The Oklahoma Today Podcast

Season 6, Episode 32: Wild About Birds at the Sutton Avian Center in Bartlesville

When it comes to bird conservation, organizations don't get much more impactful than the George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center in Bartlesville. It is not that uncommon to see a majestic bald eagle out in the Oklahoma wild these days, and that is largely due to the efforts of Sutton Center to hatch and raise a new population of eagles in the state. But the Sutton Center's work doesn't end at the bald eagle. On this week's episode of the Oklahoma Today Podcast we paid a visit to the Sutton Avian Center's headquarters in Bartlesville to check out their efforts in masked bobwhite quail conservation and meet some other bird friends. We also learn more about this month's Wild Brew event at the Arvest Convention Center in Tulsa, which is a key fundraiser supporting the center's research and wildlife efforts. 

Also on this week's show, the editors share where in the state they like to go with a BIG appetite, and podvents lets us know where to find the real comedians this week. You won't want to miss it! 

Season 6, Episode 31: Grill the Perfect Steak with Stock & Bond's Chef Jonas Favela

There are few greater joys in life than a juicy steak grilled to perfection. It seems like it wouldn't be the hardest thing to do on your own, but there are a lot of ways home steak preparation can go wrong. Fear not, though, because we've called in an expert. Editor-in-chief Nathan Gunter met with Jonas Favela, executive chef at Stock & Bond in Oklahoma City, to learn how prime cuts of beef are treated at one of the best and trendiest steakhouses in the capital city. Warning: New kitchen inspiration might follow. 

Also on this week's episode, the editors discuss their own cooking skills, and podvents lets us know where in Oklahoma to get our '90s nostalgia fix. You won't want to miss it! 

Season 6, Episode 30: Branjae—The Music That Made Her

Tulsa R&B songstress Branjae is one of Oklahoma Today's 10 Oklahoma Artists to Know, as mentioned in our July-August 2025 issue. If you've ever seen Branjae perform, you know she puts as much work into crafting her stage presentation as she does on the songs themselves. That's why it shouldn't be any surprise that she takes inspiration from some truly generational performers like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Dianna Ross. For this episode of the Oklahoma Today Podcast, we met with Branjae at Tulsa's Studio Records. We not only caught up with one of the state's brightest artists, but we let her pick out some records that were key to her artistic development.

 

Also on this week's show, the editors work together to build an Oklahoma Today playlist, and podvents gets CRAZY! You won't want to miss it!

Season 6, Episode 29: Discovering OKANA Resort and Indoor Waterpark

Oklahoma City's OKANA Resort and Indoor Waterpark has been a heavily anticipated project since the day it was announced, and this summer it's finally here! With expansive indoor and outdoor aquatic fun, an arcade, spa, food, and so much more, this is not only an attraction that will draw fun-seekers from all over the world, but the perfect destination for Oklahomans who want an escape without the hassle of long-distance travel. Today's guest on the show is Laura Rudicel, OKANA's director of marketing, who gives us a tour of the incredible facilities. Ben's in vacation mode, so it might be hard getting him back to the office again.

Also on this week's episode, the editors share their ideal Oklahoma staycations, and podvents lets us know where to score a chicken salad sandwich this weekend. You won't want to miss it!

Season 6, Episode 28: Jurassic World Makes Sam Noble Museum's Aquilops A Movie Star

Jurassic World: Rebirth is one of this summer's biggest blockbusters, and the movie has a surprisingly adorable Oklahoma connection. The movie features a rabbit-sized herbivore known as the Aquilops americanus, a species of dinosaur the world knows about thanks to the work of scientists at the Sam Noble Museum in Norman. Editor-in-chief Nathan Gunter talks with Dr. Jacqueline Lungmus about the little dino that is stealing hearts this summer in the cinema, as well as some of the other prehistoric creatures in the museum's collection. Those who venture out to Sam Noble this Saturday will have the thrill of celebrating Aquilops Day, a day of learning, fun, and activities centered around the dynamic, diminutive dinosaur. 

Also on this week's podcast, the editors discuss their must-haves for an Oklahoma cookout, and podvents lets us know how to enjoy two different local peach festivals in the same week. You won't want to miss it!

Season 6, Episode 27: The Adorable Animal Ambassadors of Sequoyah State Park

Cute animal friends call Hulbert's Sequoyah State Park home. Beavers, a coyote, a fox, and more can be encountered at Sequoyah's nature center. These are animals who, for various reasons, are unfit to live in the wild on their own. Thanks to the efforts of state park naturalists like Sierra (our human guest of the week), these creatures get a new lease on life thanks to the animal ambassador program. It also gives park attendees a chance for a closer meeting with these critters than they are likely to ever get in the wild.

Also on this week's show, the editors discuss which creature would best serve as their personal animal ambassador, and podvents lets us know the best place in Oklahoma to find haggis this weekend. You won't want to miss it!

Season 6, Episode 26: OKC Thunder Championship Parade Brings the Fans Out

Thunder up, baby! A day many in this state have long dreamed of came to fruition on June 24, 2025, when the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrated their NBA championship with a parade through downtown that attracted more than half a million happy fans. Our very own host Ben was one of them, and he went out into the streets on this special occasion to get the local reaction to this momentous occasion (and maybe get his own glance at the legendary Larry O'Brien Trophy).

Also on this week's episode, we poll Thunder fans about who their favorite player is, and podvents tells us where the best place in the state for huckleberries is. You won't want to miss it!

Season 6, Episode 25: U-Picking Blueberries at the Thunderbird Berry Farm

Fresh berries are one of the best benefits of summer. There are plenty of places where locally grown blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and more are available for purchase in convenient packages, but it's pretty much scientific fact that berries taste better when you pick them off the bush yourself. So we did just that! Ben and Chris ventured out to the Thunderbird Berry Farm just outside of Broken Arrow to get their blueberry fix and learn more about this family business currently in the midst of its 20th u-pick season. 

Also on this week's episode, the editors share their favorite Oklahoma-grown fruits and vegetables, and podvents lets us know where to celebrate Independence Day a week early. You won't want to miss it!

Season 6, Episode 24: Mini-Golf Mayhem at Elk City's Puttin' the Park

Cruising down Route 66 is the American dream, but it can be a time-consuming one. If you're looking to get some of those famous kicks in under an hour, might we suggest a visit to Puttin' the Park in Elk City? They have totally revamped their miniature golf course in Ackley Park to mimic travel down the famous Mother Road. Featuring Oklahoma icons like the Golden Driller of Tulsa and the Pops bottle in Arcadia (plus a number of other famous photo ops), it's a fun detour no matter which direction you're driving. Our guest this week is Marnie Tosh, who helped design the new course for Elk City. Our fearless host Ben tests his golf course against the person who made it. 

Also on this week's show, the editors share their dream car for a trip down 66, and podvents tells us where to find a free Big K.R.I.T. concert. You won't want to miss it!

Season 6, Episode 23: Toy Stories at the Toy and Action Figure Museum in Pauls Valley

Toys: They teach us a lot as we're growing up. They teach us to value our possessions, to use our imaginations, and how much our parents don't like it when we leave them all over the floor. It's no wonder we end up putting a lot of nostalgic value into them, or that there is a museum dedicated to them in south-central Oklahoma. The Toy and Action Figure Museum in Pauls Valley has thousands of figures on display, including those from franchises like Marvel, DC Comics, Star Wars, and more. Museum founder Kevin Stark is our featured guest today, giving us a tour of the site's impressive collection and helping us realize why our playtime heroes are worth preserving. 

Also on this week's episode, the editors share their own favorite toys of the past, and podvents tells us where to catch a cat by its tongue. You won't want to miss it!