Marine veteran Aaron Mankin, a Rogers, Arkansas native, is celebrated for his resilience and advocacy for veterans. After a severe injury from an IED explosion in Iraq in 2005, Aaron endured nearly 70 surgeries and became a leading voice in veteran support, inspiring initiatives like UCLA’s Operation Mend for wounded service members. In this Veterans Day episode of *I Am Northwest Arkansas*, host Randy Wilburn delves into Aaron’s powerful journey of recovery, resilience, and advocacy. Aaron shares insights into the physical and mental challenges he faced, the invaluable support from family and fellow veterans, and the importance of community involvement in veteran causes. His story is a testament to courage and community support.
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In this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas Podcast, host Randy Wilburn interviews Alison Sant and Megan Brown in anticipation of the ULI NWA Place Summit. Alison, a renowned author and urbanist, shares her journey in urban resilience, emphasizing community-centered efforts in sustainable city development. Through her book, ‘From the Ground Up’, she illustrates the role of social infrastructure in addressing climate challenges and fostering equity. Megan discusses the summit’s goal to unite stakeholders around sustainable urban planning, highlighting the event’s focus on placemaking and its broader social impacts in Northwest Arkansas.
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In this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast, host Randy Wilburn explores the life and legacy of his grandfather, Mal Goode, the first Black network newscaster at ABC News. Joined by authors Liann Tsoukas and Dr. Rob Ruck, they discuss their book *Mal Goode: Reporting the Life and Work of a Black Broadcast Trailblazer* and delve into Goode’s groundbreaking journey in broadcast journalism and civil rights. Drawing from family archives and interviews, Liann and Rob reflect on Goode’s impact as a media pathbreaker and mentor, shedding light on his role in shaping American history and supporting African American icons like Jackie Robinson.
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Join Randy Wilburn as he sits down with Marson Nance, Director of Philanthropy at the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust, to discuss the vital role of land conservation in preserving the natural beauty of the Ozarks. With a background in environmental science and a deep passion for ecology, Marson shares how his work is helping to safeguard over 8,000 acres from overdevelopment and protect wildlife habitats for future generations.
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