Walk and talks and a "Road Trip": Excerpts from chats with filmmaker Brea Mullen and musician Branjae, plus a Connie Cronley column

TulsaPeople Magazine

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I'm your host Tim Landes.

Business is getting back to normal around Tulsa after the devastating effects of the June 17 storm that left me, some coworkers and thousands of other Tulsans without power for nearly a week. It was hot, but we made it… unlike way too many trees.

So this episode is dropping a week late and it’s a different format than usual.

I’ve been doing a lot of online content this year. Lots of concert photo galleries and some reviews, plus Q&A and photo galleries with local creatives. Plus our team publishes updated music listings, a weekly rundown of things to do, a beer of the week and more. We’re staying busy.
We have so many talented artists in this town, and I want to spend time with as many of them as possible. I love learning their stories and having the opportunity to share a part of it with our readers. Plus often there are lessons we can learn and use in our own endeavors.
As I continue to evolve in my work, I’ve been spending a lot more time working on my photography. It’s been a lifelong hobby, and a part of my jobs for over a decade. Most of it is photojournalism, which means capturing moments. I’ve been pushing myself to do more portraits, which pushes me out of my comfort zone. I’m getting better at it, and excited to keep chasing it as I move toward video, finally.
The film industry is exploding in Tulsa, and it’s inspiring to see so many creatives growing their styles here in Tulsa. Many are homegrown, but some are coming here to learn and make movies.
I recently went for a walk and talk with filmmaker Brea Mullen, a Tulsa transplant who didn’t go to film school and is grinding it out and learning as she goes and loving every second of it.

Her documentary Oklahoma Underground will premiere locally as part of the upcoming Circle Cinema Film Festival.
Read the Q&A with Brea.
Back in late May, I went for a Turkey Mountain hike with Branjae.
We covered a whole lot in this Q&A
She discussed how she took a break from music to take care of her mental health, and now she’s back and ready to roll out new music and more.
What didn’t make the cut in print is her thoughts on the local music and creative scene in 2023.
While she did take a break from most her musical duties, she did perform at the legendary Apollo Theater in NYC. I had to ask her about that experience.
And now since things got twisted, turned and thrown across Tulsa, I’m going to leave you with Connie Cronley reading her June column. This would normally appear on our About Town episodes, but even our podcast schedule felt the effects of the derecho.
Also congrats to Connie for her recent awards from the Great Plains Journalism Awards as well as the Oklahoma Press Association. She’s one of the best writers in the state and more than worthy of these awards.
Take us on your road trip, Connie.