Commissioner John Wiley Price, often dubbed “Our Man Downtown,” sits down with Tom and Kyle for a wide-ranging conversation on his four decades of service in Dallas County. As the longest-serving commissioner in Texas—and possibly the nation—Price offers a unique, unfiltered perspective on the intersection of policy, race, faith, and leadership.The episode digs deep into the structural issues that continue to shape life in Dallas: inequities in infrastructure, disparities in healthcare access, the troubling state of public education, and the persistent challenges of criminal justice.

He doesn't shy away from controversy, either. From views on the intentional underfunding of public schools to breaking down how book bans and voucher programs threaten generational progress, Price challenges listeners to confront their held beliefs. Whether you agree with him or not, this episode is a masterclass in leadership, legacy, and not backing down from the fight.

In This Episode

[01:10] A Legendary Run: 41 years as commissioner and why he's just getting started

[04:00] The Origin of “Our Man Downtown”

[06:00] Infrastructure & Equity: Roads, Water, and the Politics of Development

[08:15] Minority Contracting and Measured Progress

[12:00] Education as Civil Rights: From Rosenwald Schools to Modern-Day Bans

[18:00] Why Third Grade Reading Scores Predict Prison Populations

[20:00] Charter Schools, Vouchers, and the Erosion of Public Education

[29:00] Parkland Hospital, UT Southwestern, and Healthcare Deserts

[38:00] Fair Park, FQHCs, and the Role of Churches in Community Health

[44:00] National Healthcare Needs and Dying of Whiteness

[52:00] Inside the Jail System: Management, Mental Health & Gender Dynamics

[58:00] Criminal Justice Creativity: Burglar Court and Behavioral Pods

[01:04:00] Homeward Bound: Local Models That Work

[01:08:00] Leadership by Presence: Why JWP Shows Up Every Day

Resources Mentioned

Dying of Whiteness by Jonathan M. Metzl

A Better Life for Our Children by Julius Rosenwald

Black Labor, White Wealth by Dr. Claud Anderson

Watermark Church South Dallas

Homeward Bound Inc. - Behavioral Health Agency

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Editing and Support by ⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠

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