Let's Talk Local

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,...

Pain is something we all face—but how we respond to it is what shapes our story. In this episode of Let’s Talk Local , Sarah sits down with two incredible women who turned their hardest seasons into a powerful purpose. Julia Hoffman walked through the challenges of divorce and, out of her own healing, founded Hoffman Collaborative Therapy to guide families through similar struggles. Our producer,...

What impact are the clothes in your closet having on the world we share? The fast fashion conversation starts with unethical labor—but it goes much deeper. Could your laundry be killing marine life? Could the shirt you’re wearing be harming the baby growing inside you? Could its very fabric be the reason people smell you from several feet away? Then we’re taking it a step further. Sarah’s future f...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Local , Sarah is joined by author and pastor of St. Rita Catholic Community, Father Joshua Whitfield, for a thoughtful conversation about family life in today’s fast-paced world. Together, they explore the challenges of raising kids in a culture of constant motion—from overscheduled calendars and the pressures of social media to the impact of fast fashion and perfecti...

Mital Patel is reshaping Dallas hospitality while protecting Africa’s wildlife. As an award-winning photographer, he transforms stunning images of endangered animals into critical funding for conservation efforts. His journey blends business, family, and a passion for preservation—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, we’re tackling one of the most urgent issues facing Texas families: school choice. Our guest is Corey DeAngelis—author, national speaker, and one of the country’s leading voices in the fight for educational freedom. Corey has tracked the rise of universal school choice across the U.S. and has seen firsthand how it transforms lives. If you’re a parent of a K-12 student in Texas, th...

Who killed JFK—and why won’t this 61-year-old question go away? The answer is simple: because the headlines we see today can be traced back to that moment in Dealey Plaza. In this eye-opening episode of Let’s Talk Local , we unpack the lasting impact of JFK’s assassination with two experts—Dory Wiley and Dennis McCuistion. From well-known theories to those you’ve possibly never heard, they walk us...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Local , we’re taking you on a whirlwind journey—from bargain hunting at the legendary Canton First Monday Trade Days to rubbing elbows with fashion royalty in the Big Apple. Sarah kicks things off in East Texas, exploring the quirky charm, unbeatable deals, and mouthwatering eats that make Trade Days a monthly must-see. Then it’s wheels up to New York City, where she...

She’s a Dallas  sweetheart with NFL sideline swagger—and she’s just getting started. Jane Slater has built a career at the NFL Network that most sports journalists only dream of, thanks to her unmatched grit, hustle, and heart. But there’s so much more to Jane than breaking stories and game-day glam. In this episode, Jane opens up like never before—about finding true love, dialing in on her health...

Staying ahead of your health doesn’t have to be hard—or expensive. In this episode of Let’s Talk Local , Sarah Zubiate Bennett sits down with Dr. Manik Aggarwal and Matt Lindenmeyer—two experts in proactive medicine who have personally impacted her life. They break down how you can take control of your health without the overwhelm of time, cost, or insurance red tape. If you’ve ever felt stuck in...

Cabo is Coming to Dallas – and We’re Here for It! Cabo San Lucas may be just a passport stamp and a quick three-hour flight from DFW, but why hop on a plane when you can get the Cabo experience right here in the heart of Dallas? 🌴 La Lupita, a beloved Cabo staple known for its epic vibes and unforgettable flavors, is about to open its doors in the Design District—and trust us, this isn’t just a r...

From Global Design Icon to Supermom: Meet Kellie Sirna. She’s transforming spaces around the world — from luxury hotels to jaw-dropping venues with actual hunting simulators — and now she’s bringing her brilliance to Let’s Talk Local . Kellie Sirna is more than a powerhouse designer; she’s also a fearless entrepreneur and single mom of two, balancing creativity, business, and motherhood with style...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Local , Sarah brings in her top style consultants—her 12-year old twins, Liliana and Louis—for some fashion-forward fun with a color analysis app! Because let’s be honest… if you can’t trust your kids to help pick your wardrobe, who can you trust? With AI calling the shots and plenty of giggles along the way, they tackle spring and summer style decisions right from ho...