Deneshia and Joi had a chance to sit down with Na’Tosha Devon to talk about her way of finding healing through the arts. She reminds us that our resilience is not just about out strength. She asserts that our resilience has a lot more to do with our ability to be vulnerable and deeply connected. Na’Tosha shares ways that the arts have been healing for her. Na’Tosha discusses how she navigates telling the messiness of the middle, triumph of our stories, and the softness of who we are and who we get to be as Black women. You can learn more about what Na”Tosha is doing by visiting her website: https://www.natoshadevon.org/aboutLet us know what you are taking away from this episode! Na’Tosha has two poetry books out that you can purchase if you want to support her work at https://www.natoshadevon.org/category/all-products

We talk with Arkansas International Writer-at-Risk, Uchenna Awoke about his debut novel, "The Liquid Eye of a Moon." Described as a modern day, A Nigerian Catcher in the Rye, Uchenna Awoke’s masterful debut breaks the silence about a hidden and dangerous contemporary caste system. The Liquid Eye of a Moon" is by turns hilarious and poignant, capturing all the messiness of adolescence, and the difficulty of making your own way in a world that seeks to oppress you.

We hear from Apunts - a company working to build more inclusive job opportunities for people with disabilities.

Our Producer Leah Grant is an artist in her own right. Leah is a passionate artist based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, who brings a personal touch to her craft. She graduated with her MFA in Studio Art from the University of Arkansas’ School of Art program in 2021 and her BFA from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas in 2016. Leah’s art practice is all about building intimacy in public spaces by incorporating reflective thought processes in mediums such as print, photo, audio, and writing.This season she graces us with her presence in our new segment called “Producer’s Corner” , where Leah bring’s a topic or question she has about mental health. In today’s episode, We talk about how you can implement care with each other while navigating our attachment styles,managing expectations on assigned roles, and giving yourself permission to show up “messy”.We hope you love this one! Let us know your thoughts!

In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Bechet, President of the NWA Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, and MyKala Wallace, President of the Pi Chi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., to explore the critical role of voter education in our communities. Together, we delve into the innovative strategies their organizations are implementing to enhance voter awareness and mobilization efforts. Tune in to learn how these leaders are making a difference and inspiring civic engagement in Northwest Arkansas.

In this podcast episode, we speak to Michad Holliday a PhD student in education about his upcoming documentary that covers the massive educator exodus that is presently plaguing our public school system. He investigates the cause through a social justice lens, by connecting the initial southern exodus following the Sweat vs Painter and McLaurin versus Oklahoma State Regents higher learning cases, which set the precedent for the landmark, Brown V. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. He also explores how the 14th Amendment set off another public-school exodus and eventually what happened in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957, "The Little Rock Nine" and cover Charter Schools and the privatization of public education, which has recently been exacerbated by the new Arkansas LEARNS Act.

Bob Cochran, professor of English and director of the Center for Arkansas and Regional Studies, discusses the life and art of Johnny Cash.

In this episode, The Zacchaeus Foundation board members Dr. Caree Banton, Chris Seawood, and Lynette Washington introduce themselves. Learn more about The R Word podcast, The R Word events, and The Zacchaeus Foundation at https://www.thezacchaeusfoundation.org/.

In today's episode we hear from students and some stakeholders who helped assess the City of Fayetteville's green business guideline.

Ethan is a 35-year-old trans man who resides in Eureka Springs where he operates tourist lodging. He also works in the commercial airline industry and is an avid LGBTQ+ advocate.