The Rotary Spark Podcast

Take a teen’s phone away for a few days and something unexpected happens: the conversations get deeper, the awkwardness turns into confidence, and leadership becomes real. We sit down with Jessica Smith, an Oklahoma City Rotarian, past district governor, and school lawyer, to unpack what Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) looks like on the ground and why it keeps students and volunteers coming...

Cancer doesn’t just change your calendar, it changes your sense of self in a single sentence: “You have cancer.” Host Brian Triger sits down with Tarah Green from Tenaciously Teal to talk about what happens after that moment, when fear, grit, and community all show up at once, and survivorship starts with the next step out the door. Tarah shares her journey from child welfare work to a stage four...

A lot of people talk about “community” like it’s a vibe. Kenzie Borton built it like a job site, one decision at a time, and it’s turned Okie State Room in Harrah, Oklahoma into a live music venue that feels like a living room. We get into her unlikely path from riding motorcycles and building a custom chopper to working construction, earning an engineering background, and even packaging nuclear w...

A single “yes” can change a life, and sometimes it changes your entire definition of leadership. We’re joined by Sara Bana, a civil and human rights advocate and Midwest City Ward 5 council member, to talk about what civic engagement looks like when it’s personal, practical, and rooted in community service rather than politics-as-sport. Sara shares how growing up Iranian-American in the aftermath...

Send us Fan Mail He’s been cutting hair since 1960, and Leroy Tucker can tell you exactly why some barber shops disappear while others become landmarks. We talk with Leroy about how a plan to become a veterinarian turned into a lifelong career in barbering, and what it really takes to stay in business for 60 plus years in Midwest City. We get specific about craft: how listening to a client changes...

Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Dr. Hardeep Saluja, pharmacist, educator, and Rotary leader, to unpack how data literacy and service above self are reshaping modern pharmacy education and community health. Hardeep brings us from his roots in New Delhi and early work in clinical trials to Boston for graduate school and on to Oklahoma, where he leads in the College of Pharmacy at Southwestern Okla...

Send us Fan Mail Step into the mind of Orson Scott Card , the visionary behind Ender’s Game , as he shares the untold story of his journey from creek-exploring child to legendary author. Card reflects on his free-range 1950s California childhood, where hours spent biking highways and wandering dry creek beds nurtured the imagination that would shape his writing. With candid humor, he reveals how s...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a healthcare worker trades restraints for paintbrushes? Lori Ferreira takes us through her remarkable journey from the intensity of bedside nursing to the creative world of TikTok influencing in this candid conversation about career evolution and finding joy. Lori doesn't hold back when describing the realities of nursing life - from the disturbing sight of...

Send us Fan Mail Emmanuel Rivera's path from troubled teen to youth mentor reveals the transformative power of martial arts and positive guidance. As Executive Director of the Come Up Foundation, Rivera now shapes the futures of over 200 children across Oklahoma City through free martial arts training that builds discipline, confidence, and leadership skills. Moving out at just 16 and lacking...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when ancient mystical wisdom meets modern business strategy? In this eye-opening conversation, Brian Triger sits down with Marisa Yakutis, a self-described "business alchemist" who brings together astrology, numerology, and practical business acumen to help entrepreneurs transform their ventures and lives. Marisa breaks down what it means to be a business al...

Send us Fan Mail Seth Block brings over five decades of photographic wisdom to this engaging episode, tracing his journey from childhood fascination to becoming an accomplished wildlife photographer. Growing up with a professional photographer grandfather and an encouraging father who recognized his "good eye," Seth developed his craft through meticulous self-teaching—carefully recording...

Send us Fan Mail Jeff Harrison's journey from aspiring graphic designer to managing editor of the Midwest City Beacon reveals the unexpected paths that lead us to meaningful work. The Wisconsin native never imagined Oklahoma would become his permanent home, yet the challenges and rewards of local journalism captured his heart and anchored him in a community he's grown to love. As the sol...

Send us Fan Mail Has community service evolved in the digital age? In this episode, we dive deep into the connections that Rotary fosters, showcasing how one local club navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while fostering fellowship among its members. Join us as Neal Hettinger shares his personal journey through Rotary, detailing how they effectively transitioned from in-person gather...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Rotary Spark Podcast , we welcome Adam Reese, a dedicated member of the Bricktown Rotary Club. Originally from Gotebo, Oklahoma, Adam’s Rotary journey took off when he earned a scholarship that led him to join the organization in Denton, Texas. His story is one of commitment and community impact, shaped by a strong family legacy in auctioneering and a deep p...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine being a superhero in your community. Evan Burrell does just that through his inspiring 26-year journey with Rotary. From joining Rotaract at 18, influenced by his mother's involvement, Evan's adventure evolved, leading him to Rotary at 30, encountering clubs resistant to change. His story is one of resilience and transformation as he navigated these challenges to...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the essence of service and leadership with our guest, Alan, as he navigates through 13 transformative years in the Rotary Club. Gain insights from Alan’s journey that began with the Midtown Rotary and his mentor, Hal Stevens, leading him to impactful roles like President and Sergeant-at-Arms. Alan shares how he eventually found his ideal fit with the Bricktown Rotary, hig...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the incredible journey of Albert Hernandez, a man whose life has been molded by service and resilience. From joining Rotary at the age of 19 to leading District 5280 in Los Angeles, Albert's story is one of inspiration. As CEO of Home Again Los Angeles, he dedicates his life to aiding unhoused families, drawing on lessons learned from his upbringing as one of 11 sibl...

Send us Fan Mail James McQuillar, affectionately dubbed Chili, initially resisted joining Rotary due to time constraints and feeling out of place. Yet, after persistent encouragement from Mac Patel, Chili's journey took a transformative turn. Now, as the district and club membership chair, he draws compelling parallels between his role at Tinker Air Force Base and his Rotary work, emphasizing...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to creating vibrant and impactful Rotary clubs with insights from Jeanean Yanish Jones, Past District Governor and member of the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City. Join us in this enlightening episode of the Rotary Spark podcast as Janine shares her passion for maternal and child health, and how Rotary International’s seven core areas of focus—ranging from peace and...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to impactful community service with Dr. Roy Wood, as he shares his transformative journey into the world of Rotary. Dr. Wood, a pillar of community engagement, joins us to discuss his path to the Rotary Club of Broken Arrow and his new role as district trainer for District 5750. Get an inside look at the groundbreaking District Leadership Academy, an online prog...

Send us Fan Mail What if your passion could lead you to an extraordinary career, bridging cultures and inspiring change? Join us for a captivating conversation with Bhroovi Gupta, a dynamic product designer whose journey from Mumbai to New York City offers insights into the world of design and the power of following one's true calling. Bhroovi shares her evolution from a graphic design enthus...

Send us Fan Mail Discover how a chance encounter at a Rotary meeting changed Andre Boyd's life forever. Our special guest from District 6940 reveals the unexpected journey that began with a simple marketing project for "Grills Gone Wild" and led to a deep commitment to service and community impact. Andre's story underscores the transformative power of showcasing Rotary's c...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could connect more deeply with your community and make a lasting impact on global issues? Join me, Brian Triger, as I chat with Dr. Jack Werner about the inspiring work and ambitious goals of Rotary District 5750 in Oklahoma. We dig into Jack's journey through Rotary, the district's vibrant community projects like the Santa Claus Project, and their ongoing sc...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the inspiring journey of Felix Linden, a trailblazing educator who made history as the first African-American male named Teacher of the Year for Oklahoma City Public Schools in 2022-23. This episode of the Rotary Spark Podcast reveals how Felix's passion for education and community service has flourished through his involvement with the Rotary, where he has found a p...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a single mother of three steps out of her comfort zone and into the world of Rotary? Nancy Lane from the Waxahachie Rotary Club shares her inspiring journey with us, revealing how a simple invitation from a friend named Brian led her to discover an intergenerational community that transformed her life. Despite initial feelings of being out of place due to age dif...