Step behind the curtain into Bentonville's newest secret, Callisto-- a speakeasy that combines modern flair with a tropical twist, tucked away through the Midnight Gallery. Dive into our engaging chat with the curator at Midnight Gallery and discover how Callisto's vibrant menu of 31 innovative cocktails, complemented by off-menu surprises and boozy ice creams, has captured the hearts of locals. The current menu, "Volume 1, Chapter 1" leaves room for an unfolding story and future volumes...

Join Betzy Boche, the general manager of Climb Bentonville, as she shares her passion for health and wellness and the vision for the gym. Get an insider's look at Climb Bentonville, a hub for fostering a love for climbing and fitness in Northwest Arkansas. Betsy highlights the facility's offerings, including day passes and a fresh lineup of yoga and fitness classes. Whether you're a seasoned climber or just curious, Betsy's enthusiasm and expertise offer a compelling invitation to explor...

Discover how Bentonville turned an unexpected opportunity into a major milestone for its cycling community! After a hurricane forced the cancellation of the 2024 Mountain Bike Collegiate National Championship in North Carolina, quick thinking and teamwork brought this prestigious event to our town. We chat with Kalene Griffith from Visit Bentonville and Eric Bennett from USA Cycling about the behind-the-scenes efforts that not only secured this event but also promised an unforgettable experie...

Join us in a colorful conversation about Bentonville's vibrant public art scene with Tom Hoehn, chair of the Bentonville Public Arts Advisory Committee. Discover Tom's artistic journey, from his spontaneous mural escapades to his leadership role in shaping Bentonville's public art landscape. Bentonville's public art includes over 130 diverse works like "Lakes and Rivers" in the collection of OzArt NWA, a breathtaking 93-foot sculpture that dances with shimmering steel discs. Exciting developm...

Hear from Rob Goyen about transforming his passion for trail running into the imaginative Dirt Circus series, coming to Bentonville and six other cities. Rob, the Special Project Manager for Dirt Circus, takes us on a journey from his early days as a race director to creating the Dirt Circus concept, which celebrates trail running culture and promotes community. Gear up for an electrifying experience during the Trail Running National Championship Weekend November 15-17, where elite athletes c...

Hear Connie Cottingham, the author of A Hundred Things to Do in Bentonville and Rogers Before You Die, share her tips and holiday shopping secrets! With years of experience promoting destinations, Connie brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for local tourism, offering listeners an insider's view of the charm of Northwest Arkansas. We explore unique offerings of gift shops that boast diverse collections of jewelry, crafts, and books capturing the rich history and culture of the region...

Join us as we explore the remarkable journeys of Sean Kent, founder and president of the Ozark Adaptive Sports Association (OZASA), and event planner Brian Carlson. Both have turned personal challenges into a mission to expand adaptive sports in Northwest Arkansas. Sean's story begins with his love for wheelchair rugby, which propelled him to establish OZASA as a beacon of inclusivity in the region. Brian brings his passion for cycling, sharing how technological advancements in adaptive bikin...

In this captivating episode of the New American Town podcast, host Nat Ross sits down with Olympic medalist Haley Batten, one of America's top mountain biking talents. Haley takes us on her extraordinary ride from childhood bike adventures to Olympic glory, sharing pivotal moments that shaped her career. She reveals the mental and physical challenges of competing at the highest level, including her nerve-wracking lead-up to the Paris Olympics and the thrill of bringing home a medal for Team U...

Join host Nat Ross as he welcomes USA Cycling mountain bikers Brayden Johnson, Sofia Waite, and Madigan Munro to Bentonville, Arkansas. These elite mountain bikers share their journeys from NICA leagues to winning World Championship gold, discuss balancing academics with athletics, and reveal what makes Bentonville's trails ideal for world-class training. Whether you're a cycling enthusiast or new to the sport, this episode offers inspiration and insights into the growing mountain biking...

In this inspiring episode of A New American Town, USA Cycling teammates Christopher Blevins and Riley Amos take listeners on a thrilling ride through their journey to the Olympics. These mountain biking phenoms share their roots in Durango's cycling culture, their strategic quest to secure two male spots for Team USA in the Olympics, and the gold medal win in the team relay at the World Championships. From popping wheelies as kids to competing on the world stage, Blevins and Amos offer i...

Dive into the world of mountain biking with Colorado native and Mountain Bike Hall of Famer Nat Ross, who now calls Bentonville home. Journey from the sport's humble beginnings to its technological evolution as Ross shares insights from his professional racing career and breaks down the various disciplines and trail types that make mountain biking unique. Discover why Bentonville has become a cycling mecca, offering year-round riding for everyone from kids on strider bikes to Olympic hopefuls...

Hear from Emily Manasco, the creative force behind Somewhere in Arkansas. Discover how this flight attendant-turned-content creator is showcasing the hidden gems of the Natural State. From family-friendly adventures to seasonal hotspots, Emily shares her favorite autumn Arkansas experiences and offers a glimpse into the life of a travel influencer. Learn about her exciting projects, including Somewhere Down South, and get insider tips for your next Arkansas getaway.Follow Emily's adventu...

Join us as we sit down with Ricardo Rivero, the visionary for Time Loop, an outdoor art experience at Crystal Bridges. The podcast will uncover the journey behind this latest project as well as Ricardo's transformation from a filmmaker to the creative director for Klip Creative. We dive into his DIY ethos and how it fuels his passion for turning ordinary spaces into extraordinary, immersive experiences. Learn how Time Loop electrifies the North Forest at Crystal Bridges, creating a meditative...

Join our conversation with Jon Allen, the visionary behind Onyx Coffee Lab to discuss coffee culture and how their brand continues to reach millions. We uncover how a small coffee lab in Arkansas grew into a nationally recognized name in specialty coffee. From touring with a band to co-founding Onyx with his wife, hear how they've maintained their core values while elevating hospitality workers and promoting transparency in coffee.Jon demystifies high-end specialty coffee and delves into...

Dive into the natural beauty of Bentonville this fall with guests Samantha Best from Crystal Bridges Museum + Arboredum and Megan Love from Compton Gardens. Discover the wonders of fall in Northwest Arkansas, from changing foliage to wildlife preparation for winter. Learn about arboretums, native plants, and how to be a good steward of outdoor spaces. Whether you're a local or planning a visit, this episode of "A New American Town" offers insider tips on experiencing the best of Ben...

What happens when art, cycling, and sustainability intersect? Meet Elysia and Zach Springer, the dynamic duo behind Gnargo Bike Co., a Bentonville-based bike manufacturing company that's redefining the cargo bike industry. Listen to how passionate artists and cycling advocates became successful startup founders. They share how their early encounters with cargo bikes in urban environments led them to tinker in their garage, crafting custom bikes from repurposed materials. Their journey from sm...

Join us as Kelly Deeds, General Manager for Summit Aviation and Thaden Field, shares his journey from building model aircrafts as a child to piloting across the globe. Kelly outlines the steps involved in obtaining a pilot's license, adventures with the scenic plane rides, and wealth of opportunities through Thaden Field-- even information about FlyOz, the social club. Whether you're an aspiring pilot or an aviation enthusiast, this conversation offers insights about aviation activities and t...

Listen in on the chat with the legendary George Hincapie, one of the most recognizable cyclists in the world. Hincapie has taken part in four Olympic Games, 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008, in Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, and Beijing, and was a participant in 10 Tour de France races. Why is George on our podcast? Because the Hincapie Gran Fondo will be rolling into town on September 7 and 8. Discover the unique appeal of Gran Fondos, learn about the exciting junior races, and get pumped for a weekend ...

Join us as we sit down with Danny Collins, the visionary founder of 37 North Expeditions, whose journey is nothing short of inspiring. Danny's passion for the outdoors and his personal experiences have shaped 37 North into a catalyst for outdoor engagement and community bonding in the Ozarks.37 North specializes in crafted outings that include hikes, biking, horseback riding, and more. Learn about how you can experience what they have to offer for the next time you Visit Bentonville! Le...

Join us as Dr. Mindy Besaw from Crystal Bridges addresses traditional American Western narratives with passion and insight, discussing the groundbreaking Knowing the West art exhibition coming to Crystal Bridges from September 14 through January 27. Co-curated with Jamie Powell, this show will help expand our thinking on the West and include voices and stories often overlooked. Knowing the West highlights the contributions of both Native American and non-Native American artists. With mo...

On this episode of the New American Town podcast, we're joined by Michelle Duffy, Senior Marketing Director at Life Time, who shares about Life Time's impressive ecosystem. Listen to the conversation on how The Big Sugar Classic came to be, the Life Time Grand Prix, and the world champions that are attracted to race Bentonville.Whether you're a cycling enthusiast, a Bentonville resident, or a tourism professional, this episode offers invaluable insights into the intersection of sports, c...

Join this chat with Visit Bentonville's VP of Communications Alison Nation and Katie Holden from Versapay about their insights and the planning process from Versapay’s recent Homecoming gathering.Alison shares how Bentonville is redefining the conference experience with its groundbreaking Unconventional Conventions. From unique venues blended with efficiency and immersive experiences to seeing our city through nature, food, and art, the Unconventional Convention solves logistical challenges a...

Ever wondered how a small town can transform into a culinary hotspot? Join us for a nostalgic episode with Daniel Hintz, CEO of Velocity, who shares his remarkable journey and key contributions to Bentonville's food scene. From diverse restaurants and the farm-to-table philosophy to the unexpected and elevated experiences, we explore the local culinary landscape. Learn how the town revitalized its local food culture starting with an enhanced farmer's market and culminating in the creatio...

What happens when a drone enthusiast and a world champion cyclist cross paths? This episode features Anderson Ta, founder of Benton Drones, and Anneke Beerten, a celebrated BMX and mountain bike champion, as they embark on a collaboration that merges high-quality drone footage with professional cycling in the mountain bike capital of the world. Anderson shares how he transitioned from the 3D printing industry in Houston to capturing stunning mountain biking footage in Arkansas, while Anneke t...