Best Podcasts To Listen To About Northwest Arkansas

Written by Phillip Shepard in Uncategorized

So much has been happening in Northwest Arkansas — from new developments to thrilling events. One of the best ways to keep up with everything is by following local podcasts.

The Bentonville Beacon is one of the best podcasts about Northwest Arkansas. The producers deliver high-quality audio with talented staff and regularly share some of the area’s most exciting updates. You also want to listen to the big-name guests hosted on Downtown Bentonville’s Youtube Channel.

Read on to learn more about each of these podcasts that can immerse you in the wonderful world of Northwest Arkansas. Some only offer audio options, others offer video formats, and still others have both. Many of them have also featured names that you may have heard of, as well as names you should know if you haven’t heard of them already. 

Video:

1. The Bentonville Beacon

If you like podcasts and are considering a move to Northwest Arkansas, The Bentonville Beacon Podcast is a must-listen.

The Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce is behind it, and in my opinion, it’s one of the top-tier podcasts in America in terms of production. For starters, the audio quality is excellent.

They make it a point to bring in fantastic talents — experienced producers, business owners, and Bentonville locals doing so many amazing things in the area. They’ve also had people in aviation, investment funds, startups by people who just moved to NWA, and others involved in nonprofits. 

Aside from its podcast, it also has a dedicated YouTube channel. I’m a little more biased toward the latter format because I also have one you can follow here.

Recommended Episode

In the episode “Making Office Space Flexible and Accessible with Jon Cadieux of NWA Workplaces,” Jon Cadieux, NWA Workplaces President, joined the podcast to discuss the overall development of Bentonville. They also talked about Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit, with Jon being a notable figure in this field in NWA.

The 58-minute audio is available on their website, but you can also watch the video here:

2. I am Northwest Arkansas (NWA)

Another podcast you need to know about is I am Northwest Arkansas (yes, that’s what it’s called). It’s the longest-running one in the entire region. True to its name, it’s proud of everything NWA, and that pride shines through every episode they put together.

Hosted by Randy, the podcast sees a variety of guests, including actors, songwriters, artists, news people, nonprofits, and business owners. They’re all from Northwest Arkansas, and you can hear them talk about culture and everything NWA.

In my opinion, Randy has done an excellent job of blending the trendy things in Northwest Arkansas’ podcasting scene, so definitely check it out.

By the way, if you’re active on social media, I’ve shared Tiktok and Instagram profiles that cover Northwest Arkansas in a previous article. 

Recommended Episode

Their 205th episode featured Chris Thompson, a former alcoholic who recovered and became sober again with his friend’s help. To pay it forward, Chris founded Sober Sidekick, an app aimed at helping those in rehab conquer isolation. Of course, Chris also talks about life in NWA.

Also, I have a 3-day itinerary that can help you decide what activities to do if you’re overwhelmed by everything Northwest Arkansas has to offer.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a foodie, a sports person, a sightseer, or want to spend quality time with your kids; I have something for you. Check out the link below to learn more:

https://www.allthingsnwa.com/3-day-itinerary-northwest-arkansas

3. New American Town

Like the first podcast listed, the New American Town is also based in Bentonville. They do an excellent job of focusing on local businesses more than anything.

They cover subjects like The Witching Hour, a great burger place I’ve reviewed on my Youtube channel. They also talked about Thaden Field, the FORMAT Festival, Oz Trails, and just a lot of people in general, especially those engaged in both profit and nonprofit enterprises.

New American Town doesn’t have as many episodes as the Bentonville Beacon or most other ones in the area. However, they do have an exceptional selection on Bentonville specifically.

One of the things people don’t know about NWA is that its people care about the outdoors. It’s a big part of the residents’ lives. Hence, it’s a good thing that organizations like the NWA exist to protect the land. 

Recommended Episode

I suggest checking out the episode titled “Downtown Bentonville Inc.” It features Dana Schalgenhaft, who revealed more plans to spruce up Downtown Bentonville in 2023. If you happen to drop by Downtown Bentonville then, you’ll want to listen to this one so you’ll be ready.

4. Downtown Bentonville Youtube

Last but certainly not least (before the bonus round) is the downtown Bentonville YouTube channel. It’s technically not a podcast per se, but I consider it a well-put-together media production system. 

As you can guess from their name, they’re in charge of covering anything and everything happening in Downtown Bentonville — like First Fridays, the Farmer’s Market, etc.

Their videos are of exceptional quality. For example, you can find a video about the Downtown Bentonville Parade (The Light of the Ozarks), which dates back to about January 2022.

Recommended Episode(s)

Honestly, I can’t recommend only one episode. They’ve had interviews with the Waltons, Fixer to Fabulous, Dave & Jenny Mars, and many other big names in the region. Former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson was even on there at some point — like, a couple of episodes, if I remember correctly. 

5. Startup Junkies Podcast

The first and only podcast in my favorite round (bonus round) is the Startup Junkies Podcast in Fayetteville. If you want to know anything and everything about startups in the area, I don’t think you can find a better podcast.

Startup Junkies brings in a bunch of people from nearby, but they’ve also had many guests from other regions, including several businesses and startups. So, they’re not just strictly for an NWA audience.

Startup Junkies one of those podcasts I absolutely recommend you follow if you’re at all interested in startup culture and business — even if you’re a bit later in life and considering a startup.

You may associate startups with Silicon Valley companies, but NWA startups aren’t only in the tech industry. You’ll get a lot of perspectives about everything startup.

We have the perfect weekend planned for you! My Perfect Weekend in Bentonville!

Recommended Episode

I think Episode 327 is worth checking out. It features Philip Mudd, who shared advice on leadership, tackling crises, etc. He’s a well-respected personality with multiple accolades from the CIA and FBI. He gives advice on, among other things, why you should have a “call mom” phrase for anything you set out to do.

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