Working Title with Zach Sams

Dallas Is Hitting a Wall? Real Estate Leaders Sound the Alarm In this episode of The Working Title Show, Zach Sams and guests break down the real story behind DFW’s growth, from infrastructure struggles and housing demand to city politics and development fatigue. We also sit down with BizNow’s Hussein Wasami to talk about: The future of commercial real estate Why developers are frustrated with Dallas The truth about networking and deal-making Major projects shaping North Texas Plus: bold predictions on the Mavericks, Stars, and the future of downtown Dallas. ️ Real conversations. No fluff. Just the truth about where Dallas is headed.

Dallas sports fans love a good debate—and this one might be the biggest yet. In this episode, the hosts walk through a fan-voted bracket ranking the greatest sports figures in Dallas history. From legendary Cowboys coaches to iconic athletes and hometown heroes, the conversation covers unforgettable moments, surprising matchups, and what makes Dallas such a powerful sports city. Highlights: • Dallas’ greatest sports icons ranked in a massive bracket • Landry, Staubach, Nolan Ryan, Dirk & Emmitt debates • Surprising fan votes and controversial matchups • Stories behind Dallas’ biggest sports legends • Bonus: insights into today’s real estate market

From San Antonio’s River Walk to the booming suburbs of North Texas, this episode dives deep into the real forces shaping real estate across the Lone Star State. Zach sits down with Scott Theringer, Founder & CEO of M&A Development, to unpack what’s really happening in residential and multifamily development. They break down why Texas continues to attract 1,200 new residents a day, how rising interest rates reshaped the housing market in unexpected ways, and why multifamily projects can collapse over just a few basis points.

Chris Putnam, CEO of the Dallas Express, joins The Working Title Show to discuss the evolution of local news media in Dallas and the unique role the Dallas Express plays in today's digital landscape. Drawing from an impressive career in telecom and tech startups, Chris shares insights on media ownership shifts, the importance of diverse news perspectives, and how the Dallas Express delivers hyper-local stories overlooked by legacy outlets.

The Working Title Show welcomes Buddy Cramer, owner of the iconic Katy Trail Ice House, who shares the unexpected journey and vision behind creating a beloved Dallas fixture. From transforming a rundown swingers bar into a vibrant community hub, Buddy reveals how focusing on outdoor space, authenticity, and consistency helped build a lasting local institution. Listeners get an insider’s look at the challenges and triumphs of hospitality entrepreneurship in Dallas.

David Leininger, former interim president and CEO of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), joins the Working Title show to unpack the complex realities of mass transit in the Dallas–Fort Worth region. With decades of experience, he offers a candid look at the challenges of serving a sprawling metropolitan area, the political dynamics between city and suburbs, and emerging innovations like on-demand transit solutions. This episode reveals why transit hasn’t lived up to expectations and explores what the future might hold for regional transportation.Topics  - Why mass transit is both a necessity and a political challenge in Dallas–Fort Worth  - The divide between Dallas and its suburbs on transit priorities and funding  - How demographic and geographic factors affect transit ridership and service design  - Innovations in suburban transit: on-demand ridesharing and digital solutions  - The prospects and impact of potential city pullouts from DART  Highlights  David Leininger’s DART Credentials (00:01:10) David introduces his extensive background with DART, including a decade as CFO and serving as interim president and CEO.  The Purpose of Mass Transit in Dallas (00:05:03) “The argument for mass transit… is congestion mitigation because ultimately the highways are limited.” David explains the primary rationale behind regional transit systems.  Challenges of Serving a Distributed Metroplex (00:06:11) Dallas–Fort Worth’s sprawling geography with multiple employment centers and sprawling suburbs makes transit delivery “much more challenging” and dilutes ridership density.  Suburban Transit Preferences (00:07:28) While Dallas favors expanded bus service, suburbs want higher-speed rail and on-demand rideshare-like options, highlighting differing needs across the region.  Financial Contributions vs. Service (00:14:41) Plano alone generates approximately $130 million annually for DART but feels underserved, fueling tensions over equitable transit funding and benefits.  Ridership Trends and Pandemic Impact (00:17:34) Ridership plummeted from 80 million to 35 million during the pandemic but has rebounded to about 58 million, with peak times still seeing full trains.  Practical Transit Limitations (00:18:47) David shares why multi-transfer commutes like riding from Argyle to the LBJ Freeway office complex are impractical, cutting down willingness to use transit.  Plano’s On-Demand Transit Innovation (00:22:27) After shuttle services failed, Plano partnered with a Vancouver startup to launch an on-demand Uber-like system catering to dynamic lunch-hour rider patterns. Digitalizing Senior Transportation (00:24:02) Transitioning from paper taxi vouchers to digital wallets improved efficiency and became the foundation for Dallas-based Gozo, enhancing suburban mobility.  The Political Dynamics at DART (00:16:39) Dallas historically wields overweight control of the DART board, contributing to suburban dissatisfaction and potential city pullouts to gain service autonomy.  Express Trains and Airport Access (00:35:27) David confirms express trains on DART’s double-track system are possible, addressing calls for faster, direct service between Downtown Dallas and DFW Airport.  Transit Success in Dense Urban Areas (00:39:56) Drawing lessons from Chicago, David highlights the importance of transit nodes with concentrated retail and walkable neighborhoods to sustain ridership.

This special Giving Episode of Working Title with Hosts Zach Sams and Tyler Isbell, who shine a spotlight on local DFW nonprofits making a real impact. Dressed as an elf to keep the spirit light while the mission stays serious, Tyler is full of surprises in this holiday edition. The highlighted are four organizations changing lives through mental health advocacy, homelessness outreach, mentorship for fatherless boys, and helping victims of human trafficking. Meg Matters Taran Andres joins the show to share the powerful story behind Meg Matters, a nonprofit founded after the tragic loss of Megan to suicide in 2021. Officially established as a 501(c)(3) in 2023, Meg Matters raises funds for mental health resources in schools, suicide prevention programs, and community education aimed at breaking the stigma around youth mental health. The organization provides scholarships to Crumb ISD seniors based on essays about mental resilience, not GPA, and brings critical support services like Communities in Schools into local campuses. As a fully volunteer-run nonprofit, 100 percent of donations go directly to its mission. Learn more or give at megmatterstx.org. The Human Impact Founder and CEO Elisabeth Jordan shares how The Human Impact serves the long-term chronically homeless population in South Dallas by focusing on authentic relationships rather than quick fixes. By walking the streets, sitting with people where they are, and speaking dignity and hope into their lives, the organization fills a gap often missed in traditional care models. Weekly gatherings like Come to the Table foster community through shared meals, worship, and prayer. Viewers can support or volunteer at thehumanimpact.org. 4Runner Mentoring Stephen Murray and Clint Williamson discuss 4Runner Mentoring, an organization built on the belief that relationships change lives. Focused on fatherless boys in the Lake Highlands area, 4Runner addresses fatherlessness caused by death, divorce, desertion, deportation, or incarceration as a root issue impacting entire communities. Started by a middle school football coach who experienced fatherlessness himself, the program invests in mentorship and consistency while honoring single mothers as everyday heroes. Support from events like the Bonanza at the Border golf tournament helps sustain and grow their impact. New Friends New Life CRE champion Karla Smith and New Friends New Life representative Vanessa Barker. New Friends New Life restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women, and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. By providing case management, counseling, economic empowerment/educational support, we are creating a community where women and girls can soar above the limits of their past to achieve their dreams.

Why are people moving back downtown Dallas and what still needs to change in the Big D?    Jennifer Scripps, CEO of Downtown Dallas Inc joins the Working Title show to unpack the projects, the politics, and the practical fixes driving Dallas’s downtown comeback.   From public improvement districts and safety teams to new parks, college campuses, and convention-center plans, Jennifer walks us through what’s changed in Dallas, what’s working, and what still needs to happen to make downtown a seven-day, mixed-use neighborhood people actually WANT to live, work, and play in.   This episode covers: What Downtown Dallas Inc. (DDI) does—security, clean teams, outreach, planning—and how the public improvement district funds those services.   Post-pandemic downtown trends: office return patterns, rising weekend foot traffic, and why Saturday can be busier than some weekdays.   The growth of downtown housing and why a true 7-day downtown needs grocery stores, parks, and neighborhood services.   Safety and coordination with DPD, camera footage sharing, and DDI’s role in quality-of-life enforcement.   Big-picture projects: convention center renovation, Dallas College expansion, rehabbing iconic office towers, and the need for more hotel rooms and destination dining.   Infrastructure challenges (old signaling, tunnels, parking) and the opportunity FIFA and other events create for long-term improvements.   Why downtown matters to the whole region—jobs, tax base, and future growth—and the vision for a pedestrian-friendly, activated core.   If you care about Dallas urban revitalization, Dallas city planning, or how public-private partnerships actually move a downtown forward, this episode gives practical, boots-on-the-ground insight from one of the people leading the effort.   Quick highlights: -DDI overview & public improvement district  -Post-pandemic office + residential trends  -Safety, outreach, and coordination with DPD  -Convention center, Dallas College, and jobs pipeline  -Redevelopment wins & future vision    Guest: Jennifer Scripps, President & CEO of Downtown Dallas inc https://downtowndallas.com/   Hosts: Zach Sams leads Kensington Vanguard National Title Company in Texas and Arizona. Zach is also the President of Nexus Caritas Opus, LLC, the charitable organization that hosts and runs The Bonanza at the Border Charity Golf Tournament in Lajitas, TX.   Dallas Cothrum - Dallas Cothrum is the CEO of Masterplan Consultants, the oldest land use and zoning firm in Texas. He is formerly a tenured professor in the University of Texas System. He co-hosts the “Working Title” podcast about DFW Real Estate. And he is a Dallas Morning News contributing columnist.   Tyler Isbell, Senior Vice President and Principal,SRS Real Estate Partners: Tyler co-hosts the “Working Title” podcast about DFW Real Estate.  He is a retail CRE strategist and dealmaker  with SRS, specializing in National Tenant Representation, Capital Markets, and business development.  He is blessed with loyal clients and good mentors, who align smart investment strategy with community impact and long-term stewardship

Dallas is changing fast. The crew digs into why local coverage feels thinner, what that means for residents and investors, and how decisions downtown ripple across the entire metro.Real estate touches everything. From arena politics to permitting portals, each decision shifts values, activity, and the Dallas city’s story.What We Get Into:If you care about Dallas, real estate, and growth, this is your show.Episode Recap:-Downtown at a tipping point:-Safety + homelessness perceptions vs. on-the-ground improvements-Functional obsolescence: big towers, thin parking, street-level retail challenges-How perceptions shape capital flows, leasing, and where people choose to live and work-Sports as an economic engine:-What happens to hotels, restaurants, and tax base if the Mavs or Stars leave the core?-Why modern teams want full control of districts—and what it would take to keep them in Dallas proper-Big civic chessboard:-City Hall’s future location (museum piece vs. pragmatic move)-Convention center overhaul and the risk/reward for downtown vitality-Signals from City departments: permitting tech upgrades, faster responses, signs of accountability-Projects to watch: Landmark towers eyeing mixed-use conversions; why resetting basis on older buildings matters; where adaptive reuse beats wrecking balls.Culture & community sidebars:-State Fair of Texas 2025 recap low attendance dynamics, Cotton Bowl upgrades-School district perceptions (HP vs. IB at Woodrow) and why perception = pricing-Skilled trades boom: electricians, plumbers, welders—the backbone growth Dallas actually needsWe want YOU!Got a downtown data point, development rumor, or topic we should chase? DM the show. Subscribe, rate, and share if you want a smarter Dallas conversation in your feed every week.Hosts: Zach Sams with co-hosts Tyler Isbell & Dallas CothrumCo-hosts Tyler Isbell and Dallas Morning News Writer Dallas Cothrum, shifting from guest-only spotlights to a weekly round-up of the real Dallas—especially where news, real estate, sports, and city policy collide.

Tyler Isbell returns as co-host on Working Title with Zach Sams — and this week’s episode is packed with real estate insights, golf dreams, and Texas-sized innovation. ️⛳First: Big news to talk about with co-host Tyler Isabell, Zach Sams is going to the Mid-Am!Zach Sams shares his humble excitement for qualifying for the US Mid-Amateur and shooting a bogey-free 68! Zach and Tyler talk about what Zach needed to qualify for this, and a big congrats from Tyler.264 players made it out of 9,000!From luxury “man cave” storage spaces and the launch of a jaw-dropping new gym to interest rate uncertainty and upcoming major golf tournaments, Tyler and Zach break down what’s shaping the market — and their personal milestones — heading into 2025. Topics Covered:· Why “luxury storage” is becoming the new man cave trend in real estate· Inside Texas’ most talked-about gym — a 45,000 sq. ft. powerhouse built for serious lifters· How fluctuating interest rates are freezing deals and widening the bid-ask gap· Tyler’s golf journey to the U.S. Mid-Amateur & what it takes to qualify out of 9,000 hopefuls·  Retail and fitness markets: challenges, bankruptcies, and fresh opportunities Episode Highlights:·      00:01:10 — Zach qualifies for the U.S. Mid-Amateur ·         00:03:12 — Golf for a cause: Bonanza at the Border tournament at Lajitas Golf Resort·         00:05:26 — What makes luxury storage “man caves” a booming real estate trend·         00:08:08 — Inside a 70-ft screen gym that’s redefining the Texas fitness scene·         00:12:29 — Real talk on interest rates & how they’re stalling commercial deals·         00:17:15 — Grass talk: course prep for the desert heat of Troon North·         00:20:03 — Looking ahead: why 2025 could be the comeback year for real estateWebsite: https://bonanzaattheborder.com/#RealEstate #WorkingTitlePodcast #ZachSams #TylerIsbell #GolfLife #TexasBusiness #InterestRates #CommercialRealEstate #ManCaves

On this powerful episode of Working Title with Zach Sams, Zach sits down with Terin and Bret Andrus — the inspiring husband-and-wife duo that join Working Title to share Meg Matters Inc., a mission-driven organization that exists to inspire, educate, and connect in the world of mental health. Meg Matters is excited to join Bonanza at the Border this year! https://bonanzaattheborder.com/ Born out of a deeply personal journey, Meg Matters is more than a brand — it’s a movement. Terin and Bret share the story behind their work, their commitment to raising awareness about suicide prevention, and how they’re using education and fundraising to break the stigma surrounding mental health. This episode dives into the heart behind the mission, the impact Meg Matters is making in communities, and how others can get involved. If you care about mental health, meaningful conversations, and purpose-led entrepreneurship — this one’s for you. https://www.megmatterstx.org/ Buy your Meg Matters Merch: https://joygrace.shop/collections/meg-matters-partnership Free resource link Provided by United way of Denton Co.(Programs are FREE for anyone): https://www.instagram.com/p/DEM-RQWudOC/?igsh=dTd3dzJrYzJ1MnM0

Zach Sams sits down with Clint Williamson, VP at J Street, to talk all things multifamily—from rising fraud in rental applications to what really sets great property management teams apart. Clint shares why relationships and talent are everything in this business. They also dive into his role with Forerunner, a nonprofit ministry helping boys without father figures, and the wild story of winning $16K at Bonanza at the Border as part of "Team Clint²." Oh, and he still wants his trophy from Zach’s golf tournament. Learn more: jstreetps.com Contact Clint: [email protected]://jstreetps.com/https://bonanzaattheborder.com/

In this episode of Working Title with Zach Sams, Shawn Zafarpour—CEO of ZHS Investments and Managing Partner at Titan—joins the show to unpack the real story behind bold real estate development in Texas. From fix and flip to closing major deals, Shawn shares his story from working in the restaurant industry to being a real estate developer in DFW. Whether you’re in the industry or just fascinated by how neighborhoods evolve, this episode offers a no-fluff look at what it really takes to bring vision to life in today's fast-moving market.

On this episode of Working Title with Zach Sams, we're joined by Alex Payne, Brad Andrus, and Bret Andrus — Principals at NorthBridge Realty Holdings — to dive into:➡️ The explosion of growth across Denton County➡️ Strategic investments in self-storage development➡️ Why areas like Krum, Denton, Argyle, Sanger, and others are booming➡️ The future of commercial real estate in one of the fastest-growing corners of North TexasIf you're watching the real estate space — or investing in DFW — this is an episode you DON'T want to miss!#WorkingTitle #DFWRealEstate #DentonCountyGrowth #NorthBridge #CommercialDevelopment #SelfStorage #ZachSams #TexasBoomtownsGuests:Alex Payne, Principal with NorthBridge Realty HoldingsBrad Andrus, Principal with NorthBridge Realty HoldingsBret Andrus, Principal with NorthBridge Realty Holdingshttps://nbrealtyholdings.com/

Zach interviews Hayden Houston, Greg Johnson, and Kristofer Smith about the commercial real estate work that SVN Verus Commercial is doing in Denton, TX. You can learn more about SVN Verus Commercial at the links below: LinkedIn: SVN VERUS Commercial https://www.linkedin.com/company/verus-rea... Instagram: verus_commercial https://www.instagram.com/verus_commercial/ Facebook: SVN VERUS Commercial https://www.facebook.com/SVNVERUSCOMMERCIAL/

Zach Sams welcomes on David Neher, the president of Rainier Development Company, and Tyler Isbell, SVP & principal of SRS Real Estate Partners, to discuss public-private partnerships in commercial real estate.

Guests Tyler Isbell, Patrick Luther and David Nehers discuss the hottest asset class in Commercial Real Estate on the Working Title Podcast with Zach Sams.

Our new roundtable concept was a lot of fun. Todays guests are: Ray Kane, Kane Russell Coleman Logan PC Bob Strandt, Guggenheim Partners Tyler Isbell, SRS Real Estate Partners

Tyler Isbell with SRS Real Estate Partners joins me for a discussion about Retail Real Estate and other things.

On this episode of The Working Title Show with Zach Sams, Zach sits down with Louis Darrouzet CEO of Metroplex Civic & Business Association (MCBA).

On this episode of The Working Title Show with Zach Sams, Zach sits down with CEO and Co-founder of Alexo Athletica, Amy Robbins.

On this episode of The Working Title Show with Zach Sams, Zach sits down with Dallas Cothrum, Chief Executive Officer at Masterplan and LaBarba Permit Service.

On this episode of The Working Title Show with Zach Sams, Zach sits down with the Founder & CEO of Reap Capital David Lilley.

As Vice President of Development at Portman Residential, Scott is responsible for the sourcing, entitlement, acquisition, and development of mixed use and multifamily properties in Texas and the southwest. Prior to joining Portman, Scott was on the development team at StreetLights Residential where he managed the development process for both active and potential projects in Texas and Florida. He also gained early experience at Jacobs Engineering working as a civil engineer in the land development group. Scott is an active member of The Real Estate Council and ULI. He holds a Masters of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University. Scott is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Texas.

Clint Nolen is the co-founder and Managing Partner of Kalterra and Kalterra Construction. Clint has served in board positions including Vice President of the City of Dallas Housing Finance Corporation, Vice Chairman of the City of Dallas Planning & Zoning Board of Adjustments, Board Chairman of Grace Academy of Dallas and as a Board Member for the Entrepreneur Organization of Dallas. https://kalterra.com/

The Givens Brothers, Shawn and Will close loans, a lot of loans. Shawn is Vice Chairman and Will is a Senior VP in the Debt and Structured Finance Division at Colliers International. They find the best deals for their clients by sourcing capital from hundreds of financial institutions around the country to connect their clients with the financing that is right for them. Reach out to the Givens team at [email protected].

After a hiatus we are back recording the Working Title Show with Zach Sams. Rush Graves, Founder and Managing Principal of https://amr.capital/.