In this bold and eye-opening episode of Tulsa Talks, Tyler Troxell challenges the American church’s culture of comfort and emotional manipulation—and calls us back to the roots of real discipleship. From first-century models to modern missteps, Tyler dives deep into what it really means to follow Christ and build a spiritually mature community. Tyler explores the tension between tradition and transformation, sharing how we’ve allowed culture to water down truth, and how the church must reclaim its calling to love people well, regardless of their politics, past, or position. His message flows through the 10 Stages of Life: Humility: Recognizing the church’s need to repent from performance-driven religion. Redemption: Turning away from manipulation and toward Spirit-led transformation. Power: Equipping believers through sound doctrine and bold truth. Being: Rediscovering identity in Christ, not in church culture. Mercy: Loving those who differ from us—even our “enemies.” Abundance: Creating space for discipleship through daily community action. Witness: Living faith that’s visible in service, not just sermons. Sovereignty: Trusting God to build His church—not man. Reconciliation: Healing the divide between faith and action, church and community. Completion: Becoming the Church that reflects Christ’s heart, not just His name. Tyler’s message is a call to real transformation—in our churches, our families, and ourselves. 🎙️ Tulsa Talks – Real people. Real truth. Real connection. 

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What happens when the world you see isn't the world others live in? You get Elijah Pay—a resilient soul who’s faced the terrifying depths of psychosis, survived near-death hallucinations, and emerged with compassion for those society often overlooks. In this deeply vulnerable episode of Tulsa Talks, Elijah opens up about his diagnosis with schizoaffective bipolar disorder, his journey through drug use, his experiences in mental hospitals, and what it’s like to live with vivid, terrifying hallucinations—seeing torture, death, and delusions so real they left permanent marks. But more than that, Elijah shares hope—hope found in medication, exercise, therapy, online communities, and self-awareness. He reminds us that understanding, not fear, is what builds bridges between mental illness and healing. His raw, unfiltered story reflects the 10 Stages of Life: Humility – Admitting addiction, brokenness, and needing help. Redemption – Choosing recovery, support groups, and new direction. Power – Taking control through medication, therapy, and honest conversation. Being – Learning to accept himself and his mind, exactly as he is. Mercy – Extending empathy to those on the streets and struggling in silence. Abundance – Finding strength in the gym, structure in his days, and clarity through routine. Witness – Sharing his story to help others not feel alone in their mental illness. Sovereignty – Trusting that even in chaos, he’s not forgotten—and his mind has meaning. Reconciliation – Restoring relationships, rebuilding his dignity, and finding new ways to connect. Completion – Realizing his purpose is to help others understand, survive, and heal. 🧠 Want to understand schizophrenia better? Start by listening. 🎙️ Tulsa Talks – Everyday people. Real transformation. Conversations that matter.

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What if the thing holding you back… is you? In this inspiring episode of Tulsa Talks, Corey Martin, a local realtor and personal growth advocate, shares how he created the ACT method—Awareness, Clarity, Transformation—to help himself and others get unstuck. Whether it’s fear, doubt, or perfectionism, Corey teaches how to identify your limiting beliefs, shift your mindset, and take powerful steps toward the life you were created to live. From his early days of being the guy everyone turned to in a crisis, to now being a mentor who guides people through their own breakthroughs, Corey’s story is a masterclass in personal transformation. You already have what you need—it’s time to activate it. Humility – Realizing that the voice of doubt in his head was the real enemy. "You are the solution… but you’re also the problem." Redemption – Letting go of perfectionism and allowing the journey to unfold imperfectly, knowing progress beats paralysis. Power – Creating the ACT method to help himself and others face fears, reframe challenges, and take meaningful action. Being – Discovering his true identity: a man built to listen, to love people, and to help them uncover their own answers. Mercy – Extending grace to himself for unmet goals and “not getting it perfect,” while celebrating the progress that counts. Abundance – Building community through Toastmasters, real estate, and coaching—sharing superpowers and growing together. Witness – Coaching others with his ACT method and showing people how to step out of fear and into fulfillment. Sovereignty – Trusting the process. "I can see Z, but I’m at A—I trust the B through Y will come when it’s time." Reconciliation – Helping others find their purpose by first getting out of their own way and healing their self-talk. Completion – Living on mission, equipped with clarity and confidence, reminding us: you don’t need to force it—just trust and take the next step.

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What happens when a local beekeeper becomes a prison mentor and advocate for the voiceless? You get Mark Dunley—a man living his faith boldly in the black-and-white world of Oklahoma prisons and in the hearts of young fathers facing unplanned parenthood. In this episode of Tulsa Talks, Mark shares how a divine encounter at a candlelight Christmas Eve service led to a lifelong marriage—and how that same spirit of connection drew him into prison ministry 25 years ago. His message? Reconciliation, not religion. Relationship, not retreat. From mentoring incarcerated men to walking alongside new fathers at crisis pregnancy centers, Mark reminds us that true faith is gritty, relational, and transformational. “In prison, there is no gray. You either are, or you aren’t. And that’s why I love it.” Mark challenges us to do more than talk—to disciple, to engage, and to live in such a way that those around us are changed. His life reflects the 10 Stages of Life: Humility – Realizing ministry is messy—and stepping in anyway. Redemption – Offering a second chance to those the world has written off. Power – Leading with truth, love, and transparency in tough places. Being – Knowing who he is, and whose he is. Mercy – Meeting men where they are, not where we wish they were. Abundance – Watching lives flourish through small, faithful acts. Witness – Living boldly so others can see Christ through him. Sovereignty – Trusting God’s plan in politics, prison, and personal transformation. Reconciliation – Bringing together families, communities, and offenders with truth and grace. Completion – A lifelong mission that helps others see their story isn’t over. 🔗 Get Involved in Prison Ministry: https://www.prisoninvasion.org 📲 Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1XVPhZeWgA/?mibextid=wwXIfr 🎙️ Tulsa Talks – Everyday people. Real transformation. Conversations that matter. #tulsatalks #prisonministry #discipleship #fathersmatter #pregnancy #faithinaction #CompletePeaceMovement #10StagesOfLife #mentor #GospelWithoutWalls #beekeeper #tulsa

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When faith meets hustle and purpose powers survival—you get Ugo Gutierrez. From escaping poverty in Colombia to building Tulsa’s premier wedding entertainment brand, Ugo’s story is packed with faith, family, entrepreneurship, betrayal, and grace. In this moving episode of Tulsa Talks, Ugo walks us through his journey from ORU scholarship student to DJ and venue owner, how he almost lost it all in 2020, and why living your purpose is the only path worth walking. 

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