Finally, this wild year is winding down. Here are some reflections from the Pickup crew about how it’s gone for us:
Alicia Chesser:
At the close of a year in which I’ve been hunched over a laptop five days a week, writing probably tens of thousands of words and editing even more, my posture is garbage and my glasses prescription needs a serious update. Have I aged a decade? Yes, but who hasn’t in 2025? Was it worth it? Yes, full stop.
First off, Tulsa’s response to The Pickup has been beyond amazing. We built this thing because we thought it had been way too long since Tulsa had a place for truly independent journalism—writing that shook us awake, made us laugh, and asked real questions about this city. Turns out, you agree, and you’ve turned out with your subscription dollars to get us going. That means the world, not just to Matt and Zack and me but to the writers who have worked so hard to bring you all these personal, thoughtful, funny, one-of-one Tulsa stories this year.
Working with these writers—the ones I knew long before we started, and the ones that I’ve just met this year—has been a highlight of the year for me: hearing their pitches, shaping assignments, walking with them through the process of reporting stories, then moving together through the sometimes uncomfortable editing gauntlet. From Russell Cobb’s “Nasty Newspapers” series, to Shadi Nadri’s piece about taxidermy, to Ryan Anderson’s journey into Saturday Scribe, to Todd Woodlan’s report on house-based shows, to Ellen Ray’s Sacred Harp adventure, to Mitch Gilliam’s epic profile of Josh Fadem, to Zack’s beautiful in-depth explorations of local cultural heroes—and so many more—it’s been a huge pleasure to help shepherd these stories to the finish line. Big thanks to all the writers I worked with for their trust and good spirits.
I’m grateful too for the trust of everyone who’s talked with me for a story, engaged with a review (critical or otherwise), reached out with a wacky idea, or said “yeah, why not?” when approached out of nowhere to contribute to The Pickup. As far as my own stories, I especially loved putting together a reflection on Bill Rabon, thinking through the legacy of James Watts, building out the history of Pony Coffee, and writing about so, so, so many arts events across the city.
It’s been amazing to watch The Pickup grow within this community of creative thinkers and doers: people who are trying to live better, be better neighbors, and make this a better place to be. Thanks to all y’all who believe in what we’re doing and are showing up to be part of and support this work!
Z.B. Reeves: