Arkansas Minds

In this episode, I had the opportunity to sit down with Erica Bankston, co-owner of Heritage Group Real Estate. We talked about what it’s like to lead one of the fastest-growing real estate teams in Arkansas, navigating identity in the shadow of a well-known family, and how she learned to stop “protecting herself” from real relationships.

Erica shared her journey from starting a fitness business with her sister, to launching a hardware company from home, and eventually building a booming real estate team alongside a business partner she deeply respects. Her story is full of honesty, humility, and intentional leadership. I really enjoyed this one, and I think you’ll appreciate hearing her take on emotional maturity, guarding your heart, and living a purpose-driven life.

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In this episode, I had the opportunity to sit down with Ashleigh Buckley, an attorney and the founder of The Buckley Firm, who also serves as Vice President for the Sebastian County Bar Association. We talked about advocating for people who feel like they don’t have a voice, navigating a male-dominated field, and the emotional weight of prosecuting child abuse cases. It was a real conversation about justice, resilience, and purpose, and I think you’ll enjoy hearing her perspective on finding strength through service—and why she’d be just fine living off-grid with horses.Visit: arkansasminds.comFollow @arkansasminds on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTubeChapters:00:00 Intro01:22 Why Ashleigh Became an Attorney03:47 Making the Legal System Accessible06:12 Transparency and Ethics in Law08:01 Women in a Male-Dominated Field10:13 Standing Her Ground in Court12:00 The Weight of Legal Decisions14:02 Protecting Children Through Law16:50 Emotional Challenges of Justice Work19:40 Life and Law in Arkansas22:46 Breaking the Cycle of Abuse25:04 How Law School Shapes Thinking27:06 Finding Confidence and Purpose29:06 If Money Wasn’t a Factor30:45 Childhood, Country Roots & Horses33:09 Faith and Family34:58 What People Don’t Know About Ashleigh37:02 Community, Mentorship, and Fort Smith41:02 Would You Rather: Arkansas Edition44:14 How to Connect with Ashleigh#ArkansasMinds#SupportLocal#PodcastLife

In this episode, we sit down with Emily, a content manager turned Director of Marketing at Discover Fort Smith, who shares her incredible journey of winding career paths, life-changing experiences abroad, and reflections on burnout, career shifts, and finding balance. From her time teaching in Mississippi to her love for theater, French, and marketing, Emily’s story highlights resilience and self-discovery.

In this episode, we talk to Kerrie Taber, an author and educator whose incredible journey led to the creation of her book, Quarantining Hate. Kerrie shares the shocking story of discovering her grandfather’s role as a World War II war criminal and how it inspired her to confront hate and fear in society. Together, we discuss the roots of prejudice, the importance of dialogue, and how small actions can lead to big societal changes.

In this episode, Deondra Swanigan, founder of Swan Done LLC, dives into his journey from a passionate artist to a purpose-driven designer. Deondra talks about his philosophy, "Deeper than Design," sharing how he blends art and strategy to create meaningful visuals for brands. He touches on how design can communicate values like family, authenticity, and energy and discusses why true design goes beyond appearance to evoke genuine emotions. Deondra also shares insights on branding essentials, client relationships, and the impact of community-driven design.

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This episode dives into the journey of Brooke Cagle, a graphic designer, photographer, and worship leader, as she discusses her journey from a small-town creative to launching her own networking initiative, Segue. Brooke shares her love for gathering people, the unique story behind Segue’s founding, and how it has grown to foster community connections. Her insights on balancing her many passions, overcoming fears of returning to her hometown, and her plans for Segue’s future are heartfelt and inspiring.

In this episode, we sit down with Christina Williams of Christina Williams Consulting, a marketing and PR firm based in Fort Smith. Christina shares her journey from being adopted from India and growing up in Arkansas to her career in marketing. She talks about her background in journalism, her early work in PR, and the process of starting her own business. She also gives insights on the importance of community connections, handling clients, and her passion for teaching Canva workshops.

instagram.com/christinawilliamsconsulting/

In this episode titled "Have I Made It...?", Winter Kasworm reflects on the meaning of success and fulfillment. She opens up about her career journey, personal growth, and the moments that made her question if she’s truly “made it.” Winter shares insights on navigating identity, balancing ambition with contentment, and the ongoing journey of self-discovery. This episode invites listeners to reflect on their own definition of success and what it means to live a purposeful life.

https://www.instagram.com/wintwonderland/

In this episode, the guest, Joe, discusses his faith journey, his new book Fully Seen, Fully Loved, and the importance of knowing God’s love and acceptance. He shares personal stories of how growing up without a Christian background shaped his perceptions, and how his faith changed his life. The conversation touches on themes of self-worth, mental health, trusting in God's goodness, and living authentically in faith.

This podcast episode explores the blurred line between following church culture and truly following Jesus. Through personal stories, including the pressures of growing up as a pastor's kid (PK), we dive into how cultural expectations within the church can sometimes overshadow genuine faith. We discuss how easy it is to confuse fitting into church traditions with living for Christ and the importance of deconstructing cultural influences to find authentic faith. The conversation emphasizes the need for self-reflection and staying aligned with Jesus through prayer and Bible reading, rather than just following the motions of religious culture.