"if you stay active, if you stay engaged in your life and you're serving a larger cause, like for me, helping other people to find the courage and the energy to reinvent themselves and go back to their childhood, which is what I've done with myself."

– David Nelson

What does it look like to reinvent yourself at 71? For David Nelson, it starts with a pickleball paddle and a whole lot of intentional joy.

David is a wellness expert, motivational speaker, and founder of AHA University — and he'll be the first to tell you he's also the CEO of Fun. In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, he sits down with Randy Wilburn to talk about what happens when you stop treating age as a ceiling and start treating it as a starting line.

After a running injury forced him to find a new outlet, David discovered pickleball — and what began as physical therapy quickly became something much bigger. He's now using the sport as a bridge between generations, cultures, and communities, proving that a simple game can open doors that might otherwise stay closed.

This is a conversation about reinvention, the underrated power of play, and why Northwest Arkansas keeps showing up as the kind of place where people — and possibilities — flourish. No matter where you are in life, David's story might just be the nudge you didn't know you needed.

Key Takeaways:

1. Reinvention Has No Age Limit: You can start something new, find purpose, and build community no matter how old you are.
2. Pickleball as a Gateway: Pickleball brings people of all ages together and helps build coordination, connection, and confidence.
3. The Power of Play: Play is not just for kids—adults and seniors need it for mental and physical health.
4. Active, Healthy Aging: Staying active makes a difference, even if it’s just walking or playing with friends.
5. Importance of Family & Community: Northwest Arkansas is a place where family matters, and there are many ways to connect with others.
6. Storytelling & Legacy: Sharing your story and listening to others can inspire, heal, and help you find your real voice and values.
7. Consistency Matters: Small steps and gradual improvement add up over time.

All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.

1. Aha.University
2. David Nelson on LinkedIn
3. FindItNWA.com NWA’s Hyperlocal Business Directory

Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its...

"We are a Victorian house burdened by optimism."

– Cognac Franklin

What happens when historic charm collides with a new vision for community connection?

In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Cognac Franklin, Director of Operations at Stonebreaker—Fayetteville's stunning hotel, club, and gathering space perched atop Markham Hill.

Cognac takes us through the rich history of this unique property, from its origins as the Pratt family homestead and bed & breakfast to its recent transformation into a community-centered haven that honors the past while embracing the future.

You'll hear about Stonebreaker's distinctive approach to hospitality, membership, and intentional design—where every guest is treated like family, whether they're checking in for the night, enjoying club membership perks, or simply stopping by for a quiet cup of coffee.

Discover how Stonebreaker is creating a true "third space" for the community—a place for relaxing, collaborating, celebrating, or finding a moment of tranquility at one of Fayetteville's highest points.

Whether you're new to Northwest Arkansas or a lifelong local, this conversation illuminates how connecting to place and purpose brings people together in meaningful ways.

Key Takeaways:

1. Blending History and Modern Hospitality: Stonebreaker honors Markham Hill’s heritage, integrating touches from its farm, summer camp, and music festival past into a contemporary, welcoming environment.
2. Community, Not Exclusivity: Despite being a private club, Stonebreaker’s mission is rooted in inclusivity—emphasizing a social, open-door approach for locals and newcomers alike.
3. Building a Unique “Third Space”: Stonebreaker offers more than just a hotel or restaurant. It’s intentionally designed for collaboration, creativity, relaxation, and connection as Fayetteville grows and evolves.
4. Intentional Design & Thoughtful Experiences: Every element, from the hotel rooms to the club amenities and the grounds, is curated to spark conversation, learning, and belonging.
5. Membership with a Purpose: Club members play a direct role in shaping the community and experiences at Stonebreaker, ensuring it remains responsive and meaningful for Northwest Arkansas residents.

All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.

1. Stonebreaker Hotel and Restaurant Fayetteville | stonebreakerhotel.com
2. Stonebreaker on LinkedIn
3. Stonebreaker on Facebook

"This is one of those initiatives that we are going to look back on, I believe, as a turning point for our city."

– Mayor Molly Rawn

In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, I sit down with Fayetteville Mayor Molly Rawn to talk about the city's $375.5 million bond proposal heading to voters on March 3rd. This episode is specifically for Fayetteville residents—one of the four major cities that make up Northwest Arkansas. As a Fayetteville resident for more than a decade, I wanted to share this conversation because this bond directly affects our community. You might have seen the "One Cent, One City, One Purpose" campaign around town—and here's the good news: it's designed to fund critical infrastructure and quality-of-life projects without raising your taxes.

Mayor Rawn and I talk through what's actually in this bond package—roads, utilities, parks, a new aquatic center, and a much-needed animal shelter upgrade. We also get into her first year as mayor, the realities of managing a fast-growing city, and how Fayetteville residents helped shape what made it onto the ballot. One important note: Question 1 on the ballot refinances the 2019 bonds and keeps that existing one-cent sales tax working for the city, and it needs to pass for the other initiatives to move forward.

Whether you've been here for decades or just moved to Fayetteville, this bond affects your daily life—from the streets you drive on to the parks where your kids play. We'll help you understand what's at stake, why this moment matters for Fayetteville's future, and how you can make an informed decision before March 3rd.

Key Takeaways:

● Fayetteville’s 2026 Bond Proposal: The city is advancing a $375.5M initiative funding essential infrastructure and amenities—from water/sewer upgrades to parks—while keeping taxes steady.

● Quality of Life & Community Growth: Projects like the aquatic center and improved animal shelter directly enhance resident well-being, attract talent, and fuel economic activity.

● Infrastructure Drives Housing: Without water, sewer, and roads funded by this bond, housing development (including affordable units) stalls, impacting everyone from students to seniors.

● Forward-Thinking Planning: Fayetteville’s leaders are focusing on proactive investments, shaped by public feedback, to ensure the city retains its character amid rapid growth.

● How to Get Involved: Residents are urged to get informed, ask questions, connect with city officials, and spread the word to neighbors ahead of the March 3rd bond vote.

All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.

1. Guest: Molly Rawn, Mayor of Fayetteville
2. Email: mayorsoffice@fayetteville-ar.gov
3. City of Fayetteville Official Website

Bond Campaign Info:

1. Build Fayetteville’s Future – www.buildfayettevillesfuture.com
2. City Resources –

"My greatest takeaway was that no matter where I am in life, no matter how old I get, I will always find time for moments like this to share my knowledge with someone else."

– Rochelle Bradshaw

From touring with reggae royalty to calling Northwest Arkansas home, Rochelle Bradshaw has lived a life in music that most artists only dream about.

In this episode, Randy sits down with the Jamaican-born singer-songwriter to trace her journey from Portland, Jamaica, to the stages she shared with the Marley family and other reggae legends, and ultimately to the Ozarks, where she's building something entirely her own.

Rochelle doesn't hold back. She talks about what it's really like working with icons, navigating the disruptions of COVID-19, and releasing her debut solo album, Island Girl at 50—a milestone that came with its own set of challenges and triumphs. She also shares how she's blending her music career with her work as a brand ambassador at The Source Dispensary in Rogers, proving that creative careers rarely look the way we expect.

This conversation touches on mentor Joseph Israel's lasting impact, the realities of being a working artist, and why community matters when you're chasing big dreams. Whether you're a music fan, a creative trying to figure out your path, or just someone who loves a good story, this episode delivers.

Key Takeaways:

1. Community Roots: Rochelle found a sense of community in Northwest Arkansas that reminded her of home in Jamaica and influenced her decision to stay.
2. Legendary Experiences: She’s toured and performed with reggae’s biggest names, including the Marley family and Burning Spear, and learned the value of humility, hard work, and sharing wisdom.
3. The Creative Journey: Rochelle emphasizes the importance of personal growth and letting go, reflected in her finally releasing her own album, Island Girl, at 50.
4. Multiple Streams: In a changing industry, having “side hustles” and staying adaptable, as Rochelle does through music and her job at The Source Dispensary, is essential for musicians.
5. Uplifting Wellness: Rochelle’s passion for healthy alternatives inspired her to create all-natural, vegan gummies for The Source, shaped by her wellness journey and desire to educate others.
6. Giving Back: Rochelle organizes annual Bob Marley tributes at George’s and leads community initiatives, such as monthly non-profit tip matches, supporting the region she now calls home.
7. Collaboration & Perseverance: Building a band and musical career as a transplant is challenging, but local musicians and venues make the journey rewarding for passionate creators.
8. Personal Triumph: Through it all, Rochelle learned she’s “stronger than she gives herself credit for,” conquering fear and walking confidently into her next chapter.

All this and more on this episode of...

Best of I Am Northwest Arkansas®

Shining a Light on Homelessness with 7hills Homeless Center

In this Best of episode, we revisit a powerful conversation from December 2024 with Becci Sisson, CEO of 7hills Homeless Center, and Will Roth, President of the Board. At a time when community support is more important than ever, this episode reminds us of the critical work 7hills is doing to provide hope, stability, and long-term solutions for those experiencing homelessness in Northwest Arkansas.

🎧 Originally aired December 2024. Listen to the full episode and see the original show notes here:

👉 Empowering Change: The Northwest Arkansas Blueprint for Eradicating Homelessness

Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

Try ONBoardNWA.com Today!

*Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

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"If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"

– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, I'm reflecting on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision of the "beloved community"—inspired by this year's MLK Council event theme right here in Northwest Arkansas. I share words from Dr. King's powerful "mountaintop speech" and revisit stories from past guests who've shown what it looks like to choose service and love over self-interest.

You'll hear about lawyers, business owners, and nonprofit leaders across our region who saw a need and refused to look away—people helping immigrants and refugees find their footing, supporting small businesses, creating spaces for real conversation and care. The beloved community isn't just an ideal—it's being built right here, every day, by people who simply decided to act.

This episode is about hope, and it's an invitation: Who can you help today?

Key Takeaways:

1. The “beloved community” is more than a slogan—it's a call to action for everyone.
2. Dr. King's question, "What will happen to them if I do not stop to help?" inspires personal reflection and service.
3. Real stories from Northwest Arkansas show people making a difference through law, business, non-profit work, and relationships.
4. Small steps—from reaching out to a neighbor to supporting a local cause—can help build greater equity, belonging, and care.
5. The hope for a better community lives not just in speeches, but in the daily actions of ordinary people.

All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.

1. Martin Luther King, Jr. Council Annual Event
2. Nathan Bogart, Immigration Attorney (Episode 338)
3. Pedal Pops and Pedal Park: Mike Thompson & Lynn Wong (Episode 326)
4. Canopy NWA: Refugee Resettlement (Episode 319)
5. Peter Norman, CRED Legal Clinic (Episode 303)
6. Potter’s House: Shawn Schwartzman (Episode...

“I hope there’s silver buckshot… a lot of small action in a lot of areas is what will really help us get where we need to be.”

– Jessica Lewallen

This episode is part of a special series supported by the Walton Family Foundation. Through their Home Region program, the Foundation is investing in the people and ideas shaping Northwest Arkansas—across housing, entrepreneurship, transportation, and leadership.

In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas® host Randy Wilburn and architect Jessica Lewallen discuss housing, growth, and what it takes to keep Northwest Arkansas a place where people can actually afford to live.

Through her work with ULI's Faithful Foundations program, the Fayetteville Housing Crisis Task Force, and as founder of Gemstone Design Studio, Jessica's tackling one of our region's biggest challenges—making sure explosive growth doesn't price people out or erase what makes this place special.

You'll hear stories from Jessica's journey, practical ideas for housing solutions, and why fixing this requires everyone—homeowners, churches, policymakers, planners, and regular folks—to show up. Whether you're a longtime resident worried about preserving open spaces, a newcomer searching for affordable housing, or someone wondering how to get involved, this episode offers both wisdom and hope for building a Northwest Arkansas where the next generation can thrive.

Key Takeaways:

1. Shifting Household Needs: Nearly three-quarters of households in Northwest Arkansas are made up of two people or fewer, highlighting a need for smaller, more affordable homes, not just large family houses.
2. Smarter Land Use & Infill: Thoughtful infill development helps preserve access to parks, farmland, and green spaces, by building density where infrastructure already exists—instead of sprawling into new areas.
3. Transportation’s Hidden Costs: Affordable housing isn’t just about rent or mortgages—long commutes and car dependency mean Northwest Arkansans face combined housing and transportation costs rivaling larger metro areas.
4. Local Action, Local Solutions: Real change comes from community-led efforts—whether it’s homeowners building accessory dwelling units (ADUs), churches repurposing land, or neighbors engaging in city committees.
5. Education Fuels Empowerment: Programs like ULI’s READY and Groundwork’s Chats help citizens gain the knowledge to shape housing policy, dispelling myths and fostering supportive, effective advocacy.

All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.

1. Jessica Lewallen, Gemstone Design Studio
2. Email: jessica@gemstonedesignstudio.com