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.

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.

This special episode takes us inside one of the most quietly significant homes in Oak Cliff—the Oswald Rooming House Museum. Filmed on-site in the very dining room where Lee Harvey Oswald once sat, we sit down with owner Patricia Puckett-Hall to hear the deeply personal and often surprising stories behind the walls of her family's century-old home. Patricia shares what it was like growing up in the rooming house, and her unique perspective on Oswald—not just as a boarder, but as a young man who played with her brothers and once tried to help her with homework. From alternative theories to untold memories, this episode offers an intimate look at the legacy of a space that remains steeped in both neighborhood history and national mystery.

Oak Cliff historian and author Gayla Brooks joins us to unpack the rich, layered history of this legendary Dallas neighborhood. From the post-war boom and tight-knit high school rivalries to the unforgettable legacy of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gayla shares firsthand stories that connect Oak Cliff’s past to the present. She also sheds light on lesser-known local figures, the impact of JFK’s assassination on the community, and the long-lost hotspots that once defined the area—like Austin’s Barbecue, Wynnewood Theatre, and the infamous drag on Hampton Road. Plus, we dive into the myths and truths about Bonnie and Clyde’s Oak Cliff ties and uncover a wild Heisman Trophy story you won’t believe. If you love Oak Cliff, this one’s for you.