Podcasts about Hurricane Katrina

For nearly a decade, a predator stalked the quiet marshlands and sugarcane fields of southeastern Louisiana, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. In this episode, we dive into the chilling case of Ronald Dominique, a man who confessed to the rape and murder of at least 23 men and boys between 1997 and 2006.Despite a victim count that rivals some of history's most notorious killers, Dominique's name is rarely mentioned alongside Bundy or Gacy. We explore the "perfect storm" of factors that allowed him to evade capture for so long—from his strategic targeting of marginalized men on society's fringes to the devastating chaos of Hurricane Katrina that overshadowed the investigation.Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA* Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com* Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com* Check out Progressive: https://progressive.com* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code OBSCURA20 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of the 416 Interview Series, Wayne Rodgers sits down with Wes Arabie, an elder at the DeGaulle Drive Church of Christ (New Orleans, Louisiana). Wes shares his journey from the New Orleans area to preaching school, his years preaching in Mississippi, and how the congregation at DeGaulle Drive endured major hardships—especially Hurricane Katrina and COVID—while continuing to support gospel work. If you're a preacher, elder, or Christian seeking encouragement, this conversation highlights what keeps God's people pressing forward: the Lord, His Word, and faithful service. Connect with 416 Ministries: Links: 416 Interview Series link: • 416: The Interview Series 416 Ministries Links: https://linktr.ee/416ministries Scattered Abroad Network: https://linktr.ee/scatteredabroadnetwork Subscribe for more interviews with preachers, elders, and congregations across the country. ------------ DeGaulle Drive church of Christ 4700 Gen DeGaulle Dr., New Orleans, LA, United States, 70131-7112 FB Page: / degaulledrivecoc YouTube: / @degaullechurchofchrist8917 Forest Hill church of Christ (Memphis, TN) 3950 Forest Hill Irene Rd. Memphis, TN 38125 https://foresthillcofc.org Home of the Memphis School of Preaching https://msop.org 416 Ministries is partnered with MSOP & overseen by the Forest Hill church of Christ. Scattered Abroad Network is a work of the Memphis School of Preaching.

Step into Episode 201 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Riley, Director of Pickleball, and Casey, General Manager of Dink & Dine — a brand-new pickleball-anchored eatertainment facility that's rewriting what a night out looks like in the Valley. Four months in and sitting at a 4.9-star rating with over 110 fully organic reviews, this isn't a pickleball gym with a menu tacked on — it's something entirely different.Casey and Riley bring serious depth to this conversation. Casey went from cutting his teeth in Old Town Scottsdale's nightlife prime and graduating Scottsdale Culinary to spending 12 years growing through every level of Main Event — all the way to GM for all three Arizona locations and Regional Director covering Phoenix, Albuquerque, Denver, and Baton Rouge — before landing the opportunity to build something from the ground up with a team of hospitality consultants who asked, "Why don't we just start our own thing?" Riley's road ran through a painful divorce, a transformational pickleball flow state, a coaching company she built from scratch, overseas pickleball yacht trips, the PPA and App Tour, and even designing the world's first floating pickleball court in Croatia — before LinkedIn brought her to a facility she calls the nicest she's ever walked into. Together, they unpack four core values, the kitchen philosophy of Chef Kelly Milani, and why doing both pickleball and food at a truly high level is harder than anyone realizes — and exactly what makes Dink & Dine worth the visit.Chapter Guide (Timestamps):(0:00 - 2:38) Intro: Episode 201, Delo's 52nd Birthday & Welcome to Casey and Smiley Riley(2:39 - 6:14) Casey's Origin: New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina, Scottsdale Culinary & Old Town Nightlife(6:15 - 8:10) Main Event to Dink & Dine: 12 Years, Regional Director & The Founding Team(8:11 - 12:33) 4.9 Stars, Organic Reviews, Hospitality Philosophy & Four Core Values(12:34 - 15:23) Riley's Story: From Divorce Court to the Pickleball Court & Finding Flow State(15:24 - 19:15) PPA Tour, Floating Court in Croatia & What It Means to Be Director of Pickleball(19:16 - 20:30) Bridging the Gap: High-Level Pickleball AND High-Level Food — Neither an Afterthought(20:31 - 37:00) Chef Kelly Milani, Kitchen Philosophy, Menu Highlights, Programming & Corporate Events(37:01 - 45:47) Rapid Fire Questions, Best Menu Items & How to Connect with Dink & Dine

 In the fall of 2006, the city of New Orleans was still wading through the immense wreckage of Hurricane Katrina. Local author Chris Rose calls it "The storm that keeps killing" and it was.  So, on October 17th 2006, when a man was found dead of apparent suicide, laid out on the lower rooftop of the Omni Royal Gardens Hotel, the police thought at first, that the storm had struck again. In some ways it had, but this case was is much more than meets the eye. The victim had, in his pocket, US Army issued dog tags, a key and a note. The dog tags bore his name: Zachary Bowen. The note said that he had taken his own life as payment for taking the life of another, his girlfriend Addie Hall. The key was to the apartment where the police would find her body, and that is just the beginning of the story of Addie and Zach. It's the story of a love that ripped through their lives...like a hurricane. Click to learn more (sources)   https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15338473   https://www.weremember.com/zackery-bowen/4x5v/memories?utm_campaign=findagrave&utm_source=findagrave   https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/books/27maslin.html   https://www.ranker.com/list/zack-and-addie-new-orleans/patrick-thornton?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=creepy&pgid=1011190218967434&utm_campaign=zack-and-addie-new-orleans-comment&utm_content=zscmyrogkwxlpvxp&fbclid=IwY2xjawQDLYdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJNa200cjJKMnVDekFkbEQwc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpvwEdXqakKjI73YR7X3NItwsL-gUbKRqb-n_mIcCQxpNTKbw4lkTYp0_vmW_aem_jQm30W6behD6TGP4TiWJcA   https://www.ksla.com/story/5560421/suicide-leads-police-to-gruesome-murder-scene/   https://ghostcitytours.com/new-orleans/ghost-stories/zack-addie/   https://www.risk-show.com/podcast/raw/   http://www.blather.net/theblather/2006/11/the_war_at_home_the_story_of_zachary_bow/   Episode Credits: Hosts/writers: Holly Knapp and Leslie Weidel Editor/Composer/Producer: Jon Katity WWBD Merch Buy your WWBD swag here!  Join the Conversation      

Norman C. Francis, the New Orleans civil rights leader, businessman, educator and president of Xavier University for nearly half a century, died last week. He was 94. Francis is remembered for his commitment to making the city a better place to live, whether through integration efforts or recovery after Hurricane Katrina. In 2006, then-president George W. Bush  honored him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Patrick Francis, one of Francis' six children, joins us to discuss his father's life and legacy and constant commitment to civil rights. We'll also hear a recording of Norman C. Francis himself from last July, reflecting on his own role in the Freedom Riders movement.The earliest-known full-length opera written by a Black American composer is now available as a new CD. The album of Edmond Dede's “Morgiane” was produced by Opera Creole and features singers from across the country. Opera Creole founders Givonna Joseph and her daughter Aria Mason join  us to discuss the details and explain the longevity of the 1887 work.  __Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Talk What You Know – Hard Talk Edition | Hosted by Rev. Dr. Donald R. Jones

In this episode of Everyday Conversations on Race, host Simma Lieberman welcomes Verna Williams, CEO of Equal Justice Works, former law professor, and former dean, for a powerful conversation about race, justice, and access to legal representation in America. Verna explains why race remains a necessary topic—not to assign personal blame, but to understand how systems shaped by slavery and segregation continue to influence opportunity and social hierarchy today. She reflects on growing up in the Washington, DC and Maryland area, attending both predominantly white and predominantly Black schools. Those experiences sharpened her awareness of being "different" and highlighted how segregated many of our lives still are. Even today, she encounters moments when someone tells her she is the first Black person they've had a meaningful conversation with—evidence of how separation persists. As CEO of Equal Justice Works—the nation's largest postgraduate public-interest legal fellowship program—Verna works to address a staggering reality: 92% of low-income people's civil legal needs go unmet. She explains how civil legal problems such as eviction, wage garnishment, loss of benefits, and family instability create economic insecurity and can even lead to involvement in the criminal legal system. Unlike criminal cases, there is no guaranteed right to counsel in high-stakes civil matters, leaving millions to navigate life-altering situations alone. Verna describes how Equal Justice Works partners with law firms, corporations, and foundations to fund fellowships that send lawyers into underserved communities. She highlights the organization's Disaster Resilience Program, created after Hurricane Katrina, which helps communities navigate FEMA claims, insurance issues, document replacement, and preparedness planning. She also shares her personal journey—from broadcast journalism to law—motivated by fairness and shaped by the civil rights and women's rights movements. Her career has included work on voting rights, women's rights, veterans' benefits, and debt collection reform. She also argued—and won—a 5–4 U.S. Supreme Court case establishing that schools must address known student-on-student sexual harassment under Title IX. The conversation explores immigration representation, reports of ICE detentions at court hearings, and practical ways non-lawyers can help—through translation, court accompaniment, and local volunteer efforts. Verna encourages listeners to stay informed through reputable sources, vote, and engage locally in school boards and city councils. She also shares personal reflections on music and film—and clarifies her role as Michelle Obama's oral historian during the early White House years, after the two were law school classmates. This episode connects race, law, and economic justice—and offers clear examples of how everyday engagement can strengthen democracy. Time Stamps 00:00 Welcome to Race Convo: Why These Conversations Matter 00:58 Meet Verna Williams + The Big Question: Do We Still Need to Talk About Race? 02:16 Race as a Social Hierarchy: How History Still Shapes Today 03:54 Growing Up Integrated: Verna's Schools, Identity, and Feeling 'Different' 05:15 Segregation in Real Life: 'First Black Person I've Talked To' + Why the Podcast Exists 08:04 What Equal Justice Works Does: Closing the Civil Legal Help Gap 09:52 Why Verna Chose Justice Work: Early Racism, Fairness, and Civil Rights Roots 12:29 Civil vs. Criminal: The Hidden Crisis of No Right to Counsel 17:50 How Equal Justice Works Operates: Fellowships, Funding, and Disaster Resilience 21:00 Verna's Career Path + Arguing a Landmark Title IX Case at the Supreme Court 25:42 Keeping Progress Moving Forward: Training the Next Generation of Public Interest Leaders 26:30 Making Public Interest Careers Possible: Loan Forgiveness & Funding Support 27:31 Why This Work Matters: Building Leaders Through Equal Justice Works 28:46 Training for Empathy: Community-Led Lawyering & Fellow Learning Networks 30:16 Immigrant Justice on the Front Lines: Asylum, ICE at Court & Finding Hope 32:28 How Non-Lawyers Can Help: Volunteering, Translating & Getting Involved 34:11 Where to Plug In: EJW, Legal Services Corp & Other Advocacy Orgs 37:11 Staying Hopeful: History, Collective Action & Cross-Political Coalitions 43:51 Michelle Obama Connection: Serving as Her Oral Historian 45:26 Rapid-Fire Fun: Playlists, Oscar Movies & What to Watch Next 47:43 Final Call to Action: Get Informed, Vote Local & Show Up Guest Bio Verna L. Williams (she/her) is the CEO of Equal Justice Works. In her role as CEO, Verna has continued to advance the mission of Equal Justice Works to create opportunities for leaders to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. Verna brings with her an extensive background of experience teaching and practicing law, as well as researching civil and women's rights. Verna previously served as the dean of the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where she was a professor prior to becoming dean, and taught courses on family law, gender discrimination, and constitutional law. Additionally, she founded and co-directed the Judge Nathaniel Jones Center for Race, Gender, and Social Justice at the University of Cincinnati.   Click here to DONATE and support our podcast All donations are tax deductible through Fractured Atlas. Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist, helps leaders create inclusive cultures. She is a consultant, speaker, and facilitator. Simma is the creator and host of the podcast, Everyday Conversations on Race. Contact Simma@SimmaLieberman.com to get more information, book her as a speaker for your next event, help you become a more inclusive leader, or facilitate dialogues across differences. Go to www.simmalieberman.com and www.raceconvo.com for more information Simma is a member of and inspired by the global organization IAC (Inclusion Allies Coalition)    Connect with me: Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn Tiktok Website Previous Episodes Can Women of Color and White Women Be Friends? What Was DEI Actually Meant to Do—and Why Did It Go Off Track? Curiosity, Not Cancellation: Real Talk with Dr. Julie Pham Loved this episode?  Leave us a review and rating

In this episode of Down & Dirty with Michael Julian, we sit down with Joseph “Joey” Pena for one of the most raw and unfiltered conversations we've had.Joey opens up about surviving severe childhood abuse, growing up as a preacher's kid, and how early trauma shaped his identity long before he ever joined the military.From the 82nd Airborne to deployments in Iraq and responding to Hurricane Katrina, Joey shares what combat really looks like — and what happens after the uniform comes off.We discuss:• Childhood trauma and long-term psychological impact • Becoming a protector after being bullied • Katrina and witnessing societal breakdown • Combat deployments in Samarra and Sadr City • Stop-loss and military extension • PTSD, hypervigilance, and setting boundaries • Turning a .50 cal round into a wedding ring • Breaking generational cycles of violenceThis episode isn't about war stories. It's about accountability. Healing. And choosing not to pass pain forward.If you've ever struggled with trauma, identity, or rebuilding your life after chaos - this conversation is for you.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Joseph “Joey” Pena, the discussion moves from early trauma to operational reality.Joey shares what it was like being among the first boots on the ground in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, operating under martial law, and navigating a city where law enforcement had been compromised and order had collapsed.He recounts:• Taking back the French Quarter • Rules of engagement during “blue on blue” encounters • The presence of private security contractors • The breakdown of trust in uniform • Stop-loss extensions during the Iraq War • Leadership manipulating deployment orders • Combat deployments in Samarra and Sadr City • Living with hypervigilance after returning home • Setting boundaries in relationships while managing PTSDThis episode is not about glorifying combat. It is about what happens when systems fail, and what that does to the people inside them.For leaders, it is also a reminder:When structure collapses, human behavior changes fast.

As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, it’s fitting to reflect on the biblical perspective of leadership. Daniel 2:21 reminds us that God “changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Every president, past and present, serves under God’s sovereign hand. Recognizing their achievements, especially those guided by faith, is a way to honor God’s provision for our nation. Intersecting Faith & Life How can we honor God by recognizing the positive impact of leaders He places in office? In what ways can you personally pray for national leaders and their decisions? Reflect on moments in American history where prayer and faith intersected with leadership—how can this inspire your own spiritual practice? Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: Honoring Our Nation's Presidents By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” - Daniel 2:21 What does it take to be President of the United States of America? As our nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, we probably have a wide variety of thoughts and answers to this question. Still, throughout history, many men of various backgrounds, political leanings, religious beliefs, and stature have served as the President of the United States. Although we hold elections in the United States, we don’t want to ignore what Daniel explains: that God has a hand in who comes into leadership in our nation and that we really are not the ones in control. As we commemorate yet another President’s Day, it’s biblical to set time aside to honor the many men who have held the office, regardless of our political leanings. Being the President of the United States of America takes bravery and fortitude, as it comes with serious caution and risks to both the sitting president’s life and career. In Prayers and Presidents, author and historian William J. Federer presents statistics on the danger that being President holds: “Not every United States President left the White House on his own accord, with some dying in office and others murdered while serving. Four Presidents left office due to assassination, with the most famous and well-known account being that of the 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, and the 35th President, John F. Kennedy. Along with them, lesser-recognized presidents were murdered while in office, including 20th President, James A. Garfield, and 25th President, William McKinley. As well, 40th President Ronald Reagan and soon-to-be re-elected Donald J. Trump survived assassination attempts on their lives. Reagan, while in office, and Trum,p while on the presidential campaign trail before taking office in his second nonconsecutive term as our 47th President at 78 years old.” Regardless of the risks, from the very beginning of our nation’s birth, prayer has been recognized and encouraged by many of our Presidents, including our very first President, George Washington, who carried a well-worn pocket-sized edition of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. Providence Forum executive director Dr. Jerry Newcombe describes how General Washington, during the Revolutionary War, felt the odds of winning were too great against us, so on July 4th, 1775—a year before independence—he sent the following order to his troops: “He requires and expects of all officers and soldiers, not engaged in actual duty, a punctual attendance on Divine service, to implore the blessing of Heaven upon the means used for our safety and defense.’" Some doubt God’s hand in America’s history and on America’s leaders. But Proverbs 21:1 reveals that, “In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that He channels toward all who please Him.” As well, Proverbs 8:15 reassures us that God has a hand in who reigns and rules on earth: “By Me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just.” God receives glory for directing ways presidents have honored Him, such as the 33rd President, Harry S. Truman, who initiated the National Day of Prayer as an annual observance in 1952, stating: “In times of national crisis when we are striving to strengthen the foundations of peace… we stand in special need of Divine support.” In April 1970, President Richard M. Nixon urged Americans to pray for the Apollo 13 astronauts who were in crisis. As well, after their safe return, he set aside Sunday, April 19, 1970, as a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving. President Ronald Reagan established the National Day of Prayer on May 5, 1988, to be commemorated each year on the first Thursday in May, saying: “Americans in every generation have turned to their Maker in prayer… We have acknowledged… our dependence on Almighty God.”Following the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina, our 43rd President, George W. Bush, declared Days of Prayer. Intersecting Faith & Life: We are honoring God when we honor His accomplishments achieved through the leaders He places into office as our presidents. By recognizing their godly accomplishments, we are expressing gratitude and glorifying God for His just decrees. Further Reading: Seeing God’s Hand in America’s Freedom Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode Andrea Samadi revisits Season 15's foundation with Dr. Bruce Perry to explore how safety, regulation, and patterned experience shape the brain's capacity to learn and create. We examine why potential must be activated through repetition, rhythm, and low-threat environments, and how trauma, stress, or dysregulation block learning. Takeaways include practical steps for educators, parents, and leaders: prioritize nervous-system safety before instruction, use micro-repetition to build skills, and employ storytelling to make scientific ideas stick. This episode anchors Phase 1 of the season: regulation, rhythm, repetition, and relational safety as the prerequisites for sustainable performance and lasting change. This week, Episode 385—based on our review of Episode 168 recorded in October 2021—we explore: ✔ 1. Genetic Potential vs. Developed Capacity We are born with extraordinary biological potential. But experience determines which neural systems become functional. The brain builds what it repeatedly uses. ✔ 2. The Brain Is Use-Dependent Language, emotional regulation, leadership skills, motor precision— all are wired through patterned, rhythmic repetition. ✔ 3. Trauma, Regulation & Learning A dysregulated nervous system cannot efficiently learn. Safety, rhythm, and relational connection come before strategy. ✔ 4. “What Happened to You?” vs. “What's Wrong with You?” Shifting from judgment to curiosity changes how we approach: Children Students Teams Ourselves ✔ 5. Early Experience Shapes Long-Term Expression Developmental inputs—especially patterned, early ones— determine which capacities are strengthened. ✔ 6. Repetition Builds Confidence Confidence is not a personality trait. It is neural circuitry built through structured repetition in safe environments. ✔ 7. Story Makes Science Stick From Dr. Perry's experience writing with Oprah: You can't tell everybody everything you know. Impact comes from: One core idea Wrapped in story Delivered with restraint ✔ 8. Information Overload Weakens Learning Depth > Volume Clarity > Density Retention > Impressive Data ✔ 9. Regulation Comes Before Motivation Before goals. Before performance. Before achievement. The nervous system must feel safe. ✔ 10. Season 15's Foundational Question Is the nervous system safe enough to learn? Welcome back to Season 15 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast. I'm Andrea Samadi, and here we bridge the science behind social and emotional learning, emotional intelligence, and practical neuroscience—so we can create measurable improvements in well-being, achievement, productivity, and results. When we launched this podcast seven years ago, it was driven by a question I had never been taught to ask— not in school, not in business, and not in life: If results matter—and they matter now more than ever—how exactly are we using our brain to make these results happen? Most of us were taught what to do. Very few of us were taught how to think under pressure, how to regulate emotion, how to sustain motivation, or even how to produce consistent results without burning out. That question led me into a deep exploration of the mind–brain–results connection—and how neuroscience applies to everyday decisions, conversations, and performance. That's why this podcast exists. Each week, we bring you leading experts to break down complex science and translate it into practical strategies you can apply immediately. If you've been with us through Season 14, you may have felt something shift. That season wasn't about collecting ideas. It was about integrating these ideas into our daily life, as we launched our review of past episodes. Across conversations on neuroscience, social and emotional learning, sleep, stress, exercise, nutrition, and mindset frameworks—we heard from voices like Bob Proctor, José Silva, Dr. Church, Dr. John Medina, and others—one thing became clear: These aren't separate tools that we are covering in each episode. They're parts of one operating system. When the brain, body, and emotions are aligned, performance stops feeling forced—and starts to feel sustainable. Season 14 showed us what alignment looks like in real life. We looked at goals and mental direction, rewiring the brain, future-ready learning and leadership, self-leadership, which ALL led us to inner alignment. And now we move into Season 15 that is about understanding how that alignment is built—so we can build it ourselves, using predictable, science-backed principles. Because alignment doesn't happen all at once. It happens by using a sequence. And when we understand the order of that sequence — we can replicate it. By repeating this sequence over and over again, until magically (or predictably) we notice our results have changed. So Season 15 we've organized as a review roadmap, where each episode explores one foundational brain system—and each phase builds on the one before it. Season 15 Roadmap: Phase 1 — Regulation & Safety Phase 2 — Neurochemistry & Motivation Phase 3 — Movement, Learning & Cognition Phase 4 — Perception, Emotion & Social Intelligence Phase 5 — Integration, Insight & Meaning PHASE 1: REGULATION & SAFETY Staples: Sleep + Stress Regulation Core Question: Is the nervous system safe enough to learn? Anchor Episodes Episode 384 — Baland Jalal How learning begins: curiosity, sleep, imagination, creativity Bruce Perry “What happened to you?” — trauma, rhythm, relational safety Sui Wong Autonomic balance, lifestyle medicine, brain resilience Rohan Dixit HRV, real-time self-regulation, nervous system literacy Last week we began with Phase One: Regulation and Safety as we revisited Dr. Baland Jalal's interview from June 2022. EP 384 — Dr. Baland Jalal[i] Dr. Baland Jalal This episode sits at the foundation of Season 15. Dr. Baland Jalal is a Harvard neuroscientist whose work explores how sleep, imagination, and curiosity shape the brain's capacity to learn and create. What stood out to me then — and even more now — is that learning doesn't begin with effort. It begins when the brain is rested, regulated, and free to explore possibility. This conversation reminds us that creativity isn't added later — it's built into the brain when conditions are right. It's here we remember that before learning can happen, before curiosity can emerge, before motivation or growth is possible— the brain must feel safe. And what better place to begin with safety and the brain, than with Dr. Bruce Perry, who we met October of 2021 on EP 168.[ii] EP 385 — Dr. Bruce Perry Dr. Bruce Perry (Episode 168 – October 2021) Dr. Bruce Perry, Senior Fellow of the Child Trauma Academy in Houston, Texas, and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, joined the podcast to help us better understand how traumatic experiences shape the developing brain. At the time, I was deeply concerned about the generational impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In one of Dr. Perry's trainings, he referenced research conducted after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which showed that families exposed to prolonged stress experienced increased rates of substance abuse — not only in those directly affected, but in the next generation as well. As I began hearing reports of rising depression, anxiety, and substance use during the pandemic, I wondered: What could we do now to reduce the long-term neurological and emotional impact on our children, our schools, and future generations? Dr. Perry agreed to come on the show to share insights from his work and to discuss his book, co-authored with Oprah Winfrey: What Happened to You: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing.[iii] Dr. Bruce Perry challenges one of the most common questions we ask in education, leadership, and parenting. Instead of asking, “What's wrong with you?” he asks, “What happened to you?” In this conversation, we explored how early experiences shape the brain, how trauma disrupts regulation, and why healing begins with rhythm, safety, and connection. You can find a link to our full interview in the resource section in the show notes. This episode anchors Season 15 by reminding us: a dysregulated brain cannot learn — no matter how good the strategy. Let's go to our first clip with Dr. Bruce Perry, and look deeper at how we are all born with potential, but our experience builds the rest.

Settler Colonialism is the Disaster: A Critique of New Orleans After Hurricane Katrina and During the COVID-19 Pandemic (U Illinois Press, 2026) is the new book from Dr. Cassandra Shepard, Assistant Professor in the Department of African American and Diaspora Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana. Published with University of Illinois Press, this encompassing and engrossing book focuses on the crises that have engulfed New Orleans, including the disasters of colonialism, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and COVID-19, taking the reader through their causes and impacts on not only a broad level but through the everyday and often traumatic experiences of the residents of New Orleans. The analysis moves from the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, to state-level post-disaster reconstruction contracts, to international forms of colonialism, and even encompasses Beyonce. This book, which is also includes poetry and a recommended playlist, is also very relevant to the current global moment. Shepard analyses the overlapping and intersecting disasters that have affected New Orleans through ideas of disaster capitalism and settler colonialism, demonstrating how Black and Indigenous peoples have been deprived of critical resources. The reconstruction processes following, and during, these crises have often sought to exploit the authentic New Orleans culture and vibrancy to further the consolidation of power, profit, and privilege of white elites, to the detriment of Black and Indigenous peoples. Shepard's book, Settler Colonialism is the Disaster, takes a multi-scalar view of settler colonialism and investigates how it has not only operated historically in New Orleans, but clearly demonstrates that it is a continual process that still determines reconstruction, relief, and other projects today. Shepard connects the ongoing violence and dispossession inherent in settler colonialism within New Orleans, expressed through structural responses to Hurricane Katrina and COVID-19, to other settler colonial projects around the world, such as in Canada, Israel, New Zealand, and Australia. Cassandra Shepard's new book is an exceptional, theoretically and empirically rich book that offers a new critique into ‘best practice' reconstruction, which demands attention. Settler Colonialism is the Disaster offers an urgent, critical view of the political economy of reconstruction, aid, and government responses; a view which is crucial to take seriously in our world today, plagued as it is by crisis, war, and settler colonialism. Elliot Dolan-Evans is a sessional lecturer in law at Monash University and RMIT. His research investigates the political economy of global capitalism, forms of international governance, and questions of war and peace. His first book, Making War Safe for Capitalism: The World Bank, IMF and the Conflict in Ukraine, is now out with Bristol University Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/african-american-studies

Settler Colonialism is the Disaster: A Critique of New Orleans After Hurricane Katrina and During the COVID-19 Pandemic (U Illinois Press, 2026) is the new book from Dr. Cassandra Shepard, Assistant Professor in the Department of African American and Diaspora Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana. Published with University of Illinois Press, this encompassing and engrossing book focuses on the crises that have engulfed New Orleans, including the disasters of colonialism, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and COVID-19, taking the reader through their causes and impacts on not only a broad level but through the everyday and often traumatic experiences of the residents of New Orleans. The analysis moves from the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, to state-level post-disaster reconstruction contracts, to international forms of colonialism, and even encompasses Beyonce. This book, which is also includes poetry and a recommended playlist, is also very relevant to the current global moment. Shepard analyses the overlapping and intersecting disasters that have affected New Orleans through ideas of disaster capitalism and settler colonialism, demonstrating how Black and Indigenous peoples have been deprived of critical resources. The reconstruction processes following, and during, these crises have often sought to exploit the authentic New Orleans culture and vibrancy to further the consolidation of power, profit, and privilege of white elites, to the detriment of Black and Indigenous peoples. Shepard's book, Settler Colonialism is the Disaster, takes a multi-scalar view of settler colonialism and investigates how it has not only operated historically in New Orleans, but clearly demonstrates that it is a continual process that still determines reconstruction, relief, and other projects today. Shepard connects the ongoing violence and dispossession inherent in settler colonialism within New Orleans, expressed through structural responses to Hurricane Katrina and COVID-19, to other settler colonial projects around the world, such as in Canada, Israel, New Zealand, and Australia. Cassandra Shepard's new book is an exceptional, theoretically and empirically rich book that offers a new critique into ‘best practice' reconstruction, which demands attention. Settler Colonialism is the Disaster offers an urgent, critical view of the political economy of reconstruction, aid, and government responses; a view which is crucial to take seriously in our world today, plagued as it is by crisis, war, and settler colonialism. Elliot Dolan-Evans is a sessional lecturer in law at Monash University and RMIT. His research investigates the political economy of global capitalism, forms of international governance, and questions of war and peace. His first book, Making War Safe for Capitalism: The World Bank, IMF and the Conflict in Ukraine, is now out with Bristol University Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Settler Colonialism is the Disaster: A Critique of New Orleans After Hurricane Katrina and During the COVID-19 Pandemic (U Illinois Press, 2026) is the new book from Dr. Cassandra Shepard, Assistant Professor in the Department of African American and Diaspora Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana. Published with University of Illinois Press, this encompassing and engrossing book focuses on the crises that have engulfed New Orleans, including the disasters of colonialism, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and COVID-19, taking the reader through their causes and impacts on not only a broad level but through the everyday and often traumatic experiences of the residents of New Orleans. The analysis moves from the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, to state-level post-disaster reconstruction contracts, to international forms of colonialism, and even encompasses Beyonce. This book, which is also includes poetry and a recommended playlist, is also very relevant to the current global moment. Shepard analyses the overlapping and intersecting disasters that have affected New Orleans through ideas of disaster capitalism and settler colonialism, demonstrating how Black and Indigenous peoples have been deprived of critical resources. The reconstruction processes following, and during, these crises have often sought to exploit the authentic New Orleans culture and vibrancy to further the consolidation of power, profit, and privilege of white elites, to the detriment of Black and Indigenous peoples. Shepard's book, Settler Colonialism is the Disaster, takes a multi-scalar view of settler colonialism and investigates how it has not only operated historically in New Orleans, but clearly demonstrates that it is a continual process that still determines reconstruction, relief, and other projects today. Shepard connects the ongoing violence and dispossession inherent in settler colonialism within New Orleans, expressed through structural responses to Hurricane Katrina and COVID-19, to other settler colonial projects around the world, such as in Canada, Israel, New Zealand, and Australia. Cassandra Shepard's new book is an exceptional, theoretically and empirically rich book that offers a new critique into ‘best practice' reconstruction, which demands attention. Settler Colonialism is the Disaster offers an urgent, critical view of the political economy of reconstruction, aid, and government responses; a view which is crucial to take seriously in our world today, plagued as it is by crisis, war, and settler colonialism. Elliot Dolan-Evans is a sessional lecturer in law at Monash University and RMIT. His research investigates the political economy of global capitalism, forms of international governance, and questions of war and peace. His first book, Making War Safe for Capitalism: The World Bank, IMF and the Conflict in Ukraine, is now out with Bristol University Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies

Settler Colonialism is the Disaster: A Critique of New Orleans After Hurricane Katrina and During the COVID-19 Pandemic (U Illinois Press, 2026) is the new book from Dr. Cassandra Shepard, Assistant Professor in the Department of African American and Diaspora Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana. Published with University of Illinois Press, this encompassing and engrossing book focuses on the crises that have engulfed New Orleans, including the disasters of colonialism, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and COVID-19, taking the reader through their causes and impacts on not only a broad level but through the everyday and often traumatic experiences of the residents of New Orleans. The analysis moves from the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, to state-level post-disaster reconstruction contracts, to international forms of colonialism, and even encompasses Beyonce. This book, which is also includes poetry and a recommended playlist, is also very relevant to the current global moment. Shepard analyses the overlapping and intersecting disasters that have affected New Orleans through ideas of disaster capitalism and settler colonialism, demonstrating how Black and Indigenous peoples have been deprived of critical resources. The reconstruction processes following, and during, these crises have often sought to exploit the authentic New Orleans culture and vibrancy to further the consolidation of power, profit, and privilege of white elites, to the detriment of Black and Indigenous peoples. Shepard's book, Settler Colonialism is the Disaster, takes a multi-scalar view of settler colonialism and investigates how it has not only operated historically in New Orleans, but clearly demonstrates that it is a continual process that still determines reconstruction, relief, and other projects today. Shepard connects the ongoing violence and dispossession inherent in settler colonialism within New Orleans, expressed through structural responses to Hurricane Katrina and COVID-19, to other settler colonial projects around the world, such as in Canada, Israel, New Zealand, and Australia. Cassandra Shepard's new book is an exceptional, theoretically and empirically rich book that offers a new critique into ‘best practice' reconstruction, which demands attention. Settler Colonialism is the Disaster offers an urgent, critical view of the political economy of reconstruction, aid, and government responses; a view which is crucial to take seriously in our world today, plagued as it is by crisis, war, and settler colonialism. Elliot Dolan-Evans is a sessional lecturer in law at Monash University and RMIT. His research investigates the political economy of global capitalism, forms of international governance, and questions of war and peace. His first book, Making War Safe for Capitalism: The World Bank, IMF and the Conflict in Ukraine, is now out with Bristol University Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies

Settler Colonialism is the Disaster: A Critique of New Orleans After Hurricane Katrina and During the COVID-19 Pandemic (U Illinois Press, 2026) is the new book from Dr. Cassandra Shepard, Assistant Professor in the Department of African American and Diaspora Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana. Published with University of Illinois Press, this encompassing and engrossing book focuses on the crises that have engulfed New Orleans, including the disasters of colonialism, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and COVID-19, taking the reader through their causes and impacts on not only a broad level but through the everyday and often traumatic experiences of the residents of New Orleans. The analysis moves from the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, to state-level post-disaster reconstruction contracts, to international forms of colonialism, and even encompasses Beyonce. This book, which is also includes poetry and a recommended playlist, is also very relevant to the current global moment. Shepard analyses the overlapping and intersecting disasters that have affected New Orleans through ideas of disaster capitalism and settler colonialism, demonstrating how Black and Indigenous peoples have been deprived of critical resources. The reconstruction processes following, and during, these crises have often sought to exploit the authentic New Orleans culture and vibrancy to further the consolidation of power, profit, and privilege of white elites, to the detriment of Black and Indigenous peoples. Shepard's book, Settler Colonialism is the Disaster, takes a multi-scalar view of settler colonialism and investigates how it has not only operated historically in New Orleans, but clearly demonstrates that it is a continual process that still determines reconstruction, relief, and other projects today. Shepard connects the ongoing violence and dispossession inherent in settler colonialism within New Orleans, expressed through structural responses to Hurricane Katrina and COVID-19, to other settler colonial projects around the world, such as in Canada, Israel, New Zealand, and Australia. Cassandra Shepard's new book is an exceptional, theoretically and empirically rich book that offers a new critique into ‘best practice' reconstruction, which demands attention. Settler Colonialism is the Disaster offers an urgent, critical view of the political economy of reconstruction, aid, and government responses; a view which is crucial to take seriously in our world today, plagued as it is by crisis, war, and settler colonialism. Elliot Dolan-Evans is a sessional lecturer in law at Monash University and RMIT. His research investigates the political economy of global capitalism, forms of international governance, and questions of war and peace. His first book, Making War Safe for Capitalism: The World Bank, IMF and the Conflict in Ukraine, is now out with Bristol University Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Settler Colonialism is the Disaster: A Critique of New Orleans After Hurricane Katrina and During the COVID-19 Pandemic (U Illinois Press, 2026) is the new book from Dr. Cassandra Shepard, Assistant Professor in the Department of African American and Diaspora Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana. Published with University of Illinois Press, this encompassing and engrossing book focuses on the crises that have engulfed New Orleans, including the disasters of colonialism, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and COVID-19, taking the reader through their causes and impacts on not only a broad level but through the everyday and often traumatic experiences of the residents of New Orleans. The analysis moves from the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, to state-level post-disaster reconstruction contracts, to international forms of colonialism, and even encompasses Beyonce. This book, which is also includes poetry and a recommended playlist, is also very relevant to the current global moment. Shepard analyses the overlapping and intersecting disasters that have affected New Orleans through ideas of disaster capitalism and settler colonialism, demonstrating how Black and Indigenous peoples have been deprived of critical resources. The reconstruction processes following, and during, these crises have often sought to exploit the authentic New Orleans culture and vibrancy to further the consolidation of power, profit, and privilege of white elites, to the detriment of Black and Indigenous peoples. Shepard's book, Settler Colonialism is the Disaster, takes a multi-scalar view of settler colonialism and investigates how it has not only operated historically in New Orleans, but clearly demonstrates that it is a continual process that still determines reconstruction, relief, and other projects today. Shepard connects the ongoing violence and dispossession inherent in settler colonialism within New Orleans, expressed through structural responses to Hurricane Katrina and COVID-19, to other settler colonial projects around the world, such as in Canada, Israel, New Zealand, and Australia. Cassandra Shepard's new book is an exceptional, theoretically and empirically rich book that offers a new critique into ‘best practice' reconstruction, which demands attention. Settler Colonialism is the Disaster offers an urgent, critical view of the political economy of reconstruction, aid, and government responses; a view which is crucial to take seriously in our world today, plagued as it is by crisis, war, and settler colonialism. Elliot Dolan-Evans is a sessional lecturer in law at Monash University and RMIT. His research investigates the political economy of global capitalism, forms of international governance, and questions of war and peace. His first book, Making War Safe for Capitalism: The World Bank, IMF and the Conflict in Ukraine, is now out with Bristol University Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on a pre-Mardi Gras episode “Jesuitical,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian speak with Dr. Ansel Augustine. Ansel is the assistant director for African American affairs for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the author of Praying with Our Feet: Encountering God in the Margins. They discuss the harrowing and sacred culture of the Black Masking Indians of Mardi Gras. 0:00 Mardi Gras! 4:00 New York City has a new bishop 10:17 Archbishop Fulton Sheen to be beatified 11:44 Catholic leaders respond to racist post 13:50 Villanova and Notre Dame bball in Rome! 15:14 History of Black masking culture 21:24 African Americans made Catholicism their own 24:02 Mardi Gras as sacred ritual 27:00 Tribal competition 29:10 Black and Indian cultural encounter 31:30 Hurricane Katrina is an open wound 34:04 The art of feasting 37:32 Diversity ministry is a challenge 45:24 Lenten resources and practices for 2026! Links for further reading:  CRS Rice Bowl Website Development and Peace – Caritas Canada Solidarity Calendar 2026  101 Things To Give Up For Lent On Mardi Gras, Catholics should celebrate the faith and resilience of the New Orleans Black Masking Indians You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow.   You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical.  Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Hurricane Katrina evacuee from New Orleans is put to death in Oklahoma after confessing to killing two men in a drive-by shooting in 2006, the Department of Homeland Security faces imminent shutdown after Senate Democrats block Homeland Security Bill, and more low lights from Attorney General Pam Bondi's House Judiciary Committee Hearing.

From the GMB Podcast Archives (2025)In this archived episode of The Buzz, we sit down with Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., President & CEO of Hip Hop Caucus, to reflect on 20 years since Hurricane Katrina and what it still reveals about systemic injustice in America.Rev. Yearwood shares why climate change is not just an environmental issue—but a people-and-power issue—intersecting with racial justice, economic equity, and community health. The conversation explores Cancer Alley, petrochemical pollution, the push toward a plastic-free future, and how art, culture, and organizing are shaping long-term impact.We also discuss Weathering the Storm, healing through creative expression, voting rights, divestment strategies, and the call to “Bank Black and Green” as a pathway toward generational change.This episode challenges listeners to think deeper about justice, stewardship, and collective responsibility for the future.

Today's interview highlights an ordinary citizen who uncovered an extraordinary truth. It's a story of courage, determination, and grassroots mobilization that rallied more than 25,000 people. Sandy Rosenthal changed the national conversation about the deadly flooding in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina—proving that one person can make a powerful difference. She may be an everyday woman with two small dogs, Twinkie and Cupcake, but her passion for justice shows what's possible when a "David" decides to stand up to the "Goliaths." Despite facing powerful opposition, Sandy persevered, drawing on expert input, bold communication, and an unshakable belief in her mission. Her award-winning book, Words Whispered in Water, chronicles how she challenged the system — and won. Full article here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/katrina-uncovered  You can contact Sandy at https://levees.org YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/Ykg3XtgPuso Watch, listen and subscribe! Get POWER OF AFTER BOOK HERE: https://amzn.to/3GpEGlJ Make sure you're getting all our podcast updates and articles! Get them here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/newsletter Resources with tools and guidance for mid-career individuals, professionals & those at the halftime of life seeking growth and fulfillment: http://HalftimeSuccess.com #midlifepurpose #communitymobilization #hurricanekatrina #activism #grassrootsmovement CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Sandy Rosenthal Changed the National Conversation 01:16 - Power of After: Midcareer Insights 01:46 - Introduction to the Discussion 03:44 - Hurricane Katrina's Impact on Career Path 07:18 - Igniting Moment: Becoming a Community Mobilizer 12:41 - Education's Role in Disaster Prevention 14:04 - Importance of Inquiry and Questions 19:38 - Learning from Criticism and Feedback 22:24 - Staying Motivated in Advocacy 26:50 - Navigating Self-Doubts and Setbacks 29:37 - Advice for Aspiring Change-Makers 30:17 - Steps to Start a Movement 35:55 - Overcoming Challenges in Activism 41:09 - Reflections: What Would You Do Differently? 42:59 - Future Plans for Sandy Rosenthal 45:24 - Connecting with Sandy Rosenthal 47:30 - Conclusion and Outro

In this episode of Revolutionize Your Retirement, host Dori Mintzer talks with gerontologist, author, and longtime positive aging pioneer Rick (Harry R.) Moody about his latest book, Climate Change in an Aging Society. Rick describes how he came to link two topics many people avoid, aging and climate, and why he believes older adults have a unique role to play in responding to the “four horsemen of the climate apocalypse”: fire, flood, drought, and heat.Rick and Dori discuss how climate realities are already affecting decisions about where and how to live, home insurance, health, and the ability to “age in place.” Drawing on stories from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, wildfire survivors in Paradise, California, and his own move from Boulder to the Bay Area, Rick underscores that relocation is not a full solution, as almost every region now faces some climate risk. Instead, he argues that the key is to move from paralysis and denial toward action—mitigation and adaptation—rooted in a sense of legacy and intergenerational responsibility.The conversation highlights Rick's core message: “Here, now, you, hope.” He explains why hope is not naïve optimism but “a verb with its sleeves rolled up,” and outlines three powerful roles for individuals at any age: citizen (voting, marching, contacting elected officials), consumer (choices about energy use, travel, food, and purchases), and investor (shifting money away from fossil fuels and toward more sustainable options). About the Guest – Rick (Harry R.) Moody, PhDRick (Harry R.) Moody, PhD, is a pioneering gerontologist, educator, and author whose work has helped shape the modern conversations on positive aging, ethics, and the spiritual dimensions of later life. He is the former Vice President for Academic Affairs at AARP, visiting faculty in the Creative Longevity and Wisdom program at Fielding Graduate University, and visiting professor at Tohoku University in Japan.Rick previously served as Executive Director of the Brookdale Center on Aging at Hunter College and as Chair of the Board of Elderhostel (now Road Scholar). He has written or co-written numerous influential books and articles, including the widely used gerontology textbook Aging: Concepts and Controversies (now in its 10th edition), Ethics in an Aging Society (the first book on biomedical ethics and aging), and The Five Stages of the Soul, which has been translated into seven languages.Key Topics We CoverWhy climate change and aging belong in the same conversation, and why the title “Climate Change in an Aging Society” matters.The difference between fear, despair, and what Rick calls real hope (not optimism), including reflections from Václav Havel and David Orr.Mitigation vs. adaptation and what each means for older adults deciding whether and where to move, downsize, or age in place.How dreams can mirror climate anxiety and also point toward personal action and awakening in the second half of life.Connect with Rick MoodyMind-Body Website: https://cmbm.org/governance/Books: Five Stages of the SoulAging What to do next: Click to grab our free guide, 10 Key Issues to Consider as You Explore Your Retirement Transition Please leave a review at Apple Podcasts. Join our Revolutionize Your Retirement group on Facebook.

Physicians now face a world where search bars, chat apps, and large AI models are becoming many people's first stop for health questions, long before they enter a clinic.Former Google Chief Health Officer and national health IT leader Dr. Karen DeSalvo joins us to unpack what this shift means for clinicians, regulators, and patients, and why 15% of daily Google searches are questions no one has ever asked before.We cover:• Why consumer health search is becoming a powerful entry point into care• How Google built guardrails for safety, quality, and real-time monitoring of emerging risks• What the rise of GenAI “doctor in your pocket” tools could mean• The regulatory tensions ahead as states experiment with AI-driven medical decision support• How global demand, workforce strain, and new data sources (IoT, at-home diagnostics, wearables) are accelerating AI-supported primary care—About our guest: Dr. Karen DeSalvo is a health leader who has committed her career to improving health for everyone, everywhere. She was most recently Google's Chief Health Officer, where spearheaded a global team of health professionals dedicated to harnessing Google's technology and platforms to help everyone, everywhere live a longer, healthier life. Before Google, Dr. DeSalvo held significant roles in the U.S. government, including National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and acting Assistant Secretary for Health. She was also the Health Commissioner in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, where she led public health recovery efforts. Dr. DeSalvo currently sits on the Boards of Directors for Welltower and CityBlock Health and is a member of the Council of the National Academy of Medicine. —Pre-order Halle's new book, Massively Better Healthcare.—

Earlier this week, Pennsylvania’s resident rodent Punxatawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter.  According to my calendar, we were already slated for six more weeks of winter prior to the official arrival of spring! For sports fans, there are just a few days left until the end of traditional football season.  We’ll discuss the big game coming up on Sunday in just a bit. Pro football (like the other major sports) has slowly stretched-out its regular season.  The NFL went from 14 games to 16 back in 1978.  A 17th regular season game became a reality after the franchise owners wisely trimmed the pre-season from a ludicrously long four games down to three in 2021. It isn’t a secret that the NFL owners now want to expand to an 18th regular season game in a few years. They are reportedly offering to cut the preseason from three meaningless games to two.  However, the NFL has telegraphed a desire to have each of the league’s 32 teams play one international game per year after expanding to 18 games. The NFL doesn’t do anything without a keen eye on profits.  They have calculated the value of international television rights and global merchandising.  It apparently makes financial sense. On Thursday, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees named to the NFL Hall-of-Fame! Saints fans are rejoicing today knowing that the greatest player in franchise history was voted into the Pro Football Hall-of-Fame Thursday in his first year of eligibility. Drew Brees received only two major college scholarship offers coming out of high school in Austin, Texas.  After three terrific seasons as the starting quarterback at Purdue, Brees also excelled in the classroom by earning a degree in Industrial Management. It’s hard to believe that the (cough) 6′ Drew Brees was not a first round NFL selection in 2001.  He was drafted on the first pick of the second round by the San Diego Chargers. Did you know that Drew Brees spent his first five NFL seasons playing for the Chargers? Fortunately for New Orleans Saints fans, Drew Brees was acquired by Louisiana’s Black and Gold team in 2006.  His arrival in the Crescent City coincided with the hiring of offensive-minded first-year head coach Sean Payton. The Saints’ new dynamic duo provided a much-needed shot of optimism into the region following the devastation caused by 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints eventually won the Saints’ first and only Super Bowl title on February 7, 2010 with a 31-17 win over Peyton Manning’s Indianapolis Colts. Has it really been 16 years since that game was played? Brees and the Saints should have earned a second Super Bowl appearance at the end of the 2018 season.  The NFC Championship game played in New Orleans featured the all-time worst “non-call” by NFL referees on a quite obvious pass interference penalty late in overtime.  The visiting Los Angeles Rams won 26-23 but lost to Tom Brady’s New England Patriots two weeks later in the NFL title game. After a 21-year NFL career, Drew Brees retired at the end of the 2020 season.  The Saints legend set numerous NFL passing records including his incredible 54-game streak of throwing at least one touchdown pass. Drew Brees was an intense leader on the football field, an inspiring community leader off the field and is a proud father of four children. He has invested in several business ventures following his retirement from pro football.  Brees also returned to television in 2025 to cover regional NFL games for FOX Sports. Only 1.5% of NFL players will ever be inducted into the Hall-of-Fame.   Drew Brees deserved this honor and was voted-in during his first year of eligibility! Why is there even Pro Bowl game anymore? I don’t know. The NFL’s Pro Bowl game was played on Tuesday night. If I had known about it, it wouldn’t have mattered. My wife and I were fixated on the final night of the Westminster Dog Show (won by Penny the incredlble Doberman Pinscher). The top canines provided more compelling viewing than the NFL’s cringeworthy post-season fare. Tuesday night’s NFL Pro Bowl drew an embarrassing 1.9 million viewers.  That is down from last year’s slightly-less embarrassing 4.7 million Pro Bowl viewers. Historically, the Pro Bowl game would pit the NFL’s most talented players from the teams which had been eliminated from playoff competition.  The game (played in full pads and helmets) was held from 1980 and for more than three decades in lovely Honolulu, Hawaii on the weekend prior to the NFL’s title game. That tropical setting was once considered a big enticement for players to participate and bring their families along for a week-long vacation.  Those of us watching on television at home could enjoy a mental warm-up watching football being played in the toasty sunshine featuring nearby beaches. Not anymore.  Football players who are making millions of dollars per year don’t seem to value a fully-paid vacation week in Hawaii like they once did. In 2023, the Pro Bowl morphed into today’s goofy assortment of skills challenges and a 7-on-7 flag football game.  The venue was also scaled down.  This year’s game was played on Tuesday night in a 4,000-seat convention center arena in San Francisco. In case you cared, the NFC All-Stars rallied for a (cough) thrilling 66-52 flag football win over the AFC All-Stars. Zzz. The NFL’s championship game kicks-off Sunday at 5:30 PM CST on NBC This year’s season finale pits the AFC’s New England Patriots against the NFC Seattle Seahawks. Before the 2025 NFL season kicked-off, the oddsmakers in Las Vegas had last year’s champion Philadelphia Eagles plus the AFC’s Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills as the most likely teams to reach the championship game. Seattle and New England were significantly further down that list. Both teams missed the playoffs after the 2024 season.  The Seahawks at least finished 10-7, but New England was a dismal 4-13 just one year ago. Only the 1999 St. Louis Rams had won just four games in a season (going 4-12) prior to returning the following year to win the NFL title.  Rams’ quarterback Kurt Warner’s led the “Greatest Show on Turf” to an NFL championship.   What caused such a terrific turnaround for this year’s New England Patriots? Last season’s 4-13 record by New England resulted in the team firing head coach Jerod Mayo.  Former Patriots’ linebacker Mike Vrabel was given the chance to coach his former team beginning this season. Adding a talented coach like Vrabel certainly helped, but it doesn’t fully explain the Patriots’ turnaround story this season. The coach would replace 13 of the 22 starting players from last season.  Every one of New England’s 11 NFL draft selections last spring made the cut and is still playing on the team as of this week.  Add several financially prudent free agent signings, and the New England Patriots entered this season with a new team and a winning attitude. Coach Vrabel wanted “tough” minded players as he evaluate players being drafted or signed via free agency. A three-time NFL champion as a linebacker, Mike Vrabel played for legendary coach Bill Belichick and alongside quarterback Tom Brady for several years.  He saw what type of mindset won titles in New England over the past quarter century. The Patriots steamrolled to a 14-3 record and won the AFC East title during the regular season.  They beat the Houston Texans 28-16 in the divisional round and downed the #1 playoff seed Denver Broncos 10-7 in the AFC championship to earn a title shot this week. Seattle Seahawks traded their Pro Bowl quarterback and still improved in 2025 Gino Smith had been Seattle’s starting quarterback for two seasons through the end of the 2024 campaign.  Smith had been named to the NFL’s Pro Bowl for two consecutive years. Surprisingly, the Seahawks traded Gino Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders during the offseason and were left without a starting quarterback. Seattle then hit the free agent jackpot by signing journeyman Sam Darnold to a three-year contract.  Darnold is playing for his fifth NFL team in eight seasons and struggled for his first six years in the league.  His breakout 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings helped Sam Darnold gain a more permanent home in Seattle. The Seahawks’ stingy defense was rated #1 in the NFL allowing just 17 points per game in leading Seattle to a sterling 14-3 regular season.  The Seattle offense also scored 28 points per game which was eighth best in the league. Coach Mike MacDonald was a successful high school football player who suffered a serious injury in his final game.  He attended the University of Georgia and didn’t play football. However, he started coaching a high school football team while still in college. A summa cum laude graduate in Finance, Mike MacDonald jumped into coaching upon graduating from college.  He would eventually become the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.  The youthful 38-year old coach then accepted the head coaching job in Seattle two years ago. The Seahawks, like their head coach, play fundamentally sound football and rely on their top-rated defense to win games. You won’t find many familiar stars in this Sunday’s NFL title game Can you name the starting running backs for either Seattle or New England?  I can’t. America is going to get a chance to learn a lot about these two unheralded competitors and their coaches on Sunday night in Santa Clara, California. The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots quietly did the weekly work to climb the standings and finish with identical 14-3 regular season marks. The two starting quarterbacks aren’t flashy but both passed for more than 4,000 yards in the regular season.  New England’s Drake Maye tossed 31 touchdowns but only had eight intercepted.  Seattle’s Sam Darnold had 25 touchdowns but was picked-off 14 times (third highest in the NFL this year). These two teams have identical season records, great defenses, and effective quarterbacks.  The biggest surprise to me is that New England is considered a 4 ½ point underdog in Sunday’s game. Enjoy watching those very expensive $8 million per 30-second commercials and, perhaps, the game itself! The post It’s Football Friday! appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com.

The Cajun Navy was formed after Hurricane Katrina and really got its legs after the Louisiana flood of 2016. They save a lot of lives, but some fear the pitfalls of "vigilante heroism." Learn all about this group of do-gooders today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Jennifer Weishaupt, founder of Ruby Slipper, a breakfast, brunch, and lunch joint that first opened in New Orleans in 2008 and has since grown to 26 locations across the South. Jennifer was inspired to open Ruby Slipper after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city, and the restaurant quickly became a cornerstone of the recovering community. Eighteen years later, Ruby Slipper has turned its family-like atmosphere into a burgeoning multiunit group with a unique menu and devoted fans who've grown accustomed to the restaurants' caring hospitality. The brand recently won the fan vote in NRN's Breakfast Showdown, and Jennifer joined the podcast to share how Ruby Slipper's five core traits — being gracious, genuine, neighborly, adaptable, and optimistic — have helped it develop such loyal fans and prepare the way for even more growth.In this conversation, you'll find out why:Restaurants are an essential building block for sustaining communitiesCustomers can help you guide menu expectationsYou must be very intentional with your core values as you growA sense of place can define your brand — but you must also respect each individual locationHave feedback or ideas for Take-Away? Email Sam at sam.oches@informa.com.

New Orleans East has struggled somewhat to bounce back from Hurricane Katrina and decades of neglect - this new grocery store could help it turn the corner

This week we are headed to New Orleans, LA in 2005 during the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. The team is detailing the horror that took place at Memorial Hospital in New Orleans during the five days immediately following the landfall of Katrina.This episode is sponsored by:GO RealtyCherokee Family HealthcareThe Cherokee County Chamber of CommerceEasy Street, Restaurant, Bar, and Performance HallTheme song is The Legend of Hannah Brady by the Shane Givens Band https://open.spotify.com/track/5nmybCPQ5imfGH8lEDWK4k?si=d8d9594652cf4cf1

Then, we transition to a panel led by Susan Stuart Clark featuring library directors Jayanti Addleman (Hayward) and Derek Wolfgram (Redwood City). They share on-the-ground stories of how their institutions transformed overnight—from providing hotspots and homework centers to becoming de facto daytime shelters for unhoused neighbors. This episode highlights the resilience of library staff, the mental health crisis, and the lasting impact of the digital divide.Key Topics & Takeaways[00:03:40] Origins of “Free for All”: How the filmmakers realized librarians are "first responders" during Hurricane Katrina, aiding evacuees when other systems failed.[00:10:45] The RV Tour Idea: Innovative distribution plans to project the documentary in library parking lots to maintain community during social distancing.[00:15:00] Hayward's Pivot: How Hayward Public Library immediately extended loan periods to one year and distributed hotspots to support students and immigrant families.[00:18:20] Redwood City Online: The surprise benefit of online programming, which increased accessibility for people with disabilities and transportation barriers.[00:21:00] Basic Needs & Hygiene: Libraries stepping up to provide portable toilets and handwashing stations for unhoused populations when public spaces closed.[00:30:00] The Heartbreak of Success: A story about a patron who found housing but was devastated to lose his daily connection to the Redwood City Library community.[00:50:00] The Future of Funding: The unprecedented opportunity of ARPA stimulus funds going directly to cities to help rebuild local services.Guests & HostGeorge Koster – Host and Executive Producer of Voices of the Community.Eric Estrada – Associate Producer and Host.Dawn Logsdon & Lucie Faulknor – Co-Founders of Serendipity Films and creators of the documentary Free for All.Susan Stuart Clark – Founder of Common Knowledge and community engagement expert.Jayanti Addleman – Director of Library Services for the City of Hayward.Derek Wolfgram – Library Director of Redwood City Public Library.Resources & Links MentionedFree for All Documentary: Learn more about the film at FreeForAllFilms.org.Voices of the Community Episode 10: Listen to the full interview with the filmmakers here: https://georgekoster.com/voc-free-for-allVoices of the Community Library Panel: Listen to the full panel discussion with Susan, Jayanti, and Derek here: https://georgekoster.com/voc-stories-common-knowledge-library-panelLearn More about our Guests & Series Listen to the full conversations: Dive deeper into these stories by listening to the complete interviews in Episode 10 and the Library Panel Episode.Explore the Series: Check out the full COVID-19 Special SeriesSupport the Show: Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us continue producing these stories. Click the donate button at voicesofthecommunity.comSignup for our Newsletter to stay in the loop on future shows and live eventsMake a Donation: Support Voices of the Community, fiscally sponsored by Intersection for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and enjoy tax deductions for your contributions. Credits & AcknowledgmentsProduced by: George Koster and Alien Boy ProductionsAssociate Producer, Audio & Video: Eric EstradaVisual Design: Casey Nance of Citron StudioBroadcast Partners: KSFP-LP 102.5 FM (San Francisco) and KPCA-LP 103.3 FM (Petaluma)Special Thanks: BAVC Media for the initial collaboration on the SF Non-Profit Spotlight.TranscriptFull transcripts and video episodes are available on our website and YouTube channel.Website:https://georgekoster.com/voc-c19-highlight-show-part-4-libraries-transcriptYouTube: George Koster Delve deeper into the Voices of the Community Series on Arts & Culture, Making the Invisible Visible, Covid-19's impact on nonprofits, small enterprises and local government, the City of Stockton's rise from the ashes of bankruptcy, and our archives:You can explore episodes, speakers, organizations, and resources through each series web page. Watch and learn from all five series now!,

On this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, I sit down with Steve Robinson, pastor, leadership practitioner, and author of the upcoming book Soul Leadership. Together, we dive deep into the vital connection between leadership, trauma, and healing, exploring how leaders can move from burnout and brokenness to wholeness and real impact. Steve opens up about his personal journey, sharing honestly about years of compounding trauma—including the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the intense pressures of leading a growing church. These experiences led him to the edge of burnout, and ultimately to a powerful path of healing and discovery. Drawing from research, theology, therapy, neuroscience, and his own life, Steve reveals why caring for a leader's soul is so central to personal and organizational success. Throughout our conversation, several key themes emerge: the difference between simple exhaustion and deeper trauma, the science behind how stress and adversity affect the brain, the critical role faith and community play in emotional healing, and how adversity can become the catalyst for wisdom, empathy, and post-traumatic growth. Steve breaks down practical strategies for building resilience, the process of healing both brain and mind, and why true leadership starts with inner wholeness and connection. If you're a leader navigating challenges or want to support those around you, this episode is packed with encouragement and insight. Steve's story and research are a powerful reminder that your pain can become your purpose—and that transformation is possible when you lean into healing, connection, and the power of your soul. You'll walk away inspired and equipped to face setbacks and emerge even stronger.   About Steve, Steve Robinson is a pastor, speaker, and author and the founding pastor of Church of the King—a growing multisite church with campuses spread across the US and internationally. Under his leadership, Church of the King has launched new locations from South Louisiana to Cape Town, South Africa, and built a thriving online community that reaches people around the world with a message of hope and purpose. A graduate of Tulane University with a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, Steve is passionate about helping people grow in their faith, discover their God-given potential, and live with clarity and resilience. He serves on the board of Equip, a global leadership organization founded by John Maxwell, and is the author of several books, including Decide to Thrive, Perspective Shift, and Hope Again. With a passion for helping people grow and thrive, Pastor Steve is dedicated to guiding others in their faith and everyday life. He and his wife, Jennifer, live in the New Orleans area and have four children—Isabelle and her husband, Stone, and Conrad, William, and Annaliese. Here's a few additional resources for you… Do you feel called to share your story with the world? Check out Gordon Publishing  Follow me on Instagram: @JonGordon11 Check out my new revised release of my book, The Power of Positive Leadership here! Every week, I send out a free Positive Tip newsletter via email. It's advice for your life, work and team. You can sign up now here and catch up on past newsletters. Ready to lead with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose? The Certified Positive Leader Program is for anyone who wants to grow as a leader from the inside out. It's a self-paced experience built around my most impactful leadership principles with tools you can apply right away to improve your mindset, relationships, and results. You'll discover what it really means to lead with positivity… and how to do it every day. Learn more here! Join me for my Day of Development! You'll learn proven strategies to develop confidence, improve your leadership and build a connected and committed team. You'll leave with an action plan to supercharge your growth and results. It's time to Create your Positive Advantage. Get details and sign up here. Do you feel called to do more? Would you like to impact more people as a leader, writer, speaker, coach and trainer? Get Jon Gordon Certified if you want to be mentored by me and my team to teach my proven frameworks principles, and programs for businesses, sports, education, healthcare!  

I am so honored to have Senator John Kennedy join me today. If you know the Senator, you know he tells it exactly like it is: no filter, no teleprompter, just straight common sense. We really went there in this one, covering everything from the high-stakes military action in Venezuela to the "special kind of stupid" he sees in government bureaucracy. We took a deep dive into the reality of what's happening at our border, the "loon wing" of the Democratic party, and why he's sounding the alarm on the rise of socialism in cities like New York. But beyond the politics, the Senator shared some incredibly personal stories including how he defied orders to save pets during Hurricane Katrina and his honest assessment of meeting with Joe Biden early in his presidency. Senator Kennedy is one of a kind. He's brilliant, he's hilarious, and he reminds us all why we have to stand strong because as he says, "weakness invites the wolves. Sponsors:  Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/SAGE and use code SAGE and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code SAGE at https://www.oneskin.co/SAGE #oneskinpod #sponsored Chapters:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:01:26 – Interview Begins: Sage & The Senator 00:03:32 – "Nervous as a Pregnant Nun": Early Career Lessons 00:06:11 – The Best Military in Human History 00:08:50 – AD: PrizePicks 00:11:19 – The Arrest of Maduro & Venezuela's Future 00:16:03 – The Truth About Venezuela's Oil Reserves 00:18:20 – How to Stabilize a Nation (The Rubio Plan) 00:23:38 – AD: OneSkin 00:25:39 – ICE, Border Security, and Locking Your Front Door 00:29:00 – The Media's Narrative vs. The Facts 00:35:57 – "Socialism is for Morons": The Future of New York City 00:40:34 – Why Kennedy Left the Democratic Party 00:45:06 – The "Loon Wing" and Trump's Lack of Filter 00:48:10 – Media Bias & The Russian Hoax 00:49:45 – Meeting Joe Biden in 2021: A Personal Assessment 00:57:11 – Saving Pets During Hurricane Katrina 01:03:42 – "I Refuse to Hate": Faith and Politics 01:09:03 – The Secret Behind the Famous One-Liners 01:12:56 – "Weakness Invites The Wolves" BTS on Patreon: http://bit.ly/4nLmOSk

The very latest developments in the world of Earth science with Roland Pease, recorded at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) meeting in New Orleans, where thousands of Earth, atmospheric, glacial, ocean and hydrologic scientists come together to promote discovery in Earth science for the benefit of humanity.Twenty years on, we discuss the enduring lessons from the Hurricane Katrina disaster of 2005, hearing from Lieutenant General Russel Honoré who led the military relief effort, and Roland speaks to Jill Trepanier, hurricane climatologist from Louisiana State University. We also hear about the mouth of the Mississippi River, known as the Bird's Foot Delta, south of New Orleans. Carol Wilson, assistant professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at Louisiana State University, tells us how important these wetlands are as storm protections, yet they're under threat from sea level rise and lack of sediment.Roland takes a look at fifty-thousand-year-old Antarctic ice whilst speaking to Ed Brook, Professor at Oregon State University and director of COLDEX (Center for Oldest Ice Exploration), whose team is searching for ice which is potentially ten million years old. And he speaks to Allison Chartrand, assistant research scientist at the University of Maryland and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, who has been working to reveal the hidden landscapes of Greenland under the ice. And Bob Hazen, scientist at the Carnegie Science Earth & Planets Laboratory, takes us back to the origins of life on Earth. He is investigating rocks which could be over four billion years old and may contain molecular fragments of ancient life.Presenter: Roland Pease Producer: Jonathan Blackwell

This episode has it all - New Orleans history, beignets, gumbo, Hurricane Katrina, the civil rights movement, and a legendary restaurant in the Tremé. Meet Leah Chase, the inspiration for Disney's first black princess!

661. Today we talk to Rachel L. Doherty about Louisiana folklore and folklife. Rachel is the Assistant Director for Programming and Special Projects at the Center for Louisiana Studies. Dr. Rachel Doherty is a scholar of contemporary Francophone art, literature, and creolized identities in Louisiana and Canada. She is an alumna of UL Lafayette's Francophone Studies program, a former lecturer at UL and Université Sainte-Anne, and a former French immersion teacher. Dr. Doherty specializes in occult and magical lore in minority Francophone literatures and arts, and analyzes folklore's place in today's language and identity movements. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. “At the 'Cadian Ball” by Kate Chopin is about a Fais Do Do in the late 1800s. "BOBINÔT, that big, brown, good-natured Bobinôt, had no intention of going to the ball, even though he knew Calixta would be there. For what came of those balls but heartache, and a sickening disinclination for work the whole week through, till Saturday night came again and his tortures began afresh? Why could he not love Ozéina, who would marry him to-morrow; or Fronie, or any one of a dozen others, rather than that little Spanish vixen? Calixta's slender foot had never touched Cuban soil; but her mother's had, and the Spanish was in her blood all the same. For that reason the prairie people forgave her much that they would not have overlooked in their own daughters or sisters." This week in Louisiana history. January 16, 1962. Students at Southern Univ. begin civil rights demonstrations. This week in New Orleans history. Mayor C. Ray Nagin's "Chocolate City Speech" January 16, 2006. The "Chocolate City Speech" is the nickname that some have given to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day speech by Mayor Ray Nagin on January 16, 2006, several months after Hurricane Katrina. Prior to Nagin's speech, some commentators were suggesting that the city's demographics would change from majority African American to majority Caucasian.  In an interview with Public Radio International's Tavis Smiley (originally broadcast on January 13, 2006) Nagin used the phrase "chocolate city" in reference to New Orleans' future demographics. This week in Louisiana. January 31, 2026 Louisiana King Cake Festival 402 West 3rd Street Thibodaux, LA 70301 A large-scale outdoor food festival where attendees can sample dozens of different king cakes from across the state. This event serves as a major fundraiser for the Lafourche Education Foundation: 10:30 AM: The “Krewe of King Cake” Children's Parade kicks off the festivities around 201 Green Street. 11:00 AM: The festival grounds officially open for tasting and live music. Highlight 1 (The Tasting): Guests purchase “tasting tickets” to sample various king cakes and vote for the “People's Choice” winner. Highlight 2 (The Music): Local Louisiana bands perform on the main stage throughout the afternoon.  4:00 PM: The winners of the best traditional and non-traditional king cakes are announced. End: The festival wraps up at 5:00 PM. Website: louisianakingcakefest.com Email: info@lafourcheeducation.com Phone: (985) 688-4662 Lafourche Education Foundation P.O. Box 486 Thibodaux, LA 70302 Postcards from Louisiana. Little Freddie King. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.    

In this episode of the Asking Why podcast, host Clint Davis speaks with Wade Marshall, the film and entertainment commissioner for Northwest Louisiana. They discuss the vibrant creative scene in Shreveport, the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the local film industry, and the establishment of a film commission to support local filmmakers. Wade shares his journey from music composition to film production, highlighting the importance of community engagement and support for the arts. They also explore future developments in the entertainment industry, including the Louisiana Film Prize and opportunities for local creatives to get involved. https://www.visitshreveportbossier.org/film/  

Welcome to the newest season of Talk N' Docs! In this season Jenny, Logan and Cowboy will be focusing on documentaries associated with natural disasters. They open the season with a review of Spike Lee's "Katrina: Come Hell and High Water". This is a three-part film released on Netflix in August '25 that chronicles life in New Orleans before, during and after Hurricane Katrina. With incredible first-person footage and accounts from survivors, this is a heart wrenching story of tragedy and a broken system. It also is ultimately a story of perseverance and hope in the face in the most horrible of situations. While this won't be a "fun" watch, it is an important one. We encourage you to join the Talk'n Docs crew as they take you through the story.

Twelfth Night marks the birth of the late New Orleans icon, Leah Chase. The culinary legend, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 96, was the undisputed Queen of Creole Cooking and a civil rights activist who changed lives over a bowl of gumbo. On this week's show, we spend the hour honoring Leah's talent, achievements, and lasting legacy. We begin with one of our favorite Louisiana Eats moments: a special day we spent with Leah in 2012, when then-Mayor Mitch Landrieu kicked off the official start of Carnival season at Gallier Hall with king cake and a surprise for Leah on her 89th birthday. From there, we look back on Leah's early life in Madisonville, Louisiana. Leah describes growing up on a strawberry farm, and the lessons she learned that shaped the legend she would become. We continue with an oral history from NOLA Life Stories, in which Leah recounts her first experiences working in a café in the French Quarter, as told to Mark Cave of the Historic New Orleans Collection. Next, we arrive at a turning point in Leah's life — the moment she met big band leader Edgar "Dooky" Chase, Jr. Following their marriage, Leah went to work at Dooky's, her in-laws' simple sandwich shop in the Treme. As she began to serve Creole classics like gumbo and Chicken Clemenceau on fine linen, Leah elevated the dining culture for everyone. Leah tells us about her famous Gumbo z'Herbes, a dish she served at her restaurant every Holy Thursday for over 60 years. We also chronicle how Leah rebuilt Dooky Chase's after Hurricane Katrina. Eleven years after the storm, Leah experienced two other monumental life events — the first was her 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award from the James Beard Foundation. Months later, Leah's husband and partner Edgar "Dooky" Chase — the man who played a key role in her success — passed away at the age of 88. In this final segment, Leah reflects on their relationship and shares her thoughts on death and living a fulfilling life. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

In this episode, Adam Torres and Galen Hair, Founder & Partner at Insurance Claim HQ, talk about how Hurricane Katrina sparked his path into disaster recovery, the nonprofit work that taught him the insurance system from the inside, and why his company is focused on restoring families to pre-disaster life. Galen also shares the lessons of launching a mission-driven business in 2020—only to face a Category 5 hurricane weeks later—and what true recovery looks like for the communities they serve. Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/ Visit our website: https://missionmatters.com/ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ and ⁠Galen Hair,⁠ Founder & Partner at Insurance Claim HQ, talk about how Hurricane Katrina sparked his path into disaster recovery, the nonprofit work that taught him the insurance system from the inside, and why his company is focused on restoring families to pre-disaster life. Galen also shares the lessons of launching a mission-driven business in 2020—only to face a Category 5 hurricane weeks later—and what true recovery looks like for the communities they serve. Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠ Visit our website: ⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As 2025 draws to a close, we revisit the stories of four people who now call Colorado home. They have a common bond: They all survived the American tragedy known as Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans 20 years ago and remains one of the deadliest and most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history. They share their journey from Louisiana to Colorado and how it forever shaped their lives, in a Colorado Matters special: "After the Storm: Reflections on Hurricane Katrina." 

Amy King watched the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and seeing people sheltered in a leaking football stadium inspired her to work with her husband on shelter solutions.  The result was Pallet, a company that makes safe, secure, and easily assembled temporary shelters.  In this episode she shares her inspiring story and details about her remarkable company.    Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Amy King and Pallet  This chapter introduces Amy King, founder and CEO of Pallet, a public benefit corporation addressing homelessness.  02:07 From Child Psychology to Social Enterprise  Amy King shares her journey from studying child psychology, where she observed the impact of troubled homes, to founding Pallet. Her interest in people and the influence of early experiences shaped her path toward addressing societal challenges like homelessness.  04:37 The Genesis of Pallet: From Katrina to Construction  Amy discusses how her husband's construction company accidentally led them to employ individuals from the justice system, many of whom had experienced homelessness.   07:19 Public Benefit Corporation Model  Amy explains why Pallet operates as a public benefit corporation rather than a nonprofit, emphasizing its dual mission of workforce development and providing shelter.   11:13 Pallet Shelters and Deployment Strategy  Amy describes the innovative design of Pallet shelters—lightweight, panelized, and quick to assemble, with features like heat, AC, and easy cleaning. She details Pallet's partnership with cities and Zillow to identify and utilize vacant public land for shelter villages, which are temporary and designed for easy relocation.  15:35 The Transformative Impact of Pallet Shelters  Amy elaborates on how Pallet shelters provide more than just a roof, offering a managed care environment with wraparound services for mental health, substance use, and housing placement. This stability allows individuals to engage with services and break the cycle of homelessness, as exemplified by a tenant named Matthew.  20:29 Hope for Ending Homelessness & Political Challenges  Amy discusses Pallet's broad reach across the US and Canada and her controversial but hopeful view on ending homelessness. She addresses the political complexities and the need for sufficient services and innovation to address root causes, moving towards 'functional zero' homelessness.  25:57 Disaster Relief and Versatile Solutions  Amy highlights Pallet's role in disaster relief, noting the political challenges of working with organizations like FEMA and the need for non-congregate shelter solutions. She explains the versatility of Pallet's product, which can be repurposed for both disaster response and homelessness, providing flexibility for communities.  31:10 Economic Viability and Community Recovery  Amy discusses the economic benefits of using Pallet shelters for disaster relief, contrasting them with expensive hotel stays and emphasizing the importance of keeping residents near their communities for recovery. This approach helps maintain local economic bases and encourages volunteer participation by providing convenient housing for relief workers.  34:19 Transformative Impact on Individuals and Families  Amy shares her favorite part of the work: witnessing the profound transformation of individuals who gain employment and stability through Pallet. She emphasizes how this not only changes the lives of the employees, many of whom were formerly incarcerated or homeless, but also reunites and positively impacts their families, especially their children.  38:46 Getting Involved with Pallet  Amy encourages listeners to get involved with Pallet by reaching out through their website or email to support their mission. She emphasizes the value of local constituent engagement in driving political conversations and understanding community stakeholders to expand their impact. 

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley's conversation with world-renowned composer and musician Terence Blanchard and the one and only Aaron Neville as they reflect on their native New Orleans 20 years after Hurricane Katrina.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

2025 was a year of extremes in terms of weather patterns and natural disasters, from deadly floods in Texas, to Canadian wildfire smoke blanketing the Midwest and California's record-setting wildfires. Plus, it marked the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Here's the year in natural disasters.

2025 marks 20 years of Google Maps — a tool that many of us would be, quite literally, lost without. We hear from New Orleanians who used Google Maps/Google Earth in its inaugural year to survey the damage to their homes following Hurricane Katrina. We also talk to the internet's Map Men, who ask whether "the best maps humanity has ever produced are simultaneously the worst maps for humanity?" in their new book, "This Way Up: When Maps Go Wrong (And Why It Matters)."

Real innovation often starts with a problem you just can't stop thinking about. In this episode of The Leadership Blueprints Podcast, BJ Kraemer welcomes Scott Wolfe, founder and former CEO of Levelset, to unpack how a small but persistent frustration with construction payment practices led him to build one of the most influential platforms in the industry. Scott shares how Hurricane Katrina pulled him into the world of restoration work, construction law, and software development, ultimately revealing the systemic barriers that keep contractors from getting paid for the work they complete. He traces Levelset's evolution from a lien rights tool to a suite of products that reduce friction, increase transparency, and help stakeholders protect the value they put into a job. Scott also reflects on the culture that shaped Levelset's rapid growth, the leadership habits that held the team together through the scaling process, and why true innovation starts with deep familiarity with the problem you're trying to solve. Tune in to hear how genuine leadership and commitment to the customer can transform a key sector of the AEC industry! Key Points From This Episode:•   How Hurricane Katrina redirected his path into restoration work and construction law.•   Launching Levelset as a lien-rights solution before expanding its scope.•   Growing the platform into risk, finance, and insurance tools for the industry.•   How payment delays and retaining employees strain small contractors and suppliers.•   Scaling the company to hundreds of employees through clear, consistent communication.Quotes:“When you do work on a job, or you put materials into a job, you deserve to get paid, and we want to make sure you're always in an empowered position to do it.” — Scott Wolfe  “We really didn't have true venture money. It was a little more like friends and family, seed money, and cash flow. – But what that allowed our culture to do, and I think this is a little underappreciated by companies, [is] to get a lot of institutional knowledge about the problem.” — Scott Wolfe  “You have to be in the stream of something from my standpoint, to be able to understand where the problem is and really care about the problem.” — Scott Wolfe  “I still think that the crown jewels of any super successful company is in the affinity that you develop around the problem you're solving and how well you know it. All the technology becomes a tool for it. AI is great, it does some interesting things, but it doesn't build a business.” — Scott Wolfe “People follow people who have that true enthusiasm and that true authenticity.” — Scott Wolfe Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:Scott WolfeScott Wolfe on LinkedInLevelsetMade to StickThe Power of MomentsSwitchLeadership Blueprints PodcastMCFAMCFA CareersBJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

Local New Jersey poet and Princeton professor Patricia Smith has won the National Book Award for her poetry collection, The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems. The collection covers her poetry from 1991 to 2024, and includes poems about jazz, family, Black identity, Hurricane Katrina, and more. Smith discusses the collection, and read some poetry.

In this episode of 'Keep It Positive, Sweetie,'host Crystal Renee Hayslett sits down with the multi-talented Brian Jordan Jr., known for his role on Tyler Perry's 'Sisters.' Brian shares his journey from his childhood in Louisiana, through his struggles and triumphs in the entertainment industry, to his recent ventures, including his passion project 'Riley the Musical.' He reflects on the impact of Hurricane Katrina, his educational path, and the importance of black representation in theater. Brian also opens up about the personal challenges he has faced, such as body image issues and the pressures of public life. With a focus on his growth, faith, and the people who have supported him along the way, See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It began when she was only six—a faceless, glowing figure at the end of a hallway that suddenly ran toward her, faster than anything human. She slammed the bathroom door and sat there frozen for nearly an hour, waiting for it to go away. But the house didn't quiet down. Her mother felt something climb into bed beside her—twice. Her brother saw a man in a coat reflected on his TV screen, staring back before vanishing into the bathroom. Years later, during Hurricane Katrina, it happened again. The lights went out, candles flickered, and at the end of the hallway stood a girl with hollow eyes and a whisper of hair. She moved closer and closer until Rusty bolted outside into the storm. Later, she learned the house had been built from pieces of demolished churches and century-old homes. Maybe that's why the spirits felt so… familiar. Some people are haunted by memories. Rusty's haunted by everything else. #RealGhostStory #HauntedLouisiana #ShadowPeople #TrueGhostStories #FemaleExperiencer #HauntedHouse #GhostEncounters #ParanormalPodcast #CreepyEncounters #SupernaturalEvents #PoltergeistActivity #SouthernHaunting Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

It began when she was only six—a faceless, glowing figure at the end of a hallway that suddenly ran toward her, faster than anything human. She slammed the bathroom door and sat there frozen for nearly an hour, waiting for it to go away. But the house didn't quiet down. Her mother felt something climb into bed beside her—twice. Her brother saw a man in a coat reflected on his TV screen, staring back before vanishing into the bathroom. Years later, during Hurricane Katrina, it happened again. The lights went out, candles flickered, and at the end of the hallway stood a girl with hollow eyes and a whisper of hair. She moved closer and closer until Rusty bolted outside into the storm. Later, she learned the house had been built from pieces of demolished churches and century-old homes. Maybe that's why the spirits felt so… familiar. Some people are haunted by memories. Rusty's haunted by everything else. #RealGhostStory #HauntedLouisiana #ShadowPeople #TrueGhostStories #FemaleExperiencer #HauntedHouse #GhostEncounters #ParanormalPodcast #CreepyEncounters #SupernaturalEvents #PoltergeistActivity #SouthernHaunting Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

Darkness Radio Presents: Haunted French Quarter Hotels with Paranormal Investigator/Author, Nicole Beauchamp! The French Quarter is the bustling center of the heart of the south known as New Orleans! And, within that center are some of the most gorgeous, and nefarious hotels in the history of that famous city! Paranormal Investigator Investigator/Author Nicole Beauchamp has compiled the intriguing, chilling, stomach churning, enlightening, and even charming haunted stories from this historic section of this beautiful city in her exciting book, "Haunted French Quarter Hotels"! On Today's show, Nicole shares personal stories of trips to New Orleans with her family, and her Father's heroic work during Hurricane Katrina.  We delve into the haunted histories of such legendary properties as the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, The Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, and the Hotel Monteleone and the haunted legends behind these famous hotels! Get your copy of "Haunted French Quarter Hotels" here:  https://bit.ly/3JVRzG0    Get to know Nicole on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/authornicolebeauchamp/ on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/authornicolebeauchamp/?hl=en Make sure you update your Darkness Radio Apple Apps! and subscribe to the Darkness Radio You Tube page:  https://www.youtube.com/@DRTimDennis There are new and different (and really cool) items all the time in the Darkness Radio Online store at our website! . check out the Darkness Radio Store!   https://www.darknessradioshow.com/store/ #paranormal  #supernatural  #metaphysical  #paranormalpodcasts  #darknessradio  #timdennis #nicolebeauchamp #hauntedfrenchquarterhotels #neworleans #frenchquarter #voodoo #paranormalinvestigaton #ghosthunters #ghosts  #spirits  #spectres #hauntings #hauntedhouses #hauntedhotels #bourbonorleanshotel #stlouishotel #omniroyalorleanshotel #hotelmonteleone #slaves #slavetrade #suicide #murder #cannibalism #zackbowen #innispatterson #emilie #tarot  #ouija  #neardeatheexperience