Hidden City

Dallas once had a real plan to become a port city, with boats traveling from the Gulf of Mexico all the way up the Trinity River into the heart of Dallas. In this episode, we trace the strange and ambitious history of the “Port of Dallas” and how Oak Cliff sat directly in the path of that dream. From devastating floods and disappearing bridges to the construction of the Oak Cliff Viaduct and the reshaping of the Trinity itself, this is the story of how Dallas tried to engineer its way into becoming something it wasn’t and how Oak Cliff still carries the marks of that vision today.

Two years after her first appearance on The Hidden City Podcast, April Allen returns as Halperin Park prepares to officially open in Oak Cliff this weekend. Recorded inside the park just days before opening, this episode captures a full-circle moment for one of Dallas’ most ambitious community-led projects. April, President & CEO of the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation, shares what it took to bring the park from early renderings to reality, the emotional weight of reaching opening weekend, and how neighbors helped shape nearly every detail of the space. From the 12th Street Promenade reconnecting divided neighborhoods to the native landscaping, gathering spaces, and future plans for Phase Two, this conversation explores how Halperin Park was designed with Oak Cliff at its center. We also talk about opening weekend festivities, local partnerships, and why April believes this park will change how people experience both Oak Cliff and Dallas itself. This episode features sneak peeks of the new park, aerial footage, and an early look at one of Dallas’ most significant new public spaces.

Frank Reaugh played a major role in shaping how people see Texas. His pastel landscapes of open prairie, longhorns, and wide skies captured something quieter and more honest about the state.In this episode, we follow his path to Oak Cliff, where he helped build the early art scene and taught a generation of artists at his studio near Lake Cliff Park. It’s a look at how one artist paid attention to the landscape long enough to change how people understood it, and how that legacy connects back to Oak Cliff.

The streetcar didn’t just run through Oak Cliff, it helped build it.In this episode, we trace how early rail lines in the 1880s made Oak Cliff feel close enough to grow, shaping where people gathered and where businesses took root along Jefferson. We follow its evolution into a larger system, the decisions that led to its disappearance in the 1950s, and its return decades later.It’s a story about transit, but also about how a neighborhood forms, and how something as simple as crossing the Trinity can change what a place becomes.

Most people know 7-Eleven for Slurpees, Big Gulps, and late-night snack runs, but the company’s story starts in Oak Cliff.In this episode, Doug and Grant trace 7-Eleven’s roots from an Oak Cliff ice dock to a global chain, following the local people and neighborhood needs that helped shape the modern convenience store. Along the way, they also get into the company’s larger impact, from the way it changed everyday shopping to the role products like the Slurpee played in making 7-Eleven part of American culture.

David Cervantes, founder of Elyse Build, joins The Hidden City to talk about his work building and restoring homes across Oak Cliff. He shares about his journey from working his way up through construction crews to now leading projects that focus on older properties and the process of bringing them back to life.We talk about learning through experience, building a business rooted in relationships, and what it looks like to take on projects that require both preservation and practicality. Along the way, David reflects on the crews he works alongside, the challenges of growing a company, and the role his work plays in shaping the future of Oak Cliff.

There’s a version of Oak Cliff people think they know. But in the 1970s and 80s, it became something else entirely, a place where artists found space, built studios, and created a scene that didn’t feel like anywhere else in Dallas. In this episode, we trace how Oak Cliff became known as Dallas’ Left Bank, from the early artist studios along Bishop Avenue to the parallel creative communities that shaped the neighborhood in different ways. It’s a story about space, identity, and what happens when a place gives people room to make something.

Aimé Nuñez grew up in Oak Cliff, built a career in tech, and walked away from it after a season of loss with no clear plan for what came next. What followed was Pegasus Creative Reuse, a secondhand art supply shop built on a pay-what-you-want model and a belief that creativity should be accessible to anyone.In this episode, Aimé shares how grief led her to art, how she unexpectedly took over Pegasus, and what it’s like to run a business rooted in generosity. We talk about risk, generosity, and the impact of putting creative tools back into the community.

Lindsey Munchrath, founder of Beatnik Fine Goods, joins The Hidden City to talk about creating a retail space rooted in community, creativity, and connection in Oak Cliff. From her early days in customer service and fashion to opening her own shop after becoming a mother, Lindsey shares how Beatnik has evolved, shifting from globally sourced goods to spotlighting local artists and makers.We talk about trusting your instincts, growing a business alongside family life, and what it means to build something that feels personal in a neighborhood that values relationships over transactions. Along the way, Lindsey reflects on the rhythms of small business, the importance of listening to your customers, and why staying rooted in place can shape something truly lasting.

Before Stevie Ray Vaughan was one of the greatest guitar players in the world, he was a kid growing up in Oak Cliff trying to keep up with his older brother Jimmie. In this episode, we trace Stevie’s early years playing Dallas clubs, the gritty Texas blues sound that defined him, and how Texas Flood launched him onto the national stage. We also talk about the Oak Cliff neighborhood that shaped his intensity—and the legacy he left behind after his life was cut short in 1990.

Tyler and Chayanne Rooney met in an Austin kitchen and spent years working their way through the restaurant world before bread quietly took over. What started as late-night croissant experiments and a deep dive into Tartine Bread eventually became porch deliveries during COVID, long Sundays at the farmers market, and finally a brick-and-mortar bakery inside Tyler Station. In this episode, Tyler and Cheyenne talk about why they left restaurant life, why they won’t do wholesale or pre-orders, and why staying small is part of the plan. We get into three-day croissants, 1 a.m. bake shifts, sourdough starter science, and the very real tension between growing a business and protecting its quality.

In this episode, River shares how an open mic night at Opening Bell led to a long-term creative partnership, the launch of Alma Row Records, and eventually a growing series of living-room concerts designed to bring neighbors together outside of traditional venues. What started as a small experiment with 30 people has quickly turned into shoulder-to-shoulder gatherings where artists, DJs, and community collide.We talk about his “Super Moody” project, writing from feeling rather than formula, and the lyric that captures his philosophy: “I’m not here for so long, I’m just passing by.” River reflects on anxiety, faith, small goals over big ambitions, and why creating space for laughter and connection might be the most important thing an artist can do right now.

Daniel Ellis has quietly become one of Oak Cliff’s most consistent connectors through Live Local Oak Cliff, a platform that amplifies neighborhood businesses and keeps thousands of residents in the loop.In this episode, Daniel shares how a desire to support local businesses turned into Live Local and how that same entrepreneurial drive led him and his wife to launch Diaper Buddy, a thoughtfully designed parenting product. We talk about designing and manufacturing a physical product from scratch, building momentum through grassroots support, and why Oak Cliff continues to attract builders and small business owners. We also get into what could be next for Live Local as it grows alongside the neighborhood.

Bonnie and Clyde didn’t come from nowhere, and they didn’t become who they were somewhere else. This episode looks at how poverty, proximity, and momentum shaped Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, and why Oak Cliff mattered at every stage of their lives.Before the headlines, the manhunts, and the legend, they were young people growing up in West Dallas and Oak Cliff during the Great Depression - tethered to family, limited by circumstance, and searching for motion in a world with very few exits. As crime replaced choice and survival replaced ambition, Oak Cliff remained the gravitational center of their story. This episode traces the real geography beneath the legend and asks what it means when some of America’s most infamous history is rooted not in distant frontiers, but in our very own neighborhood.

Andrew Snow has been part of Oak Cliff long enough to see how much of this neighborhood has been shaped by relationships. In this episode, the Track 15 cofounder reflects on how he landed here, the people who welcomed him in, and how that web of connections eventually led to building a nonprofit fundraising firm rooted in trust and generosity.We talk about Track 15’s origins, why community and giving can’t be automated or hacked, and what Oak Cliff has taught Andrew about building things that last. Along the way, he traces the friendships, neighbors, and small moments that quietly shaped his family’s life—and asks what it means to keep that spirit of generosity alive as the neighborhood continues to change.

For more than three decades, DJ EZ Eddie D has been a steady presence on Dallas airwaves and a quiet force in the city’s hip-hop culture. In this episode, Eddie traces his path from Cincinnati to Oak Cliff, from early club nights to KNON and Knowledge Dropped, a show that became a home for true school hip-hop and social commentary.We talk about the Oak Cliff music scene of the ’80s and ’90s, the loss of local infrastructure, and what it meant to break records before algorithms took over. Eddie reflects on community, craft, and the importance of local radio, sharing stories of Biggie, KRS-One, early SXSW days, and more from his nearly 40 years in the Dallas music scene.

This episode is a little different. Instead of sitting down with a guest, we step back and tell the story of Oak Cliff itself.We trace how this part of the city came to be, from early settlement on the bluffs above the Trinity, to utopian experiments, speculative development, independence, annexation, and the long arc that followed. Along the way, we look at how geography, distance, and deliberate choices shaped Oak Cliff into a place that has always felt connected to Dallas, yet separate from it.This isn’t a comprehensive history, and it’s not nostalgia. It’s an overview of how Oak Cliff became Oak Cliff and why that beginning still echoes in the neighborhoods, tensions, and sense of identity that exist today.

Michael and Lauren Boss are the founders of BOCO, a neighborhood music school in Oak Cliff. In this episode, they share how they started with a single student next to the Kessler Theater and grew into a school serving kids, adults, and families across the community.We hear about their approach to teaching music, curating what students learn, and giving them the chance to perform on real stages. From youth bands to adult programs, the conversation explores how BOCO combines education, performance, and neighborhood culture into a single, thriving space.

We’re looking back on the conversations that resonated most with our listeners. In this special episode, our team counts down the Top 10 most-watched episodes of 2025 - each one representing a story that left a mark on Oak Cliff and on us.From neighborhood organizers and artists to historians, filmmakers, and community builders, this episode revisits the moments that sparked curiosity, emotion, and connection. Along the way, you’ll hear short clips from each episode introduced by our team, reflecting on why these stories mattered.This isn’t just a highlight reel. It’s a snapshot of a year spent listening closely, asking better questions, and sharing the voices that make Oak Cliff what it is. Thank you for being part of it. We can’t wait to keep going in 2026.

Jordan Jeanty is a filmmaker and founder of Jeanty Studios whose wedding films are rooted in intention, faith, and care for the people he serves. In this episode, Jordan joins Doug and Grant to share his path from shooting on an iPhone to building a recognized wedding film studio, and why purpose and service guide every project he takes on.They talk about the responsibility of documenting life’s most meaningful moments, the emotional weight of wedding filmmaking, and how community, mentorship, and hospitality have shaped Jordan’s approach to both work and relationships. Along the way, Jordan reflects on storytelling that lasts, destination weddings, and the small, intentional practices that keep people at the center.

Patty Evans didn’t grow up playing baseball. Years later, after running a hyper-competitive men’s league team and walking through a season of personal loss, he found himself drawn to a version of the game built on community, not standings. That idea became Oak Cliff Sandlot. Patty talks about the early days of handing out cut-and-paste flyers, the first pickup game that unexpectedly drew 40 strangers, and how a simple invitation to “bring a glove, bring a friend, play baseball,” has grown into one of Oak Cliff’s most beloved neighborhood fixtures. We get into what it takes to protect a culture as it scales, the quiet discipline of keeping things unstructured, and why Oak Cliff Sandlot has become a place for adults to show up, belong, and play without pretense.

Matt James, Chief Animal Officer at Colossal Biosciences and an Oak Cliff neighbor, joins The Hidden City to unpack one of the most ambitious ideas in modern conservation: making extinction a thing of the past. We talk about how Colossal uses genetic engineering, AI, and assisted reproduction to revive keystone species like the woolly mammoth and dire wolf — and why rewilding has the power to restore entire ecosystems. Matt shares what functional de-extinction really means, the ethical questions that come with it, and how these breakthrough technologies are already helping protect at-risk species today. We also trade notes on our favorite walkable Oak Cliff spots and what makes this neighborhood feel like home.

Doug and Grant take The Hidden City out of the studio and onto the 10th tee box at Stevens Park Golf Course for a one-of-a-kind live episode, recorded during the Rosemont Dads' Club Oak Cliff Invitational. Between tee shots and a steady stream of neighbors wandering up to the mics, they talk with longtime Oak Cliffers, Rosemont Elementary administrators, local business owners, and a rotating cast of characters who’ve helped shape the neighborhood for decades. From on-air key lime pie reviews and heckling golfers to a few chaotic rounds of our game “Golf Course or Apartment Complex,” this episode captures Oak Cliff exactly as it is: funny, warm, unpredictable, and full of people who love where they live.

Krista Nightengale, Executive Director of Better Block, joins the Hidden City for a wide-ranging conversation about the messy, creative, and community-driven work of tactical urbanism. From her early days covering Dallas neighborhoods as a journalist to helping launch the Coalition for a New Dallas and stepping into Better Block’s full-time team in 2016, Krista shares how temporary installations have sparked lasting change in cities around the world.We talk about why Better Block works—120-day timelines, “what-if” testing, color as a crime-prevention tool, and the collaborative chaos of building public space with neighbors, kids, skeptics, and sometimes even unexpected advocates. Krista reflects on projects from Oak Cliff to Australia to South Dallas’s MLK Food Park, and how small interventions can shift mindsets, restore trust, and show communities what’s possible on their own blocks.

Senior City Planner and longtime Oak Cliff resident Don Raines Jr. joins the Hidden City to talk about the roots and rhythms that shaped Dallas’s most distinctive neighborhood. From the Caddo Nation’s influence and Oak Cliff’s “Brooklyn of the Southwest” beginnings to the flood that forged its independent spirit and the community’s reluctant annexation into Dallas, Don traces how character, creativity, and geography continue to define this side of the river. We talk about the Trinity River, the rebirth of Bishop Arts, and what’s next for Elmwood and the streetcar line as Dallas looks to its future.

Allison Macalik, co-owner of Little Joy Coffee, joins The Hidden City to talk about the community heartbeat of Elmwood and how a local coffee shop became a neighborhood gathering place. From her roots in Garland to her years in Austin’s local business scene, Allison talks about finding that same independent spirit in Oak Cliff—and how she and her husband Russ poured it into a coffee shop built for families, neighbors, and community connection. We talk about investing in the place you live, lessons from buying a local business, and how the families, friendships, and small moments of connection continue to shape life in downtown Elmwood.

Lydia Torrez has spent nearly five decades shaping young minds in Oak Cliff. Her story spans generations of faith, education, and community—as a former St. Cecilia Catholic School student who returned to lead the school as principal, twice. She reflects on her career as an educator at both Bishop Dunne and St. Cecilia, sharing how each helped nurture confidence and curiosity in students who might have otherwise been overlooked. From guiding the future of St. Cecilia through its Blue Ribbon Initiative to serving on the advisory council for the new Halperin Park, Lydia continues to help shape Oak Cliff’s future—guiding the same neighborhood that shaped her.

Amanda Mecsey started building a neighborhood studio by teaching mat Pilates in Kidd Springs Park. Joined by her husband and creative partner Kiel Jared, the two turned those early park classes into Oak Cliff Pilates—a community that now stretches across Dallas while keeping its Oak Cliff heart. We talk about those first classes in a second-story studio overlooking Davis Street, teaching through power outages with a gas generator, and creating a teacher certification program from scratch. From expanding into Uptown and Lower Greenville to keeping prices accessible and the vibe down-to-earth, Amanda and Kiel share what it means to grow with a community instead of outgrowing it.

Cam Leggett, co-founder of Nomad Grills, joins us to share the story behind Oak Cliff’s own portable grill brand that’s taken off worldwide. From welding early prototypes in a driveway to shipping to over 80 countries, Cam talks about the patience, precision, and grit behind a “ten-year overnight success.” We get into product design, startup lessons, and how Nomad has stayed rooted in Oak Cliff through events like Camp Nomad—a neighborhood block party that blends BBQ, music, and community.

Jason Hayes, Senior Vice President of Brand Experience at the State Fair of Texas, joins us to talk about the energy, history, and community behind one of Dallas’s most beloved institutions. We revisit the fair’s early days—including its brief Oak Cliff roots—and how that local spirit continues to shape Fair Park today. From Big Tex’s rebirth to the fair’s “most Texan place on earth” vision, Jason shares what it takes to honor tradition while keeping the fair fresh for generations to come.

From fish farms in Israel to museum shops in Rome, Ari Lowenstein’s journey has been anything but ordinary. In this episode, Ari shares how a love for food, sparked in Italian markets and nurtured through family recipes, became the heartbeat of Ari’s Pantry. We talk about the leap from corporate strategy to catering, the role his wife Amy played in making it real, and how Oak Cliff became the perfect home for an Italian-inspired neighborhood shop.

In this Texas Talk, Sarah unpacks the history of Dallas—from its untold origin stories to the lasting effects of segregation and redlining—and how those realities shape the city we live in now. She reminds us that being a neighbor isn’t about grand gestures, but about the everyday choices we make with our time, work, and resources. Through her “sphere of influence” framework, she offers tangible, practical steps to love our neighbors well, whether that’s inviting someone to dinner, rethinking hiring practices, or simply showing up at a city council meeting. Sarah challenges us to claim “neighbor” as part of our identity—and to see it as seriously as the other roles we play in life.Wax Space hosts Texas Talks, a live lecture series featuring creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, and community voices from across the state. We bring a selection of these conversations to the Hidden City podcast so you can hear them, too.

Richard Ross has spent years shaping how brands look and feel, from his work at Mizzen+Main to the launch of his own venture, Holy Water. In this Texas Talk, he shares why he sees brands as living characters—rooted in story, shaped by intuition, and built to evolve. Richard traces his path from theater and photography to design and entrepreneurship, reflecting on the influences that taught him to pay attention to detail, trust instinct, and create worlds people want to step into.Wax Space hosts Texas Talks, a live lecture series featuring creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, and community voices from across the state. We bring a selection of these conversations to the Hidden City podcast so you can hear them, too.

Krista Nightengale has spent her career reimagining what neighborhoods can be. As Executive Director of Better Block, she’s helped communities across the globe transform empty streets into vibrant, people-first spaces. In this Texas Talk, recorded live at Wax Space in June 2024, Krista shares stories of small changes that sparked big shifts, the lessons learned from listening to neighbors, and why temporary experiments can lead to lasting impact.Wax Space hosts Texas Talks, a live lecture series featuring creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, and community voices from across the state. We bring a selection of these conversations to the Hidden City podcast so you can hear them, too.

Twin brothers Ryan and Calvin Sprague have built a career out of saying yes to their creative instincts. What started with DIY band posters in high school grew into design work that’s reached everyone from Paul McCartney to Nike to Target. In this Texas Talk, recorded live at Wax Space in March of 2025, the Spragues share the unorthodox path that carried them from late-night merch hustles to murals, motion graphics, and global brand collaborations—while never losing sight of their personal voice as artists. They also open up about twin dynamics, creative pivots, and why making work just for yourself might be the best career move of all.Wax Space hosts Texas Talks, a live lecture series featuring creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, and community voices from across the state. We bring a selection of these conversations to the Hidden City podcast so you can hear them, too.

In this Texas Talk, recorded live at Wax Space in December 2024, designer Crespatrick de los Reyes shares the story behind his Dallas-based brand C. Patricio—a label rooted in legacy, storytelling, and denim. From his DIY beginnings in Los Angeles to discovering a creative community in Oak Cliff, Crespatrick reflects on how limitations sparked innovation, why denim became his canvas, and how his Filipino heritage continues to shape his work. Along the way, he talks about finding his “Air Force One” piece, creating with upcycled materials, and building a brand that doubles as a platform for culture and community.Wax Space hosts Texas Talks, a live lecture series featuring creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, and community voices from across the state. We bring a selection of these conversations to the Hidden City podcast so you can hear them, too.

In this Texas Talk, recorded live at Wax Space in November 2024, Brenton Phillips and Haley Nutt share the story behind building Tribal All Day Cafe, Tribal Juice, and Written by the Seasons from the ground up in Oak Cliff. What started as a cold-pressed juice company born out of 4 a.m. farmer's market runs became a neighborhood institution—but not without two years of rejection, hand-labeling thousands of juice bottles, and that time the FDA showed up at their door. They talk about their leap of faith move to Oak Cliff in 2013, the importance of building and retaining a strong team, and why hospitality is about making space for magic.Wax Space hosts Texas Talks, a live lecture series featuring creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, and community voices from across the state. We bring a selection of these conversations to the Hidden City podcast so you can hear them, too.

In this Texas Talk, recorded live at Wax Space in September 2023, Hance Taplin shares the story behind his brand By Way of Dallas and the lessons he’s carried from design school to Nike to building a community-focused label from the ground up. He reflects on why direction matters more than speed, the importance of embracing all sides of the city, and why he believes if you can make it in Dallas, you can make it anywhere. Along the way, he offers candid stories—near misses, collaborations that almost were, and the challenge of staying true to your own “cool”—while making the case for getting your hands dirty to help Dallas grow.Wax Space hosts Texas Talks, a live lecture series featuring creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, and community voices from across the state. We bring a selection of these conversations to the Hidden City podcast so you can hear them, too.

The Hidden City Podcast began as a simple idea and grew into 45 conversations with neighbors across Oak Cliff. In this finale, Doug and Grant sit down with producer Jason Talley and production manager Savannah Young to reflect on favorite episodes, surprising guests, and what they’ve learned about the community along the way. They share behind‑the‑scenes stories, recurring themes from the season, and what’s next as the team gears up for Season 2, introduces Texas Talks to the feed, and invites listeners to help support the show moving forward.

For more than eight decades, Brother Bill’s Helping Hand has quietly served West Dallas and Oak Cliff with food, healthcare, and education. CEO Wes Keyes shares how the nonprofit’s unlikely roots trace back to a drinking partner of Bonnie and Clyde, why their “say yes” mantra drives everything from job training to free medical clinics, and how he’s seen the neighborhood rally behind neighbors in need. We get into Wes’s path from small-town Mississippi to Oak Cliff, the beer-brewing Sunday school class that first connected him to the community, and what it looks like to lead with humility in your neighborhood.

John Slate has been Dallas’ city archivist for over two decades—but his love of history goes deeper than dusty documents. In this episode, John joins us to share stories that span from the JFK assassination files to forgotten WPA plans that saved a historic Oak Cliff pavilion. We talk about the origins of Lake Cliff Park, bootlegging archivists, dry neighborhoods, artisanal wells, and why Bonnie & Clyde’s roots in West Dallas still fascinate him today. Whether it’s helping city departments avoid reinventing the wheel or leading the charge to make historic archives accessible online, John proves history is alive and well—if you know where to look.

Elmwood artist Sarah Nystrom joins the show to talk about her life and work in Oak Cliff, raising young kids while building a creative practice, and why she keeps returning to Texas wildflowers and western iconography. We trace the roots of her creativity—from her grandmother’s quiet encouragement to college art classes, to the way her current work is shaped by the rhythms of motherhood. Sarah also shares how a family health crisis profoundly shifted her perspective—on her art, her family, and what she wants to put into the world. We talk about art as a place of refuge, the tension between perfection and play, and what it means to create in the margins of a full, complicated life.

Derandon Davis is the owner of D for Dapper, a men’s boutique in Tyler Station where vintage, repurposed, and modern pieces meet heritage brands and personalized styling. In this episode, Derandon shares how growing up in Oak Cliff and learning the art of dressing from his father shaped his approach to fashion. We talk about the evolution of D for Dapper, why fit and confidence matter more than trends, and how he’s building a new kind of shop—part style hub, part social lounge. Plus, Derandon explains what makes a look work, what rules are worth breaking, and why Oak Cliff still inspires him.

Stephen Callaghan didn’t just open House Rules to sell board games—he created a space where analog play meets neighborhood connection. In this episode, Stephen shares how his obsession with tabletop games turned into a business in the heart of Bishop Arts, how the pandemic fueled a tactile resurgence, and why selling Uno isn’t selling out. We talk about designing for discovery, demystifying “gamer” culture, and what makes a great board game recommendation. Plus, Stephen reflects on parenting, shopkeeping, and how community in Oak Cliff helped make House Rules possible.

Gabriel grew up in Elmwood and never really left Oak Cliff - today he’s helping shape its future as Assistant Vice President of Vendor Management at DART. In this episode, Gabriel shares how a summer internship turned into a 24-year career advocating for small, minority, and women-owned businesses within one of the nation’s largest transit agencies. We talk about the cultural challenges of building public transit in a car-loving state, what’s next for DART’s growth, and how local voices can shape the system. Plus, Gabriel tells us the real reason the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium landed in Arlington - and what DART had to do with it.

Amy Miller’s radio story begins in the Bay Area, winds through a Virginia station backed by Bruce Hornsby, and lands in Dallas, where she became a defining voice at KXT. In this episode, Amy shares what it takes to build a public radio brand rooted in community, the origin of the station’s beloved local music show, and how a late-night internet search led to her managing Abraham Alexander—all the way to the Oscars. We get into what makes a song radio-worthy, how Dallas music surprised her, and why staying grounded in community still matters most.

Aaron Glover leads The Writer’s Garret, a 30-year-old literary arts organization rooted in Oak Cliff. In this episode, we talk about his path from musical theater and academia to executive director, and how the Writer’s Garret brings people together through the power of language. Aaron shares why empathy and connection are central to the organization’s mission, how programs like the Common Language Project and Poetry in Place foster belonging, and why Oak Cliff has quietly become one of the most vibrant literary hubs in Texas. We also explore the evolving role of the Trinity River in Dallas’s future—and the deep community that grows when people gather to write, listen, and share.

Filmmaker Merced Elizondo grew up in Oak Cliff, shaped by blue-collar grit, a Mexican-American household, and a love of storytelling—long before he realized filmmaking could be his path. In this episode, he shares early doubts, a pivotal college internship, and how his father’s temporary paralysis inspired his acclaimed short Manos de Oro. We talk about his punk rock approach to filmmaking, his love for old cinema, and the emotional weight behind his Oscar-eligible short The Mourning Of. Plus, Merced previews his upcoming feature, The Thing About Elephants, and explains why he’s committed to making movies—and building a creative community—right here in Oak Cliff.

AJ Ramler didn’t set out to be a developer—he just loved old buildings. In this episode, we sit down with the founder of Proxy Properties to talk about his journey from living in a basement quadplex to leading some of the most ambitious adaptive reuse projects in Oak Cliff. From the historic Struck House to the Oak Cliff Assembly and the Madison Hotel, AJ shares the hard-won lessons of preservation, neighborhood involvement, and balancing community needs with the realities of development. We explore what it means to design for people first, why old buildings resonate, and how investing locally can reshape an entire block.

Amy Cowan has helped shape the identity of Bishop Arts through more than just coffee, cocktails, and food. In this episode, we talk with the co-founder behind Oddfellows, Revelers Hall, Trades Deli, and more about how she found her way to Oak Cliff, what New Orleans taught her about hospitality, and how a neighborhood election night watch party and the first Oak Cliff Mardi Gras Parade helped spark a movement. With an eye toward quality, long-time staff, and smart vertical integration, Amy shares how she continues to build community-driven businesses that reflect the heart of the neighborhood.