The Oklahoma Today Podcast

Jurassic World: Rebirth is one of this summer's biggest blockbusters, and the movie has a surprisingly adorable Oklahoma connection. The movie features a rabbit-sized herbivore known as the Aquilops americanus, a species of dinosaur the world knows about thanks to the work of scientists at the Sam Noble Museum in Norman. Editor-in-chief Nathan Gunter talks with Dr. Jacqueline Lungmus about the little dino that is stealing hearts this summer in the cinema, as well as some of the other prehistoric creatures in the museum's collection. Those who venture out to Sam Noble this Saturday will have the thrill of celebrating Aquilops Day, a day of learning, fun, and activities centered around the dynamic, diminutive dinosaur. 

Cute animal friends call Hulbert's Sequoyah State Park home. Beavers, a coyote, a fox, and more can be encountered at Sequoyah's nature center. These are animals who, for various reasons, are unfit to live in the wild on their own. Thanks to the efforts of state park naturalists like Sierra (our human guest of the week), these creatures get a new lease on life thanks to the animal ambassador program. It also gives park attendees a chance for a closer meeting with these critters than they are likely to ever get in the wild.

Also on this week's show, the editors discuss which creature would best serve as their personal animal ambassador, and podvents lets us know the best place in Oklahoma to find haggis this weekend. You won't want to miss it!

Thunder up, baby! A day many in this state have long dreamed of came to fruition on June 24, 2025, when the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrated their NBA championship with a parade through downtown that attracted more than half a million happy fans. Our very own host Ben was one of them, and he went out into the streets on this special occasion to get the local reaction to this momentous occasion (and maybe get his own glance at the legendary Larry O'Brien Trophy).

Fresh berries are one of the best benefits of summer. There are plenty of places where locally grown blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and more are available for purchase in convenient packages, but it's pretty much scientific fact that berries taste better when you pick them off the bush yourself. So we did just that! Ben and Chris ventured out to the Thunderbird Berry Farm just outside of Broken Arrow to get their blueberry fix and learn more about this family business currently in the midst of its 20th u-pick season. 

Cruising down Route 66 is the American dream, but it can be a time-consuming one. If you're looking to get some of those famous kicks in under an hour, might we suggest a visit to Puttin' the Park in Elk City? They have totally revamped their miniature golf course in Ackley Park to mimic travel down the famous Mother Road. Featuring Oklahoma icons like the Golden Driller of Tulsa and the Pops bottle in Arcadia (plus a number of other famous photo ops), it's a fun detour no matter which direction you're driving. Our guest this week is Marnie Tosh, who helped design the new course for Elk City. Our fearless host Ben tests his golf course against the person who made it. 

Also on this week's show, the editors share their dream car for a trip down 66, and podvents tells us where to find a free Big K.R.I.T. concert. You won't want to miss it!

Toys: They teach us a lot as we're growing up. They teach us to value our possessions, to use our imaginations, and how much our parents don't like it when we leave them all over the floor. It's no wonder we end up putting a lot of nostalgic value into them, or that there is a museum dedicated to them in south-central Oklahoma. The Toy and Action Figure Museum in Pauls Valley has thousands of figures on display, including those from franchises like Marvel, DC Comics, Star Wars, and more. Museum founder Kevin Stark is our featured guest today, giving us a tour of the site's impressive collection and helping us realize why our playtime heroes are worth preserving. 

June has arrived in Oklahoma, which can often mean that a dark room with air conditioning is very appealing. Thankfully an abundance of opportunities for just such an activity is headed for Oklahoma City. We're talking about the return of deadCenter Film Festival, the summertime favorite set to celebrate its twenty-fifth year June 11-15. Our guest this week is deadCenter's founding executive director Cacky Poarch, who tells us all about this year's Icon award winners, how it feels to see the festival at a quarter of a century, and why we can expect to see dinosaurs around downtown OKC. 

When it comes to local restaurant brands, 84 Hospitality Group is a heavy hitter. Empire Slice House is known far and wide, and Goro Ramen and Burger Punk have large followings of their own. There is a new name to add to that lineup now. Elisabetta Fine Italian & Wine is now open on North Western Avenue in Oklahoma City. Editor-in-Chief Nathan Gunter had a sit-down conversation with 84 Hospitality's Rachel Cope to talk about the new addition and what else is new from her line of delicious eats.

It's the oldest historically black rodeo in the country, and it's back for another year! The Boley Rodeo, in the historic black town of Boley, got its start in 1961. The event has seen ups and downs over the years, but has seen a resurgence under organizer Karen Ekuban. We headed out to Boley to talk with Karen and get a firsthand look at a new art project which will make its debut at this year's event. The Boley Rodeo is Saturday, May 24, and tickets are $20.

Also on this week's episode, the editors recommend their picks for summer vacation activities in the state, and podvents let's us know where to find the most happening 150th birthday party around. You won't want to miss it!

Oklahoma's vintage scene has a social media king, and his name is Clinton Avery Tharp. Along with childhood friend Eli Hartley, he owns and operates Main Street Vintage in Purcell. Fans of classic 1970s furniture, Kit-Cat Klocks, cigar box ukuleles, or anything cool and novel will get a kick out of visiting this shop of wonders. In this week's episode, Tharp and Hartley lead us on a tour through their carefully curated playhouse, and a lot of fun is had along the way.