On this episode I chatted with commercial headshot portrait photographer Charlie Neuenschwander. Charlie is from Piedmont and grew up with of science. Not photography. Some years later his mum bought him a basic Canon Rebel and that was all he needed. Charlie started photographing his kids, family members, birthdays etc. He got the bug and his hobby became an obsession to improve. With his new found obsession his goals grew and one day maybe he'd be a full time photographer. Well that day is her...
Feb 18, 2021•44 min•Ep. 280
On this episode I chatted with fellow LOYAL XVI class member Brittany Ward. Brittany has seen the world! Which a huge understatement, but for a 30 year old woman she has lived some! We talk about her experience in college playing basketball on a full ride. Moving to Australia right after graduation and her time there. How she grew, who she impacted and all the amazing stories from those years. Coming back the state and moving to OKC. Bringing her story up to now and how she is using her life exp...
Feb 16, 2021•58 min•Ep. 279
On this episode I chatted with Colleen Jackson area merchandise manager for Dale Rogers training center. Dale Rogers Training Center, Inc. (DRTC) supports people with disabilities through paid vocational training, in-house programs and work opportunities as well as competitive community employment. for more information go to www.drtc.org and on social media www.facebook.com/DaleRogersTrainingCenter This podcast is made possible by the Made in Oklahoma Program. Created for Oklahoma’s entrepreneur...
Feb 12, 2021•27 min•Ep. 278
On this episode I chatted with fellow Brit Chris O'Hare. Chris is originally from Scotland. He grew up in a small town near Edinburgh and came to the states to run for and study at the University of Tulsa. While at Tulsa Chris won the Mile NCAA's title in 2012 with a time of 4:01. After graduating Chris signed with Adidas and with much success he was selected to compete in the 1500m at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Chris tells some great stories about his time in Tulsa, coming over from Scotland to stu...
Feb 10, 2021•59 min•Ep. 277
On this episode I chatted with twin brothers Jack & Jay Evans. This podcast is a story of encouragement for anyone who is building their business or thinking of starting a business. A story of hard work and determination. From extremely humble beginnings growing up in Enid Oklahoma, to owning two of OKC Metros most successful home building businesses. Both Jack and Jay took different paths to real estate but they took the risk and gave up steady jobs to chase their dreams. This is why is sta...
Feb 08, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 276
On this episode I chatted with Jordan Evans. Jordan works at ACOG. (Association of Central Oklahoma Governments) focusing mainly on pedestrian safety and accessibility. So if you like to walk places, cycle more and generally be outside. Jordan is working for you. Helping cities develop their sidewalks, cycle paths, login speed limits in downtown areas and much more. Development is a huge issue in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas and ACOG is working towards improving that. Jordan grew up in De...
Feb 05, 2021•32 min•Ep. 275
On this episode I chatted with Justin Lawrence, if you've ever driven down 10th street in OKC you most likely have seen his building. Theres a whopping great big mural on the front that says Oklahoma Shirt Company. Well, Justin is the man behind that and now a team of 55 employees too. But with all great businesses it didn't start like that. It started in his garage. Justin grew up new Eufaula Oklahoma. His Mom had him in all the activities as a kid and even helped him when he joined the OKC Mag...
Feb 03, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 274
On this episode I chatted with Aaron Newton owner of Custom Wood Fibers. Custom Wood Fibers and Cedar Mulch LLC is the family-owned business of Aaron and Jennifer Newton. Aaron holds a B.S. in Forestry from Purdue University and Jennifer holds a B. S. in Biology from Indiana University. They have been in the cedar business since 1998 starting in Alabama where they built and operated a high production cedar sawmill for Aaron's family. After 6 years in Alabama the couple moved to Stillwater, OK an...
Feb 01, 2021•29 min•Ep. 273
On this episode I chatted OKC native Chris Cox. Chris has a marketing agency called The House OKC. Targeting the restaurant industry in Oklahoma City. Chris tell us his great story about how the House started. How during the pandemic he founded The House Helps, a non profit aimed at helping the bars and restaurants stay afloat during the lockdown. As we all know businesses have been hit hard and some have unfortunately closed due to the demands of covid. Chris is a huge part of the industry in O...
Jan 29, 2021•51 min•Ep. 272
On this episode I chatted with good friend Nick Brown. Nick is Deer Creek born and raised. Studied at UCO and from a young age has always had his ear to the ground on what's next in tech. Nick worked at Apple for 5 years and then started Dronebois with a few friends before diving into web domains, instagram names and general internet real estate. Recently Nick and previous podcast guest Hunter Owen traveled around the country 9000 miles in Hunters Can-am UTV on the Trans American Trail to launch...
Jan 27, 2021•54 min•Ep. 271
On this episode I chatted with Burl about his business. The Flying W Guest Ranch between Sayre and Elk City in western Oklahoma. With 1,200 acres, the Flying W offers horseback trail rides (bring your own or saddle up one of theirs), wagon rides, beautiful scenery & abundant wildlife on a working cattle ranch. Visit the homestead dugout & view or participate in special excavations on the ranch at the largest buffalo kill site in the Southern Plains known to archaeologists today. Guided h...
Jan 25, 2021•28 min•Ep. 270
On this episode I chatted with Michael & Pam about their family business right here in Norman Oklahoma. Ben Jack Larado’s Gourmet Foods features our legendary Bloody Mary Mix, a perfectly balanced mixer that creates a zesty brunch cocktail. We are proud to ship our Ben Jack Larado’s Bloody Mary Mix across the United States. Each bottle is hand packed with a pickled asparagus spear (our swizzle stick!) continuing decades of family tradition dedicated to quality and consistency. For more infor...
Jan 23, 2021•34 min•Ep. 269
On this episode I chatted with Principal Dancer of the OKC Ballet, Jonathan Batista. Jonathan started his training at a social project in the City of God Slums. His talent was then spotted by his teacher which took him to a pre-professional dance division at Alice Arja Ballet School where he started his journey in Classical Ballet. Batista was first seen by Edward Villella (Former Founder & Artistic Director of Miami City Ballet) and then by Jane Hackett (Former School Director at English Na...
Jan 20, 2021•48 min•Ep. 268
On this episode I chatted with Michael and Amy from Roark Acres. Roark Acres is a family owned honey farm located in and around Tulsa Oklahoma. They produce Oklahoma honey annually and in the future hope to provide single source honeys from around the world. They're often asked, "So, how did you get into the honey business?" The short answer to that question is itself a question. "Where's the bees?" The longer version involves gardens, yard clover and bare feet. Feel free to ask when you see the...
Jan 16, 2021•33 min•Ep. 267
On this episode I chatted with Shannon Rich founder of LeadHERBoard. Shannon has spent her career leading organizations through transformational projects by challenging traditional methods. As president and CEO of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, she directed the single largest endeavor in the organization’s 90-year history-the opening of the Gaylord–Pickens Museum, unveiling a complete renovation of one of Oklahoma’s oldest treasures, the former Mid-Continent Life Insurance Building. She has been rec...
Jan 15, 2021•31 min•Ep. 266
On this episode I chatted with Vernon Deas founder of GRPFLY. Vernon has been there, done that and literally bought and sold the t-shirt. Sorry I couldn't help myself. About: The dream that started in a small bedroom in 2008 has evolved into a global brand that LEADS, INSPIRES and brings HOPE to people across the world. GRP FLY was birthed from a vision to transform youth culture and pioneer progression towards a higher purpose. The brand has undergone metamorphosis into one of the industry’s pr...
Jan 13, 2021•49 min•Ep. 265
On this episode I chatted with Paul Geisinger of Flying G Jerky. Paul grew up in NW Oklahoma on a ranch, his love for cooking starter there with him mom. Paul joined the National Guard to put himself through university at Northwestern Oklahoma State. A year later the Twin Towers were struck and Paul's duty in the Guard took a turn. He was sent on a combat tour to the Middle East. Returning Paul worked for Chesapeake and after gaining too my weight driving around in a truck all day started lookin...
Jan 11, 2021•45 min•Ep. 264
On this episode I chatted with Luther & Vicki Harbert of Cedar and Stone bed and breakfast. Cedar & Stone Bed and Breakfast is located near Blue River Public Fishing & Hunting Area in Tishomingo, OK. It is a rustic-chic cabin nestled among blackjack oaks & granite outcroppings by the rock pond in a corner of Harbert Ranch. The cabin is an intimate place for couples only to rest, relax and rejuvenate. Built from cedar which was cut from Harbert Ranch, the cabin is accented with na...
Jan 10, 2021•24 min•Ep. 263
On this episode I chatted with Bailey Wilson founder of Bondi Bowls. Bailey grew up in Arcadia, moved to California for college and then while at college took a semester abroad to Australia. Falling in love with this amazing country she returned to school to finish up her degree. At that time she decided to pursue a carrier in LA, applied for many jobs but none were successful. So she returned to Arcadia with hope that an opportunity would present itself. It did, Bailey took the opportunity to g...
Jan 06, 2021•45 min•Ep. 262
On this episode I chatted with hosts of OKC's latests podcast. Emmi Kobs & Katherine Buxton have launched the Action City Podcast. A look through the lens of loving local and seeing global, searching for stories in OKC that need to be told. New episodes every Thursday on Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Spotify Podcast. Both OKC natives, Emmi purchased the Scout Guide franchise for OKC and for years has been shedding light on the amazing local businesses in OKC. Katherine is the owner of Gret...
Jan 04, 2021•59 min•Ep. 261
On this episode I chatted with Executive Director of the Community Action Agency, Jessie Thompson. Jessie may be a Mississippi State Bulldog grad, but she is all Oklahoman now. Beginning her executive director tenure in January 2020, running a nonprofit in a pandemic is all she’s ever known. Even more so, her organization has received federal funding to offer people who have been affected by COVID-19 help to pay for bills, rent/mortgage payments, legal advice and more. Those are funds that has b...
Jan 01, 2021•29 min•Ep. 260
On this episode I chatted with Steven Vekony. Steven graduated from Oklahoma State and for two years had the incredible opportunity to be Pistol Pete from 2017-2019. Steven tells us all about the role as Pete, the history, the events on and off the field and ultimately what it feels like to be Pete. What it meant to him and to the people of Oklahoma State. Steven talks about the process of becoming Pete, trying out for years before being selected. The first game, the first appearance the wedding...
Dec 30, 2020•48 min•Ep. 259
On this episode I chatted with Tony founder of Amelia Creamery. Tony is a commercial pilot from Brazil. He and his wife founded Amelia Creamery in 2017 named after their first granddaughter, Amelia, setting out to create the most indulgent French Yogurt in the US. Traveling throughout Europe for many years, they fell in love with French Yogurt. This yogurt is very similar to what their European grandmothers used to make at home when they were kids. Visiting small artisanal creameries in France, ...
Dec 28, 2020•32 min•Ep. 258
On this episode I chatted with Tricia Mitchel, Executive Director for the 4RKids Foundation. The 4RKids Foundation, Inc. was founded in Enid, OK, in 2003. A small group of parents and educators of children and adults with special needs recognized the need for more services and opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities in Garfield and surrounding counties of northwest Oklahoma. The mission of 4RKids is to promote community awareness of individuals with special needs, and to pr...
Dec 24, 2020•31 min•Ep. 257
On this episode I sat with Blake Shipman. Blake is a professional videographer. His company "BShipman Films" produces some of Action Sport's most entertaining and distinguished work for the world wide web. From skits to full blown documentary features, BShipman Films constantly uploads new content! After 10 years on the road with Monster energy following motocross, monster trucks and more around the country. Blake is now back in Oklahoma making promo films for his motorsports clients and constan...
Dec 21, 2020•40 min•Ep. 256
On this episode I chatted with Brian Jackson. Woody Candy Company is the oldest candy manufacturer in Oklahoma. The candy company was founded in 1927 by Lucille and Claude Woody Sr. in Oklahoma City. Woody Candy Company has been family-owned and operated since its inception, passing from the founding generation to Claude Woody, Jr. in 1983. Claude Jr. ran the company for more than 30 years, and painted the fine portrait of his father that still adorns our Oklahoma City candy shop. In February 20...
Dec 18, 2020•40 min•Ep. 255
On this episode I chat with Lance McDaniel. Lance has just finished directing a movie called Finding Carlos which is being aired for free on deadcenterfilm.org until the end of December. Lance grew up here and has lived some life in his years. Traveled a lot, worked for some of the best in a variety of businesses and now he finds himself back home in OKC working on his movie directing dreams. Lance spent 10 years working for Deadcenter Film festival, before that worked in LA on movies with Grey ...
Dec 15, 2020•47 min•Ep. 254
On this episode I chatted to return guest Jabee. Jabee has a huge voice in the community and does more good things for OKC than there are words to express. But, on this episode we caught up since our previous podcast last May Episode #59 to talk about his new album, performing during covid, protesting through artistic expression. Performing during covid at Tower Theater. Jabee likes food, his Saturday morning brunch gatherings. His new pizza concept coming in Jan to the East side of OKC. Working...
Dec 10, 2020•35 min•Ep. 253
On this episode I chatted with John and Taylor from Neighbors coffee in OKC. we talked about the history of the company, the 100+_ flavors of coffee and how coffee builds community. This episode is presented by the Made in Oklahoma Coalition. Your source for information on local food and beverage products. To learn more about Oklahoma made products and how to support MIO Coalition companies visit miocoalition.com #thisisoklahoma "In 1972, Steve and Fred Neighbors founded Neighbors Coffee in Okla...
Dec 09, 2020•41 min•Ep. 252
On this episode I chatted with Jason Duncan. Jason grew up in Edmond, moved to Nashville for college to study music business. While studying in Nashville he was introduced to entrepreneurship. A class came available and so he turned his attention to business building with the plans to launch an event space. That morphed into a coffee shop but Jason was challenged to learn more about coffee than he originally wanted to. Learning about coffee he became amerced in the scene. Taking classes in Portl...
Dec 04, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 251
