Ponca City Monthly Podcast

This week on the Ponca City Monthly Podcast, we sit down with our friend Romey, who writes our monthly book reviews. Romey recently returned from a book publishing convention where she discovered an upcoming novel that’s basically a mashup of The Golden Girls and Ocean’s Eleven . Needless to say, we both agreed it immediately landed on our must-read list. We then dive into Broadway as we discuss K...

This week on the Ponca City Monthly Podcast, we’re excited to welcome Zach Trantham from the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. Zach has the fun job of promoting all the events happening in and around Ponca City that help make our community a destination worth visiting. In the June issue of the magazine, we also feature a beautiful photography spread highlighting some of the many uniqu...

This week on the Ponca City Podcast, Andy sits down with Editor-In-Chief Kelsey Wagner to talk all about the May Issue, which is on news stands now. This month’s cover story is all about the Summer STEM Academy at University Center . Have you ever played the “how far can I drive with my oil light on” game? In talking about our business spotlight: David’s Garage , I share some of my ghastly car mai...

On this week’s episode, Andy sits down with C oach Agee from Ponca City Public Schools . Since Coach Agee and the POHI LadyCat Wrestling Team are our April cover stars, we thought it would be the perfect way to wrap up the month. In this conversation, Coach Agee talks about his coaching philosophy, explaining what it takes to mold a team of great athletes who are also prepared to be leaders in our...

On this week’s episode of the Ponca City Monthly Podcast, Andy sits down with Terri Busch, Pioneer Technology Center ’s Marketing and Communication Coordinator and a regular PCM contributor. Terri dives into her latest feature article highlighting PTC’s Partner in Progress program and this year’s distinguished honoree, Tom Riley of Tomco Metal Fab LLC. We explore what truly makes PTC a cornerstone...

This week on the Ponca City Monthly Podcast, Romey from Brace Books and More is back for another round of Book Talk. This week we are talking all about the biggest blockbuster movie so far of 2026, of course we are talking about Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. While the movie continues to reach new frontiers, Romey and I kick back and discuss the difference between the book and film. SPOILER ALERT...

On this week’s episode of the Ponca City Monthly Podcast, it’s the first of the month, which means we are joined in the studio by Editor-in-Chief Kelsey Wagner. Our latest cover features a fantastic story about the Ponca City High School LadyCat wrestlers; not only are these ladies incredible athletes and students, but they are also doing amazing things for our community. Another story we both lov...

In this week’s episode, Andy sits down with Romey Leonard, the new book review writer for the magazine and a manager at Brace Books and More . We get to know Romey a little bit then we jump right into our two featured books. We kick off the conversation beginning with Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Roberts. Romey shares why this survivor’s story of strength and advocacy is a perfect read for Women’s Hi...

In this episode of the Ponca City Monthly podcast, Andy sits down with Mary Beth Hunt, Executive Director of the Child Development Center to discuss the organization’s rich history and exciting future. Established in 1967, the center has spent over five decades providing affordable, nurturing, and high-quality childcare through a unique sliding scale based on family income and size. Mary Beth shar...

In this episode of the Ponca City Monthly podcast, host Andy and Editor-in-Chief Kelsey Wagner celebrate the magazine’s six-year anniversary while discussing the March issue. They highlight the retirement of U.S. Marshal Clayton Johnson, the 125th anniversary of Saint Mary’s Catholic School, and the vital role of the nonprofit Child Development Center following recent local daycare closures. Kelse...

* This week on the Ponca City Monthly Podcast, host Andy sits down for a special conversation with Ponca City Public School Superintendent, Adam Leaming. As the magazine celebrates its sixth year and 72nd issue, the school district is embarking on a bold strategic planning process to envision the future of Ponca City schools over the next decade and beyond. The discussion focuses on a community-wi...

In this week’s episode of the PCM+ Podcast, Andy sits down with Tori Haggard, a Park Ranger for the Army Corps of Engineers Tulsa District, to discuss the diverse work happening at Kaw Lake. Tori shares her journey from starting as a seasonal worker in 2022 to becoming a full-time ranger in 2024, highlighting how the job involves everything from prescribed burning and campsite expansion to flood r...

In this episode of the PCM+ Podcast , host Andy celebrates Library Appreciation Month by chatting with Holly LaBossiere , the Head Librarian right here in Ponca City. They dive into how the library has evolved into a true multimedia hub, offering far more than what’s on the shelves. Holly shares the fascinating history of the library’s permanent art collection—a “hidden museum” featuring everythin...

New year, new career? This week on the Ponca City Monthly Podcast , Andy sits down with Dondi Rowe , Project Director for Work Ready Oklahoma - Ponca City , to talk about what it actually looks like to pivot your professional life in 2026. Based in City Central and powered by Pioneer Technology Center , Work Ready Oklahoma isn’t a placement agency, it’s an empowerment program. Dondi explains how t...

Welcome back as we kick off our 2026 season! As is tradition, our first episode of every month features our Editor-In-Chief, Kelsey Wagner. We’re catching up on everything from our yearly goals (not resolutions!) to how we spent our recent snow days. This month’s cover story is all about the Ponca City Development Authority . We talk through their work bringing the Icon Theater to life in the old...

For our final episode of the year, we’re raising a glass and inviting PCM’s resident mixologist, Jill Rowe to join us! Jill pens our Cocktail of the Month column. This month she stops by to share a few of her go-to drinks perfect for all your holiday festivities. You can grab the recipes below, or check them out in the January issue of Ponca City Monthly. Thank you so much for listening and suppor...

Welcome back to another Ponca City Monthly Podcast. Can you believe we’ve made it nearly to the end of the year. In this episode Editor-In-Chief Kelsey Wagner and I give you a behind the scenes look at our end of year issue. One of the hallmarks of our December issue is our annual Gift Guide that features all kinds of wonderful gift ideas from many retail stores in Ponca City. Speaking of buying g...

Wow, can you believe it’s Thanksgiving week? Where has the year gone? This week’s episode is a little different. Typically we do our recap at the beginning of each month, but when your Editor-In-Chief is also the Mayor, sometimes attending to the City takes precedence over a podcast. This week Kelsey and I are thrilled to share with you all the insights into the November Issue and of course bring...

This week on the Ponca City Monthly Podcast, I sit down with Shelley Arrott from the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce to talk all things Santa Bucks our community’s beloved “shop local” tradition that’s been spreading holiday cheer for more than 30 years. And this year? It’s bigger than ever. We’re talking a boosted $12,500 drawing night payout, a brand-new $2,500 Grand Prize , Secret Santa surprise...

Can you believe we’ve already entered what I like to call “The Holiday Zone” that brief calm before the chaos of ThanksChristmasNewYear kicks in? Since food takes center stage this time of year, I invited our resident food critic, Amy Dewitt Geurin , the voice behind our Food Crush column, to join me for a festive feast of conversation. We’re dishing on everything from the ultimate mac and cheese...

Happy Halloween from the Ponca City Monthly Podcast! This week, we’re diving into something a little spooky to celebrate. Back in August, I started planning a spooky special for Halloween something local, something real. After a few dead ends (pun intended), I remembered hearing about the Ponca Tribe’s ghost storytelling nights around the campfire. They weren’t hosting one this year, but they did...

Something I have wanted to do for a while is host some of our local authors to stop by and chat about their books. This is the first of what I hope is in ongoing series. This week I sit down with Kaleb Bankston ( K. Bankston) to talk about his debut horror novel The Boatman . The conversation covers Bankston’s lifelong love of scary stories, his journey from short fiction to full-length publishing...

This week, I’m sitting down with Kat Long from Ponca City Development Authority . She is someone who never shows up without a new idea in motion. One of her favorites? PonCon . On Saturday, October 25th at 11 a.m., the 4th Annual PonCon takes over City Central, and Kat joins me to talk about how this fan-fueled event came to life, who it’s for, and why it’s become one of Ponca City’s most creative...

In this week’s episode it’s a new month which means we sit down with Editor-in-Chief Kelsey Wagner. Both Kelsey and I have a deep love for October, particularly Halloween. Kelsey’s neighbor goes all out for the holiday while my neighborhood catches the spillover trick or treaters. This month we have a tasty issue with our October cover story being all about local sweet shop Amazing Graze. From del...

This week on the PCM Podcast, I sit down with Michael Black, District Executive for the 101 District of Scouting. From campouts to community service, Michael shares how scouting helps kids build character, find adventure, and grow into leaders. Be sure to check out our article about the recent council merger too. We also talk about what it means for local Packs and Troops right here in Ponca City....