Free Range Conversations

Beginning this week, the Rison Clinic of Mainline Health Systems will welcome a new addition with Dr. John Austin Beatty joining the staff full-time. Dr. Beatty joins renowned Dr. Kimberly Golden, who was named 2024 Best Medical General Practitioner by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, at the clinic as a second provider. He has previously worked for Mainline’s Warren clinics since 2023. His move to R...

When it comes to first aid, people may not think about the the need to administer first aid to an animal. Kim Bradley recently relocated to Southeast Arkansas from the Bay area of California and brought her Paws4Safety mission with her, “Because moments matter.” To reach more people with tips and safety advice geared towards caring for pets, Bradley has launched a weekly column in the Cleveland Co...

This week marks five years since Malinda Berry opened her florist My Berry Patch in the Emerson House on Main Street in Rison - the oldest structure in town still standing, built in the 1890s. To reflect on the past five years, as well as her childhood memories of Rison before moving to Arizona with her family at age 14, Berry joins the latest episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast. After...

One evening of highlighting a decade of accomplishments for Kickstart Cleveland County reignited a spark for Dr. Mark Peterson. The retired professor of community and economic development from the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service had more wisdom and ideas for the kickstart initiative. After speaking at the celebratory banquet, the professor stayed in the county for a special ep...

The third annual Cruisin’ Cleveland County Bike Ride is set to roll Saturday, June 14. Co-organizers Darren Austin and Rison Mayor Charles Roberts, join the latest episode of Free Range Conversations to talk about the ride and share some exclusive news regarding the event! The ride itself begins at 7 a.m. at Rison’s Pioneer Village. After checking in at 6:30 p.m., riders will take off on one of fi...

Lauren Threlkeld returns to the latest episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast to share her experience competing in the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon last month, and a glimpse at her next adventure. Threlkeld set out for Galveston, Texas to conquer the triathlon series, which is the world’s premier half-distance series consisting of a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. Mother n...

Woodlawn High School Principal (and Woodlawn School Alum) TJ Hill joins hosts Britt Talent and Douglas Boultinghouse to discuss the upcoming May 13, 2025 school election which asks for a millage increase to help fund projects at the school including a new career technology center.

RISON - When you’re in need of help during an emergency - such as a fire or a car accident - the local firefighters are the ones most likely coming to your rescue. And now, the firefighters are the ones needing your help. Assistant Fire Chief Bruce Grubb and Firefighter Keden Shrum join the latest episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast to talk about some of the needs for the Rison Volunte...

For anyone who has ever been interested in selling their own food products in retail stores, or even locally at markets and events, a resource to make it happen is right here in Rison. David Hill, a program associate with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension in the Food Systems and Food Safety Division, joins the latest episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast to discuss the Sha...

RISON - With the 2025 Pioneer Crafts Festival just weeks away, one of the organizers and current Vice President of the Pioneer Village Malinda Berry, joined the latest episode of Free Range Conversations to share what attendees can expect. The festival is set for Saturday, April 19 kicking off at 9 a.m. at Rison’s historic Pioneer Village. The night prior will feature a Beans and Greens Supper at...

For everyday people around the town of Kingsland and Cleveland County as a whole, the infamous shooting of the water tower in May of 2022 is old news they would like to forget. That is not the case however for the rest of the world, specifically for Kasson, Minnesota singer-songwriter (and furniture salesperson) Cori Kennedy. Kennedy stumbled upon news footage of the water tower shooting which dep...

Donna Best of the Woodlawn community has a passion for gardening, and she will be sharing some of her growing techniques at the Arkansas Homesteading Conference to be held Saturday, March 29, at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds. Ahead of her presentation, the avid gardener joined the Free Range Conversations podcast to talk about her experiences of living in a “tiny house” and going over some of h...

After a successful run in 2024, the Great South Arkansas Junk Hunt made some changes for 2025. The Junk Hunt is the merged route of two smaller hunts, the former Historic Hwy. 35 Junk Hunt and the Hwy. 79-63 Junk Hunt Loop, both of which Cleveland County served as the epicenter. The merger created one large route of sales to be held twice a year, spread over four days. While the spring hunt typica...

Logan Duvall, host of Sowing Prosperity, and partner at Me & McGee Market in North Little Rock, chats with the Free Range hosts in advance of his presentation at the Arkansas Homesteading Conference set for March 29 in Rison.

Opening a new business in Rison is sometimes risky, but for a local master massage therapist, it has proven to be a rewarding endeavor. Kristy Strother, MMT and owner of Rison Serenity Wellness Spa, is celebrating three years in business this February. She is also advocating to Arkansas legislators on behalf of the American Massage Therapy Association. Strother sits down for the latest episode of...

RISON - It’s not every day in Cleveland County when someone from San Diego sets an intention to visit a landmark in Rison. But Monday’s surprise visit from California native Julie Federico brought some welcomed insight and a new perspective of our town. Federico sat down for an unplanned episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast to explain what brought her to Rison by way of Bob Abbott. She...

Grandmaster Han's Martial Arts classes return to Rison this week and instructor Master Jeremy Fox joins the newest episode of Free Range Conversations to talk all things Youn Wha Ryu. Fox previously taught classes at the church that were halted through the pandemic of 2020. He expressed his eagerness to return to Rison with former students who will be assisting with the classes, Les and Stacy Walz...

Though it’s only February, prom dress shopping is already at the forefront of many teen girls’ minds (and their parents). Mallory Stuckey, a junior at Rison High Shool, has created a way to lessen that burden with the RHS Prom Closet. Stuckey, and her mother Tracy, join the latest episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast to share all the details of this weekend’s event that provides free dr...

Local healthcare provider and fitness advocate Lauren Threlkeld joins the latest episode of Free Range Conversations to share her journey as she prepares to compete in the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon in April. She steered her focus towards health after the loss of her father shortly after the birth of her first child. Her motivation was simple, she wanted to be around, and be an example, for her childr...

Mayor of Rison Charles Roberts gives listeners a glimpse at upcoming constructions plans for Rison. During the episode with hosts Britt Talent, Roy Phillips and Douglas Boultinghouse, Roberts gives updates on the water tower renovations, plans for replacing pipes and re-paving the streets of Rison. Throughout the podcast, Roberts and the hosts discuss other possibilities for Rison and features the...

A legendary coach, a two-sport All-State athlete, an All-Southwest Conference football player, twin brothers who left a legacy in Rison athletics, and Rison High School’s first state championship football make up the inaugural class of the new Rison High School Sports Hall of Fame.

The hosts share winter weather preparedness tips in advance of this week's forecasted winter storm. They also recall past winter storms dating back to 1979.

The Free Range Conversations hosts recap the last half of 2024 covering all the big news stories from June to December, ending with a major announcement for Cleveland County.

Leading up to Christmas, the Free Range Conversations hosts recap the first half of 2024 and reflect on the news and events occurring from January through June, including some things they may have forgotten!

The Wilson Family started an employee BBQ at Wilson Bros. Lumber Company in the 1980s that has grown to a be a community tradition in the years since with thousands attending each year, including politicians. Frank, Harrell and Jeff Wilson join the podcast this week to talk about the tradition and the 2024 BBQ held recently.