Jesse Edmondson and Arthur Orduña are playing key roles in shaping the future of lithium production and the broader battery supply chain in Arkansas.

Together, they bring deep experience and a shared mission: to put Arkansas squarely on the global lithium map.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why major players like Exxon, Equinor, and Chevron have chosen Arkansas for their first lithium investments

• How a small startup like Standard Lithium partnered with a Norwegian oil major—and why that collaboration makes strategic sense

• How Arkansas is leveraging the Smackover Formation to build a full lithium-ion battery ecosystem through initiatives like the Arkansas Lithium Innovation Accelerator and other emerging programs

• Why making cathode materials in Arkansas isn’t just possible—it’s practical

I also extend a direct invitation to Korean battery makers to partner for cathode production in Arkansas

This is a uniquely American story—about innovation, energy, and new beginnings in unexpected places.

Stick around for Rapid Fire.