Advertise on podcast: A New American Town - Bentonville, Arkansas

Beth Bobbitt records her final conversation as host and hands The New American Town to Graham Cobb, a strategist who’s worn plenty of Bentonville hats and still talks about the city with fresh-eyed wonder. Graham shares the story of his first real Bentonville visit in 2017, which started with a bike and gets more interesting from there... We dig into his consulting work at Paceline Strategies and pull back the curtain on the #BecauseBentonville and why it resonated beyond marketing. Graham also lays out his vision for the podcast and some fun facts: he was in a punk rock band!? Listen in for more! A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.  

A 134-acre campus where you can wander from museum galleries to forest trails, step into Heartland Whole Health Institute, and end up on a rooftop garden at a medical school sounds in Bentonville, Arkansas. We sit down with Jennifer Dunham, Senior Director of Communications at Art and Wellness Enterprises, to share an insider’s guide to the Crystal Bridges Campus for art and wellness and how to experience it even if you’re short on time. We break down how the campus organizations fit together, from Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary to the behind-the-scenes work of Art Bridges Foundation and the Alice Walton Foundation and talk about the campus “pillars”: art, architecture, nature, education, and wellness. We close with what’s coming next, including the Crystal Bridges expansion and more. Learn more about each entity here: Home - Art & Wellness Enterprises A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.  

We sit down with paracyclist Jason Macomb as he readies himself for the 2026 USA Paracycling Road National Championships in Bentonville, where the time trial and road race decide who gets to wear the stars and stripes all year, including on the international stage. We get specific about preparation. Jason walks me through a training week, from long zone 2 endurance rides to full-gas time trial efforts, plus the less-visible work like recovery and nutrition.  Then we zoom out to what makes paracycling so compelling. Jason breaks down paracycling classifications, the different bikes and a major misconception: much of this adaptive cycling equipment isn’t off the shelf. It often takes custom engineering, smart adaptations, and constant experimentation. He also shares a proud career moment from the Pan Am Games and tells fans exactly how to spot him on course. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves bikes, and leave a review, then tell us: what part of racing do you think is hardest to train for? A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.  

Join us with John Sage founder and CEO of Sage Traveling and Accessible Travel Solutions to explore how inclusive design, empathetic training, and honest information transform guest experience and the bottom line. We dig into the three pillars of accessible travel—facilities, customer service, and information—and show how aligning all three removes risk, builds confidence, and drives bookings. You’ll hear why the cruise industry is ahead, how certification and staff training create repeatable excellence, and where hotels can catch up despite fragmented ownership. We also talk candidly about the industry’s blind spot: marketing. If 20% of the population never sees targeted messaging or detailed accessibility pages, brands are leaving money and trust on the table. We bring it home with practical steps any destination can take without a huge budget: start with training. John highlights opportunities for meetings and events, the economic power of seniors traveling in shoulder seasons. Along the way, we spotlight Bentonville’s promising foundation—world-class museums, trail culture, and a growing commitment to clarity—and how better information can turn interest into confident trips. A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.  

We sit down with Claudia Carrión Rojos from Club America Femenil to trace her path from playing as a kid to helping build one of the most ambitious women’s football (soccer) projects in Mexico. We preview the Golden Clash in Northwest Arkansas and talk about how soccer connects cultures. The club’s goal is to become the best in the world so fans will experience history in the making with the Golden Clash on March 28 in Fayetteville. We talk about what fans can expect on matchday from talent to atmosphere and how soccer brings Mexican and US communities together by investing in future generations. A special thanks to our friends at Experience Fayetteville and University of Arkansas for their work to host Club America. For tickets, visit: Golden Clash: Club America vs. Tigres | University of Arkansas A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.  

What happens when two artists fall in love over bikes, move to a trail town, and decide to build a better way to move families and elders? We sit down with Elysia Springer of Bentonville-based Gnargo Bike Co to share the story of a pandemic garage project that grew into a community-powered company. Elysia unpacks how early prototypes and human-centered designs transformed into sustainable transportation, local manufacturing, and practical urban mobility. And then emerges the success of the trishaw. We dive into the design challenges of steering, curb handling, and wheelchair access, and how Gnargo brought an American-made option to communities sidelined by import delays and tariffs. Throughout, we explore Gnargo’s circular model: paying community bike shops for donor frames, turning scrap into cargo haulers, and funding local chapters through trishaw sales. Gnargo's ask is simple —use rebates to shop local and handmade, and help build a mobility ecosystem where joy is a design spec. Learn more at Gnargobike.co. A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.  

We sit down with MONAH Executive Director Jazlyn Sanderson to explore how a museum in Bentonville threads 24,000 years of Indigenous history into the present through art, archaeology, and living partnerships that honor descendant communities. The journey centers on the Spiro Mounds, a Mississippian cultural powerhouse in present-day Oklahoma. Jazlyn guides us through the material evidence: shell dippers etched with regalia, woodpecker effigy axes, and a sacred warrior pipe that arrived through a careful collaboration with the University of Arkansas and the Caddo Nation. Jazlyn describes the scale-- 574 federally recognized tribes in the U.S.  We also share how MONAH meets learners of all ages with field trips, reimagined audio guides, family tours, and a monthly newsletter that spotlights artifacts and contemporary Indigenous creators. If you’re curious about Indigenous history, archaeology, and more, visit http://monah.org A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.  

We sit down with Rule of Three co-founders Andy Chasteen and Lauren Pickman to unpack how a simple Bentonville idea became a sold-out fixture blending gravel, pavement, and singletrack into a single unforgettable ride. From the early spark to the first-year surge of 700 riders, the story charts the beloved community-driven race. The experience spans a full week of cycling culture. We preview the Rapha Clubhouse opening, the Send It South music vibe at the Momentary, and  spotlight community partners who turn aid stations into destinations—Thaden Cycling’s quesadillas, Bearded Goat’s treats, and more. Spots sell out quickly, but the waitlist is open and volunteers are the heartbeat of race day. Whether you’re racing, cheering, or lending a hand, you’ll find a place in this story.  A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.  

Join our conversation with Amy Springer, sports sales manager at Visit Bentonville, to explore how a hometown kid helped shape a destination that wins over event owners and fans alike. From elite turf complexes and ESPN-ready gyms to walkable hotel-to-field access, Amy explains why Bentonville converts first-time visitors into repeat partners. We dig into the nuts and bolts of sports tourism: prospecting the right events, elevating existing tournaments, and delivering “unreasonable hospitality” that goes beyond swag. Think team pizza deliveries that fuel connection after the final whistle. Amy shares a standout case study—how Bentonville stepped in after a hurricane canceled collegiate mountain bike nationals, and then pulled off a full championship in just three and a half weeks.  Looking ahead, Amy is targeting niche sports with dedicated traveling audiences—pillow fighting, hobby horsing, USA Yoga—and placing them in unexpected venues to expand the calendar without overloading fields. With traditional sports already driving millions in economic impact and cycling pushing totals even higher, the focus is smarter growth and memorable experiences. If you’re a coach, organizer, or governing body, you’ll hear exactly how Bentonville partners on trainers, permits, meals, banquets, and creative touches that make your event stand out. A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.  

Craig Zedeker with Scott Adventure Lab joins us to chart how a college curiosity became a career shaping how riders buy, build, and belong. We talk about the scrappy early days of Competitive Cyclist, from eBay listings and Rubbermaid parts tubs to pioneering online for riders across the country. Scott Adventure Lab, a welcoming hub where anyone can walk in, rent a cruiser for the Razorback Greenway, or dial in a race machine with pro-level service. We get into what makes the shop tick: Craig’s partner, veteran racer and bilingual master fitter Ernie Lechuga, brings deep expertise and an open-door approach. The vibe is inclusive and energized—pros brushing shoulders with first-timers during the Little Sugar and Big Sugar week, locals swapping routes, and visitors discovering how easy it is to roll from the Motto Hotel to Crystal Bridges in minutes. If you’re planning a trip to Bentonville, you’ll hear practical tips for stress-free riding: ship your bike to the hotel, store it safely with e-bike charging, and let the team handle assembly and boxing.  A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.  

This conversation with 21C Bentonville reveals how access to contemporary art can redefine everyday life. We welcome General Manager Claire Thompson and Marketing Manager Micheala Boyd to share how a Louisville-born vision took root in Northwest Arkansas and became a living, walkable hub where galleries, great food, and community intersect. We explore the origin of 21C Museum Hotels and why Bentonville’s downtown location—steps from Lawrence Plaza, the Slaughter Pen trailhead, and the Crystal Bridges trail—makes the property a true gateway. We talk about a full room refresh, meaningful sustainability moves, the next museum-wide exhibition, The Supernatural 2.0, featuring 90 multimedia works by 43 artists. We also preview culinary highlights at The Hive, including Chef Micah’s appearance at Jackson Food and Wine and the annual No Kid Hungry dinner on March 7. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a creative getaway, and leave a review to help more curious listeners find the show. A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.  

We sit down with Alison Nation, CMO of Visit Bentonville, to trace how a small city stitched together art, trails, wellness, and hospitality into a destination that keeps turning editors’ heads from New York to London. Crystal Bridges fuels the cultural surge with a major expansion that doubles gallery space. The Compton brings fresh momentum to the downtown hotel scene, while 8th Street Gateway Park strengthens a car-light loop that moves from Razorback Greenway to Applegate Trail and up to Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. With USA Cycling training here and local trail builders shaping projects heading into LA28, Bentonville’s outdoor credibility is real. Looking ahead, we map 2026 goals: hosting writers, curating e-bike tours, and partnering on exhibition openings to build itineraries that show the city’s full range. Along the way, Alison shares local favorites—greenway strolls, experimental installations at The Momentary, and essential ice cream stops—that explain why visitors arrive curious and leave attached. If you’ve been watching the headlines and wondering what changed, this is the episode for you. A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.  

We sit down with Jessica Pearson of the Bentonville Moves Coalition to map out how a bold goal—30 miles of safe, connected routes in three years—turned biking and walking into everyday options for getting to school, work, and everywhere in between. Jessica shares how the city fast‑tracked a 90‑mile master plan, why protected bike lanes and bike boxes reduce friction for everyone on the road, and how celebration—through ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings—keeps community and leaders aligned around progress. E‑bikes and rebates help flatten hills and tame summer heat, while “heels on wheels” and “blazers on bikes” spotlight the shift from sport to transport—plain clothes, normal trips, fewer car lines, and more neighborly moments at the bike box. With Arkansas Moves launching soon, Jessica lays out a repeatable playbook any city can use: set clear goals, build safe infrastructure, educate riders and employers, and celebrate wins that bring people along. Subscribe, share with a friend who hates traffic, and leave a review with the one change that would get you riding to your next errand. Learn more: Bentonville Moves Coalition A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.  

We sit with Visit Bentonville CEO Kalene Griffith to trace how a destination management approach turns visitor spending into daily life upgrades: better parks, a busier library, a thriving community center, and a steady calendar of film, cycling, art, and sports events that fill rooms and keep families out playing after dark. From Phillips Park and Lawrence Plaza to Memorial Park upgrades, Kaylene lays out how small, targeted investments add up to a livable, lovable city.  Looking ahead to 2026, we explore a bold slate of priorities: a unified wellness story that connects spas, trails, and healthy dining; added cycling and sporting events, and more. The new destination master plan pairs resident feedback with a growth blueprint designed to protect what locals love while welcoming the world. If you care about sustainable growth, hospitality careers, and how tourism can raise quality of life, this is your playbook. Learn more at visitbentonville.com A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.  

Ten years of play can change a city. We sit down with Sam Dean, CEO of the Scott Family Amazeum, to unpack how a dinner table dream grew into a 50,000-square-foot engine for curiosity. We trace the museum’s origins, the kid‑invented name that fused “amazing” and “museum,” and the surprising scale of impact: attendance leaping well past early projections, a team expanding to meet demand, and programming that reaches families, educators, and corporate groups. Sam shares how staying close to guests—literally, with wind‑up toys at his office window—keeps the mission human. We also explore the big expansion underway, the focus on access, staple events like Tinkerfest, UnGala, and lots more! Want to get involved? Become a member, donate to the capital campaign, or plan your next visit at amazeum.org. A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.