NWA Hard Knocks

How does one local animal rescue end up helping nearly 850 animals in less than a year? Dana and Amanda sit down with Anna from Forgotten Paws of NWA to uncover a heartbreaking problem happening right here in Northwest Arkansas. Forgotten Paws began after abandoned dogs repeatedly showed up near the property of founder Heather Armstrong. One of the first was suffering from a severe chemical burn. Heather began taking animals in herself, at one point spending around $1,000 every week just on dog food. Then Anna stepped in and helped turn that compassion into a nonprofit. Today, Forgotten Paws takes in abandoned, neglected, injured, and surrendered animals, gets them healthy, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and ready for another chance at a family. Anna shares the staggering number of calls they receive, the realities of animal dumping and hoarding, the financial strain of rescue work, and some of the heartbreaking cases that keep their team fighting. But this episode is also about what happens when ordinary people see a problem and decide, “What are we going to do about it?” If you love animals, this one will stick with you. Learn more, adopt, volunteer, or donate: forgottenpawsnwa.org Follow us on Social @nwahardknocks

What happens when helping other people ends up saving you, too? Dana and Amanda sit down with Dr. Trent McCord and Chris from Mint for More, a Northwest Arkansas nonprofit changing lives one smile at a time. Dr. McCord opens up about struggling so badly with anxiety early in his dental career that he would sometimes throw up before going to work. Then his wife gave him a simple challenge: “Just go help somebody.” That moment changed everything. What started with helping one patient eventually became Mint for More, an organization providing free dental care to people who might otherwise live for months with pain, infection, missing teeth, and no realistic way to get treatment. Their original goal was to someday provide $750,000 worth of free dentistry in a single year. They blew past it, providing more than $1 million in free dental care last year alone. You’ll also hear the incredible story of a patient who spent years hiding his smile, then received dentures, found his confidence, asked for a raise, and walked away with a promotion and even more money than he requested. This episode is about pain, confidence, addiction recovery, childhood dental trauma, serving others, and what can happen when someone decides their skills can be used for something bigger. Sometimes giving someone their smile back gives them their life back, too. Learn more about Mint for More: https://mintformorenwa.org NWA Hard Knocks is recorded and produced by BE Studios: https://madebybestudios.com

What if hunters are actually some of the biggest conservationists in America? Dana and Amanda sit down with Ben from Ducks Unlimited to uncover what the organization really does and why protecting ducks is about much more than ducks. From saving wetlands and protecting water supplies to preserving wildlife habitat for future generations, this conversation may completely change the way you think about conservation. Ben also shares how getting involved with Ducks Unlimited inspired him to go back to school for wildlife conservation, how Arkansas raised more than $3 million for conservation in 2025, and how one Northwest Arkansas chapter raised nearly $100,000 through local events. Plus, famous ducks, duck hunting, auctions, a Polaris side by side, trips to Italy, skeet shooting, and the upcoming Benton County Ducks Unlimited banquet. This is conservation, community, and giving back in a way you probably never expected. Learn more about Ducks Unlimited: ducksunlimited.org Find Arkansas Ducks Unlimited events: arkansasdu.com Follow us on Social @nwahardknocks

What if the worst thing you’ve been through could become the reason someone else finds hope? In the very first episode of NWA Hard Knocks, Dana and Amanda introduce the mission behind the podcast and share why they believe the hardest seasons of our lives can become something bigger than us. You’ll hear why they’re searching Northwest Arkansas for people who have faced adversity, loss, setbacks, and seemingly impossible circumstances, then turned those hard knocks into nonprofits, organizations, community outreach, and opportunities to help others. Dana also opens up about her own hard knocks and why stories of resilience matter so much to her. This podcast is about more than surviving. It’s about what you do next. If you’ve ever been knocked down, wondered how to turn pain into purpose, or wanted to make a difference in your community, this show is for you. Find us on social @nwahardknocks