Survive & Thrive's Podcast

In the 24th and final episode of Survive & Thrive, your hosts, KaraLee Langford and Brooklyn Wayland, along with audio engineer Miranda Vondale, sit down and reflect on the project as a whole. They discuss their favorite episodes, share a few clips from previous podcasts in the series, as well as share some behind the scenes experience with their listeners. We thank you for going on this 9 month journey with us as we have reflected on our great state as it has endured the health and racial pandemic and how we, as Oklahomans, can once again learn to survive and thrive.  

In this episode, we speak with local artist and tribal member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Dana Tiger, about ways we can come to terms with the racial heartache our state has faced, both past and present, and learn how to survive and thrive in the midst of heartache and uncertainty. 

In this episode we interview Gordon Yellowman, member of Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, about the racial heartache our state and nation has faced and how we can grapple with that reality and learn to move forward, better and stronger than before. 

In this podcast, we interview Cherokee Nation leader and Native American Advocate, Cherokee Ballard, over the current race and health pandemic our state and nation is facing and how we as Oklahomans can use our tragic past to band together and move toward a brighter future. 

In this episode, we sit down with OU Police Chief, Nate Tarver, and discuss the racial tension that is happening between law enforcement and people of color. 

In part two of this two-part episode series, we visit with renown journalists, M. Scott Carter, Mike Boettcher, and Storme Jones about the history of Oklahoma and how we as Oklahomans can learn, grow from and grapple with our past experiences as a state. 

In this two part episode, we visit with renown journalists, M. Scott Carter, Mike Boettcher, and Storme Jones about the history of Oklahoma and how we as Oklahomans can learn and grow from our past experiences. 

In this week's episode, we speak to Representative Monroe Nichols from Tulsa about the heartache our state and nation is facing against the current racial upheaval and the health pandemic. DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains sensitive content that might be offensive to some. 

Gaylord College dean, Ed Kelley, and his wife, Carol, sit down to talk with us in this episode about both the health and racial pandemics our state is facing and how we as a state and a nation can try and find light in these dark, trying times.

Mike Wayland is the Principal of a Rural Oklahoma School in Cushing, Oklahoma. In this episode, we are going to discuss how his school is coping and dealing with the current health and racial pandemic.

Noah Nichols is a student at the University of Oklahoma and part of the LGBTQ+ community. In this episode, we are going to talk about Oklahoma's slow turn into accepting it's checkered history and how it affects communities across the board.

Karen Marinelli, teacher at Moore Public Schools, and a survivor of the 2013 Moore tornado. In this episode, we discuss the tragic events of that day and how the Oklahoma community came together to support each other during a time of crisis and how this same mentality plays into dealing with the pandemic, today.

In this episode, we are joined with seasoned journalist, now retired from KFOR channel 4, Linda Cavanaugh, where we discuss the two-fold pandemic of COVID and racial heartache in the great state of Oklahoma. 

Joy Hofmeister is the Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction. In this episode, we will focus on the Oklahoma education system and how it directly affects the racial tensions in the state today.

In this episode, we talk with Krista Tippett, an award winning journalist originally from Oklahoma, and now an NPR host. We will be focusing on how Oklahoma can learn from its past tragedies and discover what a new "normal" might look like for the state.

Joseph Harroz, President of the University of Oklahoma, sits down to talk with us about the coronavirus and past racial on-campus incidents. In this episode we reflect on how the University is navigating during these uncertain times and how students, facility, and staff can work together to create a successful semester amid the health and racial pandemics.

Nikki Nice, council woman of Oklahoma's Ward 7, is the 10th female to serve on the Oklahoma city council and the 2nd woman of color. In this episode we will be focusing on the state a whole and how Oklahoma is just now learning how to come to terms with its checkered history, specifically racial tensions.

In 2006, Gene Rainbolt was selected as one of the 50 most powerful men in Oklahoma. Charlotte Lankard is a licensed marriage and family counselor as well as a writer for the Oklahoman. In this episode, we will be focusing on the current racial and health pandemics and how Oklahomans can discover a new "normal" and what that might look like.

Joi Gordon is the CEO of Dress for Success, a globally-recognized organization that has empowered more than one million women to become economically advanced in nearly 150 cities in more than 20 countries. In this episode we will focus on the history of Oklahoma and how it relates to the current racial pandemic and how Oklahomans can band together to face these issues head on. 

Brenda Alford is a descendant of Tulsa Race Massacre survivors. She is involved in the race massacre centennial coming up next year and is also on the committee overseeing the excavation of the cemetery where it is believed victims were buried in unmarked or mass graves. In this episode, we will be focusing on the tragedy of the Tulsa Race Massacre and how Oklahoma can acknowledge its checkered past to move forward.

Rev. Dr. Serene Jones is the President of Union Theological Seminary in New York. Dr. Jones is a born and raised Oklahoman and in this episode we will chat about the "Oklahoma standard" and how we can grow together, as a state, despite the current and racial pandemics. This podcast is presented by Gaylord News in collaboration with the Institute of Human Flourishing.

Justin Norris serves as the Student Government Association President for the University of Oklahoma's student body. The University is no stranger to racial tension on campus. In this episode, we speak with Justin on how to deal with those tensions and how students can help the University to move forward. This podcast is presented by Gaylord News in collaboration with the Institute of Human Flourishing.

On April 19, 1995, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City exploded as a truck bomb went off at the loading dock entrance. 9:01 am. This was a time when Oklahoma stood still for only a moment before first responders and Oklahomans alike rushed to the scene. One of those firefighters was Chris Fields. In this episode we will be speaking with Mr. Fields about how Oklahoma can learn and grow from past tragedies.This podcast is presented by Gaylord News in collaboration with the Institute of Human Flourishing.

Survive & Thrive is a twenty-four episode podcast series where our team will interview Oklahomans across a diverse spectrum as how to “Survive and Thrive” during the twofold crisis of the health and racial pandemics. Oklahomans are no stranger to tragedy. The state’s history is checkered with traumas such as the Dust Bowl, Tulsa Race Massacre, Trail of Tears, and the Oklahoma City bombing. Out of those tragedies, was born the “Oklahoma Standard”.Now, as the state once again grapples with hardship. This time with COVID-19 and racial heartache, we will hear from multiple Oklahomans who must once again learn to survive and thrive.This podcast is presented by Gaylord News in collaboration with the Institute of Human Flourishing.