Let's Pod This

Have you ever read a news story and wondered why the author framed it in a certain way, why they asked certain questions but not others, or how they deal with wild feedback? In this episode we speak with Ted Streuli, Executive Director of the nonpartisan, nonprofit, investigative newsroom, Oklahoma Watch , to give us an inside look at the politics of political reporting.

Senator Julia Kirt joins us to discuss the budget agreement on the FY25 state budget. (NOTE: This episode was recorded outdoors as a video . We were testing new equipment and some people interrupted us, so quality and flow are a little atypical!) Watch the video of this episode here.

Let's talk about immigration, legislative deadlines, and the budget battle that's brewing.

We're joined by Jasmine Brown-Jutras and Jill Owens, both organizers with ACLU Oklahoma , to discuss their careers as community organizers, what "organizing" actually means, and how you can do it in your own community. Links mentioned: Raise the Wage Oklahoma (website) Upcoming training & signature collection regional offices

This is a special crossover episode with our friends at The Cinematic Schematic , which is the podcast produced by OKC-based art and film blog, The Cinematropolis .

A couple of legislative updates, but really, let's talk about "outrage fatigue." It's real, and we need to address it together if we're going to save democracy. Also, please join us: letsfixthis.org/volunteer

We take a few minutes to catch up on where the Oklahoma legislature is in session, along with candidate filing information, open primaries, and how immigration is factoring into the Drummond v McCall not-yet-official race for Governor. Links discussed: Oklahoma group weighing open primary ballot initiative to increase inclusion, reduce divisiveness (Oklahoma Voice)

We're joined by Michelle Tilley, executive director of the south region Generation Citizen . *** Editor's Note: If you have the means, we encourage you to support or volunteer with Freedom Oklahoma.

We're joined again by Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck from Oklahoma Faith Network to talk more in-depth about Christian nationalism, both as an ideology and as a political movement, and, more importantly, where those things intersect. Links mentioned: Pew Research Center on Christian nationalism. PRRI research (Feb 28, 2024) OFN's Sign-on letter in support of separation of church & state

In honor of National Public Schools Week, Andy is joined by Erika Wright, founder & director of the Oklahoma Rural Schools Coalition , to discuss the state of public schools throughout Oklahoma and the unique challenges they face in rural areas.

It's been a busy week! Andy summarizes several recent, relevant stories: Proposal to eliminate requirement for sex education  Grocery sales tax reduction & its impact on the state budget OK County selects location for new jail Drummond dismisses suit against ClassWallet, again Edmond School Board fights back against State Dept of Education Proposed changes to the ballot initiative process...

Andy is joined by James Davenport , Associate Dean for Social Sciences at Rose State College and noted Libertarian, to discuss governance, civility, and what civic engagement really means.

Governor Stitt delivered his sixth annual State of the State address to joint session of the Oklahoma legislature and we noticed a higher-than-usual amount of religious content. Given our conversation last week with Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck and the rise of Christian nationalism across the country, we felt it important to highlight those excerpts for you. You can also listen to the full speech at the...

We're joined by Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck, executive director of the Oklahoma Faith Network , to discuss how they bring together the interfaith community and how to understand white Christian nationalism so that we can fight it together.

We're joined by Arielle Mizrahi, Partnerships Manager for Unify America , a national nonprofit that creates interactive experiences to help people bust out of their bubbles, build civic muscles, and work together to tackle our country’s biggest challenges.

Recorded with a live studio audience, Andy and Scott reflect on 250 episodes , engage the audience with some Oklahoma history trivia, and are joined on stage by Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn and state Senator Julia Kirt.

We're joined by Colleen McCarty from the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice about their work on criminal & juvenile justice, education justice, elections justice, and pretty much every other kind of justice. Click here for tickets to our 250th Episode party!

Andy is joined by LFT policy fellow Cooper Marshall to for a round-robin update on federal government gridlock, Oklahoma legislative special session, and upcoming elections.

Andy visits with Brad Senters from ShelterWell , an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit fostering a spirit of connected community that is centered on the belief that housing is a human right.

Andy visits with Dr. Emily Stacey, professor and program director of political science at Rose State College. Check out the Oklahoma Voice !

In the gap between elected officials, citizen activists, and professional advocates, there exists another way you can shape policy: serving on a board or commission. In this episode, Andy speaks with Constanzia Nizza, chief of staff at the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs, about the hundreds of boards and commissions in our state on which people can serve, how to apply, and why it's necessary f...

Andy visits with Nicole Bauman, Advocacy Coordinator at CAIR Oklahoma , about her role at the organization and her perspective on advocacy more broadly.

Andy visits with local rapper, restauranteur, activist, and now, nonprofit leader, Jabee about the launch of Live Free OKC , an organization addressing gun violence in our community, and Jabee's very personal connection to the cause.

The battle over tribal gaming compacts heats up, Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan discusses the SHINE Program , and even some throwback theme music! Links mentioned: Treat formally requests Drummond intervention in tribal gaming lawsuit Second time a charm: Senate overrides Stitt to extend two sets of tribal compacts ‘An extraordinary act’: Drummond enters lawsuit over tribal gaming comp...

We visit with Bruce Caplinger, one of our supporters who teaches U.S. citizenship classes in the OKC metro area, about the citizenship process. Below are links to the citizenship test and mock interview questions. For Bruce's contact info, visit this blog post on our website. 100-question citizenship test Mock citizenship interview questions