This conversation with Christina was truly powerful. "She is a survivor turned warrior who has dedicated more than a decade to fighting human trafficking—a mission forged in the fire of her own harrowing experiences with exploitation and addiction. Trained in trauma-informed care and leadership, she equips fellow survivors with the practical tools and steadfast support they need to reclaim and rebuild their lives. As a key leader in the Nashville Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition, she spearheads critical initiatives, delivers specialized training, and provides unwavering encouragement to her team.

Her deep expertise in trauma-informed care shapes every effort, ensuring that survivors receive compassionate, holistic support tailored to their complex needs. A powerful and sought-after speaker, she shares her story of transformation through Christ with audiences across the country, igniting hope and spurring meaningful action. Driven by a passion for community outreach, she actively connects with those still trapped in exploitation, offering resources and heartfelt support that help them believe true freedom is possible. At the foundation of all she does stands an unshakable faith in Jesus Christ. This biblical worldview anchors her work and fuels her conviction in the power of redemption—that every person, no matter their past, can rise from adversity to live a life of profound purpose and impact." 

Mindy McAlindon represents Arkansans in the10th House district. She continues to fight for parental empowerment, strong schools, lower taxes and securing Arkansas' quality of life. In 2023, she was awarded the Legislator of the Year award by ALEC and in 2024 she received the National Consumer Champion award by Consumers’ Research for her bills protecting state pensions. Outside of politics, Mindy is a Vanderbilt and Indiana University alum who works as a Brand and Marketing Strategist. Mindy resides in Benton County, AR with her husband and their four children.

Brian Armas, the first Latino elected as Republican Justice of the Peace for District 6 in Benton County, Arkansas, serves on the Quorum Court, the county's legislative body, advocating for fiscal responsibility, prioritizing county employees in budgets, and honoring local law enforcement—such as sponsoring a 2021 resolution for a memorial highway for fallen Pea Ridge Police Officer Kevin Apple.

With over 20 years in marketing and communications, he specializes in web development, graphic design, and photography for small businesses and nonprofits, leveraging his skills to bolster community efforts in Northwest Arkansas, where he has lived for more than 25 years. 
Raised in East Texas by Guatemalan immigrant parents who fled political unrest and economic hardship in Guatemala during the civil war era, Armas credits his father's resilient life as a farmer in rural Guatemala—marked by perseverance amid violence and poverty—for instilling values of hard work and family that shaped his conservative principles.

Justice Armas resides in Pea Ridge with his wife, Kara, and their eight children, ranging in age from 2 to 26. In September 2025, he announced his candidacy for the Arkansas House of Representatives in District 8 for the 2026 election, pledging to safeguard rights, reduce small business taxes, and strengthen law enforcement support.

Mindy McAlindon represents Arkansans in the10th House district. She continues to fight for parental empowerment, strong schools, lower taxes and securing Arkansas' quality of life.

Margaret Sova McCabe is the Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation at the University of Arkansas, after serving as the law school’s dean from 2018 to 2021, the third woman in that role. As VCRI, she drives research excellence campus-wide and partners with the Division of Economic Development to promote the university’s research regionally and nationally. Previously, as dean, she launched a public service fellows program, integrated student support services, and advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Before Arkansas, McCabe was faculty at the University of New Hampshire School of Law, serving as Associate Dean during its integration into UNH. She taught Food Law & Policy and Administrative Law, with scholarship focused on food system regulations, including obesity, marketing, and sustainability. A Bard College graduate with a law degree from the University of Maine, she previously advised on public safety and practiced law in New Hampshire and Maine.

Mindy McAlindon represents Arkansans in the10th House district. She continues to fight for parental empowerment, strong schools, lower taxes and securing Arkansas' quality of life. In 2023, she was awarded the Legislator of the Year award by ALEC and in 2024 she received the National Consumer Champion award by Consumers’ Research for her bills protecting state pensions. Outside of politics, Mindy is a Vanderbilt and Indiana University alum who works as a Brand and Marketing Strategist. Mindy resides in Benton County, AR with her husband and their four children.

Kevin Host is Senior Vice President of Pharmacy at Walmart U.S., leading strategy, operations, and innovation for over 4,600 pharmacies and 3,000 Vision Centers nationwide—serving millions through retail, specialty, mail-order, and 340B programs with a 65,000+ associate team. Key achievements include launching nationwide same-day pharmacy delivery, scaling robotic central fill sites to 100,000 prescriptions daily, expanding clinical services for flu, COVID, and strep testing/treatment, and growing Walmart Specialty Pharmacy to top-tier status.

Previously President & COO of Avita Pharmacy, SVP at OptumRx, and leader in 340B/PBM strategies, he brings 20+ years of expertise. As 2024-2025 NACDS Chair, he drove PBM reform legislation and pharmacist provider status advocacy. A University of the Pacific graduate based in Dallas-Fort Worth, Kevin advances Walmart’s mission to help people live better through affordable, innovative health solutions.

Mindy McAlindon represents Arkansans in the10th House district. She continues to fight for parental empowerment, strong schools, lower taxes and securing Arkansas' quality of life. In 2023, she was awarded the Legislator of the Year award by ALEC and in 2024 she received the National Consumer Champion award by Consumers’ Research for her bills protecting state pensions. Outside of politics, Mindy is a Vanderbilt and Indiana University alum who works as a Brand and Marketing Strategist. Mindy resides in Benton County, AR with her husband and their four children.

As President of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), Pete Sepp leads the non-profit, non-partisan organization’s government affairs, public relations, and development efforts, while overseeing strategic planning for NTU and the research and educational operations of the National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF). Since joining NTU in 1988, Sepp has authored and edited numerous policy papers, studies, and activist manuals on topics like Congressional perquisites, tax revolts, antitrust regulation, and Pentagon spending, while also testifying before Congress on issues ranging from Medicare reform to small business taxpayer concerns and lecturing globally on tax administration reform.
 
Sepp has been a prominent voice in media, appearing on major television networks, cable channels like CNN and Fox Business, and frequently providing commentary for radio programs and print outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes. A cum laude graduate of Webster University with a degree in History and Political Science, Sepp brought prior experience from the St. Louis County Board of Elections and a U.S. Senate campaign to his extensive career at NTU, where he has also advocated for legislation like the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act and the Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment.

Sara Lynn Geiger is a government affairs professional from Jacksonville, Florida, with a passion for policy and community impact. She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2017 with degrees in political science/pre-law and legal studies. Geiger gained early experience interning on human trafficking and foster youth issues and served as a legislative aide in the Florida House. Now Vice President of Government Relations at the Northwest Arkansas Council, she advocates for sustainable growth and fights human trafficking with Hub of Hope.

Mindy McAlindon represents Arkansans in the10th House district. She continues to fight for parental empowerment, strong schools, lower taxes and securing Arkansas' quality of life. Outside of politics, Mindy is a Vanderbilt and Indiana University alum who works as a Brand and Marketing Strategist. Mindy resides in Benton County, AR with her husband and their four children.

In this episode of In The Arena with Mindy McAlindon, host Mindy McAlindon interviews Dana Schlagenhaft, Executive Director of Downtown Bentonville Inc. (DBI), who shares her passion for enhancing Bentonville’s downtown experience through community events like the farmers market, Christmas parade, and the A Street Promenade, set to open in November.

A Bentonville native with a diverse background in journalism, retail, and marketing, Dana emphasizes DBI’s mission to preserve the city’s small-town charm and culture amidst rapid growth, acting as the “keeper of the culture” with inclusive, family-friendly events and storytelling through the TV show Downtown Now. Highlighting partnerships with the City of Bentonville and initiatives like a documentary on a historic bank robbery, Dana envisions a downtown for “everyone,” ensuring accessibility and community connection, as celebrated in this heartfelt conversation about Bentonville’s vibrant future. 

Mindy McAlindon represents Arkansans in the10th House district. She continues to fight for parental empowerment, strong schools, lower taxes and securing Arkansas' quality of life. Outside of politics, Mindy is a Vanderbilt and Indiana University alum who works as a Brand and Marketing Strategist. Mindy resides in Benton County, AR with her husband and their four children.

Join host Mindy McAlindon on In the Arena as she sits down with Arkansas' top political consultants—Ken Yang, J.R. Davis, and Rett Hatcher—who share over 30 years of experience shaping campaigns and securing election victories. In this lively discussion, they reveal how campaigns kick off, what makes a candidate successful, and share insider tips and funny war stories from the trail.

From convincing reluctant candidates to run to navigating Arkansas' competitive political landscape, this episode is packed with insights for anyone curious about the art of political consulting. Tune in for expert advice and a behind-the-scenes look at Arkansas politics!

Mindy McAlindon represents Arkansans in the10th House district. She continues to fight for parental empowerment, strong schools, lower taxes and securing Arkansas' quality of life.
Outside of politics, Mindy is a Vanderbilt and Indiana University alum who works as a Brand and Marketing Strategist.  Mindy resides in Benton County, AR with her husband and their four children.

The Honorable Dr. Robin Armstrong, a Texas physician and Galveston County Commissioner, joins host Mindy McAlindon on "In the Arena" to discuss his background and Texas redistricting. A lifelong Texan, Armstrong has served as a National Committeeman since 2012, focusing locally on infrastructure and low taxes while practicing medicine in his hometown.

In 2021, the Biden Justice Department sued Galveston County over redrawn precincts, leading to a landmark 2024 Federal Fifth Circuit ruling that declared coalition districts unconstitutional, overturning 40 years of Voting Rights Act precedent. This has spurred Texas to redraw congressional and state districts to eliminate racial gerrymandering, potentially adding Republican seats and promoting fairer representation based on voting patterns.

Mindy McAlindon represents Arkansans in the10th House district. She continues to fight for parental empowerment, strong schools, lower taxes and securing Arkansas' quality of life.
In 2023, she was awarded the Legislator of the Year award by ALEC and in 2024 she received the National Consumer Champion award by Consumers’ Research for her bills protecting state pensions. 

Outside of politics, Mindy is a Vanderbilt and Indiana University alum who works as a Brand and Marketing Strategist. Mindy resides in Benton County, AR with her husband and their four children.

Brentt Tumey is the President of Drywall Crews, Inc., a national commercial specialty drywall contractor based in Northwest Arkansas, where he has lived for over 23 years. Originally from northern Illinois, Brentt, alongside his wife Jessica, built the company from the ground up, specializing in military, healthcare, and hospitality projects.

A dedicated advocate for children, Brentt has been a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteer for over five years, an experience that transformed his perspective and inspired him to found Saving Children and Reviving Souls (S.C.A.R.S.), a nonprofit focused on raising awareness and advocating for child victims of abuse and neglect. Brentt’s personal journey, marked by overcoming past challenges with the criminal justice system, fuels his commitment to helping others find redemption and purpose. He lives with his wife and their two children, Brooke and Maxx, who keep him grounded. Brentt also speaks on issues like human trafficking, collaborating with local organizations to protect vulnerable children.

Mindy McAlindon represents Arkansans in the10th House district. She continues to fight for parental empowerment, strong schools, lower taxes and securing Arkansas' quality of life. In 2023, she was awarded the Legislator of the Year award by ALEC and in 2024 she received the National Consumer Champion award by Consumers’ Research for her bills protecting state pensions.

Outside of politics, Mindy is a Vanderbilt and Indiana University alum who works as a Brand and Marketing Strategist. Mindy resides in Benton County, AR with her husband and their four children.