Oklahoma Women Want To Know

When her daughter was born with a heart defect, Mandy Vavrinak had to stop working to take care of her full-time. Mandy took a chance and started Crossroads Communications, a public relations company from her home. With the support of her husband, Mandy's business is thriving. Mandy talks about her dream of starting her own business and how she managed to create it while balancing a family with limited income. Mandy's website is https://crossroads-team.com/

You have more than likely seen a few news reports asking anyone with information about a crime to call Tulsa Crime Stoppers. Executive Director Karen Gilbert explains what Crime Stoppers is and what they do. We also talk with former Tulsa Police Homicide Sgt Dave Walker about how crucial Crime Stoppers is for TPD and how the community has helped solve cases and put criminals in jail.

What do you get when you mix a blind comedian with a quadriplegic comedian? A recipe for side-splitting laughter. Blind comedian Leon the Jokester teamed up with Charlie Beal, who became a quadriplegic after an accident, to share their stories and clean, family-friendly comedy. These guys had us rolling in the studio. To learn more about these funny guys, check out: https://www.leonthejokester.com/

Menopause—just the thought of it makes you start sweating. Menopause is hot on our minds, so we reached out to Dr. Beth Dupree to get some answers about what the heck is going on with our bodies. Dr. Dupree takes more of a holistic approach and explains why we have hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, and more. She also tells us how to balance our hormones so we can get back to being the pleasant ladies that we are. For more info on Dr. Beth Dupree visit: https://myrockdoc.com/

K-9 officers are a game changer for law enforcement. When they go to work, they sniff first and ask questions later. Alesha Brandt with Torchlight K9 in Tulsa trains all kinds of dogs. Some specialize in sniffing out drugs or guns. Others aid in rescue and recovery when people are missing or endangered. Brandt talks about how K9 officers are chosen and how they are trained. Brandt also trains therapy dogs and jobless furry friends. Find out more at https://torchlightk9.com

In Oklahoma, dozens have been convicted of crimes they didn't commit—some spending years, even decades, behind bars. This is where the Oklahoma Innocence Project steps in. Andrea Miller talks with us about what the Oklahoma Innocence Project does and tells us about some Oklahoma cases they are working on.

Behind every line item in a budget, there's a story worth telling and a responsibility worth upholding. That is where State Auditor Cindy Byrd comes in. Cindy was the first woman to ever hold the position in Oklahoma and won the state auditor role with the most votes for a state official in Oklahoma in history. Cindy talks about what she does and how she got to where she is in a male dominated field. She also talks about the recent audit for Tulsa Public Schools.

Cleo Epps was one of the biggest bootleggers in northeast Oklahoma and one of the only female bootleggers around. On Nov. 12, 1970, Cleo Epps went missing. Cleo's life was full of twists and turns. KRMG's Kirk McKracken tells Cleo's story. Find Queen of the Bootleggers here

The Tulsa Boys Home was founded in the early 1900s after two boys were found sleeping in trash boxes in an alley. Now Tulsa has 160 acres dedicated to helping young boys break the cycle of poverty, abuse and drug addiction that is often passed on from generation to generation. Greg Conway with the Tulsa Boys Home says some of the boys in the home have been in dozens of foster homes by the time they land there. Greg tells us how they help these boys become successful men.

We want to know how to look our best, even if we may not have mad skills at things like fixing our hair. Hair is complicated. Products and styles are constantly changing, and even vacuum companies are now in the game with drying and styling tools. Stylist Tiffani Hull keeps us up to date with what trends are in and what styles are out.

Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols hired Krystal Reyes to help improve the lives of Tulsa families. As Deputy Mayor, Reyes manages the City's first Office of Children, Youth, and Families. Reyes talks about her journey leading up to Deputy Mayor and her plans for Tulsa's future.

Spravato is a groundbreaking treatment for depression in the form of a nasal spray. Patients have been raving about the anti-depressant and here in Tulsa, Parkside Psychiatric Hospital & Clinic has been having good results with the medication. Brad McDaris with Parkside fills us in on the benefits of Spravato and we share our own experiences fighting depression.

Getting out of prison and starting a new life is hard enough, but many people carry the weight of their past on their skin every day. Jamy Magee, owner of The Parlor Hair and Inc., started "Stop the Hate in the 918" to cover up hateful, racist, or gang-affiliated tattoos. Magee started out solo, turning painful reminders into beautiful masterpieces and now he has more than twenty artists joining him once a year to cover the hate in the 918 for free. Jeremy Thomason spent decades in prison and wanted his past erased. He tells us his story of redemption and how covering his tattoos has changed his life. For more information on "Stop the Hate in the 918" visit: https://www.facebook.com/people/Stop-The-Hate-In-The-918/61550297187472/?_rdr

Roller derby ladies are just badass! The Tulsa Roughnecks are fierce competitors and a tight-knit group of acceptance and support. The ladies tell us all about roller derby and how it has boosted their self-esteem, body image and has changed their lives.

The 1976 murder of beloved high school football coach Jerry Bailey shook the town of Sapulpa. Finding out the murderer was another coach, and Bailey's friend left people with a lot of questions. Why would Bailey's assistant coach, Paul Reagor Jr., kill him? Sapulpa journalist Kirk McCracken wrote a book called Because of the Hate. The book dives deep into a story that wasn't told for decades. The ID channel featured McCracken's story on their series Murder Under the Friday Night Lights in an episode called Guilt Will Get You. McKracken tells the story, and it's full of twists and turns. Check out these Links: Because of the Hate - https://www.amazon.com/Because-Hate-Murder-Jerry-Bailey/dp/1976867142 ID – Guilt Will Get You - https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/video/murder-under-the-friday-night-lights-investigation-discovery-atve-us/guilt-will-get-you

Dangerously cold temperatures recently reminded us just how many people are homeless in Tulsa. Director of Development at the Tulsa Day Center, Monica Martin, says the shelter is more than just a roof over their heads, it's a lifeline. TDC isn't just a place for people to get a hot shower, new clothes, and a hot meal, case workers help people access resources like healthcare, counseling, job training, and more. Monica even talks about how they manage legal issues and drug addiction. Find out how you can help the Tulsa Day Center: https://tulsadaycenter.org/

Rhonda Bear struggled with drug addiction, lost custody of her children, and landed herself in prison. There she decided her life needed to change. Rhonda spent a lot of time with strong community members and left prison with a dream to help other women transitioning out of prison succeed. Rhonda opened “She Brews” in Claremore, Oklahoma, and hires women who are convicted criminals. The coffee shop gained a lot of support from community leaders, lawmakers, and many women who needed hope for a better future. Now Rhonda has 3 locations. Rhonda breaks down the walls and tells her incredible story of struggle. For more information check out: https://shebrews.org/

Homelessness is increasing at alarming rates. In Tulsa alone, homelessness jumped 20% last year. Much of the unhoused are children. Imagine not having a safe place for your children and how scary it is for a child without a home. Tina Massey is the Executive Director of Family Promise of Tulsa County. Massey says children are her passion and every child deserves a home. Family Promise of Tulsa County helps families get back on their feet by providing shelter, transportation and food for up to 120 days. This gives parents a chance to get back on their feet and be able to provide for their children again. Massey tells us about the program and how we can help Tulsa's children. Find out more: https://www.familypromisetulsa.org/

Fatherhood is one of the most important and rewarding roles a man can take on in life. The impact of being actively involved in a child's life cannot be overstated. It's not just about providing for them financially, but about being present, emotionally available, and offering guidance through life's challenges. Marquess Dennis started Birthright Living Legacy after searching for ways to become a better father. Dennis tells us about his passion for helping men reach their full potential as fathers, the importance of a healthy relationship with their child's mother, and how crucial it is for children to have an active father or male role model in their lives. Find out more at https://brlivinglegacy.com/

Hair removal has become an obsession for many women. Women are waxing everything from their upper lip to where the sun doesn't shine. The Wax Lady, Dana Adair, gives us the low down on Brazilian waxing and laser hair removal. Dana talks about baring it all and even tells a hilarious story about her first attempt at waxing a customer and herself. She also talks about the struggles women have with accepting their womanly parts.

Ladies, it's time to crush those fitness stereotypes and lift like a boss! Lifting weights is one of the BEST things you can do for your body. It builds strength, boosts your metabolism, and helps you feel unstoppable! Kristen Medlock is a bikini competitor, fitness trainer, and health and nutrition coach. Kristen talks to us about the importance of weight training for women as we mature and how to target the areas that need the most work. You can contact Kristen at 918-845-4000

Many women are opting to skip hospital births and have their babies in the comfort of their own homes. Ruth Cobb-McDaniel has been helping women give birth for 49 years. She calls it catching babies. She provides a holistic model of care, with careful attention to both the physical and the emotional aspects of pregnancy. Women can be surrounded by family and choose to have their babies at home or in a birthing center. Ruth owns Special Delivery Midwifery and Special Delivery Birth Center. You can reach Special Delivery at (918) 477-9343

Imagine a school where every child is seen, heard, and supported. Microschools blend the best aspects of homeschooling, traditional schooling, and innovative education. Lea Nance opened Knowledge Nest Microschool in Owasso after seeing the need for a different approach to learning. Many kids thrive in smaller classes and learn better with a more hands-on approach. Lea tells us about how her learners are thriving, not just educationally, but emotionally. You can check out all the cool stuff happening at Knowledge Nest by visiting their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/knowledgenestteacher1 or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/knowledgenest_microschool/?hl=en

Mocktails are one of the fastest-growing trends these days. A lot of Gen Xers are starting to drink less alcohol these days and Millennials and Gen Z have taken the sober movement by storm. Bryan Keating has opened a new bar in Tulsa called ReBar. Keating says he opened the bar without a liquor license and started serving mocktails, coffee, and smoothies. So far the bar has been a hit and no one seems to miss the alcohol.

Johnny Netters was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer just before the pandemic hit. He battled through months of treatments and finally was able to get a bone marrow transplant. Throughout his ordeal, he never lost sight of his faith and credits his complete remission to divine intervention. Netters talks about strangers who were put in his path and how so many people made a huge impact on his life. Netters has written a book sharing his experiences and faith. Check it out on Amazon: https://a.co/d/hTbEHHX

ICYMI: One of our favorite podcasts with an 80s icon! As little girls growing up in the 80s, most of us fell in love with Strawberry Shortcake and her friends. Muriel Fahrion created Strawberry Shortcake first as a greeting card and went on to create a line of characters we all know and love. Fahrion also created Care Bears and The Get Along Gang. Fahrion calls Tulsa home and talks about her sweet smelling adventures.

The new program at Tulsa Public Schools offers girls the opportunity to get scholarships to colleges and learn valuable team lessons.

We all have obstacles we have to overcome to reach our goals, but what would you do if you couldn't see the finish line? Masson Maddox has been blind since birth, but that has never stood in the way of his dreams. Maddox lives on his own and is studying communications at Rogers State University. He is passionate about music and dreams of becoming a disc jockey in Tulsa. Maddox tells us how he navigates college life and how his mom is the secret behind his success.

There's a void in Oklahoma for opportunities for children to grow after the bell rings at the end of the school day. Funding received during the pandemic to boost after-school programs runs out this month, leaving many kids without programs that can improve student test scores and lead to higher school attendance. Josie Pascoe helps raise funds to keep these programs going. Josie talks about the Opp Project (Opportunity Project) and how they are raising money to keep these programs alive. Find out how you can donate at https://theopp.org/

From advocating for healthcare reforms to pushing for environmental protections, women in lobbying play a crucial role in the legislative process. Lesa Smaligo with Smaligo Vesper Consulting or SV Consulting is one of these trailblazers. Lesa talks about her experiences in the political world and how women are influencing change in government. You can reach out to Lesa at lesa@svlobby.com

Major attractions are popping up along Route 66 across the country and Tulsa is jumping on board with the development of the Palmera Motor Court. The retro-inspired hotel is being designed right here in Tulsa by Studio 45 Architects. Katie Huisenga with Studio 45 gives us the inside scoop on the new hotel and how she got into architecture as a child.

Remi Matheson is a beautiful 8-year-old Owasso girl with a rare genetic mutation called Angelman Syndrome. Remi's parents, Chrysti and Derek Matheson host an annual golf tournament, called the Remi Cup to help raise money for Angelman Syndrome research. The Mathesons talk about the characteristics and early signs of the disorder and tell us all about their little firecracker, Remi. To donate to Angelman Syndrome research and to learn more, visit Remicup.com

Everyone has an opinion on whether ghosts exist or not. Even if you don't believe spirits are real, it's still intriguing and hard to explain when objects move or voices are heard. One Owasso mom is taking her curiosity about the afterlife to the next level. Amanda Farris is a local paranormal investigator. Farris tells us about her adventures and how you can join in on the investigations.

Raittia Rogers started out living a life of crime and recklessness as a teenager. That life soon landed her in jail. After spending time behind bars, Rogers decided prison life was not for her and spent the rest of her sentence taking advantage of reform programs and leaning on her faith. Rogers has written a book called "I Broke Out of Prison" and tells her success story. Rogers shares with us her struggles with a troubled childhood and how she overcame prison and started a new life. You can buy 'I Broke Out of Prison at https://www.amazon.com/Broke-Out-Prison-Raittia-Rogers/dp/1691314889

Women spend so much time putting on makeup and getting ready every day. Wouldn't it be nice if some of your makeup was permanent? Maybe you're self-conscious about what you look like without eyeliner or lipstick and just want to eliminate that feeling at the lake or the pool. Becca Fuller with Babe Ink tells us everything you need to know about tattooed makeup and how you can achieve a flawless face so you can spend less time doing your makeup and more time doing things you love. For more information about Babe Ink call (918) 899-2450

Many Oklahoma families struggle to find the help and the resources their children need when it comes to therapy. Kristin Tipps with 9 Ranch uses the power of nature and alternative methods to help children open up and share their feelings. Kristin tells us how she uses natural components like sand therapy, play therapy, and even fishing to help kids heal.

Alzheimer's is a growing problem in Oklahoma. If dementia isn't hitting you, it may be taking hold of a loved one leaving you to figure out how to be the caregiver. Meggie Gaskins is director of communications for the Alzheimer's Association. Meggie talks to us about the signs, symptoms, and steps you should take if a family member is diagnosed with dementia. Meggie also talks about the exciting new research that could be a game changer.

Jennifer Rogers-Etcheverry is Will Rogers's great-granddaughter. She talks about his legacy and what we can learn from Oklahoma's favorite son. Jennifer says there is a lot we can learn from Rogers even today. She also tells us all about a new movie featuring Will Rogers set to start filming right here in Oklahoma.

Many women spend their younger years hitting the bars with their friends and often end up drinking too much. As we get older, some women find they don't really like themselves when they drink too much or they just don't feel healthy. Kristy Deboer decided to be done with alcohol and put herself out there on social media. Kristy hopes her successful story of sobriety sparks others to reach out and make a change. If you need some encouragement, reach out to Kristy on her social media platforms. https://www.instagram.com/kristyellerdeboer/ I https://www.tiktok.com/@kristyellerdeboer I https://www.facebook.com/kristy.deboer1

Hair removal has become an obsession for many women. Women are waxing everything from their upper lip to where the sun doesn't shine. The Wax Lady, Dana Adair, gives us the low down on Brazilian waxing and laser hair removal. Dana talks about baring it all and even tells a hilarious story about her first attempt at waxing a customer and herself. She also talks about the struggles women have with accepting their womanly parts.

Heather Nuttall-Westover is a wife, mom, and storyteller. Heather became a published author at the age of 51 and is now helping other people tell their stories. As the mother of 5 daughters, 1 son, and several foster kids, Heather has a lot of hilarious stories to tell. She also gets real with the not-so-humorous times in her life, struggles within her marriage, and how they worked through the hard times. More info about Heather and her book, Growing Old: One Lucille Ball Moment at a Time can be found at https://www.heathernuttallwestover.com/

Addiction touches all races and all classes of people. With the rise in Fentanyl deaths in Oklahoma, family members of addicts are struggling to find resources and hope. Our friend Jonna tore down her walls to share with us what it's like to be the parent of a person suffering from addiction. Jonna talks about how the addiction started and the moment she saw her son overdose on Fentanyl on the living room floor. Jonna watched as paramedics brought her son back to life with the help of Narcan.

Dr. Speero Sheety and his family run a mission called Revival in Galilee in Israel. The Sheety family has been in and out of underground bunkers since Hamas attacked Israel. We talk to Sperro about what it is like to raise his children among the chaos and how their mission is still helping and serving those in need. Revival in Galilee serves five orphanages with 187 kids and supports widows and the poor. Sheety helps to provide basic necessities, medicine, eye glasses and therapy. The mission also provides food and helps make home repairs. Sheety has a PHD in Special Needs Science and works in a medical center. He also teaches special needs students. To learn more or to donate, visit https://www.revivalingalilee.net

Roller derby ladies are just badass! The Tulsa Roughnecks are fierce competitors and a tight knit group of acceptance and support. The ladies tell us all about roller derby and how it has boosted their self esteem, body image and has changed their lives.

When you think of MMA you probably think of sweaty men. But, it's not just a man's world. Sometimes women are even running the show. Dorothy Faas is a matchmaker and promoter for fighters and she's even been in the cage herself.

Menopause is definitely not a sexy subject, but it is hot on our minds. The hot flashes, the mood swings, the lack of sleep. Our friend Heather tells us about her journey through menopause and how she made things a little more tolerable.

As little girls growing up in the 80s, most of us fell in love with Strawberry Shortcake and her friends. Muriel Fahrion created Strawberry Shortcake first as a greeting card and went on to create a line of characters we all know and love. Fahrion also created Care Bears and The Get Along Gang. Fahrion calls Tulsa home and talks about her sweet smelling adventures.

Lauren Leigh calls herself a female empowerment artist. She creates art based on strong and influential women in history. She uses words to show her observations and understanding of icons and their profound impact on history and culture. Each piece tells a story. Lauren talks about what her art means and her upcoming "DIVA" series.

We've been hearing a lot about pageants in the news recently. It's not just about beauty anymore. Contestants are really digging into a cause. Melissa Smith is the new Mrs. Oklahoma. She's advocating for students and families who can't afford to rent or buy band instruments for the various band programs across the Tulsa metro. Smith talks about how that became her passion and how she ended up running for Mrs. Oklahoma.

A mysterious stomach issue sent an Owasso woman to the ER after two years of dealing with pain and nausea. It had doctors stumped at first then they asked her if she was a regular marijuana user. Amber Post talks about her experience with Cannaboid Hypermesis.

Katherine Combs has been collecting Barbie dolls for as long as she can remember. Some of her dolls are date back to when the beloved doll was created. She shares her insight on why so many girls, young and old, love the lady who can do anything, and make us feel like we can do anything too!