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20 Oct 2024
A Look at Dallas with Sarah Zubiate Bennett: A City of Promise, But Are We There Yet?

Join Sarah Zubiate Bennett as she cruises through Dallas, sharing her favorite aspects of the city and the passion that fuels her drive for change. Then, we take a quick detour to Sarah’s home for some exciting updates on the podcast that we can’t wait to reveal!

0:00
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Host

Episode Timeline

All Episodes
00:00
Intro with Sarah Zubiate Bennett
03:15
What could improve Downtown Dallas?
07:28
What have we been up to with the podcast?
08:29
Why we’re building our own studio
15:40
When will the relaunch of the podcast happen?
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Join host Sarah Zubiate Bennett on Let’s Talk Local as she uncovers the stories, people, and places shaping Dallas, fostering a stronger and more connected community—let's get to know the real Dallas!

Full Transcript

00:07
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Okay. So we're heading south on the toll road. We're about to exit 35, and we're heading to city hall. I'm gonna be talking about my reasons to why I have such passion about our city and making it better. On this podcast, it's where I'm able to ask questions by different community leaders and business leaders to ensure that our elected officials have a really good dialogue to be able to base some really important decisions off of, gives a better idea as to what our constituents want, and also some of the challenges that our city and business leaders might be up against in helping make our city absolutely Clearly, a Clearly, a lot of other people think it's beautiful because they're all moving here.
01:12
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Here's Dallas City Hall. And the thing is about our leaders in City Hall, I do believe that they're all well intentioned. At least I would like to think so. I just really hope that we can rally around laws that will actually make this city function better than it's functioning today. I think it looks good.
01:35
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
I mean, oh, you see those homeless people over there? They're all kind of congregating in the front. No. It's right in front of city hall. It's an issue, clearly.
01:51
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
I just hate that it's like a literal act of congress to get anything of substance passed, But I think you all saw that whenever I went to the homelessness roundtable in Austin, there's so many different approaches to tackle homelessness. And with that, I know there's a refuge for renewal that's starting up in Dallas. But to find the exact location, the right people to help the fundraising because it's a hugely expensive endeavor, It's gonna take a lot of people working together, but it is an issue. So in places like Dallas, if you look around at these beautiful buildings, right, it could be such a mecca for vibrant business, vibrant community space, but it's not. Like, there's some music.
02:50
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
The other day, I was, down here having lunch with a friend at the Jewel. And as we were sitting right by the window, there were several homeless people that were walking by the window who would stop. They were not in their right mind, and it did not feel the safest as we just sat at the adorable restaurant and had lunch. But this downtown, if it embraced some type of cowboy country Nashville vibe and spent on making this space really safe so that businesses could thrive. I mean, what a win for Dallas.
03:30
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
But instead, people are moving out of the city center and are not down in places like downtown or even Dallas proper, North Dallas. Because in the safer communities, even like Devonshire, that woman was mugged, gagged, robbed because they followed her from celebration, which is on lovers, to her house. I mean, what the hell is happening to our city? It's awful. Awful.
03:55
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
It's an issue. So whenever I came down here for jury duty the other day, we had to park here in this jury and visitor parking. And as I was getting out, there were a lot of, I guess, convicted people, being let out. But strangely enough, I didn't feel as unsafe here as I do downtown right where we were. I I don't know why.
04:31
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Probably because there's more police here. Oh, lord. It's right here at Woodrow Rogers. Oh, no. A homeless encampment.
04:39
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
That's just awful. They need a place to go, some shelter. Even if they wanna do drugs, they have to have that low barrier for both. It's an absolute necessity to make sure that people rally around the best solution. A one stop shop is not the best.
05:06
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
There's already so many different organizations set up to help address the homelessness situation. It's just we still need that place. We still need we still need the permanent housing. We still need the housing solution solved. So if there's some viable solution which we can get a shelter set up, then that is an easy way for all of these organizations to work together seamlessly.
05:33
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
They can still have their remote locations, but they can also have an on campus presence, just kind of like the Haven for Hope in San Antonio. But for me, I think it's the absolute best for everyone to go to one place. So all services are there. And like I said, it can be a micro version of what a lot of these other larger buildings offer. So many of these organizations who are helping to address homeless have spent 1,000,000 upon 1,000,000 upon 1,000,000 on their own buildings, their infrastructure to address the situation.
06:09
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
So they do not wanna be viewed as a failure, yep, with respect to how they've been approaching it now. But the the model has to be totally, totally revamped because as it exists today, it's just not the best solution. And it's illegal to loiter in these particular spaces, but our jails are so full. Whenever the police take, let's say, a homeless person who might actually be a danger or threat because they're, mentally altered, right, mentally altered, right, due to substances or just chemical issues, they just can't keep them.
06:44
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
They can't hold them in jail for very long. So then they're back out on the street. So until the homelessness situation's addressed and the police force situation, not much is gonna change. Oh, remember we came here and did the Fletcher recording last year. Hold on.
07:07
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
It was right here. Right? So did you see that security right there? See, that makes me happy because Clydes Warren Park is beautiful. Look at this.
07:16
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
I mean, it's it appears to be a place where people feel safe.
07:26
Shannon
Hi, Shannon. Hi, Sarah.
07:29
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
So I know we're here because I wanted to talk about the new look and feel
07:34
Shannon
Mhmm.
07:34
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
That we're gonna have in the very near future.
07:38
Shannon
I know. I know. Look at it.
07:40
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
It's a very near future. I've it's been a lot of fun. We've had some excitement setting up this new space. Right?
07:48
Shannon
I know. One day it's an idea and the next day it's it's there. I know. It's coming together. It's crazy.
07:54
Shannon
Slowly coming together.
07:55
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
What's the deal, Shannon?
07:57
Shannon
We're trying to figure out how to make these mic stands work. These are very good at it. No.
08:03
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
The the it can't it can't bear the weight. You can't wear these too heavy. No. This is so shit. Okay.
08:12
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
So we're gonna we're gonna get rid of these. Right? What are we how are we gonna, like, get this nicked off? Get what nicked off? Because we're still gonna keep these mics.
08:25
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
So the mics, they're those are coming in. All so all of this. Okay. So we're piecing together this new look and feel of the show because the Jeff Crowley studio where we've been recording, I mean, it's so beautiful. It is.
08:36
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
It's incredible. I just wanted to be able to kick back and relax a little bit more Mhmm. In my own space. And they're pricey because they're they're good. Right?
08:45
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Yeah. They're good. It's a beautiful studio. But in my effort to just wanna make sure that it's more of my vibe
08:53
Shannon
Yeah.
08:54
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Right? A little closer to earth and, approachable, touchable. Yeah. But it's been kind of a an experience setting up this this
09:04
Shannon
But it's so gorgeous. Gorgeous. It's gonna be so cool. The chairs? The chairs and I can't wait to see the hide that's gonna go down.
09:12
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
The hides.
09:12
Shannon
I think about that all the time.
09:14
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
I know.
09:14
Shannon
I know that's kinda weird, but I do.
09:16
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
No. No. No. It's gonna look it'll have that nice contrast.
09:19
Shannon
And the space in the back where we can make cocktails and mocktails for guests.
09:23
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Yes. Yes. It's gonna be perfect.
09:25
Shannon
But we need to learn how to do that. I can make some cocktails.
09:28
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
But we do. Maybe we have someone come to just
09:31
Shannon
I don't even make my own drinks. That's right. I don't trust myself.
09:34
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
That's right. You just eat guac.
09:38
Shannon
With my finger. Yes. But I'm so excited. I'm so so so excited
09:44
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
to launch this thing. I am too.
09:46
Shannon
It's gonna be great.
09:47
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
I agree. I agree. I'm I'm looking forward to it and I really hope that the viewers and the listeners will love it as well.
09:53
Shannon
Oh, they will. I agree. How could they not? I know. It's you.
09:56
Shannon
You're lovable. You're likable.
09:57
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Thank you.
09:58
Shannon
You're Sara Zubiate Bennett. Thank
10:01
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
you. Well, I wish that you were in front of the camera with me a lot more because you make me feel comfortable so thank you.
10:06
Shannon
Oh, of course. This might this is what I know how to do.
10:08
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
I know it is. What are you talking about? I know. She's she's pro. She's the most professional on this team.
10:15
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Right, Ryan?
10:16
Shannon
Or the I should say the most seasoned.
10:19
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Not the most the most seasoned person.
10:22
Shannon
The oldest. Are you oldest? Maybe a little bit. Not much. Not much.
10:31
Shannon
But, yeah, I've I've done this a little bit.
10:34
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
So I know you wanted to ask me some fun questions.
10:38
Shannon
Are they fun though, Sarah? I mean, I think they're important. Important. Well, yeah. They're important but I don't know that they're so fun.
10:46
Shannon
But we'll just get down to it. I'm like,
10:48
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
I always think crab's fun when I probably should.
10:52
Shannon
Well that's your that's who you are.
10:53
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Flushing out fleshing out the truth.
10:54
Shannon
You're positive. Thanks. You're hopeful. Most of the time. You're optimistic, right?
11:00
Shannon
Yes. I get optimistic and pessimistic confused. So bear with me. Yeah. But you know something that's kinda top of mind right now Uh-huh.
11:08
Shannon
With the people in your life Yes. Very close to you
11:12
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Yes. Yes.
11:13
Shannon
Yes. Very close to you Yep. Are kinda controversial. Yeah. And I think that you have a gift for kinda keeping a level headed approach Thanks.
11:24
Shannon
With
11:25
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
people.
11:26
Shannon
How do you manage to to do that? To keep your opinion like, if your opinion is super different than those, how do you manage to keep so, like, calm, like, level headed? Sarah's would be out the minute.
11:38
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
No. I'm I don't think anyone that really knows me would be like, oh, she's calm. No. Oh, no. But as far as the level headed approach, so, yeah, I have a lot of people close in my orbit who, and I'm talking friends.
11:54
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
You you name it.
11:54
Shannon
Yeah.
11:55
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Right? Who just view things very differently than even myself. Absolutely. Right? Or even, my spouse.
12:03
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
And I think the best way to approach all these different spaces, I'm really being deliberate about focusing on what commonalities I have with people. I've always done that naturally.
12:18
Shannon
Mhmm.
12:19
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
But I just have to be even more mindful of it today because it is such a divisive world. And whenever there's really controversial issues like even this hero initiative. Right?
12:30
Shannon
Yes.
12:30
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
You hear Monty out there kinda speaking about why this is important, why this is passionate, like, why he's passionate about these particular charter amendments. And then I have, dear friends who are opposing them. And I love all of these people. Right? And I align more with Monty hands down on these particular amendments.
12:54
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
But these other people, I mean, I love them. I love them and so for me, just like my parents who've I've in my father's past, but I viewed things very differently from them my entire life. So I think I just had the upbringing to to groom me for it. But I just believe that there's a lot more that we can focus on that that brings us together. Right.
13:21
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
And so because of that, just because I might not align with them, as it relates to the amendments, let's say, I still believe that those people are well intentioned, good people, and will be able to have really productive conversations. Now does everyone on the team or in my orbit approach things like I do? No. But that's okay because I think it takes all different types in this world to make any type of progress. And through progress, as you know, there's personally, I'm saying personal progress.
13:59
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Any progress in general is always met with a degree of discomfort. And so I appreciate the discomfort and that's why I'm like these are fun conversations to have because they're not boring, they're not wise, it's truth. It's truth and it's it should be looked at as I think something to lean into with a lot more love, compassion, and acceptance because that's what we all are. None of us have any ability to judge others. We can disagree and we can say, okay.
14:32
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
That's not so much how I believe it should be solved or how I would approach or tackle a situation, but I respect you. I respect you because you are beautifully and wonderfully created and that that alone is something that I'm very passionate about. I think it's very important to not forget.
14:54
Shannon
I wish you could teach that.
14:57
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
I'm trying to teach my kids. They are the people that I teach. But as far as others, I mean, I don't know. It's just part of how I live life and don't always get it perfectly, but I try.
15:10
Shannon
You do a damn good job. Thank you. I admire that about you.
15:13
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Thank you so much.
15:14
Shannon
Thank you. Of course. Well, I do think that who you are as a person I I think that that's who you are as a person and I think that it shows in the podcast. Thank you. And that's part of the reason why I'm I'm personally so excited to be part of this team.
15:28
Shannon
Thank you. Because that truly is who you are.
15:32
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Well, it's who you are too.
15:33
Shannon
And I don't dread meetings. Like, normally, I would dread meetings, but they don't suck with you. Thank you. So I love that. Thank you.
15:40
Shannon
But with all that said Yeah. When are we going to launch this thing? This new feel, this new vibe of a podcast?
15:47
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
This new look and feel. It's gonna be after election
15:49
Shannon
Okay.
15:50
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Because right now, it's it is a contentious time. Yeah. Right? And so I'm just gonna kinda give pause to that. Right now, we're in mid October, but at some point, immediately following, the that election.
16:04
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Okay. Giving it all just time to breathe, us to finalize the space, make it what it needs to be because right now, it's not done.
16:13
Shannon
We don't wanna do it fast. No. We wanna do it right. Yeah. So we're gonna take our time.
16:18
Shannon
Yep. Make sure it's something people wanna look at, wanna see.
16:21
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Yeah.
16:21
Shannon
Something that's comfortable for you and guests.
16:23
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Yep.
16:24
Shannon
And then tune in because it's gonna be great. It is.
16:29
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
And the content, while the same, we're gonna be injecting and inserting different, I think, different spans of information which is long overdue. Oh, yeah. Yeah.
16:40
Shannon
I'm excited. I'm excited too.
16:42
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
Thank you for asking this question.
16:44
Shannon
Of course.
16:44
Sarah Zubiate Bennett
A lot of people ask it, so thank you. For sure.
featuring our host.
SARAH ZUBIATE BENNETT
Venture Philanthropist, Host and Executive Producer of Let’s Talk Local, bold leader driving growth in private and social sectors.
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