Paragould Podcast

Lance Blythe, County Extension Agent and former Guitarist of National Touring Band: Twister Alley

This episode took some fun twists and turns! We got to interview Lance Blythe from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. That's a mouthful, and the amazing services they provide our community is even bigger! We brought Lance in to talk about the incredible opportunities available to local citizens and even uncovered the history of his three year stint touring the nation with Mercury Records signed band Twister Alley. They were signed artists at the same time as Vince Gill and Reba! 

Megan Brown, Founder and Executive Director of Hope Found

This is a very important episode! Human Trafficking is an extremely sad reality that is present within Northeast Arkansas. This summer alone an illicit massage parlor in Blytheville was shut down and the owner arrested for Human Trafficking. Hope Found exists to put an end to it. Megan Brown joined us on the show to talk about the realities of Human Trafficking, what you can do if you've found yourself a victim of it, and how you can help others. 

Sunny McMinn, Founder and Executive Director of Agape House

After 18 years in her own addiction cycle, Sunny McMinn's life was radically transformed. At the end of her struggle with drugs and alcohol, she came to a realization that would change our region. She saw that one major failure of the recovery process was that when addicts get out of rehab, the closest community they have are fellow addicts. This community welcomes addicts out of recovery back with open arms. People who really want to beat the cycle needed a safer place to go to find ways to not just rehab off drugs, but to rehab their whole life. So she started Agape House in 2005. 

Trauma Hogs Owner and Pit Master, Jason Cottingham

Jason Cottingham has always had a strong desire to help others. This led him to be an EMT, Paramedic, SWAT Medic, and eventually a Trauma RN. During the Covid Pandemic, he took his hobby of competing in BBQ competitions and made it a new calling in life. Trauma Hogs serves up some of the best BBQ in the region and is recognized nationally. Jason joined the show to talk BBQ and much more. Be sure to give this one a listen. 

Owner and Head Chef at Avanzare Italian Dining, Tony Rama

Tony Rama moved from Sicily, Italy to the United States following tragedy. He was 16 years old, had $20 to his name, and spoke very little English. Through unimaginable dedication and hard work, he went from unpaid dishwasher to part-owner of a successful restaurant in Boston. Then he fell in love with the people and the pace of life in Arkansas and decided to open Avanzare Italian Dining in Paragould 8 years ago. 

Jeff Conaway, former GCT football star and Head Coach

Jeff Conaway joined the show to talk with us about his time as a player and coach at Greene County Tech. During our conversation we also talk about Jeff’s time at Shiloh Christian and how he ended up in Orlando, Florida where he now serves as the Head Coach and Associate Athletics Director at The First Academy.This is a great episode on leadership, learning from our mistakes, the importance of relationships, the gospel, grit and so much more.

Representative Jimmy Gazaway

Since 2017, Jimmy Gazaway has been serving in the Arkansas House of Representatives. Before that he served in various positions throughout Northeast Arkansas. Most notably now, he was one of the primary leaders in passing the Protect Arkansas Act, which has the potential to reform much of the criminal justice system. 

Al Bromberg, son of two Holocaust Survivors shares his family’s story of survival.

What's the most evil you've faced in your life? It would be difficult to come close to the suffering experienced by millions of Jews during WWII, including both of Al Bromberg's parents. Listen as Al gives us a personal account of what took place nearly 100 years ago and how that made him into the man he is today. 

Owner of Juniper Tree Meadery, Lynn Childers

Juniper Tree Meadery is a unique offering to Northeast Arkansas. Located on hwy 358, just west of the 412 bypass, this peaceful location attracts lovers of the honey based mead. Lynn Childers has been playing with wine making for decades, since he was a biology student. Now, he and his wife enjoy crafting creative award winning mead (honey based wine). They're looking to expand their location in the coming months. 

Dr. Vern Ann Shotts, Greene County’s First Female Physician

Dr. Vern Ann Shotts has been taking care of children in Greene County for decades. She was the first female physician in Greene County history. On top of that, her father owned the three Big Star locations in Paragould and she shares with us what it is about Big Star that seemed to produce some of the most successful citizens to come out of Paragould.