Oklahoma Women Want To Know

It's one of the most high-profile, unsolved murder cases in Tulsa history: the disappearance and murder of Dena Dean. 16-year-old Dena Dean was kidnapped and murdered in 1998; her case has never been solved, but there have been significant leads in the case. Larry Dean always refers to himself as Dena's daddy, and after nearly three decades, he is still looking for answers. Larry talks about who Dena was, the circumstances surrounding her death, and the possible suspect.

A New Leaf is a non-profit that provides adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with life skills, job training, and a place to live. Miranda Figueroa is A New Leaf's CEO, and she tells us about the life-changing services they offer and their mission to help boost the quality of life and independence for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Find out more about A New Leaf: https://www.anewleaf.org/

L.A.Z.I.E. is an up-and-coming Tulsa singer/songwriter who’s had a few detours along her path to reaching her dreams. She was booking gigs and sharing her music around town until all her equipment was stolen. Shortly after, L.A.Z.I.E. was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. L.A.Z.I.E. says when she woke up after surgery to remove her thyroid cancer, she got some devastating news. Doctors accidentally severed her right vocal cord. L.A.Z.I.E. has worked hard to get her voice back, and now she is back out on the music scene. Check out L.A.Z.I.E. : https://open.spotify.com/artist/1x1wgmZqno9uLFesK9RtgA?si=-gNAdU3NQ3i2Xe_MFETFGg

Prepare to be inspired. Before Rustic Cuff became a household name, founder Jill Donovan was just a creative kid with a big imagination. Jill tells us about how taking up every hobby she could think of led her to find joy and gave her an outlet to inspire other women. Jill talks about creating her own brand and how she got celebrities to show off her bracelets.

Starting out as a single mother with a vision, Joni Rogers-Kante created the global beauty brand SeneGence International. You may have heard of the “wear all day” lip color, LipSense, Joni’s most popular creation. SeneGence has now expanded into other cosmetics and skincare lines beyond just lip products. Joni tells us how she created a business plan at her kitchen table and transformed a big idea into a thriving international beauty brand. Joni shares what she’s learned along the way and the real story behind building a business from the ground up. Joni is helping build up other women and giving them independence with direct sales. Joni also talks about her other projects in the growing town of Sapulpa.

Tulsa Lawyers for Children advocates for kids in the courtroom and beyond. TLC is a non-profit that provides pro bono legal representation for children in suspected cases of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Savannah Mendenhall with TLC shares with us how their attorneys fight for the best interest of the children and help give kids a voice. TLC also works with parents and guardians through mediation and mentorship. For more info: https://www.tulsalawyersforchildren.org/

City Year Tulsa is a team of passionate young leaders who dedicate a year of service to support Tulsa students and schools. Hollis McAllister, City Year Chief of Staff, and Tanika Anderson, a 3rd-year Americorps member, talk with us about their experiences going into classrooms and changing lives. City Year's mission is to support students, especially those in under-resourced schools, by helping them with academics, social-emotional growth, attendance, and creating more inclusive, engaged school environments. Visit www.cityyear.org/tulsa for more info.

As women, we’ve all had that moment walking to our car in a dark parking lot where our keys magically turn into ‘ninja weapons’ in our minds, but that is not how it works. Damsel in Defense helps women swap out the ‘stab-you-with-my-car-key’ plan for actual tools that work. Julie Robinson with Damsel in Defense is on a mission to help women feel prepared, not scared. Julie brings out the big guns, stun guns that is, along with alarms and other tools to defend yourself against would-be attackers. As women, we need to take back our power and learn to protect ourselves. And what’s better than listening to women talk about high-powered stun guns? For more info: www. damselschargeon.com

TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast contains discussion on suicide, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and drug abuse. Crystal Raye has a powerful story about survival. Raised by a mother with a drug addiction and sexually abused as a child, Crystal turned to drugs to ease her pain. She was manipulated by another abuser who became her husband and the father of her children. Crystal battled so much pain for so many years that she snapped one day. She poured gasoline on herself and set herself on fire. Crystal shares with us her story and what her life is like today.

Lisa Bain Ministries was born out of both pain and purpose. Lisa says that as her mother was dying, she gave Lisa a new purpose: to serve others. Lisa has her hands in just about everything when it comes to serving the community. Lisa Bain Ministries provides care packages and more for first responders to give to children who have suffered trauma to show them someone cares. The ministry also brings comfort to cancer patients, veterans, prison outreach, and so much more. Lisa says she wants her faith and love for the community to remind people they are loved and never alone. Hear Lisa’s incredible story and find out how you can help serve our community. For more info: https://lisabain.com

Sandra Goff is living every mother's nightmare. Her teenage son, Fedro Givins, was gunned down by another teenager. Police believe the shooting was unprovoked and possibly a gang initiation. Friends, teachers, and his family say Fedro was a good kid and was always cheering up others and encouraging people. Sandra knows all too well about the rise in youth gun violence. Sandra tells us about Fedro, how she is dealing with his tragic death, and what we need to do to keep guns out of the hands of kids.

Oklahoma Comic Con was a smash hit this year, and we were right in the middle of the action. We got the inside scoop from VXV Events organizer Joey Mills, who stopped by the studios to tell us all about how this fan-fueled weekend comes together. Mills fills us in on how they choose big-name guests, the switch to seeing more demand for voice actors, and the explosion of Anime. We also dive into the world of cosplay as we go behind the scenes at Oklahoma Comic Con!

Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler has a passion for justice and mental health advocacy. DA Kunzweiler walks us through what happens when a person with a mental illness is arrested. His personal and professional experience with mental illness has driven him to create change. We talk with Kunzweiler about the mental health crisis in Oklahoma and what we as a state are failing to do. Amid ongoing challenges with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Kunzweiler is fighting for mental health reform.

18-year-old chemistry student Brittany Phillips was found sexually assaulted and strangled inside her apartment in the fall of 2004. The case turned cold quickly, despite DNA tests and interviews with hundreds of individuals. Authorities found a DNA match to an early sample, but the person was quickly cleared of the murder. DNA was collected under Brittany’s fingernails, and detectives have not found a match. 20 years after her daughter’s murder, Dr Maggie Zingman is still waiting for answers. Maggie launched a crusade across America—dubbed the 'Caravan to Catch a Killer'—crisscrossing the country in a brightly wrapped van plastered with her daughter’s photo and a tip line number. Maggie shares her story and how she is using her tragedy to help others.

Melanie has had decades to deal with the trauma of being in an abusive marriage, but there is one thing that constantly reminds her of her past – a bullet. Melanie’s ex-husband shot her in the pelvic area, and the bullet has remained in her body for almost 30 years. The bullet is now shifting and is attached to her pudendal nerve, causing extreme pain. Nearly 30 doctors and surgeons have told her they cannot remove the bullet, but Melanie is desperately trying to find someone who can help her heal physically. Melanie shares her battle with domestic violence, escape, and triumph with us. Maybe you know someone who can help Melanie remove the heavy reminder of her trauma.

For many girls, learning to love their natural hair starts at home — but what if the grown-ups at home aren’t sure how to care for it either? Chrystal Pennington is empowering girls, their parents and caregivers by helping them embrace their natural beauty. At her Good Vibe Studio, Chrystal is on a mission to teach not just young girls how to embrace their curls, coils, and kinks — but also the parents, foster parents, and caregivers who want to do right by their kids but don’t always know where to start. Chrystal tells us it’s more than just styling tips and wash day routines. It’s about showing every girl, and every caregiver, that natural hair isn’t something to fix — it’s something to cherish. Learn More at https://www.facebook.com/GoodVibeStudio.ChrystalPennnington

Transitioning your loved one into senior living can be overwhelming, confusing and emotionally draining. How do you know what level of care meets their needs and how will you pay for it all? This is where Courtney Ivy comes in. Courtney is a senior advisor with Next Level and she is dedicated to guiding families through one of life’s most important decisions: finding the right place to call home for your loved ones. For more info, contact Courtney Ivy at 918-407-7689.

We are diving deeper into the ADHD mind and talking with Dr. Michelle Sharp about the science behind ADHD and how it presents itself in women. Many women are realizing in their 40s that there is a reason for their scatterbrained struggle. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder isn’t just about bouncing off the walls and forgetting where you put your keys, again.. Dr. Sharp breaks down everything you want to know about ADHD. Dr. Michelle Sharp is the Director of Outpatient Psychiatry for Parkside Psychiatric Hospital & Clinic. You can contact Dr. Sharp at (918) 582-2131

KRMG News Director April Helm (Hill) isn’t just showing up; she’s speaking up. April just got back from testifying at a hearing on romance scams before the Senate Judiciary Committee, and she has a story to tell. April talks about her journey to DC and what Congress wanted to know about romance scammers and their victims. April talks about what led her to that seat at the witness table and how it feels to stare down a panel of senators and say, “Here’s what needs to change.”? Watch April Helm’s testimony: https://youtu.be/W7t4Aqn2psw?si=75GRTSrEbfND99FR

Attention Deficit Disorder. It’s a term that is thrown around casually, but for women who actually have ADD, it is debilitating. Women with ADD experience depression, anxiety, and feelings of worthlessness. Therapist Constance Alexander with Breakthrough Family Counseling tells us how to deal with that mountain of unfinished laundry, the chronic overcommitting, those unfinished projects, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with ADD.