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.

Jorge Samano, founder of Oak Cliff Bike Synergy, joins us to share his journey from growing up in Chihuahua, Mexico to pioneering mountain biking in northern Mexico, chasing dreams in London, and eventually finding a home in Oak Cliff. We talk about the heart he brings to his work, his belief that bikes are an extension of life itself, and how approachable service has helped him build a loyal community. Jorge reflects on the early days of mountain biking culture, the power of bikes to change lives, and the challenges and hopes for cycling in a car-centric city. Along the way, we explore how small acts of service can shape a neighborhood — and why creating space for cyclists matters more than ever.

Claudia Vega is a lifelong educator turned community builder, bookstore owner, and literary advocate. In this episode, she shares how growing up in Oak Cliff with educator parents instilled a love of books—and how that love became action. Claudia and her husband John co-founded Whose Books, a neighborhood bookstore committed to access, representation, and joy, and ARCO, a nonprofit that builds reading culture through book gifting, programming, and removing barriers to reading. We talk about the obstacles she faced launching a bookstore in a “book desert,” the community’s response, and why cultivating a culture of reading is about equity, not just literacy. Along the way, Claudia reflects on browsing as a lost art, the power of story time, and what it really takes to start something from scratch in the place you call home.

Vincent Holland is the co-founder of Oak Cliff Run Crew and the Say Less Project. In this episode, he shares how a need for connection after the pandemic sparked a Thursday night ritual that now draws hundreds to the bridge at Founders Park. We talk about building community from the ground up, staying rooted in consistency, and creating a space where everyone—from first-time walkers to seasoned marathoners—feels like they belong. Vincent also opens up about his personal journey with grief, the loss of his father, and how that led to the Say Less Project, a powerful mental health awareness run from Dallas to Austin. Through it all, Vincent reflects on what it means to run with purpose and lead with authenticity.We talk about journalism as a public service, the rise of nonprofit newsrooms, and the balancing act of writing for both the archives and the algorithm. Along the way, we dig into her coverage of the Belmont Hotel, navigating conspiracy brain, and why there's joy in hyperlocal journalism—even when you're writing about Southwest Airlines' baggage policy.

Emma Ruby is a staff writer for the Dallas Observer and former editor of the Oak Cliff Advocate, where she quickly became a voice for the neighborhood she now calls home. In this episode, Emma shares how a snarky middle school article about Miley Cyrus kicked off her journalism journey, what it was like to jump headfirst into covering Oak Cliff, and how telling stories about her neighbors helped her fall back in love with reporting.

We talk about journalism as a public service, the rise of nonprofit newsrooms, and the balancing act of writing for both the archives and the algorithm. Along the way, we dig into her coverage of the Belmont Hotel, navigating conspiracy brain, and why there's joy in hyperlocal journalism—even when you're writing about Southwest Airlines' baggage policy.

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!

Greg Brownderville is a poet, musician, professor of English at SMU, and editor of the Southwest Review. He joins us to talk about growing up in Pumpkin Bend, Arkansas, discovering community in Oak Cliff, and the deep influence of Southern folklore on his work. We dig into Firebones, his multimedia storytelling project, and Frontera Fest, a free literary and arts festival in Bishop Arts that blends voices from the U.S. and Latin America. Along the way, we talk ghosts, shade tree storytellers, and why literature should never be boring.