Best Metropolitan Library Podcasts (2025)

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Mr. History and Oklahoma Place Names 25:05

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16d ago25:05

25:05

Have you ever wondered how the small towns dotting the landscape of Oklahoma got their names? Well, George Shirk did, and he wrote a book about it. Not only the mayor of Oklahoma City back in the 1960s, George Shirk was also a noted historian of all things Oklahoma. On this podcast we talk about his life and some of the things he wrote down in his …

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#18: The Third Slovak Global Network Summit (ft. Adrian Vyèítal) 28:54

1d ago28:54

28:54

In this episode, Pavol Demeš welcomes Adrian Vyèítal — a successful entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in renewable energy, infrastructure, and innovation. As co-founder and Chairman of the Slovak Global Network, Adrian plays a key role in connecting Slovaks at home and abroad, fostering collaboration across professional and generatio…

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#17: The Recent General Elections in the Czech Republic (ft. Petr Dudek) 46:10

11d ago46:10

46:10

Voices from the Homelands are focusing now on the results of the general elections in the Czech Republic. Our guest at the Radio Prague International studio is a journalist: Commentator of the Czech Public Radio, Petr Dudek. What was the tone, theme, and atmosphere of these general elections and major differences were there compared to previous cam…

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#16: On the Recent Parliamentary Elections in Czechia from Slovakia (ft. Peter Weiss) 29:17

18d ago29:17

29:17

In this episode, Pavol Demeš speaks with Peter Weiss — a prominent Slovak former member of Parliament and former Slovak Ambassador to the Czech Republic. Their conversation explores the recent parliamentary elections in Czechia, their course, key issues, results, and possible scenarios for the formation of the new government led by Andrej Babiš. Th…

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#15: Czech Republic before the Upcoming General Elections (ft. Petr Šimùnek) 46:32

1M ago46:32

46:32

Mirek Konvalina speaks with Petr Šimùnek, respected Czech journalist, former editor in chief of the world best business magazine Forbes (Czech Edition), about the state of the Czech Republic before upcoming general elections. At the beginning of October, Czechs will head to the polls to elect a new Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Parliament…

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The Great State Fair of Oklahoma 21:56

2M ago21:56

21:56

If you're as excited about the Oklahoma State Fair as we are, then you're going to love this episode! Judie from the library's Special Collections department talks about the history of the state fair. If you're interested in learning more about the things you can see from our Special Collections, you can see them here: https://www.metrolibrary.org/…

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Chris and Capitol Hill 29:12

2M ago29:12

29:12

Chris gives us a walking tour of Capitol Hill, along SW 25th Street.By Chris Bachmann; Meg Nance-Coker

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#14: Exploring Religion's Place in Today's Turbulent World (ft. Ján Figel') 33:55

2M ago33:55

33:55

Pavol Demeš speaks with Ján Figel' — Slovakia’s former Chief Negotiator for EU accession, the country’s first European Commissioner, and recognized expert in the interfaith dialogue. Their conversation touches on Figel'’s personal and family ties to the United States, reflections on shifts in transatlantic relations, perspectives on the war in Ukra…

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#13: Building Connection Through the Czech Language (ft. Dr. Ivana Bozděchová) 51:01

2M ago51:01

51:01

Mirek Konvalina speaks with Czech linguist Ivana Bozděchová, associate professor from the Institute of Czech Language and Communication Theory, Faculty of Arts at Charles University, Prague. They talk about their native language and how it is used abroad, among compatriots, in Czech schools, and among other people interested in their mother tongue.…

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College Football in Oklahoma 30:03

3M ago30:03

30:03

It's almost time for one of Oklahoma's favorite things, college football! Not only does the University of Oklahoma have one of the most illustrious histories in all of the sport, but many other colleges have had an impact on the landscape of college football at many different levels. In this episode, OU super fan Donna from the Belle Isle library t…

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#12: Slovak PRO Accelerates its Activities in America (ft. Gabriela Zahoranska) 21:22

3M ago21:22

21:22

In this podcast, within the NCSML Voices from the Homelands series, Pavol Demeš interviews Gabriela Zahoranska, executive Director of the Slovak PRO, large and very successful community-based non-profit organization which has been connecting, supporting and empowering the Slovak professional community in America.…

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#11: Czech Classical Music Remains a Big Theme Both in the Czech Republic and Abroad (ft. Dr. Aleš Bøezina) 43:21

3M ago43:21

43:21

Mirek Konvalina speaks with musicologist and Director of the Bohuslav Martinù Institute, Dr. Aleš Bøezina, who is currently finishing preparations for a major festival of the Czech composer Bohuslav Martinù in the United States, inviting us to the upcoming Martinù festival at Bard College New York – "Bard Music Festival 2025: Martinù and his World"…

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T-G-I-Fry-day 26:29

4M ago26:29

26:29

Did you know that national French Fry day is in July? We just found out so we thought it would be a great time to talk about who has the best fries in Oklahoma City, and what library resources you can use to learn more about Oklahoma City restaurants past and present, fries, and frying things. And if this podcast inspires you to learn more about th…

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#10: Remarks on the recent GLOBSEC Forum in Prague, et al. 32:29

4M ago32:29

32:29

Miroslav Wlachovský is the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, an ambassador, and now is a distinguished fellow at the well-known GLOBSEC international think tank. Host Pavol Demes discusses with him the recent GLOBSEC Forum in Prague, results of the NATO Summitt in Hague, and his views on the National Czech & Slovak Museum &…

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#9: The Czech Star at the Metropolitan Opera in New York 45:17

4M ago45:17

45:17

Miroslav Konvalina talks from Prague with popular Czech bass-baritone Adam Plachetka, currently the most successful Czech opera singer who is performing at the Metropolitan Opera and who has had more than one hundred appearances in the last 10 years.By The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

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Heather and the Fairgrounds 33:15

4M ago33:15

33:15

Heather gives us insight into her experiences at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, including not only the Oklahoma State Fair but also the Friends of the Metropolitan Library Booksale and the many other experiences to be had.By Heather Zeoli, Meg Nance-Coker

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Summer Reading 2025 20:56

5M ago20:56

20:56

It's time for summer reading again at your local library, so Emily from the Metropolitan Library System's Outreach and Engagement office took some time out of her busy schedule to talk to a couple of this year's teen volunteers about what's going on at the library this summer and what it's like being a volunteer. If you'd like to know more about su…

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Makerspaces in Libraries 20:58

5M ago20:58

20:58

Ever wonder what a makerspace is or what you can do in one? Lindsay, Nell, Reagan, and Alex from the Metropolitan Library System's makerspaces talk about the many things you can do in our wonderful makerspaces, and about the upcoming MakerFest program at the Belle Isle branch.By Metropolitan Library System

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#8: Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine Speaks on Present Day Topics 29:49

5M ago29:49

29:49

In this episode, Katarína Mathernová, Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine, who was born in Bratislava before studying and working for several years in the United States, shares information on the heroism of Ukrainians defending their country from Russian aggression. She also describes parameters of her job as well as EU and US assistance to…

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#7: Ivan Puš, Palacky University Olomouc Historian, Speaks About 80 Years Since the Liberation of Czechoslovakia 25:14

5M ago25:14

25:14

After the freedom celebrations in Pilsen, which were bigger than ever, there is time to reflect on the 80 years since its liberation by US troops. Ivan Puš, Assistant Professor at the Department of History, Faculty of Arts, Palacky University Olomouc, speaks about how a young Czech historian can, from today's perspective, characterize this huge con…

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Nell and Penn50 15:18

5M ago15:18

15:18

Nell introduces us to Penn50, a liminal retail space full of family memories and sensory experiences.By Nell Johnson; Meg Nance-Coker

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Heidi and the Northeast Health & Wellness Center 18:54

6M ago18:54

18:54

Heidi Port tells us all about the Northeast Health and Wellness Center.By Heidi Port, Meg Nance-Coker

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#6: Father Ben on Priesthood in Slovakia & the United States + the Legacy of Pope Francis 38:14

6M ago38:14

38:14

Pavol Demes interviews Benjamin Kosnáč, the Slovak catholic priest with rich experience in pastoral work not only in Slovakia but also abroad, including many years spent in the United States of America.By The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

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#5: Former Czech Ambassador to US and Russia Petr Kolář on Ukraine, NATO, and Czech Security 44:34

6M ago44:34

44:34

Host Miroslav Konvalina speaks with Petr Kolář, advisor to President Pavel and former Czech ambassador to the US and Russia, to gauge his overall sense of what went wrong with EU-Russia relations, what Czechs can influence within the situation in Europe, and whether they can hope that American people will finally be able to persuade their leadershi…

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Poetry Month Author Interview with Betty Blanks 16:20

7M ago16:20

16:20

April is poetry month, so on this month's podcast we talked to Betty Blanks, author of Pick Up Your Name and Write: The Life of Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel. Miss McDaniel was an Oklahoma born poet that moved to California during the Great Depression, but never stopped writing about her home in Oklahoma. Betty Blanks was kind enough to talk to us about…

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Jen and the Plaza Walls 20:01

7M ago20:01

20:01

Jen gives us the scoop on the Plaza Walls, a public art piece reinvented each year by talented artists.By Jen Day; Meg Nance-Coker

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Mini Episode: OK Museum of Telephone History 2:52

7M ago2:52

2:52

The last of the museum mini-sodes. I'm excited to hear other people talk, aren't you?By Meg Nance-Coker

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Mini Episode: The Harn Homestead 2:22

7M ago2:22

2:22

Turns out time flies whether or not you're having fun. Back after a lull to wrap up the local museum series and begin our usual content.By Meg Nance-Coker

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#4: Decade of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (ft. Prof. Pavol Šajgalík) 32:31

7M ago32:31

32:31

On Today's Episode: Dr. Pavol Demeš interviews President of the Slovak Academy of Sciences Pavol Šajgalík on the last decade of this leading Slovak scientific institution, its transformation, achievements, and challenges. Pavol Šajgalík is leaving his post in a few weeks.By The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

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#3: Language (and More) as a Way of Life (ft. Helena Koutná) 32:43

7M ago32:43

32:43

On Today's Episode: Czech interpreter and translator Helena Koutná talks to Miroslav Konvalina about her life perception of Czech culture and historical heritage through her lived multi-cultural experience in the ever shifting linguistic landscape that echoes the fluidity of Central European sociopolitical changes.…

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Crafts! 21:17

8M ago21:17

21:17

Did you know that March is craft month, or that the library offers lots of programs teaching different crafts? On this month's podcast we talk about some of the resources you can use through the library to help learn how to do a wide variety of crafts.By Metropolitan Library System

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#2: Three Years of Russia's War Against Ukraine (ft. Jana Kobzová, Slovak Political Scientist) 34:34

8M ago34:34

34:34

On Today's Episode: Dr. Pavol Demeš interviews Jana Kobzová, well-known Slovak expert on post-Soviet space, Ukraine in particular, former foreign policy advisor to Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová, now visiting fellow at the international think-tank - the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).…

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#1: The Year of Czech Music (ft. Veronika Vejvodová, Director of Antonín Dvořák Museum) 32:13

8M ago32:13

32:13

On Today's Episode: Miroslav Konvalina, Former Director of the American Center (US Embassy Prague) and of the CZECH CENTER NEW YORK, speaks with Veronika Vejvodová, Director of Antonín Dvořák Museum in Prague, on her reflections on the Year of the Czech Music.By The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

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Black History Month: A.C. Hamlin and Green Currin 34:48

9M ago34:48

34:48

Erin Brown from the Oklahoma Territorial Museum tells us the stories of Oklahoma's first African-American territorial legislator Green Currin, and Oklahoma's first State Legistlator A.C. Hamlin.By Metropolitan Library System

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New Year, New Books 19:08

10M ago19:08

19:08

Kristine from the library's Collection Development department talks about some of the new books we'll be getting in 2025.By Metropolitan Library System

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Holiday Horror and Mystery 27:37

11M ago27:37

27:37

Looking for something interesting and different to read during the upcoming holiday season? Librarians Lindsay, Maddie, Reagan, and Tyler share some recommendations from the library's collection of Christmas and winter related horror and mystery novels, graphic novels, and novellas.By Metropolitan Library System

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Voices and Votes 16:30

12M ago16:30

16:30

Did you know that Bethany has a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian coming soon? Librarian Anna from the Bethany Library tells us all about the Smithsonian's exhibit "Voices and Votes: Democracy in America" coming to the library, the upcoming festivities surrounding the exhibit, and a few interesting facts about the history of voting and democra…

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Haunted Oklahoma with Jeff Provine 36:18

1y ago36:18

36:18

Local author and expert in all things haunted in the state of Oklahoma Jeff Provine talks with us about his top five favorite haunted places around the state. If you'd like to learn more about Jeff's books or take one of his ghost tours, you can find him at http://www.jeffprovine.com/By Metropolitan Library System

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Oklahoma Author Oscar Hokeah 32:08

1y ago32:08

32:08

In this month's podcast Oscar Hokeah talks with us about his PEN/Hemingway Award winning novel, Calling For A Blanket Dance.By Metropolitan Library System

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OKC Hidden Gems: Interesting Museums in Oklahoma City 35:42

1y ago35:42

35:42

Did you know there's a Museum of Telephone History in Oklahoma City? What about the Pigeon Museum? In this month's podcast, self-proclaimed museum nerd Meg from the library's Special Collections Departments tells us about some of the many interesting and unique museums in Oklahoma City that she's visited. If you'd like to hear more about interestin…

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Parks and Recreation 26:36

1+ y ago26:36

26:36

July is Parks and Recreation month, so we thought it might be fun to make book recommendations based on some of our favorite characters from the show Parks and Recreation. As always, if you want to check out any of our recommendations, you can find them on the library's catalog. https://catalog.metrolibrary.org/?browseCategory=staff_picks And if yo…

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Mini Episode: The American Pigeon Museum & Library 5:15

1+ y ago5:15

5:15

By Meg Nance Coker

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Mini Episode: OKC National Memorial and Museum 7:29

1+ y ago7:29

7:29

Our mini series on local museums continues with a visit to the OKC National Memorial and Museum.By Meg Nance Coker

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Mini Episode: Oklahoma Firefighters Museum 3:52

1+ y ago3:52

3:52

Today's mini episode features the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum.By Meg Nance Coker

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Oklahomans in Space 25:52

1+ y ago25:52

25:52

Did you know that many of the people involved in getting Americans into outer space were from Oklahoma? In this month's episode Special Collections librarian Jennifer Green talks with us about some of the many Oklahomans involved in the early days of the space race, both behind the scenes and in the shuttle.…

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Mini Episode: 99s Museum of Women Pilots 6:08

1+ y ago6:08

6:08

Our series on local museums continues with a visit to the 99s Museum of Women Pilots.By Meg Nance Coker

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Special Episode: TJ Klune Book Discussion 40:02

1+ y ago40:02

40:02

In honor of the library's upcoming author visit on June 23, librarians Meg and Scott discuss the works of award winning author TJ Klune. Klune's works include the best seller, The House In The Cerulean Sea, The Greencreek series, The Extraordinaries series, and many more. If you'd like to listen to more of Scott's book reviews, you can find them on…

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Mini Episode: The 45th Infantry Division Museum 6:24

1+ y ago6:24

6:24

A mini episode starting off a new series looking at local museums

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Judge a Book By Its Cover 22:28

1+ y ago22:28

22:28

In this month's episode we talk about what makes us pick up a book in the first place, some of our favorite book covers, and the books behind those covers.By Metropolitan Library System

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Poetry in Oklahoma City (featuring Red Dirt Poetry) 24:37

1+ y ago24:37

24:37

April is poetry month, so on this month's podcast we're joined by poets Durell Carter and Yoko Hill to talk about their organization, Red Dirt Poetry, and the wealth of talented poets currently writing in Oklahoma.By Metropolitan Library System