Paragould Podcast

In our series of rebroadcasting Bob Branch's interviews, we come to when he returned for a record-setting fifth appearance—his third just that year! In this episode, Bob takes us on a detailed, block-by-block oral tour of historic Paragould. Backed by hours of research at the Greene County Historical and Genealogical Society, Bob blends rich storytelling with accurate dates, names, and hidden gems...

In our 4th interview with Bob Branch, he gets a bit more personal about HIS Paragould history.  In this special episode, Bob returns to the studio for the second time in just one month to share 10 vivid snapshots of life growing up in Paragould during the Great Depression. From daily survival to small-town joy, and from front porches to battlefields, Bob reflects on a time of hardship, resilience,...

Our third installment of rebroadcasting Bob Branch's record five guest appearances!  After the War of 1812, pioneers began making their way west of the Mississippi—and Greene County was born. In this episode, Bob Branch shares the remarkable story of Benjamin Crowley and introduces us to a lesser-known figure: Isaac Brookfield. From land grants to early settlements, this is a fascinating look at h...

We rebroadcast Bob Branch's second visit to the studio with this fascinating education history. From one-room schoolhouses to city-wide integration, few people can trace the history of education in Paragould and Greene County like Bob Branch. In this episode, Bob walks us through how local schools shaped the identity of our community—from early foundations to lasting impact. His firsthand knowledg...

If anyone knows Paragould, it’s Bob Branch. A retired attorney and lifelong resident, Bob has called Paragould home for over 90 years. His stories, wisdom, and unmatched knowledge of local history make this a conversation we’ve long hoped to capture—and it was well worth the wait. We’re honored to share it with you... again!  We first aired this interview in May 2022. It is Bob's first of five vis...

This week’s episode is a bit different—and one of the most fascinating we’ve ever done. Our guest didn’t come to share her story, but the story she uncovered. After listening to a past episode of the Paragould Podcast, Julie Wilkins became captivated by the case of Leroy Bullock, the man convicted of brutally murdering Dr. and Mrs. Jones on December 13, 1988—a day that just so happened to fall on...

Brian Songer spent over 20 years as a functioning alcoholic—hiding his addiction from those around him and, at times, even from himself. But when he lost his job due to alcohol still in his system, the truth began to unravel. Within a year, he was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and came close to death. Thanks to a liver transplant—and God’s grace—Brian’s story didn’t end there. In this epis...

This week on the Paragould Podcast, we sit down with Michael Harris from the Paragould Fire Department to get an inside look at the life of a firefighter. Michael shares what led him to this calling, what a typical day looks like at the station, and what actually happens when a call comes in. We also talk about the real dangers of the job, the camaraderie among the team, and how last year’s tax in...

This week is a special one — Due to a medical emergency of our guest this week, we needed some super heroes to save the day. Enter: Jared's kids!!   Nora, Wyatt, and Moses give us a glimpse into what life is like as kids today — from the highs and lows of school, to friendships, to what it’s really like having Jared as their dad. (Spoiler: he might be cooler than you think… or not.)   It’s a light...

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Followell, Public Works Director for the City of Paragould. Adam gives us an inside look at how his team helps keep Paragould clean, safe, and beautiful—from street repairs and sanitation to long-term infrastructure planning. You’ll hear about the day-to-day challenges of public service, the heart behind the work, and why it all matters to the people who call...

On July 1, 2022, we aired an episode of the Paragould Podcast with Jerry Bellew: an MMA fighter and owner of Bellew Barber Shop.  Sadly, he was taken from us far too early, on May 14, 2025 at the age of 46. Our original episode description: Jerry Ballew joins us to talk about his fascinating journey that ultimately landed him in Paragould. After hanging out in the barber shops of Brooklyn, NY, mov...

Telly Roberts knows addiction from the inside out. She once lived it—now she’s helping others escape it. In this episode, Telly shares how she got pulled into a life of drug use and dealing, what finally broke the cycle, and how she’s turned her pain into purpose. As a Peer Recovery Specialist, Telly now supports 15–20 individuals in Drug Court, helping them navigate the path to sobriety and stabi...

In October 2016, Tim Roswell’s son, Logan, suffered a tragic accident during his freshman year of college. For over a week, Tim and his wife, Kelly, stayed by his side at a hospital in Springfield—surrounded by Logan’s friends, praying for a miracle. In this deeply personal episode, Tim opens up about those days in the hospital, the heartbreak of loss, and the long journey of grief that followed....

Mitchell Cole founded By His Grace entertainment to help Christian artists find stages and venues to share their music and message. His philosophy of leadership is founded in lessons learned from his days at Casa Brava where he learned about giving people opportunities (because of the opportunity he was given) and extreme hospitality (going above and beyond what's expected). He shares lessons and...

This week on The Paragould Podcast, we sit down with Stephen Pace, a School Resource Officer in Paragould with an incredible story and a heart for the next generation. Before serving in law enforcement, Stephen was: 🎧 DJ’ing weddings and working for a local radio station (yes, even suiting up as The Yard Dog mascot) 🚗 Washing cars at Tom Kirk Chevrolet 🍦 Serving up Blizzards at Dairy Queen Step...

In this episode, we are joined by Stephen Barrett, a retired Navy SEAL, decorated veteran, and current CEO of Barrett Strategic Leadership Group. Over his distinguished military career, Stephen rose to the rank of Command Master Chief and received numerous commendations—including the Bronze Star with Valor for Heroism—for his courage and leadership in some of the most demanding environments imagin...

In this episode, we sit down with Coach Mitchell Weber, the new head coach of the Paragould High School girls basketball team. After a successful coaching stint at Brookland and with deep roots in Paragould, Coach Webber shares why this move felt like a homecoming — and what excites him most about leading this program. We dive into his coaching philosophy centered on relationships, grit, disciplin...

Brendan Baldridge has faithfully served Paragould for over 30 years, wearing many hats to help build a community that’s both safe and beautiful. In this episode, we explore two key areas of his work: supervising Code Enforcement and coordinating the city’s Sex Offender Registry. Brendan shares why he’s so committed to the well-being of Paragould — from maintaining clean, safe neighborhoods to prot...

Jeff Morton is a Paragould basketball legend whose all-time scoring record stood for over 15 years. But in this episode, we go deeper than stats. Jeff joins us alongside his daughter, Journi Versie, a rising star from Marked Tree and the first Lady Indian to notch 1,000 points AND 1,000 rebounds. Journie had 35 scholarship offers, but chose nearby Williams Baptist University to continue basketball...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Angie Tate and Alex West from CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) to talk about the urgent needs of children in foster care right here in Northeast Arkansas.   Did you know that a child in foster care may move through five different homes in just 12 months? That’s the potential for five different.. Bedrooms Schools Sets of rules   But through all the...

On this episode of the Paragould Podcast, we sit down with Meteorologist Ryan Vaughan to unpack the March 14th tornado that hit Paragould and Cave City. We talk about what happened that day, how tornadoes work, and what we can all learn to be more prepared. Ryan also gives us a look ahead at the upcoming severe weather threats and how to stay alert and informed. This conversation is practical, ins...

This week, we’re talking with Coach Jason Smith, head coach of the Greene County Tech Girls Basketball team, fresh off an incredible State Finals run! 🏀🔥 With 31 wins this season and a trip to the State Championship game, this GCT team was special—and Coach Smith shares what set them apart. We also dive into his 27-year coaching journey, how he landed at GCT, and what he’s learned in his three s...

In this episode, we sit down with Jeremy Hancock—local pharmacist, owner of Walden Drug, and president of the Paragould Schools School Board—to talk about two areas that directly impact our community: healthcare and education. Jeremy shares insights into the state of healthcare in Paragould, including the biggest medical challenges people face and how independent pharmacies differ from big chains....

Tonya Barnes works for the Greene County Library. She is fascinated with stories that come from old newspapers, so as the library was able to make all the old issues of the newspapers digital, she has discovered several stories that piqued her ears. To learn more, give this episode a listen as a preview, and then head down to the Greene County Library to do some digging of your own. 

Professional MMA fighter Chase Mann joins the podcast to talk about his journey in the sport, the grind of training, and his pursuit of UFC glory. He shares what it takes to compete at the highest level, the mental and physical battles along the way, and what drives him to keep pushing forward. Whether you're a fight fan or just love a good underdog story, this episode is packed with insight, grit...