What Oklahoma City Cannot Lose as It Grows | Brad Carter

Oklahoma City is growing quickly. Ward 1 Councilman Brad Carter believes the deeper test is whether the city can grow without losing the hospitality, neighborliness, and shared responsibility behind the Oklahoma Standard. Brad joins Jed Chappell to talk about the past he once thought would disqualify him from public service, why listening matters more than winning an argument, and how local government shapes daily life. They also explore jobs, AI, infrastructure, data centers, Oklahoma City’s role in the 2028 Olympic Games, addiction recovery, homelessness, and the work Brad and his wife Amy carry through Grounds 4 Compassion. The conversation keeps returning to one question: as Oklahoma City earns more attention and welcomes more people, what should it protect? Content note: This conversation includes discussion of addiction, recovery, and homelessness. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR Why Brad made his past public before running for office What listening can change in divided conversations Why local government affects daily life more than many people realize The opportunities and tradeoffs around jobs, AI, and city growth How Grounds 4 Compassion connects work, recovery, and service CHAPTERS 00:00 Brad Carter: family, coffee, and community 02:37 Why his past felt disqualifying 03:46 Recovery, work, and Grounds 4 Compassion 05:34 Why local government matters daily 06:47 Listening across political divides 10:24 Oklahoma City’s growth and identity 15:14 Jobs, infrastructure, and development 19:22 AI, automation, and the future of work 22:32 Olympics, data centers, and Ward 1 26:31 Church Under the Bridge and homeless outreach 31:56 Nonpartisan leadership and common ground 34:02 Hope, faith, and the next generation ABOUT BRAD CARTER Bradley “Brad” Carter represents Ward 1 on the Oklahoma City Council. First elected in 2021 and reelected in 2025, he and his wife Amy also operate Grounds 4 Compassion, a family-owned Oklahoma coffee company that supports people navigating addiction, recovery, and homelessness. LINKS Brad Carter - City of Oklahoma City: https://www.okc.gov/Government/Electe... Grounds 4 Compassion: https://www.grounds4compassion.com/ VOICES of OKC: https://www.voicesofokc.com/ City Center: https://okcitycenter.org/ VOICES of OKC is a student-produced civic podcast from City Center spotlighting the people, stories, and ideas shaping Oklahoma City. City Center champions youth and families in under-resourced communities by creating empowered pathways to relief and restoration. Subscribe to VOICES of OKC for thoughtful conversations with the people shaping Oklahoma City. Share this episode with someone who cares about the city’s growth, public service, or finding common ground across disagreement. #VOICESofOKC #OklahomaCity #CivicLeadership