Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast

Gina Gemberling, president and CEO of the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, joins Rex Nelson on this week’s episode of the Southern Fried Podcast to discuss some key points of the agency’s 2023 Tourism Master Plan. Visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.

Ben Kutylo, executive director of Forward Arkansas joins Rex Nelson on this week’s episode of the Southern Fried Podcast. Kutylo discusses Forward Arkansas’ updated State of Education in Arkansas report, released earlier this year, and offers his insight on how the nonprofit is working to move the Natural State forward in education. Visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.

Austin Booth, director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, joins Rex Nelson on this week’s episode of the Southern Fried Podcast to discuss the agency’s efforts to promote conservation on public and private lands while fostering the next generation of hunters and anglers across the state. Visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.

Little Rock restaurateur Ben Brainard joins Rex Nelson on the latest episode of the Southern Fried Podcast. Brainard, a pillar of the Arkansas food scene, opened a Big Bad Breakfast in West Little Rock last year. With the first location rapidly becoming a breakfast hot spot, Brainard announced plans to open a second shop downtown. He and Rex discuss the capital city’s booming restaurant culture and recent developments — including Lyon College’s plans to open dental and veterinary schools — that have sparked a resurgence in Downtown Little Rock. Visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.

Melissa Taverner, president of Lyon College, joins Rex Nelson this week to discuss the school’s plans to add dental and veterinary programs in Little Rock. Taverner, a Virginia native and the 19th president of Lyon, talks about the Batesville school’s decision to bring the dental and veterinary programs to the capital city. She also discusses the impending “enrollment cliff” and how Lyon has adjusted its strategy to meet this change in the academic landscape. Visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.

Little Rock public relations executive Jordan Johnson joins Rex Nelson on this week’s episode of the Southern Fried podcast for a look at what 2023 has in store for the capital city. Leading the list of economic developments in Little Rock this year is Lyon College’s plans to open dental and veterinary schools on the site of the Heifer International campus. Jordan and Rex discuss what effect the schools will have on the burgeoning East Village and the city as a whole. They also talk about improvements in the “three P’s” in Little Rock: parks, public safety and the port.

Skip Rutherford’s back for the end-of-the-year episode of the Southern Fried Podcast. Skip and Rex Nelson look back at Arkansas’ political and economic happenings in 2022, and share some of their predictions for 2023. Rex and the production team are taking a break for the holidays, but we’ll be back at it in 2023. See you in January!

Judge Robert Brown, former justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, is back on this episode of the Southern Fried Podcast. After discussing his latest book on the last episode, he and Rex Nelson dive into the judge’s 2010 release, “Defining Moments: Historic Decisions by Arkansas Governors from McMath through Huckabee,” in this edition. Judge Brown and Rex discuss the twelve men who have governed Arkansas in the past 70 years; from Sid McMath in 1949, to the current administration of Gov. Asa Hutchinson, now in his final weeks in office ahead of Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ January inauguration.

Robert Brown, former associate justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, joins Rex Nelson on this week’s episode of the Southern Fried Podcast. Judge Brown talks about his latest book, “All Rise: How Race, Religion, and Politics Shaped My Career on the Arkansas Supreme Court,” going into his storied career in law and politics, as well as his upbringing as the son of an Episcopal bishop attending high school in Little Rock at the peak of the Central High desegregation crisis. With so many stories to share, Judge Brown will be back on the next episode, airing Dec. 2

The Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation turned 40 this year, and foundation President Deke Whitbeck joins Rex Nelson on this week’s episode of the Southern Fried Podcast to talk about the many ways the nonprofit continues to work with the Game and Fish Commission to better the state’s robust hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation resources.

With football season in full swing, Justin Dorsey, manager of War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, joins Rex Nelson on this week's episode of the Southern Fried Podcast. Dorsey and Nelson discuss the future of Arkansas college football at War Memorial, the stadium’s expanding role as the hub of high school football in the state, and the growing number of out-of-state college games hosted there. The lights don’t go out at War Memorial after football season, either. From soccer matches and concerts, to charity events and birthday parties, Dorsey and his staff are busy year-round. Dorsey, a former police officer and state park superintendent, has been managing the stadium since 2019 under the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.

Clinton School of Public Service Dean Victoria DeFrancesco Soto joins Rex Nelson on the latest episode of The Southern Fried Podcast. DeFrancesco Soto, the former Assistant Dean at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, talks about her plans to expand on former President Bill Clinton’s vision for the institution, including broader curriculum, increased enrollment and deeper community engagement. With the midterm elections just a month away, she and Rex also dive into politics. DeFrancesco Soto, a political analyst for NBC News and Telemundo, offers her insight on what issues might be on voters' minds as they enter the ballot box in November. She also discusses growing diversity in the electorate and what role it could play in changing the political landscape.

Denver Peacock, president of Little Rock’s Rotary Club 99, sits down with Rex Nelson on this week’s episode of the Southern Fried Podcast. Peacock, founder of The Peacock Group, discusses upcoming programs and projects “Club 99” has on the schedule in the upcoming year and beyond. On top of the club’s ongoing education and civic engagement projects, Peacock has kicked off "Illuminate the Rock," a fundraising effort to light the Broadway Bridge.

Shanna Richardson, scout executive for the Quapaw Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, joins Rex Nelson on this week’s episode of the Southern Fried Podcast. Richardson, a veteran of the BSA and a recent Arkansas resident, discusses scouting in the Natural State as families adjust to post-pandemic life.

Victoria Ramirez joins Rex Nelson to talk about the much-anticipated reopening of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts on this week’s episode of the Southern Fried Podcast. Ramirez, the museum’s executive director, has been overseeing the 3-year renovation of the AMFA, formerly the Arkansas Arts Center. In addition to the reimagining of the original building by architecture practice Studio Gang, the museum’s new design includes an outdoor expansion with 13 acres of MacArthur Park designed by landscape firm SCAPE. The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts is scheduled to open to the public in Spring, 2023. A Cleveland, Ohio native, Ramirez worked in several Texas museums before moving to Arkansas, most recently as director of the El Paso Museum of Art.

Skip Rutherford’s back to talk Arkansas politics with host Rex Nelson on the latest episode of the Southern Fried Podcast. From the Watson Chapel School District special election to 2024 White House hopefuls, Rex and Skip discuss the latest in state and local government, and take a look at Arkansas' political future.

Arkansas Tourism Director Travis Napper joins Rex Nelson on this week’s episode of the Southern Fried Podcast to talk about the state of the industry as reports point to 2022 being a record year for tourism in the Natural State.

Judge Raymond Abramson joins Rex Nelson to talk about the Delta region on the latest installment of the Southern Fried podcast. Abramson, a native of Holly Grove, talks about growing up in the Delta in the 50s and 60s, and how the region has changed as technology has greatly reduced the need for farm labor — a major factor in the shrinking populations of rural communities across Arkansas.

As Arkansans gear up for the Fourth of July weekend, Rex Nelson sits down with Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Stacy Hurst to talk about the many ways to enjoy the state’s natural and cultural amenities on the latest episode of the Southern Fried podcast. More podcasts from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/podcasts/

Rett Tucker, chairman of Moses Tucker Real Estate, joins Rex Nelson on this week’s episode to talk about the past, present and future of downtown Little Rock’s growth and development.

Skip Rutherford joins Rex Nelson on the latest episode of the Southern Fried Podcast to talk politics as they recap the May 24 primary and discuss their expectations for the November election. Rex and Skip also talk about the recent plans by Lyon College and private investors to convert much of the Heifer International campus in downtown Little Rock into dental and veterinary schools. Get the latest election news: https://www.arkansasonline.com/elections/

The Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau is geared up for a comeback year after weathering two years of a pandemic that hit travel, tourism and hospitality industries particularly hard. Libby Lloyd, director of communications with the bureau, joins Rex Nelson on this episode of the Southern Fried Podcast to discuss upcoming events and initiatives they’re working on to promote Little Rock in 2022 and beyond.

Arkansas Cinema Society executive director Kathryn Tucker joins Rex Nelson on this episode of the Southern Fried podcast. Tucker, an award-winning film director and Little Rock native, discusses the state of the filmmaking industry in Arkansas. She lays out her vision for the future, which includes incentives to keep talent in the state, as well as fostering the next generation of Arkansas filmmakers. Tucker also talks about her latest project, “A Good Campaign,” an inside look at her brother, state Sen. Clarke Tucker, during his ultimately unsuccessful 2018 political campaign against U.S. Rep. French Hill. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, April 27, so some of the events discussed have already happened.

Jimmy Moses, founder and chairman of the board at Moses Tucker Partners, joins Rex Nelson on the latest episode of the Southern Fried podcast. Moses, an executive boardmember of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, talks about his love of Little Rock and what growth he would like to see downtown. Moses recently wrote a guest column in the Democrat-Gazette in which he stressed the importance of University of Arkansas, Little Rock to the city’s future. He and Rex discuss what the university could mean to the growth of Little Rock.

Arkansas Travelers CEO Rusty Meeks joins Rex Nelson on this episode of the Southern Fried Podcast as the Travs are set to play their first game of the season in Frisco, Texas. Meeks talks about the latest upgrades at Dickey Stephens Park, including a high-definition video board and some new menu offerings at the concessions stands. He also breaks down the slate of facility requirements for minor league stadiums handed down by Major League Baseball last year. The club is in negotiations with the City of North Little Rock, the owner of the ballpark, over the financing of these renovations.

John Kirk, author and Donaghey Distinguished Professor of History at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, joins Rex Nelson on this week’s episode of the Southern Fried podcast to talk about his latest book, “Winthrop Rockefeller: From New Yorker to Arkansawyer, 1912-1956”

Real estate developer John Flake recently wrote an opinion article in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette addressing the uptick of crime in Little Rock. In it, he called for a consolidation of law enforcement agencies in Pulaski County. Flake and Rex Nelson discuss ways to improve public safety and the overall health of Little Rock in the latest episode on the Southern Fried podcast. Read John Flake’s opinion article: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/feb/11/enough-is-enough/

For nearly 25 years, Michael Marion has been the general manager of Simmons Bank Arena. On this episode of the Southern Fried Podcast, Marion talks about improvements to the arena, upcoming shows and keeping the lights on — and the lawn mowed — during the pandemic.

After six years as superintendent of the Little Rock School District, Mike Poore says he’s ready to spend more time with his family. In the latest episode of the Southern Fried Podcast, Poore reflects on his accomplishments — in Little Rock and throughout his career in education — as he prepares to retire later this year.

With baseball season on the horizon, Rex Nelson talks with Lance Restum, executive director of the Arkansas Travelers Youth Foundation and long-time on-field emcee for the Travs, in the latest episode of the Southern Fried podcast.

Skip Rutherford is back in the first episode of the new year. Rex and Skip share their 2022 predictions for sports, politics, economic growth and the coronavirus in Arkansas.

In the latest episode of the Southern Fried podcast, host Rex Nelson sits down with Wayne Miller, executive director of the Venture Center in downtown Little Rock, to discuss the center’s role in fostering innovation and growth in Arkansas and around the world through its education, collaboration, and acceleration programs.

In this episode, Rex sits down with Gabe Holmstrom, executive director of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, to discuss how the economic and social landscape of the downtown area has shifted since the pandemic.

In this episode, Rex sits down with Jay Chesshir, president and CEO of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. The two discuss recent economic developments -- including Amazon's regional fulfillment center -- as well as boosting the quality of education, health care and the financial industry to draw people and businesses to the region.

Skip Rutherford returns on this week’s episode. Rex and Skip discuss ways to promote growth in Arkansas’ rural communities -- including broadband, health care and hospitality -- after census data from the last decade showed shrinking populations in 53 of the state's 75 counties.

In this episode of the Southern Fried Podcast, Rex sits down with Brent Birch, executive director of the Little Rock Technology Park, to discuss ways the Technology Park is fostering tech growth in Little Rock and Central Arkansas. The two old friends also chat about the upcoming duck season and what's needed to allow the sport to continue to thrive in Arkansas.

In this edition of the Southern Fried podcast, host Rex Nelson sits down with Bryan Day, executive director of the Little Rock Port Authority, to discuss developments at the port, including the addition of the Amazon fulfilment center.

In this episode, Rex sits down with Tab Townsell, executive director of Metroplan. They discuss how to grow and develop Central Arkansas to keep pace with the state’s booming Northwest region, and what role Metroplan plays in fostering regional coordination.

In this episode of Rex Nelson’s Southern Fried Podcast, Rex sits down with Nate Coulter, executive director of the Central Arkansas Library System. They discuss the importance of community libraries as CALS is proposing a millage rate increase to Little Rock voters in November.

In the first episode of Rex Nelson’s Southern Fried Podcast, Rex sits down with Skip Rutherford, the former dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. The two friends discuss the future of Little Rock and how Arkansas is changing, as well as a few plans for future episodes.