And the Nominee Is ...

All police officers take an oath to protect their citizens.  It's required and expected.  But what isn't required and not expected is how some, like Sargeant Brandon Hendrix with the Tulsa County Sheriff's office, goes beyond the oath and forms trusting relationships with Tulsa County residents.   His dedication to the safety of children is praiseworthy along with his fun ideas to connect with teenagers like the upcoming event, Race a Cop/Day of Speed ... insert Top Gun quote here. The phone number for the Oklahoma Safe School Initiative was unavailable during our conversation.  It is recommended to use the App, Protect Oklahoma.If you would like to nominate someone to be a guest on the podcast, please visit Andthenomineeis.com

Today's guest is involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and tells the story of how her son got his wish granted and got to meet John Cena. Having her own health issues, she successfully lost a lot of weight and soon after became a pin up girl.  She is an actor taking part in numerous shows including Tulsa King and she is a stand-up comedian gracing the stage as, The Lovely Lady of Comedy.

Doesn't it bug you when you are going through a hardship, and someone says they know how you feel?   If someone is going to utter those words then they better have walked in your shoes, right?  Well, if you are a parent or loved one of a child with a life-threatening illness, Jane Rohweder really does know how you feel.  Jane is currently the Senior Director of Development for the Oklahoma Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation but before this she was a frightened and concerned Mom of a beautiful 7-year-old girl who was diagnosed with Leukemia. Don't worry - this story contains a granted wish and an answered prayer.

Let's start with a bad sound engineer joke.What did the sound engineer say on his last day of work?  AudiosOur guest this week knows where to stand at a concert venue to hear a good show.  He knows what buttons to turn on the "flightdeck" for you to hear a good show.  Brad Harris calls him Peabody because he is so smart.   He is the lead Sound Engineer at Cain's Ballroom, and I don't believe he will be saying audios any time soon.

Terry Michael is not your average U.S. Bankruptcy Judge. He is a person with fierce tenacity and flair.   Certainly, he is intelligent and fair, but he is also chucklesome, witty, talented and very entertaining. 

A new year brings resolutions filled with changes and Tulsa will experience the ultimate change in leadership as we elect a new mayor in 2024.   I had the pleasure of speaking with one of the candidates, Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith. Being in television broadcasting for 26 years, Karen knows how to communicate and doesn't seem interested in independent conversation.    American author Ernest Hemingway once said, “I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen."  Karen listens. 

There's a knock at your door.  You look out the window and see a woman who you suspect is either wanting your money or your votes.    Depending on where you live, this woman could be Lori Decter Wright, professional opera singer and District 7's City Councilor but she is also the Executive Director at Kendall Whittier and Tulsa Opera's General Director & CEO.   She has an excellent reputation for achieving positive outcomes for the people of Tulsa and owning the stage in Mozart's “Cosi fan tutte”.   So, the next time she knocks on your door, I suggest you answer it!

Brad Harris is the Production Manager at Tulsa's Legendary Cain's Ballroom.  He has said, "I can make the rock stars happen."  But truth be told, he makes everything happen at the Cain's Ballroom.  He has a great story about Beck and Marionettes performing, he tells us what is really under the dance floor and gives us hints as to the plan for the 100th celebration.   Get ready to buy your tickets!

Someone once said about Don King calling the Jenks HS Football games - "If Allan Trimble is the heartbeat of Jenk football, then Don King is, indeed, its voice."Not only is he still the voice of Jenks football but he has been a familiar voice in Tulsa on and off of the radio for almost 50 years with stories to prove it!

After years of celebrating victories with the Jenks high school football team - 13 state titles to be exact, Courtney and her late husband Allan had to face defeat to the toughest opponent yet, ALS.  In this episode, Courtney tells us of their journey together from the time they met to Allan's diagnosis.   She explains how her Faith helps her persevere and sharing Allan's story through the Trimble Strong Foundation and his book, Golden Years keeps his memory alive.To learn more:  Trimblestrong.org

Nominated from our website, Andthenomineeis.com, this interview with Karie is the easiest I've had on the podcast so far.  Karie is a true professional and knows how to carry a conversation.  Her knowledge and passion for The Bridges Foundation is impressive and so is the work the organization is doing.  The mission of the Bridges Foundation is to enhance the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, and community through training, education, employment services and advocacy.  This non-profit organization is changing lives.

"How do I know you?"  Is the question I imagine people ask themselves when they see Sam.  The answer isn't simple.  You could have seen him on stage singing in one of the 50+++ shows he has been in or produced - musicals and operas.  Or, he says he has been known to sing his order in a drive thru.   Wherever you have seen him, you have heard him, and you will not forget him.  He is all over Tulsa teaching and performing.   He loves the stage, and the stage loves him.  I think Disney should be paying him because his captivating tenor voice takes you to a magical place.  

What a fascinating life Beth Rengel has lived.   She will keep your attention as she tells stories from her early days in Texas preparing and winning beauty pageants to her time in Tulsa and the unfortunate mishap on live TV that changed her life forever.   Her book and our interview will give you a glimpse into a world few get to experience.Rengel, Beth.  Anchored in ILLUSION"By age 21, I had already begun to learn about the three Cs of life: choice, chance, and change.  I'd learned that only by choosing to take that chance, whatever it might be, would my life change.  And change was what I wanted [. . .] but I had yet to learn other things: that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that there's no such thing as perfection," (42).

Brandon is a self-made Rap artist and businessman.  He has done so well that he has not been a struggling artist since 2015 and he won the Hip Hop/Rap Artist of the Year award at the 2020 Tulsa Music Awards.   For those of you who say Rap isn't music ... RAP is an abbreviation for Rhythm and Poetry.  I say a song with a different delivery.  A man approached Brandon after a show one night and said this, " I don't understand what you do but I like what you do."  I couldn't agree more.

If you live in District 4 in Tulsa, Oklahoma then you need to count your blessings because you have Laura Bellis representing you on the City Council.   She's smart, kind and compassionate.  What is her vision? To rebuild a city that works for everyone.  I do believe she can do it!

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." This week's guest knows that saying all too well.   After years of self-destruction, poor choices and addiction that nearly took his life, Michael made the decision to reach out for help which seems for him just as difficult as getting clean.   As he says, "humility is a superpower."  I believe his superpower is helping to save lives.

Being a victim of domestic violence is not something anyone wants to experience but if you have an Advocate with the moxie of Annalisa Muehlberg, you can breathe a little easier.   As this week's guest, Annalisa gives us a look on the other side of the glass and gives advice to those in need of assistance and support.

 When you have to reschedule your interview three times because you're trying to work around your guest's TV filming schedule, you know this conversation is going to be a gem; however, we never even got to this subject during our conversation.  This is how busy Ana's life is right now or I should say for the past 25+ years.  Ana is a TV Host, Actor, Commercial Spokeswoman, Multimedia Journalist, Voice Over Artist and so much more.  Her talent and vision will keep her working as long as she wants.  I believe the best is yet to come for this young lady!

Humble.  That's the word that describes Jason Gilardi.  This guy had a childhood unlike no other - I mean his mom is Disney Royalty, Annette Funicello and his dad is Jack Gilardi, well known Talent Agent in Hollywood. Jason made a name for himself as the drummer for the band Caroline's Spine touring around the U.S. and opening for bands like KISS.  This California boy now calls Oklahoma home and spends his time at his Drum Studio and with who he says comes first, his family.  

My episode description starts with an apology for my poor math.  Ironic since this week's guest is a teacher; but not just any teacher - A kindergarten teacher who is entering into her 40th year of teaching.Here is where I show off my poor math skills ...   260 school days (M-F) -61 days (June & July)-21 days for holidays- 10 days misc.Totals 168 days x 40 years = 6,720 days that our guest, Andrea Davis has taught kindergarten.  Of course, I don't know the exact numbers, but I do know that Andrea needs some time away from 5-year-olds and she is going to be getting it very soon. 

Metal Art.  If you live in Tulsa these two words are automatically followed by the next two words, Garden Deva.  Shopping centers, libraries, schools and homes all display the artwork of this week's guest, Lisa Regan.  Even though Garden Deva doesn't officially belong to her anymore, her pieces continue to be admired in very big ways as she tells us all about her latest project.

Our guest holds the title of singer, dancer, performer, choreographer, teacher and Owner of Overture Musical Theatre Training.  She has been called Maria, Mrs. Potts, Mrs. Lovett but mostly Kara.  If you've seen a musical or play in Oklahoma, then most likely you've seen Kara in some form beautifully portraying a character in a story.  Today we have the privilege of hearing her own beautiful story.   

Evan says Yes to life!  He studied Zoology at OSU, then interned with Barnum & Bailey Circus training elephants and continued to work with elephants at the Tulsa Zoo.   He is in the cast of The Great Chocolate Showdown and now the proud owner of his own company, Evanly Bakes. In his words he is, "A butch Kween, a baker, a sketch comedy maker" ... and so much more!   

Saving and celebrating help describe the message that Lola is trying to convey when talking about "The Abbey" - that's because she is the Curator and Ambassadress of The Abbey Mausoleum at Rose Hill Cemetery.  This place has over 72,000 square feet of space to celebrate the life of a loved one, attend a Dia de Los Muertos Event or even watch a movie.  If you're familiar with Hollywood Forever than you get it!  But whether you're familiar or not The Abbey in Tulsa will soon be a visitor hotspot on Route 66.

She says she still has more to check off of her Bucket List but this week's guest:Has been flying an airplane since she was 15She is an Aerospace and Mechanical EngineerShe is the former Manager of the Mars Exploration Program at NASA and the first woman to manage a NASA programShe was the only woman among 2,000 engineers who had an engineering degree at Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL)She is an authorAnd she has an Asteroid named after her (we didn't even get to this!)

A very funny guy who was once a contestant on the game show Jeopardy.   He tells us about his audition, the road trip to California, meeting Alex Trebek and what he is up to now.Who is Jeff Brown?

The idiom, it takes one to know one applies in this episode not as a negative retort but as a positive attribute.  Beau was nominated by our previous guest, Bradley Beesley ... both storytellers using different platforms.   We'll hear how this Inola boy made his way from Oklahoma to New York City and back and the creative process of making the documentary about the great Will Rogers. 

Bradley Beesley is an American Film Director with Oklahoma roots.  He is the man behind Okie Noodling, Fathers of Football, Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo and The Fearless Freaks (about the Flaming Lips) just to name a few.  Wikipedia says that he has made a cinematic career documenting oddball Americana, strange sub-cultures and homegrown rock stars.   They forgot to add that Bradley is a brilliant director who knows how to tell a story.

This Pawnee Nation women tells us about her years of experience and education in the museum and cultural heritage field and how she made the decision to represent the Cherokee Nation and become an Emmy-winning Producer and Production Manager for OsiyoTV.   

In the final couple's episode, we listen to the story of two highly intelligent individuals who have known each other since high school and now use their years of education and skills to help others make the world a better place.   Julie says they feed her soul and after you hear this episode, you'll know why.  

I'd like to say I am responsible for the union of this couple, but I just provided the yoga class ... the rest of the story is theirs to tell.This couple is as real as it gets.  Enjoy!

We're celebrating couples in February and let's just say that our first guests are experienced at marriage and life.  Don and Glenna Hertzler take us down memory lane including a cute story of how they started dating - it involves a strategically placed seatbelt!  This couple will warm you heart!

For Jennifer Loren, Cherokee isn't just the name of her tribe, it is who she is.  She proudly shares her heritage through her work and her walk.Jennifer is the co-creator of Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People.  She is also the executive producer and host of OsiyoTV.In 2019, she helped to create the Cherokee Nation Film Office and currently serves as Director.  Not only does this office help the Cherokee Nation but film makers around the world.  We are fortunate to have Jennifer represent Tulsa and the Cherokee people.

According to Alexis Wade, "Wherever you are in a company, you can always lead."As a Strategic Relations Manager for Magellan Executive Partners, Alexis knows how to lead but also how to be part of a team.  This is why this young lady will not only climb the corporate ladder but do it quickly and efficiently.

Kim Teehee was destined to work for the Cherokee Nation.As we do a little reflecting, she tells us about being a member of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Council, her time as an intern for Wilma Mankiller and how Wilma became her mentor.   She reminds us of the struggle of the Native Americans and how they still have unfulfilled promises today.  Kim is a true leader who will make history by becoming the Cherokee Tribe's first delegate to the United State House of Representatives.  

The definition of Old Soul is someone, especially a young person, who demonstrates a maturity, understanding, or seriousness that is typical of someone much older, a.k.a. Jaira Killingsworth.At only 25, Jaira is innovative, creative, intelligent and someone who is making the world a better place for us and future generations.  Breathe easy people.  Jaira's got this!!

When you think about the 1990's your mind probably goes to Alternative Rock, grunge and Nirvana, right?  Mine goes to this week's nominee who not only was part of a fabulous team at Z104.5 The Edge radio station in Tulsa during this era, but he helped launch some of the best concerts Tulsa has ever seen.  We're catching up and trying to keep up with Ray Seggern.

As her nominator expressed, representation matters, and boy does Katrina represent.She loves math and says everything created in this world is wrapped around math.She is an accomplished engineer, a respected mentor and is the creator of the KAT-Xperience earning her the title of S.W.E.  Just wait for it!

He is the man behind FAM, First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City.Learn his unique connection to Thomas Gilcrease and his involvement at Gilcrease Museum and the Smithsonian.  These experiences have helped him create this one-of-a-kind museum in Oklahoma where so many indigenous people can tell their stories, past and present.Wado, James Pepper Henry.

"If only we could live in Utopia."This week's guest is working tirelessly to turn this goal into reality with the company she founded, Utopia Plastix.  Learn how this strong woman and her team have created the most durable, natural and affordable plastic alternative currently in the market and how the world has their eyes on this Oklahoma company.

The list of Dr. Deskin's accomplishments is longer than this podcast.  She created Oklahoma's first start-up charter school.  She has worked with NASA as she served as a consultant for the National Challenger Center for Space, Science & Education and so much more.  Hopefully her compassion and collection of achievements influences all of us to reach for the stars.  

Brenda is the Executive Director of the Museums Association.  Did you know that Oklahoma has over 500 museums?  Me either! Brenda is full of stories and information that will inspire you to take a road trip to check out all of Oklahoma's museums.  Oklahoma has all of the museums you expect and so many unexpected and unique historical spots.