041: Strong Towns National Gathering and Bottom-Up Change with Carlee Alm-LaBar

041: Strong Towns National Gathering and Bottom-Up Change with Carlee Alm-LaBar

In episode 41, we talk with Carlee Alm-LaBar, Chief of Staff at Strong Towns, about bottom-up change, local action, and what it takes to build places that are financially resilient, livable, and strong. We also preview the 2026 Strong Towns National Gathering coming to Fayetteville and explore what residents, advocates, and curious newcomers can gain from being part of it. Show Links: * 2026 Strong Towns National Gathering in Fayetteville [https://gathering.strongtowns.org] * Strong Towns [https://www.strongtowns.org] * Carlee Alm-LaBar [https://www.strongtowns.org/contributors-journal/carlee-alm-labar] #FayetteForward #StrongTowns #StrongTownsNationalGathering #FayettevilleArkansas #FayettevilleAR #NorthwestArkansas #NWA #IncrementalHousing #MissingMiddle #WalkableCities #SafeStreets #ParkingReform #Localism #CommunityWealth #Placemaking #ActiveTransportation #BetterCities #BottomUpChange

040: CNU 34 and Building Places That Love People with Mallory Baches

In episode 40, Mallory Baches, president of the Congress for the New Urbanism, shares the vision behind CNU 34 and why Northwest Arkansas is uniquely positioned to host it right now. From new urbanism to long-term community belonging, she offers a compelling look at how this growing region can build places that love people and become a national model for intentional growth. Show Links: * Mallory Baches [https://www.cnu.org/who-we-are/staff] * CNU [https://www.cnu.org] * CNU 34 in Northwest Arkansas [https://www.cnu.org/cnu34] #fayetteforward #CNU #CNU34 #NewUrbanism #northwestarkansas #fayettevillear #bentonvillear #fayettevillearkansas #bentonvillearkansas

039: How County Decisions Shape Everyday Life with Evelyn Rios Stafford

Episode 39: How County Decisions Shape Everyday Life with Evelyn Rios Stafford In episode 39, we talk with Washington County JP Evelyn Rios Stafford about her path from journalism to county government—and what it really means to serve as a Justice of the Peace. Evelyn shares how planning, zoning, and public process shape growth across Northwest Arkansas, and why transparency, patience, and public trust matter more than ever. #fayetteforward #fayettevillear #fayettevillearkansas #northwestarkansas #washingtoncountyar #evelynriosstafford Show Links: 1. Evelyn Rios Stafford [https://www.evelynriosstafford.com] 2. Washington County Quorum Court [https://www.washingtoncountyar.gov/government/elected-officials/quorum-court] 3. Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission [https://www.nwarpc.org] 4. Washington County Cares FB Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/649073579141081/] 5. Fayetteville Housing Authority [https://fayettevilleha.org] 6. Benton County Quorum Court [https://bentoncountyar.gov/blog/stec_event/quorum-court-9/]

038: The Art of Neighborhood Development with Z Niederman

What does it take to build neighborhoods that work — and last? In episode 38, local developer Z Niederman reflects on lessons from the field, offering practical wisdom for aspiring builders and seasoned planners alike. From design philosophy to navigating resistance, he explores the art and grit of human-scale development. Show Links: * Incremental Development Alliance [https://www.incrementaldevelopment.org] * ULI Northwest Arkansas [https://arkansas.uli.org] * John Anderson's Neighborhood Development FB Group [https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17WpTY1QVU/] * Walker Park Improvements & Master Plan [https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/3983/Walker-Park-Improvements] * City Pump in Rogers [https://www.instagram.com/citypump623/?hl=en] * Turnbuckle Farm [https://www.turnbuckle-farm.com] * The Spring Shop / 7th St. Lot [https://www.instagram.com/7thstreetlot/?hl=en] * SeeClickFix [https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/4233/Report-a-Concern-with-SeeClickFix] #FayetteForward #FayettevilleArkansas #FayettevilleAR #NorthwestArkansas #NeighborhoodDevelopment #Placemaking #SmallScaleDevelopment #WalkableCommunities #MissingMiddleHousing #UrbanDevelopment

037: Ride, Reflect, Reform: Transit Advocacy with Becky DeClerk

In episode 37, we talk with Becky DeClerk, an occupational therapy doctoral student and passionate transit advocate, about the intersection of healthcare, accessibility, and public transportation. We explore how OT and public transit go hand in hand in supporting independence and community participation. From sharing headphones with a jazz-loving stranger to testifying at city council meetings, Becky’s journey highlights both the systemic gaps and hopeful possibilities in Northwest Arkansas transit. Her advocacy bridges clinical insight and civic action in a way that’s deeply personal and powerfully effective. Show Links: * FayetteForward Episode 17 w/ Joel Gardner [https://episodes.fayetteforward.show/episode/017-talkin-regional-transit-joel-gardner] * I Am Northwest Arkansas Episode w/ Joel Gardner [https://iamnorthwestarkansas.com/captivate-podcast/exploring-ort-on-demand-and-the-next-era-of-public-transportation-in-northwest-arkansas/] * The Growing Minds Foundation [https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Growing-Minds-Foundation-100083337669406/] * Groundwork NWA [https://groundworknwa.org/chats-1/] * Ozark Regional Transit (ORT) [https://www.ozark.org/] * Passio GO! [https://passiogo.com] * Parking Benefit Districts [https://parkingreform.org/playbook/pbd/] * Benton County Strong [https://www.facebook.com/groups/benton.co.strong/] * Fayetteville Strong [https://fayettevillestrong.org] * Citymapper [https://citymapper.com] * Strong Towns [https://www.strongtowns.org/] * Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission [https://healthy.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/commissions/arkansas-spinal-cord-commission/] * National Federation of the Blind [https://nfb.org] * RTC Washoe [https://rtcwashoe.com] * Mountain Line Transit [https://mountainline.az.gov] * SEPTA [https://www.septa.org] #FayetteForward #FayettevilleAR #FayettevilleArkansas #NorthwestArkansas #SpringdaleAR #SpringdaleArkansas #RogersAR #RogersArkansas #BentonvilleAR #BentonvilleArkansas #PublicTransit #OccupationalTherapy #FreedomThroughTransit #MyOtherRideIsTheBus #MakeTransitSexy