I recently sat down with host Randy Wilburn for an episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast as part of its Building What Comes Next series, supported by the Walton Family Foundation.
We talked about my journey as an artist, author, and educator in Northwest Arkansas, the decade-long process of creating What Follows Is True: Crescent Hotel, and how the strange, true stories hidden in our region can help us better understand the present. I also shared the story behind my Kickstarter campaign, which raised nearly $30,000, and offered a preview of my next book about the ancient Plum Bayou Mounds, created in collaboration with the Arkansas Archeological Survey and expected in 2027.
We also discussed why the arts matter to a growing community, the importance of preserving our local history and archaeological sites, and how stories rooted in one place can speak to much bigger ideas.
It was a great conversation, and I'm grateful to Randy for the opportunity to share my work and reflect on what makes Northwest Arkansas such a fascinating place to live and create.
