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.

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.

In this special bonus episode, we're sharing the full audio from the Dallas District 1 City Council candidate forum between incumbent Chad West and challenger Katrina Whatley. Hosted in partnership with Heritage Oak Cliff, Wax Space, and the Dallas Observer, this community forum dives into pressing local issues—from affordable housing and development to public safety, neighborhood preservation, and short-term rentals.

Whether you're still undecided or just looking to hear directly from the candidates, we hope this conversation helps inform your vote. Early voting begins April 22nd, and Election Day is May 3rd. Make your voice heard—vote!

Chad West didn’t grow up in Dallas, but Oak Cliff is where he found his community—and where he’s been working ever since to serve it. In this episode, we talk with the District 1 City Council Member about his path from Southern Illinois farm kid to Oak Cliff homeowner, small business owner, and public servant. Chad shares how he ended up in city politics, what he’s learned about housing, zoning, and walkability, and why the real work of change starts at the neighborhood level.