Free Arkansas

Free Arkansas
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Politics
  • Updated Daily

Free Arkansas is a podcast dedicated to fostering a free market of ideas in the Natural State. We bring open, honest, and sometimes uncomfortable conversations to the forefront, tackling the issues that matter most to Arkansans. Through thought-provoking discussions, in-depth analysis, and engaging interviews with a diverse range of voices, we challenge conventional wisdom and encourage independent thought and critical thinking. Whether you're looking for fresh perspectives or a platform that values truth over ideology, Free Arkansas is your space for bold, unfiltered dialogue.

  1. 2d ago

    Kalene Griffith on Bentonville's Transformation, Tourism & Northwest Arkansas' Future

    Bentonville, Arkansas used to be a pass-through town of 20,000 people, best known for the Walmart Museum. Today it's one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the country, and Kalene Griffith, CEO of Visit Bentonville, has been at the center of that transformation since day one. In this episode, host Andy McNeill talks with Kalene about how a small Arkansas city became a global name in mountain biking, art, and food. She breaks down how Visit Bentonville is funded, the strategy behind turning Crystal Bridges into a citywide public art movement, and the moment she knew Bentonville had become a major destination. In this conversation: How Visit Bentonville is funded and structuredTurning Crystal Bridges into a citywide public art movementBuilding a world-class mountain biking destinationWhat Northwest Arkansas has to get right to keep growingIf you've ever wondered how a small city pulls off a transformation like this, you'll want to hear the whole story.

  2. Aug 6

    ARKANSAWYERS #1: Jayme Lemons

    Welcome to the first installment of ARKANSAWYERS, a premium interview show hosted by Edgar Award-winning Arkansas novelist Eli Cranor. Our mission is simple: Real stories. Real people. We are letting the individuals who live here rewrite our state’s narrative through independent thought, unscripted transparency, and open dialogue.In this episode, Eli sits down with Emmy-nominated Hollywood producer and Waldron, Arkansas native Jayme Lemons (Palm Royale, Enlightened). Jayme splits her time between Los Angeles and Fort Smith, giving her a unique vantage point on both worlds.Together, they tackle the economic reality of the Arkansas film industry. Why is our state legislature lagging behind neighbors like Georgia and Oklahoma when it comes to competitive film tax incentives? How does a movie production actively pour dollars into a small-town economy—and what are the potential downsides when Hollywood rolls into town?We also widen the lens past the movie business to discuss systemic fixes for the Natural State, find out who the most uncompromising "Arkansawyer" in Jayme's life is, and get her unvarnished, unfiltered prediction for the upcoming Razorback football season.Subscribe for monthly episodes featuring the prominent voices and quiet, foundational spirits of Arkansas.CONNECT WITH US:• Visit our flagship network for honest, open conversations: https://FreeArkansas.com• Learn more about Eli Cranor and his work: https://www.elicranor.com/Arkansawyers theme originally composed by Joshua Caleb Wilson.

  3. Aug 6

    State Sen. Breanne Davis on Leadership, Education and Arkansas’ Future | Free Arkansas

    🎙️ Arkansas State Senator Breanne Davis joins Andy McNeill for a wide-ranging conversation about public service, political division and the future of Arkansas.Davis shares the personal values that guide her family and political career, from her first school board campaign to her upcoming leadership role in the Arkansas Senate.🔹 Her path from school board member to state senator🔹 Raising four children while serving in public office🔹 Handling negative campaigns and political criticism🔹 Trust, truth and misinformation in politics🔹 Working across party lines without abandoning your beliefs🔹 Lila’s Law and protections for people with disabilities🔹 The Arkansas LEARNS Act, school choice and teacher merit pay🔹 The responsibilities of Senate leadership🔹 Income tax reductions, Medicaid and the next legislative session🔹 Artificial intelligence, privacy, data centers and economic growth▶️ Watch the full conversation for a candid discussion about leadership, policy and what it will take to move Arkansas forward.#FreeArkansas #BreanneDavis #ArkansasPolitics #ArkansasLegislature #Education #AndyMcNeill

  4. Jul 29

    Building a Healthier Arkansas | Curtis Barnett

    In this episode of Free Arkansas, host Andy McNeill talks with Curtis Barnett, president and chief executive officer of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, about how health insurance works, why medical costs continue to rise and what it will take to improve health care across the state.Curtis breaks down Arkansas’ roughly $30 billion health care system, explains where the money comes from and discusses the challenges facing patients, employers, insurers and medical providers. He also shares his journey from growing up in central Arkansas to leading the state’s largest health insurer.Topics include:• How health insurance works in Arkansas• Why health care costs continue to rise 📈• Employer plans, Medicare and Medicaid• Prescription drugs and high-cost treatments 💊• Arkansas’ chronic health challenges• Mental health and substance-use treatment• Rural hospitals and access to care#FreeArkansas #Arkansas #Healthcare #HealthInsurance #Leadership #ArkansasBlueCross #CurtisBarnett

  5. Jul 22

    Mike Preston on Jobs, Growth & Building Big Things in Arkansas

    In this episode of Free Arkansas, host Andy McNeill talks with Mike Preston, the CEO of CDI Contractors and former Arkansas Secretary of Commerce, about leadership, economic development and why Arkansas continues to be a place where big things can happen. Mike shares how he made Arkansas home, reflects on major economic development wins during his time in state government, and talks about his next chapter leading CDI Contractors, a Dillard’s-owned company known for major construction projects across the region. 🏗️Topics include:• Mike’s move from Florida to Arkansas• Arkansas’ economic development momentum 📈• Major wins in steel, defense and manufacturing• Changing perceptions of Arkansas• CDI Contractors and its next chapter• Construction trends, data centers and workforce challenges• Favorite Arkansas drives and places to visit 🌄#FreeArkansas #Arkansas #EconomicDevelopment #Leadership #Construction #CDIContractors #MikePreston

  6. Jul 12

    Jay Brogdon on Banking, Growth & Arkansas’ Economic Future 💰🏦

    On this episode of Free Arkansas, Andy McNeill talks with Jay Brogdon, President and CEO of Simmons First National Corporation and Simmons Bank, about how banking helps shape growth, opportunity and capital formation across Arkansas. Brogdon walks through the banking landscape in plain English, explains Simmons’ evolution from a Pine Bluff community bank into one of the larger regional banks in the country, and talks about the leadership, culture and technology needed to compete in a changing financial world. In this episode: How community, regional and national banks differWhy Arkansas “punches above its weight” in bankingSimmons Bank’s growth story and Arkansas rootsBrogdon’s path from Deloitte and Stephens to SimmonsDeposits, lending, risk and the business of bankingTechnology, AI and data inside modern banksHow banks help drive jobs, growth and investment in ArkansasWhy Brogdon is bullish on Simmons’ future

    Jay Brogdon on Banking, Growth & Arkansas’ Economic Future 💰🏦

  7. Jun 17

    Roby Brock on Arkansas Politics, Media & Small-Town Newspapers 🗞️🎙️

    On this episode of Free Arkansas, Andy McNeill talks with Roby Brock, CEO of Natural State Media and longtime host of Talk Business & Politics, about Arkansas media, politics and the future of local news. Brock reflects on how Arkansas politics has changed, why so much of it now feels nationalized and performative, and what he sees as the real challenges facing the state. He also talks about buying and rebuilding small-town newspapers — and why local journalism still matters in the age of Facebook rumors. In this episode: How Roby Brock got started in politics and mediaThe shift from Democratic dominance to Republican control in ArkansasWhy politics has become more performativeTax cuts, economic competitiveness and state leadershipNorthwest Arkansas growth and business influenceThe future of Democrats in statewide racesWhy Brock is investing in small-town newspapersThe importance of local news in rural Arkansas

    Roby Brock on Arkansas Politics, Media & Small-Town Newspapers 🗞️🎙️

  8. Jun 8

    Asa Hutchinson on Arkansas, Trump, AI & What Comes Next

    Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson joins Andy McNeill for a wide-ranging conversation about public service, leadership and where Arkansas, and the country, go from here.Hutchinson reflects on growing up on a farm near Gravette, the lessons he learned from his parents, his early career as the nation’s youngest U.S. attorney, and his work leading the DEA and helping build the Department of Homeland Security after 9/11.The conversation also turns to his eight years as Arkansas’ 46th governor, including job growth, tax cuts, education, highway funding, government transformation and his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.Andy and Gov. Hutchinson also dig into some of today’s biggest questions: artificial intelligence, data centers, privacy, the future of the Republican Party, national debt, political division, gerrymandering, Arkansas’ economic future and what it means to stand on principle in a changing political environment.Subscribe to Free Arkansas for conversations about the people, ideas and issues shaping Arkansas.

    Asa Hutchinson on Arkansas, Trump, AI & What Comes Next
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Free Arkansas is a podcast dedicated to fostering a free market of ideas in the Natural State. We bring open, honest, and sometimes uncomfortable conversations to the forefront, tackling the issues that matter most to Arkansans. Through thought-provoking discussions, in-depth analysis, and engaging interviews with a diverse range of voices, we challenge conventional wisdom and encourage independent thought and critical thinking. Whether you're looking for fresh perspectives or a platform that values truth over ideology, Free Arkansas is your space for bold, unfiltered dialogue.

Information

  • Creator
    Free Arkansas
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Free Arkansas
  • Show Website
    Free Arkansas

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