Paragould Podcast

Basketball Referee Legend & Manager of Legacy Equipment, Ron Bellomy

Ron Bellomy has spent decades refereeing high school and college basketball (dating back to the Southwest Conference days!). He has spent the last 32 years at Legacy Equipment where he is now the location manager. In this episode one particular highlight is honoring the late Tom Kirk who passed away before we ever started our podcasts.

 

If you're a fan of basketball, John Deere, Tom Kirk, or especially of the amazing man that Ron Bellomy is, then this is a must listen!

Who Can Become A Bank President At 28 Years Old? Ken Hoppe Joins Us This Week!

Ken Hoppe has been placed in many positions over his career where it was not specific training or expertise that led him to success but a positive and peaceful mindset combined with a strong work ethic and humbleness to learn along the way. From becoming a bank president at 28 years old, to being a car lot owner, to a college president, we had a lot of wisdom from experience to discuss with Mr. Hoppe!

How GCT Won the Marching Band State Title, with Band Director, Kim Webb!

In this special episode of The Paragould Podcast, we’re joined by Kim Webb, the director behind Greene County Tech’s marching band—a team that made history by clinching the 5A Arkansas State Championship for the very first time.

Kim takes us behind the scenes of their unforgettable journey to the top, sharing the highs, the lows, and the relentless dedication it took to lead this band to victory. From perfecting their precision on the field to fostering a culture where each person can Belong, Believe, and Become a champion. Kim’s leadership style is one of passion and perseverance.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• The challenges of leading a first-time state champion team.
• The feat of becoming the first female director to lead a team to the championship (in at least 4A-6A) in Arkansas history.
• The pivotal moments and performances that turned their season around.

If you're a fan of music, Taylor Swift, or just an inspiring story, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as Kim Webb reflects on the monumental achievement and what’s next for Greene County Tech’s marching band.

Surviving a Drive-by Shooting and How to Handle Trauma, Paige Mitchell

It's a nightmare that nobody can imagine actually would happen to them. Three years ago Paige Mitchell was on the interstate outside St. Louis after a Cardinals game when the vehicle she and three friends were in was shot at over 30 times! Somehow three of the people in the car were not hit, but Paige had a bullet go right through the top of her head. How did she come through it? What lessons did she learn? You'll want to listen to her honest story to find out.

 

 

Three CEO's in One Show!

The last three CEO's of PMU are Bill Fisher, Darrell Phillips, & Brett Bradford. Incredibly, they have a close positive relationship between the three and have each made a positive mark on the company and our local utility services! Listen in on some of the history of PMU, how these three have brought us through the 21st century, and how to create a successful succession plan. 

On Vocational Calling with Blake Ligon from Central Baptist Church, Paragould

Blake Ligon grew up in a small town called Marvell, AR and had never heard of Paragould. After interning at Bellevue Baptist in Memphis, he was offered a role at Central Baptist Jonesboro. A few years later, with the wisdom of his wife in hand, he would go on to plant Central Baptist Church, Paragould. His passion, character, and authenticity has led him to be deeply loved by his congregation. 

All-American Runner Starlyn Edwards with her Coach and Mom, Monica Edwards!

The Edwards Family is putting a historic mark on the Paragould Cross Country program. Growing the program from 14 to 32 in just a couple years, Monica Edwards has grown to love the sport and her team clearly loves striving together. Starlyn, along with her younger sisters and many other amazing athletes are giving Paragould Schools a chance to reach the pinnacle of the sport, as they aim for a state championship. 

Ghost Stories!

A compilation of seven unique interviews about homes and buildings in Paragould, AR that are allegedly haunted! FYI, nothing is explicit in this episode, but do take care when listening around children as the stories can definitely be spooky. 

Interviewees include Angelica Gray, Judge Dan Stidham, Hailey Byrd, Judge Randy Philhours, Pricilla Jones, Jon Fulkerson with Meredith Smith, and finally Gabriel Cook. Happy Halloween!

The Origins of Halloween and more with Aaron Neugebauer

Aaron Neugebauer is the pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lafe. He dropped by the studio to tell us a bit about himself, but really help setup our Ghost Stories episode to give us an in-depth background on the history of Halloween and talk about the spiritual world in general. We hope that you enjoy this episode!

Living with Cerebral Palsy with Adam Butler, attorney at Branch Thompson

Adam Butler grew up in Paragould in a family of athletes. A sports fanatic himself, Adam was not able to play organized sports because he was born with Cerebral Palsy. We learn of how he channels that competitive nature into his career as a successful attorney here in Paragould.