TulsaPeople Magazine

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I'm your host Tim Landes. After more than 100 episodes over the past four years it's time to go About Town. On this episode Tim and About Town host Blayklee Freed talk about the future of this podcast channel and all the exciting things to come in the biweekly episodes of About Town that will run 10-15 minutes an episode. We also reflect on the five years of Tulsa Talks and discuss some of the highlights. All the podcast episodes will remain here and at TulsaPeople.com/Podcast. We might be back later with more special episodes of Tulsa Talks. In the meantime, Tim will continue making appearances on random episodes of About Town. So stay subscribed, buckle up and get ready to go About Town. 

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I'm your host Tim Landes.Business is getting back to normal around Tulsa after the devastating effects of the June 17 storm that left me, some coworkers and thousands of other Tulsans without power for nearly a week. It was hot, but we made it… unlike way too many trees. So this episode is dropping a week late and it’s a different format than usual.I’ve been doing a lot of online content this year. Lots of concert photo galleries and some reviews, plus Q&A and photo galleries with local creatives. Plus our team publishes updated music listings, a weekly rundown of things to do, a beer of the week and more. We’re staying busy.We have so many talented artists in this town, and I want to spend time with as many of them as possible. I love learning their stories and having the opportunity to share a part of it with our readers. Plus often there are lessons we can learn and use in our own endeavors.As I continue to evolve in my work, I’ve been spending a lot more time working on my photography. It’s been a lifelong hobby, and a part of my jobs for over a decade. Most of it is photojournalism, which means capturing moments. I’ve been pushing myself to do more portraits, which pushes me out of my comfort zone. I’m getting better at it, and excited to keep chasing it as I move toward video, finally.The film industry is exploding in Tulsa, and it’s inspiring to see so many creatives growing their styles here in Tulsa. Many are homegrown, but some are coming here to learn and make movies.I recently went for a walk and talk with filmmaker Brea Mullen, a Tulsa transplant who didn’t go to film school and is grinding it out and learning as she goes and loving every second of it.Her documentary Oklahoma Underground will premiere locally as part of the upcoming Circle Cinema Film Festival. Read the Q&A with Brea.Back in late May, I went for a Turkey Mountain hike with Branjae.We covered a whole lot in this Q&AShe discussed how she took a break from music to take care of her mental health, and now she’s back and ready to roll out new music and more.What didn’t make the cut in print is her thoughts on the local music and creative scene in 2023.While she did take a break from most her musical duties, she did perform at the legendary Apollo Theater in NYC. I had to ask her about that experience.And now since things got twisted, turned and thrown across Tulsa, I’m going to leave you with Connie Cronley reading her June column. This would normally appear on our About Town episodes, but even our podcast schedule felt the effects of the derecho. Also congrats to Connie for her recent awards from the Great Plains Journalism Awards as well as the Oklahoma Press Association. She’s one of the best writers in the state and more than worthy of these awards.Take us on your road trip, Connie. 

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I'm your host Tim Landes. After nearly four decades of being a photographer and a decade of writing about beer for Tulsa World, Tom Gilbert now contributes beer of the week stories and photo galleries here at TulsaPeople, and I couldn't be more excited. He's someone I've looked up to for a long time, so I was thrilled he agreed to chat with me about his life passions of photography and beer. Tom takes us back to his teenage years in Saudi Arabia when and where  he learned about home brewing and fell in love with taking pictures. He returned home to Broken Arrow, went to college and then started at Tulsa World in the mid-late 1980s, where he worked until December of 2022. We talk about the evolutions of photography and journalism and he shares his thoughts on where he thinks the industry is going.We start and close talking about the always growing and evolving Tulsa beer scene. Cheers!

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I’m your host Tim Landes.  Long before I returned to journalism, I worked for my tribe, Cherokee Nation, for a decade. It was there I helped do media relations for Cherokee Casinos and Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism. It was in that role I learned about the importance of the art. We’re storytellers because up until Sequoyah created the syllabary, the only way to share history was through stories and art. Even with the written language this continues. Over the last 15 years, Cherokee Nation has invested heavily in art. It’s actually a Cherokee Nation law that every construction project must incorporate art into the budget.  That’s not the case for Muscogee Nation. When the tribe acquired the Cancer Treatment Center and turned it into Council Oak Comprehensive Healthcare, they inherited a massive new facility that would help revolutionize health care for the tribe and open its doors for all area tribal citizens. The team behind the hospital saw an opportunity to not only provide medical treatment, but also help folks heal through art.  Under the curation of Osage Nation citizen Julie O’Keefe, who had helped Bacone College with their Acee Blue Eagle Collection, the tribe purchased and commissioned art from over 30 artists, which has resulted in dozens of pieces of art of all kinds hanging throughout the hospital campus, including some from Yatika Fields and outside in the courtyard, where Kenneth Johnson is creating his largest sculpture to date.  I wrote about this for a feature that is in our May issue of the magazine. I love this story, but due to space limitations I couldn’t share all I wanted to from the artists. This is often the case, sadly. Ask any journalist about the content piled on the cutting room floor and they might cry. That said, I realized I had an opportunity to share more from the artists on how important this project has been to them.  Something else that sometimes happens is an interview opportunity comes up after the story goes to press. In this case, hospital officials purchased a painting from legendary Muscogee Nation artist Dana Tiger. She calls the painting her masterpiece. When I learned the tribe had purchased the painting, I jumped at the chance to head down the turnpike to Muskogee to visit with Dana about her art.  First up is Yatika Fields, who is a Muscogee Nation citizen and Cherokee and Osage. He’s also a Tulsa Artist Fellow. The health care center acquired many of his paintings and commissioned him to paint his largest to date. He talks about how important it is, but also how there’s also the need for more public walls to showcase Native art.  Second is Kenneth Johnson is a sculptor, who resides in Santa Fe. He’s logged many miles driving back and forth to work on his courtyard installation, which it turns out has been a family affair.  I close with Dana Tiger, who I recently spent time with in her Muskogee studio, where she beamed with pride as she showed me her children’s artwork, which continues a family tradition that began with her late father.  Dana was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1999, but she hasn’t let that slow her down. It means a lot that she took the time to talk to me, and I’m thrilled to share it with you on this episode. A note: you might notice cameos by one or two of her studio cats during the conversation. 

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I'm your host Tim Landes. On this episode a conversation with Meg Gould, who has been very busy since joining Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts and Culture in January. She discusses her background in television production and how she's excited to oversee Tulsa FMAC after most recently working for Dallas Film. Gould discusses her recent trips to Sundance and South by Southwest to promote Tulsa artists, and she talks about the need for more filming locations across town as productions continue to happen. This and much more. Learn more about her in this article from our May issue. Tulsa FMAC website is here. Tulsa Creativity Database is here. 

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I'm your host Tim Landes. On this episode we're back on the road for an afternoon at Coal Creek in Glenpool, where Blue Thumb Volunteer Coordinator Cheryl Cheadle met me to discuss her and the nonprofit's work in monitoring Tulsa County creeks and streams, and why it's so important. Learn more about the organization in this April TulsaPeople article and/or visit Blue Thumb's website to learn more. 

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I'm your host Tim Landes. It's been over three years since Danny Boy O'Connor opened The Outsiders House Museum, 731 N. St. Louis Ave. In that time thousands of fans of S.E. Hinton's book and Francis Ford Coppola's movie have visited the museum. On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the movie's release, Danny Boy sat down on the  living room couch and talked about the impact the museum has had since opening in August 2019, plus how he hasn't stopped adding to it.  He's still searching for props, costumes, cars and memorabilia pertaining to the Hinton movie universe  because he has bigger dreams you'll hear about on this episode. He discusses the popularity of the tours with students (10,000 students this year!) and fans and talks about the growing inventory of items available inside the gift shop. The California transplant also talks about why Tulsa is so great after seven years of calling it home. Related links:Celebrate "The Outsiders" movie's 40th anniversary in styleWill Rogers Middle School students have immersive 'Outsiders' experience'The Outsiders' looking better than we've seen it before: A Q&A with American Zoetrope Film Archivist James Mockoski, who oversaw the 4K restoration

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. On this episode it's a conversation with Drew Winn inside his Guitar House of Tulsa, 1216 S. Harvard Ave. For eight years, Winn has owned Guitar House of Tulsa. In 2020 he relocated the shop from its downtown location to midtown. He discusses those changes and the positives that came with the bigger space. Winn is also the owner of Stillwater's Daddy O's Music Co., which is where he got his start in the industry as a teenager. It was then and there he began making connections that would help lead him to Tulsa. He reflects on those days and how they impacted his musical journey.  Late last year he released his self-titled debut. He discusses recording the album and what it means to finally be a recording artist. Read more about him in our March issue. For more information on Winn, visit his website that is mentioned in this episode. Guitar House of Tulsa websiteDaddy O's Music Co. (Stillwater) website

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I'm your host Tim Landes. On this episode of Tulsa Talks, Tamecca Rogers, Ph.D., visits the podcast to talk about her new documentary "Crown" that premieres at Circle Cinema on Friday, Feb. 17. According to Rogers, this relevant and timely documentary explores the lived experiences of prominent local Black women in Tulsa pertaining to racism and discrimination in the workplace and school. It is also a call to action for Oklahoma to join 19 other states to pass the CROWN ACT to prevent bullying and discrimination based on ethnic hair in the workplace and schools. In the documentary, different generations of women share their experiences and give a voice to Black women who are constantly silenced, ignored, or censored. In 2020, Rogers wrote an essay for TulsaPeople in response to the police killing of George Floyd and the conversations she has to have with her three boys. Rogers reflects on that piece and discusses her response to last month's Memphis Police killing of Tyre Nichols.The Navy veteran also discusses what it was like to be a first-time filmmaker and the lessons learned along the way to seeing her documentary on the big screen and more. 

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I'm your host Tim Landes. On this episode we're talking puppets and the fun of being creative with Emmy winner David Bizzaro. The conversation begins with Bizzaro reflecting on living in New York City when COVID-19 began (nearly three years ago) and when and why he relocated to Tulsa. The first-generation American Latinx actor discusses how he got into the world of puppetry about a decade ago and how it led him to Sesame Street Studio. Bizzaro takes listeners inside the studio shop and shares experiences as a puppet wrangler that earned him an Emmy for his work during Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary. He also shares insights into his creative process and what he's learned about art and creativity throughout his career, including a stint working for The Flaming Lips. He also talks about his latest work on the M&M's ad campaign and on the hit Netflix series “Waffles + Mochi’s Restaurant," which is produced by and stars Michelle Obama. For more on Bizzaro from our February issue. 

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. On this episode a conversation with Mandy Lauck, Bramble and Holé Molé manager, about the mocktail movement happening across Tulsa. She discusses their expansive mocktail menus at the breakfast and dinner eateries located at 1302 E. Sixth St., and she also shares insights into the growing non-alcoholic offerings that can be found across Tulsa. Links mentioned in this episode:Tulsan of the Year cover storyQ&A with Punk magazine founder John HolmstromQ&A with photographer Roberta BayleyQ&A with rocker/actress Sam QuartinTulsa Music ListingsMLK Day Parade galleryHolé Molé is an evening concept residing at Bramble’s Pearl District locationN/A offerings at Ranch AcresBuzzless beverages at Bramble

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I’m your host Tim Landes. Happy New Year! On this episode we return to Tulsa Press Club for my conversation with Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum that was recorded on Dec. 14. Bynum took part in the Press Club’s quarterly Page One Luncheon. The mayor reflects on his six years in office, how 2020 changed him, how Tulsa has bounced back from the pandemic, the City’s ambitious $500 million plan to reduce homelessness and more, including whether he’s even considering another run in 2024. I begin our conversation reflecting on the cover story I wrote about him back in 2016 when he was first elected mayor. Tulsans in Automobiles Getting Food with Mayor G.T. Bynum (for 918 Day)

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I'm your host Tim Landes. It's Christmas week so instead of a long conversation, I thought I'd share with you some music to enjoy while you wrap those gifts or play in the background while you host family and friends. But that's not all. Between the songs you'll hear from some folks that have Christmas stories and some ways to celebrate and special ways to shop local beyond Christmas.Very special thank you to Luke Gray and the Jenks faculty,  Mayor GT Bynum, Brian Horton and Horton Records, Morgan Phillips of Downtown Tulsa Partnership, Tulsa Press Club, Doug Dodd, and lastly all you listeners. Songs:Run Run Rudolph - Jenks High School facultySteve Pryor - Christmas TearsMedicine Show - Not a Wise ManBrad Absher - Merry Christmas BabyRed Dirt Rangers - Christmas Lullaby.Happy holidays!

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I'm your host Tim Landes. On this episode we're talking Tulsa's coffee culture, which is also a feature in our December issue.  Nordaggios owner Tor Nordstrom and master roaster Bobby Ellis visited our studio to discuss the modern history of coffee in Tulsa and their important role in helping make our coffee culture stronger and better tasting. Each week Nordaggios roasts up to 3,000 pounds of coffee that is sold in their shop and in many others across Tulsa. Tor and Bobby talk about the history of the company that is over 20 years old and their passion for all things coffee, including their use of vintage equipment to make that delicious cup of coffee. Following that conversation, hear the new single "Manifesto" from Lex, who also took part in a Q&A for our December issue. Hear more of Lex's music on her Spotify. 

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I'm your host Tim Landes. On this episode Meg Charron, Deputy Director of OKPOP Museum, discusses the vision and plans for the museum located across Cain's Ballroom in the Arts District. She takes listeners floor by floor to break down how they will share the stories of Oklahomans' impacts in pop culture. Meg talks about the growing collection of artifacts and how they will use them for storytelling. She also discusses construction funding and the need for additional money to complete the buildout.  We begin the conversation discussing the life and legacy of the late Gaylord Oscar Herron, who passed away the day before we recorded the conversation.  As mentioned in the episode, Sterlin Harjo co-directed a documentary a decade ago about G Oscar that can be viewed here.  Tim visited OKPOP for a December TulsaPeople feature, plus took part in their podcast, OKPOP Radio Hour, which you can listen to here. 

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. Renee McKenney is the new senior vice president of tourism for Tulsa Regional Chamber and president of Tulsa Regional Tourism. She came to Tulsa in August with over three decades of experience in hospitality and tourism.  She discusses why she chose to take on the job, what she's learned and experienced in the few months she's been here and her goals for tourism.  Her background includes meeting planning, sports events, hotels, resorts, airlines, cruises, even theme parks–uniquely and immediately positioning her as a wealth of insight and understanding of local and regional partner operations and challenges.She previously worked for VisitDallas, where she was the first Chief Experience Officer in the nation for the hotel and destination space. After this recording occurred, Tulsa Regional Tourism officials announced  a record $359 million total  economic impact for booked events in fiscal year 2022. The previous record was $308.2 million total economic impact in fiscal year 2019. For more information on Visit Tulsa click here. Following the conversation, hear a new song from Boston Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys, which used Woody Guthrie lyrics and the Church Studio to record their new album and this single, which features Turnpike Troubadour's Evan Felker. 

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. On this episode Cherokee filmmaker Jeremy Charles discusses putting down the cameras to produce a groundbreaking album of contemporary music in the Cherokee language performed by Cherokee musicians. That said he hasn't stopped working on film projects. He somehow found the time to do both, plus be a dad and husband. Jeremy discusses how he went from being one of the most sought-after photographers in town a decade ago to becoming a leading filmmaker in the Cherokee Nation. The tribe is investing money in movies and shows, and Jeremy talks about what it means to be helping lead the charge in producing content that tells our tribe's story through our voices. Links mentioned in the episode:Lyrical legacy: Groundbreaking album aims to preserve Cherokee languageCheers for ‘Chuj’Scenes from "Anvdvnelisgi" live from Cain's BallroomTulsa Talks episode that feature's Kalyn Fay's single. Also later this week on Oct. 21, you can hear "Anvdvnelisgi" on all the streaming platforms. There are CDs available and a limited vinyl available for preorder at Horton Records. 

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I’m your host Tim Landes and I am about to share with you a very special episode of this podcast. Last month, I sat down with Eva Unterman inside the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art’s Holocaust Center to discuss her life and to learn from her. It has been 77 years since the liberation of Nazi death camps during World War II. In this conversation, Eva recounts her family’s experiences in the war from the day the Nazis invaded their home in Poland in 1939 when she was a small child to their liberation in 1945. Eva turns 90 this month and is celebrating with her induction into the Tulsa Hall of Fame. We begin this conversation discussing her enshrinement and what it means to be a part of the 36th class of the Hall of Fame. You can read about all the inductees in our October feature.I’ve spent most my life studying military history and it started with World War II. I’ve had the honor a of meeting numerous veterans of that war and sharing some of their stories. Eva says every one of them are her heroes because they all fought to stop Adolf Hitler and the genocide. We close this conversation with her thoughts on the world today as she sat a few feet away from a floor-to-ceiling image of white supremacists marching with tiki torches in Charlottesville in 2017. She’s concerned about the rise of fascism and just as much so about how we’re mistreating our planet that’s creating devastating results. It’s one thing to hear Eva tell her story. It’s another to watch her share it. We also filmed this conversation. You can view it here. Before we begin, I’m sharing a sponsor message so you can listen to the conversation uninterrupted. Thank you so much to Eva and the staff at the Sherwin Miller.This is Tulsa Talks with Eva Unterman.

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I'm your host Tim Landes. On this episode I talk with Tulsa Day Center Associate Director Noe Rodriguez, who has devoted the last 16 years to helping people who are experiencing homelessness get back on track and get into housing. He discusses how numerous Tulsa organizations, including the Day Center, are working together and adapting to meet the needs as the demands increase, which is also the topic in this September magazine feature.  He also talks about the ways you can help them in their efforts. Noe was previously featured in a 2018 feature. Following that conversation hear a new single from Kalyn Fay, who is one of many Cherokee artists who recorded songs in Cherokee for the groundbreaking new album "ANVDVNELISGI" released by Horton Records and produced by Jeremy Charles who will be a guest on the Oct. 19 episode of Tulsa Talks. See images from the Cherokee National Holiday concert here. Learn more about the Horton Records release here. Learn more about Kalyn here.  Kalyn's NRP performance. More info about the Oct. 15 performance at Cain's Ballroom. 

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. On this episode: McNellie’s Restaurant Group’s Lindsey Gifford discusses her role in the company as a managing partner overseeing popular restaurants The Tavern, Bull in the Alley and Wild Fork, plus the upcoming Bar Serra in Utica Square. Originally from OKC, Lindsey relocated to Tulsa in 2009 and took a job as a part-time waitress. She discusses working her way up in the industry and how it’s changed since she started. McNellie’s Group has numerous restaurants participating in Restaurant Week from Sept. 9-18. She discusses the importance of the event in helping feed Oklahoma kids through the Food Bank’s Food for Kids program. Plus music from the Shelter People. ----It’s a great time to be a music fan in Tulsa. I mean it’s always been a good time, but now it’s different. It feels even better. Maybe it’s the resurgence of live music following two years of a lot of live streaming and YouTube sessions. You can catch a great show every night of the week. We publish weekly music listings (linked in the show notes). Save that link so you can check it out anytime and see who is playing where. In our October issue I talked to Cain’s Ballroom co-owner Chad Rodgers about how things are going at the historic concert venue. If you go to a show this fall there’s a good chance I’ll be there enjoying it as well. So many great bands coming. I also talked to rapper Steph Simon about his upcoming Dreamland Festival happening in the Arts District over 918 Weekend. It will conclude with Hip-Hop 918 at Guthrie Green, which is celebrating it’s 10th birthday the day this episode drops. Lots more happening there for the big anniversary. One of our most popular stories out the gate this month is about new music venue Thelma’s Peach over in the Kendall-Whittier. They too have big plans for 918 weekend. And congrats to them on the successful opening in June. While we’re talking major music happenings, coming up Nov. 2-5 is the Music Cities Convention. There will be talks and presentations, complimentary music tours, after parties and tons of live music and networking opportunities. It will be the biggest and longest Music Cities Convention yet because that’s how we do it here. Like I said, it’s a great time to be a music fan in Tulsa. Now on to this week’s song from The Shelter People courtesy of Horton Records.You can order the EP and lots of other great music at HortonRecords.bandcamp.com.