I Am Northwest Arkansas

This week’s episode of the “I Am Northwest Arkansas” podcast previews a roundtable event and the UCA's presence in the region. Host Randy Wilburn talks with Paul Gatling, the senior director of northwest Arkansas engagement at UCA.

A new piece of federal legislation may require paper documentation of a voter’s citizenship. On today's show, we learn how this impacts Arkansans. Also, as the GORP program closes this semester, we take a moment to explore one more participating company. Plus, a conversation with a mind Rogers-based firm that uses AI to stay at the forefront of advertising.

Board game nights are flourishing. One game with a growing presence in northwest Arkansas is mahjong. This week, Randy Wilburn, on his podcast “I Am Northwest Arkansas,” talks with Shanda Sloan, founder of Ozark Mahjong.

Historians are working to learn—and share—more about Black settlers in Washington County. On today's show, a conversation about the updated Annotated Bibliography on Black Settler of Washington County Arkansas. Also, XNA has new vending machines offering a necessary good: diapers. Plus, we hear from a company based in the UK that is participating in the Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator.

This week’s episode of “I Am Northwest Arkansas” features Kelsey Howard, the Executive Director of CACHE, and Brittany Johnson, Director of Communications there, talking with host Randy Wilburn about the work CACHE does.

Randy Wilburn is thinking outdoors in this week’s episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas. Randy talks with Rick Spicer, the owner of Fayetteville-based Pack Rat Outdoor Center. Their conversation includes discussing small business ownership and related topics, but Randy also wanted to know about Rick’s introduction to the outdoors.

Bella Vista is receiving a bike park makeover. On today's show, Ozarks at Large’s Daniel Caruth tells us about a zero-gravity bike park that is expected to be ready next year. Also, the Ozarks serve as a chilling setting for the new book from Ginny Myers Sain. Plus, we consider Shakespeare’s "Twelfth Night" at TheatreSquared.

Last fall, Randy attended the 2024 Urban Land Institute NWA Place Summit, a gathering dedicated to preserving a sense of place in northwest Arkansas. Randy talked with several attendees and shares those discussions on this week’s episode.

Tontitown residents are keeping their attention focused on a proposed permit regarding air quality. On today's show, we hear from Ozarks at Large’s Daniel Caruth, who was at last week’s public hearing. Plus, Ed Larson will be at the University of Arkansas this week to talk about his Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the Scope Monkey Trial.

Athletics is the main focus of this week’s “I Am Northwest Arkansas” podcast. Host Randy Wilburn talks with one-time professional football player turned youth coach Brooks Ellis.