Oklahoma Women Want To Know

TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast contains discussion on suicide, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and drug abuse. Crystal Raye has a powerful story about survival. Raised by a mother with a drug addiction and sexually abused as a child, Crystal turned to drugs to ease her pain. She was manipulated by another abuser who became her husband and the father of her children. Crystal battled so much pain for so many years that she snapped one day. She poured gasoline on herself and set herself on fire. Crystal shares with us her story and what her life is like today.

Sandra Goff is living every mother's nightmare. Her teenage son, Fedro Givins, was gunned down by another teenager. Police believe the shooting was unprovoked and possibly a gang initiation. Friends, teachers, and his family say Fedro was a good kid and was always cheering up others and encouraging people. Sandra knows all too well about the rise in youth gun violence. Sandra tells us about Fedro, how she is dealing with his tragic death, and what we need to do to keep guns out of the hands of kids.

Oklahoma Comic Con was a smash hit this year, and we were right in the middle of the action. We got the inside scoop from VXV Events organizer Joey Mills, who stopped by the studios to tell us all about how this fan-fueled weekend comes together. Mills fills us in on how they choose big-name guests, the switch to seeing more demand for voice actors, and the explosion of Anime. We also dive into the world of cosplay as we go behind the scenes at Oklahoma Comic Con!

Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler has a passion for justice and mental health advocacy. DA Kunzweiler walks us through what happens when a person with a mental illness is arrested. His personal and professional experience with mental illness has driven him to create change. We talk with Kunzweiler about the mental health crisis in Oklahoma and what we as a state are failing to do. Amid ongoing challenges with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Kunzweiler is fighting for mental health reform.

18-year-old chemistry student Brittany Phillips was found sexually assaulted and strangled inside her apartment in the fall of 2004. The case turned cold quickly, despite DNA tests and interviews with hundreds of individuals. Authorities found a DNA match to an early sample, but the person was quickly cleared of the murder. DNA was collected under Brittany’s fingernails, and detectives have not found a match. 20 years after her daughter’s murder, Dr Maggie Zingman is still waiting for answers. Maggie launched a crusade across America—dubbed the 'Caravan to Catch a Killer'—crisscrossing the country in a brightly wrapped van plastered with her daughter’s photo and a tip line number. Maggie shares her story and how she is using her tragedy to help others.

Melanie has had decades to deal with the trauma of being in an abusive marriage, but there is one thing that constantly reminds her of her past – a bullet. Melanie’s ex-husband shot her in the pelvic area, and the bullet has remained in her body for almost 30 years. The bullet is now shifting and is attached to her pudendal nerve, causing extreme pain. Nearly 30 doctors and surgeons have told her they cannot remove the bullet, but Melanie is desperately trying to find someone who can help her heal physically. Melanie shares her battle with domestic violence, escape, and triumph with us. Maybe you know someone who can help Melanie remove the heavy reminder of her trauma.

For many girls, learning to love their natural hair starts at home — but what if the grown-ups at home aren’t sure how to care for it either? Chrystal Pennington is empowering girls, their parents and caregivers by helping them embrace their natural beauty. At her Good Vibe Studio, Chrystal is on a mission to teach not just young girls how to embrace their curls, coils, and kinks — but also the parents, foster parents, and caregivers who want to do right by their kids but don’t always know where to start. Chrystal tells us it’s more than just styling tips and wash day routines. It’s about showing every girl, and every caregiver, that natural hair isn’t something to fix — it’s something to cherish. Learn More at https://www.facebook.com/GoodVibeStudio.ChrystalPennnington

We are diving deeper into the ADHD mind and talking with Dr. Michelle Sharp about the science behind ADHD and how it presents itself in women. Many women are realizing in their 40s that there is a reason for their scatterbrained struggle. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder isn’t just about bouncing off the walls and forgetting where you put your keys, again.. Dr. Sharp breaks down everything you want to know about ADHD. Dr. Michelle Sharp is the Director of Outpatient Psychiatry for Parkside Psychiatric Hospital & Clinic. You can contact Dr. Sharp at (918) 582-2131

KRMG News Director April Helm (Hill) isn’t just showing up; she’s speaking up. April just got back from testifying at a hearing on romance scams before the Senate Judiciary Committee, and she has a story to tell. April talks about her journey to DC and what Congress wanted to know about romance scammers and their victims. April talks about what led her to that seat at the witness table and how it feels to stare down a panel of senators and say, “Here’s what needs to change.”? Watch April Helm’s testimony: https://youtu.be/W7t4Aqn2psw?si=75GRTSrEbfND99FR

Attention Deficit Disorder. It’s a term that is thrown around casually, but for women who actually have ADD, it is debilitating. Women with ADD experience depression, anxiety, and feelings of worthlessness. Therapist Constance Alexander with Breakthrough Family Counseling tells us how to deal with that mountain of unfinished laundry, the chronic overcommitting, those unfinished projects, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with ADD.

Massive wildfires tore through Oklahoma in the spring of 2025. Volunteer firefighters were crucial when the fires became too much for the departments to handle on their own. Now, more than ever, there is a need for volunteer firefighters in Green Country. Taylor Meyers answered that call and fights fires as a volunteer with the Coweta Fire Department. Taylor is a force to be reckoned with and has earned the respect of the firefighters she works with. Taylor shares with us her scary moments and her triumphs in fighting fires. Deputy Chief Matt Weldon with the Coweta Fire Department also joins us to discuss how to become a volunteer firefighter.

When her daughter was born with a heart defect, Mandy Vavrinak had to stop working to take care of her full-time. Mandy took a chance and started Crossroads Communications, a public relations company from her home. With the support of her husband, Mandy’s business is thriving. Mandy talks about her dream of starting her own business and how she managed to create it while balancing a family with limited income. Mandy’s website is https://crossroads-team.com/

You have more than likely seen a few news reports asking anyone with information about a crime to call Tulsa Crime Stoppers. Executive Director Karen Gilbert explains what Crime Stoppers is and what they do. We also talk with former Tulsa Police Homicide Sgt Dave Walker about how crucial Crime Stoppers is for TPD and how the community has helped solve cases and put criminals in jail.

What do you get when you mix a blind comedian with a quadriplegic comedian? A recipe for side-splitting laughter. Blind comedian Leon the Jokester teamed up with Charlie Beal, who became a quadriplegic after an accident, to share their stories and clean, family-friendly comedy. These guys had us rolling in the studio. To learn more about these funny guys, check out: https://www.leonthejokester.com/

Menopause—just the thought of it makes you start sweating. Menopause is hot on our minds, so we reached out to Dr. Beth Dupree to get some answers about what the heck is going on with our bodies. Dr. Dupree takes more of a holistic approach and explains why we have hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, and more. She also tells us how to balance our hormones so we can get back to being the pleasant ladies that we are. For more info on Dr. Beth Dupree visit: https://myrockdoc.com/

K-9 officers are a game changer for law enforcement. When they go to work, they sniff first and ask questions later. Alesha Brandt with Torchlight K9 in Tulsa trains all kinds of dogs. Some specialize in sniffing out drugs or guns. Others aid in rescue and recovery when people are missing or endangered. Brandt talks about how K9 officers are chosen and how they are trained. Brandt also trains therapy dogs and jobless furry friends. Find out more at https://torchlightk9.com

In Oklahoma, dozens have been convicted of crimes they didn’t commit—some spending years, even decades, behind bars. This is where the Oklahoma Innocence Project steps in. Andrea Miller talks with us about what the Oklahoma Innocence Project does and tells us about some Oklahoma cases they are working on.

Behind every line item in a budget, there’s a story worth telling and a responsibility worth upholding. That is where State Auditor Cindy Byrd comes in. Cindy was the first woman to ever hold the position in Oklahoma and won the state auditor role with the most votes for a state official in Oklahoma in history. Cindy talks about what she does and how she got to where she is in a male dominated field. She also talks about the recent audit for Tulsa Public Schools.

Cleo Epps was one of the biggest bootleggers in northeast Oklahoma and one of the only female bootleggers around. On Nov. 12, 1970, Cleo Epps went missing. Cleo's life was full of twists and turns. KRMG's Kirk McKracken tells Cleo's story. Find Queen of the Bootleggers here

The Tulsa Boys Home was founded in the early 1900s after two boys were found sleeping in trash boxes in an alley. Now Tulsa has 160 acres dedicated to helping young boys break the cycle of poverty, abuse and drug addiction that is often passed on from generation to generation. Greg Conway with the Tulsa Boys Home says some of the boys in the home have been in dozens of foster homes by the time they land there. Greg tells us how they help these boys become successful men.