The Ghidotti Podcast

Associate Justice Rhonda Wood has served the Arkansas Supreme Court since her appointment to Position 7 in 2014. A former Circuit Judge for the 20th Judicial District and judge for the Arkansas Court of Appeals, Wood is also a five-time recipient of the Arkansas Bar Association's Outstanding Service Award and was previously named Arkansas Elected Official of the Year by the Arkansas Federation of Business. Along with fellow State Supreme Court Justices Bridget McCormack of Michigan, Eva Guzman of Texas and Beth Walker of West Virginia, she serves as co-host of the Lady Justice: Women of the Court podcast. In the last episode of our Empowering Women Spotlight, Wood shares more about how Lady Justice came to be, what she and her co-hosts are hoping listeners gain from their discussions and future plans for the podcast after a successful first season.

Southwest Power Pool President and CEO Barbara Sugg has always strived to equip women to succeed. As a founding member of Arkansas Women in Power and the Leadership Foundation for Women, she helps educate women about leadership and opportunities for personal growth while encouraging networking and professional relationship building among women. With more than 30 years of experience in the male-dominated electric utility industry, Sugg has also been a longtime advocate for recruiting, maintaining and promoting women in the energy industry. After a unique journey from an IT background to her current role, Sugg joins us on episode five of our Empowering Women Spotlight to share more about the opportunities and challenges she's faced and how she's championing women's empowerment across our state.

Encouraging representation and participation of diverse groups of people, Tamika Edwards has dedicated her career to providing and improving opportunities for women. She currently serves as Special Advisor to the CEO on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Engagement at Central Arkansas Water. Previously the Executive Director of the Social Justice Institute at Philander Smith College and Director of Governmental Affairs at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, Edwards is widely known in the community as a leader in women empowerment. In episode four of our Empowering Women Spotlight, Edwards provides clarity on what it means to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and engagement with action and why it's an important practice for all businesses and organizations.

A previous guest on The Ghidotti Podcast, E. Leigh's founder and CEO Erin Hohnbaum has always been passionate about inspiring and elevating women. From co-founding PowHer Players to serving as a mentor for fellow female entrepreneurs, Hohnbaum has seemingly done it all. However, as we've learned with the recent launch of The Nest, Little Rock's first coworking community and social club, she remains committed to doing even more to support the women around her. Partnering with host Natalie Ghidotti as co-founder, The Nest will serve a diverse community of women looking for ways to learn from each other, better connect and build on each other's strengths and ideas. Ghidotti and Hohnbaum share more about their vision in episode three of our Empowering Women Spotlight.

As an author and blogger, Rachel Martin provides encouragement for mothers with a bit of intentional living mixed in. Featuring serious and funny posts about motherhood along with content about struggles in finance, divorce and single parenting, Martin is the voice behind the Finding Joy website and blog. Several of her blog posts achieved viral status, eventually leading her to write her first book, “The Brave Art of Motherhood” and she will also serve as keynote speaker for the upcoming Smart Women Smart Money conference. In episode two of our Empowering Women Spotlight, Martin shares more about how she got started in the early days of motherhood blogging, how Finding Joy has grown since its inception and what it means to her to help other women on their own journeys.

Arkansas Treasurer of State Dennis Milligan has been a champion for improving women's financial education since his election in 2014. Providing women the opportunity to learn the necessary information to take control of their financial lives, Milligan's commitment to this cause is reinforced with the Smart Women Smart Money virtual conference on September 24. With a goal to make financial education available to everyone, the conference is FREE for all attendees. Along with Director of 529 Programs Fran Jansen, Milligan kicks off our Empowering Women Spotlight by sharing more about the conference and how the State Treasurer's office promotes financial education for Arkansas women.

For more than four years, host Natalie Ghidotti and The Ghidotti Podcast have been sitting down with leaders, thinkers and innovators from in and around Arkansas sharing stories, business strategies and new ideas. While approximately half of all podcasts have 14 or fewer episodes, The Ghidotti Podcast has achieved a remarkable level of consistency, releasing 99 episodes since the summer of 2017. “I had started thinking about it two years prior to (2017), and I knew I wanted to do a podcast that featured Arkansans and all of the awesome parts of our state that I was continuously learning about,” said Ghidotti. “I think it says a lot that we have almost 100 episodes with people that are really making a difference in and around this state.” From business executives and community influencers to musicians and leaders in healthcare, The Ghidotti Podcast has covered nearly all industries since its inception. We promise you won't want to miss our 99th episode celebration as Ghidotti and host Zach Parker discuss memories and challenges from the previous 98 episodes and reveal exciting news about the future of The Ghidotti Podcast.

As a Little Rock native and President of Cromwell Architects Engineers, Dan Fowler is passionate about community as he wants Central Arkansas to be a great place to live, work and raise a family for future generations. Fowler and Cromwell have been instrumental in the evolution of East Village, one of Little Rock's most unique and interesting neighborhoods. “The thing that attracted us the most to the neighborhood was the fact that it's got a real fabric and a real history that makes it unique,” he said. “Our vision and our goal was to not destroy that or alter it in a way that would materially change that.” The East Village has come a long way since Fowler joined the first ever episode of The Ghidotti Podcast in July of 2017. Tune into our latest episode as he and host Natalie Ghidotti discuss the growth in recent years, challenges the Cromwell team has faced along the way and what's on the horizon.

After a 10-year career in nonprofit management, event planning and public relations, Jennifer Maune now spends her days creating her own brand of lifestyle and home design inspiration with her blog and popular social media channels. While she may shy away from the title of influencer, it's clear with her more than 160,000 Instagram followers that Maune is building a following that is quickly helping her reach her goal of growing a national lifestyle brand. “My tagline is live life beautifully, and I love to create content that revolves around that to inspire my audience,” she said. “That could be sharing a project that we've tackled, a recipe that we love as a family or working with a brand to highlight something that makes our lives easier.” In today's digital landscape, influencers and brand ambassadors are reaching a wider audience than ever before. Tune into the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast as Maune and host Natalie Ghidotti discuss how she joined the world of content creation, what she's looking for in a partnership with a brand and how she balances her busy schedule while being a mother of six children.

Having great organization skills, managing time wisely, and setting aside moments to relax and enjoy life are all qualities that are required of both mothers and businesswomen alike. Today, this is especially true with the ever-changing schedules that have resulted from the impact of COVID-19. Lauren Reed, founder and president of Reed Public Relations, can attest to the trials, tribulations, and true joys of this position as she is a millennial mother herself.

When people think of an aquarium, they often imagine a place with exhibits and large tanks for guests to interact with fish, turtles, sharks and other aquatic life. While it features more than 30,000 animals in one of the country's largest indoor aquariums, the ultimate mission for Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is to spark compassion, curiosity and conservation for the aquatic animal world. “We know that when people look nature in the eye and they have this in-person connection to an animal that it fosters an empathetic and emotional response that triggers responsibility to motivate stewardship of local waters and waters far away,” said Andrea Rodgers, Senior Vice President of External Affairs and Marketing at Shedd Aquarium. “We're fortunate to have this long legacy as a visitation destination, but what's feeding that visit is the incredible work we do across the globe.” From sea otters and penguins to whales and dolphins, Shedd Aquarium is home to animals from aquatic environments around the world. Tune into the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast as Rodgers and host Natalie Ghidotti discuss how communications strategies help Shedd Aquarium achieve its mission to inspire compassion, curiosity and conservation for the aquatic animal world.

Trends, technology and tactics are never stagnant in the ever-changing world of marketing. However, if one thing is certain in the marketing landscape, it's that digital marketing can no longer be overlooked or ignored by businesses and organizations from industries of all shapes and sizes. “I would argue that in this day and age, there is no such thing as marketing without digital marketing,” said Clix business strategist Mike Mueller. “I know if we go back 25 years it wasn't always this way, but you'd be hard pressed to name any marketing channel that doesn't have some digital component to it today.” While digital marketing can become a valuable tool for lead generation and other business goals, it can also confuse many newcomers when it comes to what it is and how to use it properly. Tune into the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast as Mueller and host Natalie Ghidotti discuss the ins and outs of digital marketing, including emerging trends and how you can get started to accomplish your goals.

Successful marketing and communications requires more than just the occasional blog post or pretty picture on social media. A comprehensive marketing-communications strategy is the key to generating results from your time, effort and money spent. “An effective marketing-communications strategy becomes the foundation of your company's success,” said Ghidotti Account Supervisor Bethany Siems. “It's a written plan that essentially creates a roadmap for your business and the specific things you need to do in order to reach your target audience.” With the right strategy in place, marketing and communications tactics can deliver unique results to you and your business. Tune into the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast as Siems and fellow strategist Natalie Ghidotti take you through the steps of developing an effective marketing-communications strategy.

From diminishing subscriptions and profits to shrinking staffs, the last decade truly challenged many print newsrooms and traditional publications. Despite those challenges, Arkansas Business Publishing Group (ABPG) continues to thrive under owner and president Mitch Bettis, even expanding into Texas with the purchase of Fort Worth-based Scott Publishing last year. “I really think a lot of that credit goes to our previous owner, Olivia Farrell,” Bettis said. “At a time when it wasn't cool, she developed a niche media company. All of those who were there at the beginning built a company and philosophy around the idea that we're going to be experts in a narrow focus, as opposed to trying to be all things to all people.” Building on the foundation laid by Farrell, ABPG now produces more than 30 different publications for a variety of industries and topics. Tune into the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast where Bettis shares more about the secrets to his company's success, including the value of niche content and the five-legged stool philosophy.

Including video in your content marketing strategy is no longer just a good idea. Video content is necessary today in order to reach your target audience and stand out in a crowded market. As founder and president of Content Titan, Nate Disarro has a unique insight into the power of visual communication and what it can do for your business. “I've always been interested in stories, human connection and what brings people together,” Disarro said. “I often refer to it as the visual aspect of content marketing. The reason I like it so much and why it's effective is because we can convey sight, sound, motion and emotion through video.” Serving clients across the country, Disarro's work as a producer, director and photographer has attracted national, state and local recognition. Tune into the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast as he shares more about the power of visual communication and how it can deliver real results for your business.

Regardless of their coverage area or focus, reporters, bloggers and other journalists will always need perspective from experts who offer unique insight into an issue. In addition to helping journalists put topics in greater context, becoming that relied upon source for your industry can also be a major boon for you and your business. “Whether you're pitching interviews or relying on op-eds to build that reputation, those are all strategies to be seen as a thought leader over time, but it all comes back to what you add to those conversations,” said Ghidotti Media Relations Manager Joshua Cook. “That's at the core of every interaction with a reporter when you really want to become that source that they come back to not just once or twice, but time and time again.” Staying available and providing valuable insight can help you develop and maintain relationships with reporters. Tune into the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast as Cook and host Natalie Ghidotti, a former journalist herself, share how you can become a source for journalists and why it can prove so valuable.

From being featured in ELLE, Touch Weekly and Cover Magazine to walking the runway during New York Fashion Week, Dani Evans has seemingly experienced it all during her 15-year modeling career. However, the Little Rock native and winner of Cycle 6 of America's Next Top Model claims she's just getting started with a new phase of her life on the horizon. “Anytime that you leave your safety net or your comfort zone, you feel a lot of uncertainty and you begin to question yourself, but I know in my spirit that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be,” Evans said. “I'm just now at the very beginning of the expansive lane that I know I deserve. I feel like I just opened the door to it and I'm standing in the doorway to that long road.” In addition to her successful and continually growing modeling career, Evans also founded Monrowe, a unisex line of ready-to-wear hats named after her grandfather, a jazz musician. Tune into the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast as she shares more about the ups and downs of her journey, the challenges of growing a business and taking control of her own path.

From the 2008 financial crisis to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, business owners have faced no shortage of obstacles in recent years. So what does it take to navigate the highs and lows of business and still succeed? Through all the uncertainty and challenges, David Harrison shares how he continually prioritized people over profit. “I believe if you help other people get what they want, then you'll always have what you want,” Harrison said. “Those of us that are given the ability to create wealth and opportunities have an obligation to help others to grow. The motivation has to be about helping others.” Harrison is now the largest franchisor of RNR Tire Express with 32 locations across Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. Tune into the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast as he shares more about his journey from the first location in 2005 to more than $50 million in revenue in 2020.

Investing in leadership is critical for the success of an organization. From overcoming unprecedented challenges and finding new ways forward to making difficult decisions and empowering teams, executives need an evolving set of skills and strategies to remain high-performing leaders. “We live in a rapidly changing world and the pace of change has never been greater,” said executive coach and leadership strategist Elise Mitchell. “It really speaks to the need for leaders to innovate. Having a growth mindset, creating a culture of try and being a future-thinking leader are all skills that we need to have.” As we embark on a new journey for 2021, now is the time to reinvest in leadership. Tune into the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast as Mitchell and host Natalie Ghidotti discuss strategies to help you lead in a new normal.

A new year is rapidly approaching, bringing new challenges as well as opportunities. Shrinking media staffs, navigating remote work and an influx of fake news were just a few of the challenges that the public relations and communications industry faced in 2020. So, what's in store for 2021? “Every single challenge has truly made us stronger,” said David Landis, president and CEO of San Francisco-based public relations firm Landis Communications. “This year has made us rethink our business and there are really positive things that come out of that.” As part of a blog post for the Public Relations Global Network, Landis interviewed several other network members from around the world to hear their expectations for the coming year. Tune into the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast as Landis shares their PR tips and trends for 2021 with host Natalie Ghidotti.

From the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to economic uncertainty, there's been no shortage of dilemmas and disasters for businesses to overcome this year. However, this year has also provided an opportunity to work inside the business and develop an integrated communications plan. “One of the biggest things that people can do as they're looking at that strategy is integrating and aligning their message,” said Ghidotti media relations manager Joshua Cook. “Businesses can't control what everyone else says and how they say it, but they can control what they say and how they say it.” With a new year rapidly approaching, now is the time to develop and refine your integrated communications strategy. Tune into the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast as Cook and host Natalie Ghidotti discuss the most effective ways to align your message in a time of crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made business challenging for many industries, perhaps none more so than the performing arts industry. While restaurants, stores and other locations have been able to resume operations under new guidelines, theaters are left wondering if and when they'll be able to reopen. “It's been pretty catastrophic for us as an industry,” said Will Trice, artistic executive director of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre. “We made the decision pretty early to not have productions this season. I think a lot of other theaters were holding out hope, but what you've seen over the last several weeks and months is those theaters changing their announcements.” Despite the grim outlook, Trice remains optimistic about the future following the success of the Rebuild The Rep campaign in 2019. Tune into the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast as Trice shares more with host Zach Parker, including future plans for The Rep and his background as a three-time Tony Award-winning producer on Broadway.

The 1886 Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs isn't just one of the oldest hotels in Arkansas. It's also one of the most haunted, said to be home to a number of ghostly residents and other paranormal activity. “Our guests and employees have told us about hundreds of different paranormal encounters and experiences over the years,” said Bill Ott, director of marketing and communications at the Crescent Hotel. “A lot of these stories have been around for the last 130 years that we've been here.” With Halloween just days away, get into the holiday spirit with this Thriller Throwback episode of The Ghidotti Podcast to hear more from Ott about the eerie happenings and discoveries at the Crescent Hotel during a tour of the campus.

The race between Joyce Elliott and French Hill to represent Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District is shaping up to be one of the most competitive this election season. Hill is seeking his fourth term as the Republican incumbent, while Elliott aims to be the first black member of Congress elected from Arkansas. Republican and Democratic groups alike see this as one of the most pivotal races this year, as evidenced by the recent six-figure TV advertisement purchases by the Democratic National Campaign Committee and the Congressional Leadership Fund, a Republican super PAC. With just a week until Election Day, tune into our bonus episode of The Ghidotti Podcast as host Natalie Ghidotti is joined by each candidate to hear more about their backgrounds and respective views on pressing issues.

From the haunted Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs to the legend of the Gurdon Light, Arkansas is no stranger to paranormal activity and spooky beings. With reported sightings dating back to the early 20th century, the Boggy Creek Monster in Fouke is no exception. “The first tales of a creature in that general area date back to about 1908,” said cryptozoologist and author Lyle Blackburn. “It's something that very much is still going on and every so often, I get a pretty good and intriguing account.” The expert on all things Boggy Creek Monster as the author of two books and producer of a documentary, Blackburn shared more with host Zach Parker on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including the origin of the legend and how it might relate to Bigfoot, the Yeti and other famous creatures.

While it's often mistaken as just a means of calculating the current population, the U.S. Census provides data that is used to make decisions at every level of government. With just two weeks remaining before the Sept. 30 deadline, Kara Wilkins and the Arkansas Counts coalition remain committed to ensuring a complete and accurate census in the Natural State. “The census helps us determine what level of funding we need to make sure that we have this state running efficiently and effectively,” Wilkins said. “Any loss of funds could mean a cut in a program that is critical here in Arkansas.” Wilkins shared more about Arkansas Counts and the 2020 U.S. census with host Natalie Ghidotti on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including why getting an accurate count isn't always easy and how those who have already completed the census can still help.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and now is the time for all men in Arkansas to get serious about their prostate health. With the disease claiming the lives of approximately 300 Arkansans each year, the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation stands ready to guide men and their families through the prostate cancer journey. “One of the first steps is we try to educate and raise awareness,” said Executive Director Chris Collier. “We participate in health fairs all over the state and the central theme is the need to be screened. That determines your baseline number and what you might need to do going forward.” Collier shared more about the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation with host Zach Parker on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including the full range of free services available through the foundation and debunking some of the misconceptions about screening.

Just days away from the start of fall classes, the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law and Dean Terri Beiner remain confident about their hybrid structure for the semester and its ability to continue to provide the hands-on practice for students. “In some ways, we got lucky because we've been doing this since March,” Beiner said. “Once we had that experience, we put our faculty through numerous different types of training for online teaching. I'm looking at it as an opportunity.” Beiner shared more with host Natalie Ghidotti on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including how Bowen's learning experience differs from other law schools and her thoughts on the notion that there are too many law students and not enough jobs.

The Black Dude White Dude Podcast features in-depth discussions on a variety of topics from the differing perspectives of two best friends. From social justice and fatherhood to the NBA and working out, Conway natives Leo Cummings and Todd Cate are tackling it all. “These are conversations that we would normally have,” Cate said. “We started asking ourselves, can we add value to the community around us by having these conversations in a method in which people can listen to it, and I think the answer is yes.” Cummings and Cate joined host Zach Parker for a bro talk episode of The Ghidotti Podcast on everything from the origin of Black Dude White Dude to the never-ending Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James debate, plus their best Joe Rogan impersonation. You won't want to miss it.

Travis Napper brings experience and enthusiasm to his role as Arkansas's newest Director of Tourism, but the COVID-19 pandemic has presented its fair share of challenges with travel restrictions, social distancing and self quarantines. “I started on April Fool's Day, so maybe the joke is on me,” Napper said. “Starting a new job in tourism in the middle of a pandemic with all the staff at home is definitely one of those stories that you wouldn't believe had we said this six months ago.” Napper shared more with host Natalie Ghidotti on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including how the Natural State's outdoor attractions have helped it remain a destination for travelers, the outside perspective he brings as a Louisiana native and how he and Stacy Hurst are working together in their new roles.

As a new school year rapidly approaches, many colleges and universities across the country have already announced plans for holding classes online this fall due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia remains committed to having an on-campus experience for all students. “I have confidence in people at Ouachita and our process, and we're moving in that direction until there's reason that we can't,” said OBU President Dr. Ben Sells. “So much of how this is going to work will come down to students, faculty and staff being responsible, and we're challenging people to rise to the occasion.” Dr. Sells shared more with host Zach Parker on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including why the on-campus experience is so important at OBU, the course of action should a student test positive for COVID-19 and the ongoing discussion of how to preserve one of the school's most sacred fall traditions, Tiger Tunes.

Given the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the unemployment rate and stock market, many people are now placing more emphasis on saving money for the future, something Sarah Catherine Gutierrez has seen firsthand as CEO of Aptus Financial. “We have used this time to talk about emergency funds and for the first time, it feels like people are taking us up on it,” Gutierrez said. “I think there could be some really amazing, lasting outcomes from this if people just put a little more thought into the long-term automation of some of these practices.” Gutierrez, a previous guest in February 2019, shared more with host Natalie Ghidotti on the latest Then and Now episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including an update on her upcoming book and the Save10 Challenge.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, a 14 percent unemployment rate and the upcoming presidential election, it's no surprise that 2020 has brought a wave of fear and anxiety to many people. Chenal Family Therapy CEO Ken Clark introduced a solution in the form of gratitude with the Thanks a Billion Project. “Everybody was scared and we couldn't tell what was real fear and what was blown out of proportion,” said Clark. “ The project emerged out of the belief that we as a collective group are going to solve this problem a lot better if we are solving from a place of gratitude as opposed to self-preservation.” Clark, a previous guest in August 2018, shared more with host and Thanks a Billion Project partner Natalie Ghidotti on the latest Then and Now episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including his thoughts on the ongoing discussion about race in our country and how he's guided his team of therapists during this difficult time.

For fans in the Natural State, Hooten's Arkansas Football magazine is the go-to source for team previews across all levels in high school and college. And while the COVID-19 pandemic has left the status of this year's season up in the air, the Hooten's team remains committed to delivering the same product that Arkansans have come to expect. “There's going to be a lot more projection in this year's magazine,” said staff writer Chuck Livingston. “Without a true spring and summer, it's harder to see that progress that you would normally see in the weight room and on the field. It's been different in a lot of ways, but we're making the best of it just like the coaches and players and we're optimistic.” Livingston shared more about the upcoming season with host Zach Parker on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including how central Arkansas has become the hub of premier high school football and why Razorback fans should be excited about first-year head coach Sam Pittman.

After starting the year with a mission to stop the teen vaping epidemic in its tracks, Dr. Joe Thompson and the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement have since shifted their focus to educating and guiding Arkansans through the COVID-19 pandemic. “What we've done is try to interpret what is going on in an understandable approach so that people can help protect themselves and those that are around them,” said Dr. Thompson. “Four months ago, I don't think people thought about pandemics, viruses or face masks and now everybody is talking about it because we're all living it in these uncharted waters.” Dr. Thompson, a previous guest in January, shared more with host Zach Parker on the latest Then and Now episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including how to safely navigate public gatherings and why it's important to continue wearing a mask when possible.

Having launched the Blackbelt Voices podcast last year to give a voice to Southern black women, Conway Area Chamber of Commerce Director of Communications Adena White is proud to see so many others pleading for their voices to be heard at peaceful protests in recent weeks. “This is a movement that we see going on; it's more than just a moment,” White said. “There's a lot that has already happened as a result, and I think we underestimate the power of protest. It's an important tool for us in our democracy and it's kind of what we were founded on.” White, a previous guest in October 2019, shared more with host Natalie Ghidotti on the latest Then and Now episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including what it means for her to see participation in her home of Conway and how we can keep this moment from passing by without any real change.

Following the tragic loss of George Floyd in a Minneapolis police-involved death, Little Rock has joined countless other cities around the country with peaceful protests and demonstrations in recent days. As the Little Rock City Director for Ward 4, a neighborhood she has lived in for nearly 40 years, Trio's Restaurant executive chef and co-owner Capi Peck brings a unique perspective to the city's response. “I think all in all, Little Rock has handled things the best we possibly could,” Peck said. “With everything so political and so polarizing, it makes it hard to put people at ease. We could be in a very different situation right now, so I do applaud the LRPD, Mayor Scott and others for condoning peaceful protests.” Peck shared more with host Natalie Ghidotti on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including how Trio's has navigated the COVID-19 outbreak, why she has elected not to open the dining room at this time, what she learned about the hospitality industry from her grandparents, the longtime owners of Hotel Sam Peck and her thoughts on the current lawsuits against Little Rock Chief of Police Keith Humphrey.

As a senior corporate consultant and senior trainer with Dale Carnegie training, Jessie Wilson has had a unique perspective inside the minds of business leaders and executives as they have navigated the uncharted territory of the COVID-19 outbreak “I've seen leadership teams really come together and think about how we engage our employees, what does our culture look like and how are we going to respond to get the most out of working from home,” Wilson said. “I've seen leaders step up in a way that I haven't seen in my time with Dale Carnegie.” Wilson shared more with host Natalie Ghidotti on our first Then and Now episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including tips on how to improve your work from home and why culture has become such an integral part of any successful business.

For the community of Bentonville, Uptown Barber Lounge is more than just a place to get a haircut or a beard trim. Highlighting the experience of a barber shop, it provides a sense of community to everyone who sits down in a chair. “I tell people all the time that you can get a haircut anywhere, but you can only experience one at Uptown,” said co-owner Mike Shelton. “We're really big on our culture and atmosphere. We just wanted to have that environment where people come in and have a good time.” Shelton shared more with host Zach Parker on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including how Uptown Barber Lounge is navigating the early stages of reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, future plans for expansion and his previous career as a hip-hop artist.

While the COVID-19 outbreak threw a wrench into the end of the school year, Catholic High School for Boys remains committed to the principles that have made it a pinnacle of education in central Arkansas. “We knew intrinsically and uniquely that Catholic High is about more than just academics,” said Catholic High School principal Steve Straessle. “The academic delivery is vital without question, but Catholic High School is more than that.” Straessle shared more with host Natalie Ghidotti on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including his working relationship with the Little Rock School District, the role virtual learning could play in the future and Catholic High School's plans for graduation and other senior traditions.

Even when daily schedules and routines have been disrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak, Mitchell Williams and attorney Anton Janik recognize the value of content marketing for their law firm. “It comes down to navigating the quality of the content versus the ocean of other folks that are putting it out,” Janik said. “If you have really interesting and really good content, it helps your clients, it helps the practice as a whole and it can shape how other people view the same issues.” The Editorial Chair of The Arkansas Lawyer magazine, Janik shared more about his content marketing experience with host Natalie Ghidotti on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, also touching on his duties in leading Mitchell Williams' Tax Controversy and Litigation practice, his role with the Arkansas Foodbank and his fluency in Russian with a bachelor's degree in Russian language.

While beer consumers still gravitate to familiar brands such as Budweiser, Miller and Michelob, microbreweries have seen their popularity rise in recent years, including right here in Arkansas with breweries such as Diamond Bear, Flyaway and Lost 40. “It's fantastic that our communities can support so many breweries in this state,” said Lost 40 production manager Dylan Yelenich. “That says that Arkansas is catching up with the rest of the world and it's because people want fresh local beer.” As we prepare to celebrate National Beer Day on April 7, Yelenich joined host Natalie Ghidotti via Zoom on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast to share more about the early days of Lost 40, now celebrating its fifth anniversary, the ins and outs of brewing and what he'll be drinking on National Beer Day.

Named the City of Little Rock's first Chief Education Officer in December, Jay Barth brings a wealth of experience from his time as a professor of politics at Hendrix College and the former chairman/member of the state Board of Education. As the COVID-19 outbreak has led to statewide cancellations through April 17, Barth remains committed to making Little Rock's schools the best they can be when classes resume while also ensuring students receive the education and care they need during this difficult time. Barth joined host Natalie Ghidotti on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast (being recorded via Zoom during COVID-19 precautions) to share more about how schools are handling operations during the coronavirus outbreak, as well as the ongoing plans for a new community school model in the capital city.

As anyone in Arkansas will tell you, the World's Shortest Parade in Hot Springs is the place to be on St. Patrick's Day. With live music, celebrity appearances and of course, beer, there's something for everyone at one of the state's most iconic events. “We have over 30,000 people come each year and the parade makes a lot of top 10 lists nationally and internationally,” said Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison. “We have our hook as the shortest street and it's really worked for us. We're looking forward to a Monday and Tuesday this year, which will be hopefully our biggest parade ever.” Arrison joined host Natalie Ghidotti on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast to share more about the event's history and what to expect at this year's First Ever 17th Annual World's Shortest Parade, as well as all the other happenings in the Spa City.

If you ever want to know about noteworthy or interesting moments in Arkansas' capital city, Scott Carter is your source. The Public Affairs and Creative Economy Advisor for the City of Little Rock, Carter also serves as the city's historian, a role that has allowed him to become the authority on all the good, bad and ugly of Little Rock. “We did have a mayor in the pre-Civil War days who was arrested for running a counterfeit ring while he was mayor,” Carter said. “He came here from Chicago and went back there after he got out of the state pen, so I like to say he tried to bring Chicago politics here and it didn't take.” Carter joined host Zach Parker on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast to share more historical facts about Little Rock, plus a discussion on his recent speech about the Robinson Center and thoughts on the 2020 Oscars as a lifelong supporter of the arts.

For many people, Girl Scouts are synonymous with tasty cookies and camping trips. For Girl Scouts Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas President Dawn Prasifka, it's about mentoring young girls to become the next generation of women making a difference in their community. “I love being able to be one-on-one with girls and seeing the impact that Girl Scouts has,” Prasifka said. “Seeing the mission come to life with these girls is a reward I get for the job I do. It's the best job I've ever had.” Prasifka joined host Natalie Ghidotti on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast to share more about the Girl Scouts Diamonds organization, including the many events, projects and of course, everyone's favorite cookies. Subscribe to The Ghidotti Podcast on SoundCloud, Stitcher or iTunes to hear the full interview, and stay tuned for future conversations with movers and shakers, disrupters, culture changers, business leaders and community influencers across the state of Arkansas. You can also follow our blog and find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as well. We love hearing from you! The Ghidotti Podcast is recorded at the Bobby L. Roberts Library of Arkansas History & Art, which is part of the Central Arkansas Library System.

There was a time when tobacco use among teens was rampant, with many schools even including a designated smoking section on campus years ago. Now, students have turned their attention toward electronic cigarettes and vapes. “This really is a new type of product, but it has invaded our school system,” said Dr. Joe Thompson, President and CEO of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement. “If you talk to any high school teacher, principal or other personnel, it is pervasive across our schools.” Dr. Thompson shared more about the teen vaping epidemic with host Zach Parker on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including measures that need to be taken to ensure our children's safety and his role at a teen vaping summit held last year in Arkansas. Subscribe to The Ghidotti Podcast on SoundCloud, Stitcher or iTunes to hear the full interview, and stay tuned for future conversations with movers and shakers, disrupters, culture changers, business leaders and community influencers across the state of Arkansas. You can also follow our blog and find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as well. We love hearing from you! The Ghidotti Podcast is recorded at the Bobby L. Roberts Library of Arkansas History & Art, which is part of the Central Arkansas Library System.

Taking over as President and CEO in 2017, Adam Head has guided CARTI out of a murky financial situation and into a new era filled with excitement and growth. Head credits the entire team at CARTI for its rapid transformation in recent years. “I know that coming in cold I'd be able to provide an outside perspective, but I also knew that I couldn't just start looking at numbers and make decisions from that vantage point,” Head said. “I needed to walk around. I needed to talk to people and get to know everybody on the team.” Head shared more about CARTI's growth with host Natalie Ghidotti on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, also touching on future plans for the state's largest private cancer clinic and how his military background has aided him in leadership positions. Subscribe to The Ghidotti Podcast on SoundCloud, Stitcher or iTunes to hear the full interview, and stay tuned for future conversations with movers and shakers, disrupters, culture changers, business leaders and community influencers across the state of Arkansas. You can also follow our blog and find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as well. We love hearing from you! The Ghidotti Podcast is recorded at the Bobby L. Roberts Library of Arkansas History & Art, which is part of the Central Arkansas Library System.

Stacy Hurst has never been one to shy away from a good challenge. Taking over as secretary of the newly formed Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism in July, Hurst has met the challenge head on. “I've just tried to learn as much as I can from current and former employees, and get really immersed in the work of state parks and tourism,” said Hurst, who previously spent four years as director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage. “My responsibility just in terms of supervision has grown substantially. I'm glad that I've had the time that I've had within state government to learn about it.” Hurst shared more about her new role with host Natalie Ghidotti on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including the thought process behind difficult financial decisions and what's on the horizon for the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism in 2020. Subscribe to The Ghidotti Podcast on SoundCloud, Stitcher or iTunes to hear the full interview, and stay tuned for future conversations with movers and shakers, disrupters, culture changers, business leaders and community influencers across the state of Arkansas. You can also follow our blog and find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as well. We love hearing from you! The Ghidotti Podcast is recorded at the Bobby L. Roberts Library of Arkansas History & Art, which is part of the Central Arkansas Library System.

A lot has changed at Arkansas Business over the last two decades, but the editor's desk has remained the same. While many newsrooms and publications from around the country have dealt with staff cuts or even closed their doors in recent years, Gwen Moritz has served as editor of Arkansas Business since 1999. “My job is to make sure that we have a news product that this audience will value and will subscribe to year in and year out,” Moritz said. “It's a niche of readers that can and will pay for a product that they value.” Moritz shared more about her time at Arkansas Business with host Natalie Ghidotti on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including how the media industry has changed over the years, what she envisions for Arkansas businesses going into 2020 and the origin of her wildly popular Craigslist find of the day. Subscribe to The Ghidotti Podcast on iTunes or Stitcher. Be sure to check out our blog and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. We love hearing from you!

From the Gurdon Light to the Boggy Creek Monster, Arkansas is no stranger to paranormal beings and spooky activity, but the 1886 Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs stands above the rest. Dubbed “America's Most Haunted Hotel,” the Crescent Hotel is said to be home to a number of ghostly residents. “Our guests and employees have told us about hundreds of different paranormal encounters and experiences over the years,” said Bill Ott, director of marketing and communications at the Crescent Hotel. “A lot of these stories have been around for the last 130 years that we've been here.” Ott shared more about the eerie happenings and discoveries at the Crescent Hotel with host Zach Parker on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, during a tour of the campus. He shared detailed accounts from some of the spirits that have made their presence felt over the years. Subscribe to The Ghidotti Podcast on iTunes or Stitcher. Be sure to check out our blog and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. We love hearing from you!