Podcast
Oklahoma Memo
Hosted by Ryan Welton · EN
Conversations about Oklahoma news, sports, politics, business and more!
33episodes
Episodes
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The Long View | Sooners softball + Thunder post-mortem, and OU baseball keeps on going
1w ago00:37:24Tap to summarizeTopics include: Why Clay believes Oklahoma softball's season ended because of avoidable pitching decisions Whether Patty Gasso overthought the Super Regional matchup against Mississippi State What the Sooners need to return to championship form Why Chet Holmgren deserves more grace after the Thunder's playoff exit Victor Wembanyama's impact on the Western Conference Finals How injuries to key Thunder players changed the series The Knicks vs. Spurs NBA Finals predictions Oklahoma baseball's postseason battle with Georgia Tech and hopes for advancing
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Jim Priest and John Croisant on AI, Education, Affordability and the Future of Oklahoma
1w ago00:43:24Tap to summarizeThis week on the Oklahoma Memo Podcast, Ryan Welton is joined by Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jim Priest and Congressional District 1 candidate John Croisant for a wide-ranging discussion on the issues shaping Oklahoma's future. Topics include: Jim Priest's journey from attorney and nonprofit executive to Senate candidate Why education remains the top issue voters raise across Oklahoma The debate over public education, vouchers, and workforce development AI's growing impact on jobs, schools, and local communities Data center proposals and concerns over water and energy usage Housing affordability and economic challenges facing younger generations Healthcare access and workforce participation Citizens United, campaign finance reform, and political influence The role of voter turnout in Oklahoma elections Upcoming campaign events and opportunities for voter engagement Both candidates argue that Oklahoma and the nation need leaders focused on practical solutions rather than partisan division, while addressing concerns about education, affordability, healthcare, and emerging technologies. Guests: Jim Priest (https://www.jimpriest.com) John Croisant (https://www.croisantforcongress.com) Host: Ryan Welton, Oklahoma Memo For a daily Oklahoma news summary delivered to your inbox, visit OklahomaMemo.com.
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Trump’s Health, UFC at the White House, and the Texas Political Earthquake
2w ago00:54:13Tap to summarizeRyan Welton welcomes Grant Hermes of Make It Make Sense back to the Oklahoma Memo Podcast for a wide-ranging discussion on the biggest political stories of the week. Together, they examine President Trump's recent medical visits, questions about transparency surrounding his health, and why more frequent checkups are raising eyebrows. They also discuss the White House's plans to host a UFC event on the South Lawn, the proposal for a $250 bill featuring Trump's likeness, and what both developments reveal about the current political climate. The conversation then shifts to Texas, where Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated Sen. John Cornyn in a major Republican primary battle. Ryan and Grant explore what the race means for the GOP, why Democrat James Talarico is attracting national attention, and whether Democrats are prepared to capitalize on Republican vulnerabilities heading into the next election cycle. Also in this episode: Trump's recent Walter Reed visits Why doctors may be monitoring the president more closely The symbolism of a UFC fight at the White House The debate over a Trump $250 bill Inflation and currency concerns Ken Paxton vs. John Cornyn James Talarico's growing national profile The state of the Democratic Party after its 2024 postmortem Presidential history, Teddy Roosevelt, Taft, and Death by Lightning Subscribe to Oklahoma Memo for a daily, hand-curated roundup of Oklahoma news delivered every morning. Go to https://www.oklahomamemo.com/subscribeYou can find Grant on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@mimsnewspod and on Substack at https://mimsnewspod.substack.com
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Tulsi Resigns, Trump Skips the Wedding & Democrats Face a Brutal Reality Check
3w ago01:16:36Tap to summarizeThis 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 Democratic Party’s long-delayed and widely criticized 2024 election autopsy report, why many Democrats are furious with party leadership, and how figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could reshape the party’s future. Ryan and Grant also discuss: Trump’s continued dominance in Republican primaries Fallout from January 6 compensation proposals SEC football boycott calls tied to redistricting battles The growing fear and backlash surrounding AI and automation Why data centers and AI policy could become major political flashpoints A lot more in this episode. We hope you'll give it a full listen!Sign up for the Memo at OklahomaMemo.com/subscribeAnd follow Grant on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@mimsnewspodSubscribe to Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes on Substack at https://mimsnewspod.substack.com
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Linda Wiginton On Building A Swimming Powerhouse In Altus
3w ago00:25:35Tap to summarizeLinda 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 diving program from scratch, coaching in a small town, adapting to decades of change and why she still loves helping athletes “go fast.” This is a conversation about sports, mentorship, small-town Oklahoma and the lasting impact a coach can have on generations of students.
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Thunder vs. Wemby, Arsenal Celebrates & OSU Softball Heads to Nebraska
3w ago00:34:22Tap to summarizeThis 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 Malin being named First Team All-American OU softball’s path through the postseason Oklahoma State baseball’s NCAA Tournament outlook New transfer portal additions for OSU football Why both OU and OSU fans should be optimistic heading into football season Subscribe to Oklahoma Memo for daily Oklahoma news and sports: https://www.oklahomamemo.com/subscribe
Transcribe →Oklahoma Softball Gets Right at Regionals; Mississippi State Next | The Long View
3w ago00:39:46Tap to summarizeIn 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#oklahoma #softball #NCAA #WCWS
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Oklahoma Democrats Push “Take BAC Congress” Movement | Troy Green & John Croisant
4w ago00:43:27Tap to summarizeRyan 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 and voting representation Economic struggles facing working-class Americans Why more Democrats are running in Oklahoma Troy Green’s personal story growing up in foster care and homelessness Campaign events happening across Oklahoma this weekend Learn more: Troy Green for Senate Croisant for Congress
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Trump’s China Trip | Latest on Cuba, Taiwan | AOC for President and the rise of Justin Pearson
4w ago01:08:34Tap to summarizeRyan 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-winning psychiatrist Dr. Henry Abraham and explains why some medical experts are sounding alarms about the president’s cognitive condition. Subscribe to Oklahoma Memo, your daily local news recap at https://www.oklahomamemo.com/subscribe And follow Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes on Substack at https://mimsnewspod.substack.com and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@MIMSnewspod
Transcribe →Bedlam Buds: Cowgirls Softball Rolling Into Postseason
4w ago00:49:05Tap to summarizeOn 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 baseball after the Cowboys took a series on the road against Arizona State and discuss what it means heading into the final stretch of the season. Then it’s time for the lightning round: Why are the Oklahoma City Thunder suddenly so hated nationally? Is Adrian Peterson the OU's answer to Barry Sanders? Barry Sanders vs everybody Favorite songs from The Police Why chemistry matters in sports dynasties Plus plenty of classic Bedlam Buds banter along the way. Subscribe for weekly Oklahoma sports talk covering OSU, OU, the Thunder, softball, baseball, football and more.
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