How Curious

4.9 (32)
PLACES & TRAVEL

Exploring Oklahoma legends, tall tales, oddities, and conundrums. Heard something you're curious about? Submit questions and suggestions for future episodes to curious@kgou.org.

4D AGO

What does Moore-Lindsay House reveal about life in the once young city of Norman, Oklahoma?

In this episode, How Curious host Rachel Hopkin visits the Moore-Lindsay Historical House Museum in Norman, Oklahoma. The first glimmerings of Norman as a named place began with a government survey team, then grew as it became a stop on the railroad. Then came the 1889 land run which turned Norman into a city virtually overnight. Ten years later, the Moore-Lindsay House was built. Rachel explores what the house - plus what is known about its early residents - tell us about life in the young city well over a century ago.

16 min
11/25/2025

Why were Oklahoma Citians subjected to multiple sonic booms daily for months in 1964?

This month's How Curious dives into the story of what happened when Oklahoma City became the location of a bold experiment concerning sonic booms — a moment when science collided with everyday life. Through historical detail and voices from those who lived it, this episode looks at why the city became a testing ground, the surprising ripple effects on homes and businesses, and the larger questions it raised about progress and public trust.

16 min
10/28/2025

Why is Guthrie's Stone Lion Inn considered Oklahoma's most haunted property?

This month’s How Curious episode has a Halloween theme as our intrepid host Rachel Hopkin dares to venture into one of Oklahoma’s reputedly most haunted properties.

15 min
09/30/2025

How did an Italian palace come to be on the Oklahoma plains?

In this month's How Curious, host Rachel Hopkin visits the sumptuous Marland Mansion in Ponca City, Oklahoma, and finds out the story behind its creation.

16 min
08/26/2025

Why is Oklahoma sending thousands of rescue dogs and cats out of state?

Animal shelters and rescues across Oklahoma are regularly transporting thousands of adoptable animals in need of homes out of state. In this episode, host Rachel Hopkin learns more about why Oklahoma has an overpopulation of cats and dogs and what is being done to alleviate it.

17 min
07/29/2025

How did Waynoka, Oklahoma, briefly become a center of pioneering jet set travel?

For a brief period from 1929-1930, the small town of Waynoka, Oklahoma, became the center of a pioneering coast-to-coast air transport service for the ultra-wealthy.

16 min
06/24/2025

How about How Curious?

If you’re a regular listener, you’ll know that How Curious is typically a documentary strand that explores interesting Oklahoma stories. But we’ve had a number of listeners asking how How Curious is made. So this month, KGOU managing editor, Logan Layden, turns the tables on How Curious host/producer Rachel Hopkin to find out a little about her production process as well as what’s in the works currently.

6 min
05/27/2025

What is the Prairie House and how did it become part of the Oklahoma landscape?

The Prairie House - which stands a few miles outside of Norman, OK - was the creation of architect Herb Greene and was completed in 1961. It's been variously likened to a bird, a bison, a steeple, a shed, a boat, a haystack, among other things. It's also been hailed as “an excellent example of organic architecture”, an embodiment of the American School of Architecture, and a masterpiece. It's been in private hands and largely hidden for many years, but now it's in the process of being restored. How Curious host Rachel Hopkin went to find out more.

15 min

See All (63)

4.9

out of 5

32 Ratings

How Fantastic!

09/26/2023

NorthernOkie

Each episode is both informative, engaging, and fun! It’s great to learn about all the Oklahoma connections and histories!
Great re-boot!

09/30/2021

GospelMike

Intriguing story about African-American deputy marshal to the Indian territory. They know his name at the US marshal service in Washington DC, but not at an Oklahoma historical society. Great job. Keep it up.
Fun podcast about Oklahoma

06/06/2018

John50ok

They take questions from people, like the founding of Nichols Hills, and go research the answers. They find some interesting trivia about Oklahoma.
Thank you!

03/21/2018

Chaney79

Great first episode. I love Oklahoma history. Thanks for sharing the stories!

Exploring Oklahoma legends, tall tales, oddities, and conundrums. Heard something you're curious about? Submit questions and suggestions for future episodes to curious@kgou.org.