Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Society & Culture

News

Frequency: 1 episode/15d. Total Eps: 25

In this bi-weekly podcast, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette senior editor Rex Nelson sits down with fellow civic-minded Arkansans to discuss ways to foster growth in the Natural State. Along the way, Rex and his guests chat about all things Arkansas — its people, places, food, music, history and more.

Read moreCollapse

Site

RSS

Apple

Data updated on 04/07/2026

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇬🇧 Great Britain - Places & Travel
02/12/2024
#96

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

See all

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rex-nelsons-southern-fried-podcast/id1580998633
20 shares

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

See all

RSS feed quality

To improve

Score global : 52%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

Recent episodes with titles, durations, and descriptions.

See all

Post-election chat with Skip Rutherford

Episode 82

Friday, November 29, 2024 • Duration 32:00

On this week’s episode, Rex invites return guest Skip Rutherford, dean emeritus of the Clinton School of Public Service, to discuss Arkansas politics, focusing on recent elections, ballot issues, and the state’s shifting political landscape. The two also briefly talk about the potential impacts that national election results may have on the state in the upcoming months and years.

Skip and Rex discuss significant issues that did and did not make it onto this year’s ballot, with Rex emphasizing public confusion surrounding Issue No. 2, which concerned the proposed casino in Pope County. Skip also shares his opinion on Little Rock’s failed sales tax initiative.

They also dive into the state's upcoming legislative session, the LEARNS Act’s impact on rural schools, the state's funding for higher education and more.

Read moreCollapse

Miguel Lopez on boosting political and financial engagement in state's Hispanic community

Episode 81

Friday, November 15, 2024 • Duration 27:12

In this week's episode, Miguel Lopez, lead for Hispanic and Latino market outreach at Southern Bancorp, shares his immigration story. From Guadalajara, Mexico, to Arkansas, Lopez discusses how his family opened their now-thriving Mexican grocery store, Mercado El Valle, in Sherwood.

Rex and Miguel also chat about how Arkansas now has the fourth fastest-growing Hispanic population in the country. Miguel emphasizes the need for banks to build trust with this community by using intermediaries who understand their needs, highlighting significant opportunities for financial institutions to support Latino businesses.

The two also talk about the importance of political engagement in the growing population, with Miguel urging both political parties to develop strategies for connecting with Latino voters across the political spectrum.

Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.

Read moreCollapse

Investing in Arkansas' economic future through research and collaboration with Bryan Barnhouse

Episode 80

Friday, November 1, 2024 • Duration 35:48

On this week's episode, Bryan Barnhouse, the President and CEO of the Arkansas Research Alliance, joins Rex in the studio to discuss the organization's efforts to invest in research opportunities that drive scientific discovery, engineering breakthroughs, and economic development across the state.

Following a brief overview of the alliance and their initiaitives, Bryan tells Rex about the alliance's Scholar and Fellows programs designed to connect the state's top research universities to researchers from within and outside of the state.

Bryan gives Rex a brief rundown of the seven growth opportunities identified in the research alliance's recently published economic development report, "Enabling An Innovation-Led Future For Arkansas," outlining areas where Arkansas has the most potential for economic and occupational expansion.

Bryan also announces a round of impact grants that will fund collaborative projects to help find research based solutions to challenges an industry is facing.

Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.

Read moreCollapse

The recent history and cultural importance of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre with Will Trice and Ruth Shepherd

Episode 79

Friday, October 18, 2024 • Duration 34:31

Rex is joined by two key members of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre – commonly known as "The Rep" – on this week's episode of the podcast. Executive Director Will Trice and longtime board member Ruth Shepherd are on-hand to share their vast knowledge of regional theater and some of their more memorable experiences while working at "The Rep" in this episode.

Will tells Rex about his upbringing as a young actor and how those experiences influenced his New York stage career as well as his eventual move back to his home state to serve in a leadership role for "The Rep." Will's decision to return to Central Arkansas to lead "The Rep" had much to do with the theater's failing business model in the late 2010s, which included production shutting down early in 2016-2017.

Will's love and understanding of the art of theater combined with his business savvy and the opportunity to return to Arkansas greatly influenced his decision to play a key role in reviving "The Rep." Although he believes that "theater doesn't make sense as a business," both Will and Ruth found satisfaction in the possibility of revitalizing the standing of "The Rep" in the community and ensuring its standing as one of the state's foremost cultural landmarks.

Will and Ruth maintain the belief that, for the "The Rep" to continue to thrive and maintain its professional standing in the community, a sustainable business model is needed as well as loyal patrons and regular contributors.

Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.

Rockin', rollin' and concert promoting with Michael Marion

Episode 78

Friday, October 4, 2024 • Duration 31:18

This week, Rex welcomes Michael Marion back to the podcast. The longtime general manager of North Little Rock's Simmons Bank Arena, Michael is a former Los Angeles-based music agent and promoter who shares his insight into the entertainment industry on this episode of the program.

The Simmons Bank Arena, whch opened to the public in October 1999 as the Allel Arena, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and stands as the largest and most prominent entertainment spot in Central Arkansas. Rex and Michael chat about the venue's unique history, which has proved financially successful in addition to its regional and national popularity and the changes that have taken place at the location over the past two and a half decades.

Michael, a Tupelo, Miss. native who got his start by booking music talent in his home state, discusses the importance of business leaders and local politicians in the arena's formative years, as well as the venue's first concert, a performance by Elton John (who played a stop on his farewell tour at the same venue in 2022).

Over the years, Michael shares many of his most memorable experiences working at the arena, including booking The Rolling Stones, George Strait's sold out shows, and meeting Sir Paul McCartney.

Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.

Read moreCollapse

Filling the state's educational gaps with Melissa Taverner

Episode 77

Friday, September 20, 2024 • Duration 31:45

Melissa Taverner, President of Lyon College in Batesville, returns to the studio to update Rex on several of the school's recent and upcoming projects.

Melissa highlights the university's strong enrollment and residential occupancy for the upcoming year. She also announces that the college has secured a $1.95 million Title III Grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will fund the Thriving Scot Program, a five-year initiative aimed at enhancing learning communities to improve first-semester GPAs, retention rates, and graduation rates, particularly for economically disadvantaged and first-generation students.

The pair also discuss Lyon College's plans to launch the state's first dental and veterinary schools, both of which are celebrating the expansion of educational opportunities within the state. Melissa mentions that the new dental school will be constructed in the Riverdale neighborhood of downtown Little Rock, offering both educational opportunities for students and oral health care services for the community. The veterinary school is set to be constructed in Cabot, adjacent to the Cabot Animal Services building.

Melissa also touches on Lyon College's partnerships with the University of Arkansas Little Rock's Bowen Law School and the Clinton School of Public Service. Near the conclusion of the conversation, she highlights the school's recently announced Backyard Access Plan, which offers discounted tuition to eligible students from the area surrounding the college.

Read moreCollapse

Fostering community through youth sports with Lance Restum

Episode 76

Friday, September 6, 2024 • Duration 33:59

This week Lance Restum, executive director of the Arkansas Travelers Youth Foundation, returns to the studio to discuss the charity's impactful work in fostering community health and supporting local youth through baseball and softball.

Rex and Lance delve into the crucial issue of economic barriers that prevent many children and young adults from participating in sports. Lance shares how the foundation is tackling these challenges with a range of initiatives. These include their college scholarship program, free youth baseball clinics, and the Cleat Closet program, which provides essential equipment and gear to those in need.

The pair also discuss the 'overall health epidemic' affecting modern youth and the importance of programs like the baseball free clinics to encourage children to get outside and stay active. Lance also mentions the foundation's Mobile Wellness Center that offers guidance to youth on ways to maintain and improve their physical health on and off the field.

Rex touches on the potential economic benefits of investing in new and renovated youth sports facilities in Little Rock and North Little Rock. He argues that such investments would not only enhance community health but also provide a boost to the local economy.

Read moreCollapse

Talking trash with Capi Peck and Norm Berner

Episode 75

Friday, August 23, 2024 • Duration 34:11

Capi Peck and Norm Berner – both frequent visitors to the podcast – join Rex this week to talk about different ways they are helping to combat Little Rock's worsening and seemingly never-ending trash problem.

Peck and Berner chat with Rex about aspects of their roles as conservation advocates for the city in regards to litter-related clean-up efforts. Peck, the executive chef and longtime owner of Trio's restaurant as well as a member of the Little Rock Board of Directors, talks with Rex about the connection between fast food and trash, and how non-recyclable materials have greatly contributed to the city’s litter and pollution problems. Peck also stresses the importance of educating younger generations in conservation and environmental awareness.

Berner, a member of Friends of Fourche Creek and Keep Little Rock Beautiful, is a longtime protector of urban wetlands in Central Arkansas. In this episode, he provides Rex with a brief history of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful campaign and his involvement with the organization. Berner also discusses upcoming events hosted by Friends of Fourche Creek as well as an exciting “special speaker” coming to this year’s Arkansas State Fair, one who Berner believes will continue help tackling the city’s problems with litter and pollution for years to come.

Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.

Read moreCollapse

Real estate developments in North Little Rock's Argenta district with Allen Engstrom

Episode 74

Friday, August 9, 2024 • Duration 32:02

Allen Engstrom, an area real estate developer and managing director of the financial consulting firm, CFO Network, stops by the podcast this week to chat with Rex about new, ongoing and planned developments in the Little Rock metro, and especially the recent revival of the Argenta Arts District in North Little Rock.

Allen founded the CFO Network more than 20 years ago in the Argenta district and the first topic of this week's discussion is the growth and changes the area has undergone over the past two decades. He explains how the communal aspect of the neighborhood grew in the wake of a successful tax implemented on area businesses and a core belief in making the district "clean, green and safe."

The primary focus of the conversation is the importance and necessity of building new housing developments and area businesses around a "live, work and play" ethos, which Allen and Rex agree is central to urban and economic progress. Along these lines, Allen tells Rex about several recent real estate projects he's been focused on, including the remodeling and repurposing of an 1800s-era house into an office and event space and converting a former Presbyterian Church into what Allen hopes will be an upscale restaurant.

The pair conclude their discussion with their thoughts on Little Rock's new downtown master plan, and stating the importance of a partnership and connection between Little Rock and North Little Rock moving forward.

Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.

Economic growth and fostering community across Arkansas with Graham Cobb

Episode 73

Friday, July 26, 2024 • Duration 35:29

On this week’s episode, President of Paceline Strategies and former President and CEO of the Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, Graham Cobb, joins Rex to discuss the economic developments and cultural shifts impacting Northwest and Central Arkansas.

The pair begin their conversation by highlighting Northwest Arkansas' economic boom, driven by initiatives from entities like Tyson Foods, Inc. and Walmart, alongside significant investments in infrastructure and healthcare, such as Crystal Bridges and the Alice Walton Medical School.

Graham, who now lives in Bentonville but is originally from Little Rock, also talks about Central Arkansas' recent surge in logistics and distribution jobs, notably with Amazon establishing a regional hub.

Both Rex and Graham emphasize the importance of leveraging Arkansas's strengths and fostering civic engagement statewide to sustain growth and attract further investments.

Towards the end of the conversation, Graham emphasizes the importance of community collaboration and authentic storytelling to promote Arkansas' unique qualities and attract new residents, pointing to initiatives like the #BecauseBentonville campaign.

Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.

Read moreCollapse

Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other4

Apple Podcast1

Spotify2

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other4

Apple Podcast1

Spotify2