
Advertise on podcast: Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast
Rating
5from
This podcast has
131 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Arkansas Democrat-GazetteExplicit
No
Date created
2021/08/12
Latest episode
2026/10/16
Average duration
34 min.
Release period
14 days
Description
In this bi-weekly podcast, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette senior editor Rex Nelson sits down with fellow civic-minded Arkansans to discuss ways to foster growth in the Natural State. Along the way, Rex and his guests chat about all things Arkansas — its people, places, food, music, history and more.
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Podcast episodes
Check latest episodes from Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast podcast
Talking City of Songs, music and connection with Troy Campbell
2026/10/16
In this week’s episode, Rex Nelson talks with Troy Campbell, founder of the House of Songs and a musician with more than 25 years of entertainment industry experience.
Campbell shares how he got into music and his journey from knowing little about the music industry to becoming the creator and executive producer of the PBS documentary series “City of Songs.”
Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners
Restoration and revitalization with Friends of Fouche Creek
2026/10/02
In this week’s episode, Rex Nelson talks with the Senior Center Manager for the Little Rock Audubon Center, Uta Meyer and Little Rock Sustainability Officer Lennie Massanelli about their efforts to make Fourche Creek and surrounding areas cleaner.
Meyer and Massanelli discuss Friends of Fourche Creek, an organization partnered with Keep Little Rock Beautiful to restore and revitalize Fourche Creek and the surrounding area.
Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners
Keeping Little Rock Beautiful with Maria Craig and Lennie Massanelli
2026/09/18
In this week’s episode, Rex Nelson talks with Maria Craig, chair of the Keep Little Rock Beautiful nonprofit, and Little Rock Sustainability Officer Lennie Massanelli about Little Rock's environmental quality of life.
Craig and Massanelli discuss the nonprofit's events throughout the year and how the organization carries out its mission.
Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners
10 years in, talking medical school with Dr. Shane Speights
2026/09/04
In this week’s episode, Rex Nelson talks with the dean of the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Dr. Shane Speights.
Speights discusses the school’s 10th anniversary, its strides in serving medical students, and the struggles it faced in its early years.
Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners
Talking higher education and real world experience with Dr. Petersen of Hendrix College
2026/08/21
In this week’s episode, Rex Nelson talks with the President of Hendrix College in Conway, Dr. Karen Petersen, about the shift in higher education and how that translates to postgraduate life.
Petersen shares her journey and how her unique lived experience prepared her for academia and leadership in higher education later in life.
Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners
Chapters
(00:00:14) - Southern Fried Podcast(00:01:53) - The future of private liberal arts colleges(00:04:31) - Arkansas private university's change to how students earn their bachelor's(00:07:15) - What does success look like for a Hendricks College graduate?(00:09:45) - President Hendricks on her path to becoming University President(00:12:26) - Hendrickson President talks about the liberal arts at the college(00:16:10) - Via Hendricks Co-op Program(00:20:38) - Hendricks College's involvement in Streamer University(00:25:14) - Jimmy Kimmel on Colin Jones(00:25:30) - Three years as president of Conway Community College(00:28:41) - President Karen Peterson on the Next 3 to 5 Years at Hendricks College
Talking AI in the workforce with Mike Steely
2026/08/07
In this week’s episode, Rex Nelson talks with Luminark Global’s co-founder, Mike Steely, about the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and how it factors into the workplace.
Steely talks about the opportunities that AI provides and the benefits it can bring to Arkansas.
Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners
Chapters
(00:00:13) - Southern Fried Podcast: AI Explained(00:10:14) - Arkansas and the data revolution(00:12:30) - Arkansas' role in AI(00:16:56) - Arkansas Needs to Chase Silicon Valley(00:24:00) - Arkansas Tech Elite on the Walmart Campus Announcement(00:30:12) - AI and Governance(00:33:07) - Southern Fried Podcast: Mike Steele
Talking medical education with UAMS Chancellor Dr. Lowry Barnes
2026/07/24
In this week's episode, Rex Nelson sits down with the Chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Dr. Lowry Barnes.
Barnes talks about his journey from starting medical school as a freshman to becoming the top executive for UAMS.
Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners
Chapters
(00:00:14) - Southern Fried Podcast(00:01:08) - Arkansas orthopedic pioneer Dr. Banks Blackwell's story(00:05:57) - A message from North Pittock Hospital's first surgeon(00:08:34) - UAMS Orthopedics(00:09:31) - Interim Chancellor and the permanent role(00:11:33) - Some of the Changes at UAMS since my arrival(00:16:51) - UAMS supports rural hospitals(00:21:12) - Arkansas University System's Strategic Plan(00:26:48) - Dr. Lowry Barnes on His Drive to Make UAMS Better
Talking non-profit with Arkansas Community Foundation CEO Jessica Hughes Ford
2026/07/10
In this week’s episode, Rex Nelson talks with the President and CEO of Arkansas Community Foundation, Jessica Hughes Ford, about the foundation and its mission to protect, grow and direct charitable dollars in the state.
Ford discusses the challenges facing the non-profit sector in Arkansas and how the foundation helps non-profits accomplish their missions in the state.
Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners
Chapters
(00:00:13) - Southern Fried Podcast: The Arkansas Community Foundation(00:00:57) - Philanthropist and Redfield native on the topic of the mammoth(00:02:58) - Many Arkansas nonprofits are based in Little Rock(00:05:19) - Arkansas' philanthropic tradition(00:08:52) - Coming soon: The Community Foundation of Arkansas(00:10:51) - One of the Foundation's Co-chairs on a Leadership Transition(00:12:37) - What is the Community Foundation of Arkansas?(00:15:48) - Arkansas Community Foundation Affiliates(00:19:42) - Arkansas Community Foundation Makes $8,000 Grants(00:20:45) - Arkansas Community Foundation's 50th Anniversary(00:24:01) - Arkansas Community Foundation Makes $50,000 in Grants(00:25:31) - Community Foundation President Tom May on the Future(00:31:37) - The Greatest Needs in Arkansas(00:34:42) - The 50th Anniversary of the Arkansas Community
Talking game and fish with Doug Schoenrock
2026/06/26
In this week’s episode, Rex Nelson sits down with Doug Schoenrock, director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, to talk about some of the commission’s initiatives.
Schoenrock talks about his upbringing, the Boy Scouts and how that translated into his current role as the commission director.
Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners
Chapters
(00:00:14) - Southern Fried Podcast(00:01:17) - Arkansas Governor Mike Beevers on the state's outdoor recreation(00:03:40) - An Eagle Scout Gets the Spotlight(00:03:57) - President of Ducks Unlimited and a lifelong advocate for natural resources(00:07:10) - Arkansas Game and Fish Commission President Emeritus(00:14:13) - Arkansas Wildlife Management Areas: More Focus on Conservation(00:21:53) - Arkansas Duck Stamp(00:28:02) - Arkansas Fish and Wildlife Commission Discusses Lake Conway Restoration(00:31:14) - Arkansas trophy bass program continues(00:33:01) - Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Executive Director Doug Schoenrock on
Talking maternal health with Dr. Manning of UAMS
2026/06/12
In this week’s episode, Rex Nelson talks with Dr. Nirvana Manning, head of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UAMS, about maternal health in Arkansas.
Manning discusses recent statistics on maternal health in the state and the work needed to improve how Arkansas delivers maternal care.
Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners
Chapters
(00:00:00) - Southern Fried Podcast: Dr. Nirvana Manning(00:01:49) - Physician and Vanderbilt grad on the podcast(00:02:45) - Arkansas maternal health issues(00:08:43) - Arkansas maternal and infant health: Victories and challenges(00:13:36) - Arkansas' problems with rural healthcare(00:17:17) - How do we better educate mothers about pregnancy and maternal health?(00:20:06) - Arkansas Pro-Prenatal Care Program 1(00:24:27) - UAMS Chancellor Dr. Manning at the 2017 Arkansas Healthcare Conference
Part 2 of Talking Public Education with Dr. Glen Fenter
2026/05/29
This week’s episode is the second half of a conversation between Rex Nelson and Marion School District Superintendent Glen Fenter about public education.
Fenter discusses the LEARNS act and how it has changed the landscape of public education in Arkansas.
Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners
Talking Public Education with Dr. Glen Fenter
2026/05/15
This week’s episode is the first of a two part series in which Rex Nelson talks with Marion School District Superintendent Glen Fenter about public education.
Fenter discusses the legislature's role in education and its effects on K-12 students' educational outcomes.
Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners
Wine and Dining with Red Oak’s Maître D Ken Lipsmeyer and Saracen’s Carlton Saffa
2026/05/01
In this week’s episode, Rex Nelson talks with Saracen Casino’s Chief Marketing Officer, Carlton Saffa and Red Oak Steakhouse’s Maître D, Ken Lipsmeyer, about wine and food.
Lipsmeyer talks about his journey to becoming a premier wine connoisseur in Arkansas and, more specifically, at Saracen Casino’s Red Oak Steakhouse, where Saffa expresses the value Lipsmeyer brings to the casino.
Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners
Saracen’s Carton Saffa and the gamble of opening a casino
2026/04/17
In this week’s episode, Rex Nelson talks with Saracen Casino’s Chief Marketing Officer Carlton Saffa about his journey and how the casino came to be.
Saffa discusses the casino's inception and reminisces about the initial efforts to bring the idea to fruition following the approval of the Arkansas Casino Gaming Amendment of 2018.
Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners
Mental health for Arkansas mothers with Dr. Coker and Dr. Ray-Griffith of UAMS
2026/04/03
In this week’s episode, Rex Nelson talks with a psychiatrist at the UAMS women’s mental health clinic, Dr. Jessica Coker and the UAMS outpatient director of the women’s mental health program, Dr. Shona Ray-Griffith, about women’s mental health in Arkansas.
Coker and Ray-Griffith talk about pregnancy planning, maternal mental health and postpartum mental health and how it impacts women in Arkansas.
Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners
Chapters
(00:00:13) - Southern Fried Podcast(00:01:01) - The Women's Mental Health Program at UAMS(00:04:55) - Postpartum depression: Outpatient and inpatient care(00:07:58) - Mental health care: Between psychiatry and therapy(00:11:44) - Are Our Medications Safe During Pregnancy?(00:14:07) - How to manage mental health during pregnancy and postpartum?(00:15:49) - How to cope with pregnancy blues(00:18:07) - Should You Seek Mental Health Help after Having a Baby?(00:22:37) - UAMS Health System: A Big Picture(00:23:35) - UAMS doctor on access to care in Arkansas
Podcast reviews
Read Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast podcast reviews
John in Bryant 2025/11/17
Boyle/Brooks Bldg
Jennifer Maune
Another example of Little Rock punching above its weight!
Thanks
John Hood
Bryant, AR
Baseballfanatixx 2023/12/28
Generally a good show
However, the last 12 minutes of the December 15th show, it appears to me you are doing exactly what you are accusing others of doing. Y’all came acros...
Kymstir 2023/05/06
Love Rex and the podcast
Rex has an excellent perspective of what makes Arkansas unique. I moved back to my home state of AR after living in AZ and Ca for 21 years. Nature is ...
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