Podcast appearances and mentions of carol highsmith

Few public servants in Louisiana history have worn as many hats, or told as many stories, as Jay Dardenne. Having served as State Senator, Secretary of State, Lieutenant Governor, and Commissioner of Administration under John Bel Edwards, Dardenne has spent decades shaping and promoting the state. But in this conversation, we explore a different dimension of his life: historian, storyteller, and documentarian. Dardenne is the creator and host of Why Louisiana Ain't Mississippi or Any Place Else, a production of Louisiana Public Broadcasting that brings Louisiana's complex history to life. What began as a live presentation he started developing in the 1990s has evolved into a widely viewed documentary, what Jay calls “a gumbo of culture, politics, music, and storytelling.” His goal is simple but profound: to help people understand not just what happened in Louisiana, but why it shaped who we are today. His personal connection to Acadiana runs deep. “It is always good to come to Lafayette,” he shares. “I spend a lot of time here growing up because my mother was born here. It's like a second home.” Dardenne's passion for public service began early. Reflecting on his time as student body president at Louisiana State University, he admits the decision to run came “in a moment of weakness,” but it set the stage for a lifelong commitment to leadership. “I think I did want to serve from a young age. I always wanted to be president of this or that. It was kind of a natural move for me to decide to get into politics.” Even today, he remains active in the legal field, working as a mediator and maintaining a practice focused on business matters and estate planning. “I don't want to retire,” he says candidly. At the heart of this episode is Dardenne's deep dive into Louisiana's identity. He emphasizes that Louisiana's influence far exceeds its size: “We punch above our weight as a state. Our influence and our impact on sports, music, politics, art and literature is disproportionate to our size.” His storytelling traces the state's origins from Indigenous civilizations at Poverty Point, a site he notes was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site during his tenure as Lieutenant Governor, to the layered cultural influences of French, Spanish, African, Acadian, and immigrant communities. He walks listeners through the founding of New Orleans by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville and the early French explorers like René-Robert Cavelier de La Salle, highlighting how these forces combined to create what he repeatedly describes as a uniquely Louisiana “gumbo.” The conversation also captures his appreciation for the state's colorful political past. Figures like Huey Long and Dudley LeBlanc loom large in his storytelling, representing a brand of larger-than-life leadership that he believes has faded over time. “We have characters still,” he says, “but we don't have the color that Huey Long and Dudley LeBlanc brought.” Why Louisiana Ain't Mississippi… or Any Place Else! Documentary Companion Book showcases the photography of visual documentarian photographer Carol Highsmith. The book takes you on a visual journey across Louisiana, revealing hidden beauty and startling new perspectives of iconic images. It can be purchased at LPB’s website here. Dardenne's work is not just about history, it's about connection. Through humor, he makes complex narratives memorable: “People do remember things that entertain them.” That philosophy has helped his presentation resonate with audiences across generations, even leading to curriculum-based lesson plans for students in grades 6 through 12. Educators, students, and parents now have access to new digital resources that complement learning across multiple areas of study and put Louisiana history and culture center stage! Developed by LPB Education, these free educational resources offer entertaining and informative content for twenty-four curriculum supports. This effort was funded through a dedicated percentage of membership revenues raised by Why Louisiana Ain't Mississippi… or Any Place Else! Visit https://whylouisiana.lpb.org/Classroom.html for more information. He also shares insight into his latest documentary project, focused on LSU legend Billy Cannon. The film explores Cannon's life beyond football, including his later work at Louisiana State Penitentiary. “It'll be a football story,” Dardenne explains, “but it'll also be about redemption, what he did at Angola after he was released from prison.” When asked what he is most proud of, Dardenne's answer is deeply personal: “My two sons.” Professionally, however, his guiding principle has remained constant: “I like to leave a place better than I found it.” That ethos extends to his love for Louisiana itself. Despite its challenges, he believes the state's culture and sense of identity keep people rooted here. “We're very self-critical, but nonetheless, this is a place where people want to live. They love the lifestyle. They love who we are.” In this episode, Jay Dardenne reminds us that Louisiana is not easily defined, and that's exactly the point. Through history, humor, and heartfelt reflection, he invites us to see the state not just as a place, but as a living story worth preserving.

In the realm where creativity takes flight, akaRadioRed welcomes, with pure delight, Three world-changing souls, a vibrant array, She'll dive into their stories, carpe diem, seize the day! Carol Highsmith, a visual maestro grand, her Gift to the Nation, in every state her camera lens commands, 80,000 images, a photographic embrace, Over 43 years, capturing every space. G. S. Gerry, a Navy veteran's tale, A storyteller with a twist, setting sail, Worlds crafted uniquely unbelievable yet true, Quirky and relatable, creating adventure escapes so new. Danièle Cybulskie, a medieval wiz, TEDx speaker, writer, Middle Ages lore is her biz, Former professor, making history fun, Through books, articles, videos, a job well done. So, tune in, buckle up, for a Read My Lips Creativity ride, With akaRadioRed, where stories reside, In this lively space, real magic takes flight, Snapshots of Creativity, a pure delight!

In the realm where creativity takes flight, akaRadioRed welcomes, with pure delight, Three world-changing souls, a vibrant array, She'll dive into their stories, carpe diem, seize the day! Carol Highsmith, a visual maestro grand, her Gift to the Nation, in every state her camera lens commands, 80,000 images, a photographic embrace, Over 43 years, capturing every space. G. S. Gerry, a Navy veteran's tale, A storyteller with a twist, setting sail, Worlds crafted uniquely unbelievable yet true, Quirky and relatable, creating adventure escapes so new. Danièle Cybulskie, a medieval wiz, TEDx speaker, writer, Middle Ages lore is her biz, Former professor, making history fun, Through books, articles, videos, a job well done. So, tune in, buckle up, for a Read My Lips Creativity ride, With akaRadioRed, where stories reside, In this lively space, real magic takes flight, Snapshots of Creativity, a pure delight!

Carol Highsmith on the importance of her mission ~ "I am now using the highest digital camera made on Earth. . .That's what I come to the map with. The real important aspect of this is that it is not for now I'm doing this. It's for 1000 years from now, or 5000 years from now." Carol Highsmith, America's Photographer in studio interview A Ockershausen: This is Andy Ockershausen. This is Our Town, and it's a special treat for me to talk to somebody, we go way back. This young lady worked in the WMAL sales department in the 1980s. She even won the WMAL Employee of the Year award the first year we gave that award. And she was an incredible addition to the WMAL staff. Since she left there, she's been around doing extraordinary things with her life with her camera and with her husband, another WMAL legend, Ted Lanphair, who was a news director. Together, Ted and Carol Highsmith have roamed the country. She's the official photographer of the United States Library of Congress. She is single-handedly documenting America one state at a time. [Check out her website at carolhighsmithamerica.com] The inspiration for her life work started in Our Town at the Willard Hotel. Our Town keeps popping up. Welcome to Our Town, Carol Highsmith. Carol Highsmith: Thank you Andy. You know, just coming in today, how fun it was thinking about the good times we had here. And how wonderful it was when you led the troops, and we all just loved you to death. There was nothing like it. A Ockershausen: It wasn't. And Ken Hunter, our technical director, hears it all the time. There was nothing like the WMAL spirit. Sitting right there was Doc Walker, and he was talking about it, that he got something out of being part of WMAL. Even though he was doing a show, he knew what we were doing. You knew what we were doing, because you were part of it. Carol Highsmith on Working in Sales at WMAL Carol Highsmith: It was so much fun! I mean, we just had a ball! A Ockershausen: Absolutely. It was entertainment. Carol Highsmith: And I was in sales, so here's the deal. You didn't have to sell anything. You would just go out and pick up the order. My first day, first day, right? I had come from another number one station, KYW in Philadelphia. A Ockershausen: Powerhouse. Carol Highsmith: Hello. So I arrived at WMAL and went out to visit my clients, first day. Somebody handed me a $30,000 order. I thought, "Oh dear! This is going to be so much fun." A Ockershausen: You knew you hit the jackpot didn't you? Carol Highsmith: Oh, yes, I thought, it wasn't sales. It was PR. You just go out and smile and they say, "Okay, how much money do you want?" A Ockershausen: Well, you know, everybody that sits in that chair that was part of us always talks about the people, that the people were so important in the sales department. Like Bob Bowen, Pete Wysocki, you know, Frank Ford. They were all pros. Carol Highsmith: They were. A Ockershausen: I mean, you were not with a bunch of beginners. They were pros. Carol Highsmith: That is very true, but guess who our leader was. The best salesman in the world, Andy Ockershausen. A Ockershausen: That's what I was named by Bill Regardie. I'm not sure. Carol Highsmith: Seriously, how could we fail? We had at our helm someone who understood sales. And that wasn't me. A Ockershausen: And your husband Ted understood it. Carol Highsmith: Yeah he did. A Ockershausen: He knew WMAL, brought in a lot of good people. And then, you know, everything changes. But we waited a long time for our change to WMAL. And now we're so happy, I'm sure you've heard that the Redskins have finally decided to have somebody listen to them. And they put the signal back to where it belongs, where it's always belonged. In Our Town on WMAL. But Carol, your career has been incredible. I mean, I did not know that you were a Minnesota girl until I read about your travels from Minnesota to North Carolina. That was America. You saw it.

This podcast provides a brief overview of one way of simplifying and approaching the complex subject of Reconstruction, This is meant to supplement my history course, HIST 2112. Photo by Carol Highsmith, in the public domain through the Library of Congress

This episode Curtis and Leeland talk about Mason getting home, the recent dispute regarding Getty Images and Carol Highsmith, Arc Productions files bankruptcy and Thomas is out of work, Curtis explains how the Nintendo Seal of Approval changed early gaming, and we give our PS console picks, from PS1 to what we've seen so far on PS4, which leads to some Paragon talk.

Oct. 27, 2015. Explore the reaches of Carol Highsmith's archive as she discusses her work and her motivation for dedicating the rights to the American people for copyright-free access. For transcript, captions, and more information, visit http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=7208

     This podcast was inspired by Connecticut Captured: A 21st Century Look at an American Classic, on view at the Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford through March 12. This exhibit, by acclaimed visual documentarian Carol M. Highsmith, is an effort to capture in images the character of Connecticut in the 21st century.       State Historian Walter Woodward worked with Carol Highsmith on this project, and when the exhibit opened, he and his musical group The Band of Steady Habits gave a musical lecturetitled "What Makes Connecticut Conecticut" Someone recorded the talk, and though the sound isn't perfect, we thought you might find this account of Connecticut's character worth a listen.