This week on the Oklahoma Memo Podcast, Ryan Welton and Grant Hermes unpack a chaotic week in American politics and media. Tulsi Gabbard abruptly resigns as Director of National Intelligence amid mounting international pressure and internal power struggles within the Trump administration. Meanwhile, Donald Trump shocks observers by announcing he won’t attend Don Jr.’s wedding — another sign, Grant argues, of an increasingly isolated presidency. The conversation also dives deep into the Democrati...
May 23, 2026•1 hr 17 min
Linda Wiginton has spent more than four decades building one of Oklahoma’s most respected high school swimming programs in Altus. In this episode of the Oklahoma Memo Podcast, she joins Ryan Welton to reflect on: Starting the aquatics program in Altus in the early 1980s Coaching for 45 years Winning hundreds of meets Teaching generations of swimmers The role of the OSSAA in Oklahoma athletics Leadership, discipline and helping kids prepare for life Wiginton also shares stories about creating a d...
May 21, 2026•26 min
This week on Bedlam Buds, Ryan Welton and Jeremy Cook dive into a packed sports week that ranges from Premier League chaos to Oklahoma softball postseason excitement. Topics include: Arsenal officially winning the Premier League title after 22 years Tottenham’s relegation fears and brutal loss to Chelsea Why Victor Wembanyama may become (IS) the NBA’s next unstoppable superstar Whether the Thunder can physically match up with the Spurs OSU softball’s Super Regional showdown against Nebraska Ruby...
May 20, 2026•34 min
In this week's episode of The Long View, Clay Horning and Ryan Welton talk about the weekend that was in college softball — with Oklahoma dominant in three consecutive regional wins at home. OU's reward is an at-home Super Regional against red-hot Mississippi State, which dominated the Oregon regional. You can get more content from Clay at https://www.OklahomaColumnist.com , and (of course) you should subscribe to the daily Oklahoma Memo newsletter at https://www.OklahomaMemo.com/subscribe #okla...
May 20, 2026•40 min
Ryan Welton is joined by Oklahoma Democratic candidates Troy Green and John Croisant for a wide-ranging political conversation focused on the growing “Take BAC Congress” coalition. The group is advocating for reforms, including congressional term limits, a ban on stock trading by lawmakers, limits on lobbying influence, and Supreme Court ethics reform. The discussion also covers: Donald Trump’s China trip and foreign policy concerns Congressional wealth and insider stock trading Gerrymandering a...
May 16, 2026•43 min
Ryan Welton and Grant Hermes unpack the week that was in politics. This episode covers: President Trump’s visit to China Taiwan and growing military concerns Why Cuba is becoming a major Trump focus New reporting about Trump’s health and behavior Whether AOC could become president Tennessee’s escalating redistricting battle The bizarre “American blue” reflecting pool project in Washington A proven trick to bring plants back to life Grant also discusses his recent interview with Nobel Prize-winni...
May 15, 2026•1 hr 9 min
On this episode of Bedlam Buds, Ryan Welton and Jeremy Cook break down Oklahoma State softball’s Big 12 Tournament run and preview the Cowgirls’ NCAA Regional matchup against Stanford, Eastern Illinois and Princeton. The guys discuss: Ruby Maylen's dominance and why she changes everything for OSU Whether the Cowgirls are built for a deep postseason run The possibility of a Bedlam-style showdown with Jordy Frahm (nee Bahl) and Nebraska in a Super Regional They also dive into Oklahoma State baseba...
May 15, 2026•49 min
On this episode of The Long View , Ryan Welton and Clay Horning break down the biggest questions surrounding Oklahoma Sooners softball entering the NCAA Tournament — especially the ongoing uncertainty in the pitching circle. The guys discuss: Why OU’s offense may still be good enough to carry a postseason run Whether Audrey Lowry should become the Sooners’ unquestioned ace Dangerous potential matchups with Oregon, Mississippi State and Texas Tech Why this OU softball team feels a little like the...
May 15, 2026•49 min
Ryan Welton and Grant Hermes return for another deep-dive conversation covering some of the biggest political and economic stories in America right now. This episode explores: Whether the Iran conflict is truly over Why oil and gas prices could continue rising The legal and constitutional questions surrounding U.S. military operations The White House ballroom controversy and DHS expansion Concerns about ICE leadership and federal infrastructure The massive Canvas cyberattack affecting schools na...
May 09, 2026•1 hr 6 min
Why does Oklahoma continue to rank near the bottom nationally in education outcomes — and what would it actually take to fix it? In this episode of the Oklahoma Memo Podcast, Ryan Welton is joined by Democratic congressional candidate John Croisant and Democratic candidate for state superintendent Craig McVay for a wide-ranging discussion about the state of public education in Oklahoma. The conversation explores: Federal education funding and proposed Department of Education cuts Oklahoma’s wide...
May 09, 2026•52 min•Ep. 79
This week, Ryan Welton and Grant Hermes (of "Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes" ) unpack a fast-moving and complicated news cycle. Topics include: The current status of the Iran ceasefire and Strait of Hormuz disruption Why gas prices are likely to rise in the coming weeks The broader economic impact of supply chain slowdowns Internal instability within the White House High-profile resignations and leadership concerns The indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center and what it actually mean...
Apr 27, 2026•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 78
A behind-the-scenes look at how eligibility decisions are made in Oklahoma high school sports — and why one attorney says the system needs reform. Oklahoma Memo founder and curator Ryan Welton sits down with Hannah Whitten to break down a recent case involving student transfers, shifting rules, and missed playing time. The conversation expands into bigger questions about due process, fairness, and access for student athletes across the state. What We Talk About A real case involving student athl...
Apr 20, 2026•19 min•Ep. 77
Ryan Welton is joined by Grant Hermes for a wide-ranging conversation on the week’s biggest political developments. They discuss Kevin Hern’s Senate bid and why it could trigger major consequences not just in Oklahoma, but in the U.S. House. They also look at Gov. Kevin Stitt’s possible ambitions, the uncertainty around Markwayne Mullin’s future, and the larger political calculations underway. The second half of the conversation turns to the Senate’s role in confirming cabinet officials, how tha...
Mar 15, 2026•59 min•Ep. 76
A heartbreaking tragedy is now driving a push for legislative change in Oklahoma. In this episode of the Oklahoma Memo Podcast, Ryan Welton speaks with Jacob Towe , whose young son Leo died from fentanyl poisoning. After learning the true cause of Leo’s death, Towe began pushing for a new law that would require the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to test parents for fentanyl before reunifying children with them. The proposed legislation, known as “Leo’s Law,” would simply add fentanyl to t...
Mar 13, 2026•17 min•Ep. 75
Improving reading outcomes has become a major policy focus in Oklahoma. But what actually helps children learn to read? In this episode of the Oklahoma Memo Podcast, Ryan Welton talks with longtime Oklahoma educator and historian John Thompson about the literacy debate, including the widely discussed “Mississippi Miracle.” Thompson explains why some tutoring programs fail, how high-dosage tutoring works, and why background knowledge and classroom culture play a critical role in literacy developm...
Mar 06, 2026•24 min•Ep. 74
This week on the Oklahoma Memo Podcast: Ryan Welton is joined by Rep. Melissa Provenzano (D–Tulsa) and congressional candidate John Croisant for a wide-ranging discussion on Oklahoma’s fiscal future. Topics include: Education Mississippi’s reading model vs. Oklahoma’s funding history Third-grade retention debate Teacher pay, emergency certifications and workforce pipeline Private school tax credits vs. public investment Healthcare Federal Medicaid reductions and SoonerCare implications Insurance...
Mar 01, 2026•41 min•Ep. 73
Trump’s address was historic for its length — but the political tells were in the omissions. Ryan Welton is joined by national journalist and podcaster Grant Hermes ( Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes ) to break down State of the Union week, the messaging strategy behind what got left out, and what it could signal heading into the midterms. Then, the conversation turns to Oklahoma: Gov. Kevin Stitt’s NPR interview and why his “return to integrity” tone — plus a states’ rights framing — sounds...
Feb 28, 2026•55 min•Ep. 72
Welcome to the first Oklahoma Memo Newscast. Today’s top story: Senate Republican leadership unveils a $254 million education plan that would raise teacher pay and fund literacy initiatives by capping additional contributions to Oklahoma’s teacher retirement system. Teachers push back. Plus: • Rob Miller withdraws from state superintendent race • Markwayne Mullin confronts Al Green at State of the Union • Severe weather risk developing for next week • OU baseball walk-off win • OSBI investigatin...
Feb 26, 2026•16 min•Ep. 71
Ryan Welton is joined by Grant Hermes (Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes) for a wide-ranging conversation that connects a local Oklahoma education controversy to larger questions about power, institutional trust, and international pressure. They discuss Mustang Public Schools suspending 122 students after a Feb. 5 walkout, how lawsuits and discovery could reveal more behind the scenes, the mechanics of protest movements, and why Grant is watching signs of possible escalation involving Iran. T...
Feb 23, 2026•51 min•Ep. 70
Senate Bill 1421 advanced out of committee this week with unanimous support — but what does it (or could it if it becomes law) actually change? Ryan Welton sits down with Brandy Torres-DeMark, founder of the Our Kids Deserve Better Coalition, to break down the bill’s purpose and process. In this episode: • What SB 1421 would codify into law • Why the bill has no fiscal impact • How trauma-informed standards could reduce long-term costs • What bipartisan cooperation looks like behind the scenes •...
Feb 23, 2026•27 min•Ep. 69
Adrianne Marsh ( Altum Insight ) joins the show to unpack lessons from presidential-era campaigning, why Barack Obama 2008 was a once-in-a-generation “unicorn,” and what his team’s qualitative research is revealing right now: in rural communities, AI is landing as a major trust threat — tied to privacy, kids’ futures, community values, and a broader sense of being talked down to rather than listened to. We also get into: Accountability systems that actually work (even down to volunteers) Why aut...
Feb 16, 2026•45 min•Ep. 68
This week: Ryan Welton sits down with Grant Hermes (Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes) to unpack a fast-moving national story with Oklahoma fingerprints — and the bigger questions it raises about federal power, state authority, and civil liberties. What we cover Why Gov. Kevin Stitt’s role as chair of the National Governors Association matters The White House meeting controversy and why Stitt publicly pushed back The “governors are different” dynamic — why red and blue governors sometimes clo...
Feb 13, 2026•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 67
World Neighbors began with a sermon at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City 75 years ago. Today, it operates in 14 countries and has helped nearly 30 million people. In this episode of Oklahoma Memo, Ryan Welton talks with World Neighbors President & CEO Dr. Kate Schechter about: The World War II experience that inspired founder Dr. John L. Peters Why World Neighbors refuses in-kind donations and cash handouts How savings-and-credit groups work in remote villages without banks...
Feb 13, 2026•29 min•Ep. 66
The NFL playoffs are here, and Bedlam Buds is back with a full Wild Card preview. Ryan Welton and Jeremy debate every matchup, from Rams–Panthers to Texans–Steelers, weighing quarterback experience, coaching, injuries, weather, and playoff history. Plus: Super Bowl predictions, rooting interests, and why some teams feel scarier than their seed. Timestamps (approximate): Rams vs Panthers — experience wins Packers vs Bears — snow, youth, and pressure Bills vs Jaguars — best game of the weekend? Ea...
Jan 10, 2026•35 min•Ep. 65
This week’s Friday conversation with journalist/podcaster Grant Hermes (“Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes”) focuses on Minneapolis and the ICE shooting that has ignited protests and political fallout. We talk about who controls the investigation, why transparency gaps fuel distrust, how enforcement tactics can escalate risk, and what this moment could mean heading into the 2026 midterms. We also zoom out to foreign-policy escalation signals — including Greenland — and why “chaos on multiple ...
Jan 10, 2026•45 min•Ep. 64
On this episode of Bedlam Buds, Ryan and Jeremy break down one of the biggest transfer-portal storylines in the country: Oklahoma State Cowboys landing the North Texas “triplets”—quarterback Drew Mestemaker, wide receiver Wyatt Young, and running back Caleb Hawkins (from Shawnee). Jeremy called it before it happened, and now that all three are officially headed to Stillwater, we unpack why this isn’t just a splashy portal moment, but a potential Indiana-like moment. We cover: • Why these weren’t...
Jan 06, 2026•17 min•Ep. 63
The Oklahoma State Cowboys’ quarterback room is turning over fast. With Hauss Hejny and Zane Flores entering the portal, all signs point to a major NIL-backed move for North Texas QB Drew Mestemaker — possibly with skill players coming with him. Jeremy and Ryan break down what this means for Eric Morris, and this new era of Oklahoma State football. In this episode: • Oklahoma State’s quarterback room clearing as portal season opens • Why Hauss Hejny’s departure matters more than it looks on pape...
Jan 02, 2026•11 min•Ep. 62
The playoff reset is here, and Bedlam Buds is back to break down what actually matters. Ryan and Jeremy run through every College Football Playoff matchup with real analysis, gut instincts, and just enough nonsense to keep it fun. From Miami’s swagger to Texas Tech’s slow-burn rise, Alabama’s experience edge, and Georgia’s inevitable march — it’s all on the table. Also discussed: Why the Pop-Tart Bowl is America’s true championship What bowl game marketing gets right And how Notre Dame still fin...
Dec 30, 2025•27 min•Ep. 61
Cold mornings, dry conditions, and rising fire danger across Oklahoma start today’s Oklahoma Memo . Also: Why high-profile Oklahoma audits are still unfinished What staffing and funding cuts inside the State Auditor’s office mean for accountability A Tulsa Flyer report showing how uninsured care quietly costs hospitals—and consumers A quick national headlines check Your Oklahoma Rundown, plus a Thunder win recap Oklahoma Memo is your daily, efficient guide to the stories shaping Oklahoma—deliver...
Dec 29, 2025•9 min•Ep. 60
Oklahoma City’s Christmas Day loss wasn’t about effort, coaching, or roster holes — it was about matchups. Ryan and Jeremy break down why the San Antonio Spurs have quietly become the Thunder’s toughest opponent: Why San Antonio’s balanced scoring matters more than star power How veteran pieces and young development are clicking at the same time Why Oklahoma City doesn’t need to “fix” anything The playoff chess game OKC may need to play to avoid an early Spurs matchup Why patience — not panic — ...
Dec 26, 2025•11 min•Ep. 59
