Right at the HEART Podcast: Recent Episodes
Farmers Bank & Trust
The Right at the Heart podcast presented by Farmers Bank & Trust provides inspirational stories from our Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma communities, innovative information about managing your finances, news about community events, interviews with local leaders, and much more...with no ads!
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From her home kitchen to downtown Hope, Alejandra Aguirre turned her dream into La Mangonada Nevería — a vibrant ice cream and snack shop bursting with color, joy, and the flavors of Mexico. With churros, popsicles, her famous mangonada, and more made fresh daily, every treat is crafted with love and tradition.
Alejandra’s story is one of hard work, heritage, and heart. Come celebrate Hispanic and Latino culture, community, and the sweet journey of La Mangonada, right at the heart of Hope.
📍118 S. Walnut St., Hope, AR
📲 (870) 703-9872
Find them on Facebook, where they share daily treats HERE.
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In this episode, Cara Knight sits down inside Prime Country Meat Market with owner Walt DeShazo, whose journey from a welder to becoming a successful small-town businessman started with just one pound of beef. Walt shares how he and his wife, Kayli, built a business rooted in quality, community, and service, and how his partnership with the bank has opened doors to an even brighter future. From faith and family to food and big dreams, this conversation is full of inspiration, heart, and a whole lot of hometown pride.
Prime Country Meats - Processing: Facebook HERE
📍223 Main Street, Horatio, AR
📞 (870) 832-4805
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In this Right at the Heart podcast episode, Family Nurse Practitioner Bill Wells shares his incredible journey from nursing school to owning his rural clinic. It's a dream made possible with hard work, grit, and a little help from his hometown bank. We sat down just hours after ducks hatched on his farm, a reminder that no two days in his life are the same.
What makes Bill stand out isn’t just his work ethic; it’s his genuine desire to know and care for each patient who walks through the door. From treating everyday illness to handling emergencies, he’s made it his mission to serve his community fully. And with farm animal touches around the clinic, it’s easy to see his passion for rural life runs deep.
We also talk about:
- The challenges and rewards of providing healthcare in a rural county
- Why personal connection matters in medicine
- How Farmers Bank & Trust helped support his goals every step of the way
- What keeps him grounded while juggling a clinic and a farm
Whether you're in healthcare, small business, or simply love a good story about community and calling, this episode is for you.
📲 Follow them on Facebook here
☎️ (870) 921-5781
📍1117 Chestnut St, Lewisville, AR 71845
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In this episode, we head to Broken Bow, Oklahoma, to visit one of the most beloved small businesses in the area—Beavers Bend Fly Shop. From sharing the story behind the shop’s beginnings to what makes fly fishing in this region so unique, we sit down with the owner to talk about the passion, people, and purpose behind it all.
Book your guided trip with the shop HERE.
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Imagine walking into a shop where every detail is designed to make you smile—from the carefully curated fashion to the warm and welcoming atmosphere. That’s exactly what Holly set out to create when she opened Holly Daze Boutique & Gifts in Malvern, Arkansas just five months ago.
Inspired by her love for all things cheerful and festive, Holly’s dream was to bring a Hallmark-movie-worthy shopping experience to her hometown community. And now, that dream is a reality. But what does it take to start a boutique from scratch? What challenges has she faced as a new entrepreneur? And what fashion trends is she loving right now?
We talk through it all! Holly’s passion for her boutique and the Malvern community shines through in every part of this conversation.
For all your business banking needs, visit MyFarmers.Bank—we’re here to support local entrepreneurs like Holly every step of the way!
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In Episode 43 of the Right at the Heart podcast, we sit down with two inspiring women who are bringing a fresh perspective to Ashdown, Arkansas.
The Blooming Mercantile isn’t just another floral shop—it’s a labor of love. When sisters-in-law Krystle and Courtney decided to revamp the business, their goal was to create something the community truly needed: a space that offers unique floral designs, thoughtful gifts, and a welcoming atmosphere. Their shared vision and family bond have turned this shop into a local treasure.
📲 Visit their website HERE. Find them on Facebook HERE.
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In this episode, we visit Beavers Bend Drive-Thru Safari Park, a unique wildlife destination nestled on 90 acres in the scenic town of Hochatown, OK. Join us for an inspiring conversation with one of the park’s founders as we uncover the story behind the park, explore exciting animal encounters like feeding Rhonnie the Rhino, and discuss their big plans for the future. From caring for over 30 species of exotic animals to building connections with the local community, this episode offers a glimpse into how the park creates unforgettable experiences for every visitor.
📲 Follow @BeaversBendSafariPark to stay updated on their latest adventures! Plan your visit HERE.
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In this episode, we dive into the heartwarming story behind Playtown in Benton, Arkansas, a space designed not just for kids to play, but for families to bond and create memories. It's also the go-to spot for birthday parties, owner Kara Hyatt shares the values and vision that drive her mission.
Join host Cara Knight as we go 'Right at the Heart' with Playtown Benton!
If you run a business and need support, Farmers Bank & Trust Treasury Services is here to help! Click HEREfor more information.
Chocolate lovers, you're going to love this episode! Join us as we unwrap the story of Taste & See, from a childhood dream sparked by a dandelion wish to trading recipes with Italian gelato masters. Denay and Greg Maheu now offer handcrafted chocolates, signature coffee, and fresh gelato in their beloved Texarkana, Texas confectionery.
Grab a cup of coffee and join host Cara Knight as we go 'Right at the Heart' with Taste & See!
In this episode, we're honored to have guest Elder Law Attorney John K. Ross IV sharing his wealth of experience and expertise. Join us for an insightful conversation as John guides us through the essential aspects of planning for the future... what happens if the inevitable happens? Not in a morbid sense, but in a practical and empowering way!
This marks the beginning of a two-part series. Tune in to gain invaluable insights and empower yourself with the knowledge to navigate life's uncertainties!
Read about John and his firm HERE.
Like annual physicals, a yearly financial checkup can help uncover hidden problems, inspire you to set new goals, provide information you need to improve your health and help make sure you’re on track for well-being.
FB&T Wealth Management Financial Advisor Megan Whitehead specializes in thoughtful and personalized investment guidance aimed at keeping your finances and goals in shape! In this episode, she shares her top tips for staying financially in shape no matter what season of life you're in.
If you had a magic wand, what would you change about your future?
This is the question Amy Downs posed to our team of 400 at our Bank's employee celebration this year. As a survivor of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, she has a unique perspective on life. She was buried alive for hours, what seemed like an eternity, to think hard about the choices she had made leading up to that moment.
She says the question above is not about achievements but more so about who you are becoming and what kind of leader you want to be. Be encouraged in this episode as she shares her wake-up call to live life with intention and full to the brim with hope.
Read more about Amy and her book HERE.
If you're a country music fan, you're going to love this episode! Nashville recording and touring artist Mae Estes from Hope, AR is coming back home to play some music. She was the 2021 and 2022 Arkansas CMA Female Vocalist of the Year. The first music video of her career was exclusively premiered on CMT and she tours internationally!
In this episode, she talks about exciting events happening in southwest Arkansas, what it's like as an independent artist chasing her dreams in the Music City, where she finds her inspiration, and much more!
How can you support Mae and her music? Visit HERE.
12-year-old Huck Plyler of Hope, Arkansas, has one simple mission - to put a smile on the faces of men and women deployed overseas. He began Huck's Military Care Package Project at just 5-years-old, and just hit a big milestone of 1,600 boxes. In this episode, Huck shares how he got started, how you can support his mission and why it's so important to him!
As we enter into a season of gratitude, this podcast episode is focused on our Bank interns! We're thankful they chose to come and experience all departments at Farmers Bank & Trust.
While they're here for the 12-week program, their main areas of focus are Retail and Lending. They spend a few days in other areas like Marketing, Human Resources, and Training. At the end, they complete a project to share takeaways with the Executive Management team. However, it's not the banking experience they say impacted them the most.
While the episode of this podcast is "How to Become a Millionaire," we all know, unless you're very fortunate, it doesn't happen overnight. Entrepreneur Greg Shinn learned from a young age the importance of hard work. His family business specializes in hospitality and radio broadcasting. Despite already having multiple streams of income, he shares a new venture he's taking on to add even more. Hear his advice on making financially smart decisions to put yourself ahead!
Mortgage is not the career path Madison Haltom had ever envisioned for herself. But, now she feels like she's living her dream helping people into their dream homes. Madison works in one of Zillow's most popular housing markets of 2022 - Prosper, Texas.
In this Right at the Heart Podcast episode, Madison talks about:
- How she got started in mortgage
- What you need to know to own your dream home
- Advice for first-time homebuyers
- Jumbo loans and the benefits for those who qualify for one
- Investment properties
For 5 simple daily savings tips to save up for a down payment, click HERE.
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This year, the Arkansas Heart Hospital is celebrating its 25th anniversary! Our guest for this episode is Dr. Peyton Card. He shares his experience while leading the COVID response unit, information about their Keep the Beat program, and the impact mental health has on the heart.
Farmers Bank & Trust is thrilled to welcome Agricultural Loan Officer Darren Neal to the team. A retired Sergeant with the Arkansas State Police and former crop consultant, Neal has a passion for helping those who feed America.
In this episode, he shares a little more about his background and the importance of agriculture, as well as what we, as a Bank, can do to help our local farmers with our new poultry financing program. Visit MyFarmers.Bank/poultry for more.
Elizabeth Burns Anderson's earliest memory of Farmers Bank & Trust is sneaking suckers from behind the teller line as a young girl. Her great-great-grandfather started the Bank 115 years ago. Now, she leads the Farmers Bank Foundation and has a passion for developing partnerships with the Bank to help local schools, non-profits, and municipalities.
“The mission of the Farmers Bank Foundation is to enrich the communities where our customers and employees live, which is so important because not only are our customers how we sustain, but our employees are how we succeed," said Anderson.
For more information, visit HERE.
This is the BONUS episode with Texarkana Santa! He made a special trip to Bryant, Arkansas to answer some kids' tough questions.
Things like...
"How did you become Santa?"
"Have you ever caught a kid on Christmas?"
"Who is your favorite reindeer?"
...and more!
Santa shared with each child their own "Elfin" name. He says that's the only language they speak at the North Pole!
You can listen to his interview with Farmers Bank & Trust Right at the Heart Podcast Host Cara Knight HERE.
We're feeling the magic of Christmas after this interview with the big man in red - that's right, Santa Claus!
Santa Mark, aka Texarkana Santa, stopped by the Farmers Bank & Trust Bryant branch to share a little bit about his life leading up to this magical role. You'll never guess his career prior to suiting up!
If you're listening with your children, skip on to our bonus episode. Several Farmers Bank & Trust kids interview Santa, and some even share their "top secrets"!
The Official Grill Master of the Dallas Cowboys, Randy Lann, has special ties to Farmers Bank & Trust. He is from Magnolia, AR, and wears many hats. He also serves as the Executive Director of the Arkansas Homefurnishings Association.
In this episode, Randy talks about how he landed his dream gig and what it has been like sharing his passion for cooking and entertaining for America's Team.
Farmers Bank & Trust supports breast cancer awareness, education, and research. Many people within the company are personally impacted by it.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
In this episode, Kim McDaniel in New Boston, Texas shares her breast cancer story. She is now two years into her diagnosis: Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. She is close to her recovery journey, and her attitude in fighting this cancer is inspiring.
"It's not just October. This is year-round awareness. It's year-round education. If you're going through it, don't be afraid to reach out to someone who has gone through it. I love sharing what I've experienced at each phase. Don't do this alone. Find a resource."
FREE EDUCATIONAL GUIDES
As President and CEO, Chris Gosnell focuses on cultivating a HEART culture at Farmers Bank & Trust. In this episode, we talk about how he began his career in banking and what it's like leading a 115-year-old legacy Bank.
He also shares why he adopted the HEART core values, and what that means for the Bank and the communities we serve.
Farmers Bank & Trust has a branch in Prosper, TX, and during a recent visit there, host Cara Knight stopped by FUSE Workspace to chat with CEO and second-generation hospitality entrepreneur Mike Daugherty.
FUSE is a co-working space where businesses and non-profits can work, build community, and be inspired.
The 3 pillars FUSE operates on are:
- Hospitality
- Community
- Flexibility
They provide resources, space, and the tools necessary to help organizations thrive. There's even a grab-and-go cafe and concierge staff on-site.
In this episode, Mike shares his humble beginnings, his vision behind FUSE, and the meaning of the #DOMORE philosophy.
Locations:
Prosper
Houston
Austin
Farmers Bank & Trust and the Farmers Bank Foundation are campaigning for the Boys and Girls Club of Magnolia. It's called Funding Great Futures!
To kick things off, we hosted an event called Behind the Blue Door with special guest speaker Danyelle Musselman. Before the event in Magnolia, host Cara Knight sat down with Musselman to get to know her a little better.
They talk about:
- Danyelle's special connection to Magnolia, AR
- Her passion for Boys & Girls Clubs
- Her career as a sports broadcaster
- How she helps the Arkansas Razorbacks Basketball players with life skills
- How she met her husband, Razorbacks Basketball Head Coach Eric Musselman
- Her favorite part about living in Arkansas and being an Arkansas Razorback
The Boys & Girls Club of Magnolia still needs your help! To donate, text BGCM to 243725, or contact Deneisa Jamerson at 870-234-3300 or djamerson.bgcm@gmail.com.
One of the newer locations Farmers Bank & Trust has entered is the charming city of Paris, Texas. In early June, the Bank announced it's opening a second branch there.
In this episode, Paris native Walt Reep explains why it's a good idea to not only stop and take a photo with the iconic Eiffel tower replica but also stay awhile. He's passionate about the history of his hometown, and he's investing in it. He shares many interesting facts about the city, like the unique connection between Paris and Dr. Pepper. He also talks about his new business venture Sundae in Paris that's coming soon to the downtown area! It's currently a food truck offering sandwiches, cookies, brownies, ice cream, and more. There are also more projects in the works to make Paris an entertainment district. Reep hopes you might be booking your next weekend getaway soon!
Dr. Chris Nelson of Providence Veterinary Care in Malvern, AR shares how he got started in such a challenging career, why it's important to him, and how we, animal lovers, can learn to understand the extreme emotional demands that come with veterinary work.
Visit the clinic's website HERE.
Thirty-three-year-old entrepreneur and El Dorado, AR native Greg Williams took it to heart when his mom told him at a young age that he could be anything he wanted to be.
He started putting his dreams of becoming a CEO into action by age 23 when he purchased his first rental property. Now, ten years later, he has more than 100 rental properties, a liquor store which is also Arkansas' first daiquiri drive-thru, and a grocery store.
In this episode, Greg shares steps he took to get to where he is today, and resources that helped him along the way, including his experience working for a Fortune 500 company.
March is Women's History Month! While the national celebration recognizes achievements women have made over the course of history in a variety of fields - we're celebrating a little differently than you'd expect.
We're encouraging women to Reject the Hustle. That's right! Our guest for this episode is the "Queen of Saying No", Allyson Twiggs Dyer.
She started the movement in 2019 to advocate for a healthy work-life balance and shares her personal experiences of how saying "no" can leave room for an abundant "yes."
February is Black History Month, and we'd like to shine a light on the contributions and accomplishments Black Americans make in our country each day. For this episode, we get to hear from Pastor Ivory Curry in Prescott, Arkansas.
Alcohol, drug addiction, mental illness, and bullying are just a few issues he's helping people through with Curry's Community Outreach Ministry.
He says he wants to add value to others' lives and see future generations be successful. Listen to this episode to hear how he's impacting his community and his big plans for the future.
For small businesses, 2020 has been anything but easy. Many were forced to close their doors on short notice due to COVID-19, and that included gyms. McClure Fitness in Benton, Arkansas was no exception.
Owner Marietta McClure shares:
- How they've managed to not only make it through a pandemic but also continue to grow their fitness community
- What inspired her to open a gym seven years ago and why she calls the business venture a beautiful accident
- Practical wellness advice for those needing motivation going into the new year
Visit McClureFitness.com to find a group fitness class that's right for you or to sign up for an online workout program.
For all your commercial and small business lending needs, visit HERE.
You can avoid financial stress during the holidays by saving up early with the Farmers Bank & Trust Christmas Club Account. While it's a tradition that began more than 110 years ago, many people either don't know about it or don't take advantage of it.
In this episode, Farmers Bank & Trust Customer Contact Center Vice President Judi Franks shares her experience using this product as a young mother and even now as a grandmother, and why she thinks it's really worth it.
The month of October is Women's Small Business Month, and special guest Cassy Meisenheimer sits down to share details about her brand new multimedia publication, Texarkana Monthly.
She shares what inspired her to forge her own path, and offers words of encouragement for women who may be thinking about doing the same, but haven't built up the courage to do so.
Students, teachers, and staff are in back-to-school mode. It's a time of uncertainty and a time to be cautious.
The plan is different for all schools, but in this episode, we talk to Heath Bennett, Superintendent of Harmony Grove School District in Haskell, Arkansas. That's about 30 miles south of Little Rock.
He shares how he has prepared to tackle the unknown challenges COVID-19 has and will inevitably bring along this fall. From making seating charts for the cafeteria to ordering fog machines for custodians to disinfect the hallways, he's down to the details to make sure students and staff are staying safe.
The month of August is National Black Business Month, recognizing and celebrating the important contributions from the nearly two-million black-owned businesses across the country.
In this episode, we talk to Derrick McGary of Texarkana, Texas who has made quite the impact in his community. He is an entrepreneur, but he also got his start serving his community at just 21-years-old. It wasn't until he was 38 that he found what he was truly passionate about.
He shares:
- What it was like serving on a city council at a young age
- Encouragement for those who may not know what they want to do in life
- What it takes to find your passion
- His thoughts on the current state of our country in the midst of a pandemic and the re-emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement
Coronavirus cases are on the rise across the country, and we are thankful for healthcare providers who go to work to serve and help others, putting themselves at risk every day. In this episode, we get to know Dr. Jason Franks of Southern Medical Group in Magnolia, Arkansas.
We talk about:
- Why Dr. Franks chose to pursue internal medicine as a career
- Growing up with a Veterinarian father and two brothers who also chose to pursue healthcare as a career
- How Southern Medical Group has responded to the pandemic
- How Dr. Franks is involved in the Magnolia community
- Some of his favorite local businesses, and how others can continue to support small businesses
- Why it's important to get to know your doctor and keep an open line of communication with them
- The biggest lesson he's learned while serving on the frontlines of COVID-19
It's National EMS Week, and we're honoring the dedication of those who provide day to day lifesaving services. EMS professionals are on the frontlines every single day and have been long before the COVID-19 crisis. In this episode, we welcome Jamie Pafford-Gresham, President/CEO of Pafford Medical Services.
We talk about:
- How Pafford Medical Services began over 50 years ago
- Her life growing up as a little girl and knowing her future in the EMS industry
- The company's services that span across four states and the U.S. Virgin Islands
- Her message to employees and customers during COVID-19
- How the company is taking care of the mental health of their employees
- Why it's important they stand on family values, even after the company has grown in size
- How the community can support and celebrate first responders
- EMS and its importance to rural communities
It's Teacher Appreciation Week! To celebrate, Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) Secretary Johnny Key joins us in this episode to share how our state's educators have stepped up to shine in a time of uncertainty.
We talk about:
- The importance of his role as ADE Secretary to the state
- What necessary steps the agency has had to make when COVID-19 hit America
- How schools in Arkansas have managed to keep operating under some kind of normalcy
- Creative solutions teachers have had to come up with to keep their classrooms going
- What the ADE is doing to ensure educators are in good mental health
- What the biggest struggle has been for teachers across the state
- How we can continue to support teachers
- What is next for schools in Arkansas, and how this could change the way technology is implemented in the classroom
While the coronavirus has undoubtedly affected us all, for students, it has been particularly difficult. Seniors had their year cut short without a commencement ceremony. Many students were instructed to go home to study online, missing activities on campus or team sports. Some students rely on the student to professor contact and relationship. There's no denying it's harder to do that online.
In this episode, we talk to Texas A&M University-Texarkana Assistant Director of Student Life Michael Stephenson. Now more than ever, he's passionate about keeping students engaged, encouraged, and entertained. He shares ideas for activities if you've got a student at home, and ways we can all use our time wisely by giving back.
Cities everywhere are struggling. Hospitals in cities like New York and Boston are being overwhelmed. Families are losing loved ones without being able to say goodbye. It's devastating, but it's our reality.
In this episode, we're checking to see how small-town America is hanging on. In Camden, Arkansas, the city's mayor, Julian Lott, is offering his perspective on how he's leading the community through a global pandemic, and what he calls an "infodemic."
The economic impact of the coronavirus is a rising strain across the world. What could this mean for our wallets? Southern Arkansas University Professor of Economics Dr. Jeni Logan shares a bit of hope for those feeling a little fearful of the future as COVID-19 continues to spread across our communities.
Right now it only seems fitting to dive into the topic that's currently affecting everyone everywhere in some way. For many, the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has just disrupted your daily routine, but thousands nationwide have been infected with the virus. In this episode, Matt Brumley, the Executive Director of the Saline Health Foundation in central Arkansas, talks about the impact of this pandemic on our local communities.
He shares insight into how this virus has put a strain on our healthcare system, how hospitals have prepared their employees and continue to support them during this unprecedented time. He also talks about ways we can help each other out as we do our best to flatten the curve.
Getting a home loan can be intimidating. What questions should you be asking a lender about your mortgage? Nicole Raley, Vice President of Mortgage Operations, has all the answers! Plus, Eric Shelnut shares his advice while working as a Mortgage Originator in one of the fastest-growing regions in the state of Arkansas.
In Texarkana, AR, Naaman's Championship BBQ has made a name for themselves offering brisket that will melt in your mouth, world-class steaks, and desserts that are to die for!
But when you walk inside the restaurant, it's not what you expect. Owner Darby Neaves calls it the shock value, but in a good way. He shares his unfolding story of success, and how he got his hands on a grill that's top of the line.
Farmers Bank & Trust has been entrenched in its communities for 113 years! The Bank's Vice Chairman & General Counsel, Bruce Maloch, sits down to share what makes Farmers Bank & Trust special in south Arkansas and northeast Texas.