Episodes
97 episodes, going back to launch.
State Sen. Breanne Davis on Leadership, Education and Arkansas’ Future | Free Arkansas
State Sen. Breanne Davis discusses her leadership role and future plans for Arkansas during a Free Arkansas podcast episode.
48 min
Building a Healthier Arkansas | Curtis Barnett
Curtis Barnett from Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield discusses healthcare costs and trends affecting Arkansans in the state's $30 billion healthcare market.
66 min
Mike Preston on Jobs, Growth & Building Big Things in Arkansas
Mike Preston discusses Arkansas' economic growth and infrastructure development, focusing on data centers and construction industry trends.
47 min
Jay Brogdon on Banking, Growth & Arkansas’ Economic Future 💰🏦
Jay Brogdon discusses the evolution of Simmons Bank and its role in Arkansas' economic growth on Free Arkansas.
65 min
Roby Brock on Arkansas Politics, Media & Small-Town Newspapers 🗞️🎙️
Roby Brock discusses his journey from Arkansas politics to media ownership, including small-town newspapers, on the Free Arkansas podcast.
62 min
Asa Hutchinson on Arkansas, Trump, AI & What Comes Next
Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson discusses his career, national debt concerns, and Arkansas's future on Free Arkansas podcast.
58 min
Un-Fast Fashion: Robin Wallis Atkinson with Upkept
Robin Wallis Atkinson discusses her company Upkept's mission to repair clothing and reduce textile waste, addressing a shortage in tailoring skills.
52 min
🦆 Duck Hunting in Arkansas: George Dunklin on Five Oaks, Conservation & the Flyways
George Dunklin has spent decades at the center of duck hunting and conservation in Arkansas, from leading Ducks Unlimited to chairing the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to building Five Oaks into one of the most respected hunting lodges in the country.
50 min
💰 The Economy, Housing, and Debt | Congressman French Hill
Congressman French Hill joins Andy McNeill for a wide-ranging conversation that connects Washington policy to real life in Arkansas, tracing his path from building a bank from scratch to shaping national financial policy and explaining how decisions in D.C.
30 min
Whole Health with Dr. Sharmila Makhija
In this episode of Free Arkansas, host Andy McNeill sits down with Sharmila Makhija, MD, MBA, the Founding Dean and Chief Executive Officer of the Alice L.
51 min
Breaking the Cycle of Youth Incarceration | Judge Troy Braswell
⚖️ What if the justice system actually worked to keep kids out of prison?In this episode of Free Arkansas, Andy sits down with Circuit Judge Troy Braswell, who’s taking a different approach to juvenile justice.
53 min
Getting Ahead in Arkansas | Work, Family, and the Path Forward with Anna Beth Gorman
What does it actually look like to build a career, raise a family, and get ahead in Arkansas today?Andy sits down with Anna Beth Gorman, CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, for a wide-ranging conversation about work, money, and opportunity across the state.They get into:💸
52 min
🌄 The Buffalo River Story: Arkansas’s Crown Jewel with Mike Mills
Today on Free Arkansas , we’re talking about the Buffalo River, one of the most iconic places in the state and the first national river in the United States.
51 min
🎙️ Inside Higher Ed: A Student’s Take | Jaxon Hatfield
What does college actually look like for students right now?We hear a lot from administrators, lawmakers, and university leaders.
35 min
🍗 The Return of AQ Chicken | Jacob Lively
In this episode of Free Arkansas, Andy McNeill talks with Jacob Lively about bringing AQ Chicken back to downtown Springdale and why the iconic Arkansas restaurant still means so much to people across the state.
41 min
Big Data, AI, and Arkansas Entrepreneurship | Charles Morgan
💡 What does it take to build a technology company in Arkansas — and keep building new ones decades later?
50 min
Arkansas Election Law, FOIA, and Government Transparency | Jennifer Standerfer
Andy sits down with Northwest Arkansas attorney Jennifer Standerfer to talk through the nuts and bolts of Arkansas government and election law.Jennifer is the founder of Waymack Standerfer Law, a former prosecutor and public defender, and a former legislative candidate.
38 min
🍸 Whit Nicholson on Craft Cocktails, Hospitality, and the Growing NWA Bar Scene
Annabelle Wright and Kate McNeill sit down with Whit Nicholson, bar manager at Guisinger Cocktail Club, to talk about how Northwest Arkansas is building big-city hospitality right here at home.From launching a cocktail bar from day one… to the growth of the NWA food and nightlife
60 min
Arkansas Justice, Prisons, and the Cost of Locking People Up | Sarah Moore
🚨 Arkansas has one of the highest incarceration rates in America. So what’s behind it?Andy McNeill sits down with Fayetteville City Council member and Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition founder Sarah Moore to talk prisons, mental health, sentencing laws, and what real justice refo
48 min
Keeping Arkansas Moving | ARDOT Director Jared Wiley
Arkansas roads affect every one of us: safety, economic growth, travel, and daily life. So what actually goes into keeping the state moving?In this episode of Free Arkansas, Andy McNeill sits down with Arkansas Department of Transportation Director Jared Wiley to talk about the s
53 min
🎙️ Arkansas Roots, Songwriting, and Coming Home | JD Clayton
Annabelle Wright and Kate McNeill sit down with Arkansas singer-songwriter JD Clayton for an honest conversation about music, family, and the pull of home.JD talks about growing up in Fort Smith, leaving Arkansas to chase music in Nashville, and why he ultimately came back.
48 min
Fourth-Generation Farming, Rice, and the Business of Agriculture | Jennifer James
In this episode of Free Arkansas, Andy McNeill sits down with Jennifer James, a fourth-generation farmer from Newport, Arkansas, to talk about the past, present, and future of American agriculture.Jennifer helps run a 130-year-old Arkansas Century Farm, serves on the Riceland Foo
41 min
🌳 Bryan Sanders on Outdoor Recreation, Conservation & Arkansas’s Future
Host Andy McNeill sits down with Bryan Sanders, Arkansas’s First Gentleman, for an in-depth conversation about the outdoors, conservation, and why Arkansas is emerging as a premier destination for outdoor recreation.Bryan shares personal stories about falling in love with Arkansa
36 min
🎉 2026 Predictions: Dumb Phones, Pipe Smoking and Rogue AI
Andy McNeill and Misty Hale kick off the new year by talking through the cultural trends, tech shifts, and strange predictions already floating around.
18 min
🎙️ Dr. Jim Carr | Higher Education, Cost, and the Future of the State
Andy McNeill sits down with Dr. Jim Carr for a wide-ranging conversation on higher education in Arkansas, based on Dr. Carr’s decades as a university leader and service on state and federal boards.The discussion starts with how Dr.
44 min
🎙️ Dr. Tyler Tarver: Education, AI & the Future of Learning 🤖📚
In this episode of Free Arkansas, Andy McNeill sits down with Dr. Tyler Tarver-- educator, entrepreneur, and one of the most-followed teacher voices online-- to talk about where education is headed in an AI-driven world.
47 min
🎓 From Campus to Capitol: Maria Markham’s Unexpected Political Journey
Dr. Maria Markham sits down with Andy for an honest look at higher education in Arkansas — the politics she never expected to walk into, the funding fights nobody sees, the pressure colleges face from every direction, and why welding instructors were sometimes making more than sh
50 min
🎙️ Rep. David Ray: Tax Cuts, Growth Strategy & Arkansas’ Future
State Rep. David Ray sits down with Andy for a wide-ranging conversation about tax policy, economic competitiveness, and what it takes to keep Arkansas moving forward.
41 min
🌾 Hallie Shoffner: Farming, Hunger, and the Future of Arkansas
In this episode of Free Arkansas, Andy sits down with Hallie Shoffner, a Democratic primary candidate for U.S. Senate and a fifth-generation Delta farmer whose family just closed their 150-year-old farm.
47 min
🎙️ Getting to Know Senator Tom Cotton — Beyond the Headlines
Andy sits down with U.S. Senator Tom Cotton for a wide-ranging conversation. You'll hear about marathon training and Ranger School leadership lessons, baseball loyalties, China, AI, and what life is like chairing the Intelligence Committee.
31 min
🦌Inside Arkansas Game & Fish with Commissioner Bill Jones
Andy sits down with Game & Fish Commissioner Bill Jones for a conversation on what's happening in Arkansas woods and waters — from WMAs to trophy bass programs to the future of duck season.
25 min
💍 Bill Jones: How Sissy’s Log Cabin Became an Arkansas Icon
Andy McNeill sits down with Bill Jones, CEO of Sissy’s Log Cabin, to talk about the remarkable rise of one of Arkansas’ most beloved family businesses.
23 min
☕ Onyx Coffee & Building a Life You Love in NWA
Today, we hand the mic to Andy’s daughters, Annabelle Wright and Kate McNeill , for a special conversation with someone redefining Arkansas culture and community: Andrea Allen , co-founder of Onyx Coffee Lab and the 2020 U.S. Barista Champion .
50 min
🎃 Halloween in Arkansas: Filibuster history, childcare money, and a small-town touchdown for Dierks
Happy Halloween, Arkansas! Grab some candy and jump in.⚖️ Filibuster fightShould 51 votes be enough to pass laws or keep the 60 vote rule?We kick around differing options on the filibuster.💵 Childcare funding pullbackPandemic money is drying up and that's impact childcare subsidi
16 min
🤖 The Scary Truth About AI
🤖⚠️ AI is moving faster than any tech in history … and the future might be a little scarier than we think. Andy breaks down where AI is heading, why the U.S. has to win this race, and what the world looks like when machines get smarter than the smartest humans.
18 min
🐾 BLACK PANTHER SIGHTINGS IN ARKANSAS?! You sent more than 100 stories and today we read them.
Arkansas, we need to talk about your woods. 👀🌲 We asked for Black Panther stories and y’all absolutely delivered. From the Ozarks to the Delta, deer camps, farm roads, lake shores, hollers, porches, and midnight fishing trips… Arkansans have seen things.
39 min
🗳️ Meet the Candidates: District 52 Republican Primary
Four candidates. One open seat. The race to replace the retiring Rep. Marcus Richmond is gearing up in Arkansas House District 52 — and we’ve got them all right here.🎙️ In this episode, Andy McNeill sits down with Brent Montgomery, Crystal Malloy, Mike Jones, and Kristain Thompso
47 min
🏋️♂️ Free Arkansas: Frank Lawrence on Building Community Through Fitness
In this episode, Andy sits down with Frank Lawrence, CEO and co-owner of The Athletic Clubs, to talk about how fitness, leadership, and community all intersect.They cover:💪 Frank’s journey from community banker to health club entrepreneur🏃♀️ How the clubs have become hubs for co
40 min
🚜 From the Delta to Dynasty: The Life and Lessons of John L. Conner Jr.
Free Arkansas Podcast | Hosted by Andy McNeillJohn L. Conner Jr. is one of Arkansas’ most accomplished farm entrepreneurs — from buying his first 520-acre farm in 1972 for $325 an acre to leading one of the state’s largest John Deere dealership networks and building a family dyna
32 min
🎙️ Fat Generals, College Compacts & Online Bullies | Andy McNeill & Misty Hale
In this week’s episode of Free Arkansas , Andy and Misty tackle some of the biggest national headlines — and what they mean for Arkansas and beyond.
17 min
Free Arkansas: Dr. Hunter Biram on Arkansas agriculture
🌾 Arkansas farming is the backbone of our economy — but what does it really look like in 2025? In this episode, Andy McNeill talks with Dr. Hunter Biram , ag economist at the University of Arkansas, about the numbers behind farming and the people living it every day.
49 min
🚢 Free Arkansas | Bryan Day on the Port of Little Rock
The Port of Little Rock isn’t just a dock on the river—it’s a 5,000-acre industrial hub that’s home to 53 businesses and more than 11,000 jobs.
44 min
🚀 Free Arkansas Podcast | Bentonville’s Business Boom with Eric Howerton & Andy Wilson
Northwest Arkansas is on the rise — and Bentonville is at the center of it all. In this episode, Andy McNeill sits down with Eric Howerton and Andy Wilson , the voices behind Doing Business in Bentonville , to talk Walmart, entrepreneurship, innovation, and the future of one of A
50 min
⚡ Hugh McDonald: Powering Arkansas’ Future
Guest: Hugh McDonald, Arkansas Secretary of Commerce (former CEO of Entergy Arkansas) Arkansas is in an arms race for jobs ⚡️.
39 min
🚀 Entrepreneurship in Arkansas: Jeff Amerine on Startups, Grit & Growth
What does it really take to start, scale, and survive as an entrepreneur in Arkansas? In this episode of Free Arkansas , Andy McNeill sits down with serial entrepreneur, investor, and Startup Junkie founder Jeff Amerine .
49 min
Judge Valarie Clark on the Lithium Boom
South Arkansas is on the verge of a lithium boom — and Lafayette County Judge Valarie Clark is at the center of it all. In this episode, Andy McNeill and Rep.
37 min
Free Arkansas: Todd Simmons from Simmons Foods
In this episode of Free Arkansas, Andy McNeill sits down with Todd Simmons, CEO of Simmons Foods — one of Arkansas’s largest private companies — for a deep dive into the intersection of business, community, and policy in the Natural State.From running a multi-billion-dollar food
49 min
Free Arkansas: Congressman Bruce Westerman on Immigration, Debt, Energy, and AI
Congressman Bruce Westerman joins Andy McNeill for a wide-ranging conversation on immigration, the national debt, energy policy, and AI. They dig into Arkansas's economic growth challenges, the labor shortage, border security, and how federal policy impacts the state.
47 min
📅 June 24 — Arkansas Daily Briefing
What you need to know today: 🗳️ Fred Love Enters Governor’s Race The term-limited Democratic senator launches a 2026 bid. 🔫 Bryant Family Triple Homicide A man is charged with killing his sister and parents.
9 min
Arkansas Daily Briefing: June 23, 2025
🗳️ Arkansas GOP Moves to Close Primaries, Student Loan Contract Rejected, & EFA Funding Approved — June 23 ⚠️ Arkansas Republican Party votes to block Democrats from GOP primaries. 💰 Major hikes in candidate filing fees. 📉 Legislative Council nixes $1M loan forgiveness contract.
11 min
🎙️ Free State Arkansas | Dr. Robert Maranto on Education, Bureaucracy & Free Speech
In this thought-provoking episode of Free Arkansas, Andy McNeill sits down with Dr. Robert Maranto from the University of Arkansas to cover everything from school choice and education reform to postmodernism, bureaucracy, and campus free speech.🚨 Dr. Maranto pulls no punches.
60 min
☀️ Summer Solstice & Arkansas Headlines | Arkansas Daily Briefing – June 20, 2025
☀️ Summer Solstice & Arkansas Headlines | Arkansas Daily Briefing – June 20, 2025 Happy Summer Solstice! It’s the longest day of the year in Arkansas — and we’ve got a packed Daily Briefing to match. Here’s what’s making news this Friday, June 20: 🚨 Fayetteville vs. ICE?
7 min
🎙️ Thursday, June 19 – Arkansas Daily Briefing
Today on the Arkansas Daily Briefing:🎯 Nearly $1M for Student Loan Help?A controversial $917K contract to help state employees navigate student loan forgiveness moves forward.
7 min
🎧 June 18 — Arkansas Daily Briefing
Good morning, Arkansas! From missing persons to political shakeups, school choice funding, and Razorback baseball in Omaha.
6 min
Arkansas Daily Briefing: June 17, 2025
📢 Today on the Arkansas Daily Briefing – June 17, 2025🧑⚖️ Library Book Law Back in CourtThe state is appealing a federal judge’s ruling that struck down parts of Act 372, Arkansas’ controversial library materials law.
11 min
🏗️ Inside Northwest Arkansas Growth with Marshall Saviers | Free Arkansas
In this episode of Free Enterprise Arkansas , host Andy McNeill sits down with Marshall Saviers — CEO of Sage Partners and co-founder of Natural Capital Partners — for a deep dive into what’s fueling the explosive growth of Northwest Arkansas.
34 min
🎙️ Arkansas Daily Briefing – Friday, June 13, 2025
It’s Friday the 13th, and we’re covering everything from spooky superstitions to serious headlines across Arkansas. 🐕Pitbulls are the culprits in 15-year-old's death in Saline County. 🪦 Little Rock is ordered to follow the law after removing a Confederate monument.
11 min
📺 Arkansas Daily Briefing – June 13, 2025
Today’s episode covers major news from across the state — from legal battles and political spats to tragedy and baseball.⛪ Ten Commandments Lawsuit Hits Federal CourtA group of Arkansas families is suing to block Act 573, the new state law requiring public schools and libraries t
7 min🎙️ Arkansas Daily Briefing – June 11, 2025
Full Moon, Full News Cycle 🌕🍓 On today’s episode: 🍬 Arkansas becomes one of the first states approved to ban junk food, soda, and candy from SNAP benefits. ⚖️ Senator Fred Love’s lawsuit against Pulaski County gets tossed.
12 min
Arkansas Daily Briefing: June 9, 2025
📢 Arkansas ranks 45th in child well-being — again. We break down the brutal stats in this year’s Kids Count report.
10 min
Free State Arkansas: Rep. Lee Johnson
From the ER to the State Capitol — Arkansas Rep. Dr. Lee Johnson joins Free Arkansas for a wide-ranging, no-nonsense look at the state of healthcare in Arkansas.📉 Arkansas ranks 47th in overall healthcare — and Dr. Johnson explains exactly why.
45 min
🎙️ Arkansas Daily Briefing – June 5, 2025
Beige Book Breakdown, Medicaid Reform, Outdoor School, and More In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the latest Federal Reserve Beige Book report — and what it says about Arkansas’ economic outlook. Spoiler: we’re holding steady, but there’s plenty of warning signs.
10 min
🎧 Arkansas Daily Briefing – June 4, 2025
Today’s top stories in Arkansas: 🗳️ Arkansas ranked #1 for election integrity 🌬️ Newton County bans wind and solar farms🌊 Conway County farmers warn: levees are failing⚖️ AG Griffin refuses race-based Ethics Commission appointment📉 Math teacher prep gets national praise — but sco
10 min
Arkansas Daily Briefing: June 3, 2025
Today’s episode covers the biggest stories happening across Arkansas — no spin, just facts you won’t hear anywhere else: 🚔 A massage parlor in Hot Springs raided in a human trafficking sting — part of what the AG calls “gray zone warfare” 🛒 16 people arrested in a retail theft sw
7 min
🎧 Arkansas Daily Briefing – June 2, 2025
Omaha dreams, political shakeups, and a manhunt still underway — here’s what’s happening across the Natural State.In today’s episode of Free News Arkansas , we break down: ⚾️ UALR’s Cinderella run: Two big wins in one day, including an upset over LSU 🐗 Razorbacks roll through the
6 min
Free Enterprise Arkansas w Troy Wells: The Business — and Burden — of Healthcare in Arkansas
In this episode of Free Arkansas , host Andy McNeill sits down with Troy Wells, President & CEO of Baptist Health, for a wide-ranging conversation on the challenges and innovations shaping Arkansas’s largest healthcare provider.
46 min
Free News Arkansas: May 30, 2025
In today’s episode of Free News Arkansas – Daily Briefing (May 30, 2025), we’re covering the biggest stories shaping the Natural State: 🛑 $57 million approved for designing a new mega-prison in Franklin County — but lawmakers haven’t even funded the prison yet.
11 min
Free News Arkansas Daily Briefing: May 29, 2025
Welcome back to your trusted Arkansas news roundup — no spin, no fluff, just the headlines that matter across the Natural State. In today’s episode: 🩺 Medicaid Mess — Over 145,000 Arkansans on Medicaid don’t have a primary care doctor.
8 min
🎙️ Free Enterprise Arkansas | Pro Soccer Comes to the Ozarks with Chris Martinovich
In this episode of Free Arkansas, host Andy McNeill sits down with Chris Martinovich, founder of Ozark United — a startup professional soccer club working to bring USL Championship-level play to Northwest Arkansas.From economic impact to community pride, Chris lays out his vision
41 min
🎙️ Arkansas Daily Briefing – May 28, 2025
Today’s episode dives into some of the biggest stories unfolding across the Natural State:🔋 Lithium Royalty Showdown in Magnolia🧃 SNAP Junk Food Ban Still Pending🦃 Game & Fish Restores Veteran Hunt + Eyes Big Changes🗳️ 2026 Campaigns Begin⚾ Razorbacks Host Regional🌩️ Remembering
9 min
Free News Arkansas – Daily Briefing | May 27, 2025
Today’s headlines spotlight Arkansas stories that matter — from prison security to dispensary regulations and more.
8 minFree News Arkansas – Daily Briefing for May 22, 2025
Straightforward Arkansas news. No spin. Just facts. In today’s episode: 💰 Revenue Forecast Drops – Arkansas lowers its surplus projections, but Finance Secretary Jim Hudson says agriculture could thrive with the right trade deals.
10 min
Free News Arkansas: May 21, 2025
🎙️ May 21, 2025 — Arkansas News Roundup Door-kicking judges, tornadoes with no warning, and a rapper behind bars in Pope County. We’ve got all that — plus Medicaid debates, turkey season highs, and who's running for Congress in 2026.
9 min
Investing in Arkansas’s Future - Brad Henry
Brad Henry has spent his career on the front lines of Arkansas’s economy — from the Arkansas Development Finance Authority to co-founding one of the state’s only private investment firms. In this episode, he joins hosts Andy McNeill and Rep.
41 min
From 5 Miles to 500: How Trails are Transforming Arkansas
Gary Vernon on Arkansas’ Trail Revolution🎙️ Free Arkansas Podcast – May 16, 2025Gary Vernon helped turn a small bike trail experiment into a $150+ million-a-year economic engine. In this episode, he joins Andy McNeill and Rep.
40 min
Why Not Us: Arkansas Education with Mike Poore
Mike Poore, longtime Arkansas educator and now EVP at Education Partners, joins Free Arkansas for a deep dive into the current state of K-12 education.
47 min
The Hunger-Obesity Paradox in Arkansas
📍 Free Arkansas Podcast – Andy McNeill & Rep. Matt Duffield This week’s episode dives deep into a surprising Arkansas contradiction: how can a state rank among the highest in both childhood food insecurity and obesity ?
33 min
Inside the Legislative Session with Rep. Aaron Pilkington
In this episode of Free Arkansas, hosts Andy McNeill and Rep. Matt Duffield sit down with Rep. Aaron Pilkington to unpack the highs, lows, and headline-grabbing moments from Arkansas' recently wrapped-up legislative session.
53 min
🎓 Deep Dive into Education in Arkansas w/ Rep. Bruce Cozart
Education guru Rep. Bruce Cozart joins the show to break down how Arkansas schools are funded, why the current formula is outdated, and what can be done to better serve students statewide.💸 School Funding in Arkansas:Cozart explains that Arkansas schools are funded through an "ad
43 min
Rep. Bart Schulz on Arkansas Tornado Relief, Homestead Tax Credit & Session Highlights
In this episode of the Free Arkansas podcast, hosts Andy McNeill and Rep. Matt Duffield are joined by Rep. Bart Schulz to discuss key topics affecting Arkansas.
42 min
4 | Spring Break Edition - AI, Education and Prisons
Free Arkansas hosts Andy McNeill and Rep. Matt Duffield talk AI takeovers, the Department of Education, hefty consulting fees and more in this Spring Break podcast.
31 min
3 | Pope County’s Public Safety Challenge
In this episode of Free Arkansas , Andy McNeill is joined by Representative Matt Duffield, Sheriff Shane Jones, and Judge Ben Cross to discuss the growing public safety challenges facing Pope County.
47 min
2: Senator Bryan King on Prisons, Elections, and Arkansas’ Future
In this episode of Free Arkansas, hosts Andy McNeill and Rep. Matt Duffield sit down with Senator Bryan King for a deep dive into some of the most pressing issues facing Arkansas.
39 min
1: Welcome to Free Arkansas
In this first podcast episode, Andy McNeill and Matt Duffield explore a variety of topics centered around free thinking, critical ideas, and the importance of communication in politics.
32 min