THE DODGECAST: COMING TO YOU FRESH EVERY MONDAY

In this week's Local Spotlight, we're taking a behind-the-scenes look at The DodgeCast and the voice behind the mic, Jared Pederson. The DodgeCast has grown into one of Anadarko’s favorite local podcasts, with more than 170 episodes available now for listeners to enjoy.

Like a lot of good things, The DodgeCast started as a simple idea. When the show’s former co-host Jaydee first brought up the idea of starting a podcast with Jared, they both agreed that they wanted to create a space where others could listen in on the same real and raw conversations they shared with each other every day. They didn’t have an elaborate or grand plan in place. It was just two friends who enjoyed spending time together, making each other laugh, and having conversations they thought others might enjoy listening in on as well.

For Jared, the love of podcasts actually goes way back. He has always enjoyed listening to talk radio shows like Opie and Anthony, Ron and Fez, and Howard Stern. And as podcasts started becoming more popular over time, he then discovered Kevin Smith's Smodcast. That was when he realized how impactful simple and real conversations could be. That idea eventually became the heart of The DodgeCast and the foundation it was built on.

The DodgeCast is also a way for Jared to showcase what he proudly calls the "Darko Life." Growing up, Jared says he had a bit of a complicated past with Anadarko. He didn’t always like it there, and at times felt like an outcast. But as he's grown older and is now raising his family there, he's developed a different outlook and a much deeper appreciation for the community. He wants to share that love for Anadarko with the world. Jared believes Anadarko is often misunderstood and that when something negative happens, it can overshadow all of the good taking place in town. And he's not wrong, y'all.

But through The DodgeCast, Jared has been able to help shine a light on all the good there is. All of the talented townsfolk, the unique culture, and the stories that make it Anadarko. And, most importantly, he says the community always finds a way to come together when people need each other most. That's one of the very many reasons he’s proud to call Anadarko home.

And that's really what has made The DodgeCast stand out from the rest. It doesn't try to be something it's not, and there are no scripted acts or fake personas. It’s actually pretty simple: just real and raw conversations with real people and whatever the hell happens to come up that day. And truly, by the end of an episode, it feels less like you've listened to a podcast and more like you've spent time hanging out with friends.

When we asked Jared how he balances humor, serious discussions, and community issues on the show, his answer was straight-forward:

"That’s life! Sometimes it’s serious, sometimes it’s funny, sometimes it sucks! I try to be as real as I can be on the podcast. I don’t play a character, and I’m not playing up to the audience. I just do me. I’m a human being with real concerns about our community, our children, our neighbors, and this town’s culture. I like to have fun. I like to laugh until it hurts with my friends. The ups, downs, seriousness... all of that is part of the journey."

Some of Jared’s favorite moments on the podcast have come from the conversations he's had with people around town. From sitting down with community leaders like Justin Pendarvis to hearing the life experiences of Everth Perez, Jared says those conversations have shown him that everyone has a story worth hearing.

“My most recent interview with Justin Pendarvis is a personal favorite. He and I are two totally different people, our faiths are different, our backgrounds are different, our skin color is different. But we have more in common than we do differences, and I’ve learned a lot from Justin just by watching him grow as a father, a pastor, and a pillar of this community. The way he loves this community is really admirable. I’m definitely a huge fan of Justin Pendarvis.”

“I’ve had many memorable guests, but one that stands out is Everth Perez. Everth has an amazing story, a true American story. Her story is what the American dream is all about. In a time of turmoil and racism against Mexican immigrants, Everth was very brave and spoke out and told her story on the podcast. That took a lot of courage. I think more people need to look outside of themselves and try to have more empathy for their fellow human beings.”

When we asked who his dream guest would be, without hesitation, Jared chose someone who had a far greater impact on his life than any household name ever could: his grandfather, Frant Gragg. Y’all, we love that more than any celebrity answer he could have given.

Jared describes his grandfather as his guiding light and the standard by which he measured what it meant to be a man. He credits him with teaching him patience, kindness, and how to treat others with love and respect. A veteran of the Korean War, a father of eight, and a man who grew up with very little, Frant lived a life filled with unforgettable stories and experiences. And despite everything he accomplished, Jared says Frant always remained humble and most importantly, never forgot where he came from. He also remembers his grandfather's incredible ability to recall details and stories from years gone by. In fact, Jared laughs that if his grandfather were still alive today, he could probably get a six-hour podcast episode out of him.

And after hearing the way Jared talks about him, that's probably an episode a lot of us would love to listen to. That sounds like six hours well spent, and we know we'd be tuning in for every minute of it.

The podcast is now entering a new chapter following Jaydee's departure, which was completely amicable. Jaydee is no longer a regular co-host, but listeners can still hear from “Dat Guy” from time to time when he makes special appearances on the show. These days, Jared has been recording more episodes alongside the love of his life, Jessica, and says he's having a great time seeing where this next chapter takes the podcast. In fact, if it were up to him, she'd be his permanent co-host.

When we asked if he ever imagined The DodgeCast would grow into what it has become today, Jared's answer was: "Never."

He says he never thought people would truly care, which makes the support he's received over the years mean so much more. Jared remains incredibly grateful to everyone who has taken the time to listen. As he puts it, "If you listen to any episode, even if it's just one, thank you."

And if there's one thing Jared hopes people take away from the show, it's pride in their community.

“Be proud. Anadarko has always been a unique place. We’re diverse, our community is full of culture and talent. We’re a small town with a big attitude. Don’t let the wrong people take the reins."

And he's right, y'all. Some of the best stories aren't happening somewhere else. They're happening right here at home. And if you're not listening, you're really missing out on a good time.

Anadarko has a lot to be proud of, and that's something we've been lucky enough to be able to witness firsthand. Some of our most loyal readers call this community home, and time and time again we've watched this town show up for one another when it matters most.

So yes, Jared was right when he said "Anadarko rules."

We've got nothing but respect for the people of Anadarko and for what The DodgeCast has built over the years. Thank you to The DodgeCast for continuing to tell the stories, share the laughs, and showcase the very best of what makes this community special.

For those who haven’t listened yet and want to tune in, you can find The DodgeCast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. So go on over there now and hit the subscribe button so you don't miss out.