Step inside Fort Smith’s history with Emma Markowski, a passionate historian and curator at the Chaffee Barbershop and Military Museum. From her roots in New Jersey to finding a new home in Arkansas, Emma shares how she became deeply involved in preserving military history, creating powerful exhibits, and connecting Fort Smith’s stories to the world.

Discover hidden pieces of Fort Chaffee’s past — from World War II divisions that trained here, to the arrival of 50,000 refugees after the fall of Saigon, to Elvis Presley’s famous military haircut. Emma also dives into her love for vintage shopping, running a popular history TikTok, and her favorite Fort Smith eats and antique spots.

• Chaffee Crossing & Chaffee Barbershop Museum: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/chaffee-crossing

• Miss Laura’s Visitor Center: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/miss-lauras-visitor-center

• Fort Smith National Historic Site: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-national-historic-site

• Fort Smith Restaurants: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/restaurants

• Fort Smith Antique Shopping: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/shopping

In this inspiring episode, Molly Ann Dunaway, newly crowned Miss Worldwide 2025, shares her incredible journey into pageantry, her experience balancing life as a single mother of nine, and her deep commitment to charity work with 100 Families, an organization dedicated to helping families in crisis.

From the challenges of preparation and competition, to heartwarming stories about her children and foster care experiences, Molly’s story is one of perseverance, faith, and community. She also highlights some of her favorite Fort Smith foodie spots and ways she enjoys free time around the city.

• Chaffee Crossing & Chaffee Barbershop Museum: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/chaffee-crossing

• Fort Smith International Film Festival: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-international-film-festival

• Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/janet-huckabee-nature-center

• Fort Smith Restaurants: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/restaurants

In this captivating episode of the Discover Fort Smith podcast, hosts Josh Buchfink and Joe Cline sit down with longtime volunteers Sue and Floyd Robinson, the husband-and-wife duo who have spent over two decades bringing Judge Isaac C. Parker’s courtroom to life through historical reenactments at the Fort Smith National Historic Site.

Dressed in period-accurate costumes, Sue and Floyd portray the court clerk and bailiff in the legendary courtroom of the “Hanging Judge.” They walk us through what it’s like to step back into the 1800s, explain how they’ve educated thousands of students and visitors over the years, and reflect on why preserving this chapter of Fort Smith’s Wild West history still matters today.

Whether you’re a fan of living history, Fort Smith’s law-and-order legacy, or simply love passionate storytelling, this episode brings the past vividly—and meaningfully—to life.

Relevant Links:

• Fort Smith National Historic Site: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-national-historic-site

• Fort Smith Museum of History: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-museum-of-history

• Fort Smith Visitors Guide: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/visitor-guide

• Bakery District: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/bakery-district

• Discover Fort Smith Events: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/events

• Fort Smith Public Library: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-public-library

In this episode of the Discover Fort Smith Podcast, hosts Josh Buchfink and Joe Cline sit down with Judge Sam Terryto explore his inspiring journey from local Fort Smith roots to the bench of the district court. Judge Terry opens up about his path through law school, private practice, public service, and his multiple appointments by Governor Asa Hutchinson. Hear his reflections on the importance of community, courtroom compassion, and adapting to modern legal changes like Zoom courtrooms and AI in law.

Plus, Judge Terry shares what he loves most about Fort Smith—from favorite local restaurants like R&R Curry Expressto hidden gems like the US Marshals Museum and Fort Smith Regional Art Museum. It’s a candid, insightful conversation you won’t want to miss!

Relevant Links:

• Clayton House: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/clayton-house

• Fort Smith National Historic Site: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-national-historic-site

• Fort Smith Museum of History: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-museum-of-history

• Fort Smith Regional Art Museum: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-regional-art-museum

• U.S. Marshals Museum: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/national-us-marshals-museum

• Chaffee Crossing: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/chaffee-crossing

In this episode of the Discover Fort Smith podcast, hosts Josh Buchfink and Joe Cline welcome Mila Mazur, Executive Director of the historic Clayton House. From her first impressions of Fort Smith to her leadership in preserving one of the city’s most treasured landmarks, Mila shares a journey rooted in history, community, and resilience.

Learn about the incredible Victorian-era lifestyle preserved inside the Clayton House, the fascinating story of William H.H. Clayton, the district’s ties to Judge Isaac Parker, and how Fort Smith helped shape public education in Arkansas. Mila also highlights exciting community events, the Belle Grove Historic District, sister city connections with Italy, and the charm of walkable downtown living.

Whether you’re a local or planning a visit, this episode offers a rich glimpse into Fort Smith’s past, present, and future.

Relevant Links:

• Clayton House: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/clayton-house

• Fort Smith Museum of History: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-museum-of-history

• Fort Smith National Historic Site: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-national-historic-site

• National U.S. Marshals Museum: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/national-us-marshals-museum

• Bakery District: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/bakery-district

• Discover Fort Smith Event Calendar: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/events

In this inspiring episode of the Discover Fort Smith podcast, hosts Josh Buchfink and Joe Cline sit down with Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker to explore his unexpected path to leadership, his personal connection to the city, and how he’s helped reshape community policing in Fort Smith.

Chief Baker opens up about pivotal moments like the 500-year flood, the legacy of Officer Danny Martinez, and the national reckoning on policing—and how those experiences led to transformative programs like Officer Fuzz the police cat, Food Patrol, and Shield Our Youth. From emotional stories to meaningful insights, this episode showcases how Fort Smith is leading with service, compassion, and accountability.

Relevant Links:

• Fort Smith Police Department: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-police-department

• Clayton House: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/clayton-house

• Bakery District: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/bakery-district

• Fort Smith Little Theatre: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-little-theatre

• 906 Lounge: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/906-lounge

• Chaffee Crossing: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/chaffee-crossing

• Discover Fort Smith Event Calendar: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/events

In this inspiring episode of the Discover Fort Smith podcast, hosts Josh Buchfink and Joe Cline sit down with Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker to explore his unexpected path to leadership, his personal connection to the city, and how he’s helped reshape community policing in Fort Smith.

Chief Baker opens up about pivotal moments like the 500-year flood, the legacy of Officer Danny Martinez, and the national reckoning on policing—and how those experiences led to transformative programs like Officer Fuzz the police cat, Food Patrol, and Shield Our Youth. From emotional stories to meaningful insights, this episode showcases how Fort Smith is leading with service, compassion, and accountability.

Relevant Links:

• Fort Smith Police Department: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-police-department

• Clayton House: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/clayton-house

• Bakery District: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/bakery-district

• Fort Smith Little Theatre: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-little-theatre

• 906 Lounge: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/906-lounge

• Chaffee Crossing: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/chaffee-crossing

• Discover Fort Smith Event Calendar: https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/events

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Christopher Smith, creative director and storyteller for the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE). A Fort Smith native and founder of the Soul Society brand, Christopher shares how his work with ACHE is helping to redefine healthcare education through storytelling, creativity, and connection. He opens up about the importance of Black representation, his transition from barbering to branding, and how Fort Smith plays a central role in his mission to inspire, uplift, and inform. A powerful conversation on purpose, place, and using creativity for change.

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/bakery-district

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-coffee

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-regional-art-museum

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-national-historic-site

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/rolandos

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/906-lounge

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/the-majestic

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/podcast

• (For ACHE’s official site, not part of DFS but useful for cross-linking elsewhere: https://acheedu.org)

Get an inside look at the future of public spaces in Fort Smith with Sara Deuster, Director of Parks & Recreation. In this forward-thinking episode, Sara shares her vision for inclusive and innovative green spaces—from reimagining neighborhood parks and installing splash pads to transforming old brick warehouses into vibrant recreation hubs. Learn how her passion for equity, community connection, and creative problem-solving is helping shape Fort Smith’s quality of life one playground, trail, and park at a time. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the River Valley, you’ll leave inspired by what’s coming next for Fort Smith’s outdoor spaces.

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/creekmore-park

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/carolyn-cross-park

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/ben-geren-regional-park

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/janet-huckabee-nature-center

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/parrot-island-waterpark

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/riverfront-skate-and-bike-park

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/bakery-district

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/podcast

In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Tom Kirkham, CEO and founder of IronTech Security, to explore the hidden dangers of cybersecurity and how businesses — big or small — can better protect themselves. From his personal story of landing on an ISIS kill list to the rise of AI-powered phishing scams, Tom shares compelling insights that are both shocking and educational. He also reveals how Fort Smith became home base for his growing cybersecurity company, the importance of company culture, and how his local roots tie into a budding film project set in the city. It’s a thrilling mix of tech, leadership, and Fort Smith pride.

Relevant Links (Full URLs):

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/national-us-marshals-museum

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-regional-art-museum

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-national-historic-site

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/fort-smith-museum-of-history

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/ben-geren-regional-park

• https://www.discoverfortsmith.com/janet-huckabee-nature-center