Discover local gems and global treasures in the latest episode of The Scoutcast, where our editor Jenn Esty takes you on a mini-adventure, showing you the ins and outs of maximizing The Scout Guide—whether you're cozying up at home or satisfying your wanderlust abroad.

Get insider tips on how to uncover the best-kept secrets of your hometown and how to scout like a pro when you're on the road. This episode is your golden ticket to exploring the world, Scout Guide style. Tune in and transform the way you travel and shop locally.

Buckle up, Scoutcast fam, because Chef Steven Brooks is about to take us on a culinary rollercoaster! 🍽️✨

From a wild story involving a palette of turkeys 🦃 to the hard-earned lessons from the school of hard knocks, Steven serves up a plateful of passion and experience. We'll hear about his trailblazing aunt who's still whipping up catering magic and his teaching days at Brightwater. And, of course, that unforgettable face-off on 'Beat Bobby Flay'! 🌟

Hungry for more? Chef Brooks' swanky new Fayetteville studio and kitchen awaits, offering private events and top-tier catering. Let's eat, learn, and laugh on this gastronomic journey!

Hey Scoutcast listeners! Ready to give your food game a glow-up? 🥗✨

Dive into the cool vibes as we sit down with Meg Green, the only Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner around here. Meg gets candid about her personal health journey and shares the lowdown on stress, your gut's sneaky nemesis. Ever think of protein as your body's fave luxe fuel? 🚗✨

And let’s chat about that yo-yo dieting drama and the real deal on cholesterol myths. With Meg, it's all about personalizing your plate, ensuring every bite feels more like a boujee treat than a check on a list.

Tap play, and let's serve up some stylish nutrition realness. Plus, find out how to book a free consult with the nutrition queen herself. Here’s to feeling fab and eating fab! 🌱🎙 #Scoutcast #FunctionalNutrition #FoodieGlowUp

**Volume 7 Launch, Sir Paul McCartney, and The Scout Guide Little Rock Acquisition**

Jenn unveils a major update in this episode: a statewide expansion of her mission to champion local businesses. 

Dive into the highlights of The Scout Guide's Volume 7, now in distribution. Get insights on the growth across Northwest Arkansas, spotlighting Johnson's evolving scene. 

Join the candid conversation with TSG Northwest Arkansas's content strategist and Jenn’s dear friend, Lauren Chesney Anderson, as they discuss the rich history and significance of Little Rock in Jenn's life. From the profound impact of Sir Paul McCartney's "Blackbird" to the strategic acquisition of The Scout Guide Little Rock.

Discover the stories that shape the heart of local commerce and community. Perfect for those passionate about supporting local economies and businesses.

You can find The Scout Guides of Northwest Arkansas online at their City Page, Instagram and Facebook. The Scout Guide of Little Rock can be found on their City Page, Instagram and Facebook.

Follow Jenn and Lauren on Instagram to stay hip to all things local.

Blakeman's Fine Jewelry has roots deeply embedded in the heart of Northwest Arkansas (NWA), and in today's episode, we're joined by Ben Blakeman to unravel the captivating story behind this cherished institution. From their humble beginnings at the Fayetteville mall to a remarkable eighteen-year journey at their prestigious Pinnacle Hills location, their enduring foundation has been the cornerstone of their success.

In this engaging conversation, we delve into the rich history of the Blakeman's brand, explore their impressive portfolio of in-house brands, discuss their inspiring journey of expansion, and even touch upon their involvement in all things LPGA. And for those curious about NWA's hidden gems, we get a sneak peek into bachelor Ben's favorite spots (hint: there's tequila involved).

But that's not all; Blakeman's Fine Jewelry isn't just about history and prestige. They offer a wide range of services, from crafting custom jewelry to expert repairs. And if you're a Rolex aficionado or have a taste for their exclusive House Brand Prosecco, they've got you covered.

Join us for this episode that promises both laughter and insights as we sit down with Ben Blakeman, the driving force behind Blakeman's Fine Jewelry, and discover what makes this jeweler so special. Plus, meet TSG Northwest Arkansas's behind-the-scenes magician, Lauren Chesney Anderson. Ready to explore Blakeman's treasures? Visit their store on Pinnacle Hills Parkway in Rogers or browse their offerings online at their website and Instagram.

This one is really special. We are talking about a place that is so near and dear to my heart. Our guest on today's episode is Day Crowne who, together with her husband, Brian, owns and operates our favorite Fayetteville jewel, George's Majestic Lounge. The oldest and longest running club and live music venue in Arkansas

Day takes us from the opening of the building in 1927 to present and wraps it up with a peek into the future and a Ted Lasso reference that gave us chills. What started as a café for the railroad has become an icon music lounge whose stages feature top talent. They also host networking and charity events + cherished core memory moments like weddings and even a prom! 

Thank you Day for sharing your story and for all the incredible memories you have made possible! Set your calendar reminders for ticket sales like Jenn does-they sell out FAST! Check out the schedule and grab your tickets!

June is PRIDE month and Jenn and Richard Gathright took some time to chat about the upcoming events happening at this year's month-long PRIDE celebration, including NWA Equality⁠'s annual parade.

Follow NWA Equality on Instagram for real-time events and upcoming programming which is and has been an invaluable resource for the LBGTQ+ community. You can also view the PRIDE calendar of events here.

This podcast was recorded prior to the announcement about where events would (and would not) be hosted, so whether it would have been discussed or not, the omission was not intentional. The Scout Guide Northwest Arkansas is pleased to announce that we are a proud sponsor for this year's PRIDE celebration and are looking forward to working with NWA Equality.

Jenn shared the mic with Stephanie Funk with Engel & Völkers NWA and talked about local trends in the local real estate market, what "luxury" means and even just how to pronounce their brand name.

Is it a buyers' market or sellers' market? What does that even mean? Is it as hard to find a listing for a three-bedroom family home as it was a year ago? Are we just trained to wait for a "bubble to pop"? She explains it all right here PLUS a little insta account suggestions.

It's that time again! Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week is coming up QUICK! Jenn had a chance to chat with friends of the podcast, Zack Ridenoure and Ro Bailey from INTERFORM. These two talk us through ASSEMBLY, the who, what, when, where of NWAFW happening The Momentary, June 8, 9, and 10. Did you know they have 300 (THREE HUNDRED!) models walking this year?!

Want tickets to NWAFW? Well, it deserves its own standalone paragraph bc THEY WILL SET OUT!

These three also talk about the many (MANY) things happening throughout the month of June as INTERFORM presents ASSEMBLY an Art & Fashion Biennial. There are so many pop-ups and activations happening around NWA, fashion week is just one! You can also learn about the curators, as well!

Want more? Listen to the INTERFORM Podcast with Ro for conversations with the artists and talents involved with INTERFORM.

You can also visit our calendar on The Scout Guide Northwest Arkansas to see these events, as well!

April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention month, so we asked Amy Morgan (Pediatric Dental Associates & Orthodontics) and Peyton Stewman (Child Safety Center of Washington County) about the CSC of Washington County and what is happening in the month of April and beyond.

There's still time to participate in the Passport to Prevention! Pick up your card and shop through the 30th of April...there's still time to be entered to win a GREAT BIG basket full of goodies from all the participants!

As we all know, child abuse is not just a problem in the month of April and there are several ways that you can lend your support after this month and throughout the year. One way is their largest fundraiser of the year, Dream Big Gala, happening this year on Saturday, July 29th. This Big Top themed gala has historically raised as much as $350,000 in one evening. AMAZING!

They also have a running list of needs from socks, snacks, gift cards, toiletries...all the things that we have around and take for granted. There is a ready to shop list on Amazon and Walmart.

One thing that we didn't cover on the pod was the newest addition to CSC's support staff...Cramer, Director of Snuggles! Be sure to wish him a happy birthday on May 6th!

You can follow Children's Safety Center of Washington County in Insta to keep up with their needs, news, and updates on their new facility.

Be sure to like, subscribe, and follow The Scoutcast to keep up with all things Northwest Arkansas!