Tulsa Is Home

Roderick Hands | Tulsa Is Home

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The Tulsa Is Home podcast takes you behind the scenes of local businesses, organizations and neighborhoods in this wonderful town we call Tulsa. Meet the restauranteurs, professionals, artists, shop owners and more who call Tulsa home. Don't miss any episodes and watch the video interviews and so much more by subscribing to our newsletter... tulsadaily.com/subscribe

MAY 14

Thuy Bui & Jodi Smith | Tulsa Supper Club

On this episode of “Tulsa Is Home,” host, Chelsea Smith, chats with Tulsa influencers Thuy Bui and Jodi Smith, who—along with four friends—run the Tulsa Supper Club Instagram account and meet monthly to dress up, try local restaurants, and document their nights out. They share how they met, their backgrounds (Thuy in nursing turned digital marketing; Jody a former first-grade teacher and stay-at-home mom), and favorite Tulsa recommendations including a Utica Square progressive dinner route, brunch at Soma, special-occasion dining at Hemingway’s, Barons on First, and Mahogany, happy hour at Courts and Commons, and date-night picks like Mr. Kim’s and Mondo’s. They also mention staycations at The Mayo Hotel, quick trips to OKC and Carlton Landing, plus rapid-fire favorites for sushi and dessert.

26 min
APR 23

Samantha Jezek | Tulsa Artist

On the Tulsa Is Home Podcast, host Chelsea Smith interviews Tulsa artist Samantha Jezek, known for bold, cheerful paintings and the message that viewers are “not alone.” Samantha describes discovering art later, studying interior design at OSU, late-night oil painting studio work and critiques, and a formative landscape-painting study abroad in Tuscany, plus a professor who pushed her. She recommends Philbrook for inspiration and Tulsa’s art community for connection, and Ziglar’s for quality supplies. Jess explains her shift from moody, dramatic work to brighter, joyful pieces influenced by God, her healing, and her husband’s encouragement. She shares her Not Alone series, created after addiction and 16 months of recovery, portraying ten colorful women to represent private pain and shared struggle. She discusses her studio process, layered work across many pieces, commissions, and keeping collections intact. 00:00 Healing Through Joyful Art 00:31 Feeling Alone in Recovery 01:24 Tulsa Is Home Intro 02:01 Meet Samantha Jess 02:53 Finding Art Later 04:09 OSU Studio Nights 06:28 Critiques and Confidence 08:03 Italy Study Abroad 10:35 Tulsa Inspiration Spots 11:40 From Moody to Bright 12:45 Faith as the Muse 13:26 Not Alone Series Origin 17:10 Painting Shared Stories 18:05 Painting Setup Rituals 18:53 Music or Silence 19:28 Focus Mode and Studio Space 20:36 Planning the First Marks 20:58 Working in Layers and Batches 22:49 Commissions and Letting Go 24:16 Advice for Struggling Artists 24:57 Saving Kids Artwork 27:08 Tulsa Rapid Fire Picks 29:44 Wrap Up and Where to Follow

30 min
APR 14

Suzanne Boyd & Kristy Fears | Founders of Thanks Mom Co.

Host Chelsea Smith interviews Tulsa small-business owners Kristy Fears and Suzanne Boyd of Thanks, Mom Co., discussing how they met on a blind double date, became close friends, and had first babies five days apart. They share backgrounds in missions and pharmacy, then explain their product: a two-part stain-removal system with a patent-pending handheld silicone scrub base and a six-ingredient, tallow-based stain stick designed to avoid harmful chemicals and be safe for baby clothes. Suzanne left pharmacy in 2025 to run the business full time, and they describe extensive prototyping, family involvement, and the challenge of entrepreneurship having no finish line.

26 min
04/30/2025

Lauryl and Aubry | Stay Golden Organizing

Stay Golden with Lauryl and Aubry: From Classrooms to Closets Join us in this episode of the Tulsa is Home Podcast featuring Aubry and Lauryl from Stay Golden Organizing. Discover their journey from teaching to becoming professional organizers, their favorite spaces to transform, and how they turned a fun summer gig into a thriving full-time business. Learn about their process, the challenges they face, and why Tulsa is a special place for them. Whether you're considering a move to Tulsa or want to enhance your home organization skills, this episode is packed with insights and stories from the organizing pros. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Preferences 01:00 Welcome to Tulsa is Home Podcast 01:31 Meet Lauryl and Aubry 01:46 Personal Backgrounds 02:50 The Bens and Organizing Beginnings 03:30 Starting the Organizing Business 05:05 Challenges and Success Stories 09:52 Favorite Spaces to Organize 11:09 The Organizing Process 17:55 Ideal Clients and Refresh Services 19:15 Why Tulsa is Home 21:32 Conclusion and Farewell

22 min
04/23/2025

Jill Stitt | Colonial Title

Discovering the Heart of Colonial Title with Jill Stitt In this episode of the Tulsa Is Home Podcast, host Rod sits down with Jill Stitt of Colonial Title to explore her background and her recent involvement in the title industry. Jill shares her personal journey from Arkansas to Tulsa, her experiences as a single mother, and how she met her husband, Keith, who has owned Colonial Title for 20 years. They discuss the unique aspects of Colonial Title, including its locally owned, lawyer-operated model, and the primarily female workforce. Jill delves into the relationships she has built within the real estate community and how the business prioritizes personal connections and customer service. She highlights the company's bilingual services, the importance of creating a welcoming environment, and her passion for fostering a family-like culture in the workplace. The interview provides an intimate look at what makes Colonial Title special and why Tulsa is home for Jill and many others. 00:00 Introduction to the Tulsa Is Home Podcast 01:13 Meet Jill Stitt: Background and Journey 02:37 Colonial Title: Company Overview and Staff 03:41 Experiences and Insights in the Title Industry 12:12 The Importance of Communication in Real Estate 15:43 Hispanic Agents and Language Barriers 16:50 Office Culture and Community 19:08 Educational Seminars and Networking 21:13 The Importance of Kindness in Business 25:08 Tulsa as Home 30:03 Conclusion and Future Aspirations

31 min
04/09/2025

Lauren Sivak | The Opp Project

In this episode of the Tulsa's Home Podcast, Roderick Hands interviews Lauren Sivak, who shares her journey from Chicago to Tulsa along with her involvement in Tulsa's nonprofit sector, particularly the op project. Lauren discusses the immersive experience of moving to a new city, the significance of expanded learning programs for Tulsa's youth, and how after-school activities enrich lives and enhance community vitality. The conversation delves into Tulsa Remote Program insights and the economic impact of educational programs. Lauren expresses her enthusiasm for Tulsa, emphasizing community engagement, reduced living complexities, and the welcoming nature of the city. The episode highlights the critical role of education in fostering future generations and making Tulsa feel like home. 00:00 Introduction and Moving to Tulsa 00:56 Welcome to Tulsa's Home Podcast 01:05 Guest Introduction: Lauren Sivak 01:28 Lauren's Background and Move to Tulsa 02:37 First Impressions of Tulsa 03:31 Life in Tulsa vs. Chicago 08:30 Tulsa Remote Program 11:43 The Op Project: Mission and Vision 12:13 Challenges and Adaptations During the Pandemic 13:15 Expanded Learning Programs 25:12 Funding and Community Impact 28:28 The Importance of Supporting Education 29:52 Why Tulsa Feels Like Home 30:43 Conclusion and Lightning Round

31 min
04/01/2025

Josh Juarez | Josh’s SnoShack

Creating Summer Memories: The Journey of Josh's Snow Shack | Tulsa is Home Podcast In this episode of the Tulsa is Home Podcast, we welcome Josh Juarez, the founder of Josh's Snow Shack. Josh shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey, starting as a college student trying to make money to becoming a role model and mentor for his employees. We dive into his background, the early days of his business, overcoming milestones, and the epiphany that transformed his business model. Josh discusses the importance of creating great summer experiences for Tulsa, hiring the right people, and maintaining a positive work culture. He also talks about his family's support, the logistics of running multiple locations, and future plans for expansion and new ventures. This episode provides valuable insights into the life of a successful entrepreneur and the vibrant community of Tulsa. 00:00 Introduction and Early Beginnings 01:10 Welcome to Tulsa is Home Podcast 01:23 Meet Josh Juarez: The King of Cones 02:14 Josh's Journey: From Houston to Tulsa 02:49 Building a Business: The Early Years 03:46 Family and Business: Balancing Act 07:33 The Epiphany: Creating Summer Memories 10:36 Scaling Up: From One Shack to Many 12:57 Hiring the Right People: Culture Fit 27:14 Future Plans and New Ventures 30:29 Why Tulsa is Home 33:13 Conclusion and Contact Information

34 min
03/04/2025

Justin Harlan | Tulsa Remote

Revamping Tulsa: The Impact of the Tulsa Remote Initiative with Justin Harlan In this episode of the 'Tulsa is Home' podcast, we explore the transformative Tulsa Remote initiative with Justin Harlan. The initiative seeks to diversify Tulsa's economy by attracting remote knowledge workers with a $10,000 incentive to work from Tulsa for a year. Justin delves into his journey with the program, the genesis of the initiative in 2018, and how it exploded in popularity, especially during the pandemic, leading to significant economic growth and an influx of new residents. Hear about the positive ripple effects on local businesses, partnerships, and how the community has flourished with these new additions. Also, learn about future goals for the program and advice for those considering relocating to Tulsa. A rich discussion on the impacts of diversity and open community welcome in shaping Tulsa’s vibrant present and future. 00:00 Introduction to Tulsa's Knowledge Worker Initiative 01:15 Welcome to the Tulsa's Home Podcast 01:50 Meet Justin Harlan: Tulsa Remote Initiative 03:16 The Birth and Growth of Tulsa Remote 04:54 Economic Impact and Success Stories 06:16 Application Process and Member Experience 07:43 Comparing Tulsa Remote to Other Programs 08:22 Pandemic's Influence and Economic Development Strategy 14:38 Community Impact and Research Insights 20:52 Why Tulsa is Home

23 min

The Tulsa Is Home podcast takes you behind the scenes of local businesses, organizations and neighborhoods in this wonderful town we call Tulsa. Meet the restauranteurs, professionals, artists, shop owners and more who call Tulsa home. Don't miss any episodes and watch the video interviews and so much more by subscribing to our newsletter... tulsadaily.com/subscribe

Creator

Roderick Hands | Tulsa Is Home
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

19
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Tulsa Is Home
Show Website

Tulsa Is Home