Let's Talk Local

Ryan Binkley and Abteen Vaziri were opponents in the general election this past March. Today, they’ve found friendship and common ground. Join Sarah Zubiate Bennett for a thoughtful conversation with Ryan and Abteen as they explore many of the issues shaping our lives today. They discuss the role of faith in everyday life, why strong families are essential to thriving communities, and how the FIFA...

Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux joins us for a candid conversation about leadership, public safety, and the future of one of America’s fastest-growing cities. With crime trending downward and more officers choosing Dallas while fewer are leaving, Chief Comeaux shares what he believes is driving the department’s success. We discuss how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are transf...

We have the culture, the influence, the innovation, and the ambition to make a compelling case. But Dallas is also at a pivotal moment in its history. Major decisions about the future of City Hall, downtown development, and the city’s long-term growth are all on the table. What should happen with Dallas City Hall? What would it mean if the Mavericks leave the American Airlines Center for a new are...

Do you ever stop and think about how different parenting is today compared to when we were kids? The world is changing fast. Technology has become part of everyday life, phones are constantly competing for our attention, social media can shape a teenager’s self worth, and AI is becoming more present in our lives than most people even realize. For parents, navigating all of this can feel overwhelmi...

In the last episode of Let’s Talk Local , Sam Westrop shared his deep knowledge of Islam and Islamism, breaking down the sects, beliefs, and cultural framework behind the conversation. In this episode, Sarah continues that discussion by sitting down with individuals who have lived under Islamic rule and are now building new lives as Christians in America. Sheri Shamsi fled Iran in 2017 after reali...

Is the Islamization of Texas really happening, or is it just another headline designed to stir fear and confusion? Is Sharia law already happening in Texas? In this episode, Sarah sits down with Sam Westrop to take a closer look at what is fact and what is fiction. As the head of Islamist Watch at the Middle East Forum since 2017, Sam has spent years researching these issues and uncovering informa...

A misogyny law might sound like a good idea in theory, but what happens when it comes at the cost of free speech? That is just one of the topics Sarah Zubiate Bennett explores with Ana Campagnolo, State Deputy of Santa Catarina, Brazil.  While Brazil is known for its beauty, beaches, and vibrant culture, there is a deeper story unfolding. From the role of faith in everyday life to the rise of cons...

Where are you in your faith journey? Are you a devoted Christian striving to live fully for God, or someone still searching for what you believe and how to serve? In this episode of Let’s Talk Local , Sarah sits down with Matt Bennett, Founder and President of Christian Union, for an honest conversation about faith, deliverance, the power of prayer, and what it means to live a truly spiritual life...

Do political conversations in your life get heated fast? Have you seen the name calling and the us versus them mentality coming from both sides? Division feels loud right now, but it does not have to define how we engage. In this episode of Let’s Talk Local, we show that it is still possible to disagree without being disagreeable. This is a candid conversation between people who see the world diff...

Election Day is March 3, and that means it’s time to get informed and get to the polls. With so many names on the ballot, it can be hard to keep track of who’s running for what and why it matters. On this episode of Let’s Talk Local , Sarah sits down with two candidates running for Senate, Ken Paxton and Wesley Hunt, to talk through the issues shaping this election and what’s at stake for Texans....

Sometimes we expect people in certain professions to fit a specific mold… and sometimes, someone comes along and completely shatters it. On this episode of Let’s Talk Local , Sarah is joined by Dr. Sasha Ortiz, a leading clinical psychologist in DFW whose work spans early autism detection, supporting veterans and first responders, and exploring modern, alternative treatments for depression, PTSD,...

We all face seasons that test our strength and our faith. In the first episode of 2026, Sarah sits down with author, speaker, mother, and church leader Landra Hughes to share how faith carried her through life’s hardest moments. Her story is honest, inspiring, and the perfect way to begin a new year with renewed hope.

2025 was a year full of meaningful conversations on Let’s Talk Local . From sports and elections to faith and the issues shaping our community, we covered a wide range of topics that sparked thought, dialogue, and perspective. In this episode, we’ve gone back through the data to highlight some of the biggest moments of the year, giving you a chance to catch up on what you may have missed and to re...

Life is full of twists and turns, and sometimes the only way forward is by leaning on something greater than ourselves. In this episode of Let’s Talk Local , Sarah sits down with her son, Louis, to talk about Future Voices , the weekly column he founded and publishes every Sunday in The Dallas Express . Louis writes candidly about what’s on his mind and how his faith helps him face life head-on. T...

Child advocate Jenna Quinn turned her childhood trauma into a nationwide mission to protect kids and educate the adults who care for them. What began with Jenna’s Law in Texas has now become federal law, transforming how America approaches child safety. She’s also created a path to healing for survivors through her ongoing advocacy and support work. Jenna is a true hero, and we’re honored to share...

Who says Thanksgiving has to mean turkey and dressing? This week, we’re shaking things up with a full-blown Texas-style feast. Think truffle mac and cheese, sweet corn pudding, bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapeños, and Dr Pepper ribs so tender they barely hang onto the bone. And these ribs? They’re not just some recipe pulled off the internet. Award-winning cookoff champion Travis Bennett, yes, Sarah’s...

Think DART Doesn’t Affect You? Think Again. And it could get worse. Even if you’ve never stepped foot on a DART train or bus, you’re still paying for it—every time you shop in Dallas. A portion of your sales tax goes straight to DART’s budget. But despite all that funding, the agency is buried in billions of dollars of debt. So what went wrong? In this episode of Let’s Talk Local , we dig into the...

Josh Hickman has been creating art since he was a kid and, trust us, you can tell. He’s not just an artist, but also an author with a gift for storytelling. His latest book, Forgetting , shares the deeply personal journey of caring for his mother as she faced dementia. Josh joined Sarah in the studio to talk about his writing, and then welcomed us into his home for an up-close tour of his art coll...

Dallas has style and Bob Baumann is proof. At the House of Baumann, he’s crafting custom pieces that fit like they were made just for you (because they are). From suits and sport coats to boots and shoes, Bob brings fashion to the heart of Texas. Join us for a walk through Bob’s spectacular showroom, where everything’s for sale—well, almost everything (the Corvette and Harley are off-limits).  Bob...

This episode is deeply personal. Sarah opens up about an experience from her teenage years — a time when she faced pregnancy from horrific circumstances and then made the difficult decision to terminate. Now, years later, she reflects on that moment and what it has taught her about life, faith, and grace in a heartfelt conversation with Roland Warren, President & CEO of Care Net. If you’ve eve...

Texas tunes, fried food, and a whole lot of fun! Wade Bowen, Texas Country legend, family man, and Lone Star hero, joins Sarah on Let’s Talk Local! He’s raised millions for families in Central Texas, played thousands of shows, and now he’s sharing stories from the road (and the heart) before taking the stage at the State Fair of Texas. Then Sarah hits the fairgrounds with the toughest critics arou...

Wall Street may have the spotlight, but it’s time to make room for Y’all Street ! The Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE) just received federal approval from the SEC, a major milestone that sets the stage for Dallas to become a true powerhouse in the world of finance. In this episode of Let’s Talk Local , we take you inside a Metroplex Civic and Business Association (MCBA) luncheon featuring a fascinating...

Tim Young may be known for running his mouth, but this conversation shows a whole new side of him. In this episode, Sarah sits down with the bold and hilarious man who’s captured the hearts of millions on social media. Tim gets real about the issues, shares stories you won’t hear anywhere else, and even lets us in on a few of his favorite (and least favorite!) things. He’s all about the Grapevine...

Every child deserves access to a world-class education — but for far too many in Dallas, that dream still feels out of reach. Roughly 144,000 economically disadvantaged students live within DISD boundaries, and 40% of children living in poverty aren’t prepared to start school. These aren’t just statistics — they’re the future of our city. That’s why the Dallas Education Collective exists: to bring...

Alex Stein has built a reputation as a social media firebrand—whether it’s freestyle rapping at city council meetings or stirring up headlines in Austin, he knows how to grab attention and spark conversation. Monty Bennett, meanwhile, co-founded The Dallas Express with Sarah to cover the stories others weren’t telling, while also leading efforts to make Dallas stronger and better. In this episode,...