Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
  • 5.0 (23)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast

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. DEC 13

    End of Year Wrap-Up: Economic growth and challenges across the state with Skip Rutherford

    In this week’s episode, Skip Rutherford, dean emeritus of the Clinton School for Public Service, joins Rex once again for an end of year wrap-up on Arkansas’s evolving economy. Rex and Skip discuss key industries across the state, from the steel boom in the northeast and the lithium business in the southwest portion of the state as well as the $500 million timber processing project in southeast Arkansas. They also touch on the defense industry’s growth in Camden, and the state’s shifting educational sector that includes new university leaders in addition to medical and dental schools. After conversing on the state's economic advantages and gains, Skip highlights the ongoing challenges experienced by many of Arkansas' counties, such as poverty, hunger, and population loss. The two also emphasize the importance of creating unity among Arkansas counties, which could help emphasize the state's various cultural and economic developments. 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.

    33 min

  2. NOV 29

    Post-election chat with Skip Rutherford

    On this week’s episode, Rex invites return guest Skip Rutherford, dean emeritus of the Clinton School of Public Service, to discuss Arkansas politics, focusing on recent elections, ballot issues, and the state’s shifting political landscape. The two also briefly talk about the potential impacts that national election results may have on the state in the upcoming months and years.  Skip and Rex discuss significant issues that did and did not make it onto this year’s ballot, with Rex emphasizing public confusion surrounding Issue No. 2, which concerned the proposed casino in Pope County. Skip also shares his opinion on Little Rock’s failed sales tax initiative. They also dive into the state's upcoming legislative session, the LEARNS Act’s impact on rural schools, the state's funding for higher education and more.

    32 min

  3. NOV 15

    Miguel Lopez on boosting political and financial engagement in state's Hispanic community

    In this week's episode, Miguel Lopez, lead for Hispanic and Latino market outreach at Southern Bancorp, shares his immigration story. From Guadalajara, Mexico, to Arkansas, Lopez discusses how his family opened their now-thriving Mexican grocery store, Mercado El Valle, in Sherwood. Rex and Miguel also chat about how Arkansas now has the fourth fastest-growing Hispanic population in the country. Miguel emphasizes the need for banks to build trust with this community by using intermediaries who understand their needs, highlighting significant opportunities for financial institutions to support Latino businesses. The two also talk about the importance of political engagement in the growing population, with Miguel urging both political parties to develop strategies for connecting with Latino voters across the political spectrum. 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.

    27 min

  4. NOV 1

    Investing in Arkansas' economic future through research and collaboration with Bryan Barnhouse

    On this week's episode, Bryan Barnhouse, the President and CEO of the Arkansas Research Alliance, joins Rex in the studio to discuss the organization's efforts to invest in research opportunities that drive scientific discovery, engineering breakthroughs, and economic development across the state.  Following a brief overview of the alliance and their initiaitives, Bryan tells Rex about the alliance's Scholar and Fellows programs designed to connect the state's top research universities to researchers from within and outside of the state.  Bryan gives Rex a brief rundown of the seven growth opportunities identified in the research alliance's recently published economic development report, "Enabling An Innovation-Led Future For Arkansas," outlining areas where Arkansas has the most potential for economic and occupational expansion.  Bryan also announces a round of impact grants that will fund collaborative projects to help find research based solutions to challenges an industry is facing.  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.

    36 min

  5. OCT 18

    The recent history and cultural importance of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre with Will Trice and Ruth Shepherd

    Rex is joined by two key members of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre – commonly known as "The Rep" – on this week's episode of the podcast. Executive Director Will Trice and longtime board member Ruth Shepherd are on-hand to share their vast knowledge of regional theater and some of their more memorable experiences while working at "The Rep" in this episode.  Will tells Rex about his upbringing as a young actor and how those experiences influenced his New York stage career as well as his eventual move back to his home state to serve in a leadership role for "The Rep." Will's decision to return to Central Arkansas to lead "The Rep" had much to do with the theater's failing business model in the late 2010s, which included production shutting down early in 2016-2017.  Will's love and understanding of the art of theater combined with his business savvy and the opportunity to return to Arkansas greatly influenced his decision to play a key role in reviving "The Rep." Although he believes that "theater doesn't make sense as a business," both Will and Ruth found satisfaction in the possibility of revitalizing the standing of "The Rep" in the community and ensuring its standing as one of the state's foremost cultural landmarks.  Will and Ruth maintain the belief that, for the "The Rep" to continue to thrive and maintain its professional standing in the community, a sustainable business model is needed as well as loyal patrons and regular contributors.  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.

    35 min

  6. OCT 4

    Rockin', rollin' and concert promoting with Michael Marion

    This week, Rex welcomes Michael Marion back to the podcast. The longtime general manager of North Little Rock's Simmons Bank Arena, Michael is a former Los Angeles-based music agent and promoter who shares his insight into the entertainment industry on this episode of the program.  The Simmons Bank Arena, whch opened to the public in October 1999 as the Allel Arena, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and stands as the largest and most prominent entertainment spot in Central Arkansas. Rex and Michael chat about the venue's unique history, which has proved financially successful in addition to its regional and national popularity and the changes that have taken place at the location over the past two and a half decades. Michael, a Tupelo, Miss. native who got his start by booking music talent in his home state, discusses the importance of business leaders and local politicians in the arena's formative years, as well as the venue's first concert, a performance by Elton John (who played a stop on his farewell tour at the same venue in 2022).  Over the years, Michael shares many of his most memorable experiences working at the arena, including booking The Rolling Stones, George Strait's sold out shows, and meeting Sir Paul McCartney.  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.

    31 min

  7. SEP 20

    Filling the state's educational gaps with Melissa Taverner

    Melissa Taverner, President of Lyon College in Batesville, returns to the studio to update Rex on several of the school's recent and upcoming projects.  Melissa highlights the university's strong enrollment and residential occupancy for the upcoming year. She also announces that the college has secured a $1.95 million Title III Grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will fund the Thriving Scot Program, a five-year initiative aimed at enhancing learning communities to improve first-semester GPAs, retention rates, and graduation rates, particularly for economically disadvantaged and first-generation students.  The pair also discuss Lyon College's plans to launch the state's first dental and veterinary schools, both of which are celebrating the expansion of educational opportunities within the state. Melissa mentions that the new dental school will be constructed in the Riverdale neighborhood of downtown Little Rock, offering both educational opportunities for students and oral health care services for the community. The veterinary school is set to be constructed in Cabot, adjacent to the Cabot Animal Services building. Melissa also touches on Lyon College's partnerships with the University of Arkansas Little Rock's Bowen Law School and the Clinton School of Public Service. Near the conclusion of the conversation, she highlights the school's recently announced Backyard Access Plan, which offers discounted tuition to eligible students from the area surrounding the college.

    32 min

  8. SEP 6

    Fostering community through youth sports with Lance Restum

    This week Lance Restum, executive director of the Arkansas Travelers Youth Foundation, returns to the studio to discuss the charity's impactful work in fostering community health and supporting local youth through baseball and softball.  Rex and Lance delve into the crucial issue of economic barriers that prevent many children and young adults from participating in sports. Lance shares how the foundation is tackling these challenges with a range of initiatives. These include their college scholarship program, free youth baseball clinics, and the Cleat Closet program, which provides essential equipment and gear to those in need. The pair also discuss the 'overall health epidemic' affecting modern youth and the importance of programs like the baseball free clinics to encourage children to get outside and stay active. Lance also mentions the foundation's Mobile Wellness Center that offers guidance to youth on ways to maintain and improve their physical health on and off the field.  Rex touches on the potential economic benefits of investing in new and renovated youth sports facilities in Little Rock and North Little Rock. He argues that such investments would not only enhance community health but also provide a boost to the local economy.

    34 min
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5
out of 5
23 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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