I Am Northwest Arkansas®

About the Show: "We need to be doing everything that we can at this moment to provide a healthy environment and to give back to Mother Earth, all of which we have been stripping from her on a regular basis.”  - Ricky Ludeman In a timely episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Ricky Ludeman , the forward-thinking founder of Ozark Compost and Swap . Ric...

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this episode are intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical advice. About the Show: "The plant-based diet is not just for the well-to-do. Beans and rice are about the cheapest things you can get.”  - Dr. Craig Keever In this captivating episode of the...

About the Show: "We have a great community. We have so much to offer and we are offering more and more every single day. But as we continue to try to attract and retain top-level talent, having things like professional sports is a great additive element to that community.”  - Chris Martinovic In the latest episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Chris...

About the Show: "Electric vehicles and electric bikes are not only a mode of transportation, but also a way to benefit our environment. By embracing these green alternatives, we can make a positive impact on our planet and create a more sustainable future.”  - Rob Smith In this compelling episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast, host Randy Wilburn is joined by Rob Smith, Gary Berger, a...

About the Show: "Just be patient. It's coming. We are building that field of dreams that we've been talking about when it comes to healthcare, and it's coming slowly but surely.”  - Ryan Cork Get ready for an enlightening episode as we collaborate with the Northwest Arkansas Council to bring you face-to-face with healthcare game-changers Ryan Cork and Walter Harris. We dive into the innovativ...

About the Show: "When we can bust through the glass walls that society tells us to keep up, we can discover the sweetness and depth that comes from connecting with people who are different from us.”  - Melinda Williams In today's episode, we talk to Melinda Williams, a remarkable woman who shifted from being a physical therapist to a stay-at-home mom navigating her way through an identity tra...

About the Show: "Recognize good people that are going to do the right thing, give them what they need to do the right thing, and then provide some vision and direction.”  - Stuart Collier Meet Stuart Collier, a man who saw untapped potential in the people around him. Fresh out of college with a real estate license  Stuart was full of rebellious energy. But despite his initial enthusiasm,...

About the Show: "Restaurants have a hard time telling their story, and I want to help them do that..”  - Joseph Nguyen Joseph Nguyen, fondly known as the Hangry Pedaler NWA , traces his culinary journey back to his family roots. Born to first-generation immigrants who ran a nail salon, Joseph was exposed to a vibrant mix of cultures growing up.  His wife Nina played a significant role in...

About the Show: Do you want to ensure that your community remains affordable and accessible for all residents? Our guest speakers will share the solution to preventing displacement and promoting equal opportunities so that you can achieve a more inclusive and equitable community. They are part of the Northwest Arkansas Council’s Future is Now Speaker Series .    "We need to be willing to...

About the Show: "I'm always saying about your generation, right? You're part of Gen Z and you can take direction, and you also are willing to ideate and try new things.”  - Randy Wilburn In this episode, we chat with Noah Washington, a rising sophomore at the University of Arkansas with a passion that sets him apart. Noah's unique vision has led him to embark on a journey to tell the stories...

About the Show: "Encouraging participation in this census is crucial for creating awareness and understanding the needs of our diverse community. It's the only way we can work towards a more inclusive and thriving Northwest Arkansas.”  - Lindsey Leverett-Higgins Introduction In this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast, Randy Wilburn sits down with guests Chris Seawood and Lindsey L...

About the Show: "Everyone deserves to take up space in the arts ecosystem, regardless of background or experience.”  - Lakeisha Edwards On this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast, host Randy Wilburn talks to Lakeisha Edwards, the Executive Director of Art Ventures. Edwards emphasizes the importance of collaboration, support, and the welcoming spirit of the Northwest Arkansas commu...

About the Show: "It's far easier to walk into a room and admit that you know nothing than to pretend you know everything.”  - Krista Cloud On the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast, host Randy Wilburn is joined by Krista Cloud, who co-founded the Natural State Beverage Company. The discussion revolves around their remarkable business journey and the choice of making Northwest Arkansas their base...

About this Bonus Episode: "There are no overnight sensations. Success comes from putting in years of time and effort..”  - Natosha Devon NaTosha Devon is a prominent figure in Northwest Arkansas' art scene. As a gifted thespian, she has graced the stage in countless productions at Theater Squared , earning acclaim for her compelling performances. Not one to shy away from creative challenges,...

About the Show: "I feel like you can make a difference here. It's not so large, it's not established that the die is already cast. Each one of us can make a difference in this place.”  - Nelson Peacock Born and raised in Arkansas, Nelson Peacock always had a sense of belonging to the Natural state. After a stint in Washington DC, and California, where he pursued his career in public policy, t...

About the Show: Join us for a heartfelt "Best of" episode as we re-introduce the inaugural entry into the I Am Northwest Arkansas Podcast Hall of Fame. While we are excited to honor exceptional episodes, we are deeply saddened by the circumstances surrounding this first entry. Two years ago, Mark Zweig introduced us to the remarkable entrepreneur Brant Barnes. In an unforgettable conversation at h...

About the Show: Indulge in a delightful blend of teas as we present a special "Best of" episode on the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast. Join us as we revisit an enlightening conversation with Ola Atilola , a tea expert from ASAMI Teas , a local tea company specializing in exquisite teas sourced from the African continent. Ola's passion lies in providing healthy teas to a wide audience. Discover th...

About the Show: As we take some much-needed time off to rest and recharge, we present to you a special "Best of" episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast. Join us as we revisit one of our most listened-to episodes featuring Doug Riverman Allen, the owner of Joses Bar & Grill in Tontitown, known for serving one of the best brunches in Northwest Arkansas.  This encore presentation del...

About the Show: "The money speaks volumes. And we think about that a lot in Pink House. We want to be disruptive and competitive and make money and grow in that way and use and spend our dollars the way that we think is effective and can be helpful for the community.”  - Emily Lawson In today's episode, we have the pleasure of introducing Emily Lawson, a dynamic entrepreneur and staunch advoc...

About the Show: "Most small business owners struggle with the whole concept of growing their business because they work in their business, not on it...the importance of working on your business, not just in it.”  - Randy Wilburn In this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas, we explore the expansion of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program into rural America. Join host Randy Wilburn...

About the Show: "Always remember, someone's always watching.”  - Dr. John L. Colbert Welcome to another episode of our podcast, where today we are thrilled to feature Dr. John L. Colbert. With an illustrious career in education spanning over forty years, Dr. Colbert has dedicated his life to the Fayetteville Public Schools in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Starting his journey as a special education...

About the Show: "Music is a unifying force.  - Anthony Ball On this episode, we hear from two of Northwest Arkansas’ black culture influencers, Anthony Ball and Rochelle Bailey, and their collaboration to celebrate Juneteenth through the Freedom Festival in Springdale, Arkansas, this June, promoting diverse representation in music and fashion. Through their respective organizations, Music Mov...

About the Show: "The most successful cities of the future are going to be those that are the most adaptable to change.”  - Emily Hamilton In the second installment of the Future is Now Speaker Series, Randy Wilburn talks to Duke McLarty, Matthew Petty, and Emily Hamilton about affordable housing in the region. The guests highlight the importance of addressing the shortage of affordable housin...

About the Show: "Northwest Arkansas is such a unique place because it's small enough that you can still make an impact, but it's big enough that you can have access to things that you need.”  - Amber Perrodin Amber Perrodin, a dedicated artist and community manager at The Medium, was accompanied on the podcast by the talented Breaking Habits crew, including Andy Nguyen, Logan Campbell, Van De...

In this bonus episode of "I am Northwest Arkansas", host Randy Wilburn brings us an enlightening conversation with Megan Brown from the Urban Land Institute of Northwest Arkansas ( ULINWA ). Megan and Randy discuss the upcoming Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI) Program by ULINWA , designed to increase the diversity of leadership in the built environment. They highlight the REDI program's imp...