In Depth With Deon

From joining the Navy to becoming an award-winning filmmaker, Kian Taylor brought the history, culture and pride of Black cowboys to the big screen with the release of the documentary "Riding Legacy" in 2023.I kept noticing Taylor at rodeos across the state. So I decided to bring him on the podcast to learn more about his story. He offered an inside look at how he became trusted in the cowboy comm...

What happens when a progressive Independent and conservative Republican walk into a podcast studio? One very interesting conversation. I broke down political parties, building Black and standing on values with Oklahoma Republican strategist Charity Marcus. Support this show with a subscription at indepthwithdeon.substack.com

Do we have to choose between "identity politics" and "class struggle" or can we organize around both? Oklahoma's Foundation for Liberating Minds Executive Director aurelius francisco says his team is working to educate communities about dismantling a system rooted in "racial capitalism." Visit deonosborne.com to support independent media. OR Cashapp: $indepthwithdeon Venmo: @DeonOsborne deonosborn...

I spoke with members of the protest group who say their actions are legal. They're urging the city to drop all charges after being arrested last week for feeding unhoused residents without a permit. Visit deonosborne.com to support independent media. Cashapp: $indepthwithdeon Venmo: @deonosborne

A new state dashboard reveals rising prison deaths in Oklahoma, but relatives of prisoners say transparency shouldn’t begin after someone dies. Read the full story on Substack . Subscribe to support independent media.

Why do we have more smoke for each other and not for corrupt officials in the U.S. government? Why are we celebrating another trip past the moon when poor communities in the richest country on Earth don't have clean drinking water? How do we restructure the relationship between labor and capital? I break it down with nationally-recognized journalist and writer Aaron Ross Coleman. Subscribe to inde...

In an interview with Oklahoma's largest statewide 2SLGBTQ+ advocacy organization, we broke down misinformation negatively impacting the trans community, how Freedom Oklahoma shows up for members of the community, and the vision of joy that keeps them going when the battles at the state Capitol seem impossible to win. Subscribe to sustain a platform that amplifies the voices and stories that too of...

When he didn't see a space for himself as a Black queer man in Tulsa, Daniel McHenry created his own. As founder of Black Queer Tulsa he's built community in a state hostile to non-hetero norms. As a ballroom performer for Alpha Omega house, he's found a family and shared history that empowers free expression. He even inspired me to share my coming out story as a queer Black man myself. Subscribe...

She's had three transplants and three relapses since being diagnosed with blood cancer as a child. That hasn't stopped Shagah Zakerion from inspiring hope and building a movement. As a patient herself, she organizes blood drive donations to support survivors. As an Iranian American, she longs for a day when her people can live in and visit a Free Iran. We broke it down. Subscribe to support indepe...

Oklahoma state officials have made it increasingly difficult to teach unapologetic Black history in public schools, but Kristi Williams is on a mission to do it anyway. As founder of Black History Sundays, she's gained national recognition and support for her community classes that feature experts in the fields of history, archeology, music and more. In the latest episode, we discussed Williams' l...

When plans for the NFL didn’t work out, Tulsa native Malik Thompson wasn’t sure what to do with his life, until he became exposed to the world of mixed martial arts. At the end of February, Thompson grappled his way to a championship belt at XFN 407, Oklahoma’s Xtreme Fight Night inside Tulsa’s Riverspirit Casino Resort. Despite the strong finish, Thompson said he’s ready for the next one. Subscri...

Oklahoma is known as one of the most conservative states in the nation today, but just over a century ago it was home to one of the largest socialist movements in the country, powered by the organizing of tenant farmers. What lessons can be learned from the past? I spoke with Baron O’Connor, membership coordinator for the modern-day Oklahoma Tenants Union, about Oklahoma’s high rates of evictions,...

Tulsa, Oklahoma founder of Save the Children of Gaza, Farouq Allatar has organized vigils and protests calling attention to the victims of Israel's genocide against Gaza and the lack of accountability facing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's regime. We spoke about the billions in funding that has gone to Israel instead of the American people, the cost of endless wars, and what a Free Palestine c...

Ten years after Tulsa Police killed her twin brother when he was unarmed with his hands in the air, Dr. Tiffany Crutcher continues to push for justice as executive director of the Terence Crutcher Foundation. From new policies to violence intervention experts and programs for youth, Dr. Crutcher says she envisions a day where her community can live free from violence. Subscribe to support independ...

Oklahoma’s Jasmine Thomas has transformed her online virality into a progressive, grassroots campaign seeking to replace one of the country’s most conservative U.S. Senators. A nurse and military spouse who identifies as Black, white and Chickasaw, Jasmine Thomas joined In Depth With Deon Podcast to break down why she believes Oklahoma voters should trust her to safeguard the environment, respect...

In February, Oklahoma began it’s legislative session. Sen. Michael Brooks (D-OKC) has filed Senate Bill 1234, which would require local and state law enforcement officers conducting immigration operations or other duties to obtain approval from a judge before masking their faces. “Any peace officer of this state shall not mask his or her identity with the use of any head or face covering while exe...

The X-Men had Professor X. Tulsa has Emeka Nnaka. I sat down with the motivational speaker, mental health coach, nonprofit founder, and former athlete, opens up about life after a football injury that forced him to confront who he was beyond the labels placed on him. SUBSCRIBE to support independent media. https://indepthwithdeon.substack.com/

The University of Oklahoma is facing national backlash after removing a psychology instructor who failed a student essay that used the Bible to justify anti-transgender views. Critics say the move threatens academic freedom, hundreds have protested on OU's campus and thousands have signed a petition demanding OU preserve academic freedom. I spoke with ‪The Conscious Lee‬ , a former OU student and...

Just over a year into his administration, I sat down for a third conversation with Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols. We reflected on what it’s really been like to lead Tulsa as its first Black mayor, what’s moved forward, what’s stalled, and what still feels unresolved.

Just before the new year, I got a chance to sit down with Leondre Lattimore, an Oklahoma city-based realism artist known for his soul-piercing portraits that often highlight the Black experience. Back in September 2025, he was wrapping up his exhibit, “Black Prairie”, which was featured for months at. OKC’s Paseo Arts District. Months later, on Dec. 2, he was named among Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list,...

Nick Coffey has turned in his badge as a longtime federal prosecutor to run as a Democrat for the office of Oklahoma Attorney General. He told me about his plans to protect children from traffickers, go after state corruption and take a different approach to the death penalty.

I spoke with Steph Simon, a north Tulsa rapper and producer who is transforming the city's music scene and creating a path for the next gen eration of artists. To support the show, become a paid subscriber (indepthwithdeon.substack.com) #podcast #indepthwithdeon #stephsimon #dreamland #tulsa #greenwood #blackwallstreet #rapper #oklahomarapper #oklahoma

Domestic violence as a public health crisis with DVIS CEO Tracey Lyall

In an interview with Bixby Public Schools Superintendent, Rob Miller, he explains why he’s running to replace fellow Republican and far-right chaos agent Ryan Walters as the next Oklahoma education leader. Subscribe at IndepthwithDeon.substack.com

I spoke with Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, a conservative Republican who expressed support for cultural tourism, the diversity that makes the state unique, and Oklahoma's brand new Civil Rights Trail. Subscribe at IndepthwithDeon.substack.com