Pod 4 Good

Join us as welcome Margaritte Arthrell-Knezek, the visionary founder and principal and Amber Gates, Instructional Leader for the Under the Canopy School. We explore their inspiring journey from running an after-school program to launching an innovative charter school under Tulsa Public Schools. Discover how Under the Canopy has transformed from a dream into a reality. Margaritte shares insights in...

Join us as we welcome Kuma Roberts, the CEO and President of the Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce, for an insightful conversation about the vital role chambers of commerce play in fostering business growth and community engagement. We'll explore the historical context and the unique missions of the Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce, shedding light on how they support black entrepreneurs b...

Matt Carney, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Pickup, takes center stage as he discusses the creation of a fresh, Alt Weekly-inspired website dedicated to Tulsa's vibrant cultural scene. Transitioning from his role at The Root, Matt shares the mission behind The Pickup, a platform that combines event listings with deep-dive journalism to fill the void left by previous alternative publications...

ivic engagement consultant Amanda McCellon joins us on Pod4Good to spotlight the transformative power of grassroots activism in Oklahoma. Through her insightful experiences, Amanda sheds light on the impact of participating in local governance, from city councils to school boards. We dive into the significance of community involvement, with Amanda emphasizing how local elections often come down to...

Unlock the secrets of city governance as we engage with Nathan Picard, Tulsa's City Auditor, who transformed his career from art major to city auditor. Nathan details his unexpected journey and sheds light on the critical function of his role, made even more challenging by new charter requirements for candidates to be CPAs or certified internal auditors. He explains the nuances between external an...

 Join us for an inspiring conversation about aging with dignity and independence as we delve into the transformative work of Life Senior Services in Tulsa. Our guest, Eileen Bradshaw, executive director, shares how the organization is reshaping senior care through innovative programs and community support. Discover how seniors in Tulsa are staying active, engaged, and connected through dynami...

Uncover the secrets to transforming education in Tulsa as we spotlight Olivia Martin and Lisa Shotts, two remarkable leaders dedicated to closing the literacy gap. Learn how their organizations, Reading Partners and Gaining Ground, are breaking down barriers with innovative approaches such as science-based reading curricula and community-driven mentorship. Olivia and Lisa share inspiring stories o...

Join us on this heartwarming journey as we sit down with Evan Taylor and Cindy Webb from Pause4Paws, an organization that bridges the gap for individuals needing treatment for addiction, mental illness, or homelessness by fostering their beloved pets. Discover the significant barriers faced when treatment facilities can't accommodate animals and learn how Pause4Paws offers a lifeline by temporaril...

In this episode, we explore Devon Laney's journey as a leader in promoting entrepreneurship in Tulsa. He talks about his vision to change the city's innovation scene through his work at Gradient, a hub for entrepreneurs. Devon's experience at 36 Degrees North set the stage for his current efforts to build a strong business community. Listeners will learn about his plans to make Tulsa a key player...

When Andrew and Sally Whitney poured their hearts into Good Cause Brewing, they didn't just create another brewery—they stirred up a movement. Their story, which we're thrilled to share with you, is a testament to the power of combining passions: Andrew's brewing artistry and Sally's nonprofit acumen have birthed a business that's as refreshing to communities as their beer is to palates. Their spi...

Join us as we sit down with Lauren Sivak, Executive Director of the Opportunity Project, to unravel the challenges and triumphs of providing quality afterschool programs for Tulsa's youth. Listen in as we discuss the ripple effects of recent federal funding cuts on enrichment initiatives and share insights into the impactful work of after-school programs. Our chat not only covers the essential rol...

Unlock the potential of data to drive social change as we sit down with Aaron Bean and Jess England from Asemio, leading voices in the field of data for good. Their insights shed light on the intricate dance between numbers and narratives, illustrating how nonprofits can harness data for impactful storytelling while meeting the stringent reporting requirements of entities like the United Way. We n...

In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of Oklahoma's legislative landscape, focusing on women's health, economic development, and some truly unconventional bills. Tommy Yap of Metriarch shares his insights on how policies are affecting women's autonomy, economic mobility, and much more. **Key Topics Discussed:** - Women's health and economic development in Oklahoma - The challenges of...

Imagine opening your door each day, not to a home, but to uncertainty. In our heartfelt discussion with Maggie Hoey, the beacon of hope at Lindsey House, we journey through the stories of women and children taking brave steps towards stability. This episode peels back the layers of hardship, from the sting of domestic violence to the struggle against substance abuse, revealing the unspoken trials...

Are you looking for ways to make a difference in your community? We've got you covered! Join us as we engage in an enlightening conversation with Moises Echeverria, the dynamic President and CEO of the Foundation for Tulsa Schools. Learn how this transformative organization is building a stronger community by supporting public education in Tulsa. Moises walks us through the foundation's impactful...

On this engaging podcast episode, join us as we sit down with Victor, author of the recently released book 'Built From the Fire'. Victor walks us through the narrative he has built around the Goodwin family, owners of the Oklahoma Eagle in Greenwood since 1914. We explore how the Goodwin family and the Greenwood District have experienced white supremacy and Jim Crow laws, and how the community was...

Welcome to a brand new episode of our podcast! In this episode, we discuss the current accreditation crisis facing Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) with Ana Barros, a seventh-grade geography teacher at Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences and an active leader of the Protect TPS movement. Key points discussed in this episode include: - An in-depth look at the complex issues surrounding the accreditation of...

Prepare to unlock the wonders of nature education as we take a fascinating exploration into the outdoors with our special guest, Margaritte Arthrell-Knezek, the innovative founder and executive director of Under the Canopy. She’s passionate about bringing the natural world to students across Tulsa Public School campuses. We'll wander the paths of this nature explorer program, skimming across their...

Imagine a world where every child in foster care has a dedicated advocate to fight for their permanency, a world where all foster children have a voice. This episode brings you a compelling discussion with Elizabeth Fisher and Comfort Keidel, key members of the Tulsa CASA team, who give us an inside look into this world where they tirelessly work to make a difference in children's lives every day....

In this episode of the Pod 4 Good podcast, Dwayne Sheridan, the community engagement education manager for the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, discusses the work of the food bank and its efforts to address food insecurity. He highlights the organization's focus on serving rural communities, providing volunteer opportunities, and partnering with various organizations to distribute fresh food. He emp...

In one of our most high level conversations, we talked to Cecilia Wessinger, Director for Global Community for the Global Entrepreneurship Network about ecosystem building, rainforest verse plantations, and why you should join her for some soup. By soup we mean join us at Tulsa Soup on May 23rd. Tulsa SOUP is a microfunding initiative that supports local community projects and helps bring them to...

Dr. Jabraan Pasha, Vice President of Health Equity and Tulsa Market Medical Director for Juno Medical, recently joined the hosts of Pod 4 Good to discuss Juno's unique care model, the importance of health equity, and building trust with marginalized groups in the community. In between multiple rants from both Jesse and Chris on how frustrating it is to go to your doctor and how opaque our current...

Chris and Jesse are joined by Crystal Patrick and Jenni Yoder from Global Gardens. Global Gardens is a local nonprofit that works in public elementary and middle schools to use a garden as a vehicle to teach science, peace, and to empower students to become agents of change in their communities. Through the gardens, students learn to work with their peers and think critically in order to solve pro...

Jesse and Chris are joined by the Podmother herself, Marcia Bruno-Todd. We talk about how we should normalize the word "gestating" as Marcia approaches the birth of her next child, how many issues we are facing in America today about who feels seen or who does not, and what does leadership look like in our new hybrid work environment. Make sure to stay up to date on Leadership Tulsa as they celebr...

Jesse and Chris "sit-down" with Katie Dilks, ED of the Oklahoma Access to Justice Foundation. She talks about the whole universe of the justice system that is commonly ignored, the Civil Law side. We discuss the fact that lack of information, lack of representation, and America's adversarial legal system mix to create a whole side of our justice system that ends up hurting those that need justice...