What makes a community truly thrive in times of rapid growth? Robert Burns, Director of Home Region Resources for the Walton Family Foundation, returns to the Four Bars Podcast to dive deep into the art of community building and regional development.

Have you ever relocated and felt that initial struggle to connect? Burns reveals that the first 30 days in a new place are critical to establishing lasting roots. "Put yourself out there," he encourages, "it's amazing just how one little conversation can lead to many more." This simple truth underpins Northwest Arkansas's remarkable ability to maintain its warm, welcoming culture despite exponential growth.

The conversation explores how intentional community design fosters belonging across diverse populations. From dedicated cricket pitches serving the growing South Asian community to accessible cycling trails, these thoughtfully created spaces break down barriers and create natural opportunities for connection. Burns emphasizes that successful communities celebrate differences while recognizing our shared humanity: "We are a whole lot more alike than we are different."

Looking ahead, Burns shares an inspiring vision for Northwest Arkansas as a model of regional collaboration. Already home to successful shared resources like the regional airport and community college system, the future promises continued development in healthcare, housing accessibility, and entrepreneurial ecosystems—all while preserving the unique culture that makes the area special.

Whether you're considering a move to a new community, looking to strengthen connections in your current location, or interested in the delicate balance between growth and cultural preservation, this episode offers invaluable wisdom about creating spaces where everyone feels they truly belong.

Subscribe to Four Bars and visit fourbarspodcast.com for additional resources from Robert's insightful conversation about building meaningful connections that strengthen communities.

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More About this Episode

Belonging by Design: How Northwest Arkansas Is CreatingCulture That Welcomes Everyone

In a world where community can often feel fragmented, Northwest Arkansas is writing a different story—one rooted not just in growth or development, but in belonging. In this episode of the Four Bars Podcast, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Robert Burns, Director of Home Region Resources at the Walton Family Foundation, to unpack what it really means to create a welcoming, inclusive region from the ground up.

What we uncovered wasn’t a list of civic checkboxes or policy mandates. It was something far more human: a regional culture intentionally built to include, connect, and celebrate everyone who calls this place home, whether they arrived last week or decades ago.

Community Starts With Connection

Robert brought forward a profound but often overlooked truth: connection is where community begins. His move from Washington, D.C., to Northwest Arkansas came with all the typical uncertainties of relocation, but it was the little things—the eye contact, the spontaneous sidewalk greetings—that began to shape his sense of home.

“It’s amazing just how one little conversation can lead to many more,” he told us.

Those moments aren’t random here. They're cultural touchpoints—an ethos that values curiosity, kindness, and welcome. And it’s something that newcomers notice right away.

The First 30 Days Matter

One of the most compelling insights Robert shared is how critical the first 30 days are for any new resident. Whether someone ultimately decides to put down roots or remain on the sidelines often comes down to those early experiences.

We talked about the factors that make a difference:

  • Feeling genuinely welcomed by neighbors and colleagues
  • Having easy access to local events and interest-based communities
  • Discovering spaces—parks, trails, downtown squares—that encourage connection

His advice to new residents was clear: say yes. Go to the events, explore the region, join that club or meetup. The more you engage, the more the region reveals its warmth and character.

One Region, Many Communities

Northwest Arkansas isn’t a single-city story. Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, and Fayetteville each bring their own flavor, but so do Centerton, Bella Vista, Prairie Grove, and other smaller towns. As Robert put it, “We are a collection of communities… and not one city makes another better. It’s our differences that add up to the richness of the region.”

This regional mindset is crucial. It pushes back against comparison and competition and instead celebrates place-based value, whether it’s Springdale’s vibrant cultural diversity, Bella Vista’s serene trails, or Centerton’s fast-paced growth.

Designing for Inclusion

One of the most exciting parts of our conversation was hearing about how intentional design—both in policy and in physical space—is shaping the future of Northwest Arkansas.

Here are a few examples we explored:

1. Welcoming Week (Now a Month)

What started as a week-long celebration has grown into a month of cross-cultural programming backed by the Northwest Arkansas Council. It’s not just symbolic—it’s structure. It gives immigrant communities visibility, creates shared experiences, and shifts the region’s cultural norms toward openness.

2. Culturally Specific Amenities

We talked about cricket fields in Bentonville, built with the South Asian community in mind. These aren’t token gestures—they're functional spaces that reflect who lives here.

Likewise, inclusive outdoor infrastructure, like hand-cycle trails and recreation programs for people with disabilities, is expanding what belonging means in the natural landscape.

3. Mentorship and Career Pathways

Robert emphasized that inclusion isn't just about welcome mats—it’s about opportunity. Mentorship, especially for youth, is a major part of how the region is connecting education to economic development. Whether it’s guiding a student into healthcare, tech, or entrepreneurship, these relationships deepen community ties and shape long-term success.

Curiosity as a Cultural Ethic

One moment that really stuck with me was when Robert challenged us to be “curious, not judgmental.” In a region growing as rapidly and diversely as ours, it’s easy to retreat into sameness. But curiosity creates bridges. It encourages us to ask questions, share stories, and lean into—not away from—difference.

It’s a mindset that helps prevent division and builds the kind of trust that makes real belonging possible.

How Culture Becomes Sticky

At one point, Patti introduced a simple but powerful framework for cultural change:

  1. Mentioning It – Spark the conversation.
  2. Trending – Build shared awareness.
  3. Leading – Integrate it into systems, hiring, and planning.

Though often used in corporate settings, we agreed it maps perfectly to regional culture-building. If we want inclusion to be more than a slogan, we need to embed it into how we plan neighborhoods, structure civic life, and design everyday spaces.

A Decade of Opportunity

As we looked toward the future, Robert shared his vision for where Northwest Arkansas is headed—and where it still needs to go. Here are a few key areas he highlighted:

  • Regional Infrastructure: Roads, water, and transit systems need long-term coordination across cities.
  • Workforce Housing: There’s a need for diverse, affordable housing options that reflect the realities of today’s workforce.
  • Healthcare Expansion: Not just more hospitals, but better access and holistic well-being.
  • Entrepreneurship: Boosting local innovation with venture capital and support systems.
  • Early Career Discovery: Helping students—starting as early as middle school—imagine and prepare for future careers.

What ties all of this together is the belief that collaboration across cities and sectors isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

Belonging Is a Shared Responsibility

The final takeaway from our conversation couldn’t have been clearer: community doesn’t build itself. We all have a role to play.

  • If you’re new, reach out.
  • If you’ve been here for years, stay open.
  • If you’re part of an institution, create space and access.
  • If you’re an individual, show up with curiosity, kindness, and purpose.

Because the culture we want is the one we choose to build, every day, with every interaction.

As Robert so beautifully put it:

 “People bring their gifts, talents, and treasures here. Our job is to make sure the door stays open.”