Shows
A Very OK PodcastThe 1834 Dodge-Leavenworth ExpeditionIn 1833, Congress authorized a new regiment in the Army that would combine the skills of Regular Army soldiers with the frontier savvy of the Rangers. The First Dragoon Regiment was tasked with being the first U.S. envoy to make contact with the Plains Indian tribes to negotiate for peace. The 500-person strong Dragoon unit set out in June 1834 to fulfill their mission, but their journey was fraught with lack of water, sickness, and death. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the hardships the Dragoons endured to establish relations with the Comanches, Wichitas, and Kiowas...2025-06-241h 06A Very OK PodcastThe Seminoles in OklahomaIn this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the origins of the Seminole Nation in Florida, how the Seminole Wars with the United States starting in 1817 led to their forcible removal to Indian Territory, and how the Civil War reduced the size of their reservation by over 1.7 million acres. They also delve into the impact of the discovery of the Greater Seminole Oilfield in 1923. Their guest is Jake Tiger, band chief of the Thomas Palmer Band and employee of the Seminole Nation's tribal preservation office.
2025-05-201h 04A Very OK PodcastA New State FlagOklahoma's first state flag was a white star on a red field designed by Ruth Clement. The flag never gained favor and by the 1920s red flags held a negative connotation due to the nationwide Red Scare. In 1924, the Daughters of the American Revolution held a contest to design a new state flag and Louise Fluke's winning entry was adopted on April 2, 1925. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the history of the Oklahoma state flag against the backdrop of historic events happening in Oklahoma during the 1920s. Their guest is OHS state historian, Dr. Matthew...2025-04-151h 07A Very OK PodcastParks in Oklahoma CityFrom the earliest days after the 1889 Land Run to the modern era, leaders in Oklahoma City have prioritized the sequestration of green space for recreation and rest. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the push to create Oklahoma City's parks by people such as Daniel Stiles, G.G. "Gristmill" Jones, and Anton Classen. They also talk about how parks evolved from areas of passive activity to recreation centers for sports and games. Their guest is Brian Dougherty, former associate professor and department head at the John E. Kirkpatrick Horticulture Center.
2025-03-181h 08A Very OK PodcastA Life of ServiceOne of Oklahoma’s first members of Congress, Dick T. Morgan, was a man of faith with a heart geared toward helping his fellow citizens, first in his native state of Indiana and later in Oklahoma. Through his law practice, he helped people navigate the complexities of land claims in the territorial era while planting churches and establishing Sunday schools. During his time in Congress, he advocated for business regulation, protection of bank deposits, and for farmers to have access to credit. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss Congressman Morgan’s life along with Morgan’s grea...2025-02-181h 08A Very OK PodcastRobert Owen and the Creation of the Federal ReserveBorn in Virginia and raised by his mother in the Cherokee Nation, Robert Owen was a seminal figure in Oklahoma’s early history. He was elected as one of Oklahoma’s first U.S. senators in 1907 where he championed progressive and populist causes in the nation’s capital. Utilizing his background as a bank owner in Muskogee, he was the Senate author of the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, which created the financial system still in use today. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Blackburn talk to Dr. Ken Brown, a former professor at the University of Central Oklahoma and an...2025-01-211h 13A Very OK PodcastIndigenous Rock Star Jesse Ed DavisDuring his career, guitarist Jesse Ed Davis played with over 100 major artists, including Bob Dylan, the Allman Brothers, John Lennon, and Rod Stewart. His first brush with notoriety was playing with Conway Twitty in Oklahoma City, and he honed his chops with Taj Mahal after moving to Los Angeles. Jackson Browne credits Davis’s guitar solo on “Doctor, My Eyes” with helping that song to become a Billboard Top 10 hit in 1972.
In this latest episode of A Very OK Podcast, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss Davis’s Oklahoma roots, influences, and illustrious career. Their guests are Dr. Do...2024-12-171h 13A Very OK PodcastThe Choctaw Code TalkersDuring World War I, it was common for the German military to tap Allied communications lines along the western front. Seeking to find a way to communicate that could not be interpreted by the enemy, the commander of the 36th Infantry’s 142nd Regiment enlisted Choctaw soldiers to send messages in their native language. The result led to successful operations in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, which ultimately pushed the Germans out of France and ended the war. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the history and legacy of the Choctaw Code Talkers. Their guest is Sarah El...2024-11-191h 14A Very OK PodcastThe California RoadAfter gold was discovered in California in 1848, Americans flocked to the west coast to make their fortunes. In 1849, Congress instructed Captain Randolph Marcy to find a suitable passage from Fort Smith to Santa Fe by traveling south of the Canadian River. Guided by Delaware scout Black Beaver, Marcy and the first wagon train reached their destination in June 1849. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the people on the journey, conditions encountered along the way, and some of the interesting geographical features the group discovered. Their guest is Art Peters, curator at the Hinton Historical Museum...2024-10-151h 21A Very OK PodcastImpeachmentSince statehood, numerous elected officials have found themselves on the wrong side of the Oklahoma Legislature’s good graces, which resulted in impeachment charges being filed. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss Oklahoma’s constitutional requirements for impeachment, some of the officials who have been impeached in the state over the years, and the charges leveled against them. Their guest is former Oklahoma Senator Cal Hobson, who served in the legislature from 1978–2005 and was president pro tempore during the impeachment of Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher in 2004.
2024-09-171h 30A Very OK Podcast47 in a RowFrom 1953 to 1957, University of Oklahoma football coach Bud Wilkinson and his Sooners won 47 games in a row, an NCAA record. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss Coach Wilkinson and his leadership skills, the players who made the winning streak possible, and a few of the significant games along the way. Their guest is Berry Tramel, a 46-year veteran sports journalist who has written for The Norman Transcript and The Oklahoman. He now writes for the Tulsa World.
2024-08-201h 18A Very OK PodcastTelevision Comes to OklahomaCrowds came by the thousands to Municipal Auditorium in Oklahoma City to see the first television images in Oklahoma at a demonstration sponsored by WKY Radio on November 13, 1939. Despite television being a financial drain on broadcasters who had tried it before, E.K. Gaylord believed Oklahoma deserved it, so he applied for a license and was granted the first station in Oklahoma. On June 6, 1949, at 7 p.m., WKY-TV went on the air. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss how the new technology was embraced by the Gaylords, the popular shows and personalities on WKY-TV and...2024-06-181h 27A Very OK PodcastThe Birth of the State Park SystemOklahoma was a state for almost thirty years before the state park system was created. Thanks to federal funds and free labor provided by the Civilian Conservation Corps, seven new state parks were constructed starting in 1935. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the political conditions that led to Oklahoma creating the State Park Commission, the invaluable work of the CCC, and lasting impact of the parks. Their guest is Dr. Matthew Pearce, State Historian for the Oklahoma Historical Society.
2024-05-211h 09A Very OK Podcast200 Years of Fort Gibson and Fort Towson In February 1824, the general-in-chief of the Army authorized the abandonment of Fort Smith and the creation of a new fort in the southwest. Col. Matthew Arbuckle selected a site near the Three Forks and named it Cantonment Gibson. Its mission was to protect white settlers, work for peace between tribes in the region, and establish a diplomatic relationship with Plains tribes. A few months later, Maj. Alexander Cummings established Cantonment Towson near the Kiamichi and Red rivers with a mission of protecting the international border and later, serving as a buffer between the Choctaw and Plains tribes. In this e...2024-04-171h 18A Very OK Podcast200 Years of Fort Gibson and Fort TowsonIn February 1824, the general-in-chief of the Army authorized the abandonment of Fort Smith and the creation of a new fort in the southwest. Col. Matthew Arbuckle selected a site near the Three Forks and named it Cantonment Gibson. Its mission was to protect white settlers, work for peace between tribes in the region, and establish a diplomatic relationship with Plains tribes. A few months later, Maj. Alexander Cummings established Cantonment Towson near the Kiamichi and Red rivers with a mission of protecting the international border and later, serving as a buffer between the Choctaw and Plains tribes. In this...2024-04-161h 18A Very OK PodcastThe Five MoonsMaria Tallchief, Marjorie Tallchief, Yvonne Chouteau, Moscelyne Larkin, and Rosella Hightower were all American Indian women, born in Oklahoma during the 1920s, who went on to become prima ballerinas. Nicknamed the “Five Moons,” they achieved the pinnacle of success in their respective ballet careers, making their marks in America and on the international stage. They were named Oklahoma Cultural Treasures in 1997 and a beautiful mural in the state capitol, Flight of Spirit, pays tribute to them. Our guest on this episode is writer, director, actor, and dancer, Russ Tallchief, who is also the great nephew of Maria and Marjorie Tall...2024-03-191h 18A Very OK PodcastJazz in OklahomaThe confluence of cultures in Oklahoma, from Blacks who arrived as enslaved persons from the southeastern United States to European immigrants, created the ideal environment for the musical form known as jazz to take root. Jazz performers such as Charlie Christian, the Oklahoma City Blue Devils, and the Ernie Fields Orchestra made their mark on the genre starting out in small clubs located in Tulsa’s Greenwood and Oklahoma City’s Deep Deuce districts and later traveling to New York, Chicago, St. Louis, and Los Angeles. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss Oklahoma’s early jazz s...2024-02-201h 15A Very OK PodcastThe 1965 Oklahoma Supreme Court ScandalIn 1964, Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice N.S. Corn was convicted on federal income tax evasion charges. While incarcerated, he provided testimony implicating himself, Justice Earl Welch, and Justice N.B. Johnson in a scheme to accept bribes in exchange for affecting the decision in cases before the court. The resulting scandal cast a shadow over the court and resulted in an impeachment trial in the state legislature. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn explore the scandal and the environment that led to it. Their guest is Jari Askins, administrative director of the Courts and Lieutenant Governor...2024-01-161h 11A Very OK PodcastTwo Worldviews in ConflictThe Cherokee Nation lived in their ancestral homelands in the eastern United States for centuries before the first arrival of Europeans on American soil in the 1500s. As settlers arrived in larger numbers, the Cherokees were forced to cede or sell their lands, first to the British government and then to the United States through successive treaties. This ultimately led to the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation to Indian Territory in the 1830s. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the events and significant court cases that paved the way for Cherokee removal west of...2023-12-191h 03A Very OK PodcastA Conversation Between GovernorsTo commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Oklahoma Territorial Museum in Guthrie, the Daughters of the American Revolution hosted a fireside chat between former governors Brad Henry (2003–2011) and George Nigh (1979–1987) at the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple in October 2023. In a conversation moderated by Trait Thompson and Michael Williams, registrar and collections specialist at the Oklahoma Territorial Museum, the governors delved into a wide array of topics, including their views on public service, their accomplishments while in office, and bipartisanship. Both governors are great storytellers and the listener will gain critical insight into each man’s time at the helm of Okl...2023-11-211h 11A Very OK PodcastLabor Omnia VincitOklahoma’s motto, Labor Omnia Vincit, means “work conquers all things.” Today, many people see it as a nod to the hardworking nature of our state’s citizens. In reality, it’s a tribute to organized labor, which was a significant political force in the formation of Oklahoma’s constitution and early laws. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the business and agricultural climate in the United States that led to the labor movement in Oklahoma starting in the 1880s. They also cover Oklahoma’s early political leaders such as Peter Hanraty, Charles Haskell, and Kate Barnard...2023-10-171h 02A Very OK PodcastMaking History on the GridironThe 1956 Frederick Bombers were the first integrated high school football team to win a state championship in the United States. Coached by Dean Wild, a previous state champion at Watonga, the team of 12 Black players and 27 white players went 14-0 that year and beat Okmulgee Dunbar 33-0 in the Oklahoma Class B state championship game. Coach Wild’s decision to integrate the team two years after the Brown v. Board of Education decision was not popular with some local leaders, but the players developed a special bond that has spanned the decades since that magical season. In this episode, Tr...2023-09-191h 17A Very OK PodcastA Little Freedom is a Dangerous ThingWhen Clara Luper and her students went to New York City in 1957 to perform her play, Brother President, they experienced integration for the first time. The trip opened their eyes to a new way of living and became the impetus to try to bring freedom to segregated Oklahoma. As the NAACP Youth Council leader and a well-respected teacher, Clara Luper brought 13 students to the lunch counter at Katz Drug Store on August 19, 1958, and waited to be served. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss Oklahoma’s history of segregation and the fortitude it took to bring ch...2023-08-1558 minA Very OK PodcastThey Call the Thing Rodeo Rodeo in Oklahoma evolved from competitions between cowboys at ranches in the Oklahoma Panhandle in the 1880s to the professional sport of the modern era. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn explore the origin of rodeo in Oklahoma, the formation of the PRCA, and the impact the National Finals Rodeo made on Oklahoma City. Their guest is former president of Southwestern Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma Historical Society board member Randy Beutler. He discusses the formation of the Beutler Brothers stock contractors in 1929 and how they became the largest stock contractor in the country. Randy also t...2023-06-201h 13A Very OK Podcast1883: Fact vs. FictionTaylor Sheridan’s 1883, a gritty western prequel to his wildly successful Yellowstone series, captured the nation’s attention with its realistic portrayal of an emigrant journey across the US to Oregon. But, how real was it? In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn are joined by Kathy Dickson, director of museums and sites for the Oklahoma Historical Society, and Dr. Jason Harris, director of the Chisholm Trail Museum (now The Chisholm) in Kingfisher, to discuss what the show got right from a historical perspective and where it veered off the trail. Of particular interest were the scenes that...2023-05-161h 11A Very OK PodcastThe People’s HouseThe Oklahoma State Capitol is the temple of our democracy in Oklahoma, the place where people come to have their voice heard. Today, it’s hard to imagine the landscape without the grand edifice. Back in 1910, the cities of Guthrie and Oklahoma City jockeyed back and forth for the rights to the capital city delaying completion of Oklahoma government’s permanent home until 1917. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the history of the capitol and its resilience over the decades. Their guests are Bob Ross with the Inasmuch Foundation and film director Bryan Beasley. They disc...2023-04-181h 20A Very OK PodcastLive Episode: The Life and Legacy of Bob WillsBob Wills was born in Texas, but he and his Texas Playboys became a national sensation when they began playing live shows on KVOO from the legendary Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa. Bob’s unique style of music blended folk, jazz, hillbilly, and blues to produce the sound we know today as Western Swing. His music is still as popular as ever and it is regularly covered by today’s top artists. In this live episode, recorded at Ponyboy in Oklahoma City, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn are joined by Carolyn Wills, Brett Bingham, John Wooley, and Jeff Moore...2023-03-211h 33A Very OK PodcastVotes for Women!As the suffrage movement played out on the national stage with women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Alice Paul leading the charge, Oklahomans were also working to see the 19th Amendment passed and ratified. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the political landscape in Oklahoma and Indian Territories that initially rejected suffrage after 1890 along with their guest, Dr. Sunu Kodumthara from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. The trio expounds upon the contributions of Oklahoma suffragists such as Aloysius Larch-Miller, Narcissa Owen, and Kate Stafford that ultimately led to adoption of a state constitutional amendment in 1918 and...2023-02-211h 16A Very OK PodcastRetail TherapySince prehistoric times, commerce has been one of the engines that made Oklahoma run. This began with the Indigenous peoples who lived at Spiro Mounds. They had a vast trade network and obtained goods from across the country, a practice that was continued by their descendants. In the 1700s, French traders moved into eastern Oklahoma, opening up trade to St. Louis and New Orleans. As towns began to develop, enterprising merchants provided goods that were in demand such as salt, lumber, banking services, and food. Later, iconic stores such as Anthony’s, OTASCO, and TG&Y met the needs of...2023-01-171h 17A Very OK PodcastHigher and FasterIn this episode, OHS executive director Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn are joined by Oklahoma History Center director Dan Provo to discuss Oklahomans who contributed to the space program in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1961, when President Kennedy challenged Americans to land a man on the moon by the end of the decade, Oklahomans answered the call. Because of people like Gordon Cooper, Owen Garriott, and Bill Pogue, the first lunar landing was successful in 1969. Our special guest on the podcast is Gen. Thomas Stafford. Stafford grew up in Weatherford and was a commander on the Gemini IX...2022-11-151h 14A Very OK PodcastCultivating Cultural Tourism in OklahomaIn this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn talk with special guest Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell about the importance of cultural tourism in Oklahoma. After discussing some of their favorite historic places in the state, the crew talks about the evolution of the Oklahoma Historical Society from an entity that solely collects artifacts to one that also oversees the operation of important sites across the state. The lieutenant governor examines the successes Oklahoma has had by playing to its strengths and how the OHS plays a key role in bringing new visitors to the state.
2022-10-181h 01A Very OK PodcastBrother, Can You Spare a Dime?
When the economy cratered with the stock market crash in October 1929, Oklahomans had already been feeling the effects of an economic depression for several years due to falling agriculture and oil prices. The onset of the Dust Bowl in western Oklahoma and the rejection of the New Deal by the state’s political leadership exacerbated the effects of the Great Depression. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn talk about the impact of the Great Depression on Oklahoma. Their guest is Dr. Al Turner, historian and producer of the documentary film Dust to Eat.
2022-09-201h 05A Very OK PodcastOur Good Angel, KateKate Barnard may have shaped the early history of Oklahoma more than any other figure. She convinced the delegates to the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention to create the office of commissioner of charities and corrections, a position with the authority to investigate the conditions of prisons, orphanages, hospitals, and other public institutions. She was elected the first commissioner in 1907, one of the first women in the country to hold statewide elected office. She used her power to advocate on behalf of orphans, the poor, people with disabilities, and the incarcerated. Her crusade for justice on behalf of Indigenous orphans, however...2022-08-151h 13A Very OK PodcastPawnee Bill and May Lillie’s Wild WestIn the late 19th century, traveling Wild West shows became a popular form of entertainment. One of the largest and most successful Wild West shows was created by Gordon W. “Pawnee Bill” Lillie and his wife, May, in 1888. It later merged with Buffalo Bill’s show and continued until 1913. In this podcast, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the climate that led to the creation of Wild West shows, the impact that Gordon Lillie made on the genre, and May Lillie’s role as performer, business partner, wife, and mother. They are joined by Ronny Brown, site director at Pawne...2022-06-211h 15A Very OK PodcastKilling of Umpire ForbiddenThe game of baseball has a rich history in Oklahoma. From the first organized game in 1882 in Indian Territory to town league teams to the pros, Oklahomans have made their mark on the game. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn explore how baseball made its way to Oklahoma, the significance of those early teams, and Oklahomans who are now enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. They are joined by Chad Williams, director of Research for the Oklahoma Historical Society and baseball superfan. Chad discusses his love for the game and how baseball lovers can dive...2022-05-1746 minA Very OK PodcastLawlessness and Law Enforcement in the 1920s and ‘30sThe advent of the automobile gave lawbreakers the ability to commit crimes and evade local law enforcement. During the 1920s and 1930s, bank robberies and kidnappings became all too common in Oklahoma. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the rise of notorious criminals and how the state created new agencies to enforce the law. Their guest, Leigh Dudley from the Federal Judicial Learning Center and Museum, tells the story of Charles Urschel’s 1933 kidnapping by Machine Gun Kelly.
2022-04-191h 08A Very OK PodcastAt War With CorruptionFrom the mid-1960s through the early 1980s, several major corruption scandals rocked the halls of government in Oklahoma. Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the political climate in Oklahoma that fostered the atmosphere for corruption to develop. Their guest is Bill Price, former US Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, who prosecuted crooked county commissioners and materials suppliers in one of the biggest scandals in US history.
2022-03-151h 12A Very OK PodcastLive Episode: Oklahoma’s All-Black TownsOklahoma had more than 50 All-Black towns at one time, more than any other state. A special panel of guests discusses the history of some of the towns and efforts being made today to revitalize them. Trait Thompson and Larry O’Dell from the Oklahoma Historical Society are joined by Shirley Nero from Clearview, Henrietta Hicks from Boley, and Sen. Kevin Matthews from Tulsa for an enlightening conversation.
2022-02-151h 16A Very OK PodcastBattle of the WashitaAfter the Civil War, increased westward migration resulted in escalating violent conflict between the Plains Indian tribes protecting their ancestral lands and the new settlers. The 1867 Medicine Lodge Treaty failed to quell the violence, which resulted in Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan’s new strategy of attacking the tribes in their winter camps. In November 1868, Lt. Col. George Custer’s troops marched out of Camp Supply and initiated a surprise attack on Cheyenne Peace Chief Black Kettle’s village on the Washita River. The battle, also referred to as a massacre, was the opening salvo in the US Army’s five-mon...2022-01-181h 06A Very OK PodcastOklahoma During World War IIDecember 7, 2021, marked the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss how Oklahoma changed during World War II, and how the state was impacted for generations to come. Joe Todd, author of USS Oklahoma: Remembrance of a Great Lady, joins them and shares many stories that he has collected from Oklahoma’s World War II veterans.
2021-12-151h 09A Very OK PodcastOklahoma in the 1950sThe post-World War II 1950s in Oklahoma was a coming-of-age era for a state that would celebrate its 50th birthday in 1957. From transportation to civil rights to the arts and sciences, Oklahoma’s advancement accelerated during this pivotal decade. Former Governor George Nigh joins Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn for the entire episode to discuss his recollections of this era and share stories that only he can tell.
2021-11-171h 16A Very OK PodcastThe Battle of Honey SpringsThe Battle of Honey Springs was the largest and most important Civil War battle in Indian Territory. The battle returned control of Indian Territory to Union forces, and is also significant because the majority of the combatants were Native American and Black. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn welcome Adam Lynn, director of the Honey Springs Battlefield historic site, as their special guest to discuss the important events of July 17, 1863.
2021-10-2056 minA Very OK PodcastA Very OK Podcast + BrainBox LIVE Crossover EventOHS Executive Director Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn of the OHS’s A Very OK Podcast and Dr. Sunu Kodumthara of OH’s BrainBox lead a conversation about growing up in Oklahoma from multiple cultural perspectives—featuring special guests Kelli Brooke Haney and Javier Hernandez. This crossover episode was recorded in front of a live audience.
2021-09-251h 02A Very OK PodcastOklahoma’s Early Aviation HistorySince the inception of the aviation age, Oklahomans have made major contributions to the science of flight. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Blackburn discuss the early days of flight in Oklahoma and the notable Oklahomans such as Wiley Post, James Banning, and the Cessna brothers who left their marks in the history books. They also interview Randy Vierling, a longtime TWA pilot, who tells the story of a harrowing experience he had while piloting an airplane through a storm early in his career.
2021-08-1952 minA Very OK PodcastSoldiers, Ranchers and Outlaws (1866–1907)After the Civil War, Oklahoma played a major role in cattle ranching and the development of the frontier. Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the people who made an impact during this critical time in history. They are joined by author and scholar Art Burton, who discusses the Buffalo Soldiers, Bass Reeves, and one of Indian Territory’s most notorious outlaws.
2021-07-2155 minA Very OK PodcastFore! The History of Golf in OklahomaIn this episode, we explore who brought golf to Oklahoma and where the first courses were located. We also discuss Oklahomans who made their mark in golf course architecture and women’s golf, and an Oklahoman who broke the color barrier in the PGA. Our guest is Steve Carson, Director of Golf at Lincoln Park Golf Course in Oklahoma City, which will be celebrating its centennial in 2022.
2021-06-1659 min
A Very OK PodcastThe 1921 Tulsa Race MassacreThe horrific race massacre that took place in Tulsa during the evening and morning hours of May 31–June 1, 1921, still echoes through history. Trait and Bob discuss what happened during those fateful hours and how Oklahoma can begin to heal as the 100th anniversary approaches. Phil Armstrong, project director for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, joins in the discussion.
2021-05-191h 03A Very OK PodcastWhat is Spiro?Trait and Bob welcome Dennis Peterson, director of the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center, into the studio to discuss the Mississippian mound-building culture prevalent around Spiro, Oklahoma, from 700 to 1500 CE.
2021-04-2159 min
A Very OK PodcastWomen In BroadcastingWelcome to A Very OK Podcast reboot! In this episode, Trait and Bob explore the early days of television broadcasting in Oklahoma—with a special focus on the role of women. They also welcome Joyce Jackson into the studio for an in-depth discussion about her experiences as the first Black woman on one of Oklahoma's local television stations.
2021-03-1658 min