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 revisit conversations from earlier in 2025 that might look a little different today. Happy New Year and we can’t wait for 2026!

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. The conversation also introduces the column’s very first contributor, Cooper Kimosh. At just 14 years old, Cooper shares how prayer guides him through uncertainty and why faith plays such an important role in his life.

Together, they offer a powerful look at life, faith, and perspective through the eyes of the next generation.

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 her story on this episode of Let’s Talk Local.

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 cousin-in-law, rolled up with his custom grill-on-a-trailer and shared some of his grill-master secrets for getting ribs just right.

If you love food as much as we do, you’re not going to want to miss this episode. This just might be the start to your new Thanksgiving tradition!

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 mismanagement that’s led to rising fares, service cuts, executive bonuses, possible corruption, and even a 44% jump in crime on the system. And with cities now considering pulling out of DART altogether—what happens to your money if they do? We discuss with Dallas Express reporter Logan Washburn and Texas House Representative Mitch Little.

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 collection. It’s emotional, honest, and unforgettable.

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’s style is unmatched, and once you meet him, you’ll see why we’re such big fans.

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 ever faced a hard decision and found yourself looking back with questions, this episode is for you. It’s an honest, compassionate conversation about choices, healing, and hope — shared without judgment and with an open heart.