In this deeply personal episode of Small Town Girl, Gwen Faulkenberry sits down with Dr. Rose Smith, the therapist she credits with helping change her life. Gwen opens up about the difficult period following her 2020 election loss, the physical toll of chronic stress, and the moment she began to understand that her body had been trying to tell her something. Together, Gwen and Dr. Rose explore what it means to live an authentic life, recognize when our internal truth conflicts with outside expectations, and find the courage to listen. Listen & Subscribe!

Read Gwen’s Column: https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/
Listen to past episodes!
ARKANSAS ONLINE: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/podcast/smalltowngirl/
NORTHWEST ONLINE: https://www.nwaonline.com/news/podcast/smalltowngirl/

In this episode of Small Town Girl, Gwen Faulkenberry sits down with Dr. Gail Choate, executive director of the Arkansas Civic Action Network, to talk about what it really means to be an engaged citizen. Dr. Choate discusses why so many people feel overwhelmed or disconnected from the political process and how her organization is working to change that by giving Arkansans practical tools to understand their government, become confident voters and make their voices heard.
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Read Gwen’s Column: https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/
Listen to past episodes! ARKANSAS ONLINE: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/podcast/smalltowngirl/
NORTHWEST ONLINE: https://www.nwaonline.com/news/podcast/smalltowngirl/
Follow Small Town Girl, Gwen Faulkenberry:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwendolannfaulkenberry?igsh=Mm9iNnNkcjhoMDQ3&utm_source=qr
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Learn more about the Arkansas Civic Action Network:
Web: https://www.arkaction.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkaction/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkactionnet/
Join the conversation: Email [email protected] !

New episodes drop every other week!
#smalltowngirl #smalltown #civicengagement #politics #arkansaspolitics
The opinions expressed are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Danielle Williamson moved to Little Rock with her husband in 2021, excited to begin a new chapter in Arkansas and start a family. After struggling to get pregnant, Danielle and her husband turned to IVF. When they finally learned they were expecting their first child, they believed their dream of becoming parents was coming true. But at 18 weeks, a routine ultrasound changed everything. Doctors discovered that their baby had no kidneys or bladder and had not developed lungs because of the lack of amniotic fluid. Danielle was told the baby would either be stillborn or die shortly after birth, but because of Arkansas’ abortion law, she could not receive the care she needed in her home state. Today, she sits down with our host, Gwen Faulkenberry, to tell this important story.

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Read Gwen’s Column: https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/
Listen to past episodes!
ARKANSAS ONLINE: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/podcast/smalltowngirl/
NORTHWEST ONLINE: https://www.nwaonline.com/news/podcast/smalltowngirl/
Follow Small Town Girl, Gwen Faulkenberry:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwendolannfaulkenberry?igsh=Mm9iNnNkcjhoMDQ3&utm_source=qr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gwendolann.faulkenberry?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=VOmgTu5JpLnHLqcy&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1K7exmtJRN%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@user6617143631818?_r=1&_t=ZT-92dPCrpt4id
X/Twitter: https://x.com/gwenfaulkenber1?s=21
Learn more about AR Abortion Support: https://www.arabortionsupport.org/
Join the conversation:
Email [email protected] !
Thank you to our furniture sponsor @MySouthernLoft ! Check out their expansive inventory at: https://mysouthernloft.com/
New episodes drop every other week!
#smalltowngirl #smalltown #healthcare #politics #arkansaspolitics

The opinions expressed are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

In this episode of Small Town Girl, host Gwen Faulkenberry sits down with Kristin Foster, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Arkansas and a longtime advocate for civic engagement and public policy. Kristin breaks down what’s happening with Arkansas’ budget following the state’s latest fiscal session, including the growing costs of incarceration, the state’s planned 3,000-bed prison, Education Freedom Accounts, tax cuts and what it all means for public schools and local governments.

Listen & Subscribe!
Read Gwen’s Column: https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/
Listen to past episodes!
ARKANSAS ONLINE: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/podcast/smalltowngirl/
NORTHWEST ONLINE: https://www.nwaonline.com/news/podcast/smalltowngirl/

Follow Small Town Girl, Gwen Faulkenberry:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwendolannfaulkenberry?igsh=Mm9iNnNkcjhoMDQ3&utm_source=qr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gwendolann.faulkenberry?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=VOmgTu5JpLnHLqcy&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1K7exmtJRN%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@user6617143631818?_r=1&_t=ZT-92dPCrpt4id
X/Twitter: https://x.com/gwenfaulkenber1?s=21
Follow Kistin Foster:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kristinhasnotes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinhasnotes

In this episode of Small Town Girl, Gwen Faulkenberry sits down with Porter Hays, creator of The Ozarker and co-host of the Hawg Talk podcast, to discuss the power of small-town pride, community storytelling, and revitalizing rural Arkansas. Porter shares how growing up in Ozark shaped his passion for serving his hometown, the mentors who influenced his life, and why he launched The Ozarker to spotlight local businesses, restaurants, events, and the people who make the Arkansas River Valley special. From promoting tourism to celebrating community success stories, Porter believes positive storytelling can help small towns thrive.

Listen & Subscribe!
Read Gwen’s Column: https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/
Listen to past episodes!
ARKANSAS ONLINE: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/podcast/smalltowngirl/
NORTHWEST ONLINE: https://www.nwaonline.com/news/podcast/smalltowngirl/

From a small town in Arkansas to BookTok fame in New York City! In this episode of Small Town Girl, Gwen Faulkenberry sits down with Cody Vest, former Arkansas educator, literacy advocate, and viral BookTok creator with more than 300,000 followers across platforms.
Listen & Subscribe!
Read Gwen’s Column:
https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/
Listen to past episodes!
ARKANSAS ONLINE: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/podcast/smalltowngirl/
NORTHWEST ONLINE: https://www.nwaonline.com/news/podcast/smalltowngirl/ 

From Springdale to the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN and back to Arkansas, Dr. Alejandra Campos shares her family’s powerful immigration story and how it shaped her work as a political science professor at the University of Arkansas. In this episode of Small Town Girl, we talk about immigration in Arkansas, growing up as a Latino family in Northwest Arkansas, the poultry industry, voting rights, identity, education, and the complicated realities behind today’s political debates. Alejandra opens up about her parents’ journey from Mexico to Springdale in the 1990s, the sacrifices they made to build a life for their children, and how education, family, and curiosity helped shape her and her siblings’ paths.

Read Gwen’s Column: https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/ 

Opinions are of the host and guests and don't necessarily reflect the views of NWA Democrat-Gazette.

From rural Arkansas to international law and academia, this episode features an in-depth conversation with legal scholar and author Lisa Pruitt about education, class, politics, identity, and the growing divide in America. Lisa shares her journey growing up in Jasper, Arkansas, becoming a first-generation professional, studying law at the University of Arkansas, and eventually building a career teaching law in California after years spent working across Europe and beyond. Along the way, she opens up about sexism in higher education, culture shock between rural and urban America, and how her relationship with her mother helped shape her understanding of politics and class.

Read Gwen’s Column: https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/ 

Opinions are of the host and guests and don't necessarily reflect the views of NWA Democrat-Gazette.

Welcome back to Small Town Girl! In this special episode, we step out of the studio and into a breathtaking lavender field just outside Eureka Springs. And trust me, it’s as magical as it sounds. I’m joined by my longtime friend Kat, who shares the incredible story behind her journey from art teacher to lavender farm owner and entrepreneur. What started as a simple dream turned into a full-blown passion project filled with purpose, beauty, and community.

If you love small-town charm, inspiring stories, and scenic escapes, this is a place you’ll want to add to your list. Check them out: https://lagrangelavender.com/

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Read Gwen’s Column: https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/

Opinions are of the host and guests and don't necessarily reflect the views of NWA Democrat-Gazette.

In this episode of Small Town Girl, we sit down with Justin McCormick, Executive Director of Main Street Ozark, to talk about the heart, hustle, and hope behind revitalizing small-town Arkansas. From growing up in Altus and Coal Hill to working in larger cities and ultimately returning home, Justin shares his powerful journey of rediscovering purpose in the place that raised him. We dive into the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities, the importance of investing in local businesses, and what it really takes to bring a downtown back to life.

If you care about small towns, entrepreneurship, or creating vibrant communities where people want Connect with Justin & Main Street Ozark:
Main Street Ozark Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mainstreetozark?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Web: https://mainstreetozark.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnszNXAOLsNt8-ExWHFCs9id8OSDi5rf_lDMyylJihB1oczaHD8Ouxb9yYVmQ_aem_Q3cT7qhGHx-dkAoszQ2l-w
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MainStreetOzark/
Email: [email protected]
Howdy Co.: @thehowdycompanyAR
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