Episode 330 – Reflecting on TEDx Fayetteville: It’s Never Too Late to Do What You’re Called to Do

About the Show:

“Your calling doesn’t expire. Your second act might be your greatest act. And the moment to begin is always the same. So let’s count it down together right now for whatever you’ve been waiting to start. 3, 2, 1. Your time isn’t running out. It’s just beginning.”

       – Randy Wilburn

Fresh from the TEDx Fayetteville stage, host Randy Wilburn invites you into an intimate moment of reflection and revelation in this powerful episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®. Still riding the emotional high of his talk, Randy shares the complete presentation of “It’s Never Too Late to Do the Thing You Were Called to Do,” along with the personal stories and profound truths that inspired it.

At the heart of Randy’s message is his grandfather, Mal Good, who shattered barriers at age 54 by becoming ABC News’s first Black network correspondent—proof that extraordinary chapters can begin when others might think the story’s ending. Drawing from history’s late bloomers, today’s reinventors, and his own path, Randy dismantles the myth that opportunity has an expiration date.

This isn’t just a talk about second chances—it’s a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever felt they’ve missed their moment. Randy reminds us that callings don’t arrive on our timeline; they arrive on their own. Whether you’re contemplating a bold pivot, dusting off a long-dormant dream, or simply wondering if it’s too late to start, this episode offers both permission and inspiration to answer that inner voice—no matter what your birth certificate says.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s Never Too Late: Your biggest accomplishment could still be ahead, no matter your age.
• Age Is an Asset: Life experience, wisdom, and resilience create powerful tools for new ventures.
• Stories of Second Acts: Inspiring examples like Mal Good, Colonel Sanders, Diana Nyad, Nelson Mandela, and Grandma Moses show that reinvention is timeless.
• Mindset Matters: Positive beliefs about aging help you live longer, healthier, and more fulfilled.
• Start Today: Randy offers a simple 3-step process—reflect, reframe, reignite—to begin your next chapter right now.
• TEDx Moments: The difference between a speech and a TED Talk, the impact of storytelling, and lessons learned from stepping into the TEDx spotlight.

All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.

Important Links and Mentions on the Show:

• TEDx Fayetteville – Learn more about upcoming events or nominate yourself/others: tedxfayetteville.org
• Fayetteville Public Library – Host of the event. Check for event updates and future TEDx info.
• Randy mentions supporters and friends: Angela Belford, Sami Kinnison, Lu Zhang, Danielle Keller, Nicola Hawkins, and others.
• Randy’s grandfather: Mal Goode—ABC News’s first Black network correspondent.
• FindItNWA.com NWA’s Hyperlocal Business Directory

This episode is sponsored by:

FindItNWA.com – Find It Fast. Find It Local.

Winetopia Event – Stonebreaker,  October 10th, 2025

ONBoardNWA.com HyperLocal Jobs in NWA

Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:

• Grab our Newsletter 
• Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.com
• Connect with Our Facebook Page
• Connect with Our Instagram
• Connect with Our LinkedIn Page
• Join the Facebook Group
• Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn

Discover more by tuning into this episode and staying connected for upcoming topics from the I am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.