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.
Episodes
In this week’s episode, Rex sits down with Tad Bohannon, CEO of Central Arkansas Water, to discuss the region’s most valuable natural resource: water. From watershed preservation to infrastructure upgrades, the pair’s conversation dives into the strategic steps being taken to secure water quality and quantity for future generations.
.css-1t8gq41{border:none;background-image:none;background-color:transparent;box-shadow:none;color:#2F3133;cursor:pointer;font-size:inherit;padding:0;-webkit-text-decoration:inherit;text-decoration:inherit;width:-webkit-max-content;width:-moz-max-content;width:max-content;}.css-1t8gq41:hover,.css-1t8gq41:focus{-webkit-text-decoration:inherit;text-decoration:inherit;}
In this week’s episode, Rex sits down with entrepreneur Andy McNeill and State Rep. Matt Duffield, R-Russellville, co-hosts of the Free Arkansas podcast, to discuss how open dialogue and practical policymaking could shape the state’s future. Through their Free Arkansas podcast, the pair aim to challenge the status quo by fostering conversation, examining the state’s rankings across key s...
On this episode of the podcast, Rex sits down for an in-depth discussion with one of his longtime religious mentors and a man he says many refer to as "Arkansas' pastor," Rex Horne, the outgoing executive director of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. With Horne's decades-long career as a prominent Baptist leader, educator and administrator, the two cover a range of topics related to...
One of Rex’s old friends and longtime Arkansas politician Jim Keet returns to the podcast this week to discuss several topics relevant to Jim’s multifaceted career and, in particular, the businessman’s longstanding history in the restaurant business.
Rex and Jim’s conversation begins with an overview of their joint involvement in Arkansas’ Republican party at ...
On this week’s episode, Attorney General Tim Griffin joins Rex to talk about his office’s move into the newly renovated Brooks Building in downtown Little Rock. Formerly known as the Boyle Building, the historic structure was renamed in honor of Griffin’s late friend and colleague, former Chief Deputy Attorney General B...
In this week’s episode, Rex sits down with Stephanie Streett, Executive Director of the Clinton Foundation, to chat about the organization's role in transforming downtown Little Rock over the past two decades. Since opening in 2004, the foundation has helped generate $4.9 billion for the local economy and several cultur...
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...
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...
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...
In this week's episode, Gabe Holmstrom, Executive Director of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, joins Rex to provide updates on the implementation of the Downtown Little Rock Master Plan.
Rex and Gabe discuss the plan's goal of attracting more residents, businesses, and developments to downtown Little Rock. Gabe highlights the challenges of achieving this, citing high construction an...
In this week's episode, Rex is joined by Rush Deacon, the Co-chair of the Capital Campaign for Christ Episcopal Church, and Mark Grobmyer, the Chairman of the Global Solutions Institute, to discuss the renovation plans for the historic Christ Episcopal Church in Downtown Little Rock.
The trio's conversation begins with a celebration of the various construction projects in Downtown Little...
On this episode of the podcast, Rex welcomes back to the show, Gina Gimberling, President and CEO of the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau (LRCVB), to talk about all things tourism in The Natural State's capital city.
Rex and Gina begin by discussing the importance and necessity of the Tourism Master Plan, which was launched shortly after the conclusion of the covid-19 pandemic...
In this episode, Rex welcomes Jay Chessir, President and CEO of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, back to the show to discuss a slew of new activity being supported by the Chamber in the new year.
To begin, Rex and Jay focus on the importance of the 2017-2018 "Love Little Rock" campaign, which helped bring Amazon's 3.6 million-square-foot facility at the Port of Little Rock t...
On this week’s episode, Jack Thomas, vice president of economic development with the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, joins Rex to discuss Central Arkansas’ growing role as a national hub for manufacturing, distribution, and logistics.
Jack highlights the impressive economic expansion in the area, with the chamber working on 42 major projects since 2020, and which includes over ...
In this week's episode, Rex welcomes Bryan Day, executive director of the Little Rock Port Authority, back to the show to catch up on new developments in Central Arkansas' economic sector. The two begin their chat by focusing on two related announcements made in October: Faymonville Group, a European-based transportation manufacturing company, recently selected Little Rock as the locatio...
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 so...
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 a...
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 ...
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 t...
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 upbri...
Popular Podcasts
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!