Shae Hughes’s story is a masterclass in resilience and the power of a second chance. At thirty years old, feeling trapped in a dead-end job in Jonesboro, she made the defining decision to reclaim her future for the sake of her family.

"I realized I needed to make a change for myself and my daughter, so I decided to go back to school."

Her academic path began at Arkansas State University, where she earned her associate degree, before transferring to UA Little Rock to complete her bachelor’s degree in communications and professional sales. Today, she works as the Marketing and Community Engagement Manager at Park Plaza. When she was first interviewed for the role, she reached a career milestone she will never forget.

"When they asked if I had a college degree during the interview, I was proudly able to say, 'Yes, I do!'"

The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund does things differently. Instead of sending funds directly to university billing offices, they put the money directly into the hands of the parents. This financial flexibility allows recipients to cover the real-world emergencies that usually force single parents to drop out—things like sudden car repairs, utility bills, groceries, or childcare.

But as Shae points out, the financial aid is only half the battle. The program’s wrap-around support, mentorship, and community check-ins are what truly keep students going when things get tough.

"The main reason single parents persevere through tough times is simply that someone believed in them and encouraged them."

In a beautiful, full-circle achievement, Shae now sits on the Board of Directors for ASPSF, actively guiding the very organization that helped lift her out of poverty.

In this episode of the podcast, host Kim Meyer-Webb sits down with Cade Bethea to explore the recent activities of the Arkansas Cinema Society and the highly anticipated return of their annual film festival, Filmland. Cade shares insights into the background of the society, noting its steady expansion since 2018 and looking forward to the upcoming tenth iteration of the festival next year. He emphasizes the core tenets of the organization—watch, make, learn—and details their extensive efforts to foster film education and production across the state through workshops, classes, and special screenings. A key aspect of their work is the collaboration with other cultural institutions, notably the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, which provides a high-quality venue for year-round cinematic experiences.

The highlight of the discussion centers around the big announcement for this year's Filmland: "Variety is giving the Legends and Groundbreaker Award to Matthew McConaughey at Filmland." Cade reflects on the massive response to this news, admitting that the office has seen an unprecedented amount of interest and demand, noting, "it's we've never seen anything like it, which is good, it's a good problem to have, but it's also a little overwhelming." The connection between the actor and the state is further underscored by past productions like the film Mud, directed by co-founder Jeff Nichols and shot in the Stuttgart area, which left a lasting impression on the local community.

Looking beyond the star power, Cade emphasizes that the core reason to attend Filmland is to engage directly with the burgeoning filmmaking environment in Arkansas, particularly through the festival's dedicated Arkansas section and pitch contests, which provide practical funding and resources for local creators. Educational programs, such as the summer film filmmaking lab for teen girls, remain central to their mission, helping to shape the next generation of storytellers. The episode wraps up with a reminder of the unique social and community aspect of the festival, featuring daily happy hours and opportunities to mingle with visiting directors and producers, making it a fully immersive and unmissable summer event for film lovers.

In this episode of the podcast, host Kim Meyer-Webb welcomes Cathy Browne and Daniel Robinson to discuss the critical work of Women and Children First and the revolutionary development of the Family Peace Center. Cathy shares the deeply moving story that changed the trajectory of her life nearly five decades ago when a young six- or seven-year-old boy looked at her and asked, "Will you hold me?" This simple moment of connection solidified her life's mission. Daniel highlights the overwhelming barriers survivors face when trying to leave abusive situations, emphasizing the logistical nightmares of navigating legal paperwork and courthouse bureaucracies. He points out how the Family Peace Center addresses this by bringing eighty-eight partner agencies under one roof to streamline the process, proudly stating, "We've been approved to issue temporary restraining orders at the new facility."

The discussion covers the widespread community and economic toll of domestic abuse, with Daniel explaining that added holiday pressures always cause numbers to rise. To help fight this and bring normalcy to the shelter, the organization relies heavily on its young professional auxiliary group, the Peace Keepers. Cathy praises their energy, noting that "They have developed a fundraiser that we just finished in May called Mardi Gras in May," while also highlighting how they host monthly, non-fundraising events like holiday parties to give mothers and children a window of normalcy. Strategically located on Daily Drive right off Baseline Road next to a Children's Hospital clinic, the center represents a massive step forward. Looking ahead, Cathy shares her visionary goal to see "Smaller Family Peace Centers maybe in six places in the state" to make coordinated care accessible everywhere. Ultimately, the guests remind listeners that support begins long before anyone enters a shelter, urging anyone in need to reach out because "Help is only a phone call away."