In this episode, we sit down with Abiel Barrera, founder of RGV Insurance Agent and Milestone Capital, to talk about what it really looks like to balance fatherhood while building a business.

Abiel shares his family life—married with three kids (ages 11, 9, and 7)—and how becoming a dad reshaped his priorities, his schedule, and his definition of success. From the joy of going “all out” at the school book fair to the reality of long pickup lines, Abiel explains how he uses small windows of time to stay productive while keeping his kids at the center of his day.

We also dive into his path from 20 years in education to entrepreneurship, including what the early days were like, how confidence grows through repetition, and the moment he realized he couldn’t do both teaching and insurance at the level his family—and clients—deserved.

A highlight of the conversation is Abiel’s “open door policy” and how he’s built a family rhythm where his kids understand when he’s on a call, and he “switches modes” the moment the work is done. He and his wife also operate like a true tag team, coordinating calendars, communicating early, and leaning on support systems when life gets busy.

Abiel closes with practical advice for dads building something of their own: don’t treat business like a fragile house of cards. Build it like Jenga—with a strong foundation, planning, flexibility, and the confidence to adjust without falling apart.

Learn more about Abiel and his services at rgvinsuranceagent.com, or search Abiel Barrera online to connect.

If you know a dad who’s juggling family and entrepreneurship, share this episode with them.

What does it really mean to make a resolution as a father

In Episode 2 of DadLab RGV hosts Jesus T. Peña M.Ed. and Mauricio Piña move beyond the typical New Year goals and explore what real growth looks like for dads emotionally relationally and mentally.

This episode challenges the idea that resolutions are only about routines productivity or self discipline. Instead the conversation focuses on intentional fatherhood personal accountability and the courage it takes to unlearn habits language and behaviors passed down through generations.

The hosts reflect on how many fathers were raised with phrases like suck it up do not cry or I will handle it and how those well intended messages can unintentionally limit emotional connection with our children especially as they grow into teenagers. Through real reflections and lived experience the episode explores how mindfulness listening and emotional regulation can transform relationships at home.

Listeners will hear a thoughtful discussion on reframing resolutions as commitments to relationships rather than just personal goals. The conversation also explores how to be more mindful and present with teenagers without rushing to fix everything letting go of generational language that no longer serves our families and applying restorative practices like consistency trust and using I statements in everyday parenting. The hosts also discuss why repair matters more than perfection in both fatherhood and partnerships.

This episode expands the conversation beyond parenting and highlights how becoming a better father often means becoming a better partner. It emphasizes learning how to pause communicate with intention and release ego and defensiveness in order to build stronger healthier relationships.

DadLab RGV is a space for fathers in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond who believe parenting is a lifelong learning process. Fatherhood is a lab where we test we fail we learn and we try again.

If you are a dad looking to grow not just as a parent but as a person this episode offers reflection encouragement and practical insight to start the year with purpose.

Listen reflect and choose one resolution that strengthens a relationship not just a routine.

In the first episode of the DadLab RGV Podcast, we sit down with Mayor John Cowen for a candid conversation about leadership, fatherhood, and the reality of balancing work with family life.

Public service is demanding, time consuming, and often all consuming. As mayor, John Cowen carries the responsibility of leading a city while navigating the pressures that come with public office. At the same time, he is a father, a husband, and a person trying to be present at home. In this episode, we talk openly about what that balance actually looks like, the tradeoffs that come with leadership, and the values that guide decisions both at City Hall and within his family.

This is not a political interview. It is a human conversation about showing up, setting priorities, and learning how to manage ambition without losing sight of what matters most. Mayor Cowen shares how fatherhood has influenced the way he leads, how his perspective has evolved over time, and why modeling balance is important not just for his family but for the community he serves.

We also explore the unique context of the Rio Grande Valley and how community, culture, and family shape leadership here in a way that feels deeply personal. From lessons learned through experience to the ongoing challenge of being present in multiple roles, this episode reflects the reality many parents and professionals face every day.

DadLab RGV is about conversations at the intersection of work, responsibility, creativity, and family. It is a space for honest dialogue with people who carry real responsibility while still trying to be intentional about the lives they are building at home.

This episode sets the tone for the series. Grounded, thoughtful, and focused on the people behind the titles.

Welcome to the DadLab RGV Podcast.