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.

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 over 40 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 surrounded by blue-collar grit, a Mexican-American household, and a love for storytelling—long before he knew that 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 dive into 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.

Chris Corpus, Senior Director of Conservation and Community Impact at the Dallas Zoo, joins us to talk about what it really means to care for wildlife—both in faraway ecosystems and right here in Oak Cliff. From creek cleanups and community partnerships to wildlife rescue and international conservation work, Chris shares how his journey from journalism and filmmaking led him to a career centered on people, place, and protecting what’s wild. Along the way, we dig into urban nature, global species recovery, and why empathy and education are at the heart of it all.