Listen to Student-Led "Survive & Thrive" Podcast

Gaylord College and the Institute for the study of Human Flourishing have partnered together this year on the creation and production of a podcast series called “Survive and Thrive.”

"Survive and Thrive" is a 24-episode podcast series where Gaylord students Brooklyn Wayland, KaraLee Langford and Miranda Foster interview Oklahomans across a diverse spectrum about how to “Survive and Thrive” during the twofold crisis of the health and racial pandemics the nation is facing.

OU Professor of Philosophy Nancy Snow said, “I had the idea for the podcast series in August 2020 – to mine the wisdom of Oklahomans, with their history of hardship – for insights about dealing with the pandemic and racism. Through interactions with Gaylord, I was introduced to a team of students who took the lead in contacting interviewees, doing the interviews and managing the technical side of things. Their work made the podcast series happen. We were fortunate to have interest and participation from a number of notable Oklahomans, and people with knowledge of the Tulsa Race Massacre, the Oklahoma City bombings, tornado devastation and other crises that Oklahomans have faced. Their wisdom and resilience are an inspiration.”

Oklahomans are no strangers to tragedy. The state’s history is checkered with traumas such as the Dust Bowl, Tulsa Race Massacre, Trail of Tears and the Oklahoma City bombing.

Out of those tragedies was born the “Oklahoma Standard.”

Now, as the state once again grapples with hardship, this time with COVID-19 and racial heartache, the team talks with multiple Oklahomans who must once again learn to survive and thrive.

John Schmeltzer, Gaylord News editor and professor, said, “these students not only have navigated these hardships as young students, but they have also navigated it as professional young journalists. They have gained experience that will both serve them well in their career endeavors and will serve the people of Oklahoma as they learn from hearing the stories they tell.”