About the Show:  “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”Albert EinsteinWhen Chris Thompson hit rock bottom on Thanksgiving Day 2018, he realized that alcohol was his only solution and that his best thinking had gotten him there. Faced with overcoming his ego, Chris took a leap of faith and launched a sobriety support app to help others, transforming his suffering and shame into purpose."Recovery isn't about overcoming alcohol or drugs; it's overcoming ego. Alcohol and drugs are just the fuel that makes you so attached to your ego and so much in self-preservation mode. Fear driven. And fear only comes from the ego. It's about protecting a conception of yourself that isn't even real." Chris ThompsonChris Thompson is the founder of Sober Sidekick, an app that helps people in recovery stay connected and overcome isolation. He is a former college athlete and entrepreneur who has been in recovery for four years.Chris Thompson was an ambitious college athlete who had just started his first business and felt invincible. However, when a difficult situation arose, alcohol became his only solution for all his problems. On Thanksgiving Day, he woke up on the sidewalk for the fourth consecutive day, feeling hopeless and isolated. He realized his best thinking had gotten him there, and he decided that today would be his day one. He called a hotline, sought treatment, and eventually found his way to a sober living facility. With his friends' help, he could commit to recovery and put his goal of sobriety first. He channeled his ambition into creating The Sober Sidekick app, which allowed people in recovery to connect and support each other and saw their suffering and shame be transformed into purpose.In this episode, you will learn the following:1. Everyone has an opportunity to be in recovery from anything - not just drugs or alcohol.2. What if today was the day that you made that change?3. How can an algorithm be created so that no one ever goes without support?4. Why Chris moved to Northwest Arkansas and what this area has meant to him.      	All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Sober Sidekick EmailSober Sidekick WebsiteSober Sidekick InstagramSober Sidekick FacebookSober Sidekick LinkedInSober Sidekick YouTubeThis episode is sponsored by*:

Chris Thompson found Northwest Arkansas Fertile ground to develop his App Sober Sidekick

About the Show:  We have been toying with the idea of creating an episode Hall of Fame for the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast. We figured we would start keeping track of the most downloaded episodes we’ve shared and the episodes that impact the host and listeners most.  While we are excited to share the first entry into our podcasting hall of fame, we are equally saddened by the reason that we have to do this now.  Two years ago, Mark Zweig, who many of you have heard us mention on the podcast, introduced us to a dynamo of an Entrepreneur named Brant Barnes.  Randy had the best time sitting with Brant in his Shelter Insurance office here in Fayetteville. Brant told one story after another, going back to childhood and ending up at the age of 41 with multiple pizza food franchises, a ton of rental properties, and an incredibly successful insurance agency.  He entertained us so with his energy and stories. Randy even moved all of his personal and business insurance to Brant’s Shelter Insurance Agency.  The other thing that struck us about Brant was that he was always willing to give his time and talent to his teammates across all of his businesses and to special organizations.  He was a businessman that made a difference in the communities he served in.  We lost Brant a few weeks back.  He crashed his plane on approach to Drake field. It was dark, and he was in an unfamiliar aircraft.  Mark Zweig wrote a great article about Brant recently. You can read it here.  The letter is a tribute to Brant and a reminder that every day is precious.  This episode is worth a listen.  Episode 119, entitled “How NWA Serial Entrepreneur Brant Barnes found success in authenticity.” will be the first entrance into our I am Northwest Arkansas Podcast Hall of Fame.  If you need some encouragement and have struggled in business or life. This is the episode to listen to.  Please consider sharing this message with a friend.  We could all use a reminder of how precious each day is.  Godspeed Brant!                      	All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Original Show Notes Episode 119 with Brant BarnesBrant Barnes Shelter InsuranceShelter Insurance Website - Brant BarnesThis episode is sponsored by*:Signature Bank of Arkansas -  Signature Bank was founded here in Northwest Arkansas in 2005. Their focus is personal and community banking. When you bank with a community bank, you’re investing in local businesses, local entrepreneurs, local charities,

IANWA HOF Podcast Episode - Making Every Day Count A Tribute To NWA Entrepreneur Brant Barnes

About the Show:"I didn't want to do business unless I did it right. And I love nature. It's a big part of my life. I grew up in it, and I just strayed away from it for all those years that I was in the city. And now that we moved out here, we're in the mountains. Fayetteville is huge on sustainability and the environment. I really loved that. And I thought it was a great opportunity for me to implement these business ideas." -  Russell IngramChef Russell Ingram is a self-taught culinary expert who has spent the past 12 years honing his craft in some of the best kitchens in the world. He is now the owner of the Dot's Nashville Hot Chicken food truck, where he strives to create a zero-waste dining experience with locally sourced ingredients.Chef Russell Ingram was unsatisfied with his retail job and decided to take a leap of faith into a professional kitchen. With no experience, he quickly became a master of all the stations and was able to create dishes that were put on the menu. He then went to Atlanta to gain more experience before returning to Nashville. He wanted to focus on more intricate dishes, so he jumped up to Chef de Cuisine at a French restaurant. After moving to Northwest Arkansas, he noticed no hot chicken food trucks, so he decided to open one himself. He was determined to make it as sustainable as possible, so he sourced all of his ingredients locally and set up a composting system for the waste product. He now runs two businesses, a hot chicken food truck and the Yacht Club Food Truck Park on N. College Avenue in Fayetteville. In this episode, you will learn the following:1. Chef Russell Ingram's ambitious journey from retail to running his own sustainable Food Truck restaurant.2. The deliciousness of Nashville hot chicken and how to recreate the perfect texture with smashed red potatoes.3. How Chef Russell Ingram has implemented a sustainable zero-waste dining experience in Northwest Arkansas.All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast. Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Russell Ingram EmailDot's Nashville Hot Chicken WebsiteDot’s Nashville Hot Chicken FacebookDot’s Nashville Hot Chicken InstagramChef Russell Ingram InstagramOther episodes you’ll enjoy:Episode 200 - Did You know that Arkansas has Acres of Diamonds

Chef Russell Ingram: Southern Fried & Sustainable Zero Waste Dining with Dot's Nashville Hot Chicken Food Truck

About the Show:Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.  - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.This episode featured Lindsey Leverett Higgins, the President of the Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Council. Lindsey shared how the Council was established in 1996 by the late Reverend J. Aaron Hawkins to bring a large celebration to Northwest Arkansas in honor of Dr. King and raise money for scholarships. The Council has grown since then and has become a vital part of the black and minority community in Northwest Arkansas. Each year, the Council gives out the Salute to Greatness Award to recognize community members for their work in the community and raises money for scholarships. Lindsey shared that Northwest Arkansas is growing in diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages anyone considering moving to Northwest Arkansas to do so. We also discussed the role that local employers, both large and small, play in promoting DEI in recruitment and retention efforts. "Come find your tribe, get engaged, get involved, meet people, understand the local hangouts, the beauty shops, and the barber shops. Know that if you're coming from a major city, there are not necessarily from a diversity standpoint, not yet, but we're getting there." -Lindsey Leverett Higgins In this episode, you will learn the following:1. The Impact of the Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Council on Diversity and Inclusion in the Community2. The Salute to Greatness Awards and How Recipients are Selected3. Advice for People Considering Moving to Northwest Arkansas from a Diversity Perspective. All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast. Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Lindsey Leverett-Higgins EmailNorthwest Arkansas MLK Council WebsiteNorthwest Arkansas MLK Council InstagramNorthwest Arkansas MLK Council FacebookNorthwest Arkansas MLK Council TwitterNorthwest Arkansas MLK Council LinkedIn Other episodes you’ll enjoy:Episode 200 - Did You know that Arkansas has Acres of DiamondsDid You Know The Greatest Maritime Disaster In The United

Lindsey Leverett-Higgins is Building Upon A Dream with The Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Council

About the Show: “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” 				– Marie CurieAlex Howland is a passionate advocate for women's empowerment, having worked with women for the past ten years. She is the founder of Dovetail, an event in January 2023 that seeks to provide an open forum for women to discuss topics like legacy, generational wealth, business, and mental health and wellness."We as women have to really make our own way. My mom immigrated here from Italy when she was a baby, and it was really impactful to see her be able to come from literally nothing and grow a really successful woman-owned business." 	- Alex HowlandAlex Howland has started a program called Dovetail for women in Northwest Arkansas to provide a place for them to connect, learn, and grow. Alex met Randy Wilburn while working on the Place Summit event, and they have become friends. Dovetail will be held in January 2023 at Theater Squared, with an intentional grounding session led by Michaella Yoga, PowerPoint presentations, conversations, and an optional happy hour sponsored by Women Run. Dovetail will cover legacy, generational wealth, business, diversity, and mental health and wellness topics. Alex hopes to create more community partnerships and provide an open forum for attendees to have meaningful conversations.In this episode, you will learn the following:1. What is the Dovetail program, and how will it help women in Northwest Arkansas?2. What innovative ideas and conversations will be explored at the Dovetail event?3. How can mental health and wellness be addressed to help support women in difficult times, such as during and after the pandemic?All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Alex Howland EmailAlex Howland WebsiteAlex Howland WebsiteAlex Howland InstagramAlex Howland FacebookAlex Howland LinkedInDovetail NWAWomen Run Other episodes you’ll enjoy:

Lightning in a Bottle: Alex Howland on Women's Mental Health, Legacy & Generational Wealth Here in  Northwest Arkansas

About the Show:Northwest Arkansas Has Acres of Diamonds…“Your diamonds are not in far distant mountains or in yonder seas; they are in your own backyard, if you but dig for them.”Russell B. ConwellWe can’t believe that this is episode 200 of the podcast. Who would have thought that going around the Northwest Arkansas community with a digital recorder and a microphone to interview people and organizations to learn more about them would become a thing? Podcasting has been the perfect platform for sharing unique stories and personal resilience tales. Every episode has provided a place where people could be themselves and share the stories that matter to them, whether it was a successful business, a great creator, a fantastic organization, or an idea.  We love telling and sharing stories that matter here at I am Northwest Arkansas, and the truth is that ALL stories matter. Some just need to be shared in front of a microphone.  We will continue to record and share these stories until it makes sense not to do so anymore.  But we are a long way off from that day. Until then, keep tuning in weekly to learn more about Northwest Arkansas, maybe your neighbor, and yourself. We will keep pressing RECORD!Peace and Love!All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Russell B. ConwellAcres of Diamonds StoryTemple UniversityOther episodes you’ll enjoy:Did You Know The Greatest Maritime Disaster In The United States Happened In Arkansas?CirclesNWA is Helping Move People Out of Poverty One Family at A TimeChef Matt Cooper and Conifer Are Planting The Seeds of Community With a Gluten-Free Restaurant In Downtown BentonvilleThis episode is sponsored by*:Signature Bank of Arkansas -  Signature Bank was founded here in Northwest Arkansas in 2005 and focuses on personal and community banking. When you bank with a community bank, you’re investing in local businesses, local entrepreneurs, local charities, and causes close to home. They have worked hard to earn their tagline, “Community Banking at its Best.”You may ask why bank at Signature? Because they focus

Northwest Arkansas Has Acres of Diamonds - Our 200th Episode Celebration

About the Show:“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice your gift.”Steve PrefontaineWhen Lakisha Harper Bradley, a former Walmart employee, is propelled by a spiritual download to leave her comfort zone and start her own business, 'My-T-By-Design,' she embarks on an inspiring journey to use art as a therapeutic tool to empower others to embrace their inner Picasso and uncover their unique gifts."We all have unique gifts, but it starts with us believing in ourselves in order for the gifts to come out. The tea is a representation of your truth." 	- Lakisha Harper BradleyLakisha Harper Bradley is a mother, wife, sister, friend, and the founder of My-T-By-Design Therapeutic Art Studio. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and has a passion for art that was passed down from her father.Lakisha Harper Bradley was born and raised in Louisville, Arkansas. She had a long career at Walmart but felt compelled to leave and start her own business. She started My-T-By-Design Therapeutic Art Studio, which allows people to embrace their inner Picasso and communicate through art. After receiving an inspirational download during a traffic jam, Lakisha left Walmart to embark on this new journey. She now serves a variety of groups and organizations, helping them to create their masterpieces.In this episode, you will learn the following:1. Exploring the intersection of business, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks.2. Examining the power of leadership and art in the family dynamic.3. Investigating how a profound spiritual experience can lead to a business venture of therapeutic art.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Other episodes you’ll enjoy:Did You Know The Greatest Maritime Disaster In The United States Happened In Arkansas?CirclesNWA is Helping Move People Out of Poverty One Family at A TimeChef Matt Cooper and Conifer Are Planting The Seeds of Community With a Gluten-Free Restaurant In Downtown BentonvilleImportant Links and Mentions on the Show*:My-T-by-Design EmailMy-T-by-Design WebsiteMy-T-by-Design InstagramMy-T-by-Design Facebook

Uncovering the My-T-By-Design of Lakisha Harper Bradley: Using Art for Creative Expression and Inspiration Here in Northwest Arkansas

About the Show:What is a cryptocurrency, and why is it gaining popularity?"Blockchain is the tech. Bitcoin is merely the first mainstream manifestation of its potential." Marc KenigsbergCarol Goforth is a law professor at the University of Arkansas and a cryptocurrency expert. She has written over a dozen law review articles and two books and is a regular speaker on the topic.In this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas, host Randy Wilburn interviews Carol Goforth, a professor of law at the University of Arkansas and a cryptocurrency expert. Goforth shares her origin story of how she got interested in the subject and started writing about it extensively. She discusses how cryptocurrency works and some potential legal implications of investing in it."It is an endlessly fascinating topic that continues to move so quickly that the law is always changing and always struggling to catch up, and there's always an audience and a need for more information in this space." -Professor Carol GoforthIn this episode, you will learn the following: 1. How Carol Goforth got interested in cryptocurrency and became an expert in the field2. The potential benefits of blockchain technology for businesses and consumers3. What a smart contract is, and how can it be used in the cryptocurrency spaceAll this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Carol Goforth Email Carol Goforth LinkedIn Other episodes you’ll enjoy:Did You Know The Greatest Maritime Disaster In The United States Happened In Arkansas?CirclesNWA is Helping Move People Out of Poverty One Family at A TimeChef Matt Cooper and Conifer Are Planting The Seeds of Community With a Gluten-Free Restaurant In Downtown BentonvilleThis episode is sponsored by*:Signature Bank of Arkansas -  Signature Bank was founded here in Northwest Arkansas in 2005 and focuses on personal and community banking. When you bank with a community bank, you’re investing in local businesses, local entrepreneurs, local charities, and causes close to

A Conversation on Cryptocurrency with University of Arkansas Law Professor Carol Goforth

 About the Show:“The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”  Thomas Alva EdisonElliot Hunt is the chef of Atlas The Restaurant, a French revivalist-style restaurant in Northwest Arkansas. His love of cooking was ignited at age nine when he went on a trip to France with his parents, and he has since traveled the world, taking inspiration from global cuisine to create unique dishes for the restaurant.This is Elliot Hunt's story...Chef Elliot Hunt, the owner of Atlas The Restaurant, is one of the most talked about chefs in Northwest Arkansas. As a young boy, Elliot was taken to France by his parents, and it was there that he found his love of food and cooking. He took his passion and worked in various restaurants around the US and France, learning and gathering inspiration. After much hard work, Elliot and his partner opened Atlas, a restaurant that transports people to different cities. The menu changes every three months as Elliot and his team try to push themselves artistically through cuisine. When the pandemic hit, Elliot had to close their restaurant and let go of their staff. After a long period of hardship, the restaurant was able to bounce back with the community rallying behind them.In this episode, you will learn the following:1. Discovering the unique atmosphere of Atlas the Restaurant, and Chef Elliot's "French Revivalist" style.2. Exploring the global inspiration behind Chef Elliot's cuisine and his commitment to changing the menu every three months.3. Understanding the challenges of the restaurant business during the pandemic, and the community effort to support Atlas The Restaurant.All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast."Taste the world without leaving Northwest Arkansas with Atlas the Restaurant's globally inspired cuisine."Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Elliot Hunt EmailAtlas The Restaurant WebsiteAtlas The Restaurant InstagramAtlas The Restaurant FacebookAtlas The Restaurant Twitter This episode is sponsored by*:Signature Bank of Arkansas -  Signature Bank was founded here in Northwest Arkansas in 2005 and focuses on personal and community banking. When you bank with a community bank, you’re investing in local businesses, local entrepreneurs, local charities, and causes close to home. They have worked hard to earn their tagline, “Community Banking at its Best.”You may ask why bank at Signature? Because they focus on the customer instead of having a branch on every corner, you can have your questions answered by a real person, whether you’re reaching out to the call center or your banker’s cell phone. You can access any ATM in the country without fear of a fee.  They will refund all of those fees at the end of every month. Finally, they are constantly improving their digital...

Chef Elliot Hunt's Epic Journey: Tales of Travel and Inspiration at Atlas the Restaurant in Northwest Arkansas

About the Show:"We must not only learn to tolerate our differences. We must welcome them as the richness and diversity which can lead to true intelligence." ~ Albert EinsteinDepending on who you listen to here in Northwest Arkansas, we have more than 10,000 open positions that need to be filled.  Most of the significant regional companies - Walmart, JB Hunt, Tyson, Simmons, and the University of Arkansas, are all hiring. It is a numbers game. The more firms recruit and interview, the more they can hire new talent.  Of course, you want to find the right talent for the right jobs, but there may be many talented individuals in our community here in Northwest Arkansas that should be noticed.  According to Daymara Baker, founder of Neurodiverse employer Rockin Baker, there are more than 4,000+ Neurodivergent people in Northwest Arkansas.  All potential workers could or should be employed to fill many of these jobs that are available in the region.  We spent some time discussing navigating the Neurodiverse workforce with Daymara and Margaret McCabe, former Dean of the University of Arkansas Law School and the parent of a Neurodiverse young adult who works with Daymara at Rockin Baker. If you have been on the fence about hiring someone from the Neurodiverse community, this is the episode for you to gain some understanding, insight,  and perspective.  You may just be one hire away from your next great team member.Daymara and Margaret make an excellent case for why this part of the workforce should be noticed.  All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Daymara Baker on LinkedInMargaret McCabe on LinkedInDaymara Baker EmailMargaret McCabe EmailRockin Baker WebsiteRockin Baker Cadet TrainingDaymara Baker Podcast EpisodeOctober is National Disability Employment Awareness MonthFayetteville Public LibraryArkansas Advocates for Children and FamiliesNWA CouncilUniversity of ArkansasNeurodiversity Image courtesy of...

How to Harness The Power of A Neurodiverse Workforce in Northwest Arkansas

About the Show:"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." -Oprah WinfreyNow and then, I like doing a monologue episode, and since we are celebrating Thanksgiving this week in the United States, it would be worth sharing some of the things I am thankful for. I don’t know about you, but holidays have always been a time of reflection for us here at I Am Northwest Arkansas, and we decided to “let the reflecting begin!”    You will have to listen to the whole episode to hear all the things we are thankful for here at I am Northwest Arkansas. Here’s a hint, it starts with family and ends with you. All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.﻿Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Readers Digest Article - Thanksgiving StoryOzark Natural FoodsFayetteville Public LibraryUrban Land Institute of NWAArkansas Advocates for Children and FamiliesNWA CouncilUniversity of Arkansas Episodes: Episode 192 The Sultana DisasterEpisode 190 Circles NWA is helping move people in NWA out of povertyEpisode 187 How to parent your kids through the maze of organized sports here in NWAEpisode 179 Olivia Trimble Uniting NWA and beyond through love and artEpisode 177 Chef Matt Cooper is at it again with his new Restaurant ConiferEpisode 171 Why NWA is a great place to live and ride your bike This episode is sponsored by*:

What We Are Thankful For in 2022

About the Show:“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”	                                                                                                                       Dale Carnegie I ran into Carlos Rosas earlier this Spring when I needed a portable 5G tower/hot spot for my office.  I couldn’t get the broadband speeds I needed, so I reached out to Carlos and the folks at T-Mobile for help.  Carlos met me with the device in the parking lot of a Starbucks in Rogers. We ended up doing the transaction and talking for about 45 minutes. I invited Carlos on the podcast because he has a great story about how he ended up here in Northwest Arkansas. He is a hard worker who is super smart. Since moving here in 2013, he has gotten his MBA and is a leader in the business unit at T-Mobile, hence our title.  A little tongue-in-cheek humor. We talk about how Northwest Arkansas has impacted him and his family why he feels like this area is a great place to live and work, and he also gave us a Master Class on cell phone services and how to get the best out of the device that most of us hold so close to our heart.If you’ve been on the fence about moving here to Northwest Arkansas, this episode may push you over the edge.  All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Carlos Rosas EmailCarlos Rosas Twitter This episode is sponsored by*:Signature Bank of Arkansas -  Signature Bank was founded here in Northwest Arkansas in 2005 and focuses on personal and community banking. When you bank with a community bank, you’re investing in local businesses, local entrepreneurs, local charities, and causes close to home. They have worked hard to earn their tagline, “Community Banking at its Best.”You may ask why bank at Signature? Because they focus on the customer instead of having a branch on every corner, you can have your questions answered by a real person, whether you’re reaching out to the call center or your banker’s cell phone. You can access any ATM in the country without fear of a fee.  They will refund all of those fees at the end of every month. Finally, they are constantly improving their digital offerings to ensure you can access the best financial tools from your laptop, phone, or tablet 24 hours a day.Signature Bank of Arkansas is a full-service bank offering traditional checking and savings accounts, investment accounts, business and personal loans, and mortgages.Give the folks at Signature Bank a call (479-684-4700) or visit their website Signature.Bank and let them know you heard about them on the I am Northwest Arkansas Podcast. Signature Bank of Arkansas is a Member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing...

This Episode Is Not Sponsored By T-Mobile

About the Show:We spoke with the folks at Adventure Subaru in Fayetteville. Danielle Dotson, Marketing Manager, Kelley Carey, HR Manager, Brent Baker, GM, and Managing Partner. They gave us an inside view of the super successful dealership that has tapped into the outdoor enthusiast here in Northwest Arkansas. Adventure Subaru was the last piece of an automotive dealership collection owned by Don Nelms. Don is a bit of a legend in Northwest Arkansas, establishing the “Service in the Nelms tradition,” where Adventure Subaru carries this mantle by focusing on taking care of the customer first and always doing the right thing. This method is a refreshing approach to auto sales and service where you don’t feel “sold to” but rather taken care of.  Brent shared his journey from Austin to partnering up with Don and why he is so excited about Northwest Arkansas and the future of car sales, new electronic vehicle models from Subaru, and why in 2022 Adventure Subaru won the Subaru Love Promise Retailer of the Year. Finally, we discussed Adventures Subaru’s mission to give back to the local community as much as possible. So it would be no surprise that Adventure Subaru has given back more than 3+ Million dollars to the Northwest Arkansas community for programs like Second Hand Smoke and Nate Walls, Single Parent Scholarship Fund, The Roots Festival, and so many more. It is one of the reasons why you see the Adventure Subaru name tied to so many great causes and events.  While they do not sponsor this podcast, we encourage you to check them out if you need a new or used car.  Subarus have one of the highest reliability factors in the auto industry, and most models are ideally suited for the topography here in the Ozarks.  If you visit, please tell them the good folks at the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast sent you.All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Adventure Subaru Email - DanielleAdventure Subaru Email - Brent Adventure Subaru WebsiteAdventure Subaru FacebookAdventure Subaru InstagramAdventure Subaru YouTubeAdventure Subaru LinkedInIANWA Second Hand Smoke Podcast EpisodeIANWA

Adventure Subaru is Raising The Bar When It Comes to Selling Cars and Giving Back to The Community Here in Northwest Arkansas

About the Show:Being a member of Rotary certainly has its privileges. We heard the next guest of the podcast at a Rotary meeting. Retired Judge John Fogleman shared a historically significant story with our club about the greatest maritime disaster in US History. We were surprised to learn that this disaster did not occur off our East (Atlantic) or West Coast (Pacific). It happened just off the shores of Arkansas on the Mighty Mississippi River about seven miles North of what is now downtown Memphis. Judge Fogleman sat down with us to share the whole story of the Sultana disaster, which took place in April of 1865, only a few weeks after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. There are so many plots and subplots in this story, and Judge Fogleman does a great job outlining them all. You will never look at a steamboat the same again. We hope you enjoy this episode of The I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast. We had a lot of fun sitting down with the judge, and this is a piece of history that we all need to be aware of. This story moves you. We encourage you to support the building of the Sultana Disaster Museum so that this story and all of the remaining artifacts from the ship have a permanent home.  All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Judge Fogleman EmailRotary FacebookSultana Disaster Facebook This episode is sponsored by*:Signature Bank of Arkansas -  Signature Bank was founded here in Northwest Arkansas in 2005 and focuses on personal and community banking. When you bank with a community bank, you’re investing in local businesses, local entrepreneurs, local charities, and causes close to home. They have worked hard to earn their tagline, “Community Banking at its Best.”You may ask why bank at Signature? Because they focus on the customer instead of having a branch on every corner, you can have your questions answered by a real person, whether you’re reaching out to the call center or your banker’s cell phone. You can access any ATM in the country without fear of a fee.  They will refund all of those fees at the end of every month. Finally, they are constantly improving their digital offerings to ensure you can access the best financial tools from your laptop, phone, or tablet 24 hours a day.Signature Bank of Arkansas is a full-service bank offering traditional checking and savings accounts, investment accounts, business and personal loans, and mortgages.

Did You Know The Greatest Maritime Disaster In The United States Happened In Arkansas?

About the Show:On this episode of the podcast, we learn about the first and oldest Domestic Violence Shelter in Arkansas. Peace at Home has been running since 1977 and has made a difference in the lives of countless families struggling with domestic abuse.  Peace at Home has grown to meet the needs of both Benton and Washington County families. They offer several services, including a 24/7 crisis hotline - number below, emergency shelter, housing programs and assistance, legal services, counseling services, a thrift store, community referrals, and a pet sanctuary.  Peace at Home has left no stone unturned, and their marketing and communication coordinator, Bethany Clark, has outlined nicely in this episode why it matters and how, if you live locally, you can help.There is so much in this episode to unwrap, and October happens to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It’s probably best to listen to the whole episode, and if you know or suspect someone may be dealing with Domestic Violence in their home, share this podcast with them.  ***As always, if you’re in an emergency, CALL 911 NOW! If you or someone you love need(s) help escaping violence or creating a safety plan, call Peace at Home today at (479) 442-9811.*** All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Peace At Home PO Box 10946Fayetteville, AR 72703Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Peace at Home Family Shelter EmailPeace at Home Family Shelter WebsitePeace at Home Thrift StorePeace at Home Family Shelter FacebookPeace at Home Family Shelter InstagramPeace at Home Family Shelter LinkedInDomestic Violence Awareness Month  This episode is sponsored by*:Signature Bank of Arkansas -  Signature Bank was founded here in Northwest Arkansas in 2005 and focuses on personal and community banking. When you bank with a community bank, you’re investing in local businesses, local entrepreneurs, local charities, and causes close to home. They have worked hard to earn their tagline, “Community Banking at its...

Since 1977 the Peace at Home Domestic Violence Shelter has made a difference in the lives of families in crisis here in Northwest Arkansas

About the Show:In this podcast episode, we sit down with Christina Williams, the Executive Director of CirclesNWA. CirclesNWA is a poverty reduction initiative of the nonprofit Innovative Poverty Solutions. The program helps people achieve upward mobility from poverty. Christina shared her story about her passion for sociology and people and her experience growing up in a diverse community in Hong Kong. Then a trip to India with her husband encouraged her to find a way to help those who cannot always help themselves.  CirclesNWA has helped connect individuals in our Northwest Arkansas community to help move out of poverty. The individuals, known as Circle Leaders, are working to escape poverty. The Circle Allies, middle to upper-income volunteers, walk alongside the Circle Leaders throughout the 18-Month program. The program shows the participants how to leverage social capital. Finally, one of the biggest challenges that the program undertakes is to help participants avoid the Cliff Effect.  “The Cliff Effect is one of the biggest yet hidden barriers keeping people in poverty. While a pay raise or new job should be a cause for celebration, too often for low-income households, earning more is a risky move that can result in having less. The Cliff Effect disincentivizes economic growth, a strong workforce, and job retention.” CirclesNWA is working hard to help local families reduce poverty and avoid the Cliff Effect. If you know someone locally that could benefit from hearing this episode, please consider sharing it with them.  We are ALL in this together. All this and much more are on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:CirclesNWA EmailCirclesNWA WebsiteCirclesNWA WebsiteCirclesNWA FacebookCirclesNWA InstagramCirclesNWA LinkedInCirclesNWA YouTubeInnovative Poverty Solutions This episode is sponsored by*:Signature Bank of Arkansas -  Signature Bank was founded here in Northwest Arkansas in...

CirclesNWA is Helping Move People Out of Poverty One Family at A Time

About the Show:In this week's episode of the podcast, we sit with Creator and Filmmaker Blaire Hastings to discuss her love of film and learning the industry from the bottom up in Northwest Arkansas.  Blaire is the host of the local program, Underground with Blaire Hastings, and she also works and supports the efforts of Fayetteville Public Television.  We featured FPTV and Dan Robinson a while back on the podcast. Blaire is originally from Southern California but has roots here in Northwest Arkansas. She originally started in music and moved to video and film, where she found her sweet spot of inspiration.  Blaire has worked on several local independent films here in Northwest Arkansas and just joined the film crew for the upcoming Meg Ryan and David Duchovny Christmas movie filmed throughout the local area.  Blaire is also excited about being an Asian American Influencer in the creative arts. She hopes to encourage more young Asian Americans to get into the business of creating video, film, and music. We are certainly excited to be able to share her story with our audience, and we look forward to seeing Blaire on the red carpet soon. At least we will be able to say we heard her here first! All this and much more are on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Blaire Hastings EmailBlaire Hastings WebsiteBlair Hastings FacebookUnderground with Blaire HastingsLater with Jason SuelBentonville Film FestivalCACHEBlaire Hastings on Good Day NWAFayetteville Public TelevisionFayetteville Public Library Center for Innovation This episode is sponsored by*:Signature Bank of Arkansas -  Signature Bank was founded here in Northwest Arkansas in 2005 and focuses on personal and community...

Creator and Filmmaker Blaire Hastings Has Made Northwest Arkansas Her Canvas for Video and Film

About the Show:In this podcast episode, we sit down with Chef Jennifer Hill Booker, Co-Owner of the Bauhaus Biergarten in Downtown Springdale.  Chef Jennifer shared her origin story from birth in Ann Arbor to living in NYC and ending up in Tulsa, OK, with her parents. From an early age, Chef Jennifer was encouraged to cook and experiment in the kitchen.  She grew up watching Julia Child and finding comfort and a home in the kitchen creating good food. Several years later, while her husband was stationed in Germany, Chef Jennifer attended Le Cordone Bleu, where she honed her culinary skills. If her name sounds familiar, that is because Chef Jennifer was initially invited to Northwest Arkansas by the Roots Festival team to showcase her culinary skills. We also ran into Chef Jennifer at the Cureate program in Northwest Arkansas. Cureate works with Food Entrepreneurs looking to expand their brand and learn and fine-tune the business side of things. You can learn more about Cureate on episode 150 of the podcast when we sat down with Cureate founder Kim Bryden. The Bauhaus Biergarten is the only authentic Beer Garden in Northwest Arkansas. The Biergarten will feature some of the best beers from Germany and an assortment of Schnitzels, Wurst, Pretzels, Sauerkraut, and fresh whole grain mustard.  They even have a Stein club for those who want their own Beer Stein to use when you visit Bauhaus Biergarten.  The address for Bauhaus Biergarten is 326 Holcomb St, Springdale, AR 72764Also, check out Chef Jennifer’s book Field Peas to Foie Gras: Southern Recipes with a French Accent.All this and so much more are on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Bauhaus Biergarten WebsiteBauhaus Biergarten InstagramChef Jennifer Hill Booker WebsiteChef Jennifer Hill Booker EmailChef Jennifer Hill Booker FacebookChef Jennifer Hill Booker TwitterChef Jennifer Hill Booker YouTubeJill Dabs and Downtown Springdale Podcast

With the Opening of Northwest Arkansas’ Bauhaus Biergarten We Can Now Celebrate Oktoberfest Properly

About the Show:In this episode of the podcast, we sit down for a second time with Brandi K. Harris, a marriage and family therapist serving Northwest Arkansas. This is the second time that Brandi is on the podcast. We had her on episode 134 of the podcast where we talked about all of the mental health counseling options available in Northwest Arkansas.Not only is Brandi a great therapist, but she also happens to have been a D1 Scholarship Athlete, and she has had more than a decade as a swimming coach with USA Swimming. She knows what she is talking about. Brandi discussed ways not to overwhelm yourselves with scheduling and to ensure that you take care of yourself while supporting your child's sports activities.  There are several examples of burnout with parents and children participating in sports nowadays. The stakes tend to be much higher than they were even a generation ago. Brandi gives us some straightforward ways to cope with the high level of involvement in children's sports.  Who doesn’t want their child to be the next LeBron James or Tom Brady?But, the primary focus should be on developing your children to become incredible human beings first. If they can make it to the highest level of achievement, that is a bonus. Involvement in sports can be an asset that gives your kids a solid foundation for their future. All this and so much more are on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:It Takes a Breath WebsiteBrandi K. Harris EmailBrandi K. Harris FacebookBrandi K. Harris TwitterBrandi K. Harris InstagramThe Inner Game of Tennis - Create mental approaches to peak performance in sport. This episode is sponsored by*:Signature Bank of Arkansas -  Signature Bank was founded here in Northwest Arkansas in 2005 and focuses on personal and community banking. When you bank with a community bank, you’re investing in local businesses, local entrepreneurs, local charities, and the causes close to home. They have worked hard to earn their tagline, “Community Banking at its Best.”You may ask why bank at Signature? Because they focus on the customer instead of having a branch on every corner, you can have your questions answered by a real person, whether you’re reaching out to the call center or your banker’s cell phone. You can access any ATM in the country without fear of a fee.  They will refund all of...

How to Parent Your Kids through the Maze of Sports Activities here in Northwest Arkansas

About the Show:We sat down with Joe Donaldson, Owner, and President of Sam’s Furniture in Springdale, Arkansas.  Joe is a second-generation furniture store owner who learned the business from his Mother and Father, Sam and Becky Donaldson.  Sam, a successful business leader in the corporate world, moved his family to Northwest Arkansas in the early 90s. Joe’s dad was the President of Long’s drugs which was a large drug store chain based in California. They were eventually purchased by CVS/Pharmacy. Sam retired from Long’s and set his family up in Springdale but it wasn’t long before he started what would become Sam’s Furniture.  They started with a small operation in downtown Springdale and eventually grew and moved their location to a big plot of land right off I-49 in Springdale.  Joe served in the military, and when he retired, he returned to Northwest Arkansas to work with his dad, eventually taking over the store in 2005.  He has led Sam’s Furniture and turned it into a Destination Furniture store where people go just to hang out as much as they do to buy furniture. According to Joe, it is not uncommon to see many men in the “Man Cave” at the store watching football games and enjoying free hot dogs and soda on weekends.   There is also a place for kids with a vast Arcade and plenty of things to do. The best part about Joe’s success is that he has worked hard to support several nonprofit groups in the area, including Second Milk which provides Milk and food to malnourished children in Malawi and three other African nations.  Finally, Joe shared some tips on his company's success. It begins and ends with the people that work at Sam’s Furniture.  He said that in business If you serve your people the same way you serve customers, you will never have a problem. All this and so much more are on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*:Sam's Furniture EmailSam's Furniture Website Sam's Furniture Instagram Sam's Furniture YouTube Second Milk WebsiteThis episode is sponsored by*:Signature Bank of Arkansas -  Signature Bank was founded here in Northwest Arkansas in 2005 and focuses on personal and community banking. When you bank with a community bank, you’re investing in local businesses, local entrepreneurs, local charities, and the causes close to home. They have worked hard to earn their tagline, “Community Banking at its Best.”You may ask why bank at Signature? Because they focus on the customer instead of having a branch on every corner, you can have your...

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