Discover Fort Smith

In this episode of Discover Fort Smith, hosts Emily Horn and Josh Buchfink welcome Douglas Beinenfeld, the new Director of Sales for Discover Fort Smith, fresh off a move from Detroit, Michigan. Douglas shares his 20 years in hospitality and tourism, what a CVB and director of sales actually do, and how Fort Smith's 100%-lodging-tax funding model works. He talks about exploring Arkansas with h...

In this episode of Discover Fort Smith, hosts Emily Horn and Josh Buchfink sit down with Nick McKelvain, a Northwest Arkansas transplant who's spent the past year discovering everything Fort Smith has to offer. Nick shares why he and his girlfriend traded NWA's traffic and rising home prices for a slower pace of life, the misconceptions he had about the city before moving, and how his fami...

Nick Maestri, owner of Superior Pawn & Jewelry, turned a casual conversation about opening a pawn shop into one of Fort Smith's most recognizable luxury brands — built on trust, high-end items, and a no-junk policy. He joins Josh and Joe to talk about redefining an industry, building a massive social media presence with his videographer Larry, and why he believes Fort Smith is the best pla...

Rachael Graham, founder of Arkansas Vascular Solutions, is bringing transcranial Doppler ultrasound to Fort Smith — a non-invasive scan that detects stroke risk by imaging the small vessels inside the head that standard carotid ultrasounds miss entirely. A Van Buren native and UAFS grad, Rachael built her career the hard way and is now filling a critical gap in local healthcare. She joins Josh and...

From a high school role as Pinocchio after a knee injury to helping lead the oldest community theater in Arkansas, Tina Dale’s story is one of creativity, volunteerism, and community. In this episode of the Discover Fort Smith Podcast, Tina shares how Fort Smith Little Theatre has thrived for nearly 80 years, powered entirely by volunteers who build sets, create costumes, direct productions, run l...

In this episode of the Discover Fort Smith Podcast, Jasmine Williams , Executive Chef and General Manager of Uncork’d , shares her journey from Fort Smith to California’s farm-to-table culinary scene and back home again. Along the way, she developed a passion for food, culture, and community that now influences every dish she creates. Jasmine discusses how travel, music, and cultural exploration h...

In Episode 72 of the Discover Fort Smith Podcast, Josh and Joe sit down with historian, professor, and preservationist Tom Wing to explore the deep historical roots of Fort Smith and Van Buren. From growing up around Westark College and Fort Chaffee to becoming a park ranger and director of the Drennen-Scott Historic Site, Tom shares the experiences that shaped his passion for history. The convers...

In this episode of the Discover Fort Smith Podcast, Josh Buchfink and Emily Horn sit down with Stephanie Freeman, Director of Career & Technical Education at Peak Innovation Center. Stephanie shares how Peak is transforming education by connecting high school students with hands-on career training, industry partnerships, and real job opportunities before graduation. From advanced manufacturing...

In this episode of the Discover Fort Smith Podcast, Josh Buchfink and Emily Horn sit down with Amanda Daniels, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Fort Smith. Amanda shares the incredible 92-year history of Girls Inc., how the organization empowers girls to become “strong, smart, and bold,” and the impact their after-school programs, outreach initiatives, sports leagues, and leadership development...

In this episode of the Discover Fort Smith Podcast , Josh and Emily sit down with Jared Mesa of Western Arkansas Ballet to talk about his journey from Yuma, Arizona to Fort Smith and how a background in sports, martial arts, and theater eventually led him into the world of classical ballet. Jared shares the history of Western Arkansas Ballet, what it takes to train dancers, and why ballet remains...

In this episode of the Discover Fort Smith Podcast , we sit down with Beth Presley, CEO of the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs, to talk about the power of community and creating opportunities for local youth. Beth shares her journey from marketing and athletics to nonprofit leadership, and how her diverse background fuels her passion for serving Fort Smith. We dive into the impact of the Boys &a...

What happens when passion meets purpose? In this episode, we sit down with Emily Treadaway, a dynamic leader whose energy, fundraising talent, and ability to connect people are transforming Fort Smith’s nonprofit landscape. Now leading the Center for Nonprofits at the UAFS Center for Economic Development, Emily shares how she’s helping strengthen a community already rich in volunteerism. From buil...

In this episode of the Discover Fort Smith podcast, we sit down with Zachary Hall—better known as Arkansas Storm Tracker—to talk about the wild world of storm chasing, forecasting, and building one of the fastest-growing weather platforms in the state. Zachary shares how his passion for weather started as a kid drawing tornadoes, eventually leading to a full-time storm chasing career capturing foo...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kim Gordon from the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith Center for Economic Development to explore leadership, diversity, and the power of serving others. From her early experiences helping refugee communities in Fort Smith to building impactful workforce development programs, Dr. Gordon shares how compassion and cultural understanding shape stronger organizatio...

In this episode of the Discover Fort Smith podcast, Josh Fink sits down with Madilyn Lovell, Area Director of Community Connections Arkansas, to explore how inclusive, free programs are transforming lives across the Fort Smith community. From sports and arts to family support groups, Community Connections is helping children with special needs build confidence, friendships, and a sense of belongin...

In this episode of the Discover Fort Smith Podcast, we sit down with Heidi Moore, F-35 Site Lead for Lockheed Martin, to explore one of the most significant projects shaping Fort Smith’s future. Heidi shares how Lockheed Martin is solving some of the world’s toughest technological challenges, why Fort Smith was ընտ chosen as the home for the Foreign Military Sales mission, and what it takes to mai...

In this episode of the Discover Fort Smith Podcast, we sit down with Henri Erti, Director of Coaching for River Valley Football Club, to explore his incredible journey from Estonia to Finland, across Europe, and eventually to Fort Smith, Arkansas. Henri shares his unique philosophy on player development, why winning isn’t the ultimate goal in youth sports, and how adopting a European-style, Barcel...

Vice Mayor Jarred Rego brings insight, honesty, and local pride to this Fort Smith-focused conversation. From his journey into public service and his role at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, to his passionate views on community culture and city growth, Rego shares what makes Fort Smith so unique — and where it’s headed. He talks about the power of positive civic engagement, the balance b...

Eddie Lee Herndon shares his powerful journey from nonprofit leadership to community development in Fort Smith, Arkansas. In this episode, learn about his impactful work with OG&E, his past with United Way, and how he’s helped shape Fort Smith’s future through volunteering, storm recovery, and economic development. Hear how his passion for service, leadership, and the River Valley continues to...

What happens when healthcare, innovation, and heart collide? In this episode, we meet Allie Young, a physical therapist, professor, and local app creator working with Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE). Allie shares her journey from treating pediatric patients to educating the next generation of PTs — all while building tools that support new parents across the country. From developing t...

Public transit is moving Fort Smith forward — literally. In this episode, Josh and Ashley sit down with Gregory Carthon , Transit Program Specialist, to talk all things Fort Smith Transit : how it works, who it helps, and why it matters. Greg shares his inspiring journey from college basketball to public service, his passion for accessibility, and how his team delivers over 255,000+ rides a year —...

Explore the wild side of Fort Smith in this episode featuring Destin Smith, educator at the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center. From kayaking and archery to rare duck sightings and scavenger hunts, Destin shares all the outdoor experiences available for families, kids, and adventure seekers — and they’re all free! Learn how the center educates over 1,500 students a year, get the sc...

In this inspiring episode of the Fort Smith Podcast, we sit down with Colby and Hannah Barker, the heart and hustle behind Olive Coffee Company. From their small-town roots in Mulberry, Arkansas, to becoming thriving entrepreneurs and community builders, the Barkers share their journey of launching a coffee brand rooted in connection, faith, and love for people. Discover how they grew from a coffe...

🎶 From Fort Smith to Nashville and back — JD Clayton shares his musical journey, influences, and the road to making a name in the industry. In this episode, JD opens up about growing up in Fort Smith, his early love for music inspired by his grandfather’s bluegrass band, and how playing piano and writing songs became his true calling. He talks about the grind of landscaping during the pandemic wh...

In this heartwarming and insightful episode of the Discover Fort Smith podcast, we sit down with Jensen Long , Director of Development at the Fort Smith Children’s Shelter and its transformational GetREAL program . Jensen shares her personal journey from growing up in Fort Smith to leading one of the most impactful youth initiatives in Arkansas. GetREAL provides safe housing, mentorship, and life...