Hear TulsaPeople's Musings columnist Connie Cronley read her October piece, plus a farewell from host Blayklee Freed.

Read more: Any fool can do it

Hear from hip-hop aficionado Steph Simon as Dreamland Festival approaches, as well as his latest projects with his own music and teaching young artists at McLain High School.

Hear a rundown of October's features, plus an inside look at Host Blayklee Freed's story on local artist Trueson Daugherty's events that promote community and creativity.

Read more:

• Urban playground: There’s so much to do and see downtown. Here are some TulsaPeople editor favorites
• Troubled waters: Testing shows extremely high levels of bacteria and the fish population is decreasing in the Arkansas River as the City eyes Labor Day 2024 opening for Zink Dam
• The new Tulsa tone: Get to know a new generation of musicians
• A visit with Patrick Gordon: A painter of consistent habits, a man of contrasts and change
• Social sculpture: In-home art experience comes to T-Town

We're looking forward to the fair and have some details on music and other live performances. Plus, Connie reads "Hello, I must be going."

Read more:

• What the ale: Heirloom Rustic Ale's Morning Devotion is beer of the week
• Tulsa 10: Sept. 25 - Oct. 1
• Awesome rides, food and fun: A guide to Tulsa State Fair, Sept. 28 – Oct. 8

In addition to an overview of September's issue honoring Tulsa women, hear how the queen bee at Roark Farms operates her hive, courtesy of handler Michael Roark and reporter Tiffany Howard.

• Power players: Meet the women shaping Tulsa's public relations landscape
• A century of civic engagement: League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Tulsa celebrates 100 years
• Picture perfect: Gathering Place photo contest
• Legends: JoAnn Gilford, education trailblazer
• Bee-hind the scenes: Local honey farm produces a robust product lineup

As summer winds down, we look ahead to a season of shows at local venues. Connie Cronley reads "Another letter to a niece (who hates her neighbors)."

More from this episode:

• Weathering the storms: TPS Superintendent Deborah Gist on fighting for her students and the future of public education
• City on stage: There’s a wealth of talent in this year’s performing arts guide
• Scenes from a Mercury Lounge Bluegrass Brunch featuring Johnny Mullenax Band
• Music listings

Host Blayklee Freed talks with Features Editor Tim Landes to discuss his multiple interviews with local educators. Plus, career-ready programs have been building students' skills and preparing them for a robust future.

• Weathering the storms: TPS Superintendent Deborah Gist on fighting for her students and the future of public education
• Skills to build on: How 4 local high schools prepare students for careers after graduation
• City on stage: There’s a wealth of talent in this year’s performing arts guide
• In session: A look at summer programming at Tulsa Dream Center locations
• Coffee with: Rebecka Peterson, National Teacher of the Year

Local comedian Evan Hughes performs around Tulsa and hosts monthly shows that he curates with comics of all skill levels. Hughes is performing this weekend at Blue Whale Comedy Festival. Plus, Connie Cronley reads her July column. 

• Tulsa 10
• Blue Whale schedule
• Goodnight Sun by Connie Cronley

Photo by Ferrell Dixon Jr / ASLUT

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I'm your host Tim Landes. 

After more than 100 episodes over the past four years it's time to go About Town. 
On this episode Tim and About Town host Blayklee Freed talk about the future of this podcast channel and all the exciting things to come in the biweekly episodes of About Town that will run 10-15 minutes an episode. 

We also reflect on the five years of Tulsa Talks and discuss some of the highlights. 

All the podcast episodes will remain here and at TulsaPeople.com/Podcast. 

We might be back later with more special episodes of Tulsa Talks. In the meantime, Tim will continue making appearances on random episodes of About Town. 

So stay subscribed, buckle up and get ready to go About Town. 

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I'm your host Tim Landes.

Business is getting back to normal around Tulsa after the devastating effects of the June 17 storm that left me, some coworkers and thousands of other Tulsans without power for nearly a week. It was hot, but we made it… unlike way too many trees. 

So this episode is dropping a week late and it’s a different format than usual.

I’ve been doing a lot of online content this year. Lots of concert photo galleries and some reviews, plus Q&A and photo galleries with local creatives. Plus our team publishes updated music listings, a weekly rundown of things to do, a beer of the week and more. We’re staying busy.

We have so many talented artists in this town, and I want to spend time with as many of them as possible. I love learning their stories and having the opportunity to share a part of it with our readers. Plus often there are lessons we can learn and use in our own endeavors.

As I continue to evolve in my work, I’ve been spending a lot more time working on my photography. It’s been a lifelong hobby, and a part of my jobs for over a decade. Most of it is photojournalism, which means capturing moments. I’ve been pushing myself to do more portraits, which pushes me out of my comfort zone. I’m getting better at it, and excited to keep chasing it as I move toward video, finally.

The film industry is exploding in Tulsa, and it’s inspiring to see so many creatives growing their styles here in Tulsa. Many are homegrown, but some are coming here to learn and make movies.

I recently went for a walk and talk with filmmaker Brea Mullen, a Tulsa transplant who didn’t go to film school and is grinding it out and learning as she goes and loving every second of it.

Her documentary Oklahoma Underground will premiere locally as part of the upcoming Circle Cinema Film Festival.

Read the Q&A with Brea.

Back in late May, I went for a Turkey Mountain hike with Branjae.

We covered a whole lot in this Q&A

She discussed how she took a break from music to take care of her mental health, and now she’s back and ready to roll out new music and more.

What didn’t make the cut in print is her thoughts on the local music and creative scene in 2023.

While she did take a break from most her musical duties, she did perform at the legendary Apollo Theater in NYC. I had to ask her about that experience.

And now since things got twisted, turned and thrown across Tulsa, I’m going to leave you with Connie Cronley reading her June column. This would normally appear on our About Town episodes, but even our podcast schedule felt the effects of the derecho.

Also congrats to Connie for her recent awards from the Great Plains Journalism Awards as well as the Oklahoma Press Association. She’s one of the best writers in the state and more than worthy of these awards.

Take us on your road trip, Connie. 

Tulsa interdisciplinary artist Koda Miles opens her first solo exhibition this week at Positive Space Tulsa.

Titled “Caught Up,” the body of work Miles has on display includes 3D sculpture works and acrylic paintings.

Read more:

• Art opening this week: “Caught Up” by Koda Miles at Positive Space Tulsa
• Positively different: New gallery doubles as space for women creatives to feel accepted and heard
• Born for the role: New Juneteenth coordinator continues a family legacy
• What the Ale: Nook Brewing Co.'s Blood Orange Wheat is the beer of the week
• Tulsa 10: June 12-18
• Tulsa Music Listings