I Am Northwest Arkansas®

About the Show:Chef Matt Cooper is a friend of the podcast and one of the finest Chefs in Northwest Arkansas, if not the United States. We originally featured him on episode 28 of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast discussing his return to Northwest Arkansas and the inspiration behind his original restaurant here, The Preachers Son. Fast forward a couple of years, and with everything going on in the world, Chef Matt has decided to open another restaurant in Downtown Bentonville.  Enter Conifer, which has Chef Matt’s thumbprint all over it, from the expansive open kitchen to the Wood Burning stove to the restaurant's overall feel that blurs the line between outside and inside. He has not left any stone unturned.  Chef Matt and Conifer provide one of the most eclectic gluten-free Farm to Table dining options in Northwest Arkansas. Located in one of the newest downtown Bentonville urban dwellings, Conifer is right on the Greenway trail system and is just a stone's throw from Bentonville Square. The restaurant will be open for dinner only Tuesday thru Saturday. When you visit Conifer and Chef Matt Cooper, you are in for a treat.  Be sure to tell him that the good folks over at I am Northwest Arkansas sent you!All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Matthew Cooper, ChefEmail Downtown Bentonville Inc.Website for Downtown Bentonville Inc.Downtown Bentonville Inc. on InstagramDowntown Bentonville Inc. on FacebookDowntown Bentonville Inc. on LinkedInWebsite for AY MagazineConifer Restaurant on InstagramThe Howard East Central, located at 321 Southeast 2nd Street, Bentonville, AR 72712501-626-4414 This episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.comONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.

About the Show:I can remember when I learned to ride a bike. I was about four years old and had a bike with training wheels. I couldn’t wait to get those training wheels off so I could ride on two wheels like the big kids in our neighborhood. I know that a lot of people don’t have that shared experience. According to a recent poll, about 100 million Americans bike each year in the United States. But, there are two big obstacles that keep more people off bikes than on - traffic safety while riding a bike and the lack of access to a working bicycle.  In an area like Northwest Arkansas, with miles and miles of bike trails, it almost feels like everyone here should own a bike and know how to ride, but that is not the case.  That’s where an organization like Trailblazers + ETHIC comes in to bridge the gap and create awareness around bicycling and bicycling safety. Anya Bruhin is the Bike Education Program Manager with Trailblazers + ETHIC. She joined us on the podcast to discuss the Adult Bike Education  “Adult First Ride,” program open to anyone who never learned how to ride a bike. Trailblazers+ ETHIC has created a program for adults to get on a bike, even if they don’t own one - they will make one available for you -  and learn how to ride.  There is no judgment, only encouragement for those who have never learned to ride a bike before becoming adults.  Now is their chance!Listen to this episode and learn how you can also find out what all the fuss is about when biking here in Northwest Arkansas.  The trail system will continue growing, which means more opportunities for you to safely ride a bike.  We hope to see you out there on the Razorback Greenway soon. If you see someone with an, I am Northwest Arkansas bike jersey make sure you say hello!All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*100 Million Americans Bike Each Year, but few make it a habit (Article)Email TrailblazersWebsite for Trailblazers + ETHICWebsite for TrailblazersTrailblazers on InstagramTrailblazers on FacebookThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:ONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.comSignature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

To see the complete Show Notes from the original podcast episode CLICK HERE!Mentioned in this episode:FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.comSignature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"ONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.

To see the complete Show Notes from the original podcast episode CLICK HERE!Mentioned in this episode:FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.comSignature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"ONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.

To see the complete Show Notes from the original podcast episode CLICK HERE!Mentioned in this episode:ONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.comSignature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

This is a special episode of the podcast. We will be back with regularly scheduled programming next week. In the meantime, please listen to this one from the heart.Mentioned in this episode:ONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.com

About the Show:“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”GandhiAt least for the last 150 years, education has been an essential part of society. Every industrialized nation puts a high value on education and credentials.  One thing that is probably lost on most Americans is that higher education isn’t always the goal for all. Only one-third of the US population has a college education, while two-thirds have a High School Diploma.  Many individuals have been priced out of higher education due to the cost and commitment required.  Still, some are left out because they never finished High School. About 10% of the U.S. Population never finishes High School.  In our research on this subject, we discovered that this statistic alone could be incentive enough to encourage those to get their GED. The stakes for those that don’t get a High School diploma are undoubtedly high.According to a recently released CDC Study, “Again and again, the trends across educational levels indicate that adults with no high school diploma or GED are consistently at the greatest risk for the leading causes of disease and death.”If you are part of this group, our goal is not to bring you down or shame you. It’s quite the opposite. We want to encourage you that it is never too late to get your GED and improve your life skills in many areas.  We recently sat down with Jessica Ferguson and Ahu Johnson from the Stephen M. Percival Adult Education Program to learn more about available Adult Education and learning options. This Adult Education program is part of the Fayetteville Public School System. They offer Adult Education classes for those that want to get their GED, Citizenship, ESL, Job Training, and Workplace classes. The options are endless, and the opportunities are there for people in Northwest Arkansas to improve their situation through the classes offered by the Adult Education program.  All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas. Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Fayetteville Public SchoolsWebsite for Fayetteville Public SchoolsFayetteville Public Schools on TwitterFayetteville Public Schools on InstagramFayetteville Public Schools on FacebookFayetteville Public Schools on YouTubeFHS TV - Fayetteville High - YouTubeThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:ONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.com

About the Show:In this short episode of the podcast, we reflect on the importance of Memorial Day and we talk about the history of the holiday and why it is such an important holiday of reflection and sacrifice here in the United States.We also shared a Memorial Day poem from Lenore Hetrick. OUR MEMORIES by Lenore HetrickIf we remember those who are goneThen they live again.They are here once more, they smile and speak,Just as do living men.So let's give our thoughts to the brave,Upon this Memorial Day.In spiritual fellowship, let us speak,And listen to what they say.For a soldier who died for his country must knowMuch that he could tell,And if we caught the message it mightServe us oft and well.So in our memories, let the deadLinger often and long.Recollections of that kind live,And are like a springtime song.All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas. Important Links and Mentions on the Show* NoneThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:ONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.comSignature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

About the Show:In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with musician and live music expert, Brian Crowne to discuss the growth of the Music venue scene here in Northwest Arkansas. Brian and his family have owned George's Majestic Lounge on Dickson St for more than two decades. And, if that wasn't enough he purchased the AMP in the early 2000s and proceeded to help make Northwest Arkansas a regular stop for music acts both big and small.Brian’s goal all along with the purchase of the AMP was to create, “ A small town vibe with world-class amenities!”It looks like he has done just that, attracting a lot of big names to the Northwest Corner of the State. So many great acts have performed at the Walmart AMP, including Primus, The B52s, The Charlie Daniels Band, Hank Williams Jr., Earth Wind & Fire, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Darius Rucker, Willie Nelson, Mary J. Blige, Steely Dan, Santana, Dave Mathews Band, Toby Mac, and several comedians including Kevin Hart, and recently Jim Gaffigan. Brian shares the thinking and process of running a music venue here in Northwest Arkansas. It’s not an easy job dealing with performance artists, but Brian has had a lot of practice taking good care of his employees and the talent that comes to the area.  Learn about the origins of the AMP. For instance, the original location was the parking lot of the Northwest Arkansas Mall in Fayetteville before it moved up to its current space in Rogers just off I-49, and more importantly, how Brian teamed up with one of the largest companies in the world, Walmart to expand and improve the venue.All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas. Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Walmart AMPWebsite for Walmart AMPWalmart AMP on TwitterWalmart AMP on InstagramWalmart AMP on FacebookWalmart AMP on YouTubeThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.comONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.

About the Show:One of the things we've found doing this podcast is that Northwest Arkansas has plenty of room for economic growth. We live in the shadows of some large and iconic companies, but this area of the “Heartland” is also home to entrepreneurial development. We often think of this type of growth happening in bigger cities on the coast somewhere or in Silicon Valley. But this entrepreneurial growth and development are happening right here in Northwest Arkansas, and if you happen to live in this part of the country, you are witnessing it. Our guests on this podcast episode are a perfect example of how start-up growth and ingenuity can happen at a high level right here in Northwest Arkansas. AcreTrader is a company harnessing the asset class of Farmland in new and unique ways. What was once the focus of larger companies and investment groups has now been brought into the mainstream investment space where individuals can "invest directly in farmland and support the business of farming. " Carter Malloy, CEO, and Garrott McClintock, COO, sit down with us to share the origins story of AcreTrader. They both grew up on and around farms and how that experience informed their venture to marry Agriculture and Land together in service and product that leverages technology and investment opportunities for both Main Street and Wall Street. All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas. Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Website for AcretraderAcretrader on TwitterAcretrader on InstagramAcretrader on FacebookAcretrader on LinkedInThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.comSignature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"ONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.