The A-State Advantage: Catalyst Conversations
Oct 14, 2026 · 1 hr 11 min · 13 segments
Economic growth stalls when higher education and local industry operate in silos. Chris Bahn of Bond Strategic Partners joins host Heather R. Nelson to unpack how the Catalyst event unites Northeast…
And they were both talking to me about actually about teaching a course and creating a course for Arkansas State University around storytelling or entrepreneurship or leadership, all the things that I had created courses and taught courses on before.
And I had just an idea pop in my head literally one day about there's not an event at Arkansas State University that really spotlights a state as kind of, and this is my favorite use, is the bicycle hub.
But if you think about a state being the hub of a bicycle wheel in the center of Northeast Arkansas, it's that theory that there's all this stuff happening at the campus and in the area.
And it was just a thought of there's not some place where you can really just showcase that and bring people together.
And so I kind of had the event of the idea and said something to Dean Washington about it.
And so then I said something to Dr. Shields thinking they're not going to they're probably not going to want this is too big an idea.
And so I literally remember exactly where I was when I picked up the phone and dialed your number, Chris.
And I said, Chris, I need to are you sitting down? First of all, I've had an idea.
And and just told you, I said I've before I even told you what the idea I said, I don't know if I know you love a state.
And I don't know if I can get you any pay, but I have this great idea and you've got to help me do it because you're the best person to do this with me.
And then we literally I think it was on that first call that we brainstormed out Catalyst.
And they were both talking to me about actually about teaching a course and creating a course for Arkansas State University around storytelling or entrepreneurship or leadership, all the things that I had created courses and taught courses on before.
And I had just an idea pop in my head literally one day about there's not an event at Arkansas State University that really spotlights a state as kind of, and this is my favorite use, is the bicycle hub.
But if you think about a state being the hub of a bicycle wheel in the center of Northeast Arkansas, it's that theory that there's all this stuff happening at the campus and in the area.
And it was just a thought of there's not some place where you can really just showcase that and bring people together.
And so I kind of had the event of the idea and said something to Dean Washington about it.
And so then I said something to Dr. Shields thinking they're not going to they're probably not going to want this is too big an idea.
And so I literally remember exactly where I was when I picked up the phone and dialed your number, Chris.
And I said, Chris, I need to are you sitting down? First of all, I've had an idea.
And and just told you, I said I've before I even told you what the idea I said, I don't know if I know you love a state.
And I don't know if I can get you any pay, but I have this great idea and you've got to help me do it because you're the best person to do this with me.
And then we literally I think it was on that first call that we brainstormed out Catalyst.
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