make you laugh, make you think, think differently, or just entertain you…"that's what we are trying to do here."