Action City

Richard Taplin is the owner of Blacken Studios and the producer of Action City. Richard talks to us about experiencing racism at a young age and how that shaped his development as a person. Through health scares and therapy, Richard was able to become the son, husband, and father he is today. We talk about how he began producing podcasts and the future of Blacken Studios. We feel fortunate we get to work with him, please welcome Richard to Action City!

Jamie Crone is the owner of Evolve Fitness in Casady Square. After dancing her whole life, she discovered Pilates while working in New York City and became a certified Pilates instructor in Brooklyn. Jamie made her way back to OKC and discovered that she wanted to cross-train people using different types of workouts. Through this discovery, Evolve Fitness was born. The business has grown enough that she's recently taken on a new partner. We can't wait to see what the Evolve duo will bring us next. Welcome, Jamie to Action City!

Jayme Phillips is the current Director of Development at Scissortail Park in downtown Oklahoma. After she graduated from OU, Jayme headed west to Los Angeles where she landed at CAA in the TV/Film and Sports Department. Eventually, she had the opportunity to put her communications degree to the ultimate test as a talent publicist for stars like Bradly Cooper and Taylor Lautner. In 2016, family nudged her back to Oklahoma and a role as Development Officer at the Oklahoma Contemporary convinced her to stay. Jayme has some wild stories about Hollywood, and we're lucky she shared a few of them with us. Welcome, Jayme to Action City!

After a chart-topping major-label career, numerous EV appearances, and hundreds of sync placements, Graham Colton continues to expand on the label "singer-songwriter." He has logged thousands of miles on the road and shared stages with some of music's biggest artists including Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Kelly Clarkson, The Wallflowers, Counting Crows, John Mellencamp, Maroon 5, and many many more. We're pretty lucky Graham found his way back to his hometown where he co-founded and co-owns and operates Oklahoma City's (and Action City's) most talked about restaurant and music venue, The Jones Assembly. He promises us you'll be able to catch him on stage at the Jones one day. Welcome Graham to Action City!

Emma Butler, a native of central Oklahoma, is the Founder of The Hair Initiative and a legal assistant at The Funk Companies. She is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and a member of L.O.Y.A.L. Class XIV. The Hair Initiative is a comprehensive, diversity-conscious hair resource for youth and their caregivers. It's dedicated to addressing the inequity in access to hair hygiene for youth across the state. Emma discusses with hosts, Katherine and Emmi, how this issue affects more youth than she even first realized. Since becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate in 2014, Emma has been an advocate for foster children and has found her passion for volunteering for various local organizations and their committees in the metro area including Boys & Girls of Oklahoma County, YWCA, the Post Adjudication Review Board, City Rescue Mission, and Girl Scouts - Western Oklahoma, Please Welcome Emma Butler to Action City!

Jake Walter is the State Seismologist of the Oklahoma Geological Survey at the University of Oklahoma. He holds an undergraduate degree in geology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Jake is uniquely qualified to lead Oklahoma in its understanding of the increased earthquake activity over the past 10 years through his research, fundraising, outreach, and connections. Jake didn't grow up here but his wife is an Oklahoman and luckily she gave him the little nudge he needed to accept the position he has today. Welcome, Jake to Action City!

Dr. Chinni Pokala is a doctor of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology at Oklahoma Children's Hospital in the Jimmy Everest Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases in Children. Emmi and Katherine talk to Dr. Pokala about his journey from Texas to Oklahoma and how he chose to specialize in caring for children with leukemia, lymphoma, and blood diseases. Dr. Pokala has amazingly found time to run 27 marathons, including the Boston Marathon where he raised $19,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He's currently competing in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Man of the Year Campaign. Please welcome Dr. Pokala to Action City.

You can donate at https://pages.lls.org/mwoy/ok/okc21/hpokala  

Dr. R. Murali Krishna is co-founder and president of the James L. Hall, Jr. Center for Mind, Body, and Spirit. Additionally, he serves on many professional and civic boards and committees. Most notable, he is the current president of the Oklahoma State Board of Health.. Dr. Krishna was born in India and because of a traumatic incident in his childhood, he's spent his life finding answers for his loved one. He made his way to London and then a few years later to Oklahoma City. He spent decades as a physiatrist at St. Anthony and was the first physiatrist to be named the Chief of Staff there just months before the Oklahoma City bombing. Katherine and Emmi talk with him about how the bombing was a pivotal moment in his career and how much they loved his book, Vibrant: To Heal and Be Whole. Last year, after working for 10 years on the project, Dr. Krishna and his world-class team, open Arcadia Trails Integris. Betty Ford has proclaimed it "the best rehab center in the country". Dr. Krishna is an Oklahoman through and through and it's very apparent in our conversation. Please welcome Dr. Krishna to Action City!

Co-hosts, Emmi and Katherine, talk to Chris further about his career and his time at Commonplace kitchen and now The Market at Commonplace. He gives amazing local restaurant recommendations and talks about the growth of his commercials real estate venture and Ranger Creative. Welcome, Chris back to Action City. 

Chris Castro is a realtor, artist, graphic designer, and chef. After making his way to Oklahoma from California, Chris found many ways to celebrate his Mexican heritage, but most particularly through food and family. Co-hosts, Emmi and Katherine, have dubbed him a modern Renaissance man. His company, Ranger Creative, created all of the brandings for Action City and many other local businesses. Please enjoy part 1 of our conversation and welcome Chris to Action City!