Episodes

  • Reviving Downtown Dallas | Working Title Ep. 70

    Reviving Downtown Dallas | Working Title Ep. 70
    Nov 14 2025
    Why are people moving back downtown Dallas and what still needs to change in the Big D? Jennifer Scripps, CEO of Downtown Dallas Inc joins the Working Title show to unpack the projects, the politics, and the practical fixes driving Dallas’s downtown comeback. From public improvement districts and safety teams to new parks, college campuses, and convention-center plans, Jennifer walks us through what’s changed in Dallas, what’s working, and what still needs to happen to make downtown a seven-day, mixed-use neighborhood people actually WANT to live, work, and play in. This episode covers: What Downtown Dallas Inc. (DDI) does—security, clean teams, outreach, planning—and how the public improvement district funds those services. Post-pandemic downtown trends: office return patterns, rising weekend foot traffic, and why Saturday can be busier than some weekdays. The growth of downtown housing and why a true 7-day downtown needs grocery stores, parks, and neighborhood services. Safety and coordination with DPD, camera footage sharing, and DDI’s role in quality-of-life enforcement. Big-picture projects: convention center renovation, Dallas College expansion, rehabbing iconic office towers, and the need for more hotel rooms and destination dining. Infrastructure challenges (old signaling, tunnels, parking) and the opportunity FIFA and other events create for long-term improvements. Why downtown matters to the whole region—jobs, tax base, and future growth—and the vision for a pedestrian-friendly, activated core. If you care about Dallas urban revitalization, Dallas city planning, or how public-private partnerships actually move a downtown forward, this episode gives practical, boots-on-the-ground insight from one of the people leading the effort. Quick highlights: -DDI overview & public improvement district -Post-pandemic office + residential trends -Safety, outreach, and coordination with DPD -Convention center, Dallas College, and jobs pipeline -Redevelopment wins & future vision Guest: Jennifer Scripps, President & CEO of Downtown Dallas inc https://downtowndallas.com/ Hosts: Zach Sams leads Kensington Vanguard National Title Company in Texas and Arizona. Zach is also the President of Nexus Caritas Opus, LLC, the charitable organization that hosts and runs The Bonanza at the Border Charity Golf Tournament in Lajitas, TX. Dallas Cothrum - Dallas Cothrum is the CEO of Masterplan Consultants, the oldest land use and zoning firm in Texas. He is formerly a tenured professor in the University of Texas System. He co-hosts the “Working Title” podcast about DFW Real Estate. And he is a Dallas Morning News contributing columnist. Tyler Isbell, Senior Vice President and Principal,SRS Real Estate Partners: Tyler co-hosts the “Working Title” podcast about DFW Real Estate. He is a retail CRE strategist and dealmaker with SRS, specializing in National Tenant Representation, Capital Markets, and business development. He is blessed with loyal clients and good mentors, who align smart investment strategy with community impact and long-term stewardship
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    41 mins
  • Rooting for Downtown Dallas | Working Title Ep. 69

    Rooting for Downtown Dallas | Working Title Ep. 69
    Nov 10 2025
    Dallas is changing fast. The crew digs into why local coverage feels thinner, what that means for residents and investors, and how decisions downtown ripple across the entire metro.

    Real estate touches everything. From arena politics to permitting portals, each decision shifts values, activity, and the Dallas city’s story.

    What We Get Into:
    If you care about Dallas, real estate, and growth, this is your show.

    Episode Recap:
    -Downtown at a tipping point:
    -Safety + homelessness perceptions vs. on-the-ground improvements
    -Functional obsolescence: big towers, thin parking, street-level retail challenges
    -How perceptions shape capital flows, leasing, and where people choose to live and work
    -Sports as an economic engine:
    -What happens to hotels, restaurants, and tax base if the Mavs or Stars leave the core?
    -Why modern teams want full control of districts—and what it would take to keep them in Dallas proper
    -Big civic chessboard:
    -City Hall’s future location (museum piece vs. pragmatic move)
    -Convention center overhaul and the risk/reward for downtown vitality
    -Signals from City departments: permitting tech upgrades, faster responses, signs of accountability
    -Projects to watch: Landmark towers eyeing mixed-use conversions; why resetting basis on older buildings matters; where adaptive reuse beats wrecking balls.

    Culture & community sidebars:
    -State Fair of Texas 2025 recap low attendance dynamics, Cotton Bowl upgrades
    -School district perceptions (HP vs. IB at Woodrow) and why perception = pricing
    -Skilled trades boom: electricians, plumbers, welders—the backbone growth Dallas actually needs

    We want YOU!

    Got a downtown data point, development rumor, or topic we should chase? DM the show. Subscribe, rate, and share if you want a smarter Dallas conversation in your feed every week.

    Hosts: Zach Sams with co-hosts Tyler Isbell & Dallas Cothrum
    Co-hosts Tyler Isbell and Dallas Morning News Writer Dallas Cothrum, shifting from guest-only spotlights to a weekly round-up of the real Dallas—especially where news, real estate, sports, and city policy collide.
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    44 mins
  • Working Title Ep. 67: Navigating Real Estate, Luxury Storage, and Fitness Trends in Today’s Market

    Working Title Ep. 67: Navigating Real Estate, Luxury Storage, and Fitness Trends in Today’s Market
    Oct 9 2025

    Tyler Isbell returns as co-host on Working Title with Zach Sams — and this week’s episode is packed with real estate insights, golf dreams, and Texas-sized innovation. ️⛳

    First: Big news to talk about with co-host Tyler Isabell, Zach Sams is going to the Mid-Am!
    Zach Sams shares his humble excitement for qualifying for the US Mid-Amateur and shooting a bogey-free 68!
    Zach and Tyler talk about what Zach needed to qualify for this, and a big congrats from Tyler.
    264 players made it out of 9,000!

    From luxury “man cave” storage spaces and the launch of a jaw-dropping new gym to interest rate uncertainty and upcoming major golf tournaments, Tyler and Zach break down what’s shaping the market — and their personal milestones — heading into 2025.

    Topics Covered:
    · Why “luxury storage” is becoming the new man cave trend in real estate
    · Inside Texas’ most talked-about gym — a 45,000 sq. ft. powerhouse built for serious lifters
    · How fluctuating interest rates are freezing deals and widening the bid-ask gap
    · Tyler’s golf journey to the U.S. Mid-Amateur & what it takes to qualify out of 9,000 hopefuls
    · Retail and fitness markets: challenges, bankruptcies, and fresh opportunities

    Episode Highlights:
    · 00:01:10 — Zach qualifies for the U.S. Mid-Amateur
    · 00:03:12 — Golf for a cause: Bonanza at the Border tournament at Lajitas Golf Resort
    · 00:05:26 — What makes luxury storage “man caves” a booming real estate trend
    · 00:08:08 — Inside a 70-ft screen gym that’s redefining the Texas fitness scene
    · 00:12:29 — Real talk on interest rates & how they’re stalling commercial deals
    · 00:17:15 — Grass talk: course prep for the desert heat of Troon North
    · 00:20:03 — Looking ahead: why 2025 could be the comeback year for real estate

    Website: https://bonanzaattheborder.com/

    #RealEstate #WorkingTitlePodcast #ZachSams #TylerIsbell #GolfLife #TexasBusiness #InterestRates #CommercialRealEstate #ManCaves
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    21 mins
  • Purpose-Driven Impact with Meg Matters Inc. | Terin & Bret Andrus

    Purpose-Driven Impact with Meg Matters Inc. | Terin & Bret Andrus
    Jul 2 2025

    On this powerful episode of Working Title with Zach Sams, Zach sits down with Terin and Bret Andrus — the inspiring husband-and-wife duo that join Working Title to share Meg Matters Inc., a mission-driven organization that exists to inspire, educate, and connect in the world of mental health. Meg Matters is excited to join Bonanza at the Border this year! https://bonanzaattheborder.com/

    Born out of a deeply personal journey, Meg Matters is more than a brand — it’s a movement. Terin and Bret share the story behind their work, their commitment to raising awareness about suicide prevention, and how they’re using education and fundraising to break the stigma surrounding mental health.

    This episode dives into the heart behind the mission, the impact Meg Matters is making in communities, and how others can get involved. If you care about mental health, meaningful conversations, and purpose-led entrepreneurship — this one’s for you. https://www.megmatterstx.org/

    Buy your Meg Matters Merch: https://joygrace.shop/collections/meg-matters-partnership

    Free resource link Provided by United way of Denton Co.(Programs are FREE for anyone): https://www.instagram.com/p/DEM-RQWudOC/?igsh=dTd3dzJrYzJ1MnM0
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    31 mins
  • Clint Williamson wins $16,000 for Charity at the Bonanza at the Border in Lajitas, TX

    Clint Williamson wins $16,000 for Charity at the Bonanza at the Border in Lajitas, TX
    Jun 26 2025
    Zach Sams sits down with Clint Williamson, VP at J Street, to talk all things multifamily—from rising fraud in rental applications to what really sets great property management teams apart. Clint shares why relationships and talent are everything in this business.
    They also dive into his role with Forerunner, a nonprofit ministry helping boys without father figures, and the wild story of winning $16K at Bonanza at the Border as part of "Team Clint²."

    Oh, and he still wants his trophy from Zach’s golf tournament.

    Learn more: jstreetps.com
    Contact Clint: CWilliamson@JStreetPS.com
    https://jstreetps.com/
    https://bonanzaattheborder.com/
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    29 mins
  • Shawn's story from Escaping Iran to Pappas Bros to Real Estate Developer

    Shawn's story from Escaping Iran to Pappas Bros to Real Estate Developer
    May 21 2025

    In this episode of Working Title with Zach Sams, Shawn Zafarpour—CEO of ZHS Investments and Managing Partner at Titan—joins the show to unpack the real story behind bold real estate development in Texas. From fix and flip to closing major deals, Shawn shares his story from working in the restaurant industry to being a real estate developer in DFW. Whether you’re in the industry or just fascinated by how neighborhoods evolve, this episode offers a no-fluff look at what it really takes to bring vision to life in today's fast-moving market.
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    30 mins
  • Denton County Texas is growing — and NorthBridge is leading the charge in the world of self-storage development

    Denton County Texas is growing — and NorthBridge is leading the charge in the world of self-storage development
    Apr 22 2025

    On this episode of Working Title with Zach Sams, we're joined by Alex Payne, Brad Andrus, and Bret Andrus — Principals at NorthBridge Realty Holdings — to dive into:
    ➡️ The explosion of growth across Denton County
    ➡️ Strategic investments in self-storage development
    ➡️ Why areas like Krum, Denton, Argyle, Sanger, and others are booming
    ➡️ The future of commercial real estate in one of the fastest-growing corners of North Texas

    If you're watching the real estate space — or investing in DFW — this is an episode you DON'T want to miss!

    #WorkingTitle #DFWRealEstate #DentonCountyGrowth #NorthBridge #CommercialDevelopment #SelfStorage #ZachSams #TexasBoomtowns

    Guests:
    Alex Payne, Principal with NorthBridge Realty Holdings
    Brad Andrus, Principal with NorthBridge Realty Holdings
    Bret Andrus, Principal with NorthBridge Realty Holdings
    https://nbrealtyholdings.com/
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    34 mins
  • Episode 62: Commercial Real Estate in Denton, TX | Working Title with Zach Sams

    Episode 62: Commercial Real Estate in Denton, TX | Working Title with Zach Sams
    Apr 17 2025

    Zach interviews Hayden Houston, Greg Johnson, and Kristofer Smith about the commercial real estate work that SVN Verus Commercial is doing in Denton, TX.

    You can learn more about SVN Verus Commercial at the links below:

    LinkedIn: SVN VERUS Commercial https://www.linkedin.com/company/verus-rea...

    Instagram: verus_commercial https://www.instagram.com/verus_commercial/

    Facebook: SVN VERUS Commercial https://www.facebook.com/SVNVERUSCOMMERCIAL/
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    37 mins