SO NWA

Episode 21 - Part 2 - In this heartfelt episode of SO NWA, hosts Juan Carlos and Enrique sit down at the kitchen table of Joe and Suzanne Spivey — two longtime Rogers residents whose family roots in Northwest Arkansas stretch back nearly a century. Joe, a Senior VP at Bank OZK, and Suzanne, a former teacher and Rogers Public School Board member, share stories of heritage, faith, education, and the...

Episode 20- In this episode of SO NWA, Enrique and Juan Carlos sit down with longtime friend and community leader Christian Saavedra — a Rogers native by way of El Salvador — to talk about his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a respected educator and head soccer coach at Rogers Heritage High. Christian shares how mentorship, discipline, and honest leadership shaped his life, from learnin...

Episode 19- In this episode of SO NWA, we sit down with Rogers Mayor Greg Hines as he reflects on more than a decade of leadership and community growth. From navigating downtown revitalization to leading recovery efforts after the 2024 tornado, Mayor Hines shares his insights on responsibility, resilience, and what it truly means to serve. He opens up about his family’s deep roots in Northwest Ark...

Episode 18- In this episode of SO NWA, Juan Carlos and Enrique sit down with Mariah Newman, an inspiring leader whose journey has taken her from humble beginnings in Kansas, to teaching and community transformation, to serving in high-impact leadership roles at Walmart, and now to launching her own venture—The Soulfire Collective. Mariah shares how courage, connection, and service have guided her...

Episode 17- In this episode of SO NWA, we sit down with father-daughter duo Drew Perry and Lauren Tedford, the team behind SnapHouss Real Estate Photography in Northwest Arkansas. Though they launched their business just a year and a half ago, their passion, hard work, and community connections have already made them a trusted name among realtors across the region. With the help of Drews Wife and...

Episode 16- This week on SO NWA, we sit down with Chris Sparks — president of the Benton County Police Athletic League and Walmart’s Global Special Investigations pro. Chris shares his journey from becoming a dad at 19, to graduating from the FBI National Academy for leadership training, to building the first PAL program in Northwest Arkansas. We talk about how sports and mentorship can change the...

Episode 15- This week on SO NWA, we sit down with Christina Meister, principal of Grace Hill Elementary, whose journey from classroom teacher to school leader is rooted in a deep commitment to her students and community. Christina opens up about discovering Northwest Arkansas, the “why” that keeps her going, and the vision she has for every child at Grace Hill—one with no ceilings and no barriers....

14. On this episode of SO NWA, we sit down with Kevin Bennoch — Peace Corps alum, former teacher, and the founder of Bentonville’s beloved Pedaler’s Pub. Kevin shares how years spent living in Fayetteville shaped his love for Northwest Arkansas, but it was Bentonville where he planted roots and built something lasting. We talk about his journey from teaching to entrepreneurship, his vision for cre...

Episode 13-In this episode of SO NWA, we sit down with Phil and Nicole Shepard — a dynamic duo in Northwest Arkansas who are making waves in both real estate and tech. Phil shares the story of his move from Chicago and how that led to the creation of All Things NWA, a platform built to connect and highlight the local community. Together, Phil and Nicole dive into their journey of launching Client...

Episode 12- We sit down with Francisco Diaz and Maricruz Gonzalez for a laid-back and insightful conversation about all things real estate. Whether you're a first-time buyer or just curious about the market, we share practical tips every buyer should know, plus the best advice we've received in both business and life. We also dive into how and why we each got started in real estate and share some...

In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Pulliam, founder of The Patio community in Northwest Arkansas. Patrick shares his journey growing up in NWA, moving to Texas with his family, and ultimately making the decision to return on his own after high school to reconnect with his roots. Now a real estate executive broker with Harris Heights Realty, Patrick opens up about fatherhood, local favorites...

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Smith, assistant football coach and teacher at Elmwood Middle School. Jeff shares his journey of moving from Batesville, Arkansas to Northwest Arkansas in the mid-2000s with his wife, unsure of what the future would hold. He opens up about how the opportunities in NWA helped him explore different career paths, ultimately leading him into education. Jeff talks...

In this powerful episode, JC sits down with longtime friend Fermin Sandoval—a proud Northwest Arkansas native and active-duty U.S. Marine. Growing up without much guidance, Fermin found direction the day a Marine recruiter visited his high school. That moment set him on a path that would take him across the globe, from serving with the prestigious HMX-1 unit at the White House to living in Japan,...

Episode 8 - In this episode, we sit down with John Rex Spivey, a proud Northwest Arkansas native with a fascinating story. From serving as a Navy helicopter pilot to working on Capitol Hill, he also held roles as the first Director of the Naval Junior Officer Council and as an International Relations Officer for the Chief of Naval Personnel. John’s journey is one of service and dedication. We dive...

Episode 7-This week on SO NWA, We're hanging out with Laura Ruoff — A self-defense and firearms instructor, and the founder of Hips n Clips. Just a few years ago, Laura had no idea she'd be diving deep into the world of personal protection and training. After moving all over the country, she and her family finally found their home in Bentonville, Arkansas — and they’ve been loving it ever since. N...

Episode 6 - In this episode of SO NWA, we sit down with Martin Resendiz, a dedicated middle school principal who recently became a father. He shares his passion for working with kids, how their energy and resilience inspired him to step into leadership, and how life’s challenges shaped him into the person he is today. From overcoming dark times to embracing the power of perseverance, Martin’s stor...

Episode 5 - In this episode of SO NWA, we sit down with Johnny Templeton from Schuber Mitchell Homes to hear his incredible journey from ministry to the homebuilding industry. Johnny shares the story of how he and his family moved to Northwest Arkansas, the transition from being a pastor to working at Schuber Mitchell, and how his passion for people drives his leadership. We dive into how he pours...

Episode 4 - In this episode of SO NWA, we sit down with Yesenia Sanabria , a passionate local mortgage lender who grew up in Rogers, Arkansas. She shares her journey of moving around, the experiences that shaped her, and how being a mom fuels her motivation to empower her kids & others. From helping families achieve homeownership to balancing motherhood with ambition, her story is all about re...

Episode 3 - In this episode of SO NWA, we sit down with Nathan See, the Mayor of Pea Ridge, for an insightful conversation on leadership, daily responsibilities, and exciting updates for the city. We cover it all, from his perspective on community growth to the challenges and rewards of public service. At the end, Nathan answers the question from our previous guest, Kenny Williams from Pedal It Fo...

Episode 2- In this episode of SO NWA, we sit down with Kenny Williams from Pedal It Forward, a nonprofit dedicated to providing bikes to those in need and making cycling more accessible in Northwest Arkansas. Kenny shares the impact of their mission, the joy of giving back through bikes, and his unique perspective on what makes NWA special. We also highlight some local favorites, including Bentonv...

Episode 1 - Welcome to SO NWA is an introduction to your hosts as they share their backgrounds, interests , and what inspired them to launch the podcast. Get to know their connection to Northwest Arkansas, their love for the local community, and what you can expect from future episodes. It’s a personal and welcoming start to the journey of celebrating the people, stories, and beauty of NWA.