Paragould Podcast

Matt McGowan is the Assistant Superintendent of the Paragould School District and is now in his 25th year in education.

In this episode, Matt shares his journey from growing up in Paragould and playing basketball at Greene County Tech to earning a scholarship at Williams Baptist University. He reflects on teaching and coaching at Wynne alongside DeAngelo Williams, returning home to coach football, softball, and basketball at Paragould, and eventually moving into district-wide leadership.

Matt also discusses his commitment to being an educator first, the growing role of technology and AI in helping students learn, and the opportunities now available through the district’s partnership with Black River Technical College, including the possibility for students to graduate from high school with an associate degree at no cost.

Gene Weeks, former superintendent of Greene County Tech, joins the Paragould Podcast to reflect on his years as a coach, educator, and administrator. Gene shares stories from throughout his career, lessons for the next generation, and why enthusiasm, perseverance, and being a great teammate matter in every area of life. He also discusses retirement, the value of a strong routine, and preparing to compete alongside Michael Todd in pickleball at the Senior Olympics.

For 40 years, Bill and Sharon Grogan have helped Paragould athletes learn more than gymnastics. They’ve taught them grit.

In this episode, Bill and Sharon share how their own experiences with gymnastics and cheerleading eventually led them to coach nearly 100 kids at the Paragould Community Center. Seeing a clear need in the community, they took a leap of faith and opened Champions Gymnastics in 1986.

They reflect on the loyal people who helped them build the business, Bill’s experience working with Olympic medalist Earl Bell, and the many athletes who became like family along the way.

It’s a story of entrepreneurship, perseverance, community, and four decades of lasting impact in Paragould. In the end, not only have they built a successful program, but they've developed a growing family. 

We are back after a short summer break! Our first guest is Chamber of Commerce CEO and champion of the city, Allison Hestand! 

Allison joined us for a third time to talk about the progress she's seen in our city over the past six years and what the chamber's role is when a large employer like Tenneco decides to leave town. 

This is a great episode with a hopeful look towards the future! 

Every career has a story, and for Dr. Wesley Dunnam, it starts with a baseball injury and a mission trip.

In this episode of The Paragould Podcast, Wesley shares the experiences that led him into optometry, from discovering the impact of something as simple as a pair of reading glasses to building a practice dedicated to serving the people of Paragould.

We also dive into some fascinating aspects of eye care, including how routine eye exams can reveal signs of serious health conditions elsewhere in the body, why comprehensive eye health is about much more than seeing clearly, and the challenges independent practices face as large corporations continue to reshape the industry.

Whether you're due for an eye exam or simply enjoy hearing the stories of people making a difference in our community, you'll walk away seeing the world a little differently.

As a 14-year-old boy from Memphis, Bob Reynolds spent $68 on a ticket to ride the legendary Delta Queen by himself. That single trip sparked a lifelong love of riverboats and launched a career that would span nearly five decades on America's waterways.

In this episode of the Paragould Podcast, Bob shares his incredible journey from dishwasher to deckhand, first mate, pilot, and eventually captain. Along the way, he met his future wife aboard the Delta Queen, traveled thousands of miles on the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee Rivers, and witnessed a way of life that few people experience today.

Bob reflects on 49 years working on riverboats and towboats, the lessons he learned from life on the water, and some unforgettable stories—including sharing a boat with President Jimmy Carter.

Whether you love history, river culture, or simply hearing remarkable life stories, you'll enjoy this conversation with a man who followed his passion and spent a lifetime doing what he loved.

Jeff Charles wears a lot of hats: physical therapist, soccer coach, and jujitsu coach, but at the heart of each role is a passion for helping people grow.

In this episode, Jeff shares how discovering soccer as a kid helped shape his future, the lessons he learned from a hardworking Marine father, and why grit and perseverance have been more important in his life than natural talent. We discuss the challenge of helping patients reach their goals, the fine line between confidence and arrogance, what martial arts taught him about courage, and why coaching has become such a meaningful part of his life.

Whether you're a coach, athlete, parent, or simply someone trying to become a better version of yourself, Jeff's insights on discipline, humility, and helping others succeed offer plenty to think about.

For nearly four decades, Pam Parker helped shape the lives of countless children through PALs Preschool. What began as a temporary stop in early childhood education became a 38-year calling, including more than 30 years as director.

In this episode, Pam joins her daughter, Heather Blankenship, to share stories from the classroom, the history of PALs Preschool, and lessons learned from working with young children and families. They discuss preparing children for school, the important role parents play in a child's success, why family dinners still matter, and what adults can learn from the way children forgive and trust.

It's a thoughtful conversation about education, parenting, strong families, and the lasting impact teachers have on the lives of their students.

This week on The Paragould Podcast, Jared sits down with Lori Dial, longtime GCT theater teacher and local entertainer.

Lori shares her journey from growing up around Brookland and performing at The Roundup Music Show to teaching English and theater for nearly two decades. The conversation covers community theater, all-state competitions, the Veterans Day tradition at GCT, overcoming stage fright, and the mindset that has shaped her life and teaching:

“Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

It’s a conversation about creativity, courage, leadership, and why the willingness to try is often what leads to growth and success.

This week on The Paragould Podcast, Jared sits down with Michael Meredith, pastor at Center Hill Church of Christ. Originally from Texas, Michael shares the journey that brought him to Crowley’s Ridge College and eventually into ministry here in Paragould.

Along the way, the conversation explores faith, humility, leadership, and the importance of remaining teachable in a world where everyone seems certain they have the answers. Jared and Michael also discuss the basics of Christianity, the challenges of pastoral ministry, and why humility matters far beyond theology or church life.

Whether you’re a person of faith or simply interested in thoughtful conversation about life and leadership, this is an honest and engaging episode you won’t want to miss.