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: [email protected]

Shawn Williams and Ryan Trimble welcome Christine Perez, Editor of D CEO, on Deconstructing Dallas by way of the MZ Virtual Studios in Cyberspace. From the days of hobby writing as a young girl to winning the 2021 Editorial Excellence Awards, Perez shares her journey in learning from the best in the business in our "can-do" city of Dallas.

Founded by the late Wick Allison, Perez talks about what sets D CEO apart from other business magazines, about her experience capturing stories about the people and business of Dallas, their latest round of nonprofit awards, and D CEO's commitment to diversity.

And for all you book lovers out there, tune in to hear about D CEO's relaunching of the Big D Reads initiative with Communities Foundation of Texas.

Share stories about people and businesses in Dallas making our community better. Email Christine: [email protected]

Tune in to hear Shawn and Ryan break things down with Jason Stanford, co-author of New York Times bestselling book, Forget the Alamo. Stanford discusses how he and co-authors Bryan Burrough and Chris Tomlinson came to write this historical piece and the most recent events that led to its flying off library shelves.

If you’re still waiting for your copy, Forget the Alamo challenges misconceptions of Texas’s past and the fight for independence aka what all kids in Texas learn in 7th grade history class. On Deconstructing Dallas, myth-buster and history buff Jason Stanford dives into how some of these myths were created and the politics enforcing them, what it means to teach our kids history as good and bad, and the fight that he and Forget the Alamo is a part of today.

Sign up for the Experiment Newsletter here: https://jasonstanford.substack.com/

And follow Jason Stanford on Twitter: @JasStanford

Philip Hiatt Haigh, Executive Director of the Circuit Trail Conservancy (CTC) joins Shawn and Ryan as their first in studio guest since March 2020. Philip explains why Dallas consistently ranks among the least bikeable cities, systemic challenges with transportation, and how active transportation (anything but your car) makes a city more robust.

In partnership with the City of Dallas, CTC is soon beginning construction of The Loop, a project connecting already-existent trails in our city to develop a 50-mile loop that links neighborhoods in all four quadrants of the city. So, dust off that spandex and tune in to hear more about safe, reliable, state of the art trails coming soon to a neighborhood near you.

theloopdallas.org
facebook.com/TheLoopDallas/
@theloopdallas

Former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Joe Straus talks about his family's political history in Texas and his own entry into politics. He also discusses the decision he and his wife made to join a Black Lives Matters march in the Terrell Hills community of San Antonio. Speaker Straus also talks about his organization Texas Forever Forward and their work to produce better policy outcomes.

Ryan and Shawn also revel in recording their first episode together (in person) since March 2020. Bro hugs all around.

Jerry Hawkins, Executive Director of Dallas Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (DTRHT) join Ryan and Shawn on this episode. DTRHT is part of a national 14-place initiative by The W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Jerry explains the reckoning that's needed in order address the lingering effects of racism, and discusses some of the historical events that still have an impact on Dallas today. Jerry also tells listeners why a trip to Half Price Books could be a first step towards healing.

Jerry on Twitter: @jerryleads

Dallas TRHT on Twitter, LinkedIn & Instagram: @dallastrhc

www.dallastrht.org

Dale Long grew up in racially turbulent and thoroughly segregated Birmingham, Alabama. He was in the 16th Street Baptist Church the day it was bombed by Ku Klux Klan members, killing Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Denise McNair.

Dale recalls his memories from the moment the bomb went off and the events that followed, along with other notable memories from his childhood. Long discusses the legacy of racism and how it persists today, the epiphany he had while looking into Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s eyes, his calling to be a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and so much more.

Dale’s Email: [email protected]

Lynn McBee takes the cake as the first ever returning guest on Deconstructing Dallas. From the MZ Studios Virtual Studios in Cyberspace, Shawn and Ryan speak with Lynn McBee - CEO, Board Chair, biochemist, runner, former Dallas Mayoral candidate, philanthropic extraordinaire, among many other worn hats.

McBee talks about her role as CEO at Young Women's Preparatory Network and what it means to have a school recognized as the #2 school in the state (15th in the nation). She dives into her latest work at EarthX and the millions of viewers across the globe they're reaching weekly. She discusses For Oak Cliff and their recent move and expansion to the former YMCA. And finally, tune in to hear how McBee believes the philanthropic community has rallied, grown and come together to move Dallas forward this past year.

TWEET: @lmcbee4dallas
WRITE: [email protected]
WATCH: EarthXTV.com

From Christian ministry to recent Editorial Writer at The Dallas Morning News, Ryan Sanders shares his journey and life calling to being a writer. Sanders discusses DMN candidate questionnaires and endorsements, working with the editorial board, and the shifts in content creation during a distant and digital year. Sanders is also author of two books, Unbelievable and Now & Then.

And a question for our Dallas listeners: have you voted yet? Be like Shawn, cast a vote and a fishing line! However and wherever you decide, go vote!

Keep in touch with our guest, Ryan Sanders:
Website: theryansanders.com
Twitter: @theryansanders

... And our hosts, Shawn and Ryan:
@rtrimble15
@shawnpwilliams

Trammell S. Crow joins Shawn and Ryan to talk all things EarthX and the environment on Deconstructing Dallas. Trammell tells how he accidentally planned the largest environmental gathering in the world (because everything's bigger in Texas) and how their one-day event grew into a larger global movement. From the unintended impact of COVID extending their reach to addressing significant environmental news on EarthX TV, Trammell talks about his commitment, and personal EarthX style, to tackling environmental issues.

Tune in to EarthX events April 16-25th.

www.EarthX.org