Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast

Arkansas Tourism Director Travis Napper joins Rex Nelson on this week’s episode of the Southern Fried Podcast to talk about the state of the industry as reports point to 2022 being a record year for tourism in the Natural State.

Judge Raymond Abramson joins Rex Nelson to talk about the Delta region on the latest installment of the Southern Fried podcast. Abramson, a native of Holly Grove, talks about growing up in the Delta in the 50s and 60s, and how the region has changed as technology has greatly reduced the need for farm labor — a major factor in the shrinking populations of rural communities across Arkansas.

As Arkansans gear up for the Fourth of July weekend, Rex Nelson sits down with Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Stacy Hurst to talk about the many ways to enjoy the state’s natural and cultural amenities on the latest episode of the Southern Fried podcast. More podcasts from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette:  https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/podcasts/

Rett Tucker, chairman of Moses Tucker Real Estate, joins Rex Nelson on this week’s episode to talk about the   past, present and future of downtown Little Rock’s growth and development.

Skip Rutherford joins Rex Nelson on the latest episode of the Southern Fried Podcast to talk politics as they recap the May 24 primary and discuss their expectations for the November election. Rex and Skip also talk about the recent plans by Lyon College and private investors to convert much of the Heifer International campus in downtown Little Rock into dental and veterinary schools. Get the late...

The Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau is geared up for a comeback year after weathering two years of a pandemic that hit travel, tourism and hospitality industries particularly hard. Libby Lloyd, director of communications with the bureau, joins Rex Nelson on this episode of the Southern Fried Podcast to discuss upcoming events and initiatives they’re working on to promote Little Rock in...

Arkansas Cinema Society executive director Kathryn Tucker joins Rex Nelson on this episode of the Southern Fried podcast. Tucker, an award-winning film director and Little Rock native, discusses the state of the filmmaking industry in Arkansas. She lays out her vision for the future, which includes incentives to keep talent in the state, as well as fostering the next generation of Arkansas filmmak...

Jimmy Moses, founder and chairman of the board at Moses Tucker Partners, joins Rex Nelson on the latest episode of the Southern Fried podcast. Moses, an executive boardmember of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, talks about his love of Little Rock and what growth he would like to see downtown. Moses recently wrote a guest column in the Democrat-Gazette in which he stressed the importance of Un...

Arkansas Travelers CEO Rusty Meeks joins Rex Nelson on this episode of the Southern Fried Podcast as the Travs are set to play their first game of the season in Frisco, Texas. Meeks talks about the latest upgrades at Dickey Stephens Park, including a high-definition video board and some new menu offerings at the concessions stands. He also breaks down the slate of facility requirements for minor l...

John Kirk, author and Donaghey Distinguished Professor of History at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, joins Rex Nelson on this week’s episode of the Southern Fried podcast to talk about his latest book, “Winthrop Rockefeller: From New Yorker to Arkansawyer, 1912-1956”

Real estate developer John Flake recently wrote an opinion article in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette addressing the uptick of crime in Little Rock. In it, he called for a consolidation of law enforcement agencies in Pulaski County. Flake and Rex Nelson discuss ways to improve public safety and the overall health of Little Rock in the latest episode on the Southern Fried podcast. Read John Flake’s o...

For nearly 25 years, Michael Marion has been the general manager of Simmons Bank Arena. On this episode of the Southern Fried Podcast, Marion talks about improvements to the arena, upcoming shows and keeping the lights on — and the lawn mowed — during the pandemic.

After six years as superintendent of the Little Rock School District, Mike Poore says he’s ready to spend more time with his family. In the latest episode of the Southern Fried Podcast, Poore reflects on his accomplishments — in Little Rock and throughout his career in education — as he prepares to retire later this year.

With baseball season on the horizon, Rex Nelson talks with Lance Restum, executive director of the Arkansas Travelers Youth Foundation and long-time on-field emcee for the Travs, in the latest episode of the Southern Fried podcast.

Skip Rutherford is back in the first episode of the new year. Rex and Skip share their 2022 predictions for sports, politics, economic growth and the coronavirus in Arkansas.

In the latest episode of the Southern Fried podcast, host Rex Nelson sits down with Wayne Miller, executive director of the Venture Center in downtown Little Rock, to discuss the center’s role in fostering innovation and growth in Arkansas and around the world through its education, collaboration, and acceleration programs.

In this episode, Rex sits down with Gabe Holmstrom, executive director of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, to discuss how the economic and social landscape of the downtown area has shifted since the pandemic.

In this episode, Rex sits down with Jay Chesshir, president and CEO of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. The two discuss recent economic developments -- including Amazon's regional fulfillment center -- as well as boosting the quality of education, health care and the financial industry to draw people and businesses to the region.  

Skip Rutherford returns on this week’s episode. Rex and Skip discuss ways to promote growth in Arkansas’ rural communities -- including broadband, health care and hospitality -- after census data from the last decade showed shrinking populations in 53 of the state's 75 counties. 

In this episode of the Southern Fried Podcast, Rex sits down with Brent Birch, executive director of the Little Rock Technology Park, to discuss ways the Technology Park is fostering tech growth in Little Rock and Central Arkansas. The two old friends also chat about the upcoming duck season and what's needed to allow the sport to continue to thrive in Arkansas.

In this edition of the Southern Fried podcast, host Rex Nelson sits down with Bryan Day, executive director of the Little Rock Port Authority, to discuss developments at the port, including the addition of the Amazon fulfilment center.

In this episode, Rex sits down with Tab Townsell, executive director of Metroplan. They discuss how to grow and develop Central Arkansas to keep pace with the state’s booming Northwest region, and what role Metroplan plays in fostering regional coordination.

In this episode of Rex Nelson’s Southern Fried Podcast, Rex sits down with Nate Coulter, executive director of the Central Arkansas Library System. They discuss the importance of community libraries as CALS is proposing a millage rate increase to Little Rock voters in November. 

In the first episode of Rex Nelson’s Southern Fried Podcast, Rex sits down with Skip Rutherford, the former dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. The two friends discuss the future of Little Rock and how Arkansas is changing, as well as a few plans for future episodes.