Episodes

  • S2E6 Carlos Robinson

    S2E6 Carlos Robinson
    Feb 17 2026
    He's already made a name for himself as a proven leader, but as they say, "You ain't seen nothin' yet." Dr. Carlos Robinson is now the President & CEO of the OKC Black Chamber of Commerce, a job he's most suited for with a history of recruitment, outreach, and workforce development. Carlos is the first to admit that it was hip-hop dancing that helped him survive "the streets." He says that dancing saved his life and college rescued him. He holds degrees from OCCC, OCU, and SNU including his EdD that he and his wife earned concurrently. From the "Everybody Has a Story Dept.": Carlos provided the inspiration for the "Hip Hop Nutcracker" choreographed by Hui Cha Poos that was later made into the Covid-era movie "Finding Carlos" by Lance McDaniel.

    Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
    Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
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    38 mins
  • S2E5 Meg Salyer

    S2E5 Meg Salyer
    Feb 6 2026
    Before Meg Salyer moved to This Town, she had already spent time in Europe, New York City, and much of the West Coast including Hawaii. Her up-close view of the Penn Square Bank debacle motivated her to leave banking as a career. Once permanently relocated here, she became quite the entrepreneur and even had plans to open a business at NW 7 & Broadway on May 1, 1995. Of course the Murrah Building bombing two blocks away delayed that, but it did open not long after and is still thriving today. Active in the community from her early days here, Meg even served on the OKC City Council for over 10 years.

    She's still active in her business and her community having served on numerous nonprofit boards including the OKC Museum of Art where she had a hand in guiding a certain Oscar-winning actor through an exhibit of art from ancient Pompeii.

    Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
    Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
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    49 mins
  • S2E4 David Todd

    S2E4 David Todd
    Feb 6 2026
    Civil Engineer David Todd has run the MAPS office for the City of Oklahoma City since 2012. MAPS is the acronym for Metropolitan Area Projects that voters first approved in 1993. It was a series of capital improvements that began the renaissance of This Town with a one-cent sales tax. We're now in the MAPS 4 era that includes nearly a billion dollars worth of a wide variety of projects.

    While he was born in Tulsa, David is certainly a local boy. Schooled in Moore, attending OKC Community College and the University of Oklahoma, he's also played rock and roll guitar since high school including 25 years at the Festival of the Arts. A graduate of Leadership OKC Class 18, he confirms that his was the best class ever.

    Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
    Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
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    27 mins
  • S2E3 Mary Blankenship Pointer

    S2E3 Mary Blankenship Pointer
    Jan 15 2026
    Her roots in philanthropy and community support go back 100 years. Mary Blankenship Pointer was destined for a career in banking when her grandfather put a hundred-dollar bill into her infant hand. In her first banking job after college, Liberty Bank offered greatly discounted season tickets to employees from their sponsorships of cultural events. That led to a lifetime of supporting local arts organizations and other worthy causes. Now heading the Red Andrews Christmas Dinner, Mary tells the story of its origin and shows why she exemplifies the label of Community Volunteer.

    Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
    Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
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    40 mins
  • S2E2 Lucas Ross pt 1

    S2E2 Lucas Ross pt 1
    Jan 7 2026
    He’s visible on TV and films in a variety of roles: morning show co-host, doofus Donnie in car spots, and even as a banjo player in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” And you’ve probably heard his banjo playing without realizing who was behind the amphibious performer. Lucas Ross now supplies the music when Kermit the Frog plays. It’s a fascinating story how it came to be from a youngster first hearing the Rainbow Connection on TV to actually playing onstage with Willie Nelson. The kid from Minco, OK did good!

    This podcast is a little longer than usual, and we didn’t even get to how our two careers have crossed. That will have to come later. Please stand by.

    Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
    Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • S2E1 Shoshana Wasserman

    S2E1 Shoshana Wasserman
    Jan 2 2026
    If anyone was ever destined for their career, it’s Shoshana Wasserman, Deputy Director of the First Americans Museum. Her degrees and early professional life running a Native American dance company that traveled the world, with a couple important stops along the way, prepared her well for her current position. As did her personal connection to Enoch Kelly Haney who was instrumental in creating the FAM.

    The saga of how the FAM grew from an idea to a world-class cultural institution exemplifies how much perseverance is required when one chooses to “dream big.”

    Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
    Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
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    50 mins
  • S1E19 Jackson Gifford

    S1E19 Jackson Gifford
    Dec 12 2025
    Normally, This Town OKC highlights the people with decades of experience behind the cultures. This guest, however, barely has two decades of existence on Earth. He’s here because of his potential to enhance the culture of This Town.

    Jackson Gifford is one of those people who knew at an early age what they wanted to do with their life, and that is running a professional theatre. Precocious and audacious, his personal drive took him to prestigious schools where he grew as an artist while facing the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, the first production of his fledgling professional theatre company (while still in college!) was mounted during the time of outdoor-only performances, and to a disastrous result. Undeterred, however, his Southern Plains Productions has flourished and is now in its sixth season.

    Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
    Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
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    47 mins
  • S1E18 Shannon Rich

    S1E18 Shannon Rich
    Nov 24 2025
    As the President & CEO of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for the past two decades, Shannon Rich has overseen the creation of the Gaylord-Pickens Museum, the formation of programs to involve high school students and young adults, as well the production the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Before that, she started her career in hospitality by talking herself into a postion at the Renaissance Hotel where she worked hand-in-hand with developer John Q. Hammons in opening up several hotels in other states. Her story of why she took up golf is inspriational. Admittedly not a great golfer, she has combined her love of the game with her desire to create a women's business network and founded LeadHERboard.
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    50 mins