EXPLORER AND SPEAKER ALEX HARRIS BRINGS LESSONS FROM THE WORLD’S HARSHEST ENVIRONMENTS INTO EVERYDAY LIFE, REDEFINING RESILIENCE, LEADERSHIP, AND SUCCESS.
A Gentlemanly Manner
More than anything, what makes being a man remarkable is his own evolution. Over the years a gentleman has notably been known for certain and specific mannerisms, things, attractions and accomplishments. Often books, movies and even family stories portray a specific demeanor to state that someone was a gentleman, however there is a quiet pride in building something - the ability to lead without overpowering, to listen with out retreating, to know that your legacy is not just what you leave behind, but how you live your life leading up to it.
To be a man today is to navigate all parts of your world with both strength and sensitivity. It must become the balance of ambition and restraint to go through a morning workout, the work tasks of driving and responsibilities and demands, to be a team-builder and yet a friend, and then at the end of it all go be a husband, a father, a grandfather. In order to carry such a load one must practice and perform while all at the same time solve the problems and hug the hurts away. The pressures of modern ambition drive one’s masculinity in a certain elegance; the handshake that lingers just long enough, the tailored jacket that perfectly fits your posture, the boots that are or are not dusty but carry you stride after stride, in the standards he refuses to compromise and in the quiet assurance that he knows exactly who he is.
Perhaps what remains the most compelling and intuitive is not the image of manhood, but the substance of it - grounded, refined, and always in pursuit of something greater. We share accolades to every Park Cities Gentleman for all you do, for all you choose to impact.
James 1:5 - “if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
LINDA LIVINGSTON, PUBLISHER @PARKCITIESLIFESTYLE (817) 613-7723
June 2026
PUBLISHER
Linda Livingston | linda.livingston@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Drew Cotner | drew.cotner@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Mark Hanna | mark.hanna@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Drew Cotner | drew.cotner@citylifestyle.com
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Cherish the Children luncheon benefiting Dallas CASA. Co-Chaired by mother-daughter Barbara Cervin and Margaret Cervin. 2: The 31st annual Parade of Playhouses benefiting Dallas CASA at NorthPark Center 3: The Children’s Cancer Fund Gala celebrates 36 years of stories of survival and strength 4: 9th Annual St. Andrew “Cars for Community” Car Show to Benefit The Storehouse Community Center 5: Join Make-AWish® North Texas for its annual Wish Night gala at the Omni Dallas Hotel. 6: Brother Bill’s Helping Hand Food Pantry. Helping neighbors shop and carry groceries out to vehicles as needed.
business monthly
Summer With Hola HP!
We are thrilled to wrap up another successful school year at Hola HP! Our devoted tutors spent countless hours working hard to support students, building foundational skills, developing critical thinking, and fostering a continued love of learning. We are so grateful for such a wonderful community and look forward to continuing to help our students in the future. Check out all of our summer programming–including private tutoring, summer brain camps, and back-to-school reviews in August–at holahp.com!
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Manorly Water Restoration & Mold Remediation
Manorly is expanding its home management expertise with the launch of Manorly Water Restoration & Mold Remediation, offering homeowners a trusted solution when unexpected damage strikes. From rapid water extraction to professional mold remediation, Manorly restores hoes safely and efficiently. Known for meticulous care and high standards, Manorly now helps clients not only maintain their homes, but recover them, bringing peace of mind when it matters most. manorly.com
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LVL Orthodontics Celebrates One Year Of Leadership Under Dr. Velicu Gardner
LVL Orthodontics is proud to celebrate one year under the leadership of Dr. Velicu Gardner. What began as a vision for personalized, precision-driven orthodontic care has grown into a thriving Dallas practice trusted by families across the Park Cities and beyond. To mark the milestone, LVL is offering complimentary whitening with any comprehensive treatment started in the month of June. Come experience the difference — and walk away with a smile worth celebrating. www.lvlortho.com
People Who Make The World Go’ Round
The Legacy of Sepia Magazine is the featured exhibit of the newly reopened African American Museum, Dallas following a temporary closure to complete facility improvements. Spotlighting some of the 20th century most influential Black iconsFrom Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles to Maya Angelou, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Thurgood Marshall - the exhibition draws from the Museum’s renowned Sepia photographic archive of more than 40,000 images.
Ranger Ridge Proudly Celebrates The Grand Opening Of Our Clubhouse
Designed as a place to gather, unwind, and connect, this inviting space brings together members, owners, and guests to experience the best of ranch living. From relaxing by the pool to enjoying shared moments with family and friends, the Clubhouse enhances every visit. We are thrilled to introduce this central hub and look forward to the memories that will be made here.
Children’s Cancer Fund’s 36th Annual “Unbridled Courage” Gala
“This year’s theme of ‘Unbridled Courage’ is more than a theme — it’s a reflection of the extraordinary strength these children and families show every day,” said Children’s Cancer Fund Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Arthur. “To see our community come together and raise a record-breaking $4 million is both humbling and inspiring, and it brings us one step closer to funding life-saving research and providing critical support for those facing pediatric cancer.”
WHERE CARE MEETS COMMUNITY
THE SUMMIT WITHIN
Explorer And Speaker Alex Harris Brings
Lessons From The World’s Harshest Environments Into Everyday Life, Redefining Resilience, Leadership, And Success.
ARTICLE BY LAUREN STONE
Long before Alex Harris stood atop Everest or crossed the Arabian Desert unsupported, he was a curious child growing up in South Africa with his sights set on becoming an astronaut. The path, however, was anything but straightforward. His plan, to join the South African Air Force and
eventually make his way to the United States, unraveled amid political change in the early 1990s, shaking up what once felt like a clear trajectory.
Instead of retreating, Harris turned toward the mountains, where his natural curiosity began to take shape in a new way. “I was always curious,” he says. “As I became more experienced, the expeditions became harder and longer.”
That progression would eventually take him across all seven continents and into some of the most unforgiving environments on earth. As he trekked some of the world’s most extreme terrain, his desire to explore and push limits only grew.
Today, Harris channels that same drive for exploration into a different kind of stage—where boardrooms, conferences, and community gatherings become the terrain. As a sought-after speaker, he shares hardearned lessons on resilience, leadership, and navigating uncertainty, translating experiences from the world’s most extreme environments into insight that resonates far beyond the mountain.
A SHIFT FROM IMPOSSIBLE
Over time, Harris’s understanding of what’s possible has changed—it’s become less about chasing extremes, and more about operating with clarity and conviction.
“As a young man, anything crazy was in the cards,” Harris shares. “Now there is some context. When we operate within our skill set, our experience, and our calling—and walk with God—I truly believe we can do anything with our lives.”
That belief is anchored in a moment that changed everything. “I got saved on the north side of Mount Everest in 1996 at about 23,000 feet,” Harris says. “That’s when I met the Lord, and that moment would become the cornerstone of my career and philosophy.”
Today, his mindset reflects a different kind of discipline rooted in alignment rather than risk. It’s a philosophy that extends well beyond the mountains and into the way he leads, speaks, and lives day to day. “The most important thing for me now is to have the right posture of heart and mind,” Harris says. “I remind myself that through Him, nothing is
“Whether it’s making it to the end of the month or crossing a desert, the same thought processes go through our minds.”
impossible, but I still need to be a mindful steward of both my gifts and skills.”
LESSONS FROM THE EXTREMES
While Harris’s expeditions have taken him to the farthest reaches of the globe, the lessons he brings back are strikingly universal. “We all face our own Everest’s and go through wilderness experiences,” he says. “It doesn’t have to be a real mountain to test us.”
At their core, he believes, challenges are less about the environment and more about human response. “All challenges boil down to human experiences,” Harris says. “How we perceive risk, how we overcome fear, how we deal with feelings of inadequacy, and how we move forward in uncertainty.”
It’s this translation—from extreme to everyday—that defines Harris’ work as a speaker. Whether addressing corporate teams or community audiences, Harris returns to the same truth: the stakes may look different, but the internal dialogue is often the same.
“Everest crystalises these constructs because of the extreme consequence of poor decisions, but the lessons are the same,” he shares. “Whether it’s making it to the end of the month and putting food on the table, or getting across a long stretch of empty desert, the same thought processes go through our minds.”
That clarity becomes even more critical in moments of leadership, especially when things fall apart or unexpected obstacles arise. “Leaders have to model that quiet,
deep solid thread that says, ‘I’ve been here before, you are not alone, and we can do this,’” he says. “When things don’t go according to plan, people struggle with self-belief and capacity. The role of the leader is to facilitate the transition from the place of flux to the place of calm, re-affirming that we have the experience, skills, and self-belief to pull this off.”
REDEFINING SUCCESS AT HOME
For Harris, one of the most defining pivots of his life didn’t happen on a summit, but just below one. “In 2009 I was on a 26,000-foot peak in Pakistan when my first child Leia was only six months old,” he says. “The mountain was quite dangerous, and just before summit day the Lord challenged me on the risks I was taking and what I really wanted to do with my life.”
While the answer didn’t come all at once, that moment changed the trajectory of everything that followed. “I returned home and slowly phased out
climbing big mountains,” Harris says. “I learned to say ‘no’ to opportunities, and I began to understand the disconnect between status and legacy that was necessary if I was to escape the prison of ambition.”
Now raising four kids, between the ages of five and 17, success is defined differently for Harris. “Success now has more to do with walking our chosen path faithfully and demonstrating that to my kids,” he shares. “It’s about trying to figure out how God has made you and use that to make a difference in other people’s lives.”
Only eight months into life in the US, Harris is embracing a rhythm grounded in family and community. “Home is time split between kids duties and time building my brand,” he shares. “I spend plenty of time networking, but I also have some strange hobbies and enjoy a good whisky when it’s quiet.”
What he loves about the Park Cities? The sense of calm and influence of culture. “It’s quiet, and safety is critical coming from South Africa,” Harris shares. “This
ushers in peace and a sense of place where we can carve out joy. It’s also cosmopolitan so there’s some international influence.”
THE ROAD AHEAD
Even after decades of exploration, Harris isn’t finished asking questions and discovering the unknown. “I am still curious, and there are still places on the map that have question marks,” he says.
But exploration, for him, has taken on a broader meaning that extends far beyond geography. “God has made me in a unique way and part of my life journey is to find the blueprint of my DNA,” he says. “How did He make me? What can I do and what is beyond me?”
The same internal curiosity Harris explores is what shapes both his work and his legacy. “In the adventure world, I would want to be known as a genuine explorer,” he says. “At home, a father and husband who ushered my family into God’s wild world.”
It’s a definition of success that feels fitting for someone who has spent a lifetime chasing horizons—only to find that the most meaningful ones are often closest to home.
www.explorealexharris.com
“The most important thing for me now is to have the right posture of heart and mind.”
Mount Everest
Dallas Stars’ Matt Duchene
The Pro Hockey Star Shares What He Loves About Living In Park Cities
Professional hockey player Matt Duchene moved to Dallas in 2023, the same year he played his 1,000th NHL game. Duchene has played with teams including the Colorado Avalanche, Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, and Columbus Blue Jackets. He has also played in the Olympics for Canada. Last year, the Stars announced they had signed Duchene to a four-year extension contract that runs through 2029. Here is a snippet of our recent interview with Duchene:
ARTICLE BY KELSEY KOSH
Matt Duchene
TELL US ABOUT WHEN YOU KNEW YOU WANTED TO BE A PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY PLAYER?
“Honestly, from the time I knew what hockey was as a young boy growing up in Canada, I knew I wanted to play hockey. All I wanted to ever do is play in the NHL and do what I do for a living. So, I feel very blessed every day to be able to do it. I never really knew anything else; I love to play now as much as I did then.”
WHAT HAS YOUR CAREER JOURNEY IN HOCKEY BEEN LIKE? WHAT STANDS OUT TO YOU WHEN YOU LOOK BACK?
“I’ve had some great teammates and played in more than 1,200 games, counting the playoffs. It’s been a great ride.”
“So much stands out. Honestly, it has been the entire journey. There are so many memories that I remember and remain thankful for: developing as a young player, the day I was drafted, my first NHL game, my first goal, my first time in the playoffs. There have been a lot of great things the last few years here in Dallas that have been really special. We love it here.”
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT PROFESSIONALLY?
“There really isn’t just one. There have been some great moments. Getting named to Team Canada for the Olympics in 2014 was special and then winning gold.”
Matt Duchene
“We love living in the Park Cities. I don't think there's a better place to raise your kids in the United States or North America.”
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR CAREER?
“One of the hard things to deal with is managing the tough business decisions that come along with playing in the NHL. You have to stay even-keeled and keep believing in yourself, no matter what. It’s worked out for me, and I am very thankful for all I’ve experienced.”
WHICH ACHIEVEMENTS
ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
“I’m most proud of making it to the NHL. It was a goal as a kid and to have the success and longevity I have had has been more than I ever dreamed of. I’ve had some great teammates and played in more than 1,200 games, counting the playoffs. It’s been a great ride.”
WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST MENTOR OR INSPIRATION?
“I’ve had a lot of really great people help me along the way; however I must say that my dad has had the biggest effect on my career, mainly because of what he did for me early on, to help me have success and make it as a player. For him to still be there for me every day, through everything I go through, has been great.”
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN DALLAS? WHAT ABOUT THE PARK CITIES SPECIFICALLY?
“Dallas is great; we love living in the Park Cities. I don’t think there’s a better place to raise your kids in the United States or North America. It’s incredible. The neighborhoods are great and that goes back to the people. We’re often in a golf cart in our neighborhood and it’s a family-like atmosphere all around. The schools, the people, everyone is just incredible. We’re beyond blessed and grateful to be here.”
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR MAIN GOALS FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF YOUR CAREER/LIFE? WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO AFTER YOUR PLAYING DAYS?
“It’s a good question. Whatever it is, I know I would like to be focused on my family and my kids. I’ll cross that bridge when I get there, but right now, I still enjoy playing hockey so much.”
WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY MEAN TO YOU?
“My family is everything to me. My wife, my kids, my mom and dad, my entire family, everyone in our circle — they’re my support system, and I’ve had a lot of great people in my life. But those people are the ones that I know are my rock.”
Matt Duchene and Fan
Matt Duchene and Fans
ARTICLE BY DAVE MUSCARI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES SMITH
GAME ON, DALLAS
DFW LOVES ITS SOCCER, AND A BOLD NEW CLUB, BACKED BY SPORTS ICONS ABBY WAMBACH AND BRANDON AUBREY, WANTS TO RAISE THE BAR EVEN HIGHER.
No doubt about it: when it comes to soccer, North Texas is an undeniable mecca. Professional franchises like FC Dallas in Frisco and Dallas Trinity FC, based at the historic Cotton Bowl in Fair Park, powerhouse college programs, dynamic high school rivalries, elite club circuits, and even the youngest players lacing up at local YMCAs and little leagues, the world’s favorite pastime pulses through every level of the local community, including the Park Cities. Simply put, Dallas-Fort Worth can’t get enough.
Now, there’s an exciting new game in town, a seriously trendy addition to an already packed field, bringing fresh energy, innovation, and just the right amount of swagger to capture a slice of fans’ ever-growing sports attention span. Step inside TOCA Social, an impressive 20,000 square-foot Topgolf-esque, soccer-themed entertainment center and dining destination that opened on March 6 at Grandscape in The Colony. Located about 20 miles north of the Park Cities, the region is also home to PopStroke golf and the splashy arena theater, Cosm.
Dubbed “the world’s first soccer social club,” the cutting-edge concept is rare, with only three other locations worldwide:
two in London and one in Birmingham, England. TOCA Social Grandscape is the company’s first outlet in the U.S. As for the overarching methodology, it’s complex: think of it as an extravagant golf simulator for soccer.
Maybe like Topgolf on steroids. Players take turns kicking balls at a massive digital screen packed with interactive targets with a dynamic series of challenges. A proprietary system handles both delivery and tracking in real time, automatically serving up soccer balls while recording every score. The action is continuous; fans report that the competition can get quite fierce, especially when played in groups. TOCA Social says it’s the “world’s first soccer-focused entertainment venue,” and claims it can accommodate a range of soccer skills while calibrating the technology for different levels.
Beginners, seasoned players, and everything in-between can all dig into a lineup of games with daunting monikers like “Atom Splitter,” “Zombie Attack,” “Eliminator,” and “Striker.” Players compete in private boxes, taking full advantage of the entire entertainment experience. As for cost, TOCA Social sessions are
Dallas Cowboys mascot Rowdy takes a shot
Dallas Cowboys placekicker and Toca Social investor Brandon Aubrey
DFW sports mascots with Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, Toca Social founder Eddie Lewis, and Olympic icon Abby Wambach
“WHEN I SAW WHAT TOCA SOCIAL BUILT OVERSEAS, COMBINING COMPETITION, TECHNOLOGY, SOCCER, AND A GREAT NIGHT OUT, IT IMMEDIATELY FELT LIKE SOMETHING DALLAS WOULD EMBRACE … THE TIMING COULDN’T BE BETTER.”
competitively priced at $15-$20 per person for 45-minute windows. The business was created by U.S. World Cup veteran and Major League Soccer standout Eddie Lewis in partnership with TOCA Football Inc., a tech company he founded in California that operates nearly 40 indoor soccer training centers, including five in DFW.
“TOCA was born out of my obsession with soccer,” says Lewis, calling TOCA Social at Grandscape, “A dream realized.” TOCA Social’s high-profile investor group includes Olympic soccer icon Abby Wambach and Brandon Aubrey of the Dallas Cowboys, who recently became the highest-paid kicker in NFL history. “Soccer is where my professional journey began,” he says. “When I saw what TOCA Social built overseas, combining competition, technology, soccer, and a great night out, it immediately felt like something Dallas would embrace … the timing couldn’t be better.” Wambach has her own take: “Soccer is the ultimate unifier,” she says. “(TOCA) is where the next generation of American soccer culture is being built.” With 9 FIFA World Cup games headed to Arlington, the first such matches held in North America in over three decades, fans from all over the globe will descend upon DFW, making the TOCA Social immersive sports experience a thrilling potential destination for visitors. Beyond the anticipated rush of World Cup fans in the area, TOCA Social’s future looks bright. For Lewis and TOCA investors, the vision is significant, including global expansion.
“To continue to grow in major cities while redefining how people play, train, and connect through soccer,” he says. “TOCA Social will be a key part of that, bringing communities together and making the sport more engaging and accessible worldwide.”
ARTICLE BY KIM HILL
GUYS’ GUYS’ GETAWAYS GETAWAYS
FOUR GREAT PLACES FOR GROOVES, GRUB AND GAWKING WITH BEST BROS
Has it been too long since your tribe gathered to rib and one-up each other as only guys can do? To help plan a getaway for just the guys, City Lifestyle gathered an eclectic list of locations offering tons of things to see, do and experience. Here’s hoping the only ribs one will get on this guys’ getaway are the kind to hold in hands while barbecue sauce drips onto shirts.
Scottsdale/Phoenix
There’s no other tournament on the PGA Tour like the Waste Management Phoenix Open and no hole like the legendary 16th, where 20,000 boisterous fans boo the tee shots that miss the green. The other 51 weeks of the year, golfers can play TPC Scottsdale or try one of more than 200 courses in the Scottsdale area, a top golf destination. Another winter event is the BarrettJackson Collector Car Auction. Even if one’s only collector car was a Hot Wheels, it’s a blast to peruse the acres of autos for
sale before heading inside to watch the unique or renowned cars crossing the auction block. When it’s time to get moving, the strenuous hike up Camelback Mountain in nearby Phoenix is a bucket-list item. Need a more moderate trail? Experience the same magic of the majestic saguaro cactus in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
New Orleans
It’s always a party in New Orleans (NOLA), especially when it comes to festivals, many of them centered around music. Folk to funk, gospel to jazz, zydeco, blues, African and other musical styles are celebrated on the Jazz and Heritage Festival’s 12 stages. If free admission is more desired, don’t miss the French Quarter Festival featuring local musicians and food vendors representing dozens of New Orleans restaurants. Part of the fun of Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo is admiring revelers’ watercraft, some of them homemade just for this festival on the banks of Bayou Saint John. If one of the festivals can’t be attended, there’s still plenty of NOLA live music, particularly the jazz clubs on Frenchmen Street. And when a break from crowds is needed, take a guided swamp tour. Kitschy, yes, but it’s a hoot to cruise around on a swamp buggy while looking for alligators.
Bowling Green, Kentucky
“America’s Sports Car” is produced at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant, where visitors can join guided tours to observe Corvettes being built and learn the fascinating history of these sexy autos. See examples of all Corvette generations at the National Corvette Museum. And if the need for speed is still felt, a few times a year Xtreme Experience offers driving or ride-along events in exotics like Ferraris or Lamborghinis at the National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park. After getting all revved up, cool down at Mammoth Cave National Park, the longest known cave system in the world and a World Heritage Site, where guided tours take participants through tunnels humans have used for thousands of years. And after all this touring, the Bowling Green area is the southernmost point in the Kentucky Bourbon Trail of distilleries.
Austin
Live music rules here, with iconic venues such as Antone’s, The Continental Club, the White Horse and hundreds of other locations, from dive bars to big stages. From rock and blues to country and urban, music is heard every night of the week (and many afternoons as well). When guys are hungry, there are tons of barbeque and Tex-Mex joints. Unique food trucks are truly a thing here, with nearly 2,000 food trailers in town. Burn some calories biking or running the Southern Walnut Creek Trail or one of many paved paths. Get out on the water in a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard on Lake Travis or Lady Bird Lake. Take a dip in the historic Barton Springs Pool, where the underground springs keep the water around 68 degrees all year.
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AN EXCERPT FROM EPISODE 6 OF SHARE THE LIFESTYLE, A CITY LIFESTYLE PODCAST
Photographer: Brittany Dawn Short
Creative Director: Jen Birn
Stylist: Stephanie Coultress O’Neill
Location: Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, TX
MIKE JOHNSON HAS BUILT HIS LIFE AROUND ONE QUIETLY RADICAL IDEA: THE STANDARD YOU SET PRIVATELY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS.
After eight years in the Air Force, a celebrated run on national television, and a health crisis abroad that sent him deep into supply chains and ingredient certifications most founders never touch, the result is Oshun — a luxury ritual brand built on provenance you can trace and integrity you can verify. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Mike shares what it actually takes to build something worth putting your name on. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full episode.
Q: YOU BECAME A FAN FAVORITE ON THE BACHELORETTE AND THEN LEFT THE SPOTLIGHT. YOU MOVED TO MEXICO, LEARNED SPANISH, THEN COSTA RICA, AND BUILT A COMPANY. WHAT DID THAT EXPERIENCE TEACH YOU ABOUT HUMAN BEHAVIOR?
A: “If you’re a good person going in, that shows. If you’re not, that shows too. I also learned that people form this parasocial relationship with you — they assume things about you. When all actuality, different circumstances bring out different parts of who you are. I was on TV trying to find love. The kindness people were showing after felt a bit fake, because they wanted to be a part of something that isn’t who I am individually, but a part of what they saw on TV. And so I had to get away from everybody and everything and the noise.”
THE QUIET STANDARD:
MIKE JOHNSON
“Too many people have prayed for me. So I’ve got to get up and do the walking.”
— Mike Johnson
Q: YOU JOINED THE AIR FORCE RIGHT OUT OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE. WHAT WERE YOU ACTUALLY RUNNING TOWARD?
A: “There was something in me that was saying: I’m not living up to my full potential. I was being a follower. My uncle said, ‘What’s going to make you become an adult the fastest?’ I said, obviously, the military. The Air Force broadened my thought process more than anything. We’re so caught up in our own perception — when you learn to understand different people’s perspectives, it adds to you in so many ways.”
Q: WITH OSHUN, YOU OWN YOUR MANUFACTURING, YOU EMPLOY A CHEMIST, EVERY PRODUCT HAS A BATCH NUMBER TRACEABLE TO ITS ORIGIN DATE. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO THAT DEEP WITH THE BRAND?
A: “The EU bans 1,100 ingredients in personal care products. The U.S. bans nine. That’s my starting point. Oftentimes, it might be the same ingredient, but it comes from a place where it doesn’t have the highest purity. And 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed. Every product Oshun makes carries a batch number that goes back to the exact day it was created — I can show you every single supplier, the date, the origin. I own more than one part of the supply chain because that’s the only way I can stand behind what’s in the bottle.”
This conversation is just the beginning. Mike goes deeper into why he’s buying land up north, the family in the Philippines who prayed over his factory floor, and what he’d tell every person ready to stop performing and start building. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.
MIKE JOHNSON
JUNE 2026
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A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
JUNE 6TH
Children’s Fishing Derby
Caruth Park | 9:00 AM
Presented for children ages 6 to 12, the event takes place at the neighborhood pond in the Park Cities. The University Park Recreation Department stocks the pond for kids, parents, and grandparents at the annual “catch and release” event. Children must bring their fishing poles and bait. Awards are presented for the biggest and the smallest fish caught. UPtexas.org
JUNE 12TH
Ben Rector: Symphonies Across America with Jon McLaughlin
Meyerson Symphony Center | 7:30 PM
The talented 39-year-old GMA Dove Award-winning pop artist has released seven studio albums, including “Brand New” and “Magic,” both of which charted at the top of the Billboard Folk chart and second on the Rock and Indie Billboard charts. DallasSymphony.org
JUNE 21ST
Icons of the Strip: Sinatra and The Rat Pack, Dallas Symphony
Meyerson Symphony Center | 7:30 PM
From Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. to Louis Prima, Bobby Darin, and others, soulful contemporary crooner Paul Loren turns back the clock and goes on a musical journey through The Great American Songbook, perfect for Father’s Day fun. DallasSymphony.org
JUNE 28TH
Clue, Broadway Dallas
Winspear Opera House | 7:30 PM
Was it Col. Mustard, Professor Plum, or maybe Mr. White or Miss Scarlett?
A mysterious murder occurs in a mansion as six guests gather for a night they’ll never forget. The show was inspired by the hit movie and classic Hasbro board game; it’s a Broadway sensation. ATTpac.org
JUNE 30TH
Maggie O’Farrell, Arts and Letters Live
Dallas Museum of Art | 7:30 PM
The bestselling author’s novels include The Marriage Portrait and Hamnet. She is the recipient of the Women’s Prize for Fiction, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and several Costa Book Awards. She discusses her latest book, “Land,” a soaring historical novel set in Ireland that’s as spellbinding and varied as the landscape that inspired it. DMA.org
SEPTEMBER 30TH
Dallas Arboretum
Open-Dash Gallery
Dallas Arboretum | 9:30 AM
The 66-acre garden will be transformed into the largest outdoor gallery of Hunt Slonem’s ever produced. Hunt Slonem’s Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies features 28 installations and more than 100 works of art and debut pieces created for Dallas Arboretum. These are all displayed throughout the garden.
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Pickle In A
ARTICLE BY PAULI REEP
PICKLE-BRINED CHICKEN WINGS SOAR TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH ALABAMA WHITE SAUCE.
I’ve spent years searching for the perfect wing flavor, never quite satisfied, until I heard a podcast suggestion: brining chicken wings in pickle juice. It sounded strange at first, but it yields incredibly tender and flavorful wings! Since then, I save pickle juice from every jar I buy just to recreate these beloved wings. If I run out of pickle juice, olive juice works too. I air fry mine, but if you don’t have an air fryer, cook them as you normally would. Don’t forget to toss them in a buttery dill sauce and try the Alabama white BBQ sauce for an extra layer of goodness!
Pickle Juice Brined Wings
INGREDIENTS
• 2 pounds chicken wings (flats and drummettes)
• Pickle juice - enough to cover wings
• 1 – 2 teaspoons garlic salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 6 tablespoons butter
• A few dashes of hot sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Place chicken wings in a non-reactive container and pour pickle juice over chicken wings until completely covered.
2. Place it in the fridge and let it marinate, covered, for at least 8 hours.
3. Drain wings, discard pickle juice, and completely pat wings dry.
4. Put dried wings in a bowl and sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper. Mix well.
5. Place wings in an air fryer basket, being careful not to crowd. Cook at 400 degrees for 28 minutes, turning every 8 minutes until crispy. If you don’t have an air fryer, bake them in the oven for 35 - 40 minutes at 400 degrees, flipping halfway through.
6. Melt the butter and add a few splashes of hot sauce of your choice and mix in a bowl. Add wings and completely cover with butter mixture. Sprinkle with fresh dill and toss a few times, and serve with my white barbeque sauce.
Alabama White BBQ Sauce
INGREDIENTS
• 1 ½ cups mayonnaise (I prefer Duke’s)
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup white wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon pepper, coarsely ground
• 1 tablespoon Creole mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
INSTRUCTIONS
Whisk all ingredients together until blended. Dip your pickle juicebrined wings in this sauce and taste the joy! Store in the refrigerator for 1 - 2 weeks.
