I Am Northwest Arkansas®

About the Show:"If you come to a SoNA concert, you are already my friend." — Akiko FujimotoIn this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) music director Akiko Fujimoto. Recorded at the Fayetteville Public Library just days into her tenure, the conversation traces her path from a psychology major quietly taking music classes to a mid-career conductor who has worked across the country, including as associate conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra. After years of visiting the region from her home in Conway, she explains why she made a beeline for the SoNA job and why she wants the orchestra to be the symphony of all of Northwest Arkansas, not just Fayetteville. Her approach starts from a simple idea: she thinks of herself as one of the listeners.Akiko walks through her first season, which she calls her giant love letter to the region. It opens with celebratory dance music that builds to Stravinsky's The Firebird, centers on Beethoven's 5th in February, and closes in April with a nature program featuring Respighi's The Pines of Rome, The Lark Ascending, Wagner's Forest Murmurs, and a work by Arkansas-born composer William Grant Still. She also shares how becoming a Faulkner County Master Gardener shaped the way she "landscapes" a season, her hope to take the full orchestra to cities across the region, and her interest in partnering with the local health community on music and mental health. Whether you're a longtime subscriber or have never set foot in a concert hall, this episode is your invitation.Key TakeawaysAn Accidental Beginning: A high school choir teacher who handed Akiko her rehearsals first planted the idea of conducting, and she didn't even know it was a job until college.A Symphony for the Whole Region: SoNA Beyond and SoNA Mentors already send musicians into schools across the region; Akiko's dream is to bring the full orchestra to each city, with programs tailored to local venues.Programming as Landscaping: Like a landscaper reading the climate, the sun, and the client, she matches the region, the orchestra, and the audience against a growing database of repertoire to build a balanced season.Music and Wellness: Drawing on her psychology background and Renée Fleming's anthology Music and Mind, she wants to explore how SoNA can support mental health across Northwest Arkansas.Nature Takes the Stage: The April 2027 season finale is her ode to the Natural State, timed as a prelude to Earth Day.Beethoven as Common Ground: She chose Beethoven's 5th for February partly as a way for her and the orchestra to build their relationship.Everyone Is Welcome: Pre-concert talks and introductions from the stage give first-timers a roadmap, so the symphony feels welcoming rather than stuffy.All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) Website: https://www.sonamusic.org/SoNA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/symphonynwa/SoNA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonafan/SoNA on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBwfkP-DovwhXqUzceEXssgSoNA 2026-27 MainStage Season Tickets: https://www.sonamusic.org/ticketed-performancesAkiko Fujimoto on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akikoconductor/Akiko Fujimoto on X (Twitter): https://x.com/akikoconductorWalton Arts Center: https://waltonartscenter.org/Fayetteville Public Library: https://www.faylib.org/FPL Center for Innovation: https://www.faylib.org/innovationCrystal Bridges Museum of American Art: https://crystalbridges.org/Alice L. Walton School of Medicine: https://www.alwmedschool.org/Heartland Whole Health Institute: https://www.heartlandwholehealth.org/TheatreSquared: https://www.theatre2.org/Mid-Texas Symphony: https://mtsymphony.org/Faulkner County Master Gardeners: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/counties/faulkner/faulkner-county-master-gardener.aspxMusic and Mind by Renée Fleming: https://reneefleming.com/advocacy/music-and-the-mind/Bryce Canyon National Park: https://www.nps.gov/brca/IANWA Episode 37 with SoNA Conductor Paul Haas: https://iamnorthwestarkansas.com/episode-33-sona-conductor-paul-haas-is-leading-65-years-of-symphonic-excellence-in-the-ozarks/IANWA Episode 40: An Insider's Look at SoNA: https://iamnorthwestarkansas.com/episode-40-65-years-of-symphonic-excellence-an-insiders-look-at-sona/This episode is sponsored by*Winetopia 2026Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"*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.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at [email protected] With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks.Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest ArkansasMentioned in this episode:Winetopia 2026Winetopia 2026 Date: Friday, October 16th Time: 7-10pm Place: Stonebreaker Hotel on Markham hill Winetopia is Restore Humanity’s biggest annual fundraiser and brings together the very best of Northwest Arkansas (restaurants, artisans, small businesses, and (community members) to support our work. While the event raises essential funds for children in Kenya, its heartbeat is entirely local. There are over 100 local businesses who contribute auction items, regional chefs and beverage makers who showcase their craft, and the hundreds of residents gathering to celebrate community generosity. Winetopia strengthens local partnerships, elevates homegrown talent, and reinforces Northwest Arkansas's identity as a place where global compassion is fueled by local collaboration. Winetopia is a beautiful demonstration of how a united local community can create life-changing impact for children and families worldwide. Winetopia 2026

About the Show:“You don't need an idea to start a company. You need the scrappiness and grit and durability, and then the recognition of someone with a good idea... that makes it more possible for more people to start businesses together.” – Michael BaschThis 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 sits down with Michael Basch of Renaissance Philanthropy to dig into the next chapter for entrepreneurship in Northwest Arkansas. The conversation looks at how the region is growing when it comes to startups, access to capital, and why the newest path to business success may be smaller, focused, and driven by artificial intelligence.Michael shares stories from his coast-to-coast career, insider tips on what makes NWA special, and why the old rulebook for startups is being rewritten right here. The episode highlights the brand new Northwest Arkansas Innovation Fund and discusses how it's set up to support both high-growth tech companies and Main Street businesses. The conversation also explains how AI is shrinking teams and startup costs, unlocking new possibilities, and why success in NWA looks different than chasing Silicon Valley's unicorns. This episode will inspire anyone who thinks about starting a business or wants to better understand the local startup scene.Key Takeaways:• You Don't Have to Leave Home to Win: Northwest Arkansas has everything needed to launch strong businesses—capital, mentors, resources, and community spirit.• Rethinking Success: Small, profitable companies (not just billion-dollar unicorns) can be a big win for founders and the region.• Filling the Capital Gap: The new Northwest Arkansas Innovation Fund is targeting early-stage businesses that often fall between accelerator support and traditional venture capital.• AI Powers Small Teams: A team of 2-3 people with AI tools can now build and scale a company—no need for huge headcounts or sky-high funding.• Main Street Matters: Restaurants, camps, and local businesses can also find help from this fund, not just tech startups.• Paying It Forward: The region is getting close to a self-sustaining ecosystem, where local success stories help launch and fund the next wave of entrepreneurs.• Collaboration Is Key: Partnerships between NWA and Tulsa organizations have helped build momentum and connect founders with capital and ideas.• Focus on Problems: The best founders are deeply invested in solving problems they know inside and out.All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Renaissance Philanthropy Website (Northwest Arkansas Innovation Fund info): renphil.org — find Launch 479 and Catalyze 479 details under “Funds”Michael Basch LinkedIn (contact): Michael Basch on LinkedInEmail for info: [email protected] FoundryAcreTraderOx (Pushkin, Simporter also referenced)Launch 479 (entrepreneurial fellowship, aiming to launch new companies in NWA)Catalyze 479 (early-stage investment fund)412 Angels NetworkStartup JunkieUpVenturesMain Street coffee shops: Onyx Coffee Lab, AirshipThis episode is sponsored by*The Walton Family FoundationThe Walton Family Foundation is, at its core, a family-led foundation. Three generations of the descendants of founders Sam and Helen Walton, and their spouses, work together to lead the foundation and create access to opportunity for people and communities. The foundation works in three areas: improving education, protecting rivers and oceans and the communities they support, and investing in the home region of Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas–Mississippi Delta.Learn more at waltonfamilyfoundation.org*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.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at [email protected] With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks.Mentioned in this episode:Winetopia 2026Winetopia 2026 Date: Friday, October 16th Time: 7-10pm Place: Stonebreaker Hotel on Markham hill Winetopia is Restore Humanity’s biggest annual fundraiser and brings together the very best of Northwest Arkansas (restaurants, artisans, small businesses, and (community members) to support our work. While the event raises essential funds for children in Kenya, its heartbeat is entirely local. There are over 100 local businesses who contribute auction items, regional chefs and beverage makers who showcase their craft, and the hundreds of residents gathering to celebrate community generosity. Winetopia strengthens local partnerships, elevates homegrown talent, and reinforces Northwest Arkansas's identity as a place where global compassion is fueled by local collaboration. Winetopia is a beautiful demonstration of how a united local community can create life-changing impact for children and families worldwide. Winetopia 2026

About the Show:"I hope that our legacy is that we leave behind some really great places and neighborhoods."— Jeremy HudsonIn this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Jeremy Hudson, co-founder and CEO of Specialized Real Estate Group, a Fayetteville-based development and property management company that has spent nearly two decades asking one question: how do we help this region grow without losing what makes it special? Recorded on-site at the Stonebreaker inside Markham Hill, the conversation traces Jeremy's path from a standard real estate deal (Echo Modern Flats) to a full-fledged philosophy of "cultivating healthy neighborhoods" — one that put sustainability, health, and community ahead of the usual playbook.They dig into the story behind Markham Hill, a 119-acre neighborhood built around old-growth Ozark forest and a 39-acre conservation easement with the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust—six years in the making before a single home went up. They also look ahead to Drake Farms, a 165-acre mixed-use district on Fayetteville's north side designed to unfold over the next 15 to 20 years. Whether you're into real estate, conservation, or just want to understand how Northwest Arkansas is growing on purpose, this episode makes the case that the best developers are playing the longest game in the room.Key TakeawaysLong-Term Vision: The best projects think beyond the next quarter and look ahead 10 or 20 years into the region's future.Leading with Conservation: Markham Hill began with a focus on preserving nature, protecting over half its land, including 39 acres now in a conservation easement.Healthy Neighborhoods: Building health into both the environment and the homes themselves, from LEED certification to indoor air quality considerations.Community Connection: Real neighborhoods are built for people and gathering—not just for cars and houses.Patient Planning: Sometimes, the right move is taking six years of planning before building even begins, making sure every step honors the place and its past.Incremental Growth: Large-scale developments like Drake Farms are tackled one phase at a time, always with the goal of serving people and making neighborhoods better.All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Specialized Real Estate Group Website: specializedreg.comMarkham Hill Neighborhood: Markham HillThe Stonebreaker Hotel: The StonebreakerDrake Farms Project: Drake Farms ProjectNorthwest Arkansas Land Trust: nwalandtrust.orgRoots Festival: Roots FestivalLeverett Lounge: Leverett LoungeHugo's: Hugo'sEmail Jeremy Hudson: [email protected] episode is sponsored by*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.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at [email protected] With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks.Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest ArkansasMentioned in this episode:Winetopia 2026Winetopia 2026 Date: Friday, October 16th Time: 7-10pm Place: Stonebreaker Hotel on Markham hill Winetopia is Restore Humanity’s biggest annual fundraiser and brings together the very best of Northwest Arkansas (restaurants, artisans, small businesses, and (community members) to support our work. While the event raises essential funds for children in Kenya, its heartbeat is entirely local. There are over 100 local businesses who contribute auction items, regional chefs and beverage makers who showcase their craft, and the hundreds of residents gathering to celebrate community generosity. Winetopia strengthens local partnerships, elevates homegrown talent, and reinforces Northwest Arkansas's identity as a place where global compassion is fueled by local collaboration. Winetopia is a beautiful demonstration of how a united local community can create life-changing impact for children and families worldwide. Winetopia 2026

About the Show:"I want the people that I work with and who I represent and who I inspire to know that it's worth it, that they're worth it, that they're valuable." – Robyn JordanIn this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with DJ, cultural facilitator, and HerSetHerSound founder Robyn Jordan to talk about the work she's doing to build greater economic opportunity, representation, and joy for women, people of color, and gender-diverse creatives in our region's music scene.Robyn shares how HerSetHerSound grew from a single festival into a year-round ecosystem—188 bookings, 55+ artists, and over $100,000 injected into the local creative economy. She talks about her own journey, why mentorship and intentional space-making matter, and why real empowerment means more than just "exposure."This one's for anyone who loves music, makes it, or cares about the people quietly shaping Northwest Arkansas's cultural life.Key Takeaways:Empowerment Through Action: HerSetHerSound has created real economic impact, paying artists fairly and centering women, people of color, and gender-diverse creatives both on and off the stage.Building Community, Not Just Events: Robyn emphasizes hospitality, intentional curation, and intersectionality, crafting spaces where every guest, artist, and vendor belongs and feels seen.The Power of Local Roots: Robyn’s journey from party-goer to business leader is rooted in family legacy, mentorship, and a belief in bringing big possibilities to communities outside major cities.Challenging Industry Norms: The conversation highlights persistent wage gaps and barriers in the creative industry, calling for accountability, credit, and investment in those who make our culture thrive.Vision for the Future: With ambitions for more venues, year-round programming, and continued partnership with groups like NWA Pride and Juneteenth, HerSetHerSound models what inclusive growth in Northwest Arkansas music and nightlife can look like.All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcastImportant Links and Mentions on the Show*Her Set Her Sound WebsiteHer Set Her Sound on InstagramBooking Her Set Her SoundTickets & Festival Info: FESTIVAL | Empower Change Today — Join the Movement — HER SET HER SOUNDArkansas Soul — Outlet amplifying Black and Brown voicesDelta Dirt Distillery — Black-owned, Helena, ARIndigo Road Hospitality Group: theindigoroad.comCousins Lounge (shoutout): Cousins Bentonville on FacebookNWA Juneteenth: NWA Juneteenth FacebookNWA Pride / NWA Equality: nwapride.orgDJ Afrosia (mentioned local artist): DJ Afrosia InstagramFindItNWA.com NWA’s Hyperlocal Business DirectoryThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"*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.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at [email protected] With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks.Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest ArkansasMentioned in this episode:FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.comWinetopia 2026Winetopia 2026 Date: Friday, October 16th Time: 7-10pm Place: Stonebreaker Hotel on Markham hill Winetopia is Restore Humanity’s biggest annual fundraiser and brings together the very best of Northwest Arkansas (restaurants, artisans, small businesses, and (community members) to support our work. While the event raises essential funds for children in Kenya, its heartbeat is entirely local. There are over 100 local businesses who contribute auction items, regional chefs and beverage makers who showcase their craft, and the hundreds of residents gathering to celebrate community generosity. Winetopia strengthens local partnerships, elevates homegrown talent, and reinforces Northwest Arkansas's identity as a place where global compassion is fueled by local collaboration. Winetopia is a beautiful demonstration of how a united local community can create life-changing impact for children and families worldwide. Winetopia 2026

We're taking a short summer break from new episodes, and while we're out we're bringing back some of the most downloaded conversations from the past year. This one's a favorite whether you caught it the first time or you're just finding it now. Robin Wallis Atkinson, founder and CEO of Upkept, talks with Randy about the decline of garment repair skills and how her platform is making clothing repair simple and climate-friendly. This episode was part of our Future is Local series with the Walton Family Foundation.Why fast fashion has made it harder to repair clothes, and how Upkept is bringing that skill backHow thinking in terms of cost-per-wear can change the way you value what's already in your closetWebsite: upkept.io Listen to the original episode: https://iamnorthwestarkansas.com/335Mentioned in this episode:Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"Winetopia 2026Winetopia 2026 Date: Friday, October 16th Time: 7-10pm Place: Stonebreaker Hotel on Markham hill Winetopia is Restore Humanity’s biggest annual fundraiser and brings together the very best of Northwest Arkansas (restaurants, artisans, small businesses, and (community members) to support our work. While the event raises essential funds for children in Kenya, its heartbeat is entirely local. There are over 100 local businesses who contribute auction items, regional chefs and beverage makers who showcase their craft, and the hundreds of residents gathering to celebrate community generosity. Winetopia strengthens local partnerships, elevates homegrown talent, and reinforces Northwest Arkansas's identity as a place where global compassion is fueled by local collaboration. Winetopia is a beautiful demonstration of how a united local community can create life-changing impact for children and families worldwide. Winetopia 2026