Explore Other Worlds Through Podcasting
Year FIVE Coming Soon!

explore the space of podcasts from the natural state

Make Contact with Mission Control

Our Mission

ARKAST was created in 2022 out of the need for podcasters in The Natural State to be recognized for their talents, showcase their skills, and boost storytelling efforts in their pursuit of podcasting greatness.

We work hard every year to foster a diverse and thriving podcasting community through Podcaster Meetups in Central and Northwest Arkansas, as well as the annual Arkansas Podcast Festival, ARKAST, approaching its FIFTH year in the Fall of 2026.

The momentum built after ARKAST 1.0 evolved into the creation of the Arkansas Podcast Collaborative in the Spring of 2023, the first 501c3 nonprofit organization for podcasters in the United States.

We continue to expand our focus not only to other parts of Arkansas but also to the surrounding states AND get (aspiring) podcasters connected with other creators, prospective guests, and most importantly, new listeners to help grow awareness for their content.

Learn More

Join Us At Our Upcoming Events

Event Horizon

Transmissions

01:54:00

CRYPTIDS, CONSPIRACIES, AND TAVERN TALK WITH MATTHEW ORTON

From terrifying nights in the woods to finding mysterious footprints, personal experiences often fuel a fascination with the unexplained. Ti King welcomes Matthew Orton (Drunken Cryptids podcast) to share his powerful stories – including family Bigfoot sightings and a harrowing military encounter. Learn about the inspiring, difficult journey behind his podcast, hear his takes on phenomena like Shadow People and Dogman, and discover why he believes Arkansas holds hidden paranormal secrets. A must-listen for fans of cryptids and true unexplained encounters. Find more from Matthew at DrunkenCryptids.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkastcon/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkastpod/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkast

27:37

A Respected Color | Episode 1: Born in Chains

Wiley Jones was an extraordinary man. Born into slavery, a self-made entrepreneur, all in a time when discrimination and violence were at its highest. The Arkansas Podcast Collaborative presents A Respected Color, a limited podcast series on the life of Wiley Jones as we spent over a year researching and piecing together his story. We are joined by Black History experts and go far beyond anything taught in schools about the Jim Crow South and how it relates today in 2025. Hosted, filmed, produced, and edited by Ti King Music: "Southern Gothic" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This podcast was made possible by the Curtis H Sykes Memorial Grant, supporting projects that preserve, commemorate, and enhance the heritage of African Americans in Arkansas. Funding is administered by the Black History Commission of Arkansas and funded by the Arkansas General Assembly through the Arkansas State Archives. Find the podcast on Spotify, Apple, and all podcast platforms. Find the video version on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and share. It helps us get this amazing story out to as many people as possible. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkastcon/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkastpod/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkast #podcast #blackhistory #history #mystery #biography #research #stories #pinebluff #arkansas

40:25

Inebriated Yetis and Bigfoot Burgers with Tommy McClure

Tommy McClure from the Drunken Cryptids podcast talks about his passion for cryptids, personal experiences, and the evolution of podcasting. He and Ti King discuss the vibrant community surrounding cryptids, the importance of storytelling, and the impact of live events. Tommy shares insights into their podcast's growth, future plans for expeditions, and the cultural reflections on cryptids in society. The conversation highlights the blend of personal anecdotes, community engagement, and the ever-changing landscape of podcasting. #cryptids #bigfoot #haunted #unexplained #podcasters

25:58

Latinos in Media with Elena Ramirez

Elena Ramirez is a multimedia mogul based in Northwest Arkansas. Ti and Elena discuss her journey into the media industry, her work with NBC and Fox News, and her role as a co-host on the District 3 podcast. Elena shares her insights on the importance of storytelling, especially regarding immigration issues, and the impact of social media on content creation. The conversation also touches on personal growth, aspirations for higher education, and the challenges of balancing work and family life. #podcasting #latino #immigration #latina #media