From left; Brittany Rush, Ti King and Karen Tricot Stewart, co-founders of the Arkansas Podcast Collaborative. (Courtesy)An Arkansas group has announced the creation of a new nonprofit aimed at promoting and supporting podcasting in the state.
The Arkansas Podcast Collaborative will offer resources for those who are interested in launching a podcast or seeking guidance to expand their audience.
“Many people have an idea for a podcast and just need some help getting it off the ground,” said Karen Tricot Steward, co-founder of the collaborative. “Ultimately, we want to create a diverse community of podcasters in Arkansas, so we’re here to help everyone with the basics of getting up and running.”
Steward is the owner of the Little Rock-based podcast production company Power of Pod. She is also the writer, producer, and co-host of the investigative true crime podcast Burden and worked for NPR member station KUAR 89.1 for many years as a reporter, anchor, and content development director.
The organization’s website, arkansaspodcasters.org, will include training materials and a database of Arkansas podcasters.
The nonprofit will also host an annual podcast festival called ARKAST and produce the ARKAST podcast, which will feature podcasters in the state along with industry experts.
The festival is scheduled for Sept. 7, 2023, at the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub in North Little Rock. A plan to expand the festival to Northwest Arkansas is also in the works.
The organization’s board of directors includes professionals from public broadcasting, the Arkansas Press Association, the former director of L.A. Times Studios, and members with experience in education and nonprofits, according to a news release.
