The Oklahoma State Meal—which became an official state symbol in the 1980s—is a legendary spread: chicken-fried steak, biscuits with sausage gravy, barbecue pork, cornbread, grits, okra, squash, corn, black-eyed peas, strawberries, and pecan pie. Isla's Southern Kitchen in Tulsa is currently the only restaurant in Oklahoma where diners can order the entire state meal. Though it comfortably feeds 2-4 people, Isla's does give brave (or foolish) souls the option to compete in the Oklahoma State Meal Challenge, in which a single diner racers to consume all the dishes in under forty-six minutes (Oklahoma is the 46th state). Today our host Ben Luschen, dubiously qualified for such an endeavor, takes the challenge head-on, with coaching provided by former Oklahoma Today Podcast host Greg Elwell. Also on this week's episode, the editors weigh in on what dishes they would like to see included in an updated version of the state meal, and podvents tells us where to go for fried oysters and town gossip. You won't want to miss it!

This week's featured guest is RC Davis-Undiano, executive director of the World Literature Today magazine and organization based in Norman. World Literature Today is an internationally recognized literature and culture magazine heralded by the Nobel Prize committee as “one of the best edited and most informative literary publications” in the world. Davis-Undiano is a Mexican-American writer who additionally serves as Neustadt Professor in Literature and the director of the Latino Studies Program at the University of Oklahoma. This audio-only conversation was conducted by Poteau-born writer Rilla Askew, author of The Mercy Seat and Prize for the Fire.

Also on this week's show, the editors share what books they're currently reading, and podvents let's you know where to find a one karat diamond. You won't want to miss it!

Yes, that Fear and Loathing. This week our guest is British artist and illustrator Ralph Steadman, most famous for his collaborations with famed gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, including the iconic novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. He has a new career retrospective exhibit titled Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing on display now through May 10 at the OSU Museum of Art in Stillwater. Our photo editor Megan Rossman got to talk with the artist and his daughter Sadie Williams about the exhibit, his career, and what new projects Steadman's working on.

Also on this week's show, the editors discuss their favorite places in the state to view art, and podvents introduces us to a historic Union general. You won't want to miss it!