Deconstructing Dallas

Shawn and Ryan catch up with SMU's Director of Athletics Rick Hart. Rick shares about SMU's investment in facilities, winning seasons for SMU football and other sports, as well as the exciting news of SMU's move to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

This week on Deconstructing Dallas, Shawn and Ryan are joined by Jennifer Scripps, President and CEO of Downtown Dallas, Inc., the principal advocate, champion and steward of Downtown Dallas. DDI is a nonprofit that also manages the Public Improvement District for Downtown, providing added security, cleanup, homeless outreach, and general customer service.Jennifer discusses some of the transformative developments on the horizon, the last of five new parks which opened recently and all of the transportation options and opportunities downtown.Also…the TEXAS RANGERS WON THE WORLD SERIES! (Sorry, was that loud?). The guys shed a sports tear while describing their personal journeys with the local baseball team. And the Ags are looking for a new head ball coach. Imagine. All that and more on the countdown to the 100th episode!Web: https://downtowndallas.com/X: @downtowndallasIG: @downtown_dallas

As Season 6 draws to a close, and they guys prepare to celebrate a podcasting milestone, Mark Lamster joins the show.Mark Lamster is the architecture critic for The Dallas Morning News and Loeb Fellow of the Harvard Graduate School of Design. His 2018 biography, The Man in the Glass House, about the late architect Philip Johnson, whose memorial to President Kennedy is located in downtown Dallas, was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography.He is the author of several books and has been a contributing editor to Architectural Review, Design Observer, and ID and writes often for Architect, Architectural Record, and Metropolis, among other design titles. His work has appeared frequently in national publications and magazines, including the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and the Wall Street Journal. Lamster is a native of New York City and holds degrees from Johns Hopkins (BA), and Tufts (MA).World Series talk ensues, as Shawn and Ryan don't know what we now know. (no spoilers).

Bishop Arts Theatre Center (BATC) is kicking off their 30th Anniversary season with the world premiere performance of Franky D. Gonzalez’s new play, The Tragedy of Othello. This entertaining and thought-provoking production is a 120-minute show which will begin October 19th and run for three consecutive weekends through November 5th, 2023.Franky Gonzalez stops by to talk about how his adaptation will retain the original plot but employ a modern aesthetic and language and set in Dallas in current times. The play centers on Imani Othello who encounters racism, sexism and ageism after being named the first Black woman head coach of a football team. The incredible Denise Lee will breathe life into the indomitable spirit of Othello. Franky D. Gonzalez is a Latino playwright based in Dallas and L.A. His work has appeared with The Lark, Sundance Institute, the Ojai Playwrights Conference, NNPN, LTC Carnaval, Latinx Playwrights Circle, Urbanite Theatre, Great Plains Theatre Conference, Goodman Theatre, The New Harmon

Chef Samir Dhurandhar, Founding Chef at Nick & Sam's and author of the book Raising the Steaks is this weeks's guest. Chef Samir talks about the inspiration he drew from eating his mom's cooking and what it was like meeting Julia Child. Chef Samir also gave details on his time at Sfuzzi and explains why Nick & Sam's has been at the top of the game for so long. The guys also talk Cowboys/49ers (boy that didn't age well) and discuss a new way to address their work address. Where People Can Find Samir:IG Handle - @sam4chef IG Handle - @NickandSamsFacebook - Nick & Sam’s SteakhouseNick & Sam'sRaising The Steaks

Vice President and City Leader of the All Stars Project (ASP) of Dallas, Antoine Joyce joins the show, continuing what has been a stellar 6th Season. Antoine has led the creation of cutting-edge youth and community development programs throughout Dallas and nationally. He is also a dynamic and passionate bridge-builder who has introduced Afterschool Development to a diverse array of public and private partners, fostering innovative partnerships and collaborations through ASP’s Afterschool Development Initiatives. Ten years ago, Antoine and his colleagues brought All Stars Project and their focus on development through performance to Dallas. Shawn and Ryan talk to Antoine about the progress made by ASP in the last decade as well as look forward to the future. Of course the guys talk SMU and TAMU football, Dallas Wings basketball and....wait for it....Texas Rangers playoff baseball. What a time to be alive!Also, check out the ASP website and some recent media appearances by Antoine. All Stars Project Dallashttp

Dallas ISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde shares great news about student achievement in the district as Ryan and Shawn come back from summer break.

Shawn and Ryan catch up with Rebecca Acuna, the Director of Government Affairs for PepsiCo. Rebecca shares some inspiring stories from growing up in South Texas, and talks about all her work in politics, including leading the charge for President Biden's 2020 campaign in Texas. Rebecca also discusses her passion for helping children and families as incoming board chair of ChildCare Group. You won't want to miss Rebecca's captivating words, nor Ryan and Shawn's always witty banter.

Shawn and Ryan chat with Texas State Director of Trust for Public Land, Robert Kent. Robert announces big developments for a great space in Shawn's neighborhood (Big Cedar Wilderness) while giving an update on the progress of Five Mile Creek. And Ryan asks Robert directly: Are you a chocolatier?https://www.tpl.org/

This week, Shawn and Ryan talk about the newly branded Shops at Red Bird with local developer Terrence Maiden of Russell Glen. Terrence highlights the opportunities and challenges of working in under invested communities and discusses how the rebirth of Red Bird is coming along. Terrence also informs Deconstructing Dallas about his work with the Maiden Foundation, started with his brother Tim. During the conversation, Shawn referred to an article he wrote about Red Bird 14 years prior to the recording. Saving Old Red Bird Mall by Shawn Williams - May 20, 2009Ryan and Shawn also talk about Mayor Eric Johnson's Greening Initiative and the work Trust for Public Land is doing to support the vision.

Joli Angel Robinson, CEO of Housing Forward, walks Shawn and Ryan through a fascinating career that lead her to leave the private sector to become a public servant. Joli talks about her work at the Dallas Police Department as well as her personal connection to affordable housing, homelessness, and housing instability. Shawn and Ryan also discuss the shootings in Allen and their desire to be part of a solution to mass shootings in Texas. Even though Joli is on a Twitter sabbatical, she can be found via @JoliARobin.Also visit housing forward at https://housingforwardntx.org.

We're back for Season 6 after an abreviated Season 5. Katrice Hardy, Executive Editor of the Dallas Morning News is kicking off 2023. She was most recently Executive Editor of the Indianapolis Star, which won a Pulitzer Prize for national reporting.Katrice shares her vision for The News and talks about her beloved LSU Tigers and their recent National Championship in Women's Basketball.

In the 2nd part of this joint episode, Ryan and Shawn talk with Tom Foley, Founder of T2D Concepts.After actively practicing law for 15+ years, Tom directed his efforts to designing innovative, social entrepreneurially models to drive social justice. In 2016, Tom partnered with celebrity chef Tiffany Derry to launch Roots Chicken Shak. The Shak, along with the Shef Tiffany spice line and the Roots Southern Table, combines culinary skills with social impact, empowering women and girls to follow their passion. https://www.t2dconcepts.com/

This week is a double episode, with the first from Chef Tiffany Derry. Chef Derry's restaurant Roots Southern Table pays homage to the way she grew up eating in the South. Roots founders, Chef Tiffany and Tom Foley (featured in Part 2) know that we are stronger together and that we must honor our roots. At Roots Southern Table, Tom and Tiffany want to evoke the feeling that you’re coming home to those you love.In this first episode Chef Derry talks more about her cooking style and influences, as well as the Presidential meals she has prepared. Roots Southern Tablehttps://www.rootssoutherntable.comRoots Chicken Shakhttps://www.rootschickenshak.com/

This week Shawn and Ryan speak with Cody Cosmic, Executive Director of Friends of WRR. Cody chats about the iconic, 100 year old cultural asset: a radio station that belongs to the City of Dallas. Cody expands on how the Friends of WRR work to ensure the station is available for generations to come.The Friends of WRR is a passionate and thriving community of classical music lovers. For over 40 years, Friends of WRR has collaborated with WRR 101.1 and the Dallas Office of Arts and Culture to ensure that WRR remains a city-owned and independent arts asset and that classical music is a continuous part of the North Texas community.

Councilman Adam Bazaldua, Chair of Dallas' Quality of Life, Arts and Culture Committee is the guest on this episode. Chairman Bazaldua talks to Ryan and Shawn about his days as a chef and educator, as well as reflections on his first council term. Chairman Bazaldua also looks forward to some of his 2022 priorities.

The Deconstructing Dallas crew speaks with Nadine Lee this episode, President & Chief Executive Officer of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). Before coming to DART, Nadine was the Chief of Staff for Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). She also led the development and implementation of the Flatiron Flyer Bus Rapid Transit for Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD).Nadine talks to Ryan and Shawn about . Ryan and Shawn also talk turkey and discuss how they plan to celebrate Thanksgiving. www.dart.org

This week, Deconstructing Dallas hosts Shawn Williams and Ryan Trimble were joined by YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas President/CEO Curt Hazelbaker. Curt, who has been the CEO since 2017, actually began his YMCA career 40 years ago as a day camp counselor. Moving up through the ranks of the organization Curt has a keen understanding of the inner workings of the YMCA and why their services are more important now than ever due to the pandemic. From camp counselor to CEO, Curt discusses the dexterity necessary to stay relevant and the future plans of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. Visit: https://www.ymcadallas.org/Shawn and Ryan also discuss a big win for Allyn Media client Village MD:Dallas backs Walgreens’ clinic partner Village Medical for state tax breakhttps://www.dallasnews.com/business/retail/2021/11/10/dallas-backs-walgreens-clinic-partner-village-medical-for-state-tax-break/

Chief Eddie Garcia stopped by to talk to Allyn Media’s Shawn Williams & Ryan Trimble about what led him to Dallas and what he plans to do now that he’s here. Chief Garcia is Dallas’ first Latino Chief of Police in the department's 140 year history. A Puerto Rican immigrant, Chief Garcia has spent 30 years in law enforcement. From SWAT to VICE and a bit of everything in between, Chief Garcia brings a wealth of experience and explains not only how Dallasites have received him but also what his focus areas are for the city's crime rate. Deeply connected to his Puerto Rican roots, Chief Garcia opens up about how his experiences as an immigrant shaped his idea of what community policing should look like. “Being the head of the community services division was one of the first times I realized that being a police officer was more than just the handcuffs I had on my belt.” - Chief Eddie Garcia

Dr. Eric A. Johnson, Chief of Economic Development, Housing and Neighborhood Services for the City of Dallas, joins Shawn and Ryan on Deconstructing Dallas.Tune in to hear about Johnson's transition to Dallas (moving here just one week before the COVID-19 shutdown) and why he considers himself a creative disrupter with a competitive spirit. Johnson discusses how Dallas differentiates itself from its neighbors (the good, the bad and what makes us unique) and what the recent census report is telling us. He also speaks on the Southern Dallas tax base and what the recently passed Economic Development Policy means for Dallas. Visit: http://www.dallasecodev.org/ Email Dr. Johnson: eric.anthony.johnson@dallascityhall.com