Paragould Podcast

From Pathology to Politics: Dr. Terri Greene’s Story

Dr. Terri Greene didn’t start in politics. She started in medicine, studying patterns, solving mysteries, and helping people understand what was really happening beneath the surface.

In this episode, we sit down with a former pathologist and current U.S. Congress candidate to hear her story. From growing up in El Paso to discovering a passion for medicine through personal health challenges and a Michael Crichton novel, Dr. Greene shares the moments that shaped her path.

We talk about how pathology trains you to see what others miss, why curiosity matters more than certainty, and what led her into the political arena during medical retirement.

This conversation isn’t just about policy. It’s about perspective. How do you diagnose problems in a system as complex as our country? What does good leadership actually require? And what happens when someone trained to look for truth decides to enter public life?

Whether you’re interested in medicine, leadership, or the future of our communities, this episode offers a thoughtful and personal look at one woman’s journey from the lab to the campaign trail.

Four Pastors, One Resurrection

What difference does the resurrection of Jesus actually make in your life?

In this special Good Friday episode, Jared Pickney sits down with Laramie LeQuieu, Aaron Neugebauer, and Dane Womack for a unique and meaningful conversation across denominational lines. Though they come from Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, and non denominational backgrounds, they share a deep conviction that the resurrection of Jesus is real and that it changes everything for you and for me.

Together, they explore why the resurrection is not just a belief to affirm but a reality that reshapes how we see sin, suffering, purpose, and even death itself. They also share how they personally prepare for Holy Week and why they have staked their lives and ministries on the truth that Jesus is alive.

If you have ever wondered why the resurrection still matters today, this conversation invites you to see how it speaks directly into your life right now.

Matters of the Heart with Cardiologist Doctor Ammar Hallak

Dr. Ammar Hallak is an interventional cardiologist whose journey began in Damascus, Syria and eventually led him to Paragould, where he has spent decades caring for patients and investing in the community. After early inspiration as a teenager, he pursued medicine in the United States, training in Chicago at one of the largest hospital systems in the country before ultimately finding a home here in Northeast Arkansas.

In this episode, we talk about the realities of heart health in everyday life, including the habits and risks many people overlook and how small, consistent choices can shape long term outcomes. Dr. Hallak also shares insights from his work in the cath lab, the importance of humility and knowing your limits in high pressure environments, and why taking time to listen remains one of the most important parts of caring for people well.

Coach Todd’s Playbook for Leadership

Many people in Paragould know Michael Todd as Coach Todd. Others know him as Mr. Todd, their principal at Greene County Tech. In this episode of The Paragould Podcast, we sit down with Coach Todd to hear the story behind both roles.

Originally from Parkin, Arkansas, Mike shares about his undefeated high school football season in 1979, earning a scholarship to play at Arkansas State, and the unexpected path that eventually led him to Paragould. What began as a coaching opportunity at Greene County Tech in 1990 turned into decades of impact as a football coach, teacher, and eventually a school administrator.

We talk about the coaches and athletes who shaped those years, the transition from the field to school leadership, and what he learned about coaching young people along the way.

Now in retirement, Mike has taken on a new challenge, losing 152 pounds, staying active by playing pickleball several hours a day, and focusing on healthier habits.

Along the way, he shares a simple leadership philosophy that guided his career:

Leadership is seeing the potential in others and helping them see it themselves.

This is a great conversation about coaching, leadership, and the lasting influence of educators in a community like Paragould.

The Long Road to Chick-fil-A Paragould, with Robert and Jill Randolph

Robert and Jill Randolph did not take a straight path to Paragould.

Jill worked in public health and food borne illness investigations with the CDC. Robert played football at the University of Virginia and later took a massive pay cut to start at the bottom inside a Chick-fil-A restaurant. Over the next several years, they navigated rejection, full time travel, leadership development assignments, and countless interviews before finally being selected as Owner/Operators.

In this episode, they share what it takes to handle pressure, why character matters more than credentials, and what they looked for in the 700 interviews they conducted to hire their Paragould team.

This is a conversation about resilience, preparation, humility, and the kind of consistency that builds something lasting.

Shaping Paragould: The Bland Legacy

In this episode of The Paragould Podcast, we sit down with John Bland to talk about the history and legacy of his father, Francis Bland, a man whose influence is still woven into the fabric of our city.

From the widening of 8 Mile Creek to help prevent flooding, to Bland Baseball Park, to the Dr. Pepper plant that employed hundreds of local families, the Bland name has played a meaningful role in shaping Paragould.

We also explore the lesser-known story of Francis Bland as a chemist who was interviewed for the Manhattan Project during World War II and how life unfolded from there.

More than a history lesson, this is a conversation about family, leadership, work, and the quiet ways one life can leave a lasting impact on a community.

If you love Paragould and the stories behind the people who helped build it, this episode is for you.

"Don't Let the Old Man In" - Bob Branch's View on Aging

ob Branch returns for his sixth appearance on the podcast, tying the record for most guest appearances. This time, the conversation centers on aging.

But not aging as defined by a calendar.

Bob challenges the way we think about getting older, suggesting that age is less about the number of years behind us and more about the state of mind within us. His refrain is simple but powerful: don’t let the old man in.

We talk about how culture has changed over the decades. There was a time when life moved slower. Now everything feels rushed, urgent, and accelerated. In the middle of that pace, Bob reflects on what it means to stay engaged, curious, and alive rather than drifting into passivity.

At the heart of the episode is a personal resolve: I owe it to myself to get back out there. This conversation is about resilience, perspective, and refusing to surrender vitality just because the years keep moving forward.

Whether you are 30 or 70, this episode will challenge the way you think about growing older.

From the Delta to DC: A Conversation with Congressman Rick Crawford

We are honored to sit down with U.S. Congressman Rick Crawford for a thoughtful conversation about his journey from Arkansas to Washington, D.C. In this episode, Congressman Crawford shares about his background in military service and broadcasting, what led him to run for Congress, and the responsibility of representing Arkansas’s First Congressional District.

We discuss the weight of serving a diverse region that stretches from North Central to Southeastern Arkansas, the issues he is most passionate about, and the importance of being well informed from all angles when making legislative decisions. This conversation offers insight into the realities of public service, leadership, and the challenges facing our state and nation.

Whether you are deeply engaged in politics or simply curious about how federal leadership impacts everyday Arkansans, this episode provides an inside look at the work happening from the Delta to DC.

Paragould to Prime Time! Chase Mann's Journey to Professional MMA

Chase Mann returns to the show fresh off a nationally televised fight in Thailand with ONE FC, available on Amazon Prime. In this unique episode, Chase shares the story of how his journey in MMA led him across the world to compete on one of the sport’s biggest stages. Then Jared watches the fight live with Chase, who provides real-time commentary, insight, and reflection on what was going through his mind in the moment. It is a rare behind-the-scenes look at high-level MMA and a reminder that a world-class fighter can come from a place like Paragould.

Unexpected Connections with Curtis Cooksey

You never really know the stories people carry until you take the time to listen.

In this episode of The Paragould Podcast, we sit down with Curtis Cooksey and discover a life shaped by unexpected connections, unlikely opportunities, and a deep love for the game of baseball. Curtis’s journey has taken him through minor league clubhouses, college athletics, professional wrestling, and the world of umpiring, all through a series of “how’d you land that gig?” moments that were anything but planned.

This conversation is about the hidden stories in our town, the power of relationships, and how curiosity and openness can lead to experiences you never saw coming. Also... this moment: https://youtube.com/shorts/Eh4eOfkgw6I?si=MiAY5aeOPXckeu4G