Deconstructing Dallas

In this episode of Deconstructing Dallas, Shawn and Ryan are joined by Heather McGhee, an expert in economic policy research and the author of the book "The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together." Heather discusses her journey exploring the intersection of racism and economics in America, highlighting the impact of racism on public goods, wages, and inequality.Heather reflects on her time at Demos, an organization focused on economic justice, and how her thinking on race and racism evolved during her tenure there. She also discusses the adaptation of her book into a Spotify podcast by Higher Ground, the production company of Barack and Michelle Obama, as well as the upcoming theater adaptation in Dallas.Shawn and Ryan also talk about the upcoming Banned Book Festival at Bishop Arts Theatre Center, inspired by "The Sum of Us," and Heather's thoughts on the book being used as inspiration for a play festival. They discuss the role of arts organizations like Bishop Arts Theater Cen

In this episode of Deconstructing Dallas, Shawn and Ryan sit down with Sam Thompson, CEO of the Circle Ten Council Boy Scouts of America. Sam shares his insights into scouting and its impact on character development and citizenship training. He discusses the transition of scouting to include girls and the importance of inclusivity in scouting programs.The conversation then shifts to the rich history of Camp Wisdom in Southern Dallas, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. Sam provides a glimpse into what makes the camp special and how it has contributed to the community.Shawn and Ryan also delve into how individuals can get involved in scouting and the resources available for those interested in joining. Sam offers valuable information on scouting opportunities and how listeners can connect with their local scouting council.Guest: Sam Thompson, CEO of Circle Ten Council Boy Scouts of AmericaWebsite: circleten.orgInstagram: circletencouncil

Ryan and Shawn catch up with Nicole Brewer and Ross Mulford of Classic Whimsy, the nation's leading e-commerce provider of classic children's clothing. Nicole shares about the history of the company, and the recent rebranding and Ross dives into the growing e-commerce landscape in North Texas. To learn more about Classic Whimsy visit www.classicwhimsy.com.

Tens and tens of listeners rejoice! Deconstructing Dallas has made it to 100 episodes. From politicians to artists, activists to educators, Shawn and Ryan have interviewed a diverse slate of guests who have impacted Dallas, Texas, the U.S., and the world. This show marks the official kickoff of the podcast’s 7th season and the first recording of 2024. The guys look back at some of their most memorable episodes, including interviews with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks attorney Fred Gray, former Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, and PepsiCo business leader Rebecca Acuna. They also recall some of the lowlights, sharing a few of the outtakes that remained on the cutting room floor (so to speak). And there are two very special guests: Linda Williams and Jill Trimble aka the Deconstructing Dallas Moms Club. Shawn and Ryan’s mothers discuss their favorite guests, favorite shows, and favorite parts of their sons’ podcast. So, here’s to a prosperous 2024, an unforgettable 7th season, and 100 more episodes!

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.