The 3W Podcast

Kasie Yokley

From the people that bring you 3W Magazine, welcome to the 3W Podcast! We aim to serve our community by promoting awareness of Northwest Arkansas’ thriving philanthropic movement; To provide a guide of dates to help coordinate events so every nonprofit gets the coverage they need and deserve; To give financially to local charities each year.

  1. 2H AGO

    The 3W Podcast: Tricia Upshaw - Part 2

    Mother’s Day doesn’t just “get busy” at a flower shop. It becomes a full-scale logistics puzzle with real stakes: freshness, timing and the emotion tied to the moment. We’re back with Tricia Upshaw of Shirley’s Flower Studio in Rogers, and she walks us through what it actually takes to serve a whole community when Mother’s Day flower orders surge past expectations. We dig into how a local florist plans months ahead, why wholesale deadlines and price increases matter, and how Mother’s Day designs often start with the container first because so many customers want a keepsake vase. Trisha shares what consistently sells, how spring color palettes show up year after year, and why delivery isn’t just “drop it at the door” when you’re scaling from a normal day to a week that can mean hundreds of flower deliveries. Then we widen the lens to everything else happening at the same time: weddings, graduations, nonprofit events and prom season. We talk wedding flower consultations in the Pinterest and TikTok era, how real flowers change the final look, typical wedding lead times, and what trends are fading or coming back, from pampas grass to lighter pastels, soft blues with peach, and modern black-and-white wedding parties. We also get honest about prom bouquets replacing wrist corsages, boutonnieres, and the little traditions people still care about. If you love Mother’s Day flowers, wedding flowers, prom corsages, and hearing how a trusted Rogers florist keeps quality high under pressure, hit play. If you enjoy it, subscribe, share it with a friend who waits until the last minute, and leave us a review.

    35 min

  2. APR 24

    The 3W Podcast: Tricia Upshaw - Part 1

    She bought the flower shop, then immediately ended up doing the least glamorous owner task imaginable: pushing a van out of the snow. That’s how we kick off a real conversation with Tricia Upshaw, the new owner of Shirley’s Flowers on the edge of downtown Rogers, and one of the most respected floral designers in the region. We get into the origin story of Shirley’s Flowers, how a small local florist grew into a 50-year community staple, and why the best businesses don’t just sell products, they build relationships. Tricia shares how she started in the floral industry as a delivery driver, how she learned design on the job, and how education shaped her career through AIFD (American Institute of Floral Designers), the Arkansas Florists Association, and years of competitions, judging and hands-on practice. Then we go behind the scenes: how flowers are shipped, processed and kept fresh, and why a “magical” arrangement is actually the result of systems, clean buckets and constant problem-solving. We also talk the real rules of floral design, symbolic meanings people still attach to certain blooms and the simplest tip for keeping flowers alive longer at home. If you love Rogers, Northwest Arkansas, small business stories, wedding flowers, or just want your next bouquet to feel more personal, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves flowers, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

    52 min

  3. APR 10

    The 3W Podcast: Jennifer Martinez Belt - Part 2

    Skip the tux and keep your hands free, you’re going to want to touch everything. We’re joined by Jennifer Martinez Belt, Chief Philanthropy Officer at the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville, to map out what makes the Amazeum UnGala one of the most talked-about fundraising events in Northwest Arkansas: it’s casual, fast-moving, and designed around play, not speeches. We dig into the why behind the UnGala and how the dollars translate into real community impact, especially expanding access to hands-on learning. Jennifer shares how the Amazeum operates as more than a building, with outreach that brings museum-style projects into schools, libraries and neighboring communities. If you care about early learning, family engagement, and practical philanthropy, this conversation lays out how a children’s museum fundraiser can fund far more than a single night out. Then we get into the fun mechanics: the Tipsy Chemistry competition where guest mixologists craft signature cocktails or mocktails and rally friends to tip in a friendly battle to raise big dollars. We also preview returning favorites and new activations, plus how the Amazeum expansion and construction energy show up with creative partners, maker moments, food trucks and surprises that make the night feel like a grown-up version of the museum itself. The Amazeum UnGala is 6-9 p.m. Friday, April 17, and it’s a 21+ adult evening. Grab tickets or explore sponsorships at amazeum.org, then come back and tell us what activation you’re most excited to try. If you like what you hear, subscribe, share the show with a friend and leave us a review.

    23 min

  4. APR 3

    The 3W Podcast: Jennifer Martinez Belt - Part 1

    You can learn a lot about a community by the way it treats kids and the caregivers raising them. We sit down with Jennifer Martinez Belt, the philanthropy and fundraising leader at the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville, to talk about the work that makes a children’s museum more than a fun stop - it becomes a place where families across Northwest Arkansas can actually belong. Jennifer pulls back the curtain on what it takes to keep admission affordable and expand access through programs like Wednesday Priceless Nights and sensory-friendly events. We dig into the Amazeum’s 10-year milestone and the big swing that comes with it: the Expanding Futures $25 million capital campaign. She breaks down what’s coming next, including the Early Learning Advancement Center for ages 0 to 6, plus new community spaces where people can grab a coffee, meet up, host clubs, and build connections without feeling turned away. Then the conversation gets personal. Jennifer shares her family’s path with her son Thomas, a nonverbal autistic teenager, and why advocacy for sensory-friendly public spaces matters. We talk about how sensory hours at Walmart started, why sensory nights at the Amazeum help remove barriers and what real inclusion looks like when you’re living it day to day. Along the way, you’ll also hear about Youth Makers, hands-on entrepreneurship for kids, and the energy behind her simple motto: Goonies never say die. If you care about early learning, nonprofit fundraising, sensory-friendly programming or just want a hopeful look at how Northwest Arkansas builds community, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

    41 min

  5. FEB 13

    The 3W Podcast: Kasie Yokley Talks About the 2026 3W Magazine

    Start the year with purpose and a plan. We’re looking at the 2026 3W Magazine and walking you through the Who, What and Where shaping Northwest Arkansas philanthropy — so you’ll know exactly who to support, what to attend and where your dollars change lives. We dig into EverHope, the evolved identity of the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter, and what a holistic model means for kids who need more than a bed. We spotlight the Circle of Hope from Hope Cancer Resources, a women-led giving circle that turns empathy into direct support for families in treatment. Then we sit with four trailblazing Razorback head coaches — women's golf, softball, gymnastics and women’s basketball — whose playbooks go far beyond the game, blending mentorship, motherhood and competitive fire to build programs with heart. Our Leading Ladies and Leading Lads series returns with standouts across food, retail, and CPG — voices who show up for causes all year long. Look for the chef who grows what he serves, corporate partners who actually attend the fundraisers they sponsor, and a Dickson Street hot dog vendor who doubles as a safe haven, calling rides and watching over students without asking for anything in return. We celebrate the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA’s push to build a comprehensive campus in Springdale and preview Arkansas Children’s Northwest’s Town and Country–themed gala, set to mix joy with generosity under seasoned emcees. Even the cover is a catalyst: an original painting created to be auctioned for a mission. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to re-engage, this is it — clear dates, real stories and trusted organizations that turn intent into impact. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves NWA, and leave a review telling us which cause you’ll back first.

    40 min

  6. JAN 16

    The 3W Podcast: Gay Prescott - Part 2

    The spark behind Circle of Hope is simple and bold: turn collective generosity into immediate relief for people navigating cancer. We invited Gay Prescott from Hope Cancer Resources to walk us through how a women’s giving circle was built for real life — studied, tailored and launched with clarity about what matters most when treatment begins to upend daily routines. We talk through the pillars of practical support: gas cards that keep appointments accessible, rent assistance that prevents displacement, and travel funds that bridge the distance to world-class care in Little Rock, MD Anderson and beyond. Gay shares why “small” gifts become massive when they arrive at the right moment and how members see their impact up close through engagement events like yoga in the wellness center, skincare and risk-reduction workshops, and conversations with licensed social workers and counselors. Those touchpoints turn donors into advocates who can connect a friend, co-worker, or neighbor to resources the moment a diagnosis lands. Looking ahead, we lean into a powerful theme for 2026: nutrition. From protein needs during chemo to budget-friendly recipes and herb-forward cooking, the circle is bringing education and access together so patients and caregivers can make choices that support healing. We also break down membership tiers, the power of monthly gifts and the sense of shared pride that comes from doing more together than any of us could alone. A moving survivor story ties it all together, showing how a circle forms around a patient — physicians, social workers, counselors, trainers — and how giving connects directly to that care. If you believe in high-trust, high-impact giving that meets people where they are, you’ll find a home here. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who cares about cancer support and leave a review to help more listeners discover community-driven giving that truly changes lives.

    29 min

  7. JAN 9

    The 3W Podcast: Gay Prescott - Part 1

    The moment a cancer diagnosis lands, life tilts. Calendars stop being yours, choices get crowded by appointments, and the simplest barrier — like a ride to treatment — can decide outcomes. That’s where we go today with Gay Prescott from Hope Cancer Resources, exploring how a community-built nonprofit evolved from NARTI’s radiation roots into a full-spectrum support system for patients and families in Northwest Arkansas. We walk through practical help that changes lives: oncology-trained social workers who triage crises and calm the swirl of questions, financial assistance that keeps fuel in the tank and a collaborative network that prioritizes patients over turf. Then we sit with a fragile season many don’t talk about — life after active treatment. Hope’s Wellness Center offers a quiet, guided path to rebuild strength and confidence, from one-on-one plans to yoga and meditation. It’s a bridge back to daily life, designed for survivors and caregivers who need a gentle re-entry before the world expects them to be “normal” again. Gay also opens the lens on what’s new and what’s next in cancer care. Research has reshaped treatment with targeted therapies and improved symptom management, powered by brave patients who join clinical trials. Prevention and early detection rise to the forefront, with calls for accessible screenings, employer education and thoughtful advocacy to expand insurance coverage for tools that catch cancers sooner. We round it out with a look at Hope’s refreshed brand — brighter, clearer and rooted in the same mission: deliver hope, reduce burdens and stand with people through every step of the journey. If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with someone who needs a lift and leave a quick review so others can find it. Your support helps more people discover the resources that make a hard road a little lighter.

    42 min

  8. 12/12/2025

    The 3W Podcast: Amanda Whittaker - Part 2

    Batteries found, Ferblets chirping and the timer on Perfection primed — this conversation with Amanda Whittaker from Hasbro is a full-on joy sprint through toys, games and the little moments that reset a busy home. We dive into why robotic pets like DJ Furby and Nanimal feel fresh yet familiar, how Monopoly evolves without losing its soul, and the surprising power of fast, low-friction games to pull kids off screens and back to the table. We explore Monopoly’s modern toolkit — bundles, expansion packs and Monopoly Deal for quick sessions — plus licensed editions that make fandoms feel at home on the board. The energy ramps up with Perfection and Operation (yes, we still scream when the pieces pop), and we trade DIY game hacks: writing challenges on Jenga blocks, custom Guess Who boards for birthdays and Etsy-inspired upgrades that turn party nights into keepsakes. Connect 4 Frenzy earns a nod for high-speed chaos, while app banking keeps Monopoly relevant in a tap-first world. Beyond the box, we follow the screen-to-shelf pipeline: Nerf parties that take over trampoline parks, a live Monopoly experience in New York, and Peppa Pig’s evolving family driving new toys and real-life adventures. Collectors and kids meet in the Transformers aisle, Baby Alive taps nurturing play at accessible price points, and the old-school toy catalog still wins hearts you can circle and dog-ear. We also get real about parenting bandwidth and why the harmless “6-7” meme is a reminder to protect small joy when the calendar gets loud. If you need a practical plan for Q4 sanity, start here: pick a game that fits your window, grab snacks and let play do the rest. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a brain break and leave a review telling us your family’s go-to game — and the one you finally finished.

    40 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

From the people that bring you 3W Magazine, welcome to the 3W Podcast! We aim to serve our community by promoting awareness of Northwest Arkansas’ thriving philanthropic movement; To provide a guide of dates to help coordinate events so every nonprofit gets the coverage they need and deserve; To give financially to local charities each year.

Information

  • Creator
    Kasie Yokley
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The 3W Podcast
  • Show Website
    The 3W Podcast