I Am Northwest Arkansas®

Episode Summary: Relive the highlights of our best moments from the “I Am Northwest Arkansas®” podcast! In this special episode, we revisit some of our favorite conversations and insights. Original Episode Reference: This segment originally aired in our Buffalo National River Celebrates 50 years episode, where Terrie Martindale, Board President of the Buffalo National River Partners, and Cassie Br...

About the Show: "I would say, great people. And maybe if this is the hidden gem of Fayetteville, then Northwest Arkansas is the hidden gem of Arkansas." Lane Berrey About the Show: Lane Berrey is the former Communications Manager at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks . With a passion for nature and a dedication to environmental conservation, Lane worked with the Garden for two years.  Episode...

About the Show: "Everything I post has weight to it, whatever it is. And I think everyone can learn that as well." Samantha Gregory About the Guest: Samantha Gregory recognized primarily through her moniker Munchin with Mantha , is a food influencer based in Northwest Arkansas. She began her journey while attending the University of Arkansas and has since captivated a substantial following with he...

About the Show: “The brand rendezvous junction, our mission of crafting beer that brings taste and buds together, our beer names all have to do with what happens or what can happen, and the circumstances around people coming together.” Michael Peerson About the Guest: Michael Peerson is the founder of Rendezvous Junction Brewing Company, a former Walmart employee with 31 years of service, and an a...

About the Show: "Our recipients aren't looking to get rich. They want to change their lives and provide more for their family." Tyler Clark About the Guest(s): Tyler Clark:   Tyler is the President and CEO of the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas.  With over two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, Tyler has dedicated his career to helping single parents achi...

About the Show: "Even if you know there's somebody that already puts out very similar content to what you're wanting to put out, someone is going to pick you over them because they enjoy the cadence of your voice or the way that you present the material." Ti King About the Guest: Ti King is the founder of the Arkansas Podcasters Group, known as Our Cast. Based out of Little Rock, Ti has significan...

About the Show: "All of these stories are intertwined and connected, and they bring up these very interesting stories about what was it like to be black in Northwest Arkansas." Emma Willis About the Guest: Emma Willis is the founder of Impact Period and a representative for NWA Black Heritage . She is passionate about preserving African American history and culture in Northwest Arkansas. Emma is c...

About the Show: "My goal is for Tula to be a destination restaurant in Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas." Juan Bahena About the Guest: Juan Bahena is the owner and visionary behind Tula, a destination Mexican restaurant located right on the square in Fayetteville, Arkansas. With roots originally from Chicago and family ties to Guerrero, Mexico, Juan brings a rich cultural and professional backg...

About the Show: "It's going to take effort on everybody's part, not one person or one group is going to bring the solution to the table."  Daniel Parolek About the Guest: Daniel Parolek is an innovative architect, urban designer, and author recognized for his work in sustainable urbanism and housing solutions. He is the co-founder of Opticos Design, a groundbreaking firm that focuses on craft...

About the Show: "God will always place what you need and who you need when you need them."  - Jeff Flanigan About the Guest: Dr. Jeff Flanigan is the principal of George Junior High School in Springdale. With a history deeply rooted in Arkansas, Dr. Flanigan's journey from student-athlete to educator is marked by a series of steadfast commitments. Beginning his post-secondary education with a...

About the Show: "We want to build the kinds of communities where our kids will want to raise their kids." Dexter Caffey About the Guest: Dexter Caffey is the innovative CEO of Smart Eye Technology, where he leads the way in revolutionizing data protection through continuous facial recognition technology. Based in Northwest Arkansas, Dexter focuses on creating a secure digital environment for both...

About the Show: "Cities are the vanguard of problem-solving in the modern world." Bruce Katz About the Guest: Bruce Katz, a renowned urban policy expert and the founding director of the Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University, joins us to share his deep insights on the transformative power of cities. With a rich background that includes advising urban leaders globally and authoring the pivota...

About the Show: "Northwest Arkansas is part of Arkansas. You're going to find a lot of different areas, and, no matter what you're into, you're going to find your people." Brittany Swiderski About the Guests: This podcast episode offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of Brittany and Amin, a young couple who uprooted from New York to Northwest Arkansas just before the pandemic turned the world...

About the Show: "Allowing people to work within their strength strengthens our whole operations of the food pantry." Monique Jones About the Guest: Monique Jones is a pastor and the Director of Outreach and Community Engagement at the St. James Food Pantry, part of the Squire Jahagan Outreach Center , a non-profit arm of St. James, the oldest African American church in Northwest Arkansas. With a p...

About the Show: "There's a lot of culture here in Northwest Arkansas even then. So what I ran into in my job at that time, I worked with a lot of business leaders, the church community, but also I worked with what they identified themselves as the hillbilly community." James Hawkins About the Guest: James Hawkins is a seasoned therapist and the clinical coordinator for the Joshua Center. With a de...

About the Show: "When they walk through that door, there are no differences. That's what we want to drive home." Casey Dick About the Guest: Casey Dick is a prominent figure in high school sports, known for his illustrious career both on and off the field. With roots in Allen, Texas, Dick has a storied background as a former quarterback for the University of Arkansas (U of A), where he was a three...

About the Show: "I just wanted something a little more out of it, something a little more spiritual. But I think food is just one of those things that you can touch people's lives with everything you do every day." Michael Robertshaw About the Guest: Chef Michael Robertshaw is a seasoned culinary expert with deep roots in the New England culinary tradition, particularly from the Boston area. With...

About the Show: "If you're not growing, you're dying. Nothing's going to stay the same forever." Nick Castin About the Guests: Nick and Meredith Castin, a dynamic couple originally from San Diego, have made the picturesque Northwest Arkansas their new home. Meredith, with strong roots in Northeast Texas, aspired to be closer to family and sought out a community that resonates with warmth, connecti...

About the Show: "What percentage do you think are people who have moved here within the last ten years?" Kyle Kellams About the Guest: In this episode, host Randy Wilburn is joined by Kyle Kellams, the well-known voice behind KUAF 91.3 FM's "Ozarks at Large." Kyle's seasoned experience as a radio host and interviewer brings a unique perspective to the conversation, offering insights into the power...

About the Show: "We always feel like we're working very hard... I think we feel immensely grateful to have ended up in Northwest Arkansas." Lacie Bray About the Guest: Lacie Bray is a co-owner and visionary behind Ozark Beer Company, a craft brewery based in the Ozarks, celebrating the intersection of traditional brewing styles and community building. Together with her husband, Andy Coates, they f...

About the Show: "The stories we tell are the legacies we leave behind."  - Daniel Mitchell In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Daniel Mitchell and Trent Sugg, the visionary co-founders of Blk Elk Media. From humble beginnings to award-winning content creators, Daniel and Trent share their journey through the world of outdoor and adventure filmmaking....

About the Show: "Feeding the community is not just about sustenance, but about nurturing a sense of togetherness and resilience through local efforts." - Anthony Mirisciotta About the Guest: Anthony Mirisciotta is the Executive Director of the Spring Creek Food Hub, which operates in Northwest Arkansas with a focus on addressing food insecurity and supporting local agriculture. With a rich backgro...

About the Show: In this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas, host Randy Wilburn is joined by the compassionate and dedicated Nick Robbins, Executive Director of Returning Home. Nick, a beacon of second chances, shares the expansion of the organization and its profound impact on individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community. With Returning Home's new facility in Huntsville, Ni...

About the Show: "The Fayetteville Public Library is so much more than a place to check out a book."  - Christina Karnatz In this special episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast, host Randy Wilburn shines a spotlight on the Fayetteville Public Library, a cornerstone of the community that has touched countless lives with its transformative programs and resources. Randy shares his persona...

About the Show: "The art of photography really just comes from connection."  - Meredith Mashburn In this episode Randy Wilburn delves into the evocative world of photography with Meredith Mashburn, a local artist whose lens captures more than mere images—it captures stories. Meredith, a seasoned photographer, shares her journey from a 12-year-old aspiring photographer to a professional captur...