Deconstructing Dallas Deconstructing Dallas

In this episode your favorite podcasters interview Rick Loessberg, author of Two Societies. Two Societies discusses how a presidential commission of eleven individuals with differing opinions studied the horrendous rioting of 1967, unanimously concluded it was not the result of radicals but was instead a response to decades of pervasive discrimination, and produced a boldly-worded 600-page report in only seven months. It also assesses whether the protests and disorder that followed George Floyd’s death in 2020 were similar to 1967’s rioting and to what extent there has been progress in eliminating the discrimination that existed in 1967.

Rick  is a retired Director of Planning & Development for Dallas County where he established the County’s first housing rehab, Section 8, tax incentive, and CDBG programs.

The latest episode brings Shawn and Ryan to the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands' June meeting where your hosts were the featured speakers. They took the time to record a podcast and what do you know...they interviewed one another. The guys covered a lot of ground, including their backgrounds, life at Allyn Media, the Deconstructing Dallas podcast origin story and how they both married up.

The Exchange Club of Lake Highlands is an affiliate of the National Exchange Club.  The original purpose of “Exchange,” which continues today, was to create grass roots organizations for the exchange of ideas leading to community involvement and enhancement in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas, Texas.  This objective has been refined over the years to focus on the prevention of child abuse and a broad array of youth service, citizenship programs and community services, including the area schools and Family Compass.

eclh.org

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 Centre in addressing inequality and promoting social change.

Shawn and Ryan also reflect on the 2024 Dallas Bond Campaign and the passing of West Dallas community activist Raul Reyes Jr.

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 America

Website: circleten.org
Instagram: 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!