Bigger Pie Forum Podcast

In this first part of our series on economic growth in the Golden Triangle, we focus on Plum Creek Environmental. In this episode, James Wamble III shares about their exclusive growth partnership with other Mississippi companies and organizations and what it's like to run an Inc 5000 company in rural Mississippi. You won't want to miss this episode!

Listen in as Kristen discusses knowing who your customers are and getting back to the basics of customer service.  With the growth of internet shopping, being intentional with your consumers' experience is paramount to beat out the competition.

BPF has an insightful conversation with Mississippi's own, Kristen Ley, founder and owner of Thimblepress - a nationally recognized, creative and innovative line of greeting cards and gifts that spring from her faith-based mission.  Listen in to Kristen'a journey with her achievements and challenges that provide some insight for those desiring to pursue their own start up.

BPF wraps up our fascinating time with Mr. Meredith with excerpts from his powerful 1961 letter to the Kennedy Administration regarding his rights as an American citizen.

BPF continues the conversation with James Meredith to discuss the time surrounding his entrance to the University of Mississippi and his time in the Air Force.

BPF sits down with James Meredith to hear about his fascinating life story.  Listen as we dive into Meredith's formative years growing up in North MS.

In our final episode with Jack and Elizabeth Coleman, we learn their plans for economic development in Rosedale, Mississippi.

In our most recent episode, Jack and Elizabeth discuss battery technology and storage capacity in electric vehicles and giving the American people both sides of the story.

BPF continues the conversation on what Mississippi can do to prevent an energy and electricity crisis from coming here.

BPF had the fortunate opportunity to discuss timely topics with a few of Mississippi's top experts in the energy and electricity industry at the regulatory & policy making levels.  Listen in as they dive into the energy & electricity crisis in the U.K. and Europe that's beginning to happen in parts of the U.S. and what Mississippi can do to prevent it from coming here.

BPF continues the conversation with Secretary Michael Watson on cutting regulations to help make Mississippi more business friendly and more Mississippians realize their dreams.

BPF visits with Secretary Watson to find out more on the "Tackle the Tape" initiative and the plan within it titled "29 x 29." The aim is to review every regulation for all 29 occupational licensing boards and commissions by the year 2029.

BPF guest podcasters had the opportunity to meet and talk with gallerist and curator Stacy Conde of Conde Contemporary.  Listen in as she tells how she makes a pivot from Miami to Mississippi and illuminates Natchez the way only she can.

BPF had the opportunity to sit down with Mrs. King and hear how she's an agent for change in her community through her Natchez Heritage School of Cooking.  She's also gearing up for the 3rd annual Soul Food Fusion Festival, (June 17 - 19) where the community celebrates together at a block-long white linen dining table eating the cuisine of the local chefs.

Tate Taylor discusses the needs of Natchez and how he's investing in the community to help build a city that implores newcomers to stay. Tate addresses Mississippi's tarnished past and how we can shake the sensationalism and stereotypes.

BPF sits down with successful filmmaker and writer Tate Taylor.  We had the opportunity to hear his fascinating journey back to the Church Hill community outside of Natchez, Mississippi where he's shaking things up.

BPF continues the conversation with Mayor Dan Gibson on his vison and goals for the decade ahead and the continued renaissance of Natchez, Mississippi  

BPF travels to the jewel of the Mississippi River to meet Mayor Dan Gibson at the National Historic Landmark of Dunleith Historic Inn and discuss how Natchez is finding itself in an upside surprise renaissance on the heels of a pandemic — thanks to its diversity, hospitality and culture.

Listen in as BPF discusses the history and policies regarding energy and electricity with Douglas Carswell of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy.

BPF has a fascinating conversation with Douglas Carswell of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy on the electricity crisis in the U.K. and why it matters to Mississippi's citizens and policy makers.  

Guest podcasters Ann Seale and Mona Reddy talk with Interim Executive Director of the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi at the Waller Craft Center to talk about the artisans renderings this Christmas season.

BPF continues the conversation with Blake Dubinski of GenTeal Apparel on the challenges of growing a new business in a highly competitive marketplace.  

Blake Dubinski and Dr. Brice Noonan, Ole Miss Professors, are the co-founders of GenTeal Apparel — a men's fine apparel line that is currently distributed to 140 retailers across the U.S.  Listen in to their journey to becoming entrepreneurs in their spare time.  

Restaurateur Emily Blount - owner of St. Leo Italian restaurant, and retail store owner Anne-Marie Gordon of CICADA - a high fashion women's apparel fixture in Oxford tell us how their businesses survived the pandemic being in a small college town.

BPF sits down with restaurateur Emily Blount - owner of St. Leo Italian restaurant, and with retail store owner Ann Marie Gordon of CICADA - a high fashion women's apparel fixture in Oxford.  Listen to their entrepreneurial journeys resulting to the good for Oxford, Mississippi.

How Blue Delta Jeans co-founder Josh West has carved out a niche in high-end apparel to make the "The best jean I've ever put on."  A good product and great story.  

BPF visits with Josh West of Blue Delta Jeans to hear the story behind the highly coveted bespoke jeans and why he thinks Mississippi is a hidden gem for entrepreneurs.

BPF continues the conversation with Jon and Allen on investing in the people of Oxford and building a thriving community that attracts others - paying large dividends toward economic development.

In this first episode of our latest series, BPF sits down with Jon Maynard and Allen Kurr of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation to discuss their version of economic development, growth from the inside out or the bottom up approach.  

BPF continues the conversation with State Auditor Shad White as he discusses fraud abuses of MS unemployment benefits under the 2020 stimulus, the challenges facing PERS, as well as the upside and downside surprises over the last three years as State Auditor.

BPF sits down with State Auditor Shad White to take an in-depth look at the mission and operation of the auditor's office.

BPF turns off of Porter Avenue and heads for the corner of Washington Avenue and Government Street — the heart of downtown Ocean Springs, where the local shops, art galleries, restaurants, bars and music bring the town to life. It's here that we sit down with three successful entrepreneurs — Adrea Maxwell of Seaside Fitness, Chris Collier of The Office Bar & Lounge and Kenny Williams of Mosaic and The Beer House — to hear their stories and perspectives on why Ocean Springs has become such a hotspot.

BPF continues the conversation with Ted and Roxy Condrey of The Roost Boutique Hotel.  In this episode we discuss the community feel of Ocean Springs and how Ted and Roxy balance keeping that charming small town feel with the growth of their properties.  We also dive into the highlights throughout the year in Ocean Springs with its art shows and other annual festivals — all under the street-lined oak canopy in the downtown area.

BPF travels to the unique and cultured community of Ocean Springs, Mississippi known for its arts and festivals. Ocean Springs is a hotspot with over 200 independent shops, galleries, restaurants and nightlife. The community captivates visitors with its small town charm and streets lined with an oak tree canopy. In this episode, BPF sits down with the owners of The Roost Boutique Hotel, Ted and Roxy to hear their success story and how they fell in love with Ocean Springs and made it their permanent home.

BPF continues the discussion with Douglas Carswell on America's exceptionalism, his decision to move to the U.S. and why Mississippi specifically.

BPF has a fascinating conversation with Douglas Carswell on his extraordinary life journey and accomplishments.  Listen in as he compels us Americans to cherish and protect what we have — it's like nothing else in the world.

BPF continues its conversation with Mississippi Justice Institute (MJI) Director Aaron Rice and client Butch Slaughter, a physical therapist who is challenging Mississippi’s regulations that are preventing him from opening his own home health agency. Listen to the backstory on Certificates of Need, the need for regulatory reform and how they stymie not only competition, but access to health care, lower costs and a higher level of service for the people of Mississippi.

BPF sits down with Mississippi Justice Institute (MJI) Director Aaron Rice and client Butch Slaughter, a practicing physical therapist in the Metro Jackson area.  Butch hopes to start a home health agency (HHA), offering services to patients in their own home.  However, Mississippi's current regulations prevent him from doing just that.  Listen to Butch's story and how MJI hopes to help him cut through the red tape.

Tim Kalich, Editor and Publisher of the Greenwood Commonwealth Newspaper and Kelley Williams, Chairman of Bigger Pie Forum sit down to discuss the small town community of Greenwood and the role of the newspaper and the revitalization of downtown spurred on largely by Viking Range, a great home-town success story.

Tim Kalich, Editor and Publisher of the Greenwood Commonwealth Newspaper and Kelley Williams, Chairman of Bigger Pie Forum sit down to discuss the small town community of Greenwood and the role of the newspaper and the revitalization of downtown spurred on largely by Viking Range, a great home-town success story.

Listen as Ashby talks with his good friend and WWII veteran Dr. Caver about his life and what it was like transitioning back into civilian life after the war.

In this episode, Steve tells us how his career challenges and struggles led him to make a turn and come home to his Mississippi Delta roots.

Listen in as Ashby talks with Steve Azar, a songwriter, musician, and the Music and Culture Ambassador for Mississippi. A native of the Mississippi Delta, he shares the story of how growing up in Mississippi so deeply influenced his artistic career. 

BPF continues its dialogue with Jeff Good as he discusses teaming up with Jackson area leaders to form a workforce development café called the Refill Café. The young adult staff is enrolled in a 10-week work training program to help develop skills needed for entering the workforce.

BPF continues its conversation with Jeff Good to talk about 3rd party delivery services, customer service and how Mangia Bene continues to grow its business, as well as diversify.

BPF talks with Jeff Good on his start in the restaurant business here in Jackson, MS with partner Chef Dan Blumenthal.  Jeff talks about upscale dining, farm-to-table, the Jackson market and how they’re still making it happen through the highs and lows.

BPF continues its important and well-timed conversation with Dr. Sidney Bondurant to discuss the challenges DAB has faced breaking into the marketplace.

Bigger Pie Forum has a timely conversation with the folks at DAB Hand Sanitizer. This MS company discusses its sanitizing technology that keeps on working for hours, acting as a protective glove.  

BPF interviews Donna Harris and Aaron Rice of MJI to discuss her program being shut down by the MS State Department of Health. In this episode we take time focus on the legal aspect of this case.

Episode 1 - BPF interviews Donna Harris and Aaron Rice of MJI to discuss her program being shut down by the MS State Department of Health