The Tulsa Lately Podcast: Recent Episodes
Mike Hayes
The show where I talk to businesses and leaders in Tulsa or surrounding areas that are living their passion, making a difference, or finding creative ways to serve the community.
Get to know the owners of Grassroots Ranch and their mission to run an ethical and sustainable animal farm! We discuss why this business is so rewarding both personally and environmentally, as well as a fascinating look behind what it takes to get a juicy steak the way nature intended.
Hear from the founder of the only competition-ready Irish dance school in Tulsa. She's clearly a master of her craft and loves teaching to all ages and skill levels, but if you're serious then you better come ready to train hard because it's quite a workout!
I speak to a couple locals with a mission to bring back good ol' fashioned rowdy rock n' roll. They've mastered a nostalgic sound with their own modern twist, and dominate whatever stage they're on with a super high-energy performance! Add that to the fact that their hilarious and you've got yourself a fun interview ahead of you. Also make sure to listen through to the end where they share one of their latest songs!
I talk with founders of the only place in Tulsa where you can train in the ancient Japanese fighting style known as Kendo! I learned a lot about the rich history behind this form of martial arts, which is very different from others in that you are learning swordsmanship in the tradition of the Samurai.
Join me in my conversation with Rhys, who is on the board of Route 66 commissions for both the city and the state! He's the biggest fan of America's Mother Road that I've ever personally met, and I had a great time learning about the rich history of the highway, as well as what he and the other committee members are doing to preserve it!
I speak with the owner of the only science shop in the whole state of Oklahoma! When I heard that there was someone in town that figured out a way to turn his love for science into a successful consumer-based business model, I knew I had to see what was up. We discuss how he did that, as well as the current scientific trends in American culture today.
I speak with a man that is part of the modern movement to bring back an ancient skill: blacksmithing! More specifically, quality forged knives. We hammer through topics like what it takes to craft a sturdy blade, his appearance on Forged In Fire, and a country-star customer!
I talk with the one man show behind the fantastic woodwork of Moonbell Custom Furnishings. He left his corporate life behind to open up his own shop in Coweta, OK where he handcrafts master-level wood furniture and decor out of top-quality curated lumber.
My conversation with one of the founders of MAMA, an Afro-Caribbean fusion restaurant found in the Mother Road Marketplace near 11th and Lewis. Amazing food aside, it's a great glimpse into the beginnings of a new eatery, and I know you'll enjoy her story!
My chat with two killer dudes that have started a business modifying rifles to make them as precise and accurate as possible, be it for shooting competitions or hunting. They've got some great stories and clearly have serious passion for what they do! Check em out on Facebook and Instagram!
My chat with Seth Lee Jones, founder and owner of a guitar shop he runs out of his backyard. In addition to restoration and repair, Seth crafts his own beautiful guitars from scratch.
I had a great conversation with Muhammet, the director of the OKC and Tulsa locations of the Raindrop Turkish House organization. The non-profit is locally run and has a primary focus of bringing the Tulsa community together to learn about one another. He's got a lot of good things to say and hooked me up with some tasty Turkish pastries!
I interview the two mastermind brothers behind the unique blending of firearms and artistic design, Tanner and Sawyer of Bandit Custom Coating. Tanner realized that there’s a relatively untouched market for fully customized graphic art on guns, and they share what got them here as well as the process of how he treats a gun like a blank canvas.
Awesome interview with a truly self-made man, Mr. Brandon Still, owner and founder of BS Media company. Starting from machine shop worker to owner of a successful web and media company, he shares both his journey to get where he is today, as well as tips and tricks on how to learn the skills you need to do your own thing in this media age!
Meet the marketing director of Marshall Brewing Company, one of the most successful craft brewers in the whole state, let alone Oklahoma. We discuss changes in the law that have benefited the craft brew industry as a whole, as well as what exactly goes into creating their product and getting the word out. Very informative, and I know you'll enjoy it!
Great convo with the co-founder of Flowercraft Technologies, what started as just a dispensary is turning into so much more! He's got an inspiring story as well as some industry insights that shed light on issues he hopes to be a part of changing.
Annette King is the founder of the Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue, and she has more care and compassion for animals than anyone I've ever met. Not only that but she's hilarious and is full of remarkable stories about her journey to where she is today!
My very fun conversation with 3 gentlemen from Tulsa’s only Australian Rules Football team. By far one of the most entertaining interviews I’ve had, they’ve achieved a perfect balance between training hard and playing hard!
This time around I spoke with James Herron of the Tulsa Gaelic Athletic Club, who has the goal of making hurling the next big sport in Oklahoma. Sounds perfect for adults looking for a competitive outlet, he’s a passionate guy with great drive and I think you’ll enjoy the conversation!
Tomas Baldonado redefines the concept of a DIY hustler, and is taking Tulsa and the rest of Oklahoma by storm with his expertly crafted cigars and raw brand-building skills. I feel very lucky to have talked to him, because this guy is absolutely going places!
My conversation with Sherry Smith, the Founder and CEO of the Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce. Though a newer organization, they've hit the ground running and have a mission to provide much needed resources, education and community connection to both budding entrepreneurs and existing local businesses.
This is a conversation I had with Shelly Hickman from Epic Charter Schools. They have a unique and innovative way of being a part of the solution to the many problems we have with education in Oklahoma, and I personally think they are just what we need right now.
I speak with the owner of The Peak Dispensary, a collective of medicinal cannabis stores with locations in Edmond, Tulsa, and McAlester. He is a young and ambitious entrepreneur with a desire to provide a top-of-the-line and comfortable experience to those in need.
This episode I talk to the co-owners of SoBoCo, a high-fashion resale store located in the midtown area. They are an awesome young entrepreneurial couple with more different things going on than most people have ideas for in their lifetime! It was a great conversation, and I hope you enjoy.
This is my conversation with the CEO of the Lobeck Taylor foundation Elizabeth Frame Ellison as we talk about the opening of the long awaited first-ever Tulsa food court! She explains how this whole crazy thing works, and how their main goal is to support other local businesses, both established and those just starting out.
My conversation with Karie Jordan, the President and CEO of the Bridges Foundation, and the director of marketing Paxton Stieber. Their organization is a non-profit with a mission to help people with any type of disability or special need to learn job skills, find employment, get access to vocational training, and more.
In a special episode, I chat with Lee Miller, running for the District 68 seat in the state House of Representatives. We talk more about education and criminal justice reform, and those who would benefit most from it.
Here I speak with the founder and head-chef at Le Jardin Eatery, a restaurant that hires only female ex-cons. We discuss her passion and mission to help women get a second start, while also making amazing food.
I talk with the co-owners of Bound For Glory Books, a couple punks that grew up and wanted to create a safe and fun space for concerts, book clubs, tutoring, and more.
This episode is a little longer than past and likely future episodes… but that’s because it’s a fascinating examination at the serious problems Oklahoma has been facing. Incarceration, poor quality education, lack of funding… it’s all on the table in this open and honest discussion with the first ever libertarian candidate for governor that Oklahoma has ever seen.