The Oklahoma Today Podcast

Are you the very model of a modern major general? Probably not, but guests are welcome to pretend for a moment when they go to see Tulsa Opera's production of The Pirates of Penzance at the University of Tulsa's Lorton Performance Center this Friday and Sunday. Sung in English with musical accompaniment from the Tulsa Opera Orchestra, this classic swashbuckling romance and slapstick comedy from Gilbert & Sullivan tells the story of a love-struck former pirate trying to evade his past. Jason Zacher, who portrays the Pirate King in Tulsa Opera's production, joins the show to talk about this can't miss show and how he gets into character as a bureaucratic buccaneer. 

Also on this week's show, the editors discuss their favorite Mexican and Tex-Mex food options in the state, and podvents tells a tale as old as time. You won't want to miss it!

Historic Route 66 celebrates its hundredth birthday in 2026! This is big news for Oklahoma tourism, as the state hosts more drivable miles of the Mother Road than any other state. It likely won't be the last time you hear about the centennial celebration on our show this year, but we need someone to set us up for the year's long international observance. The perfect person for that job is Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. Martin joins us in the studio this week to talk about the historical significance of the highway, how and when to celebrate this year, and what we can expect from Route 66 in the future.

Also on this week's show, the editors give some advice for those who are trying to stick to their healthy eating goals in the New Year while still supporting local business, and podvents challenges viewers to find Ben out in public. You won't want to miss it!

Pigeons and humans have been in close contact for thousands of years. In fact, pigeons are among the very first birds to be domesticated. There is no doubt that people have formed a special relationship with these birds, and that is especially apparent to anyone who goes to visit the American Pigeon Museum & Library in Oklahoma City. That's exactly what Ben did for this episode, meeting with museum employee Ashlee Mikesell for a quick tour and meet-and-greet with some special live birds.

Also on this week's episode, the editors discuss their own favorite museums and educational centers across the state, and podvents wishes a happy eightieth birthday to a music icon. You won't want to miss it!

Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you our inaugural Okie Awards show in its entirety. In lieu of our regular program, here is an event the whole Oklahoma Today team put a lot of hard work into making possible. Held December 11 at the Chicken Shack on Route 66 in Arcadia, this was our award show honoring some of the most Oklahoma things of the year. It was also a good time to look back at some of the things we had done on the show in 2025. If you couldn't make it, you missed a great party, but you can at least enjoy the event virtually on YouTube. Keep an eye out for the Faux-kies—awards that aren't quite official but are a lot of fun!

As the new year approaches, many are thinking about curbing all the holiday excess and starting 2026 off on the right foot. Well, the best way to do just that is with a visit to an Oklahoma State Park for a traditional First Day Hike. Dozens of state parks will be participating—Roman Nose, Great Plains, Lake Murray, and more! Oklahoma State Parks head naturalist Torie Thompson tells us where to go to start the year with activity in nature.

Also on this week's show, the editors discuss their New Year's resolutions for 2026, and podvents tells us about Bingo with a twist. You won't want to miss it!

Oklahoma cities and towns large and small go all out for Christmas, and Chickasha takes special pride in its own holiday celebration. This week on the Oklahoma Today Podcast, Ben ventures out to the Chickasha Festival of Light to see one of the top light displays in the nation. More than three-and-a-half million twinkling lights dazzle drive- and walk-through spectators in this winter carnival atmosphere throughout Shannon Springs Park. We meet with Festival of Light coordinator Matthew Stockman to learn all about this winter wonderland.

Also on this week's episode, the editors discuss the most memorable gifts they recall receiving, and podvents lets us know where to bring your Wranglers this holiday. You won't want to miss it!

This week we're honored to have the one and only Cowboy Kent Rollins, the famed chuckwagon chef, author of Amazon bestselling cookbook A Taste of Cowboy, and the larger-than-life personality behind one of the most beloved food channels on YouTube, as well as the Food Network and Outdoor Channel. Known for cooking over open fires, telling unforgettable stories, and keeping cowboy traditions alive, Kent has built a massive following by blending practical cooking, humor, and heart. We talk about his journey from southwest Oklahoma to national fame, what tips he has for new outdoor cooks, and why it's OK for cowboys to love sushi too.

Also on this week's episode, the editors share which gifts are perfect for any Okie, and podvents makes a suggestion for where Hallmark should film their next Christmas movie. You won't want to miss it!

Mary Eddy's Italian Grill in downtown Oklahoma City has long been known for exquisite dining, but have you ever sampled their brunch menu? If not, there has never been a better time to try, because the eatery located inside the Fordson Hotel is unveiling several seasonal creations to accompany their already stellar lineup of indulgent morning fare. Mary Eddy's executive chef Ryan Kolk joins Ben from inside the restaurant to talk about their 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday brunch offerings.

Also. on this week's show, the editors discuss their favorite baked goods in the state, and podvents lets us know what happens when Christmas lights get . . . creepy. You won't want to miss it!

Oklahoma is now heading full throttle into the holiday season, and for many in the state that means it's time for the famous holiday jingle from B.C. Clark Jewelers to ring on the radio, TV, and just about everywhere else—including endlessly inside our own heads. Many are familiar with the song, which became a quick hit for the iconic Oklahoma City family jeweler when it debuted in the 1950s. But why, exactly, did this particular jingle go down in history? Where did it succeed where others did not? Is there something going on musically that has helped etch it into the Oklahoma holiday canon? On this week's show we're joined by Mitchell Clark, president of B.C. Clark Jewelers and great-grandson of B.C. Clark himself, and Patrick Conlon, associate director of the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma in Oklahoma City. Together, we will attempt to get to the bottom of what has made the jingle an endearing holiday hit on par with any other classic Christmas song. 

Also on this week's show, the editors share what signals the start of the holiday season in their eyes, and podvents lets us know where to go to get our chocolate fix. You won't want to miss it!

Welcome back, dear followers of the Oklahoma Today Podcast! Happy Thanksgiving Week for those watching on the week this episode debuts. We like to think of Oklahoma Today as a family, so for this special holiday episode we are giving you a tour of our "home" at the Oklahoma State Tourism and Recreation Department offices in downtown Oklahoma City. See all the familiar and behind-the-scenes faces behind the magazine and get a sense of our day-to-day activities while the staff shares what they're thankful for. 

Also on this week's show, the editors share their favorite non-traditional Thanksgiving side dishes, and in podvents life . . . finds a way. You won't want to miss it!