Welcome to the very first episode of Small Town Girl with Gwen Faulkenberry! On this podcast, Gwen sits down for thoughtful conversations that move fluidly from politics in Arkansas to big, deeply human questions about love, vulnerability, faith, identity, and what it means to stay connected in a digital world.

In this premiere episode, Gwen Faulkenberry sits down with her childhood best friend, Tony Chapman, to talk about what it was like growing up gay in a small town; Ozark, Arkansas. Raised in a conservative evangelical culture, Tony shares his deeply personal journey of identity, faith, friendship, and the long road toward self-acceptance.

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Read Gwen’s Column:
https://www.arkansasonline.com/staff/gwen-faulkenberry/

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Join the conversation:

Email gfaulkenberry@hotmail.com!

New episodes drop every other week!

Come sit a spell—as my Granny used to say—and let's visit about all things Arkansas.

Gwen Faulkenberry is a small town girl through and through. Born and raised in Ozark, AR, she’s been everything from school teacher to a state Representative candidate. Gwen is a mother, author, English professor, an award-winning columnist–and now, a podcast host.

On this podcast, Gwen sits down for thoughtful conversations that move fluidly from politics in Arkansas to big, deeply human questions about love, vulnerability, faith, identity, and what it means to stay connected in a digital world.

Vulnerable, true, and deeply small town.

Join the conversation at gfaulkenberry@hotmail.com! New episodes drop every other week.

Our first episode drops TOMORROW, January 15th, 2026 at 12:00pm CT. Don't miss it!