After two decades producing some of television’s biggest reality hits — America’s Got Talent, Jersey Shore, Joe Millionaire, Chrisley Knows Best — I learned something simple but profound: the best stories aren’t about fame, they’re about why. Why people dream. Why they fall. Why they get back up. That’s where the real story lives.
When the world shut down and Hollywood began to unravel, I followed love and landed in Bentonville, Arkansas — a small town that changed everything I thought I knew about community. What I found here was a place built on connection, creativity, and purpose. From the world-class art of Crystal Bridges and The Momentary, to mountain bike trails that wind through the Ozarks, to neighbors who still wave from their porches — Bentonville has become my favorite place in America.
Now, GoodTimes is where I chase that same why through the voices of the people building this new frontier — chefs, founders, artists, and dreamers who remind us that success isn’t about spotlight, it’s about story.
Because when you understand why people do what they do, you don’t just tell a story — you feel it.
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After two decades producing some of television’s biggest reality hits — America’s Got Talent, Jersey Shore, Joe Millionaire, Chrisley Knows Best — I learned something simple but profound: the best stories aren’t about fame, they’re about why. Why people dream. Why they fall. Why they get back up. That’s where the real story lives.
When the world shut down and Hollywood began to unravel, I followed love and landed in Bentonville, Arkansas — a small town that changed everything I thought I knew about community. What I found here was a place built on connection, creativity, and purpose. From the world-class art of Crystal Bridges and The Momentary, to mountain bike trails that wind through the Ozarks, to neighbors who still wave from their porches — Bentonville has become my favorite place in America.
Now, GoodTimes is where I chase that same why through the voices of the people building this new frontier — chefs, founders, artists, and dreamers who remind us that success isn’t about spotlight, it’s about story.
Because when you understand why people do what they do, you don’t just tell a story — you feel it.
Mike Abb | Bentonville's Creative Secrets from a Hometown Hero
GoodTimes with Damon Epps
58 minutes 51 seconds
2 years ago
Mike Abb | Bentonville's Creative Secrets from a Hometown Hero
On this episode of The GoodTimes Show, host Damon Epps sits down with Mike Abb, the creative director of Runway Group and one of the key voices behind Bentonville, Arkansas’s incredible transformation.
Runway Group is on a mission to move Arkansas forward by focusing on five core pillars: Attract, Retain, Inspire, Evolve, and Invest. Damon and Mike dig into the story of how a small town turned into a growing, dynamic city that's catching national attention.
They talk about the real challenges small towns face, the intentional steps that sparked Bentonville’s growth, and why community building isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the foundation of long-term success. Mike shares firsthand insights into how strategic investment and local pride created real momentum.
They also touch on why people are choosing to stay in Bentonville, from affordability and job opportunities to its natural beauty and strong sense of community.
If you’re curious about how real change happens at the local level or what it takes to reimagine a town from the ground up, this episode is for you.
Stream it now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your shows.
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Blake St. Presents
GoodTimes with Damon Epps
After two decades producing some of television’s biggest reality hits — America’s Got Talent, Jersey Shore, Joe Millionaire, Chrisley Knows Best — I learned something simple but profound: the best stories aren’t about fame, they’re about why. Why people dream. Why they fall. Why they get back up. That’s where the real story lives.
When the world shut down and Hollywood began to unravel, I followed love and landed in Bentonville, Arkansas — a small town that changed everything I thought I knew about community. What I found here was a place built on connection, creativity, and purpose. From the world-class art of Crystal Bridges and The Momentary, to mountain bike trails that wind through the Ozarks, to neighbors who still wave from their porches — Bentonville has become my favorite place in America.
Now, GoodTimes is where I chase that same why through the voices of the people building this new frontier — chefs, founders, artists, and dreamers who remind us that success isn’t about spotlight, it’s about story.
Because when you understand why people do what they do, you don’t just tell a story — you feel it.
