The CommerceCast

04/07/2026

☘️ Get ready for Celtic Nights!

This week on the CommerceCast, Todd Baltz sits down with local arts champion Marilyn Hogan! We trace the incredible evolution of Marr Street Productions—from teaching guitar and clogging in the attic of the old Burks department store, to renovating the historic Downtown Playhouse.

Plus, Marilyn gives us a sneak peek into the upcoming production of Celtic Nights, opening on April 11th! Whether you are a parent trying to get your kids to practice piano, or an adult wondering if it's too late to learn a new skill, this episode is packed with great advice.

Order Celtic Nights tickets at: marrstreetplayhouse.org

🎧 Stream the inspiring new episode today on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify!

This week on The CommerceCast: Todd Baltz and Mark Holt sit down with Marilyn Hogan, the creative force behind Mar Street Productions and a staple of the Poc...

03/24/2026

You might know District Judge Alex Bigger from the courtroom, but did you know he is an elite competitive 2-gun shooter? In this week's episode of The CommereCast, Judge Bigger tells us about his fascinating hobby and he gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the daily logistics of the 11th Judicial District.

Plus, we talk about the world-class public shooting range right here in Pocahontas and why a little bit of fun is the secret to staying sharp.
🎧 Listen to this amazing conversation on the CommerceCast today!

This week on The CommerceCast: Mark Holt and Todd Baltz are joined by the Honorable Alex Bigger, the District Judge for the 11th Judicial District covering R...

03/17/2026

Do you know exactly where your beef comes from?

This week on the CommerceCast, Mark and Todd sit down with the 2025 Chamber Members of the Year: Joseph and Belinda Ward of Two Rivers Land and Cattle.

They are changing the game by taking their third-generation cattle farm directly to the consumer, offering everything from single steaks to subscription boxes and full sides of beef. We discuss why their farm-to-freezer approach results in better quality, the challenges of operating a modern agricultural business through social media, and why buying local matters more than ever.

🎧 Stream the new episode now and get ready to clean out your freezer!

This week on The CommerceCast: Mark Holt and Todd Baltz sit down with the 2025 Chamber Members of the Year: Joseph and Belinda Ward, the husband-and-wife tea...

03/10/2026

This week on the CommerceCast, we dive deep into the personal story of former Chamber President and current First Horizon Bank President Mike Thompson, how the Chamber is important to keep business, non-profit and government pulling in the same direction, and why our real competition for growth isn't inside the county—it's neighboring cities like Paragould and Jonesboro. We also discuss his journey from a Pocahontas high school "hooligan" to an executive leader, and his new mission to boost childhood literacy through comic books with Imagine Arkansas.

🎧 Listen to Mike's vision for Randolph County on the new CommerceCast today! Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube!

This week on The CommerceCast: We sit down for a "Take Two" with Mike Thompson, President of First Horizon Bank and former President Randolph County Chamber ...

03/03/2026

"Most small-town museums don't last 5 years. Ours is celebrating 20."

This week on the CommerceCast, Dr. Rodney Harris joins us to talk about the incredible milestone approaching for the Randolph County Heritage Museum!

We get an exclusive preview of the brand new second-floor exhibits, and we want to see you there: Join us Saturday, March 7, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. as we celebrate the grand opening of the Ruth Ann Cox Agricultural and Rural Life Gallery. This incredible new space more than doubles our exhibit area and helps us tell the powerful story of Randolph County’s agricultural roots like never before.

🎧 Listen to Dr. Harris share his passion for local history and the big plans for the museum!

This week on The CommerceCast: Mark Holt and Todd Baltz are joined by Dr. Rodney Harris, Department Chair at Williams Baptist University and President of the...

02/24/2026

In 1998, Amy Jumper answered a local newspaper ad for a loan assistant position. Today, she is the newly appointed President of Riverbank.

This week on the CommerceCast, Mark and Todd sit down with Amy to discuss her 25-year journey through local banking, the mentors who taught her to look a decade into the future, and why giving a first-time borrower a chance is still her favorite part of the job.

🎧 Help us congratulate Amy and listen to the new episode now! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube!

This week on The CommerceCast: Mark Holt and Todd Baltz sit down with Amy Jumper, the newly appointed President of Riverbank. From answering a help-wanted ad...

02/17/2026

💰 Want to save money on your homeowners insurance? Thank this man. Scott Baltz isn't just fighting fires; he's fighting for your wallet. In this week's Commerce Cast, we dig into how the Fire Department is working to lower the city's ISO rating and save residents thousands.

Plus, Scott gets loose on his 6 years in Little Rock, his "surplus supply" hustle that brought Hummers and equipment back to the district for free, and why he’d rather be in Pocahontas than the Capitol any day.

🎧 Stream the new episode now!

This week on The CommerceCast: Mark Holt and Todd Baltz sit down with Scott Baltz, the Fire Safety Officer for the City of Pocahontas and a man who has spent...

02/10/2026

Mayor Keith Futrell (aka "Mongo") doesn't hold back in this week's episode of The CommerceCast. We're talking commercial elk ranching, the "boat racing" culture in the timber, and the real story behind the two Baltz Lakes mix-up. Whether you know him from City Hall or the duck blind, you don't want to miss this one.

Stream the new episode of The CommerceCast now!

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What happens when you put a commercial ranch manager in the Mayor's office? You get a leader who runs the city like a business, keeps a "posse" of department...

02/03/2026

This week on The CommerceCast, Mark Holt and Todd Baltz host Judge Ben Wicker for a look at the "CEO of the County" —a role that involves far less gavel-banging and far more logistics than most people realize.

Be sure to follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and subscribe on YouTube to never miss an episode!

This week on The CommerceCast: Mark Holt and Todd Baltz host Judge Ben Wicker for a look at the "CEO of the County" —a role that involves far less gavel-bang...

02/03/2026

This week on The CommerceCast: Mark Holt and Todd Baltz host a special "Time Machine" episode featuring Ann Savage, Executive Director of the Randolph County Chamber of Commerce.

This episode is split into two parts, recorded months apart, tracing Ann's journey from a dedicated board member to the driving force behind the Chamber's recent revitalization. We discuss her deep family roots in Chamber work, the transition from her long career at BRTC to leadership, and the exciting new programs aimed at building the next generation of Randolph County leaders.

In This Episode:

The Legacy of Service: Ann reflects on growing up watching her mother work for the Chamber in Tennessee and how that shaped her definition of "community."
From Marketing to Management: How 22 years at Black River Technical College (BRTC) prepared Ann for the Executive Director role.
The Student Ambassador Program: A deep dive into the new initiative involving high-achieving local students and teaching them the "gears" of city and county government.
Announcements: A first look at the upcoming Business Hall of Fame and Sports Hall of Fame awards.

Links & Resources:
Follow the Chamber on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randolphcountychamber
Upcoming Events: Mark your calendars for the Ag Expo at the Clover Bend Historic District on February 20th.
Get Involved: Interested in the Ambassador program or the Hall of Fame nominations? Contact Ann Savage at the Chamber office: [email protected].

Join the Conversation:
Guest Suggestions: Have a story we should tell? Email us at [email protected].
Chamber Inquiries: Reach out to the team at [email protected].
Rate & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

Credits:
The CommerceCast is a production of FoxLion Studios.
Hosted by: Mark Holt and Todd Baltz
Produced by: FoxLion Studios
Executive Producers: Todd Baltz and Mark Holt
Music by: AGI
Special Thanks: The Randolph County Chamber of Commerce

(c) 2026 The CommerceCast. All Rights Reserved.

01/21/2026

Thanks for the review Cynthia Oaks!

01/20/2026

This week on The CommerceCast: Mark Holt sits down with Pat Johnson, Executive Director of the Eddie Mae Herron Center in Pocahontas, Arkansas.

As we move into Black History Month, we explore the vital role of historical preservation in Randolph County. We reflect on the recent MLK Memory Walk, discuss the overwhelming community support that keeps the center thriving, and look at the importance of passing cultural traditions down to the next generation. Keep an eye out for the special shout-outs!

In This Episode:
Reflections on MLK Day: A look back at the January 19th Memory Walk and what it means for the community today.
Preserving History: How the Eddie Mae Herron Center serves as a bridge between the past and the future of Pocahontas.
Community & Tradition: Why local support is the lifeblood of historical preservation.
Upcoming Events: Details on the Dinner with NBA legend Sidney Moncrief.

Links & Resources:
The Eddie Mae Herron Center: herroncenter.org
Follow the Center on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EddieMaeHerronCenter
Tickets & Inquiries: To purchase tickets for the Dinner with Sidney Moncrief or for event details, contact Mrs. Pat Johnson at 501-921-2298.

Join the Conversation:
Guest Suggestions: Have a story we should tell? Email us at [email protected].
Chamber Inquiries: Reach out to the team at [email protected].
Rate & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-commercecast/id1870468362

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4mA0agQUMjzidHMoOqpd20?si=e_51ufqrQEOSMeXhRzv0UA

Credits:
The CommerceCast is a production of FoxLion Studios.
Hosted by: Mark Holt and Todd Baltz
Produced by: FoxLion Studios
Executive Producers: Todd Baltz and Mark Holt
Music by: AGI
Special Thanks: The Randolph County Chamber of Commerce

(c) 2026 The CommerceCast. All Rights Reserved.