Podcast
Oklahoma Memo
Hosted by Ryan Welton · EN
Conversations about Oklahoma news, sports, politics, business and more!
22episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Is This A War, Or What? | Conversation With Grant Hermes
2w ago01:06:06Tap to summarizeRyan 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 nationwide Why cybersecurity vulnerabilities are becoming more dangerous The state of the Democratic Party ahead of the midterms Grant Herms’ new investigative reporting into extremist connections tied to figures around the White House Grant also explains how weakening federal cybersecurity oversight could leave schools, agencies and infrastructure increasingly exposed to attacks. Subscribe to Oklahoma Memo: https://www.oklahomamemo.com/subscribe Read Grant Hermes: https://mimsnewspod.substack.com
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Why Oklahoma Keeps Ranking Last in Education | Featuring John Croisant and Craig McVay
2w ago00:52:07Tap to summarizeWhy 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 widening education investment gap Teacher pay and retention challenges Emergency-certified teachers and classroom realities The role of vouchers and public school funding Why class size matters The hidden emotional and physical demands of teaching Teacher Appreciation Week memories and reflections Craig McVay also shares insights from decades in education leadership, including what new teachers misunderstand most about classroom management and why many educators leave after their first year. Meanwhile, John Croisant discusses how education investment directly impacts Oklahoma’s workforce, economy and long-term prosperity. This is a passionate, personal and policy-heavy conversation about one of the most important issues facing Oklahoma today. Subscribe to Oklahoma Memo: https://www.oklahomamemo.com Follow the guests: John Croisant: https://www.croisantforcongress.com Craig McVay: https://www.craigforkids.com
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Ceasefire, chaos, and the real (literal) costs of uncertainty
3w ago01:09:00Tap to summarizeThis 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 disruptionWhy gas prices are likely to rise in the coming weeksThe broader economic impact of supply chain slowdownsInternal instability within the White HouseHigh-profile resignations and leadership concernsThe indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center and what it actually meansThis episode connects global events to real-world consequences — especially for Americans feeling the effects at the pump and beyond.Sign up for the daily Oklahoma Memo newsletter at https://www.oklahomamemo.com/subscribe
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Ceasefire, chaos, and the real (literal) costs of uncertainty
3w ago01:09:00Tap to summarizeThis 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 means This episode connects global events to real-world consequences — especially for Americans feeling the effects at the pump and beyond. Sign up for the daily Oklahoma Memo newsletter at https://www.oklahomamemo.com/subscribe
Transcribe →The fight over fairness in Oklahoma high school sports (with Hannah Whitten)
Apr 2000:18:52Tap to summarizeA 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 AboutA real case involving student athletes transferring schools in rural OklahomaHow Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association rules were applied — and then changedWhy some students lost practices and gamesConcerns about due process in OSSAA hearingsThe role of evidence (and what happens when it’s not considered)Why this issue goes beyond sports (music, debate, activities)The financial reality: who can move districts — and who can’tWhat reform could look likeAdvice for parents navigating eligibility issuesKey TakeawaysEligibility rulings can have real consequences — including lost opportunities and exposureOSSAA decisions aren’t always handled with the same structure as courtsFamilies with more resources often have more flexibilityAdvocacy matters — parents who push the system tend to get better outcomesThere is growing pressure for reform, but change hasn’t fully materialized
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The fight over fairness in Oklahoma high school sports (with Hannah Whitten)
Apr 2000:18:52Tap to summarizeA 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 athletes transferring schools in rural Oklahoma How Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association rules were applied — and then changed Why some students lost practices and games Concerns about due process in OSSAA hearings The role of evidence (and what happens when it’s not considered) Why this issue goes beyond sports (music, debate, activities) The financial reality: who can move districts — and who can’t What reform could look like Advice for parents navigating eligibility issues Key Takeaways Eligibility rulings can have real consequences — including lost opportunities and exposure OSSAA decisions aren’t always handled with the same structure as courts Families with more resources often have more flexibility Advocacy matters — parents who push the system tend to get better outcomes There is growing pressure for reform, but change hasn’t fully materialized
Transcribe →Oklahoma politics this week: Kevin Hern’s Senate bid, Mullin’s future and the Iran oil threat
Mar 1500:59:10Tap to summarizeRyan 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 that process really works, and why the escalating Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruption could send shockwaves through oil markets and beyond.Topics include:Kevin Hern’s path to the U.S. SenateWhat Gov. Kevin Stitt may be thinking politicallyWhy Markwayne Mullin’s future mattersHow cabinet confirmations actually workTrump, donor access and power politicsIran, the Strait of Hormuz and the oil shock threatWhat this all could mean for OklahomaSubscribe to Oklahoma Memo: oklahomamemo.com/subscribeSubscribe to Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MIMSnewspod
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Oklahoma politics this week: Kevin Hern’s Senate bid, Mullin’s future and the Iran oil threat
Mar 1500:59:09Tap to summarizeRyan 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 that process really works, and why the escalating Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruption could send shockwaves through oil markets and beyond. Topics include: Kevin Hern’s path to the U.S. Senate What Gov. Kevin Stitt may be thinking politically Why Markwayne Mullin’s future matters How cabinet confirmations actually work Trump, donor access and power politics Iran, the Strait of Hormuz and the oil shock threat What this all could mean for Oklahoma Subscribe to Oklahoma Memo: oklahomamemo.com/subscribe Subscribe to Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MIMSnewspod
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A Father’s Fight: The Story Behind Oklahoma’s “Leo’s Law”
Mar 1300:17:18Tap to summarizeA 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 the panel of drugs already tested during child welfare investigations. Towe shares: • The story of his son Leo • How he discovered fentanyl poisoning caused Leo’s death • Why he believes the tragedy could have been prevented • The grassroots effort to pass Leo’s Law • Why other states — and Congress — are watching Oklahoma Towe says if the law saves even one child, the effort will be worth it. Resources mentioned in this episode: • Leo’s Law Facebook group • Families Supporting Families in Oklahoma
Transcribe →A Father’s Fight: The Story Behind Oklahoma’s “Leo’s Law”
Mar 1300:17:18Tap to summarizeA 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 the panel of drugs already tested during child welfare investigations.Towe shares:• The story of his son Leo • How he discovered fentanyl poisoning caused Leo’s death • Why he believes the tragedy could have been prevented • The grassroots effort to pass Leo’s Law • Why other states — and Congress — are watching OklahomaTowe says if the law saves even one child, the effort will be worth it.Resources mentioned in this episode:• Leo’s Law Facebook group• Families Supporting Families in Oklahoma
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