Living In The Ozarks

Living In The Ozarks is a conversation-driven podcast shining a light on the people, businesses, and stories that make the Ozarks what it is — full of life, heart, and hustle.Hosted by Duston Farrell, each episode features honest, unscripted conversations with local business owners, creatives, leaders, and community builders. We go beyond the surface to explore the person behind the work — their journey, lessons learned, and what this region means to them.Real stories. Real people. One conversation at a time.

Living In The Ozarks is a business podcast hosted by Duston Farrell, with 21 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Duston Farrell hosts Living In The Ozarks, a business show with 21 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #21

  Building a Gun Company on C-Street | Stephen Grove, Sigwo Arms

  Jul 26, 20261h 11m

  In this episode of Living in the Ozarks, we sit down with Stephen Grove, owner of Sigwo Arms on West Commercial Street in Springfield, to talk about building a custom firearms and manufacturing shop from the ground up. We cover the morning he woke up falsely named in a Minnesota shooting — Facebook account gone, wanted posters with his business address on them — and what 23 years in the Army National Guard taught him about treating customers and employees like people worth keeping. This episode is part of the Ozarks Experience series, focused on the people behind the work shaping our region.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #20

  From Pizza Driver to Franchise Owner | John Lepant, Craft Axe Throwing

  Jul 4, 20261h 13m

  In this episode of Living in the Ozarks, we sit down with John Lepant, owner of Craft Axe Throwing in downtown Springfield, Missouri, to talk about what it actually takes to go from employee to franchise owner — and build a business that keeps people coming back. We cover the unlikely path from Papa John's to escape rooms to axe throwing, what he's learned about people, pricing, and persistence, and why genuine connection is the hardest part of ownership nobody talks about. This episode is part of the Ozarks Experience series, focused on the people behind the work shaping our region.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #19

  Jingles, Decades of Music & the Ozarks Scene | Nick Sibley

  Jul 2, 20261h 43m

  In this episode of Living in the Ozarks, we sit down with Nick Sibley — Ozarks musician, songwriter, and jingle writer — to talk about a 50-year career built entirely outside the spotlight. We cover how he accidentally launched a jingle business in Springfield in the early '70s, what it was like demoing songs for Wayne Carson that ended up recorded by Elvis and Willie Nelson, and why his son Captain is now touring with Lee Greenwood. This episode is part of the Ozarks Experience series, focused on the people behind the work shaping our region.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #18

  Building Gig Salad | Mark Steiner

  Jul 1, 20261h 6m

  In this episode of Living in the Ozarks, we sit down with Mark Steiner, founder of Gig Salad — the largest event entertainment marketplace in the US and Canada — to talk about what it actually takes to build something from scratch over 23 years. We cover how a lucky break on a New York film set set Mark on a path that eventually landed him in Springfield, and how he turned a simple directory idea into a platform that connects performers and event planners across North America. This episode is part of the Ozarks Experience series, focused on the people behind the work shaping our region.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #17

  Making a Movie in 48 Hours | B2Z Films

  Jun 11, 202641 min

  In this episode of Living in the Ozarks, we sit down with the B2Z Films crew — Bill Cover and Bryan Powers — along with Keith Putnam, a professional filmmaker who recently moved to the area from LA, and Tiffany Powers, Bryan's wife, to talk about making a complete short film in just 48 hours for SATO48, the Springfield and the Ozarks film festival. We cover how they run a creative team with no director and no ego, why music and sound effects are their biggest strength, and why they lean into Southwest Missouri instead of imitating Hollywood. This episode is part of the Ozarks Experience series, focused on the people behind the work shaping our region.

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Living In The Ozarks. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

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