Small Town Girl with Gwen Faulkenberry

Immigration, Identity & Arkansas Politics with Dr. Alejandra Campos

From Springdale to the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN and back to Arkansas, Dr. Alejandra Campos shares her family’s powerful immigration story and how it shaped her work as a political science professor at the University of Arkansas. In this episode of Small Town Girl, we talk about immigration in Arkansas, growing up as a Latino family in Northwest Arkansas, the poultry industry, voting rights, identity, education, and the complicated realities behind today’s political debates. Alejandra opens up about her parents’ journey from Mexico to Springdale in the 1990s, the sacrifices they made to build a life for their children, and how education, family, and curiosity helped shape her and her siblings’ paths. Read Gwen’s Column: https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/ [https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/]  Opinions are of the host and guests and don't necessarily reflect the views of NWA Democrat-Gazette.

From Trump to “Wokeness”: Why America Feels So Divided

From rural Arkansas to international law and academia, this episode features an in-depth conversation with legal scholar and author Lisa Pruitt about education, class, politics, identity, and the growing divide in America. Lisa shares her journey growing up in Jasper, Arkansas, becoming a first-generation professional, studying law at the University of Arkansas, and eventually building a career teaching law in California after years spent working across Europe and beyond. Along the way, she opens up about sexism in higher education, culture shock between rural and urban America, and how her relationship with her mother helped shape her understanding of politics and class. Read Gwen’s Column: https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/ [https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/]  Opinions are of the host and guests and don't necessarily reflect the views of NWA Democrat-Gazette.

A Hidden Lavender Dream in Eureka Springs

Welcome back to Small Town Girl! In this special episode, we step out of the studio and into a breathtaking lavender field just outside Eureka Springs. And trust me, it’s as magical as it sounds. I’m joined by my longtime friend Kat, who shares the incredible story behind her journey from art teacher to lavender farm owner and entrepreneur. What started as a simple dream turned into a full-blown passion project filled with purpose, beauty, and community. If you love small-town charm, inspiring stories, and scenic escapes, this is a place you’ll want to add to your list. Check them out: https://lagrangelavender.com/ Listen & Subscribe! Read Gwen’s Column: https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/ [https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/] Opinions are of the host and guests and don't necessarily reflect the views of NWA Democrat-Gazette.

Revitalizing Rural Arkansas with Justin McCormick

In this episode of Small Town Girl, we sit down with Justin McCormick, Executive Director of Main Street Ozark, to talk about the heart, hustle, and hope behind revitalizing small-town Arkansas. From growing up in Altus and Coal Hill to working in larger cities and ultimately returning home, Justin shares his powerful journey of rediscovering purpose in the place that raised him. We dive into the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities, the importance of investing in local businesses, and what it really takes to bring a downtown back to life. If you care about small towns, entrepreneurship, or creating vibrant communities where people want Connect with Justin & Main Street Ozark: Main Street Ozark Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mainstreetozark?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== [https://www.instagram.com/mainstreetozark?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] Web: https://mainstreetozark.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnszNXAOLsNt8-ExWHFCs9id8OSDi5rf_lDMyylJihB1oczaHD8Ouxb9yYVmQ_aem_Q3cT7qhGHx-dkAoszQ2l-w [https://mainstreetozark.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnszNXAOLsNt8-ExWHFCs9id8OSDi5rf_lDMyylJihB1oczaHD8Ouxb9yYVmQ_aem_Q3cT7qhGHx-dkAoszQ2l-w] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MainStreetOzark/ [https://www.facebook.com/MainStreetOzark/] Email: mainstreetozark3@gmail.com [mainstreetozark3@gmail.com] Howdy Co.: @thehowdycompanyAR Listen & Subscribe!

Colt Shelby: From suing Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to running against her

In this episode of Small Town Girl, Gwen Faulkenberry sits down with Colt Shelby, a sixth-generation Arkansan from Cecil who is running for governor as a Libertarian against Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Shelby shares how a proposed 3,000-bed prison project near his hometown sparked his entry into politics. What started as concern over a development in his community led him down a deeper path of researching state government, criminal justice policy, education, and economic challenges facing rural Arkansas. Listen & Subscribe! Read Gwen’s Column: https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/ [https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/]  More on Colt Shelby: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/feb/23/colt-shelby-opponent-of-franklin-county-prison/ [https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/feb/23/colt-shelby-opponent-of-franklin-county-prison/]