#23 - Andrew and Isaac Lewis

#23 - Andrew and Isaac Lewis

If You Denton Know Andrew and Isaac Lewis, now you do. Andrew and Isaac Lewis are twin brothers, born and raised in Denton, who turned a childhood hobby into a career producing and directing feature films. Through their company Denton Film, their work has reached screens across the country, all while they choose to build their careers and raise their families right here in Denton. In this conversation, the brothers share how they went from making movies on a VHS camcorder to producing feature films, what it took to leap into the industry full time, and the story behind their directorial debut, Bethesda. They also talk about their new release Man of War, out July 3rd, and why they believe Denton can become a real home for filmmakers. It is a story about passion, risk, and staying loyal to the place that shaped them. Key Topics Covered * Growing up as twin brothers in Denton and falling in love with filmmaking as kids * Making early movies on a VHS camcorder and editing with two VCRs * Taking the leap from blue collar and tech jobs into the film industry * How their first feature, Daylight's End, launched a long relationship with director William Kaufman * The founding and evolution of Denton Film * Their new release Man of War and their directorial debut Bethesda * The growth of the Texas film industry and new state incentives * The push for a Denton film commission and what would help filmmakers thrive locally Timestamps 00:00 — Meet Andrew and Isaac Lewis of Denton Film  01:43 — Growing up in Denton and graduating in 1997  03:52 — Making movies as kids with a VHS camcorder  07:25 — Their first feature film opportunity  10:36 — Daylight's End and catching the filmmaking bug  13:51 — The story behind launching Denton Film  19:52 — Man of War arrives July 3rd  21:24 — Directing their debut feature, Bethesda  25:46 — Texas as a growing film destination  36:04 — Favorite Denton spots and closing thoughts Denton Highlights * Mi Casita * Dan's Silverleaf * Angeline's * Komodo Loco * Oaktopia music festival * Little Guys Movers building near the Downtown Square Guest Links / Resources * Denton Film [https://www.dentonfilm.com/] (production company) * Man of War, available July 3rd on VOD, iTunes, and Amazon

#22 - Pat Smith

If You Denton Know Pat Smith, now you do. Pat Smith is the founder and CEO of Serve Denton, a nonprofit hub that houses 25 partner organizations under one roof and was built entirely without government funding. A Denton native, retired Air Force colonel, and son of two of Denton's most beloved small business owners, Pat brings decades of leadership experience to a mission rooted in his hometown. His story is a window into how one community came together to create something rare in the nonprofit world. In this episode, listeners will hear how Serve Denton went from a vacant church sanctuary to a 10 million dollar campus, why Pat partnered with Toyota to bring world class operations to a nonprofit, and how a difficult Pentagon assignment shaped his approach to servant leadership. It is a conversation about hope, hometown roots, and what it looks like when private investment, faith, and good leadership build something that lasts. Guest Bio Pat Smith is the founder and CEO of Serve Denton, the nonprofit center that partners with 25 organizations to better serve people in need across Denton County. A Denton native and retired Air Force colonel, Pat spent 28 years in the military managing large scale construction and housing projects before returning home to launch Serve Denton in 2012. He is the son of Jim Smith of the legendary Jim's Diner and Rose Smith of Rose Costumes. Key Topics Covered * Growing up in Denton and the legacy of Jim's Diner and Rose Costumes * Pat's 28 year Air Force career, from the Academy to the Pentagon * The leadership lessons that shaped his philosophy of servant leadership * How losing his father became the catalyst for Serve Denton * Turning a vacant church sanctuary into a 10 million dollar nonprofit hub * Partnering with Toyota to bring the Toyota Production System to nonprofits * Why Serve Denton operates without government funding * Expanding the model to other Texas cities and beyond Timestamps 00:00 — Guest introduction  01:00 — The original 1976 vision for a human services center  01:45 — Jim's Diner, Rose Costumes, and growing up in Denton  04:35 — From the Air Force Academy to building air bases overseas  07:03 — The Pentagon assignment that defined his leadership philosophy  12:07 — Losing his dad and finding a new calling  15:34 — Launching Serve Denton with Tommy Nelson's blessing  17:21 — Buying the building and the new market tax credit breakthrough  19:38 — Bringing Toyota Production System to the nonprofit world  22:30 — The mission, the model, and staying in their lane  30:24 — Teaching servant leadership to the next generation  37:05 — Denton favorites and upcoming events Denton Highlights * Jim's Diner on Fry Street * Rose Costumes * Metzler's Barbecue * Dan's Silverleaf * Fine Arts Theater * Cartwright's Ranch House Guest Links and Resources * Serve Denton website: servedenton.org [https://www.servedenton.org/] * Email: psmith@servedenton.org [psmith@servedenton.org] * Upcoming event: Dragon Boat Races on Lake Lewisville, June 27 * Upcoming event: Christmas concert with David Pierce at the Fine Arts Theater, December 21

#21 - Tommy Mainord

If You Denton Know Tommy Mainord, now you do. Coach Tommy Mainord returns to the University of North Texas in a brand new role, stepping off the football field and into one of the most talked about positions in college athletics. After more than a decade in Denton and a career that took him from Tarleton State to Texas Tech, Kentucky, and back to UNT, Tommy now serves as Senior Associate Athletic Director for NIL and Football Strategy. In this conversation, Tommy breaks down the rapidly changing landscape of college sports, including NIL, revenue sharing, and the transfer portal. He explains how UNT is building its strategy in real time, why local businesses and alumni play such a vital role, and how the success of Mean Green athletics ripples out to lift restaurants, hotels, and the entire Denton community. It is a candid look at where college football is headed and how Denton fits into the bigger picture. Guest Bio Tommy Mainord is the Senior Associate Athletic Director for NIL and Football Strategy at the University of North Texas. A Texas native who grew up around the game as the son of a longtime football coach, Tommy spent seven years as an assistant coach at UNT, helping develop standout players like All American Jaylen Darden. He has coached at Tarleton State, Sam Houston State, Lamar, Texas Tech, and Kentucky throughout his career. Key Topics Covered * Tommy's journey from coaches' kid to college coach * Coaching stops across Texas, Kentucky, and the Big 12 * Returning to UNT in a new front office role * The difference between NIL and revenue sharing explained * The 21.4 million dollar national rev share cap * How technology and AI have transformed recruiting and game prep * What the next five years could look like for college athletics * How Denton businesses of any size can get involved with UNT athletics Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and introduction  01:06 Navigating the new world of NIL  02:08 Growing up as a coach's son  03:07 Choosing baseball, then football at Tarleton State  05:08 Career stops from Lamar to Texas Tech to Kentucky  07:14 Coaching Jaylen Darden at UNT  10:22 The new role and the longest title in college sports  11:26 NIL versus revenue sharing  16:02 How technology changed recruiting and game planning  22:33 How local businesses can get involved  25:22 Favorite spots around Denton Denton Highlights * The Denton Square * Local Mexican food spots around the square * Denton barbecue restaurants Guest Links and Resources * Email Tommy directly at tommy.mainord@unt.edu [tommy.mainord@unt.edu] * University of North Texas Athletics: meangreensports.com [https://meangreensports.com/]

#20 - If You Denton Know the City of Denton Candidates, Now You Do

If You Denton Know the City of Denton Candidates, now you do. Episode Description Election time is here, and this one is huge. Denton voters are filling four council seats and the mayor position, with early voting ending April 28 and election day on May 2. To help the community make informed choices at the ballot box, every candidate was invited onto the show to answer two simple questions: What do you love most about Denton, and what is your vision for the city if elected? This special episode brings together the candidates for Mayor, District 1, District 2, Place 5, and Place 6 in one place. Each conversation is short, focused, and designed to let the candidates speak for themselves. Use this episode as a tool to learn what each candidate values, where they want to take Denton, and how their priorities line up with yours. Then get out and vote. Key Topics Covered * What each candidate loves most about the city of Denton * Each candidate's vision for Denton if elected * The values and priorities shaping the 2026 city races * Perspectives from candidates running for Mayor, District 1, District 2, Place 5, and Place 6 * Why local elections matter for Denton's future * A reminder to participate in early voting and election day Timestamps 02:22 Mayor 02:37 Chris Watts 15:02 Brian Beck 27:15 Angela Brewer 36:17 District 1 36:33 Michael Herron 42:57 Jordan Villarreal 50:47 Kris Cox 57:59 District 2 58:13 Nick Stevens 1:05:52 Robert J Archer III 1:11:47 Place 5 1:12:07 George Michael Ferrie 1:20:57 Erica Garland 1:28:35 Place 6 1:28:52 Jill Jester Voting Information * Early voting ends April 28 * Election day is May 2 * Seats on the ballot: Mayor, District 1, District 2, Place 5, Place 6 * For more information, visit https://www.votedenton.gov/election-day-information/current-and-upcoming-election-information/ [https://www.votedenton.gov/election-day-information/current-and-upcoming-election-information/]

#19 - Peter Salisbury

If You Denton Know Peter Salisbury, now you do.  From launching a tiny AM station in his living room to building KUZU 92.9 FM into a 24/7 community-powered radio station, Peter shares how passion, persistence, and local music shaped one of Denton’s most grassroots success stories. In this episode, Peter talks about growing up in Texas, falling in love with Denton’s music scene, and the long road to securing an FM license. He explains how KUZU operates entirely with volunteers, how anyone in the community can host a show, and why local voices still matter in a world dominated by corporate media. If you’ve ever wondered how community radio works, how KUZU got started, or how you could become part of Denton’s creative scene, this episode is for you. ⏱️ KEY TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Meet Peter Salisbury & the Story of KUZU Radio Peter shares his background in photography and how he found his creative home in Denton. 04:15 — Growing Up in Texas & Finding Denton From Houston to Garland to UNT, Peter talks about why Denton became home. 08:40 — The Birth of KUZU: A Radio Station in a Living Room How an empty bedroom and a small AM transmitter sparked the KUZU idea. 14:20 — From Backyard Radio to FM Licensing The multi-year journey to securing a Low Power FM license. 20:45 — Building KUZU with Volunteers & Community Support How friends, board members, and community members helped bring KUZU to life. 26:10 — How KUZU Programming Works Anyone can apply to host a show and contribute to the station. 31:30 — The Volunteer Model & Funding the Station Why KUZU runs entirely on volunteers and membership donations. 36:50 — Lessons Learned from Building a Radio Station Peter reflects on fear, persistence, and learning as he went. 41:10 — KUZU’s Future & Vision for Growth Plans for expanding programming and eventually owning a dedicated studio. 44:10 — Denton Favorites Peter shares his favorite local spots to relax and recharge. 🎧 Episode Highlights * How KUZU started as a tiny AM station in a spare bedroom * What it takes to secure an FCC radio license * Why community radio still matters today * How KUZU operates entirely on volunteers * How local musicians and creators benefit from the platform * Why anyone in Denton can host their own radio show * The story behind KUZU’s first broadcast * Lessons learned from building something from scratch 📻 About KUZU Radio KUZU 92.9 FM is Denton’s volunteer-powered community radio station. Broadcasting 24/7, KUZU features freeform programming, local voices, independent music, talk shows, interviews, and creative content from over 50 volunteer producers. The station exists to amplify local culture, support independent artists, and give everyday community members a voice on the air. Learn more or apply to host a show: 🌐 kuzu.fm [https://www.kuzu.fm/] 🍳 DENTON FAVORITES (FROM PETER) * Cartwright’s Ranch House — A go-to spot for breakfast and coffee * Jupiter House — Favorite order: smoked salmon bagel with a mocha * Norman Roscoe — A favorite stop on the Square 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS * Big ideas often start small, sometimes in spare bedrooms. * Community-driven projects can thrive without corporate backing. * Fear of failure is often the biggest obstacle to starting something meaningful. * Local media still plays a powerful role in shaping culture. * Denton’s creative community continues to fuel innovation and collaboration.