The I am Northwest Arkansas Podcast covers the intersection of Business, Culture, Entrepreneurship, and Life in Benton and Washington County Arkansas. If you are thinking about moving here or already live here, we've got great inspiring stories, ideas, things to do, places to see, people to meet, and food to eat. Learn why we are one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas of the US.
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This is the collective wit and ideation of a man in full mid-life crisis trying to remain relevant in a fast paced society. In all seriousness I enjoy encouraging and helping others be the best they can be and I share through my work and personal experiences. The content is all mine.
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Stitt Happens—from The Stitt Group in Rogers, Arkansas—is where forward-thinking conversations about energy, homes, and the environment come to life. For more than 40 years, our family-owned company has helped Arkansans design and build energy-efficient, comfortable, and sustainable homes that support healthier, happier lives. Our clients — homeowners, builders, and businesses across the Natural State — consistently challenge the status quo. They want smarter, cleaner, more resilient solutio ...
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Randy Wilburn from the Encourage Build Grow blog reveals his strategies to help Design Professionals - Engineers, Architects, Environmental Consultants, and Construction Managers become better leaders, better communicators, and ultimately better people. Discover how to get 1% better every day. That is 37% better in one year. Too often we look to take giant strides in our lives when it’s the small steps that will get you to another level of performance and achievement and the greatness that w ...
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AC Lockyer has had years of experience building his OWN Lifestyle Business, SoftWash Systems. In these podcasts, he interviews company owners who have begun building their own. Discussions include valuable insights for those considering creating or expanding their own business. Inspirational lessons can be learned from their beginnings and their progress as they strive to become a Lifestyle Business. Lean in as you listen to these podcasts! For more info on how to become a Licensed Affiliate ...
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Creative Mornings Fayetteville: Sparking Inspiration, Inclusivity, and Connection in Northwest Arkansas
41:08
41:08
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41:08About the Show: "It's a connector, but it's also kind of a mixer in that, you know, it stirs the pot a little bit and gets people… out of their daily routine and... build[s] social capital, which is often lacking in this day and age." – Regina Buono Finding your people in a new place isn't always easy. Even if you've lived somewhere for years, maki…
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How Shiloh Museum Connects Northwest Arkansas to its Past and Future
47:21
47:21
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47:21About the Show: "We are wired for storytelling. It's why we love movies and books and YouTube and all these kinds of things, because we all love stories, and we connect to them in some way." – Angie Albright In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Angie Albright, director of the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History …
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How Immigrants Shape NWA: Nathan Bogart Unpacks Myths, Law, and Stories
45:33
45:33
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45:33About the Show: "When people get here, as flawed as we are, they can find some degree of stability and hope for their future that they just don’t have at home." – Nathan Bogart, Attorney In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Nathan Bogart, a local immigration attorney at Bogart, Small + Duell. From serving a…
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Behind the Mic: What I Am Northwest Arkansas® Is Grateful For
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27:13
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27:13About the Show: "I am amazed at the depth, the generosity, and the creativity that this region affords me." – Randy Wilburn For this Thanksgiving 2025 episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, Randy Wilburn takes a different approach—no guest interview this time, just a solo conversation about gratitude, reflection, and what this year has meant. After n…
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Arkansas Solar Revolution: Navigating Rising Energy Costs, Grid Reliability, and Clean Power Solutions
40:24
40:24
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40:24About the Show: "The second you start to offset or you start to produce energy from another source that you have control over, you're moving closer and closer to the boat, so to speak. And you're just offsetting the potential risk of rising energy costs." – David Stitt From rising utility bills and grid reliability concerns to new clean energy opti…
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How AFIC@MCO Empowers Northwest Arkansas Food Startups: Kristen Phillips' Success Story
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41:45
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41:45About the Show: "I swear every time I walk in and out of this building, I leave with more hope and more encouragement." – Kristen Phillips, Grazing Robin Road In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Kristen Phillips, founder of Grazing Robin Road, and Daymara Baker, business development manager at the Arkansas…
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Repair, Don’t Replace: Upkept.io’s Mission to Transform Fashion’s Environmental Footprint
57:06
57:06
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57:06About the Show: "The most sustainable garment is the one that's already in your closet, right?" – Robin Wallis Atkinson This episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas® is part of a special series supported by the Walton Family Foundation. Through its Home Region Program, the Foundation is investing in the people and ideas shaping the future of Northwest A…
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Laughing and Learning with Francisco Valencia: The Frisco Kid Returns to I Am Northwest Arkansas®
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38:26
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38:26About the Show: "Smile. A smile will break any entrance to any door. It doesn’t matter what’s going on—if you smile, you give someone the comfort zone to engage.” – Francisco Valencia “The Frisco Kid” On this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn welcomes back comedian Francisco Valencia—aka the Frisco Kid—for a heartfelt and hila…
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Spicing Up Arkansas: Multicultural Entrepreneurial Journeys with Randy and Shauna Pulayya
49:39
49:39
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49:39About the Show: "When life gives you peppers, we make pepper sauce." – Randy Pulayya In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Randy and Shauna Pulayya, the husband-and-wife founders of West Indies Peppa Sauce. Their story begins with a chance encounter at JFK airport and unfolds into a thriving food brand that …
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From Refugee Roots to Culinary Pioneer The Story Behind House 1830 in Rogers
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50:32
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50:32About the Show: "I don't need to be the best for two reasons. One is, we want to first reset what the standard taste and flavors and experience should be for Southeast Asian cuisine." – Binh Hoang In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Binh Hoang, the visionary behind House 1830 in Downtown Rogers. Born in a …
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From Brazil to Springdale: Ismael Santos Builds Community Through Yosai Jiu Jitsu
38:53
38:53
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38:53About the Show: "I want to change people's lives. My legacy is for people to look at me as a good person, a good teacher, and to say, ‘He transformed my life through Jiu Jitsu.’ – Ismael Santos In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with world-class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athlete and teacher Ismael Santos, founder of…
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Reflecting on TEDx Fayetteville: It’s Never Too Late to Do What You’re Called to Do
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27:24
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27:24About the Show: "Your calling doesn't expire. Your second act might be your greatest act. And the moment to begin is always the same. So let's count it down together right now for whatever you've been waiting to start. 3, 2, 1. Your time isn't running out. It's just beginning." – Randy Wilburn Fresh from the TEDx Fayetteville stage, host Randy Wilb…
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Pursuing Purpose at Any Age: Matt Buell on Woodworking, Mentorship, and Living Fully
1:03:08
1:03:08
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1:03:08About the Show: "If there's something that's calling you and it's not harming anybody, answer the call. Just do it." – Matt Buell On this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Matt Buell, an award-winning furniture designer and woodworker, to talk about passion, persistence, and building a career that’s true to your…
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Local Business Spotlight - Blue Collar Rising: Inside iHawl’s Bold Approach to Construction and Community Impact in NWA
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49:55
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49:55About the Show: "I want to see the guys that help build a company and the guys that are out there in the field...have something to fall back and be proud of, who they are. They're the backbone of this country." – Stephen Van Der Merwe In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Stephen Van Der Merwe, founder of iH…
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Exploring ORT On Demand and the Next Era of Public Transportation in Northwest Arkansas
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1:05:05
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1:05:05About the Show: "Public transit actually provides freedom." – Joel Gardner This episode is part of a special series supported by the Walton Family Foundation. Through their Home Region program, the Foundation is investing in the people and ideas shaping Northwest Arkansas—across housing, entrepreneurship, transportation, and leadership. In this epi…
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Inside the Clinton House Museum: Preserving Fayetteville’s Legacy and Inspiring Community in Northwest Arkansas
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50:10
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50:10About the Show: "It’s a home for everybody’s story." – Joshua Youngblood In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn takes listeners inside the Clinton House Museum, one of Fayetteville’s most historic homes and a true treasure of Northwest Arkansas. Joined by Joshua Youngblood (Board President) and Bailee King (Museum Director)…
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From Tricycles to Food Truck Parks: The Pedal Pops Story in Northwest Arkansas
53:29
53:29
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53:29About the Show: This episode is part of a special series supported by the Walton Family Foundation. Through their Home Region program, the Foundation is investing in the people and ideas shaping Northwest Arkansas—across housing, entrepreneurship, transportation, and leadership. In this episode, we explore the world of local entrepreneurship and co…
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Building Futures: How Hands-On Trades Are Shaping Northwest Arkansas Youth
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56:45
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56:45About the Show: “This event is a bridge between what students think a job might be and an actual informed awareness about what these jobs look like.” – Joe Rollins, NWA Council In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn explores how the Build My Future NWA program is giving students a real taste of working in the skilled trades…
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Understanding Menopause: Real Talk, Real Solutions for Women in Northwest Arkansas
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46:27
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46:27About the Show: “Why did nobody tell me about this?” – Dr. Kristin Markell In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Dr. Kristin Markell, an integrative medicine specialist helping women navigate the often-overlooked journey of perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Markell combines her experience as a traditional OB/…
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Ian McCready on Digital Detox, Parenting, and Building SelfCtrl in Northwest Arkansas
1:10:37
1:10:37
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1:10:37About the Show: “Everyone with access to a smartphone and technology today has access to the global library of entertainment twenty-four seven—and we all have to build self-control around it, or we’re going to develop bad habits.” Ian McCready In this powerful episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Ian McCready, foun…
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Best Of I Am Northwest Arkansas®: Championing Public Broadcasting in Northwest Arkansas – With Clint Schaff, General Manager of KUAF
54:50
54:50
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54:50In our final “Best Of I Am Northwest Arkansas” episode for the summer, we spotlight the vital role public radio plays in our region by sitting down with Clint Schaff, the General Manager of KUAF, Northwest Arkansas’ NPR affiliate. Clint shares his unique journey into public media, the history and impact of KUAF, and his vision for connecting our ev…
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Best Of I Am Northwest Arkansas®: Exploring NWA Daily’s Impact and Growth
49:20
49:20
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49:20Revisit the story of NWA Daily’s evolution from casual conversation to a vital newsletter with over 35,000 subscribers—powered by community-driven journalism and unwavering local spirit. 👉 https://iamnorthwestarkansas.com/exploring-nwa-dailys-impact-and-growth-in-northwest-arkansas/ Why it matters: We’re hitting pause this July to rest and refresh,…
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Best Of I Am Northwest Arkansas®: From Tacos to Barbecue – Doug Riverman Allen’s Next Chapter
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42:57
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42:57Enjoy an engaging conversation with Doug Riverman Allen as he navigates restaurant life—from Jose’s Bar & Grill to launching Bubba’s Barbecue in Eureka Springs—and his commitment to community and mentorship. 👉 https://iamnorthwestarkansas.com/301 Why it matters: We’re hitting pause this July to rest and refresh, but we didn’t want to miss sharing s…
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Best Of I Am Northwest Arkansas®: More Than a Game – How Mahjong Is Building Community and Healing Hearts
52:41
52:41
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52:41A summertime return to one of our most talked-about conversations. We dive into how the ancient game of mahjong is creating meaningful bonds, combatting loneliness, and fostering mental resilience across Northwest Arkansas. 👉 https://iamnorthwestarkansas.com/310 Why it matters: We’re hitting pause this July to rest and refresh, but we didn’t want t…
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Best Of I Am Northwest Arkansas®: Exploring 100 Must‑Do Activities in Bentonville and Rogers
48:32
48:32
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48:32Take a tour of the top local experiences that brought listeners joy and inspiration. From public art to hidden parks, this episode maps out the essence of Bentonville and Rogers. 👉 https://iamnorthwestarkansas.com/295 Why it matters: We’re hitting pause this July to rest and refresh, but we didn’t want to miss sharing some of our all-time favorite …
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Tom Hapgood Discusses Lost Letters, Design Education, and Life in the Ozarks
54:32
54:32
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54:32About the Show: "I think everyone should write—even just for themselves." – Tom Hapgood On this inspiring episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Tom Hapgood, longtime professor and cornerstone of the University of Arkansas's graphic design program. Together, they explore how formative experiences—especially those tha…
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