The Oklahoma Today Podcast

For travelers across Route 66, Meadow Gold Mack's in Tulsa is a must-stop. The twenty-foot-tall Bunyan-esque fiberglass muffler man out front is more than enough reason on its own, but head inside to see a collection of gifts and collectibles both quintessentially Oklahoma and unlike much else you'll encounter along your travels. Owner Mary Beth Babcock, Oklahoma Today's 2011 Oklahoman of the Year, is one of the key personalities to meet along the Mother Road. On this week's episode, we let Mary Beth show us around this shop of wonder with the kind of charm and cool that only she can muster. 

Also on this week's episode, the editors share their favorite places to check out while in Tulsa, and podvents puts some heat on blacksmithing. You won't want to miss it!

The Oklahoma Today Show is continuing its year-long celebration of the Route 66 centennial with a visit to an Oklahoma City boutique named, simply, Route 66. Owned and managed by Jeanette Koenig, the store inside the 50 Penn Place shopping center has been selling Mother Road and travel themed art and merchandise, among other carefully curated items like soaps and lavender, for years. We spoke with Koenig to gain some insight into the vision behind this fun shop full of character. Stay tuned after the interview to hear about a special Route 66 giveaway!

 

Also on this week's show, the editors discuss must-play songs on any summer road trip playlist, and podvents lets us know where in Oklahoma we can catch a monster-sized catfish with no rod required. You won't want to miss it!

Much of this show's time and energy this year has been dedicated to honoring the hundredth birthday of The Mother Road, Route 66. This time, we are tipping our cap to a different sort of centennial. The historic Kumback Lunch in Perry observed its triple-digit birthday in April. In its day, the classic diner has seen everything from a legendary visit by Pretty Boy Floyd to the capture of Timothy McVeigh and plenty of community ups and downs. Shae Boschee, who recently purchased Kumback with her husband Scott, joins the show to talk about what the historic milestone means to the Perry community.

Also on this week, the editors share some of their other favorite Oklahoma diners, and podvents welcomes the return of deadCenter Film Festival. You won't want to miss it!

The El Reno onion burger is one of Oklahoma's greatest contributions to the American culinary landscape, and no trip down Route 66 is complete without trying at least one. The town of El Reno has no shortage of options, but Sid's Diner is one that is known worldwide for this regional burger variety. Adam Hall, owner of Sid's Diner, joins the show today to teach Ben and I Ate Oklahoma's Greg Elwell (who wrote a great story on the history and present of El Reno's burger culture in the May-June 2026 issue of Oklahoma Today magazine) how to make their very own authentic onion burgers.

Also on this week's episode, the editors discuss every burger's best friend: fries, and podvents kicks off its Sunday shoes at the Footloose Festival. You won't want to miss it!

Recently named a top national cultural event by USA Today, the Black Wall Street Rally will bring thousands of motorcycles and motorcycle enthusiasts to the Tulsa area. But the event is so much more than just a motorcycle rally—it is a celebration of historic Black Wall Street's endearing entrepreneurial legacy and an opportunity to bring multiple communities together and stronger than ever. Organizer Byron Perry joins the show to let us know about everything that is planned for this new annual favorite, which returns May 14-16.

Also on this week's show, the editors imagine which Oklahoma town they'd like to visit on a motorcycle, and podvents keeps an eye on walleye. You won't want to miss it!

You can't tell the Route 66 centennial story without talking to Michael Wallis. The Pulitzer-nominated nonfiction writer published Route 66: The Mother Road in 1990, and the start-to-finish guide to the highway is still considered an essential resource. His connection to the Route is so legendary he even earned a role as The Sheriff in the Cars movie when Pixar set out to make its own Mother Road inspired movie.

Also on this week's episode, the editors discuss their plans for Mother's Day and podvents takes us through strawberry fields. You won't want to miss it!

Subscribers to Oklahoma Today have likely already seen our glorious new May-June issue celebrating all things Route 66 during this centennial year. The cover features a fantastic original work by Clint Stone jam-packed with all sorts of landmarks and Easter eggs from the state's stretch of the Mother Road. But it's much more than a magazine cover, it is a print you can treasure forever. A poster insert is included in each copy of the magazine. You can also order your own copy (or several) at OklahomaToday.com. Clint joins us in the studio this week to talk about the work that went into creating this new piece and what about the great open road inspires his creativity. 

Also on this week's episode, the editors discuss what Oklahoma scenes they think would also make great posters, and podvents pumps us up for Stillwater's annual Calf Fry. You won't want to miss it!

One of Oklahoma City's favorite springtime traditions will celebrate its sixtieth year this week. The Festival of the Arts, organized by Arts Council Oklahoma City, will occupy downtown's Bicentennial Park April 23-26. Thousands of revelers will embark on the area near Civic Center Music Hall to peruse all the art vendor booths, enjoy live music, and sample delicious bites from the many food vendors. Organizers Richard Forshee, Sarah Frank, and Justin Newton join the Oklahoma Today Show to let us know what we have to look forward to for this anniversary year. Did somebody say drone show???

Also on this week's show, the editors discuss which foods simply taste better outside on a sunny day, and podvents preps us for the return of Norman Music Festival. You won't want to miss it!

Get ready for an inspiring and one-of-a-kind conversation on the Oklahoma Today Show as we welcome our first-ever international guest, Enric Casacuberta of Catalonia, Spain. Enric is taking on an extraordinary challenge—running the entire length of historic Route 66 over five months—not just for the adventure, but to honor a friend he lost to ALS and to raise awareness and funds for a devastating disease. Recently named an Official Route 66 Centennial Project, “Running for ALS” blends personal purpose with a deep love for one of America’s most iconic highways, all while supporting local communities along the route. In this interview, Enric shares the emotional story behind his journey, what Route 66 means to him, and how this ambitious run aims to make a real difference.

Also on this week's episode, the editors ponder on what other aspects of Oklahoma culture they hope we are still celebrating 100 years from now, and podvents gets us partying like it's 1889. You won't want to miss it!

Traditionally, America's great stretches of rural highway have not been a haven for culinary conquest. You grab a soda and a bag of chips or maybe a hot dog from the easy mart and you hit the road again. Well, that norm is starting to change a bit. Fueling stations and truck stops are upping their food game, and those who once maligned the name of "gas station food" are starting to be more open minded. The Oklahoma-based Love's Travel Stops has embarked on a series of limited-time hot food offerings that could be found at their locations—foods like a spicy breakfast burger and a pork sandwich with honey mustard barbecue sauce on a gourmet pretzel bun. We visited Love's Culinary Innovation Center to try out some of these new creations and see if Love's reaches the ever-rising bar of road trip food.

Also on this week's episode, the editors share their own go-to snacks for the road, and podvents tells us where to get the freshest German verenika. You won't want to miss it!