Discover Fort Smith

Joseph Korkames is the fourth generation behind Famous Chili Company, the Fort Smith maker of Famous Brick Chili and Four Star Chili since 1935. He joins Emily Horn and Josh Buchfink to tell how his great-grandfather came to Arkansas as a Lebanese refugee and how the family kept the business running through World War II. He explains what makes their premium all-beef chili different and settles the beans-or-no-beans debate. He also shares the local restaurants that serve his chili and his plans for the company’s 100th anniversary. #DiscoverFortSmith #FamousChili #FortSmithArkansas

Relevant Links

• Discover Fort Smith: https://fortsmith.org

Jessica Hayes has spent nearly 20 years helping Fort Smith nonprofits find their footing, starting with the early days of the U.S. Marshals Museum. She joins Josh Buchfink and Emily Horn to talk about turning around the Literacy Council, building the new Longevity and Living Well Alliance, and working to reopen Lincoln Child Care Center. She also shares her advice for anyone thinking about starting a nonprofit, explains how childcare and literacy shape the local workforce, and names the restaurants she sends visitors to. #DiscoverFortSmith #FortSmithNonprofits #FortSmithArkansas

Relevant Links

• Discover Fort Smith: https://fortsmith.org

Nathan Marcotte, president of the Western Arkansas Tennis Association (WATA), sits down with Emily Horn to talk about the growing tennis scene in Fort Smith. He covers the easy ways to start playing, including the $80 Tennis Apprentice program, kids’ clinics and the new novice league. He also explains the push toward 20 public courts at Creekmore and Ben Geren, which could bring state tournaments to town. Nathan shares why WATA puts community ahead of competition, how he came home to Fort Smith, and where he takes visitors to eat. #DiscoverFortSmith #FortSmithTennis #FortSmithArkansas

Relevant Links

• Creekmore Tennis Center: https://fortsmith.org/creekmore-tennis-center
• Ben Geren Tennis Center: https://fortsmith.org/ben-geren-tennis-center
• Discover Fort Smith: https://fortsmith.org

Martin Mahan, Superintendent of Fort Smith Public Schools, joins Josh Buchfink and Emily Horn to share his 34-year journey in the district. He started as a substitute and taught at the juvenile detention center before working his way up to the top job. He breaks down the district's innovative academies, including the Health Science Academy with Baptist and Mercy, the new Computer Science Academy, and the upcoming Global Innovation Academy offering Singapore Math and Mandarin. Martin also talks about career readiness, the goal of every graduate being enrolled, enlisted or employed, and the community partnerships that make it all possible. He wraps up with his favorite local spots and life as a busy granddad.

Relevant Links

• AJ's Oyster House: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/ajs-oyster-house/27/
• Calico County: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/calico-county/34/
• Vertical Horizons: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/vertical-horizons/481/
• Ben Geren Regional Park: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/ben-geren-regional-park/364/
• Parks in Fort Smith: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/play/sports-outdoors/parks/
• Things to Do in Fort Smith: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/play/
• Fort Smith Public Schools: https://fortsmithschools.org/ (not a

#DiscoverFortSmith #FortSmithPublicSchools #FortSmithArkansas

Dr. Sandy Johnson of Johnson Dermatology joins Josh Buchfink and Emily Horn to share how a blind date brought her to Fort Smith, and how she and her husband built a 12-provider practice that's celebrating 20 years. She breaks down the two skin care habits that put you ahead of most people, clears up myths about Botox and fillers, and explains why getting a skin check matters as melanoma rates climb. Dr. Johnson also talks about her roles with the American Academy of Dermatology and the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce. She wraps up with her ultimate Fort Smith food tour and why she trains at a HYROX gym.

Relevant Links

• Calico County: ⁠https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/calico-county/34/⁠
• Doe's Eat Place: ⁠https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/does-eat-place/45/⁠
• 21 West End: ⁠https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/21-west-end/26/⁠
• Phở Việtnam: ⁠https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/ph%E1%BB%9F-vi%E1%BB%87tnam/786/⁠
• Inka Su Mare: ⁠https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/inka-su-mare/736/⁠
• Harvest Moon Bakery: ⁠https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/harvest-moon-bakery/422/⁠
• Fort Smith Coffee Co. at Bakery District: ⁠https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/fort-smith-coffee-co-at-bakery-district/393/⁠
• Hispanic-Owned Eateries: ⁠https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/blog/post/hispanic-owned-eateries/⁠
• International Food in Fort Smith: ⁠https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/blog/post/global-restaurants/⁠
• Food Trucks: ⁠https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/dine/food-trucks/⁠

#DiscoverFortSmith #FortSmithArkansas #SkinCancerAwareness

Chris Kelly, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Marketing at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, joins Josh Buchfink and Emily Horn to share how a drive down from Kansas led him to buy a house and fall for Fort Smith. He talks about his 20 years in radio, reading graduates' names at commencement, and what's ahead as UAFS gets ready for its centennial in 2028. Chris also covers new programs like the two-year nursing degree and the advanced manufacturing engineering program, plus how UAFS keeps college affordable. He wraps up with his Exploration Saturday adventures, local favorites and his work with Fort Smith Rotary and the Good Samaritan Clinic.

#DiscoverFortSmith #UAFS #FortSmithArkansas

Relevant Links

• UAFS & Grand Avenue Region: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/blog/post/uafs-grand-avenue-region/
• UAFS Gallery of Art and Design: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/uafs-gallery-of-art-and-design/412/
• Fort Smith Regional Art Museum: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/blog/post/regional-art-museum/
• U.S. Marshals Museum: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/blog/post/us-marshals-museum/
• Peacemaker Festival: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/blog/post/peacemaker-festival/
• Fort Smith Farmers Market: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/fort-smith-farmers-market/278/
• AJ's Oyster House: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/ajs-oyster-house/27/
• Bookish: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/bookish/546/
• 10th Street Bookery: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/10th-street-bookery/746/
• Fort Smith Events Calendar: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/events/

DeAnne Hankins, Executive Director of the Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders, joins Josh Buchfink and Emily Horn to talk about how the association advocates, educates and networks for the local building industry. She explains their free, two-year residential construction apprentice program at Peak Innovation Center and how to use the member directory to find trusted, licensed contractors. DeAnne also walks through the year's big events, including the Home Show at Kay Rodgers Park, the scholarship golf tournament, the Showcase Home and the Parade of Homes. To wrap up, she shares her favorite Fort Smith spots to eat, sip and bowl.

Relevant Links

• Kay Rodgers Park: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/kay-rodgers-park/832/
• 2026 Home Show: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/articles/post/2026-home-show/
• Parrot Island Waterpark: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/parrot-island-waterpark/211/
• Calico County: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/calico-county/34/
• Geno's Pizza: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/genos-pizza-by-the-slice-central-mall-food-court/488/
• Fort Smith Coffee Co. at Bakery District: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/fort-smith-coffee-co-at-bakery-district/393/
• 810 Billiards & Bowling: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/listing/810-billiards-&-bowling/575/
• Best Places to Eat in Fort Smith: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/dine/
• Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders: https://www.fortsmithhomebuilders.com (not a DFS link, see notes)

#DiscoverFortSmith #FortSmithArkansas #HomeBuilders

Plus Grand Media founders Kane and Carlos join Discover Fort Smith to talk about turning a chance studio meeting into a business partnership. They dig into balancing creative work with the discipline it takes to run a company, why they've chosen to keep building in Fort Smith instead of a bigger market, and how events like Cameras and Coffee and Artist Connects are growing the local creative community. Along the way they cover early mornings, favorite Fort Smith food spots, and what's next for their studio space.

#FortSmithArkansas #PlusGrandMedia #DiscoverFortSmith

This episode features Bryan Alexis, professor of graphic design at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith and the artist behind nearly 50 murals across the region, including Fort Smith favorites like the Gutenberg mural, Alfonso Trent, and the Woman of the River Valley series. Bryan walks through how a mural class born out of the 2015 Unexpected festival turned into a two-decade career, and gets candid about what AI generation means for graphic designers trying to protect their creative voice. The conversation closes out with his favorite places to eat around Fort Smith and his double life building screen-accurate costumes as a member of the 501st Legion. It's a fun, honest look at art, teaching, and staying creative in Fort Smith.

#FortSmith #LocalArtist #DiscoverFortSmith

Episode 87 sits down with T. Ray Grandstaff, longtime director with River Valley Fellowship of Christian Athletes and film producer behind Woodlawn, End of the Spear, and the 2025 animated feature Light of the World. Ray shares how a simple invitation to FCA as a sixth grader in Greenwood set the course for a career telling faith-based stories on the big screen, and why he and his family chose Fort Smith as home. The conversation moves into community, touching on the upcoming Mayor's Prayer Breakfast featuring speaker David Beasley and the value of something as simple as waving at your neighbors. It's a conversation about faith, film, and what it looks like to create culture instead of fighting it.
#FortSmith #FaithAndFilm #DiscoverFortSmith