Paragould Podcast

Every career has a story, and for Dr. Wesley Dunnam, it starts with a baseball injury and a mission trip. In this episode of The Paragould Podcast, Wesley shares the experiences that led him into optometry, from discovering the impact of something as simple as a pair of reading glasses to building a practice dedicated to serving the people of Paragould. We also dive into some fascinating aspects o...

As a 14-year-old boy from Memphis, Bob Reynolds spent $68 on a ticket to ride the legendary Delta Queen by himself. That single trip sparked a lifelong love of riverboats and launched a career that would span nearly five decades on America's waterways. In this episode of the Paragould Podcast, Bob shares his incredible journey from dishwasher to deckhand, first mate, pilot, and eventually captain....

Jeff Charles wears a lot of hats: physical therapist, soccer coach, and jujitsu coach, but at the heart of each role is a passion for helping people grow. In this episode, Jeff shares how discovering soccer as a kid helped shape his future, the lessons he learned from a hardworking Marine father, and why grit and perseverance have been more important in his life than natural talent. We discuss the...

For nearly four decades, Pam Parker helped shape the lives of countless children through PALs Preschool. What began as a temporary stop in early childhood education became a 38-year calling, including more than 30 years as director. In this episode, Pam joins her daughter, Heather Blankenship, to share stories from the classroom, the history of PALs Preschool, and lessons learned from working with...

This week on The Paragould Podcast, Jared sits down with Lori Dial, longtime GCT theater teacher and local entertainer. Lori shares her journey from growing up around Brookland and performing at The Roundup Music Show to teaching English and theater for nearly two decades. The conversation covers community theater, all-state competitions, the Veterans Day tradition at GCT, overcoming stage fright,...

This week on The Paragould Podcast, Jared sits down with Michael Meredith, pastor at Center Hill Church of Christ. Originally from Texas, Michael shares the journey that brought him to Crowley’s Ridge College and eventually into ministry here in Paragould. Along the way, the conversation explores faith, humility, leadership, and the importance of remaining teachable in a world where everyone seems...

Paragould Rams Head Baseball Coach Jacob Giles joins The Paragould Podcast ahead of a huge week for baseball and softball in our city as Paragould and Greene County Tech host the 5A State Tournaments. Jacob shares about growing up in Greene County, winning a state championship at GCT, pitching at Harding University, and the unexpected path that led him into coaching. He also talks about returning...

This week on The Paragould Podcast, Jared sits down with Chris Moyer to discuss a new initiative called Spend Paragould. After conversations with local business owners revealed that many businesses are experiencing significant downturns, Chris and others decided to take action by encouraging people to spend their money in Paragould rather than outside the city. The conversation explores the ripple...

In this episode, we sit down with Garret Wise to hear the story behind Rodeo on the Ridge and how it grew from a small local event in 2016 into one of the biggest gatherings in Northeast Arkansas. Garret shares how he first got into the rodeo world, the path that led him into bull fighting, and the moment someone suggested bringing rodeo back to the Greene County Fairgrounds. What started with a s...

In this episode, we sit down with Greene County Tech Head Baseball Coach Bruce Hunt, who brings more than four decades of coaching experience to the conversation. A state champion in 2007, Coach Hunt reflects on what it takes to build a consistent and competitive program over time. We talk about the mental side of baseball and why the ability to move on from one at bat to the next is essential for...

Tara Sexton has been writing stories since second grade. Now she is preparing to release her debut novel, The Greatest Game, this June. In this episode, Tara shares her journey from early creativity to becoming a published author. We talk about what first sparked her love for writing, the challenge of finishing her first novel, and what kept her going through the long process of developing her cra...

Dr. Terri Greene didn’t start in politics. She started in medicine, studying patterns, solving mysteries, and helping people understand what was really happening beneath the surface. In this episode, we sit down with a former pathologist and current U.S. Congress candidate to hear her story. From growing up in El Paso to discovering a passion for medicine through personal health challenges and a M...

What difference does the resurrection of Jesus actually make in your life? In this special Good Friday episode, Jared Pickney sits down with Laramie LeQuieu, Aaron Neugebauer, and Dane Womack for a unique and meaningful conversation across denominational lines. Though they come from Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, and non denominational backgrounds, they share a deep conviction that the resurrection...

Dr. Ammar Hallak is an interventional cardiologist whose journey began in Damascus, Syria and eventually led him to Paragould, where he has spent decades caring for patients and investing in the community. After early inspiration as a teenager, he pursued medicine in the United States, training in Chicago at one of the largest hospital systems in the country before ultimately finding a home here i...

Many people in Paragould know Michael Todd as Coach Todd. Others know him as Mr. Todd, their principal at Greene County Tech. In this episode of The Paragould Podcast, we sit down with Coach Todd to hear the story behind both roles. Originally from Parkin, Arkansas, Mike shares about his undefeated high school football season in 1979, earning a scholarship to play at Arkansas State, and the unexpe...

Robert and Jill Randolph did not take a straight path to Paragould. Jill worked in public health and food borne illness investigations with the CDC. Robert played football at the University of Virginia and later took a massive pay cut to start at the bottom inside a Chick-fil-A restaurant. Over the next several years, they navigated rejection, full time travel, leadership development assignments,...

In this episode of The Paragould Podcast, we sit down with John Bland to talk about the history and legacy of his father, Francis Bland, a man whose influence is still woven into the fabric of our city. From the widening of 8 Mile Creek to help prevent flooding, to Bland Baseball Park, to the Dr. Pepper plant that employed hundreds of local families, the Bland name has played a meaningful role in...

ob Branch returns for his sixth appearance on the podcast, tying the record for most guest appearances. This time, the conversation centers on aging. But not aging as defined by a calendar. Bob challenges the way we think about getting older, suggesting that age is less about the number of years behind us and more about the state of mind within us. His refrain is simple but powerful: don’t let the...

We are honored to sit down with U.S. Congressman Rick Crawford for a thoughtful conversation about his journey from Arkansas to Washington, D.C. In this episode, Congressman Crawford shares about his background in military service and broadcasting, what led him to run for Congress, and the responsibility of representing Arkansas’s First Congressional District. We discuss the weight of serving a di...

Chase Mann returns to the show fresh off a nationally televised fight in Thailand with ONE FC, available on Amazon Prime. In this unique episode, Chase shares the story of how his journey in MMA led him across the world to compete on one of the sport’s biggest stages. Then Jared watches the fight live with Chase, who provides real-time commentary, insight, and reflection on what was going through...

You never really know the stories people carry until you take the time to listen. In this episode of The Paragould Podcast, we sit down with Curtis Cooksey and discover a life shaped by unexpected connections, unlikely opportunities, and a deep love for the game of baseball. Curtis’s journey has taken him through minor league clubhouses, college athletics, professional wrestling, and the world of...

In this episode of The Paragould Podcast, we sit down with Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, emergency preparedness, and public service in Greene County. Brad shares his journey from dispatcher to deputy to sheriff, including his experience working E-911 during the Marmaduke Tornado just one month into the job. We talk about how city and county age...

In this episode of the Paragould Podcast, we’re joined once again by Rusty McMillon, making his fourth appearance on the show. Judge McMillon helps clarify what the office of County Judge actually does, why he’s passionate about serving Greene County, and how that role impacts everyday life in our community. We also talk through recent updates around the county, leadership responsibilities, and wh...

As rivalry week arrives in Paragould, Paragould Boys Head Basketball Coach Jace Watson joins The Paragould Podcast to talk leadership, preparation, and the culture behind Rams basketball. Coach Watson shares his journey into coaching, lessons learned over two decades on the sidelines, and how this team has grown to expect wins after years of adversity. With a big matchup against Greene County Tech...

In this episode, we sit down with Olivia Hancock, a Paragould native and recent graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Olivia shares her journey from competing in high school athletics to earning an appointment to one of the most demanding leadership institutions in the world. She walks us through the rigorous process of acceptance, the daily discipline required at West Poin...