Paragould Podcast

As a 14-year-old boy from Memphis, Bob Reynolds spent $68 on a ticket to ride the legendary Delta Queen by himself. That single trip sparked a lifelong love of riverboats and launched a career that would span nearly five decades on America's waterways. In this episode of the Paragould Podcast, Bob shares his incredible journey from dishwasher to deckhand, first mate, pilot, and eventually captain. Along the way, he met his future wife aboard the Delta Queen, traveled thousands of miles on the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee Rivers, and witnessed a way of life that few people experience today. Bob reflects on 49 years working on riverboats and towboats, the lessons he learned from life on the water, and some unforgettable stories—including sharing a boat with President Jimmy Carter. Whether you love history, river culture, or simply hearing remarkable life stories, you'll enjoy this conversation with a man who followed his passion and spent a lifetime doing what he loved.

ob Branch returns for his sixth appearance on the podcast, tying the record for most guest appearances. This time, the conversation centers on aging. But not aging as defined by a calendar. Bob challenges the way we think about getting older, suggesting that age is less about the number of years behind us and more about the state of mind within us. His refrain is simple but powerful: don’t let the old man in. We talk about how culture has changed over the decades. There was a time when life moved slower. Now everything feels rushed, urgent, and accelerated. In the middle of that pace, Bob reflects on what it means to stay engaged, curious, and alive rather than drifting into passivity. At the heart of the episode is a personal resolve: I owe it to myself to get back out there. This conversation is about resilience, perspective, and refusing to surrender vitality just because the years keep moving forward. Whether you are 30 or 70, this episode will challenge the way you think about growing older.

Chase Mann returns to the show fresh off a nationally televised fight in Thailand with ONE FC, available on Amazon Prime. In this unique episode, Chase shares the story of how his journey in MMA led him across the world to compete on one of the sport’s biggest stages. Then Jared watches the fight live with Chase, who provides real-time commentary, insight, and reflection on what was going through his mind in the moment. It is a rare behind-the-scenes look at high-level MMA and a reminder that a world-class fighter can come from a place like Paragould.

In this episode of The Paragould Podcast, we sit down with Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, emergency preparedness, and public service in Greene County. Brad shares his journey from dispatcher to deputy to sheriff, including his experience working E-911 during the Marmaduke Tornado just one month into the job. We talk about how city and county agencies coordinate during severe weather and emergencies, how leaders plan manpower and resources before a crisis happens, and why strong collaboration matters more than ego or turf. The conversation also explores the human side of law enforcement—how officers and dispatchers process trauma, what makes a good candidate for the job, and why doing the right thing is often the hardest choice. Brad also shares his focus on improving conditions for employees and inmates at the Greene County Detention Center, managing one of the largest county jails in Arkansas, and leading a team split between patrol and detention responsibilities.

As rivalry week arrives in Paragould, Paragould Boys Head Basketball Coach Jace Watson joins The Paragould Podcast to talk leadership, preparation, and the culture behind Rams basketball. Coach Watson shares his journey into coaching, lessons learned over two decades on the sidelines, and how this team has grown to expect wins after years of adversity. With a big matchup against Greene County Tech looming, this conversation offers insight into motivation, managing pressure, and what it takes to build a winning program.

Mayor Josh Agee returns to The Paragould Podcast for his annual State of the City conversation — his sixth appearance on the show. In this episode, Josh walks us through what the City of Paragould has actually accomplished over the past year, how major decisions are made, and what’s shaping the city’s future. We talk about infrastructure projects like trail expansion, sidewalks, land bank redevelopment, and pocket parks, as well as the behind-the-scenes realities of public safety, disaster response, and city budgeting. Josh also reflects on the challenges of leadership in the age of social media, why representative government exists, and what it costs — financially and relationally — to keep a city running. From tornado recovery and emergency response to long-term investment, trash services, and economic development, this conversation offers a clear picture of how Paragould is growing and why collaboration matters. Whether you’re curious about city projects, civic process, or the vision for making Paragould a place people want to move to — and come back to — this episode provides helpful context and honest perspective.