Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
  • 5.0 (29)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

In this bi-weekly podcast, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette senior editor Rex Nelson sits down with fellow civic-minded Arkansans to discuss ways to foster growth in the Natural State. Along the way, Rex and his guests chat about all things Arkansas — its people, places, food, music, history and more.

  1. FEB 20

    Little Rock real estate investment with Attorney Bryan Hosto

    In this week’s episode, Rex Nelson talks with Little Rock Attorney Bryan Hosto about commercial real estate development in Central Arkansas. Hosto talks about how he got into real estate and what motivates his continued investments in properties in the Little Rock area. Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners

    35 min

  2. FEB 6

    More on Wildwood with Christina Munoz and Holly Judd

    In this week's episode, Rex Nelson sits down with Christina Munoz and Holly Judd to talk about the development of Wildwood Park in Little Rock. They discuss upcoming shows and developments in Wildwood, and what patrons can expect this year. Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners Chapters (00:00:20) - Southern Fried Podcast: Wildwood Arts Center(00:01:19) - Christina on Her Journey from KTV 7 to Wildwood(00:05:31) - Janice Jones on 9/11 Coverage(00:09:12) - Holly Keating on her Journey to Wildwood(00:14:05) - Christina Jones on Bringing Dance Back to Arkansas(00:18:27) - Wildwood Community Center's(00:21:18) - Wildwood Theater's fight for its future(00:25:29) - Arkansas Opera presents 'Wildwood'(00:27:46) - Wildwood Park: Vision and Growth

    32 min

  3. JAN 23

    Hockey and Opera with Wildwood Parks Director Bevan Keating

    In this episode, Rex Nelson sits down with Wildwood Parks' Executive Director, Bevan Keating. Bevan talks with Rex about his journey from London, Ontario in Canada to Little Rock. Rex also discusses Bevan’s struggles with moving to the United States amid the turmoil following the September 11, 2001 attacks. Bevan explains how he came to be the director of Wildwood Parks and his long-term goals for the park, before shifting the conversation to an interesting discussion about opera and hockey. Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners

    33 min

  4. JAN 9

    Looking ahead to 2026 with Skip Rutherford

    In this episode, Rex Nelson sits down with Skip Rutherford to discuss the new year and the changes it may bring to Arkansas. Rex discusses Arkansas politics with Skip, noting the changing landscape amid turmoil between the legislature and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.  Skip also talks with Rex about economic growth in West Memphis, Mena, and other places throughout Arkansas. They highlight the outdoor recreation spurred by such developments and how they could impact the state's economy in 2026. Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners Chapters (00:00:12) - Southern Fried Podcast(00:00:53) - Prediction: 2017 will be a record year for tourism in Arkansas(00:08:03) - Exploring West Memphis's outdoor recreation boom(00:10:35) - Predictions for 2026: Oil, Lithium(00:16:46) - Arkansas Senator on Higher Ed(00:22:46) - Northwest Arkansas continues to grow as a healthcare hub(00:28:20) - Arkansas' third largest city, Fort Smith(00:32:00) - Arkansas political campaigns in 2026(00:34:23) - Southern Fried Podcast

    35 min

  5. 12/26/2025

    2025 Year in Review with Skip Rutherford

    In this episode, Rex Nelson and Skip Rutherford review events and happenings in Arkansas in 2025. Rex also talks with Skip about revitalization in downtown Little Rock and the amount of work to be done in central Arkansas. Rex and Skip also discuss topics such as the closure of the Amazon facility at the Little Rock port, the University of Arkansas vs. Arkansas State University football game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, the economic impact of such events on central Arkansas and more. Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners. Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners

    35 min

  6. 12/12/2025

    Looking to the future of higher education with ASU Chancellor Todd Shields

    On this week’s episode, Rex Nelson sits down with Arkansas State University Chancellor Todd Shields to talk about the economic upswing of Northeast Arkansas. Todd cites his desire to build as a factor in his decision to move from the University of Arkansas to become ASU's chancellor. Todd also talks to Rex about the need for healthy competition, which fuels academic excellence at large higher education institutions like UA and ASU. Rex also talks with Todd about the rapidly changing technological landscape and the need for students to learn more about advancements in AI, cybersecurity and other areas of technological expertise that various industries sorely need. Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners. Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners Chapters (00:00:14) - Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Northeast Arkansas Podcast(00:02:40) - Arkansas State University Chancellor Rex Walton on Building a Better System(00:09:46) - Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning(00:17:03) - Regionally, Workforce Development(00:18:19) - Arkansas Veterinary School and the Medical School(00:22:52) - Arkansas Vet School's new College of Veterinary Medicine(00:29:33) - The Importance of Entrepreneurial Mindset(00:32:05) - Arkansas State University Chancellor Todd Shields on Northeast Arkansas

    34 min

  7. 11/28/2025

    South, Towards Home with author Porter Briggs

    In this week's episode, Rex sits down with Porter Briggs to talk about his new book "South, Towards Home: An Unexpected Love Story." Porter, a Little Rock native, says he considers his adult life to have started when he arrived at his Army unit in Germany, citing a 4km trek using a map and compass in the extreme cold. Porter also talks about his life growing up in Little Rock, his 1958 high school graduation and his time at Vanderbilt before joining the Army. cast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners

    28 min

  8. 11/14/2025

    Seeing (Michelin) stars in Little Rock with Chef Jennifer Maune

    In this week’s episode, Rex Nelson sits down with former Master Chef contestant, Jennifer Maune, to talk about her new restaurant, Restaurant Fleur, set to open in downtown Little Rock next year. Jennifer tells Rex about her journey, how she became interested in cooking and her time studying abroad to learn different techniques for baking pastries and other world class foods. Jennifer also expresses her goal of bringing the Michelin Guide to the state and truly standing out as the premier fine dining experience in Arkansas. Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners Chapters (00:00:11) - Southern Fried Podcast: Jennifer Maughan's Arkansas Story(00:01:44) - Jennifer's Journey to a Full-Time Restaurant(00:07:58) - Arkansas chef on MasterChef(00:11:44) - Arkansas Chefs on MasterChef(00:13:18) - Arkansas chef on gaining a Michelin star(00:17:11) - Dining Scene in Little Rock(00:22:17) - Arkansas to Have a Michelin Guide(00:26:53) - The Couple: Chefs and PR(00:28:10) - Ouachita Student Walt Keogh on Inspiration(00:28:36) - Gordon Ramsay Expands His Little Rock Restaurant(00:31:38) - Southern Fried Podcast

    32 min
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5
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

In this bi-weekly podcast, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette senior editor Rex Nelson sits down with fellow civic-minded Arkansans to discuss ways to foster growth in the Natural State. Along the way, Rex and his guests chat about all things Arkansas — its people, places, food, music, history and more.

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