by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
8/13/2021
Email Addresses
1 available
Phone Numbers
0 available
April 18, 2025
On this week's episode of the podcast, Rex is joined by Chris Moses, President and CEO of Moses Tucker Partners, and the company's Vice President of Development, George Friedmann, to discuss the importance of new real estate developments and opportunities in and around the Little Rock metro, with a particular focus on the city's downtown area. The conversation begins with a lengthy chat about Moses Tucker's involvement in the recent renovation of Little Rock's historic Boyle Building, the new headquarters for state Attorney General Tim Griffin. Rex, Chris and George spend much of this part of the discussion on the significance of the location, which "opened in 1909 as the State Bank Building and served as Little Rock's second skyscraper, standing at at 12-stories in height. Chris and George discuss challenges associated with the recent renovation of the Boyle Building, including environmental issues as well as their attempt to maintain the structural integrity of the facility in the process. This leads to a broader discussion on how the Boyle Building has and can continue to serve as part of the metro's downtown epicenter and its relationship to Little Rock's Downtown Master Plan, which includes revitalizing many buildings, neighborhoods and public spaces in the heart of the city. Chris and George emphasize the need for more business development in and around the State Capitol as well as the importance of public-private partnerships for purposes of funding new real estate projects. Other topics touched on in this episode include fundraising for building renovations and expansions, as well as the need for additional rehabilitation of attractions in the arts and culture sector, such as those recently implemented by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and the future expansion of the Clinton Presidential Center. 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.
April 4, 2025
On this week’s episode, Rex and author Kat Robinson dive into all things Arkansas barbecue as they discuss her latest book, The Arkansas Barbecue Traveler, which required Kat to visit and research over 400 barbecue spots across the state. The book is the first in a series she plans to write exploring the state’s rich barbecue culture. Rex and Kat break down the diverse styles of Arkansas barbecue, shaped by generations of cultural influences. Kat shares how she traveled across the state — chasing recommendations and following the scent of smoke — to uncover hidden gems. The two trace the deep roots of Arkansas barbecue, with Kat pointing to Native American cooking traditions that were recorded by 16th-century Spanish explorers. They also dig into what Kat calls Arkansas' “barbecue revolution,” highlighting the wave of pitmaster innovations happening in restaurants and food trucks across the state. 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.
March 21, 2025
On this week's episode, Rex is joined by Lee Watson, founder and CEO of the Forge Institute, to discuss how his organization is helping Arkansans understand cybersecurity risks and better leverage economic opportunities in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). Lee emphasizes the growing sophistication of adversaries using AI to enhance their attacks, and outlines the Forge Institute’s efforts in raising awareness through workforce development, STEM education and cybersecurity training programs. Lee explains how the Forge Institute supports Arkansas’s defense industry by connecting small businesses, startups, and researchers with military partners through programs like the Atomic Anvil and Phoenix Accelerator. Rex and Lee also discuss the importance of building stronger economic and defense-related programs in the state focused on AI, drones, and electronic warfare to ensure cyber resilience in defense systems. Finally, Rex and Lee stress the need for stronger collaboration between elected officials, industry leaders, and education systems to drive technological growth. They emphasize the importance of preparing a tech-literate workforce through K-12 and higher education while also advocating for increased research and development funding for universities to fuel innovation in Arkansas.
Arkansas Times
Christianity Today
The New York Times
iHeartPodcasts
NPR
NPR
The New York Times
Christianity Today, Russell Moore
New York Times Opinion
NPR
NBC News
The Bulwark
Comedy Central
The Bulwark
WNYC Studios and The New Yorker
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at [email protected] for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.