Up in Your Business with Kerry McCoy

Born in Skiatook, Oklahoma, Wena Supernaw spent much of her early life on the move with her parents, who she credits for the tenacity and commitment that Wena has demonstrated over her long career. Graduating from George Mason University with a Bachelor's in Accounting, Supernaw took graduate courses at both Virginia Tech and the University of Texas before opting to test her mettle in the world of business finance. The bulk of Wena's career was spent as the Vice President of MetLife, where she led teams embroiled in budgeting, investments, communications, contract negotiations, and more. After over 30 years in an incredibly technical and nuanced field, Wena retired and pursued public service with the Quapaw Nation. She has been elected to several committees, and currently serves as Vice Chairperson on the Inter-Tribal Council and as the QN Business Committee Chair, where she applies her experience to ensure the economic wellbeing of her people. Aware of how every great accomplishment is made on the shoulders of our ancestors, Wena Supernaw gets out of bed every morning asking herself what she can do to uplift those who follow in her footsteps.

Brad Close is President of the National Federation of Independent Business, the nation's leading small business advocacy organization. As NFIB's chief executive officer, Brad focuses on advancing NFIB's advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. and through the organization's unmatched 50-state network and grassroots operation.

Born in Little Rock, AR, Mike Poe's passion for filmmaking began at age 12 when his aunts gifted him a 35mm camera and enlarger. Mike earned a BA in Radio, TV, & Film from the University of Arkansas and has since worked on documentaries, short films, and hundreds of art events for film festivals across Arkansas. A few of his credits include: 45RPM (producer, music supervisor), Not Even God (producer), and West of Memphis (camera). Poe's most famous work is as director of Voices For Justice, a short documentary bringing attention to the wrongful convictions of The West Memphis Three in advance of their hearings with the Arkansas Supreme Court. Mike Poe's life took a sharp turn in 2014 when his best friend, TC Edwards, was murdered. The killer was never caught, and Mike has dedicated his years since to honoring the legendary rocker with a full-length documentary film, TC is Metal. Beyond his quest for justice and closure, Poe's goals involve creating and sharing Arkansas art with the world, and bringing in talent from around the globe to teach and inspire Arkansan artists.

Randy Hankins was born in 1950, growing up in Warren, AR. Going by his stage name, Craig O'Neill has spent 50 years in the broadcast business, with the last 24 of those being at Little Rock, Arkansas's THV11. O'Neill officially signed off for the last time as news anchor on December 29, 2023. Before TV, Craig had a successful radio career on KKYK and then B98.5, where he was famous for his prank phone calls. Eventually, O'Neill made the transition from fun-loving radio personality to respected TV news anchor. Craig has since interviewed Presidents and music icon Dolly Parton alike. He has danced on the Ellen DeGeneres show, announced Razorback football games, emceed more than 9,000 charity events helping raise over $40 million dollars in Arkansas. His passion project, and probably his retirement career, is reading to grade school children through AR Kids Read. Using his acting skills, infectious personality, and unforgettable voice he hopes to ignite some lifetime readers. He also works with Hearts and Hooves — an organization that teaches children and adults with disabilities to ride and handle horses.

Raeann Wilson was born in Cabot, AR. As a breast cancer survivor, IV therapy was an integral part of Raeann's recovery, and she became passionate about giving the same level of care to other post-operation patients. As the surgical coordinator at Shewmake Plastic Surgery, Raeann has extensive knowledge in surgical processes and patient care. This all gave her the skill and inspiration to create Zen Infusion, offering mobile, on-demand IV infusion therapy that serves a number of needs for the people of Central Arkansas. Kris Shewmake, M.D., FACS was born in Pine Bluff, AR. He earned his bachelor's degree in biology from Hendrix College in Conway and a master's degree in natural science from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He received his medical degree from UAMS, where he also completed a residency in general surgery. He was president of his class and elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society (top 10% of the class). His eight years of surgical training after medical school included a General Surgery residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Medical Center and a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery residency in Dallas at the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Shewmake entered private practice in 1996 and was named Best Plastic Surgeon in Arkansas by his colleagues in 1999 and 2009.

Born in the small town of McGehee, Arkansas, Trent Montgomery has grown into a dancer, teacher, and drag queen with a long list of accolades. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Performance and Choreography from the University of Arkansas and a Master's in Performance and Choreography from Florida State. While living in Florida, he performed with The Tallahassee Ballet and served as the Associate Artistic Director at the Ballet Arts Conservatory of Tallahassee. In Arkansas, he has worked as a dancer and teacher with the Arkansas Festival Ballet, and continues to foster a love of dance through education. Trent's current claim to fame is his membership in Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, a world famous, gender-skewing, comic ballet troupe that parodies the conventions of romantic and classical ballet. In the 19th century, ballet came to be dominated by the ballerina, with plots and choreography that highlight flowery, feminine forms. As such, the ballerinos of Les Ballets Trockadero draw a lot humor from performing en travesti, every member taking on both male and female roles.

Born to blue collar workers in rural Illinois, Peggy McCall-Robertson inherited a strong work ethic, and from her father gained a love of tinkering and learning how things work. Peggy served as a Youth Director for the Methodist Church in central Arkansas for nearly 20 years, followed by retail work that gave her the experience needed to develop a business plan of her own. The first Miracle League was created in Georgia in 2000 with the goal of providing opportunities for children with disabilities to play baseball, offering a huge boost to their physical and mental wellbeing. Inspired, Peggy partnered with the Little Rock Rotary Club 99 to bring the program to Arkansas. In 2006, the first Miracle League of AR season opened with Peggy as Executive Director. When she isn't organizing "the greatest game on turf", Peggy enjoys camping, cooking, and helping her husband with his own creative projects.

Susan Altrui has worked for the Little Rock Zoo since 2005, but it wasn't until director Mr. Mike Blakely announced his retirement in 2020 that she moved from head of marketing to become the acting director. Later she cemented her role when the late City Manager Bruce Moore promoted Susan to the full-time position of Arkansas's Little Rock Zoo director. Little Rock is lucky to have such an accredited Zoo. Interestingly, it is the largest family destination in Arkansas, conveniently located in the center of the State, and in the heart of the Capitol City. The Zoo not only cares for over 500 animals, but also provides inspiration, education, and conservation programs that grow a passion for animals and a respect for all living things. Update: In January 2025, Susan moved to the position of City Manager for Little Rock.

Witty actor and singer Jacob Keith Watson is making waves on the Broadway stages. He appeared as Enoch Snow in the Tony-nominated Broadway revival of Carousel. Jacob has also been seen on Broadway in Hello, Dolly!, Brian Crawley's Violet, Craig Lucas' Amélie as Joseph Buquet, Monsieur Reyer in The Phantom of the Opera, Robert Livingston in the acclaimed Encores! revival of 1776, as well as Amos Hart in the National/International tour of Chicago the Musical. Regional and Opera credits include the title role in Shrek with the Sacramento Music Circus and roles in Benny & Joon at the Papermill Playhouse, La bohème, Pagliacci, Pirates of Penzance, Rigoletto, HMS Pinafore, Chicago, Bye Bye Birdie, Seussical, Six Characters in Search of an Author, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, Othello, and The Doctor in Spite of Himself. Symphony engagements includes Kurt Weill on Broadway and New York, New York both with Maestro James Holmes and the Kurt Weill foundation and the tenor soloist in Elijah, Messiah, and Carmina Burana. Jacob is an Arkansas native and proud past winner of the prestigious Lotte Lenya Competition, the NATS National Music Theatre Competition and a regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

This week we revisit Kerry's two prior interviews with Arkansan painter and sculptor, Kevin Kresse. Kevin has exhibited his work around Arkansas, New York, Washington DC, Memphis, and Atlanta. His work has been featured in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the Arkansas Times, Soiree magazine, and more, and he has been featured in pieces produced by local affiliates of ABC, CBS, and PBS television, as well as a short film by Garret Lakin. The journey toward a career in art began with Kresse and his wife Bridget's decision to pare down their lives financially. Both of the Kresses had “job-jobs,” as Bridget calls them. She was a financial planner, Kevin a newspaper art director. Work and money had been “all about accumulation.” The Kresses opted for a different road. They gave their employers a year's notice, lived cheaply, and saved money. Then they took a four-month trip to Europe. The trip to Europe was priceless. It laid the foundation for their marriage, they say. It gave them time to reflect — something Kevin points out is growing increasingly scarce for workaholic Americans — and it pointed the way toward their future. It was on that trip, Bridget says, that “Kevin decided to do his art." "It's a kick knowing that my public work will still be there long after I'm gone," he said. "I never thought about that aspect too much until after my father died. It is also great hearing people interpret what they see in some of the work. It makes me realize that everyone sees art through their filter of life and that every interpretation is just as valid as the reason I did it."

Spring is finally here and there's no better way to kick-start the season than by hanging out with landscape designer and entrepreneur, Chris Olsen! He and Kerry talk all about his time at Oxford University, the challenges of running a seasonal business, and his renovation of the historic Edgemont House in North Little Rock.

Who doesn't know the name Dale Carnegie, founder of the Dale Carnegie Courses? Born 1888 on a farm in Missouri, this farmboy-turned-salesman-turned-actor, teacher, author, and self-help guru has helped thousands of people through his teachings, and 100 years later, they are still relevant, and we are still remembering him. Part of the Dale Carnegie legacy are Mr. Jerry Wilson and Ms. Jessie Wilson (no relation). Jerry Wilson is the franchise owner for Dale Carnegie Training in Arkansas and other territories of the midwest. A certified trainer, Jerry has spent the past 30 years working with thousands of companies to develop effective management solutions, captivating audiences with his dynamic and enthusiastic speaking style. Jessie Wilson is the VP of Client Engagement and a Senior Trainer at Dale Carnegie. She has over 12 years of experience in sales leadership and as a certified coach who provides world-class training to organizations across the midwest. Jessie is acknowledged by Dale Carnegie and Associates as being one of the top consultants in North America.

Roy Dudley is one of those fortunate people that found his passion early in life. He was a mere boy in elementary school when he was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and began treasure hunting at garage sales and reselling his finds in Aunt Hazel's perpetual yard sale. Hear how Roy took his aunt's sage advice and parlayed it into a successful business called Roy Dudley Estate Sales. When asked what his favorite find was, his answer was swift. Finding the papers of school children in Arkansas' Japanese Internment camp, Rohwer. From 1942 and 1945, more than 8,000 Japanese Americans were interned at Rohwer—a 500-acre camp surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards, in rural Arkansas.

Keith Jackson was born April 19, 1965 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He began playing football at the age of 9 with the Sunset Tigers in his hometown. His love of the game continued throughout junior high school on into high school at Little Rock Parkview, where he was Parade All-American and three-sport letterman. While in high school, Keith played the cello in the orchestra. Upon graduating from Parkview, Keith attended the University of Oklahoma (1984-1987) on a football scholarship as a tight end. During his college career, he assisted the Sooners to a 42-5-1 record and a national championship in 1985. He recorded a total of 62 receptions for 1,407 yards, an average of 23.7 yards per catch and was selected three times to the All Big Eight team and named two-time Athletic All-American. Keith graduated with academic honors and a BA in Communications in 3 ½ years. In 1988, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Keith as the thirteenth pick of the first round in the National Football League draft. Keith made an immediate impact on the Eagles' team and the NFL during his rookie season. Keith recorded 81 receptions for 869 yards and 6 touchdowns in his first season, along with seven catches for 142 yards in the Eagles only playoff game that year, and was the NFC offensive rookie of the year and the only first-year player to be selected by the NFL for the Pro Bowl. In his nine seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Miami Dolphins, and Green Bay, Keith was selected to the Pro Bowl 6 times (1988-1990, 1992, 1994 - selected but did not attend, 1996) and 3-time All-Pro. In his final season, Keith recorded 40 receptions for 505 yards and career high 10 touchdowns, assisting the Packers to a 16-3 record and a win in Super Bowl XXXI. Keith finished his career with 441 receptions for 5,283 yards and 49 touchdowns. Keith Jackson has also combined his college degree in communications and his professional playing experience to become a broadcast analyst with TNT television for one year, the Oklahoma Sooner football radio network in 1998, Fox Sports Network in 1999 and the Arkansas Razorback Sports Network from 2000 - 2017. He has become one of the most dynamic and inspirational speakers in the country. His speaking engagements include churches, civic groups, corporations and schools.

Virgil Miller, Jr. has a long track-record of integrity and hard work across multiple banks, including Worthen Bank, Bank of America, Metropolitan National Bank, and more. As of 2024, Miller fills the role of Community Reinvestment Officer for Arvest Bank, where he works to meet the credit needs of low-income communities. Virgil's career in the banking industry dovetails well with his long-time commitment to community service that began as far back as 1981, when he was a Rally team member for the Boy Scouts of America. Since then, Mr. Miller has served on no less than 35 boards ranging from President of the Kawanis club to Daisy Bates Trustee; Bill & Hillary Clinton Airport commissioner to present day Director of Ward 1 for the City of Little Rock.

Jim Guy Tucker, Jr was born on June 13, 1943, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to James Guy and Willie Maude (White) Tucker. His father was one of the first 50 employees of the newly formed Social Security Administration in February,1936. His family moved to Little Rock in February of 1945 when his father was relocated as the manager of the Arkansas Social Security Administration office. Jim Guy was educated in public schools. He graduated from Harvard with a BA in government in 1964, after which he enlisted in the marines. Despite two appeals, Tucker was discharged for health reasons after three months. Stints in 1965 and 1967 in Vietnam as a civilian war correspondent became a source of exposure for Tucker as he recorded them in his book, Arkansas Men at War. After finishing work in Vietnam, Tucker returned to Arkansas to pursue a political career. After receiving his law degree at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1968, he became an associate attorney with the Little Rock firm Rose, Barron, Nash, Williamson, Carroll, and Clay. He left in 1970 upon winning the race for prosecuting attorney for the Sixth Judicial District. In 1972, he was elected to the first of two terms as state attorney general. On November 8, 1975, he married Betty Allen Alworth, who had two children from her previous marriage. The couple had two children together. In 1976, he was elected to represent the Second Congressional District and was appointed to the House Ways and Means Committee, the Social Security Subcommittee, and the Speaker's Task Force on Welfare Reform. After eight years in public office, he returned to private law practice in 1979 and became a partner in the Tucker and Stafford firm. In 1982, he ran for governor in the Democratic primary, but came in third in a five-man race. After that loss, he began to engage in business enterprises, including real estate and condominium development. In 1983, he formed County Cable Limited Partnership with his wife, and the company provided cable TV service in rural Pulaski County. From modest beginnings, he expanded his cable TV operations to other areas of the country and acquired interests in cable companies in Texas, Florida, and Great Britain. In 1988, he traded County Cable to Falcon Cable Media of California in return for a Falcon Cable operation near Dallas, Texas. In 1990, Tucker prepared for another run for governor. When Clinton announced his reelection bid, Tucker opted instead to run for lieutenant governor. Both he and Clinton won their races. Once Clinton began to campaign for the presidency in 1991, Tucker became acting governor, and upon Clinton's resignation in December 1992, Tucker became governor. In November 1994, he won a four-year term against Republican Sheffield Nelson. He became caught up in the Whitewater investigation surrounding Clinton. On May 28, 1996, he was convicted for misapplying funds for a $150,000 bank loan. The next day, he announced that he would step down as governor, even as he continued to protest his innocence. After briefly rescinding his resignation, he left office on July 15, 1996. He reentered the private sector to focus on his business enterprises. In 1996, Tucker was placed on a liver transplant waiting list (he had been diagnosed in 1984 with primary sclerosing cholangitis, which leads to blockage of the bile ducts). On Christmas Day, he received a transplant, which probably saved his life and kept him out of prison—he was sentenced to probation. Despite complications, the transplant restored his health. Since then, Tucker has served his probation and repaid the $150,000 loan. Edit: Jim Guy Tucker passed away on February 13, 2025

Originally Aired 6/24/2022 This week on Up in Your Business with Kerry McCoy, we interview Mr. Arlo Washington, president of PEOPLE Trust Loan Fund, a financial institution offering small loans to neighbors in need. Arlo is a self-made man with a Cinderella story. He is the epitome of a hardworking, creative entrepreneur, who sees opportunities and listens to where life leads him, all with the heart of a teacher. Learn what the term “unbanked” means and how Arlo turned his barber's chair into a barber school (Washington Barber School), and his school into a financial institution, eventually founding the PEOPLE Trust Loan Fund, a non-profit financial institution serving low-income communities.

John Cain is program director of community radio station KABF-FM 88.3 and host of KUAR's 52nd Street Jazz for more than three decades. He has been on the air in some capacity for "51 years and counting." Cain got his start in the early 1960s working as an engineer and overnight disc jockey at Little Rock R&B station KALO-AM 1250. It was there that Cain developed his program niche. Cain said, “I featured material that you don't hear normally. It was overnight radio that really gave me the opportunity to become a preservationist of sorts, a musicologist, a mixologist or whatever you want to call it." Chris James is a national award-winning poet. His plays include Dear Black People and The Odds Against US. He has been featured on the front cover of the Arkansas Times Newspaper for being one of Arkansas' top visionaries. James is a member of Foreign Tongues poetry slam team, ranking second in the world's second largest poetry competition in 2014. He is the founder of Arkansas' only poetry venue and second black owned gallery, The House of Art. He hosts art integrated workshops and is a motivational speaker. Garbo Watson Hearne owns Hearne Fine Art and Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing/Hearne Fine Art, located in the historic Dunbar neighborhood in Little Rock, Arkansas. She developed Hearne Fine Art in the New York and Atlanta markets and expanded its services to include cataloging and fine art appraisals

Ann McCoy really needs no introduction because everyone knows her as either the successful million dollar club (when that meant something) real estate agent, or as the Governor's Mansion Administrator for Governor Clinton, or as the Special Assistant to the President, Deputy Social Secretary and Director of Personal Correspondence for President Clinton's administration. There was a time when she could have boasted that she had met all the leaders of the Free World and had her picture taken with every living US President, but she doesn't. She is the most gracious and lovely person I have ever had the privilege to meet. Yes, she is my mother-n-law; and yes, it will soon to be time to sit down for a family dinner; and yes, I am getting brownie points for all these compliments! But I would never lie to my listeners for ill-gain. Tune in Today and hear this super interesting woman tell her story of how she went from a wife and mother to the personal assistant to the most powerful person in the world.

Born in Gould, Arkansas, Janis Kearney was one of eighteen children of parents Ethel V. Kearney and James Kearney. After graduating from Gould High School in 1971, Kearney attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, earning a B.A. in journalism in 1976. She continued on with her education while working, earning thirty hours towards a M.P.A. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. After earning her B.A. degree, Kearney was hired by the State of Arkansas in 1978, where she spent three years as a program manager for the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act program, and another six years as the director of information for the national headquarters of the Migrant Student Records Transfer System. Leaving government work, Kearney purchased the Arkansas State Press newspaper from Daisey Bates in 1987. She published the weekly paper for five years before joining the Clinton-Gore presidential campaign in 1992, where she served as director of minority media outreach. The following year, Kearney joined President Bill Clinton's transition team. She began with the White House Media Affairs Office before being appointed as the director of public affairs and communications for the U.S. Small Business Administration, where she worked until 1995. That year, Kearney became the first presidential diarist in U.S. history, chronicling President Clinton's day-to-day life. She remained in this capacity until President Clinton left office. Kearney came under scrutiny during the Starr Committee proceedings when her diary and testimony were subpoenaed. No wrongdoing was found. After President Clinton left office, Kearney was named a fellow at Harvard University's W.E.B. DuBois Institute in 2001, where she began work on a book about President Clinton entitled Conversations: William Jefferson Clinton-From Hope to Harlem. Kearney and her husband, former White House director of presidential personnel Bob Nash, are no strangers to the issues of race that still plague America. They were racially profiled by police following a car-jacking of a vehicle similar to theirs while still employed at the White House. Kearney served as the Chancellor's Lecturer at the City Colleges of Chicago and continued her DuBois Institute writing project, as well as her work on Cotton Field of Dreams: A Memoir until moving with her husband and son to Arkansas.

Originally from Oklahoma, Carlton Saffa fell in love with northwest Arkansas, graduating from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He currently lives in Little Rock with his wife and children, and serves as the chief market officer for the Quapaw Nation's Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff. Saffa was Saracen's first employee and oversaw the licensure of the enterprise in all forums, including the property's casino gaming license. In addition, he served as a representative in the construction of the Saracen Annex, a facility that features 300 slot machines and which was completed and operational in 100 days. Saracen's main property was developed in parallel, and Saffa was onsite daily throughout. Today, as CMO, Saffa is directly responsible for all outward-facing functions of the property as well as day-to-day management of the property's 800+ employees, which is co-managed by Saffa alongside two additional senior executives. Saffa has previously worked under Governor Asa Hutchinson and currently serves on the board of directors for a variety of organizations, including the Arkansas Symphony, the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, and the Historic Arkansas Museum.

Originally from Oklahoma, Carlton Saffa fell in love with northwest Arkansas, graduating from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He currently lives in Little Rock with his wife and children, and serves as the chief market officer for the Quapaw Nation's Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff. Saffa was Saracen's first employee and oversaw the licensure of the enterprise in all forums, including the property's casino gaming license. In addition, he served as a representative in the construction of the Saracen Annex, a facility that features 300 slot machines and which was completed and operational in 100 days. Saracen's main property was developed in parallel, and Saffa was onsite daily throughout. Today, as CMO, Saffa is directly responsible for all outward-facing functions of the property as well as day-to-day management of the property's 800+ employees, which is co-managed by Saffa alongside two additional senior executives. Saffa has previously worked under Governor Asa Hutchinson and currently serves on the board of directors for a variety of organizations, including the Arkansas Symphony, the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, and the Historic Arkansas Museum.

On this episode we look back at Kerry's interviews with guests who moved to Little Rock, fell in love, and chose to make the Natural State their home. For some it's the southern cuisine; others the rich ecosystems. Folks may stay for the bounty of history or for the earnest communities that thrive here to this day. Whatever the reason, plenty of people find cause to build a life here in central Arkansas.

Ruebel Funeral Home, the oldest funeral service establishment in the city of Little Rock, had its beginning in early 1901 on the corner of Sixth and Main Street. For over a hundred years, Ruebel Funeral Home has continually offered services of its facility, equipment and staff for immediate response to central Arkansas families of every religion preference, race and socioeconomic circumstances. George H. Wittenberg was acquired by Ruebel Funeral Home in 1953, becoming its Secretary and part owner. At the time, Jack Reed was made Vice-President and Treasurer, while Alfred Leymer held down the position of President. In 1978 Thomas C. Wittenberg, son of George, became associated with the firm and was made President in 1983. Following the deaths of Jack Reed and George Wittenberg in 1997, Tom Wittenberg became sole owner and Chief Executive Officer. “I'm now the third generation Wittenberg owner of Ruebel,” Justin Wittenberg said. “I tell my employees on a weekly basis, “Never tell a family NO. It doesn't matter how difficult a request might be, we will always find a way to make it happen. We only get one take when helping our clients, and we have to make it happen when and how they want so that they can fully and effectively grieve the loss of their friend or family member. We are honored to continue to serve the great state of Arkansas, for more than 117 years now.”

Kerry McCoy will speak with New York advertising executive Madonna Badger, creator of the We Are #WomenNotObjects ad that debuted at Cannes Film Festival and has been viewed more than 2 million times on YouTube. Badger left the advertising industry for more than a year after a tragic house fire on Christmas morning that claimed the lives of her three young daughters and both her parents. After the tragedy, Badger spent a few months in psychiatric hospitals for manic depression and suicidal ideation. Badger contacted her college roommate, Kate Askew of Little Rock, for refuge. During that year of recuperation, Badger began healing from the immense pain of losing so many loved ones at once. Assisted by the Askew family, Helen Porter, one of the founders of the Psychiatric Research Institute at the University of Arkansas and Dr. Richard Smith, director of the Institute and Institute staff, Badger recovered enough to return to New York. Before reestablishing her work routine, she accompanied another friend from Arkansas to an orphanage in Thailand, where she found additional healing through the stories and love of the orphaned girls there. Badger wrote in Vogue Magazine, “It's never going to be easy. The pain is just so huge that sometimes it feels like a prison cell. But trying really hard to not feel sorry for myself makes me feel good. Being of service helps the pain to go away, if only for a little while, and giving and receiving love makes me feel good. Basically, I go to wherever the light is, because anything else is darkness, and it can be a deeply black darkness.” Her tragic, yet inspirational story, her business and her volunteer work and more will be discussed during the hour-long interview.

Billy Mitch Chandler, Jr, was born in Little Rock, AR and raised in North Little Rock. Like his doctor father, Mitch is smart. But unlike his father, Mitch has been unable to settle on one career. In school he studied many areas of interest. In work, the same. In chronological order: His beginning career, and longest, was as program director and producer for local and regional TV news stations. Next, Director of business and public relations for Arkansas Economic Development Center (AEDC). Before becoming the director of Sales for Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, he tried his hand as an entrepreneur by being a founding partner of Martin-Wilbourn Ad Agency. His last full-time job was as Arkansas's Director of Executive Communication for the Secretary of Commerce. As is often the case, he left when the administration changed. Today Mitch is writing full-time on his book, Bus Stop To Paris, an autobiography about “this hickory nut of the south” as he calls himself; and about a chance meeting in the Denver airport that would forever change his life and send him traveling the world. As one to never rest on his laurels, Billy Mitch still keeps his finger on the pulse of advertising and film by working with a few select clients, most notably the FBI Agents Association, with whom he has partnered for over a decade. Edit: Mitch Chandler passed away in November of 2024.

Born in Maryland, Colin MacKnight is an organist who has been described as "a stunning player of exceptional ability" by composer/conductor Bob Chilcott. A skilled composer and conductor in his own right, Colin learned his trade at The Juilliard School in New York, receiving a bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree and writing a prize-winning dissertation on Johann Sebastian Bach's "Art of Fugue". With numerous accolades under his belt, Colin moved to Arkansas after landing a job at Little Rock's Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, where he is now the Director of Music. At Trinity, Colin oversees choral scholar programs, a concert series, and more. Additionally, Colin founded and directs The Trinitas Ensemble, Little Rock's only fully professional concert choir.

Arkansan native John Steven Clark was raised in Leachville, Arkansas watching his father dabble in local politics and decided early in life that he wanted to be a politician as well. He graduated from ASU and attended Law school in Fayetteville. In 1973, Clark became assistant dean of the University of Arkansas School of Law. It was there he met and became friends with Bill and Hillary Clinton. In 1976, Clark left the Law School to become chief of staff for Governor David Pryor. After Clinton was elected Governor, Clark became Arkansas's Attorney General and was the longest serving attorney general in Arkansas history. Clark has argued eight cases before the US Supreme Court. His most famous state case was creationism v evolution education in schools. Although this was not argued at the Supreme Court level, it was followed internationally and Clark was publicly denounced by evangelist Pat Robertson on the 700 Club show. In 1990, Clark was accused and convicted of mishandling state funds and charged with felony theft by deception. He lost his law license and moved several times. He lived in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Texas. In 2004, Governor Huckabee pardoned Clark. In 2007, he returned to Fayetteville and a year later became the president and chief executive officer of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce.

You could call today's show a “second coming” because this will be the second time Reverend Dr. Chris Keller has appeared on Up In Your Business with Kerry McCoy. Dr. Keller, III, is an Episcopal priest and theologian who, through his ministry and life, has blended scholarly pursuits with pop culture knowledge into an innovative leadership style. I liken him to EF Hutton because “When he speaks, people listen.” Today, we listen as he speaks about his new book, Getting On Toward Home, a thoughtful collection of funeral sermons written during his career as a priest and theologian. There are mountains of meaning is this heartfelt, 124-page book. Listen to hear Dr. Keller discuss why he chose the twelve homilies included in the book, including those written for late friends and family. We also discuss his ever-evolving opinions on hot button issues within the Episcopal Church and how you can get a signed copy of Getting On Toward Home at noon on Tuesday, October 24th at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, in downtown Little Rock.

Born and raised in Pine Bluff, Trey Reid is the Assistant Chief of Communications for the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. His primary role is executive producer and host of Arkansas Wildlife TV, the AGFC's weekly television show that documents The Natural State's many outdoor recreational opportunities and AGFC's myriad conservation work. Additionally, Trey is editor of Tail Fly Fishing Magazine and Strung Sporting Journal; and host of The Wild Side radio show on 103.7 The Buzz (which airs Tuesdays at 7 p.m.). He makes more than 250 radio and TV appearances per year representing the Commission and educating Arkansans on our natural states outdoor offerings. Prior to joining the AGFC staff in 2007, Trey was field reporter for ESPN2's BassCenter, traveling the country to report on professional bass fishing, conservation issues and much more. His travels took him everywhere from post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans to bass fishing adventures in New York City's Central Park. Trey was outdoor editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for four years. He started in the newspaper business as a sports writer and later as sports editor at his hometown newspaper, the Pine Bluff Commercial. He continues to work as a freelance writer and has had articles appear in local and national magazines and websites including Bassmaster, Greenhead, AY, Fish Arkansas, Arkansas Wild, Arkansas Money & Politics, ESPN.com, and more. Trey graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a B.A. in Liberal Arts.

This week on Up in Your Business I had the pleasure of interviewing (to quote from the Dos Equis ad campaign) “the most interesting man in the world,” Mr. Bob Traylor. If you are from North Little Rock, you will know exactly who and what I am talking about. My friend, Bob, is a 96-year-old man who sired 7 children, held the office of Arkansas state representative in 1971, made a living in real estate, smuggled gems out of Columbia, gave up alcohol in his 50's and proudly became an early advocate of the healing powers of marijuana, all while exploring his talent for painting, discovering his love of art, and showing his works at the Arkansas Art Center's Delta Exhibition. Listen to this interesting man recount his colorful life as part of Arkansas history.

UIYB with Alan Leveritt, Publisher of the Arkansas Times by Up in Your Business with Kerry McCoy

Virgil Miller, Jr. has a long track-record of integrity and hard work across multiple banks, including Worthen Bank, Bank of America, Metropolitan National Bank, and more. As of 2024, Miller fills the role of Community Reinvestment Officer for Arvest Bank, where he works to meet the credit needs of low-income communities. Virgil's career in the banking industry dovetails well with his long-time commitment to community service that began as far back as 1981, when he was a Rally team member for the Boy Scouts of America. Since then, Mr. Miller has served on no less than 35 boards ranging from President of the Kawanis club to Daisy Bates Trustee; Bill & Hillary Clinton Airport commissioner to present day Director of Ward 1 for the City of Little Rock.

This week's guest is The Woman Who Wouldn't Talk, Susan McDougal. She and her ex-husband were part of the Whitewater prosecution during the Clinton Presidency. She went to prison on contempt charges for refusing to answer questions for a grand jury. President Clinton pardoned her during the final hours that he was in office.

This week's guest is The Woman Who Wouldn't Talk, Susan McDougal. She and her ex-husband were part of the Whitewater prosecution during the Clinton Presidency. She went to prison on contempt charges for refusing to answer questions for a grand jury. President Clinton pardoned her during the final hours that he was in office.

Deborah Troillett is the former executive director for the Arkansas House of Prayer. She also served 22 years as a Mount St. Mary Academy teacher and administrator, with the last 14 years as president, ending in 2011.

This week, tune in for Kerry's conversation with long-time local TV and radio personality Lisa Fischer, who has become an integrative nutrition health coach, and host of her new show “Lisa Fischer Said.” Listen to learn how Lisa has overcome a lifetime of chronic illness and six autoimmune diseases by making adjustments to her diet; and how she's helping listeners take control of their health by interviewing health experts and coaching on the benefits of intermittent fasting.

This week Kerry sits down with Talk Business and Politics host, Roby Brock, and learns all about his broadcasting career, his political start in the 1992 Clinton Presidential campaign, and his thoughts on the state of the media.

Born in Maryland, Colin MacKnight is an organist who has been described as "a stunning player of exceptional ability" by composer/conductor Bob Chilcott. A skilled composer and conductor in his own right, Colin learned his trade at The Juilliard School in New York, receiving a bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree and writing a prize-winning dissertation on Johann Sebastian Bach's "Art of Fugue". With numerous accolades under his belt, Colin moved to Arkansas after landing a job at Little Rock's Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, where he is now the Director of Music. At Trinity, Colin oversees choral scholar programs, a concert series, and more. Additionally, Colin founded and directs The Trinitas Ensemble, Little Rock's only fully professional concert choir.

Former Razorback David Bazzel may be one of the most recognizable names in Arkansas. He played linebacker for the UofA in 1984 and had a total of 113 tackles. He was sidelined due to shoulder and back injures. “I think all of the football I played taught me a lot of discipline and taught me to grind and work hard,” says Bazzel. He created the Broyles Award, now going on 25 years, and the Touchdown Club, which brings in big names from all over the country. He is also responsible for the “Battle for the Boot,” and the Tusk Fund. For David, it's all about giving recognition to those who deserve it, while putting Arkansas in the spotlight. In the fall of 1998, Bazzel wrote and starred in a one man play titled “Football, Biceps, Biscuits and Gravy: Confessions of a Razorback.” Due to lack of ticket sales, the show closed before opening night. “You win some, you lose some,” Bazzel said, adding he has “no problem eating a little humble pie.” You can find Bazzel on TV during Razorback football season as a pre-game host and commentator, as well as doing his full-time job at 103.7 The Buzz.

David Soos was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1949. A move to Arkansas during his Air Force enlistment from 1968 to 1972 started David on his path in stained glass. While stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base, he spent most of his free time at the Arkansas Arts Center, enrolled in classes of many different media including, ceramics, sculpture, and glass blowing. The glass blowing experience led to his interest in stained glass. After his Air Force discharge, he returned to Cleveland and enrolled in classes at a local stained glass studio. He returned to Arkansas in 1974 and was self-employed in stained glass for a year, then worked for another studio, Mashburn Stained Glass, before opening his own business in 1979, a 5,000-square-foot studio with a full range of stained glass services. David was also a faculty member at the Arkansas Arts Center for five years and has had his work exhibited in many juried museum shows over the years.

Today on Up In Your Business you will be swept away as art history professor Gayle Seymour, Associate Dean at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, teaches us about Arkansas's history and culture. Gayle wrote the grant that led to the 60-year Central High Little Rock Nine reunion where President Bill Clinton was the keynote speaker. We will hear how Gayle commissioned the Cuban born composer, Tania Leon, to score a dramatic opera about the “Little Rock Nine” and enlisted Henry Louis Gates to write the libretto (words). This project has been stalled due to the pandemic of 2020, but we will preview a little of the opera on today's show. We will also learn about Japanese American Internment art and get an excerpt from its most famous Arkansas resident Star Trek's Mr. Sulu, George Takei. Other areas of Gayle's expertise inclued American art, Women in Art, and my favorite, Depression-era post office murals (think Norman Rockwell on a wall). Over 1400 murals were painted during the 1930's and 40's, as part of the New Deal, nineteen of which are located in Arkansas. And if that is not enough, she is an avid collector of antique Dolls! Listen and get a lesson on an array of interesting topics from this very interesting person.

JP Francoeur, owner of JP Fitness & Recovery returns to the show to talk about NeuFit, the revolutionary therapy and training technique that uses electrical stimulation. Join Kerry as they talk all things fitness.

Born and raised in Batesville, Cecelia Wilson graduated from Batesville High School and earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Cecelia lives in central Arkansas with her husband, Dennis, and has two children, a grown son and daughter, Cody and Cheyenne. For more than a decade, Cecelia has been the Feature Writer for Searcy Living magazine. Over the years, she has penned articles introducing readers to governors, senators, Grammy Award-winning musicians, and individuals from all walks of life. In addition to writing articles, books, and youth plays, Cecelia is a singer, pastor's wife, play director, and acts in community theaters, commercials, film, and television. Recently Cecelia was able to- in Edith's words- twist Edith's arm so she could write Edith Röpke Harris' amazing story. This harrowing tale ended up being a non-fiction book titled Back to Bremen which chronicles a mother and eight children navigating a back woods journey though Nazi Germany during WWII told from 5 year-old Edith's perspective.

This week we revisit Kerry's two prior interviews with Arkansan painter and sculptor, Kevin Kresse. Kevin has exhibited his work around Arkansas, New York, Washington DC, Memphis, and Atlanta. His work has been featured in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the Arkansas Times, Soiree magazine, and more, and he has been featured in pieces produced by local affiliates of ABC, CBS, and PBS television, as well as a short film by Garret Lakin. The journey toward a career in art began with Kresse and his wife Bridget's decision to pare down their lives financially. Both of the Kresses had “job-jobs,” as Bridget calls them. She was a financial planner, Kevin a newspaper art director. Work and money had been “all about accumulation.” The Kresses opted for a different road. They gave their employers a year's notice, lived cheaply, and saved money. Then they took a four-month trip to Europe. The trip to Europe was priceless. It laid the foundation for their marriage, they say. It gave them time to reflect — something Kevin points out is growing increasingly scarce for workaholic Americans — and it pointed the way toward their future. It was on that trip, Bridget says, that “Kevin decided to do his art." "It's a kick knowing that my public work will still be there long after I'm gone," he said. "I never thought about that aspect too much until after my father died. It is also great hearing people interpret what they see in some of the work. It makes me realize that everyone sees art through their filter of life and that every interpretation is just as valid as the reason I did it."

Billy Mitch Chandler, Jr, was born in Little Rock, AR and raised in North Little Rock. Like his doctor father, Mitch is smart. But unlike his father, Mitch has been unable to settle on one career. In school he studied many areas of interest. In work, the same. In chronological order: His beginning career, and longest, was as program director and producer for local and regional TV news stations. Next, Director of business and public relations for Arkansas Economic Development Center (AEDC). Before becoming the director of Sales for Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, he tried his hand as an entrepreneur by being a founding partner of Martin-Wilbourn Ad Agency. His last full-time job was as Arkansas's Director of Executive Communication for the Secretary of Commerce. As is often the case, he left when the administration changed. Today Mitch is writing full-time on his book, Bus Stop To Paris, an autobiography about “this hickory nut of the south” as he calls himself; and about a chance meeting in the Denver airport that would forever change his life and send him traveling the world. As one to never rest on his laurels, Billy Mitch still keeps his finger on the pulse of advertising and film by working with a few select clients, most notably the FBI Agents Association, with whom he has partnered for over a decade.

Born in 1952, Walter C. Coleman III was the 5th generation to run Coleman Dairy, in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 2001 his family business was listed in Family Business Magazine as the United States 75th oldest family-run business, having been founded in 1862. In 2007, Coleman Dairy became a division of Hiland Dairy. Though he inherited a dairy juggernaut, Walt's greatest legacy is in the world of sports. In his 20's, Walt began a long career as a football referee. At the time of his retirement in 2018, he was the longest-running NFL referee in history. This is big money, on a big stage, with big egos, and your word, as the referee, is the final word…like it or lump it. The next day, everybody is talking about it, and everybody must live with it. And living with it is what our guest did for 30 years… the guts, the glory, and the criticism.

Susan Altrui has worked for the Little Rock Zoo since 2005, but it wasn't until director Mr. Mike Blakely announced his retirement in 2020 that she moved from head of marketing to become the acting director. Later she cemented her role when the late City Manager Bruce Moore promoted Susan to the full-time position of Arkansas's Little Rock Zoo director. Little Rock is lucky to have such an accredited Zoo. Interestingly, it is the largest family destination in Arkansas, conveniently located in the center of the State, and in the heart of the Capitol City. The Zoo not only cares for over 500 animals, but also provides inspiration, education, and conservation programs that grow a passion for animals and a respect for all living things.

Steve Dean and Don Goodman sat down with Kerry McCoy to share how a dream can launch a career, how music facilitates healing, and how Operation Song reaches veterans with a creative way to conquer PTSD.

Excited and apprehensive describes how I felt while on my way to Russellville, Arkansas to speak to 400 bright Arkansas Governor's School students. I didn't know what to expect. Kids can be a tough audience. But, besides middle-aged men, they are also one of my favorite demographics and, early on in my speech, I told them so; for which I got a round of applause and realized they were going to be a fun group. For the next 40 minutes I told my 48-year entrepreneurial story; the failures, successes, and luck.

Christina Lecuyer is a confidence coach living in Conway, AR. Previously a professional golfer turned television personality, Christina soon realized that her wealth hadn't brought her happiness. After years of battling low self-confidence, an eating disorder, and tying her worth to external validation, Christina has created what she refers to as “the best life ever” which includes a business coaching clients from around the world. Through her signature “Decision, Faith & Action” framework Christina has helped thousands of clients curate their own “best life ever”. Christina is one of only a handful of coaches that specializes specifically in building confidence using a 1:1 coaching model, because she believes it's the long term accountability and support from working on both mindset and strategy that creates sustainable and enjoyable long term results of self trust and confidence.