Oklahoma is known as one of the most conservative states in the nation today, but just over a century ago it was home to one of the largest socialist movements in the country, powered by the organizing of tenant farmers. What lessons can be learned from the past? I spoke with Baron O’Connor, membership coordinator for the modern-day Oklahoma Tenants Union, about Oklahoma’s high rates of evictions, lack of tenant protections and how OTU is working to fill in the gap. Subscribe to support independent media and support my work at indepthwithdeon.substack.com

Tulsa, Oklahoma founder of Save the Children of Gaza, Farouq Allatar has organized vigils and protests calling attention to the victims of Israel's genocide against Gaza and the lack of accountability facing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's regime.

We spoke about the billions in funding that has gone to Israel instead of the American people, the cost of endless wars, and what a Free Palestine could look like.

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Ten years after Tulsa Police killed her twin brother when he was unarmed with his hands in the air, Dr. Tiffany Crutcher continues to push for justice as executive director of the Terence Crutcher Foundation. From new policies to violence intervention experts and programs for youth, Dr. Crutcher says she envisions a day where her community can live free from violence.

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Oklahoma’s Jasmine Thomas has transformed her online virality into a progressive, grassroots campaign seeking to replace one of the country’s most conservative U.S. Senators.

A nurse and military spouse who identifies as Black, white and Chickasaw, Jasmine Thomas joined In Depth With Deon Podcast to break down why she believes Oklahoma voters should trust her to safeguard the environment, respect Tribal sovereignty, and push for more resources to the impoverished state. SUBSCRIBE to support independent media. https://indepthwithdeon.substack.com/

In February, Oklahoma began it’s legislative session. Sen. Michael Brooks (D-OKC) has filed Senate Bill 1234, which would require local and state law enforcement officers conducting immigration operations or other duties to obtain approval from a judge before masking their faces.

“Any peace officer of this state shall not mask his or her identity with the use of any head or face covering while executing a warrant without first obtaining a court order stating it is permissible to mask the identity of the peace officer. The peace officer shall obtain a separate court order for each warrant execution in which the peace officer desires to mask his or her identity,” the bill states.

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The X-Men had Professor X. Tulsa has Emeka Nnaka. I sat down with the motivational speaker, mental health coach, nonprofit founder, and former athlete, opens up about life after a football injury that forced him to confront who he was beyond the labels placed on him.

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Just before the new year, I got a chance to sit down with Leondre Lattimore, an Oklahoma city-based realism artist known for his soul-piercing portraits that often highlight the Black experience. Back in September 2025, he was wrapping up his exhibit, “Black Prairie”, which was featured for months at. OKC’s Paseo Arts District. Months later, on Dec. 2, he was named among Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list, along with Oklahoma City Thunder star SGA (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander). I asked Lattimore for his message to the next generation.

Just over a year into his administration, I sat down for a third conversation with Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols. We reflected on what it’s really been like to lead Tulsa as its first Black mayor, what’s moved forward, what’s stalled, and what still feels unresolved.

The University of Oklahoma is facing national backlash after removing a psychology instructor who failed a student essay that used the Bible to justify anti-transgender views. Critics say the move threatens academic freedom, hundreds have protested on OU's campus and thousands have signed a petition demanding OU preserve academic freedom.

I spoke with ‪The Conscious Lee‬ , a former OU student and instructor, about what this controversy means for higher education, institutional credibility, and the value of an OU degree.

Nick Coffey has turned in his badge as a longtime federal prosecutor to run as a Democrat for the office of Oklahoma Attorney General. He told me about his plans to protect children from traffickers, go after state corruption and take a different approach to the death penalty.