Podcast: Oklahoma Memo (Weekly)

Episode: 001 — “Resignation Shock, Gundy Out, and Will D.C. Shut Down?”

Host: Ryan Welton

Guests: Sandra Valentine (OK education parent-advocate), Scott Mitchell (News 9/News On 6 analyst), Grant Hermes (host, Make It Make Sense)

Publish cadence: Fridays, 6:00 p.m. CT

Length: ~30–40 minutes

Episode summary (TL;DR)

• State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced his resignation on FOX News late Wednesday — but as of Friday 1 p.m., no formal letter was filed, complicating Gov. Kevin Stitt’s ability to appoint an interim.
• Mike Gundy is out at Oklahoma State after a 20-year run; OC Doug Meacham steps in as interim ahead of Baylor.
• Grant Hermes explains what a federal government shutdown actually does to Oklahomans: airports, SNAP/WIC, Medicare/Medicaid processing, civilian DoD workers, contractors, inspections, IRS actions, and more.
• New segment previews: “Bedlam Buds” (OU vs. OSU friends talking ball) and “Make It Make Sense” (national news → Oklahoma impact).

Chapter markers (add exact times after upload)

00:00 Welcome + what the weekly format includes

02:15 Top story: Walters “resigns” on TV, not in writing; why that matters

08:40 Guest: Sandra Valentine — parent perspective, board dynamics, and what Oklahoma needs next

18:30 Quick sports break: Gundy out, Baylor on deck; Cowboys under interim Doug Meacham

21:10 Guest: Scott Mitchell — politics of the resignation, board relations, “responsible adult” criteria

31:00 Guest: Grant Hermes (Make It Make Sense)— Shutdown 101 and the Oklahoma ripple effects (air travel, benefits, bases, contractors)

46:30 Preview: Bedlam Buds (OU–OSU rivalry talk)

50:00 Weekend picks & OKC Greek Festival shout-out + newsletter CTA

Key takeaways

• A televised resignation without a filed letter freezes succession decisions and keeps the Board of Education in limbo.
• Board–superintendent relations matter: expect a search for a reform-minded, collaborative, education-literate leader.
• Shutdown stakes for OK: TSA/ATC staffing strains, WIC/SNAP timing, Medicaid/Medicare processing, DoD furloughs, contractor non-payment.

Guest bios & links

• Sandra Valentine — longtime Oklahoma parent advocate following state education policy and board actions.
• Scott Mitchell — Political analyst, Your Vote Counts / Hot Seat, News 9 / News On 6.
• Grant Hermes — Journalist; host of Make It Make Sense (explainer podcast turning complex policy into plain English).

Resources mentioned

• Oklahoma Memo newsletter — daily at 7 a.m. CT: OklahomaMemo.com
• Grant Hermes’ podcast: Make It Make Sense
• OKC Greek Festival (weekend highlight)

How to support

• Subscribe to the newsletter (free): OklahomaMemo.com
• Follow on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram: @OklahomaMemo except for IG (@OklaMemo)
• Share this episode with a friend who follows Oklahoma news.