In this episode of Free Arkansas, Andy McNeill talks with Jacob Lively about bringing AQ Chicken back to downtown Springdale and why the iconic Arkansas restaurant still means so much to people across the state.

They discuss the legacy of AQ Chicken, what it takes to revive a beloved local brand, and Jacob’s path from first-generation college graduate to lawyer, operator, and investor. The conversation also explores Catalyst, family-office style investing, estate planning, and why Arkansas needs more builders and local capital.

It’s a conversation about entrepreneurship, risk, faith, legacy, and the work of building something that lasts.

00:00 Intro

00:39 Why AQ Chicken still matters in Arkansas

02:16 Reopening AQ Chicken in downtown Springdale

05:38 Why Arkansas needs more local investment

06:24 Jacob Lively’s path from Ouachita to law school

09:45 From Wright Lindsey to Pediatrics Plus

11:31 Building and learning at FoxDen

18:47 Leaving FoxDen and launching Catalyst

24:18 Building an estate planning practice

29:04 How much time Jacob will spend on AQ Chicken

32:11 How the AQ Chicken deal came together

36:34 Working with family and building for the long term

39:09 AQ Chicken’s opening plans and what comes next

💡 What does it take to build a technology company in Arkansas — and keep building new ones decades later?

In this episode of Free Arkansas, Andy McNeill sits down with Arkansas technology pioneer Charles Morgan, former CEO of Acxiom and founder of companies including First Orion. They talk about entrepreneurship, the evolution of big data, the rise of AI, and why Arkansas still needs more capital and opportunity for innovators and job creators.

🎙️ In this episode:
🚗 Charles Morgan’s racing career and the mindset behind peak performance
💻 Building Acxiom and the early days of big data
📱 Launching First Orion and the fight against spam calls
🤖 Why AI may be the most transformative technology since the Industrial Revolution
🏗️ Creating new businesses in Arkansas — from furniture manufacturing to corporate retreats
📈 What Arkansas needs to create more high-skill jobs and entrepreneurial success

👇 Subscribe for more Free Arkansas conversations on business, leadership, technology, and the ideas shaping the state’s future.

Andy sits down with Northwest Arkansas attorney Jennifer Standerfer to talk through the nuts and bolts of Arkansas government and election law.Jennifer is the founder of Waymack Standerfer Law, a former prosecutor and public defender, and a former legislative candidate. She shares her experience working in the Bureau of Legislative Research, her work on transparency issues, and her involvement in election-related litigation in Arkansas. 🎙️ In this episode:⚖️ Her path from public defender to prosecutor to legislative attorney🗳️ Ballot initiatives and the citizen petition process📄 Government transparency and FOIA in Arkansas🏛️ How bills are drafted at the legislature🗂️ The lawsuit involving the Stubblefield Senate seat election timing👇 Subscribe for more Free Arkansas conversations on Arkansas politics, policy, and the people involved in state government.

Ever get to the ballot and hit a race you know nothing about? This week, Andy McNeill and Misty Hale break down a little known elected position and react to the latest State of the Union.👇 Here’s what y’all hear about this week:🗳️ What constables actually do in Arkansas🤷 How voters end up choosing candidates they’ve never heard of 💬 State of the Union highlights and reactions📺 Are these speeches still useful… or just political TV?Practical politics. Arkansas context. Real conversations.👍 Like • Subscribe • Share

Annabelle Wright and Kate McNeill sit down with Whit Nicholson, bar manager at Guisinger Cocktail Club, to talk about how Northwest Arkansas is building big-city hospitality right here at home.From launching a cocktail bar from day one… to the growth of the NWA food and nightlife scene… to why hospitality is becoming a real career path in Arkansas — this episode is a fun look at culture, community, and what makes a great night out.✨ Inside the Fayetteville bar scene🍹 Craft cocktails vs. college bars📈 Why NWA hospitality is booming🏡 Growing up in Arkansas → building something hereSubscribe to Free Arkansas for more conversations about the people, places, and ideas shaping the state.

🚨 In this week’s Y’all Hear About That, Andy McNeill's talking politics and Misty Hale's still thinking about the Nancy Guthrie investigation. They also cover Arkansas early voting, new primary ballot rules, party dynamics in this election cycle, and how Dads handle taking their daughters into a public restrooms.🎙️ In this episode:• The latest discussion around the Nancy Guthrie disappearance• Arkansas early voting and how the primary ballot rules work• What’s driving contested races this year• Crime trends and public safety conversations• A relatable parenting moment that sparks a bigger debate👇 Subscribe for more Free Arkansas conversations on Arkansas politics, news, and the stories shaping the state.

🚨 Arkansas has one of the highest incarceration rates in America. So what’s behind it?Andy McNeill sits down with Fayetteville City Council member and Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition founder Sarah Moore to talk prisons, mental health, sentencing laws, and what real justice reform could look like in Arkansas. The conversation also explores Fayetteville’s rapid growth, housing challenges, and how local policy decisions shape the future of communities across the state. 🎙️ In this episode:• Why Arkansas locks up so many people• The role of poverty, addiction, and mental health• Mandatory sentencing vs. case-by-case justice• Fayetteville growth, infrastructure, and affordability• What communities can do differently👇 Subscribe for more Free Arkansas conversations on state politics, policy, and the people shaping Arkansas’ future.

Arkansas roads affect every one of us: safety, economic growth, travel, and daily life. So what actually goes into keeping the state moving?In this episode of Free Arkansas, Andy McNeill sits down with Arkansas Department of Transportation Director Jared Wiley to talk about the scale of Arkansas highways, funding realities, safety efforts, and the future of transportation in a fast-growing state.They break down how decisions get made, where the money goes, and what drivers should understand about infrastructure.Topics include:• How Arkansas funds and maintains its highway system• Major bridge and road projects across the state• Safety initiatives and crash prevention• Winter storm response operations• Truck traffic and logistics• Bike infrastructure and shared road planning• AI, data, and the future of transportationWatch, share, and follow Free Arkansas for more conversations about the people and policies shaping our state.

Annabelle Wright and Kate McNeill sit down with Arkansas singer-songwriter JD Clayton for an honest conversation about music, family, and the pull of home.JD talks about growing up in Fort Smith, leaving Arkansas to chase music in Nashville, and why he ultimately came back. He shares how small-town life, family, and nostalgia shape his songwriting, along with the realities of building a music career while raising a family.The conversation covers:Leaving Arkansas and finding your way backHow small towns shape creativity and identityJD’s songwriting process and musical influencesLife on the road, Nashville, and building a career the hard wayWhy Arkansas keeps showing up in his musicIt’s all about creativity, roots, and choosing what matters.🎶 Guest: JD Clayton🎙️ Hosts: Annabelle Wright & Kate McNeill📍 Podcast: Free Arkansas

In this episode of Free Arkansas, Andy McNeill sits down with Jennifer James, a fourth-generation farmer from Newport, Arkansas, to talk about the past, present, and future of American agriculture.Jennifer helps run a 130-year-old Arkansas Century Farm, serves on the Riceland Foods Board of Directors, and has been a national leader in sustainability efforts for U.S. rice. She shares how her family farm has evolved over generations, how modern farming balances environmental stewardship with economic reality, and why fair trade matters just as much as free trade for U.S. farmers.The conversation covers:👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What it takes to keep a multi-generation family farm viable🌾 How rice is grown in Arkansas and why many consumers don’t realize it💧 Sustainability, water conservation, and soil health on real working farms🌎 Why U.S. rice farmers are being undercut by foreign government subsidies💰 The squeeze farmers face between rising input costs and global marketsJennifer also talks about launching her own podcast, Field Good Life, and why telling agriculture’s story directly to consumers is critical for the future of farming.📍 Guest: Jennifer James (Newport, Arkansas)🌾 Topics: Rice farming, sustainability, ag policy, family businesses