The Ghidotti Podcast

From the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to economic uncertainty, there’s been no shortage of dilemmas and disasters for businesses to overcome this year. However, this year has also provided an opportunity to work inside the business and develop an integrated communications plan.

“One of the biggest things that people can do as they’re looking at that strategy is integrating and aligning their message,” said Ghidotti media relations manager Joshua Cook. “Businesses can’t control what everyone else says and how they say it, but they can control what they say and how they say it.”

With a new year rapidly approaching, now is the time to develop and refine your integrated communications strategy. Tune into the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast as Cook and host Natalie Ghidotti discuss the most effective ways to align your message in a time of crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made business challenging for many industries, perhaps none more so than the performing arts industry. While restaurants, stores and other locations have been able to resume operations under new guidelines, theaters are left wondering if and when they’ll be able to reopen.

“It’s been pretty catastrophic for us as an industry,” said Will Trice, artistic executive director of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre. “We made the decision pretty early to not have productions this season. I think a lot of other theaters were holding out hope, but what you’ve seen over the last several weeks and months is those theaters changing their announcements.”

Despite the grim outlook, Trice remains optimistic about the future following the success of the Rebuild The Rep campaign in 2019. Tune into the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast as Trice shares more with host Zach Parker, including future plans for The Rep and his background as a three-time Tony Award-winning producer on Broadway.

The 1886 Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs isn’t just one of the oldest hotels in Arkansas. It’s also one of the most haunted, said to be home to a number of ghostly residents and other paranormal activity.

“Our guests and employees have told us about hundreds of different paranormal encounters and experiences over the years,” said Bill Ott, director of marketing and communications at the Crescent Hotel. “A lot of these stories have been around for the last 130 years that we’ve been here.”

With Halloween just days away, get into the holiday spirit with this Thriller Throwback episode of The Ghidotti Podcast to hear more from Ott about the eerie happenings and discoveries at the Crescent Hotel during a tour of the campus.

The race between Joyce Elliott and French Hill to represent Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District is shaping up to be one of the most competitive this election season. Hill is seeking his fourth term as the Republican incumbent, while Elliott aims to be the first black member of Congress elected from Arkansas.

Republican and Democratic groups alike see this as one of the most pivotal races this year, as evidenced by the recent six-figure TV advertisement purchases by the Democratic National Campaign Committee and the Congressional Leadership Fund, a Republican super PAC.

With just a week until Election Day, tune into our bonus episode of The Ghidotti Podcast as host Natalie Ghidotti is joined by each candidate to hear more about their backgrounds and respective views on pressing issues.

From the haunted Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs to the legend of the Gurdon Light, Arkansas is no stranger to paranormal activity and spooky beings. With reported sightings dating back to the early 20th century, the Boggy Creek Monster in Fouke is no exception.

“The first tales of a creature in that general area date back to about 1908,” said cryptozoologist and author Lyle Blackburn. “It’s something that very much is still going on and every so often, I get a pretty good and intriguing account.”

The expert on all things Boggy Creek Monster as the author of two books and producer of a documentary, Blackburn shared more with host Zach Parker on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including the origin of the legend and how it might relate to Bigfoot, the Yeti and other famous creatures.

While it’s often mistaken as just a means of calculating the current population, the U.S. Census provides data that is used to make decisions at every level of government. With just two weeks remaining before the Sept. 30 deadline, Kara Wilkins and the Arkansas Counts coalition remain committed to ensuring a complete and accurate census in the Natural State.

“The census helps us determine what level of funding we need to make sure that we have this state running efficiently and effectively,” Wilkins said. “Any loss of funds could mean a cut in a program that is critical here in Arkansas.”

Wilkins shared more about Arkansas Counts and the 2020 U.S. census with host Natalie Ghidotti on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including why getting an accurate count isn’t always easy and how those who have already completed the census can still help.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and now is the time for all men in Arkansas to get serious about their prostate health. With the disease claiming the lives of approximately 300 Arkansans each year, the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation stands ready to guide men and their families through the prostate cancer journey.

“One of the first steps is we try to educate and raise awareness,” said Executive Director Chris Collier. “We participate in health fairs all over the state and the central theme is the need to be screened. That determines your baseline number and what you might need to do going forward.”

Collier shared more about the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation with host Zach Parker on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including the full range of free services available through the foundation and debunking some of the misconceptions about screening.

Just days away from the start of fall classes, the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law and Dean Terri Beiner remain confident about their hybrid structure for the semester and its ability to continue to provide the hands-on practice for students.

“In some ways, we got lucky because we’ve been doing this since March,” Beiner said. “Once we had that experience, we put our faculty through numerous different types of training for online teaching. I’m looking at it as an opportunity.”

Beiner shared more with host Natalie Ghidotti on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including how Bowen’s learning experience differs from other law schools and her thoughts on the notion that there are too many law students and not enough jobs.

The Black Dude White Dude Podcast features in-depth discussions on a variety of topics from the differing perspectives of two best friends. From social justice and fatherhood to the NBA and working out, Conway natives Leo Cummings and Todd Cate are tackling it all.

“These are conversations that we would normally have,” Cate said. “We started asking ourselves, can we add value to the community around us by having these conversations in a method in which people can listen to it, and I think the answer is yes.”

Cummings and Cate joined host Zach Parker for a bro talk episode of The Ghidotti Podcast on everything from the origin of Black Dude White Dude to the never-ending Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James debate, plus their best Joe Rogan impersonation. You won’t want to miss it.

Travis Napper brings experience and enthusiasm to his role as Arkansas’s newest Director of Tourism, but the COVID-19 pandemic has presented its fair share of challenges with travel restrictions, social distancing and self quarantines.

“I started on April Fool’s Day, so maybe the joke is on me,” Napper said. “Starting a new job in tourism in the middle of a pandemic with all the staff at home is definitely one of those stories that you wouldn’t believe had we said this six months ago.”

Napper shared more with host Natalie Ghidotti on the latest episode of The Ghidotti Podcast, including how the Natural State’s outdoor attractions have helped it remain a destination for travelers, the outside perspective he brings as a Louisiana native and how he and Stacy Hurst are working together in their new roles.