Special Guests: The "Aggies Without Limits" (AWL) and Bridges to Prosperity Panel from New Mexico State University (NMSU)

Co-Host: Tammy Bean

Episode Summary In this heartwarming special edition, Dustin gives the mic of The Best of the Outdoors to his other podcast, The Empowered Life with Dustin Vaughn Warncke

Dustin sits down with a diverse panel of students, alumni, and faculty from New Mexico State University’s Aggies Without Limits (AWL). This group travels internationally to developing nations like Nicaragua and Guatemala to build critical infrastructure—water systems, bridges, and health centers—for underserved communities.

Moving beyond the engineering and logistics, the conversation dives deep into the human element of service.

The panel shares powerful stories about the unbreakable bonds formed between volunteers, the humility learned from living with host families who have little material wealth but immense generosity, and how "suffering together" in the trenches of service work creates lifelong family dynamics.

Dustin and the group explore how service acts as a "drug" that, once tasted, changes your trajectory forever. Whether it’s fixing a baseball field in Mexico, laying pipe in a Guatemalan trench, or simply being present for someone in need, this episode is a testament to the fact that when you give of yourself, you often receive far more in return. Meet the Panel Kenny Stevens: NMSU Faculty Advisor who has been with the group since 2007, completing over 18 projects.

Molly Williams: Joined AWL in 2016; served as President for the Guatemala water project.

Diana Jaramillo: Current NMSU Senior and International Project Manager; joined in 2022.

Linnette Gutierrez: Outreach Coordinator starting her second year with the group.

Daniel Gomez: Recent graduate and former Vice President/Local Project Manager.

Naila Salinas: Former Project Manager and Treasurer, currently in her fourth year with the organization. Key Takeaways & Highlights

The Bond of Service: The group discusses how three weeks of intense service work creates relationships equivalent to living with someone for a year. Strangers become family through shared purpose and adversity.

"Don't Suffer in Silence": A core motto of the group introduced by Kenny Stevens. It emphasizes the importance of communication, vulnerability, and relying on your team when things get physically or emotionally tough.

Perspective Shift: Several guests share how returning to the U.S. after living in communities with metered water or limited electricity fundamentally changed their view on American luxuries. Leadership in Action: How students with no prior construction experience (like Linnette repairing a bridge with a jammed finger) learn resourcefulness and leadership on the fly.

The Universal Language of Help: Dustin draws parallels between AWL's work and his own experiences with fishing ministries for soldiers, noting that the heart of service is the same everywhere: it is about selfless giving without expecting a reward.

YOUTUBE SLIDE SHOW OF GUESTS:

https://youtu.be/N6TfgwKtCqE

Memorable Quotes

"Service is almost like a drug... once you get into it, it's hard to not want to keep doing it." — Kenny Stevens

"We don't fit in here... we want to travel to different parts and do something for somebody else." — Kenny Stevens (on the origins of the group)

"When you put it all in God's hands... things started just happening. Things that you couldn't do yourself." — Dustin Vaughn Warncke

"It’s amazing to see their joy... children playing with the water that was coming off their property... it made it all worth it." — Naila Salinas

"Memento Amori: Remember that you must love." — Stoic Phrase Quoted by Dustin Vaughn Warncke

Call to Action: Dustin closes the show with a reminder that you don't have to travel across the world to make a difference.

Look for opportunities in your own community—whether it's volunteering at a food bank, helping a neighbor, or joining a service organization.

Be the light in the darkness.

Connect with Dustin:

Website:

DustinsProjects.com

BusinessWithDustin.com

Social Media

@DustinsProjects

@BusinessWithDustin

Books: Available at DustinsBooks.com Join the Community: The Empowered Life Nation on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredlifenation

Dustin Vaughn Warncke Gives a presentation about life lessons, finding meaning in God's Plan, faith in action, the focus of overcoming hardships and becoming who God created you to become. The audience is a mix of Adults and Families with Children. Of Course, Please Like, Share, and Subscribe and Tell a Friend! Learn More About Woods and Waters Outdoor Ministries: https://www.wwministry.org/ Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/wwoutdoors Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wwoutdoormin/ About the Ministry Woods & Water Outdoors is a Christian non-profit (501c3) ministry for the whole family based in Bell County, Texas. Our mission is to show others the love of Christ through our love for the outdoors. We are a family ministry. Although some of our events are gender-specific, we believe that families should enjoy God’s creation together. We are evangelical and non-denominational. We believe that God gave us a love for the outdoors as a connecting point for building real, lasting friendships with other people who enjoy the woods, lakes, and rivers just like we do. -- “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him-a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” - Ecclesiastes 4:12 ESV - “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” - 2 Timothy 2:2 ESV -- Learn more about Dustin Vaughn Warncke and connect with him the following ways. Text: (512) 497-7674 Email Dustin: Dustin@BusinesswithDustin.com All the LINKS: https://linktr.ee/dustinwarncke Some of Those Links: https://BusinesswithDustin.com (Full-Stack Consulting, Marketing, and Business Scaling) https://DustinsProjects.com (Creator Hub) https://DustinsBooks.com (Amazon Author Hub) https://DustinsPodcast.com (Personal Growth Podcast The Empowered Life with Dustin Vaughn Warncke) http://thebestoftheoutdoors.podbean.com/ (Outdoors Podcast by Dustin)

Dustin sits down with outdoor legend, "Mr. Whitetail", Larry Weishuhn and discusses his beginning and early years, outdoor career, life lessons and the legacy he hopes to leave behind after 50 years of incredible media work in the outdoor industry.

Larry Weishuhun is a professional wildlife biologist, outdoor writer, book author, artist, after-dinner speaker, podcaster, outdoor television and radio show host and life-long hunter/wildlife conservationist. As a professional wildlife biologist he has established quality wildlife management programs on well over 12,000,000 acres. As an outdoor writer/television show host he has published over 4,000 feature articles, columns and blogs, has authored and/or co-authored nine award-winning books and written chapters for many others; he has appeared in over 500 outdoor television episodes.

Larry has hosted, co-hosted, owned and produced many award winning outdoor television series. He currently serves as a co-host for the weekly “A Sportsman’s Life” with Luke Clayton and Jeff Rice, which can be seen on CarbonTV.com and YouTube.

Larry currently does three weekly podcast: “DSC’s Campfires with Larry Weishuhn” which airs on Spotify, Applepodcasts, Carbontv.com, waypointtv.com and elsewhere; “Campfire Talk with Luke and Larry” on Sporting Classics Daily as well as many other platforms; “Catfish Radio with Luke Clayton and Friends” which can be listened to on CarbonTV.com. Larry too has been doing a weekly outdoor radio show with Luke Clayton since 2007, “Luke Clayton Outdoors”.

Even though known universally as “Mr. Whitetail” Larry has hunted extensively on six continents. In 2007 he was inducted into the “National Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame” and that same year received the very sparingly presented “Zeiss Lifetime Achievement Award”. Long involved in wildlife conservation and hunting Larry serves as a Brand Ambassador for Hornady, and long served as the “DSC (Dallas Safari Club) Ambassador”.

Learn more about Larry at: https://www.larryweishuhn.net/

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Learn more about Dustin Vaughn Warncke and connect with him the following ways.

Text: Dustin@BusinesswithDustin.com

All the LINKS:

https://linktr.ee/dustinwarncke

Some of Those Links:

https://BusinesswithDustin.com (Full-Stack Consulting, Marketing, and Business Scaling)

https://DustinsProjects.com (Creator Hub)

https://DustinsBooks.com (Amazon Author Hub)

https://DustinsPodcast.com (Personal Growth Podcast The Empowered Life)