The Oklahoma Today Podcast

Season 5, Episode 17: Striking A Cord with Norman Music Festival

The approaching end of the spring semester at the University of Oklahoma signals the coming of an annual tradition in the college town, Norman Music Festival. Over the years, NMF has become the state's premier music festival for independent and up-and-coming bands, with several big national names sprinkled across its history of lineups. It is also the biggest in-state platform for many talented Oklahoma-based musicians. This year's festival is once again free for all, running from April 25-27, and features headliners like Alvvays, Moor Mother, Husbands, and more. To help set the stage for the event, the Oklahoma Today Podcast welcomes guests Shari Jackson, Desiree Yearby, and Evan Jarvicks to talk the names they're excited to see, the work that goes into putting on such a big annual event, and tips for newcomers.

Also on the show, the editors discuss a hit Question of the Week prompt: What Oklahoma small town could also be a good band name? And podvents take us out to where the red fern grows. We hope you enjoy!

Season 5, Episode 16: Buddying Up with Howard Styron and Friends of the Wichitas

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is one of Oklahoma's most cherished stretches of natural land. It's a beauty to behold and serves as a home to so many native plants and animals, but it takes a lot of people power to preserve this sanctuary. One organization that has stepped up to support the refuge is the Friends of the Wichitas, which is involved in fundraising, charitable contributions, and volunteerism in support of the area's nearly 60,000 acres. Howard Styron, president of the Friends of the Wichitas, joins the show as this week's guest to discuss how one can become involved with the organization. He also shares the interesting story behind his own involvement and his personal favorite spot on the refuge. 

 

Also on this week's episode, the editors discuss some of their most memorable Oklahoma hikes, and podvents draws attention to the moral ambiguity of a classic fairytale. You won't want to miss it. 

Season 5, Episode 15: Where Are The Monarchs?

Around this time of year is usually when Oklahomans get their first glimpse of the Eastern monarch butterfly, which makes migratory passes through the state in the spring and fall months. This year though, they might be harder to spot. As Oklahoma City Zoo postdoctoral researcher Emily Geest points out, the population total for the butterfly is currently the second smallest total on record and down more than 50 percent from the previous season? What has happened to this majestic insect. As today's guest, Geest breaks down what is happening to the monarch population, what the future looks like for the butterfly, and what we can do about it. 

 

Also on this week's episode, the editors discuss their favorite parts of the springtime, and podvents give us something to . . . prawn-der. We hope you enjoy.

Season 5, Episode 14: deadCenter Film Festival announcements with Cacky Poarch

Lights, camera, podcast! Oklahoma's biggest annual film and movie party is OKC's deadCenter Film Festival, now in its twenty-fourth year. Passes are on sale now for this year's event, which is June 6-9 at various venues near downtown. Cacky Poarch, the festival's founding executive director, joins the show to talk about what people can expect from this year's gathering of the auteurs, including a big scoop on this year's Film Icon Award honorees. 

 

Also on the show, the editors discuss their favorite places in Oklahoma to see a movie, and a Mad Lib-inspired podvent takes an interesting turn. We hope you enjoy!

Season 5, Episode 13: Propelling Art Forward with Momentum 2024

A sign of a vibrant art scene is a robust and active foundation of young talent that preserve the culture while also guiding it in new ways. Oklahoma has these kinds of emerging creators in spades, which is why the annual Momentum showcase from the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition has become an institution in the local art scene. This show for artists 30 and under highlights some of the brightest new visionaries in the state. Guest Curator Lindsay Aveilhé and Emerging Curator Allison Ward join the show to talk about the importance of the Momentum stage and the state of the local art scene. 

Also on the show, the editors discuss their Oklahoma party must-haves, and podvents take us on a tour across the state. You won't want to miss it!

Season 5, Episode 12: Our Eclipse Preview Show

We're less than a month away from the big solar eclipse, and we've got you covered on all the basics. Though the eclipse will be viewable to different degrees of partiality for much of the state, those in the southeastern corner will get a glimpse at totality: one of the sky's best treats for all us below. The Oklahoma Today editors walk listeners through where, when, and how to best see the coming star-covering and share more about our eclipse themed March-April issue (including a guide to places to go and things to do in the area of totality). 

Also on the show, the editors discuss some other natural wonders on their bucket lists and podvents gets sporty with basketball and bass fishing. We hope you enjoy!

Season 5, Episode 11: Diving Deeper with Rae Rowland and Medicine Park Aquarium

Medicine Park in the Wichita Mountains is known first and foremost for hiking and biking trails that spin out of a charming cobblestone village. But near the top of any Medicine Park itinerary is a trip to their aquarium and natural sciences center, which is also the largest year-round employer in the town. From river otters to giant catfish, there are many critters there waiting for a photo op with visiting families. Executive Director Rainette Rowland joins the podcast this week as guest. She talks about all the unique behind the scenes work that goes into running an aquarium in a small town, including their animal rescue efforts.

Also on the show, the editors share their personal favorite aquatic animals, and podvents helps us make our weekend plans. We hope you enjoy!

Season 5, Episode 10: Troy Aikman Talks Elite Brewing

Troy Aikman: Dallas Cowboys legend, television icon, and . . . brewmaster? Well, close enough, it turns out. Henryetta's own joins the Oklahoma Today Podcast to talk about his company EIGHT Brewing, which has now brought its Elite Light Lager to Oklahoma markets after debuting in Texas. As it turns out, Troy has a long history with brewing that goes back to his days at OU with Coach Barry Switzer. Aikman talks to hosts Ben Luschen and Nathan Gunter about the work that went into developing the 90 calorie beer, the Oklahomans he'd most want to share a beer with, and his opinion on how some quarterbacks with Oklahoma ties are doing in the NFL. You won't want to miss it. 

Also on the show, the hosts discuss other brushes they've had with celebrity, and podvents successfully avoid dysentery! We hope you enjoy!

Season 5, Episode 9:Talking Hoops with Potawatomi Fire Head Coach Mark Dannhoff

No one is going to mistake the group of five Oklahoma Today editors for the varsity basketball team anytime soon, but like a lot of Oklahomans we enjoy watching a good ball game. One of the best tickets in the state to grab right now is for a seat at a Potawatomi Fire game. This professional basketball team based in Shawnee's FireLake Arena and owned by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation had a stranglehold on their league last season and ultimately walked away with the national championship. The Fire tips off their title defense season March 1 at home against the Enid Outlaws. Fire coach Mark Dannhoff joins the podcast to share what the team needs to do to be the first team in their league ever to repeat as champs. 

Also on this week's show, the editors share some of their own favorite sports memories, and podvents inspires talk of spitting llamas. We hope you enjoy! 

Season 5, Episode 8: Refined Refreshments with Jamel Stephens and Afropop

These podcasts are makin' me thirsty! Good thing we brought the perfect antidote into the studio with us this go-around: the new Afropop soda, a new, locally made soft drink now on shelves in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas. The editors sample all three unique flavors on the air and try not to make a mess in the process. Afropop is the brainchild of founder Jamel Stephens, who partially developed his product as a way of supporting local artists and marginalized communities. Stephens joins the show to talk about how he came up with Afropop's three original flavors, where people can find the product, and the brand's special launch party at Factory Obscura in Oklahoma City. 

 

In addition to all the fizz, the editors share some of their other favorite drinks during Question of the Week, and new cast member Kiersten Stone shines in her podvent debut. We hope you enjoy!