Podcasts about Lake Pontchartrain

It's National Estuaries Week, and Lake Pontchartrain is a big one. We talk with Kristi Trail from the Pontchartrain Conservancy about the benefits the lake provides our region...and all the recreational opportunities available for you and your family

* Taking another look back at the Saints tough loss to the Seahawks and start to look ahead to the next match-up against the Bills * It's National Estuaries Week, and Lake Pontchartrain is a big one. We talk with Kristi Trail from the Pontchartrain Conservancy about the benefits the lake provides our region...and all the recreational opportunities available for you and your family

644. Part 1 of our interview with David T. Ballantyne about his book, Fractured Freedoms: Reconstruction in Central Louisiana. "Fractured Freedoms is a riveting history of central Louisiana from the 1860s to the 1890s, focusing on majority-Black Rapides Parish during Reconstruction. Using the region as a case study, Ballantyne reveals what is, in part, a rural Reconstruction success story, emphasizing the resilience of Black politics and the persistence of significant divisions among white residents that allowed the Republican Party to gain and maintain power there. It was only with the collapse of state-level Republican power in 1877 that Democratic forces in the parish were able to dismantle local Republican political control and gradually constrict Black freedoms." (LSU Press). 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 221 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. We've recently added Mosquitoes, one of William Faulkner's early novels. Faulkner was one of the South's greatest writers. He wrote this novel about the artists he had met in the French Quarter. He put them on a yacht that took them through Lake Pontchartrain until they ran aground and were stranded for several days. That's right, Faulkner basically created Gilligan's Isle.     "The violet dusk held in soft suspension lights slow as bellstrokes, Jackson square was now a green and quiet lake in which abode lights round as jellyfish, feathering with silver mimosa and pomegranate and hibiscus beneath which lantana and cannas bled and bled. Pontalba and cathedral were cut from black paper and pasted flat on a green sky; above them taller palms were fixed in black and soundless explosions. The street was empty, but from Royal street there came the hum of a trolley that rose to a staggering clatter, passed on and away leaving an interval filled with the gracious sound of inflated rubber on asphalt, like a tearing of endless silk. Clasping his accursed bottle, feeling like a criminal, Mr. Talliaferro hurried on.     "He walked swiftly beside a dark wall, passing small indiscriminate shops dimly lighted with gas and smelling of food of all kinds, fulsome, slightly overripe. The proprietors and their families sat before the doors in tilted chairs, women nursing babies into slumber spoke in soft south European syllables one to another. Children scurried before him and about him, ignoring him or becoming aware of him and crouching in shadow like animals, defensive, passive and motionless." This week in Louisiana history. September 20, 1717. Gov. LePinay recalled to France after "ruining the colony." This week in New Orleans history. The last space shuttle fuel tank rolls out of the Michoud Assembly Facility on September 20, 2010. This week in Louisiana. Louisiana Gumbo Festival October 10-12, 2025 326 Hwy 304 Thibodaux, LA 70301 Celebrate Louisiana's Rich Culinary Heritage Indulge in a diverse array of Cajun and Creole cuisines, savor our traditional gumbo recipe, and immerse yourself in the captivating rhythms of live Zydeco and Cajun performances. With exciting activities for all ages, there's something for everyone to enjoy.      The Louisiana Gumbo Festival began in 1973. During the 1970s, Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards signed a proclamation naming Chackbay the Gumbo Capitol of Louisiana. Annually, volunteers cook nearly 500 gallons of Gumbo during the festival weekend. You can also find various Cajun food, music, amusement rides, parade, auction, and so much more for the whole family to enjoy.      This year, we are offering Pay One Price Advanced Weekend Armbands for $65.00 + tax. 
Advanced Armbands allow children unlimited carnival rides throughout the duration of the festival. Advanced Armbands are available for purchase ONLINE ONLY until Friday October 10, 2025. Armbands will NOT be sold at the festival.      Advanced armbands can be picked up at the designated line of the festival ticket booth on Friday, October 11th beginning at 5:30pm. Postcards from Louisiana. Street Poet Melody Eloise. 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. 

Reporter Delaney Nolan on environmental pollution concerns in the wake of the explosion at Smitty's Supply. The post Ep. 283: After the Smitty's Supply explosion, concerns for Lake Pontchartrain appeared first on The Lens.

Faith for the Coming Wilderness (4) (audio) David Eells – 9/14/25 I want to back up a little from what I shared last time, when we knew we were to move to Florida and share how we got a little ahead of the Lord. Sometimes the Lord will wait before He answers because He wants to see if we are going to get out there in the flesh and that's what we did. We came over a little early and started looking around Pensacola, but we didn't see anything, and we went back home. We started crying out to the Lord, “Okay, Lord, we know this is the time; we know it's coming,” and so on. And the next time, we waited until the Lord sent us. We even had a Christian realtor in Pensacola looking around for us, and we described the house to him because we had already seen it in dreams and visions. He was looking all over Pensacola, trying to find the house, until, finally, one day, in a little frustration after having sought the Lord, I stopped the man. I said, “Look, let's get your map.” So he got his map and we stretched it out on the hood of his car, and I said, “Listen, this is where the house is, right here!” I wasn't even looking where I was pointing, but I stuck my finger down on the map and he said, “Okay, we'll go there and look.” As we were looking, I told the man just exactly how much we were going to pay for the house. I could tell he wasn't used to that, but he said, “Okay.” He drove us through the area where my finger came down and we passed by the house we had seen in our dreams and visions. The lady who owned it had just stuck a “For Sale By Owner” sign in the ground. And since this was a realtor and it was a For Sale By Owner sign, he was just driving right on by, but I had my pad and pencil out. I wrote down the phone number and called her later. So after we looked at the house, I felt led to offer her $1000 less than I knew I was going to pay because some people like to haggle. She said, “Well, I don't know.” And I said, “Well, I tell you what, leave the curtains,” which I knew she was planning on doing anyway, “and I'll give you this much,” which was the amount the Lord told me. And she said, “Okay.” Praise the Lord! I do want to tell you that the realtor was a good Christian man who had done a good job looking for the house, and we actually gave him his commission. He had worked for his due, and we figured we'd give it to him anyway. He told us, “Man, I could never have found you a deal like this!” Now this lady was a Baptist, but one of her relatives was the pastor of a large, full-Gospel church in Pensacola. He and other people had been witnessing to her. And at the time when we came to Pensacola, she was having a problem with her eyes, so we asked her, “Would you let us pray for you? Will you let us lay hands on you for those eyes, so God will heal them?” I pointed out some verses to her and so on. She said, “Well, I don't know so much of that laying on of hands stuff, but I would like you to pray for me.” I answered, “Okay, we will pray for you without the laying on of hands.” That's what we did; we prayed for her, and God healed her. She was so jubilant to come to find out that God would do this for her because her doctrine didn't permit that kind of miraculous healing. She didn't really believe in those kinds of miraculous healings, but she received a miraculous healing, and her eyes were suddenly opened to the true Gospel. Then, when the time came for us to move in, she still wasn't ready to move out for another week, so she lived with us for a week, and we were able to witness to her even more. We had our stuff all piled up on one end of the house, and we were kind of living together like that until, finally, we had the house to ourselves. You see, God did a miracle. And it was through our weakness that we got this miracle. God paid for it; we didn't pay for anything. The money He gave us was enough to buy the house and a new car because our small car was a Toyota, which was good for doing small jobs, but we had five kids. So we bought a large, brand new station wagon, and God also did many miracles on that station wagon for us over the years. But the miracle was that God paid for both of these. We didn't have any money or save any money, and we just continued to give to any need that came our way. Whenever we saw a need, we gave to it. We didn't believe in storing up our treasures on earth, so we put no money in the bank. We did what Jesus says. (Luk.12:33) Sell that which ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth destroyeth. “Faileth not.” I want to remind you that no credit goes to us. Eph 2:8  for by grace (unmerited favor) have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9  not of works, that no man should glory.  When you store up your treasures in Heaven by meeting the needs of the brethren, you can always get it back because as the Lord said, it “faileth not.” For many years, I made a very good living, and I met the needs of the brethren around me. Whenever I saw a need, it wasn't a burden to me to take care of it by the grace of God, Who put it in my heart to do that. When you read the Word of God and you love the Word of God, and you love to act and live on the Word of God, the Word gets into your heart. The Word in you is Jesus in you. So we just gave where we saw to give; we didn't save up money and we didn't borrow money. Borrowing was out of the question for us because we were walking by faith, and even up to today, I haven't for 55 years. But because I give, the money is always there when I need it. As I've shared with you, the Lord taught me never to borrow, never to tell my needs, never to go into the business of buying and selling. Another was, never to take any government help. Recently the Lord had me sighn up for Social Security at 76 which didn't belong to the government but me, but I have given it away ever since. One of the things the young man said happened in his dream was that when he walked up to me, I told him, “I'm never going to work for man again,” and it was true. After I retired from Exxon, I never worked for man again. Now, everybody has to work, as the Bible says: (2Th.3:10) For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat. So I've worked diligently for the Lord and still do, but I've never been a burden on people. I made sure of that, and I never made my needs known. I haven't received any income from UBM. God put it in people's hearts to meet our needs separately. I don't believe in being a freeloader or “mooching.” It's wrong and it's evil. If you're truly walking by faith, God's going to support you. (Luk.10:7) And in that same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. (Mat.10:10) Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses; (10) no wallet for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food. God supports those who work for Him. Apostle Paul is our example. At the beginning of his ministry, he worked for a living. (1Co.9:11) If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things? (12) If others partake of [this] right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. But later on (2 Corinthians 9; Philippians 2), it seems very clear that Paul was receiving freewill offerings from brethren so that he could continue on with his ministering and not be distracted by any work. It was that way for the first part of my ministry, too. I worked for many years while I ministered. I learned to walk by faith and, in that weakness, God was miraculous. Most people don't get to see the miracles of God because they are not willing to be weak. They're always strong and do for themselves; it's salvation by works. Remember that the Greek word for “salvation,” which is the noun soteria or the verb sozo, is translated in many different ways to cover every kind of salvation. For instance, when Jesus healed someone, (Mat.9:22) But Jesus turning and seeing her said, Daughter, be of good cheer; thy faith hath made thee whole (sozo). And the woman was made whole (sozo) from that hour. When He delivered people from demons, (Luk.8:36) And they that saw it told them how he that was possessed with demons was made whole (sozo). When the disciples were in the sinking boat, (Mat.8:25) And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Save (sozo), Lord; we perish. Salvation is very, very big! Jesus saved us from sin and its curse. (2Co.5:21) Him who knew no sin he made [to be] sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Did you know, in the Scriptures, poverty is a curse? (Deu.28:47) Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, by reason of the abundance of all things; (48) therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies that Jehovah shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. Unless it is a sacrificial self-imposed poverty for the sake of others, it's a curse. How many of you know that Jesus wasn't poverty-stricken? He had His needs met everywhere He went. Now, He didn't have riches, according to the way the world likes riches. The world likes the material kind of riches in which they can trust. Jesus didn't have that, but His needs were met wherever He went, and so were His disciples. They weren't poor, but they were poor to the world. (Jas.2:5) Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him? People who are poor to the world are in a position of weakness, where they have to trust in God. You have to come out from under the principles of the world and the teachings of the worldly, Babylonish Church. You learn to obey the principles that Jesus gave us in the New Testament. Make sure your brother's needs are met sacrificially out of what you have, and God will make sure you don't ever have a need that isn't met by God's faith in us. Paul said, (Php.4:19) And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. He said that because his needs were being met by the brethren and He made that promise to the Philippians. Well, we lost a car, had been injured, and didn't have any money, but in our weakness, God was made strong. We didn't have to sell or borrow or beg or do anything of the sort; all we did was give. I want you to walk in the same blessings, and God will do that for you if you start living according to His principles. By the way, because the second part of the money that came in from the wreck was delayed and delayed, God made an opportunity for me to give away my first station wagon that I had when I was in Baton Rouge. I gave it away to a mission in town where I had preached quite a few times because they needed transportation for the people in the mission. God blessed me with that car, and I never had any problems with it that Father didn't fix. When we prayed for a car, my youngest daughter had a vision of that car being in New Orleans. She even saw the color of the car. Sure enough, I couldn't find anything in Baton Rouge that I liked, so I went to New Orleans, and I saw the car and bought it. That was the car I gave to the mission. And I'd never put any spares in that car because I was trusting God to keep my tires, but the day I put the keys in the preacher's hand in my living room and we walked outside, it was sitting on a flat. I never had a flat as long as I had that car because I never carried a spare, but as soon as it got out of my hand and into his, it had a flat. And since I mentioned New Orleans, think about what happened there, folks. God brought a Category 5 hurricane (Hurricane Katrina: August 29, 2005) to that big sin city and, just as it was about to hit land, He sent in a wave of dry air from the northwest that suddenly knocked that hurricane down to a Category 3. That same gust of dry air pushed the hurricane to the east. A Category 5 hurricane that was about to hit that area would have driven the waters of Lake Pontchartrain over into the city and drowned 40,000 to 50,000 people because the water would have come in there so fast. Think about man's efforts to save himself with the levees and those great big monster pumps that they have in that city. They thought they could keep that city dry. Had a Category 5 hit that city head-on, or even a Category 3, it would have pushed the water in there faster than the pumps could handle. Most of New Orleans is 20 feet below sea level and some of it is more than 20 feet below sea level. What chance did man have to save himself from just one of God's judgments? As it was, He didn't let the city escape, even after moving the hurricane over a little bit. The levees gave out when they became saturated and the city started filling up with water, but it was slow enough to give people a little time to move out of the way. It was astounding how the mercy of God saved those people. The meteorologists pointed out on radar how this gust of dry air came in and moved the hurricane; they were totally amazed by it. They had never seen anything like it. That was purely an act of God that spared them when they couldn't have saved themselves, even with all of their efforts. They knew if a major hurricane hit them, the city would drown. God didn't completely spare the city, but He spared an untold number of people, including many brethren. I'm sure some people in New Orleans with faith were praying until God, at the last moment, suddenly dropped the strength of that hurricane and moved it over. Hurricane Dennis did exactly the same thing as it was coming toward Pensacola. I was praying the whole time and I was asking, “Lord, do you want me to command that hurricane to back off and go the other way?” The Lord said, “No. Just wait,” so I didn't do anything. All of a sudden, when it hit the land, I felt in my heart that the Lord wanted me to command it to be broken up, and that's exactly when it started breaking up. The strength dropped down, and it veered a little bit to the right of Pensacola. I know that there were some people over there in New Orleans doing the exact same thing and God answered the exact same way. You see, God has it all planned out. He just uses His faith in us to bring it to pass. We can put our trust in the living God. Nothing that man can do will save you from the judgments that are coming. The wilderness is where you learn to walk by faith in the Lord. You learn to put your faith in Him and you give up your efforts and your power; you give up your ability to do anything. The promises of God are past tense. He became a curse for you, He bore your curse, and He healed your body. He already did all of this, and since all of these promises are past tense, what can you do to bring it to pass? Jesus taught us, (Mar.11:24) Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received them, and ye shall have them. If you believe you have received, there's nothing for you to do to bring them to pass. Believing the promises brings us into a position of weakness where we can't save ourselves. You've probably heard the old saying, “God helps those who help themselves.” Well, that's a lie. The Bible says just the opposite: (Jer.17:5) Thus saith the Lord: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. The power of God is made perfect in weakness; that's what He told Paul: (2Co.12:9) And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Paul couldn't save himself in those situations that he got into, but he said, (2Ti.4:18) The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. In his weakness, and faith, God's power was made perfect. Keep the Sabbath, and don't bring a burden into God's Holy City on this Sabbath. Cease from your own works or, in other words, cease from the works of man. As God told Moses and the children of Israel, (Exo.14:13) And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you to-day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. (14) The Lord will fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. He said, “Stand still.” They were trying to figure out what to do. Here was Pharaoh's army coming up behind them and they would have never thought about parting the Red Sea. (Exo.14:15) And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. (16) And lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thy hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go into the midst of the sea on dry ground. You see, God has ways far beyond our ways. (Isa.55:8) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. That's why He had to tell them, “stand still.” It's the same for us. Sometimes we're just so busy running around, trying to figure out a way out of this or a way out of that. We've been trained from our youth to solve our problems for ourselves, when God just wants us to be believers in His promises. Get your Bible and diligently read it. Underline those promises and start acting on them. (Jas.2:17) Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. Faith without works is dead. Remember that Jesus told us, (Mar.11:24) … All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received them, and ye shall have them. How would you act if you believed you had received what you prayed for? You would stop trying to bring it to pass for yourself. You would cease from your own labors and, if you cease from your own labors on His Sabbath, you will find God's power is made perfect. Glory be to God! Now, I want to remind you that the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart over and over before the Israelites were set free from Egypt to go into their wilderness. (Exo.7:1) And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee as God to Pharaoh; and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. (2) Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land. (3) And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. (4) But Pharaoh will not hearken unto you, and I will lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. (5) And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch forth my hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them. Why did He do that? Why did the Lord harden Pharaoh's heart? (Exo.10:1) And the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I may show these my signs in the midst of them, (2) and that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought upon Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know that I am the Lord. The Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart because He wanted to judge Egypt and He wanted to prove His great power to deliver the Israelites. By the time the Israelites left Egypt, the land had been devastated, and the economy was in ruins. (Exo.10:7) And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed? You know, He's going to do that again in our day! (Ecc.1:9) That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. History is going to repeat. Judgments are coming upon the United States, but God is merciful, and He sends warnings to us so His people will pray. I'm totally convinced that the prayers of the saints have delayed a time of judgment. We have been receiving many revelations of judgments, some of them with actual dates that have since come and gone, and the Lord showed me that these were true revelations, yet they didn't come to pass. You see, the Lord gives you a warning of things to come for the purpose of having you seek Him for grace. (Jas.4:2) … ye have not, because ye ask not. God's people don't pray and they don't seek Him for His grace and mercy! It takes a threat for His people to seek Him for grace and mercy. When God wants to give us grace and mercy, He almost has to tell us what's going to happen if we don't seek Him. I know what the Lord did with those revelations that never came to pass: He put those warnings out there so His people would seek Him for grace and He gave it. By the way, if you don't believe God dates prophecies, you haven't read very much of the Bible because there are many of them in there (Daniel 7; 9; Jonah 3; Revelation 12; etc.) The brethren who share these warnings sometimes wonder if God just forgot about them or if He left them, or if they were deceived. The same thing happened with Jonah. (Jon.4:1) But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. Jonah had prophesied Nineveh would be overthrown in 40 days, and yet, God had mercy when the people cried out to Him. God had mercy, and Jonah was angry because now he was going to look like a false prophet. (2) And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I hasted to flee unto Tarshish; for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repentest thee of the evil. (3) Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live. Jonah didn't want to face the world. He felt as if the Lord had let him down. He had prophesied their destruction, but he also knew that God was merciful and would repent of the prophesied evil. However, God reminded Jonah there was something a lot more important than his pride. (Jon.4:11) And should not I have regard for Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than six score thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? Can you imagine, He was even having mercy on the cattle! God was showing it wasn't important that Jonah might look like a false prophet, but it was important that God was going to have mercy on these people. That's the thing we have to keep in mind. Remember, we've been put here to be of no reputation anyway, according to the Scriptures. (Php.2:5) Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; (8) and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. We're supposed to have the same mind as Christ. We're here to lose our reputation in the eyes of the world. The wilderness is a place of hopelessness for the flesh because the flesh really can't help God. Just like the wilderness was a place of weakness for Israel, a place where the world couldn't supply the needs of God's people, so it is, and will be, for us in our day. What the Church has been teaching for so long is, “God helps those who help themselves.” That's their doctrine. Well, God doesn't like that and it's a stench in His nostrils. The Bible says (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. We are saved by His works, His efforts, and His wisdom. The Lord has already accomplished everything for us at the cross. (Php.4:19) And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. He supplied our needs at the cross, so God doesn't appreciate that the Church is preaching salvation by works. He said, (2Co.12:9) … My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness.... I'd like to share with you the difference between assurance and insurance because this is part of my wilderness. Many people have their trust in the “idol” of insurance. They think they've insulated themselves from anything bad that could come from this world, but it's going to fail. Every idol that you stand up to the Lord will fall over and be crushed like Dagon. (1Sa.5:3) And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. (4) And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands lay cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. God is going to judge all the idols of Egypt; they will all fail. Even insurance companies are not going to be able to save America. As a matter of fact, insurance companies have been leaving several states, including Florida, where judgments such as hurricanes are becoming more and more frequent. They've been leaving those states to avoid going bankrupt. And they get permission to not pay up if doing so would harm them. But God's going to continue hitting big sin cities all around the United States with one form of judgment or another, and there aren't enough insurance companies in the world to save America. If you're interested in my wilderness experiences and teachings from the Bible, I ask that you get our free e-book, Sovereign God For Us And Through Us, on our website: ubm1.org. He is sovereign for us and He wants to be sovereign through us. He wants to administer His authority in this earth through His people. I want to share some excerpts with you here from Chapter 18. It's titled “Assurance Versus Insurance,” and I hope it will give you a desire to read the rest of the book. We receive testimonies every day of people who are being empowered by God and helped and delivered by this book. (The excerpts are italicized, and my commentary is in parentheses.) (Psa.91:9) For thou, O Lord, art my refuge!.... This confession of faith and the deliverance that comes of it are merely acting on what the Word says. I received a revelation years ago in Louisiana, before it was a law to have any form of auto insurance. Even now there are are laws to have the minimum PIP/PD but that covers the other guy, not you. So I have had this to obey the law and have been rewarded greatly because the other guy was a fault and paid me. The Lord began spiritually to reason with me. It occurred to me that God is sovereign over what we call “accidents.” (We're always insulating ourselves with insurance, but there is really no such thing as an accident, is there?) (Joh.3:27) A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven. That doesn't sound like there are accidents (It sounds like there is a sovereign God!); therefore, an accident could not come without God sending it. Since He said that if we prayed believing we would receive, then I could ask Him to keep my vehicles, or let the other guy be at fault and pay me, which has profited me greatly. Why would I need insurance if I believed the assurance just given in His promises? (Psa.91:9) For thou, O Lord, art my refuge! (Notice the good confession and its resulting benefit. (Jas.2:26) For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead. Faith without works is dead, but the good confession brings a benefit.) Thou hast made the Most High thy habitation; (10) There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy tent. (I know a lot of people don't believe or teach this nowadays, but it's the Word of the Lord. Who are we to say otherwise!) (11) For he will give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways. (12) They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Or, in other words, “lest you have an accident.”) Notice that when we abide in Christ by faith (and hold fast this good confession; that's the promise of God), angels keep us from what men call “accidents.” An exception to this can be an experience like Job's to show hidden faults (Job.32:1-2). As in his case, God strictly controls the chastening and later restores what is taken. God restored to Job twice as much as he had and without insurance. God desires to be our security. We don't need security in the world; we need our God to be our security. (Psa.119:122) Be surety (Hebrew: “to give or be security”) for thy servant for good.... (Heb.7:22) By so much also hath Jesus become the surety of a better covenant. God and His promises are the believers' assurance of provision and protection. After seeing what the Lord was saying to me, I dropped my auto insurance back before it was required. Then I called my life insurance man and he came over. I told him that I would not need insurance anymore because God would be my assurance. He was a good Lutheran man who sincerely tried to reason with this fanatic, but to no avail. The week after I did this, I drove to a Stop-N-Go mart and went in to get some food. While I was walking down an aisle, I heard a crash that shook the store windows. I looked up over the isle to see that my car had been in a wreck without me! I went out and found a heavy old Buick's front end wrapped around the back corner of my Datsun station wagon. The driver backed the car up a foot or so, and we both stood there speechless. We just couldn't really understand how this could happen. The hood, grill and bumper of his all steel car were notched back about six inches, as if it had hit a big oak tree. Here is the good part. Datsun station wagons were tin boxes and could be dented with an elbow. This tank hit my car on the left rear wrap-around, plastic tail lens! I reached out and with my thumbnail, scraped a piece of paint from his hood off the plastic tail lens, and we stood there for a moment looking at this miracle. There was not a scratch, dent or crack on my car anywhere. Awesome God! He made my wimpy car, which should have been totaled, invincible to this old tank of a car. The assurance of God saved me from any need of insurance. The man said, “I think my brakes went out,” and then he mumbled, “They sure make ‘em better than they used to.” As I was thinking about how ludicrous that statement was (and I knew he didn't believe it anyway), he got in his car and left. Suddenly, it hit me that I missed the best chance in the entire world to witness to someone. I jumped into my car and caught him at the next red light (where his brakes, obviously, had stopped him). I grabbed some tracts out of the glove box and hurried to his door. I said, “Sir, that was a miracle.” He said, “It had to be.” I said, “I didn't have any insurance on my car and I was trusting God to keep it and He did.” The light turned green and we parted company. Since then, I have never had any insurance that covers our family, vehicles or home, other than what the law demands. We now have to have liability, which covers the other guy but not you. However, when the Lord tells you that you do not need insurance He means it. That first wreck, or lack thereof, was an awesome testimony, but we did not plunder Egypt, as we did with later wrecks. Since then, God has not always protected our vehicles or bodies, but in every case, it was to our advantage, for He healed our bodies once and greatly blessed us financially. (When you trust in the Lord, He's working all things for your good, as Romans 8:28 says.) During this time, though we sued no one, the other guy's insurance blessed us with money for the following: to repair a motorcycle with money leftover in my pocket for a new one; to repair a Toyota pickup that needed painting anyway, and I ended up after fixing the pickup, painting it with a beautiful paint job with $1,500 left in my pocket; to buy two cars, one new; to buy our home; to enable us to buy and give cars to others; to enable us to give our home away; and to buy a travel trailer for a homeless woman and her son. Besides all that and more, we have not spent God's money on many years' worth of insurance. (If you obey God, you can't lose! If you obey God and walk by faith in Him and let His assurance be your insurance and not the world, then you'll see the miracles of God.) Now, I can hear someone say, “But David, what if ... ?” What if what? What if God Almighty fell off His throne? (God made these promises; we're just depending upon Him.) (Rom.10:11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame. (The devil tells you that you will be put to shame, but that's a lie.) (Jer.17:7) Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose trust the Lord is. By the grace of God, it has been many years since we have had a wreck. Praise God! (So God can keep you from wrecks, but when you do get into them, He can make them bless you.) One day, in that same Datsun station wagon, I was driving along rather frustrated because I had had three flats on relatively new tires. Most people would be complaining to the manufacturer, but I believed that God was in control, so I was complaining to the Lord. A little frustrated, I said, “Lord, can't You keep my tires?” He said to me very clearly, “Don't you believe that I can keep your tires?” I replied in my ignorance, “Yes, I believe You can keep them.” He replied, “Then why do you keep putting that spare back there?” To be honest, I put the spare in the trunk because it was traditional and I had not questioned it, but also, the underlying reason was in case God didn't keep my tires. (I'm not trying to make a new doctrine on spares, just share a lesson God gave to me.) Fear and unbelief cause us to try to insulate ourselves from any possibility of lack, loss or threat. Since we are trusting in insurance besides the Lord, we usually end up needing it. (That's what people don't understand. If you trust in something besides the Lord, you end up having to use it. Of course, some people say, “Aha! You see, I needed it!” But they have it all backwards. When you trust in any idol and not in the Lord, you're going to need it.) Jesus sent out His disciples in a way that would make them dependent on living by faith. He sent them without their own provision so that in their weakness His power would be proven. (Mat.10:9) Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses; (10) no wallet for [your] journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food. Later, Jesus wanted to see what they learned from this experience of depending upon God's supply. (Luk.22:35) And he said unto them, When I sent you forth without purse, and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing. (For those of you who believe that only applied to the disciples, remember Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples and teach them to observe everything that He commanded the first disciples to observe (Matthew 28:20). In other words, what He spoke to them, He spoke to us, but man came in there with religion and thwarted the whole mission that God sent us on.) In the wilderness of man's supply, God's provision was evident. (When Jesus sent out the disciples without their own supply, He basically made a wilderness wherever these men went because they didn't bring enough with them out of “Egypt” to supply their needs.) God starts His works when we finish ours. His power is made perfect in our weakness. That was my experience with those tires. I threw out my spare and I never had another flat on that car, and the neighbors who used to borrow it quit! (I would tell them, “Look, if you're going to drive this car, you have to drive it by faith because I don't have a spare back there.” Well, they quit borrowing my car, which I guess was another benefit.) The moral of that story is, if you prepare for a rainy day, it will come. With the next car, I had the same experience: no flats. When I decided after many years to give it to a mission, I put the keys and title into the hand of the pastor in my living room. We walked outside and the car was on a flat. (I was the one walking by faith and now that it was his car, now that the key was in his hand, it was sitting on a flat! Well, inside I just chuckled. I understood exactly what He was saying to me.) God made His point. As long as I owned the car, putting my trust in Him, there was never a flat. In other words, trusting in God takes away the need for insurance. (And, again, I'm not making any laws about this; I'm not condemning anybody for having spares. God was teaching me, and He'll teach you. He may use other methods, but He wants to teach you to walk in this wilderness, to walk in a lack of man's provision, but in your weakness, God will be made strong.) Men serve insurance companies, H.M.O.s, banks and store up their treasures on earth for the security they think it gives them. (Mat.6:19) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal. Y2K revealed the paranoia and lack of trust in those who stored up their treasures on earth, contrary to the Lord's command. (It's fear that causes people to do such things, but God's power is made perfect in our weakness.) Quite a few I showed these principles to went home to give their store away and found it full of bugs, just as Jesus said, “thieves break through and steal.” Jesus told of a man who found peace in the insurance of storing up his goods in greater barns (Luke 12:18). He said to himself, (Luk.12:19) ...Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry. (That's the thinking of man: “I have all I need; this will keep me for a long time.”) His misplaced trust brought judgment. (20) But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required (Greek: “they require thy soul”) of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be? (21) So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (Now, to be “rich toward God” is to be “rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom.” (Jas.2:5) Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him? Why did He choose the “poor as to the world”? He chose them because they have to trust in God, they have to put their faith in God. That's what God did with the Israelites when He brought them into the wilderness. He made them poor to the world, and He expected them to put their faith in Him.) Notice that it was his stored-up treasures that required his soul. Jesus promised the unfailing Kingdom provisions to those who would store up their treasures in Heaven by giving. (32) Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (33) Sell that which ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old (not storing up), a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth destroyeth. As long as we are on this earth, we can draw on our Heavenly bank account if we have deposited by giving to the needs of others. “Give, and it shall be given unto you.” If we have stored up on earth instead, the promise is that it will be stolen by thieves of one kind or another. Our heart will be on our treasures, falsely thinking them to be our security. (Luk.12:34) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (And God cannot lie!) (I'm told that Psalm 118:8 is the center verse in the Bible and I'm sure that it is at least central to God's heart.) (Psa.118:8) It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Our trust in man is what brings the curse to pass. (Jer.17:5) Thus saith the Lord: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. (People are trusting in their insurance of many different kinds; they're trusting in their insurance companies, but they are all going to fail. Everything but God is going to fail in the days ahead!) As we can see, the insurances themselves bring the curse that they are thought to relieve. (The man who stored up “much goods” found that they brought the curse upon him. God is not offended with the world doing it; He's offended with His people doing these things.) God is offended with those who call themselves believers, yet trust in man's strength and insurances. This is a heart that departs from the Lord. In 2 Chronicles 16:1-6, Asa, king of Judah, put his trust in the worldly king of Syria for insurance against his enemies. This offended God, Who sent judgment. (2Ch.16:7) And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and hast not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thy hand. (8) Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge host, with chariots and horsemen exceeding many? yet, because thou didst rely on the Lord, he delivered them into thy hand. (9) For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; for from henceforth thou shalt have wars. God is eager to show signs and wonders to those who trust in Him with a perfect heart. (Obviously, a “perfect heart” is not one that trusts in the world.) You would think that Asa would have learned this lesson, but his trust in man cost him his life, as it does for so many. (12) And in the thirty and ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet; his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians (13) And Asa slept with his fathers.... Christians justify their misplaced trust in man's insurances, not realizing that this brings the judgment in the first place. Let me share this experience with you. M.J. and I were about to go to work on a large crude oil pump for Exxon. The process department had blocked it out of line and drained it, or so we thought. What we did not know was that the pressure gauge read “0” because it was broken and the drain valve, though open, was stopped up, so there was a little pressure still in the pump. We took the bolts out of the head plate to remove it, but it was stuck. I stood up and took about four steps away to get something to break it loose when I heard a “pop” sound and turned around to see M.J. drenched with black crude from head to foot. As he opened his eyes, he sarcastically looked at me and said, “David, you did this to me.” Well, I could not contain myself and busted out laughing. The thought of me stepping away in the nick of time so that M.J. could get plastered was too much for me. Attempting to sound serious, he said, “Dave, you're never going to do this to me again.” I said, “M.J., you had better watch those self-confident statements. You know God is listening.” Then, he repeated his statement and said, “Bring me up to the shower house. I have a spare set of clothes up there.” I said, “Oh, now I know why you got it instead of me.” He asked, “Why?” I said, “Because I don't have a spare set of clothes and God knew it.” He looked at me kind of inquisitively. I explained that planning for a catastrophe is the same as having faith for it. It also proves that you do not believe that God will protect or provide. Later that day, we were working on another pump. M.J. was next to me as we used an impact gun to take off some bolts. Suddenly, slurry squirted down one of the open bolt holes and hit M.J. in the middle of his chest, leaving me untouched. (Slurry is a crude that will stain anything; you cannot get it out. If it gets on your clothes, you can just forget it because that's the color they are now. In fact, it's that way on skin; it's just terribly staining. So this slurry squirted down the bolt hole, down the side of the thread and hit him right in the chest.) He looked at me in disbelief. I playfully said, “M.J., I told you God doesn't like those self-confident statements,” but we both knew that God was speaking in this. We could not remember when this had happened to us before, much less twice in one day. (Truly, in the wilderness that's coming, we can put our trust only in the living God; nothing else is going to save us.) Now, back to that old Datsun station wagon; I want you to know the Lord used that vehicle to teach me many other lessons. When I was about to buy a new car, I really kind of favored the Toyota because I felt it was the better car, but I always left things up to the Lord. I asked, “Lord, which one do you want me to buy, the Toyota or the Datsun?” And I was surprised when the Lord said, “I want you to get the Datsun station wagon.” Now, a person would think that when the Lord tells you to do something, everything would be just fine since, obviously, the Lord is looking out for your good. Well, He was looking out for my good, but not in the way you would think sometimes. I told you the tire story, but other things went wrong with that car. Sometimes God wants you to have victory in trials. It wasn't all that long after I bought the car that the carburetor started acting erratically. And since I was a pretty good machinist and a pretty good mechanic, I knew the carburetor was plugged. I also knew that I didn't feel like tearing down the carburetor because the most precious thing in my life is my time. I used every spare moment I had to read the Bible, to study the Word. I was literally drawn, hungering and thirsting for the Word. Anyway, I just commanded that thing to be healed and kept on driving the Datsun. It went on like that, acting kind of erratically for a couple of weeks, but I just kept on holding fast to my confession. (Heb.10:23) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised. The Lord will try you; just because you don't get the answer right away doesn't mean He hasn't heard you. After I held on like this for a couple of weeks, suddenly it started getting better and better until the problem was gone. In a few more weeks, I was faced with a different problem. The transmission started slipping and I thought it was just crazy for a relatively new car to be doing things like this, but I did all the normal things that a mechanic would do, like checking the fluid, for example, to make sure it was at the right level. And again, I knew that I didn't want to mess with that transmission by working on it myself, and I didn't want to take it to a shop. My time was valuable to me. In the wilderness, it will be a different story. You may not be able to find somebody to work on it, or you may not have the money to work on it, or the parts may not be available, etc. Even though in those days I had plenty of money, I just wouldn't spend it. I considered that what I made belonged to the Kingdom, and I wanted to use it to meet the Kingdom's needs, not spend it on vehicles and things like that. So instead, I just commanded that transmission to “Be healed in the name of Jesus,” but it still went on slipping for a while. Of course, your mind is telling you, “Hey, if you keep letting it slip like that, you're going to have to replace the clutch,” and all the other things that normally go bad when it starts slipping. I just ignored it and kept on going, and as I held fast my confession, my transmission gradually got better and better, until I never had any more problems with it. So, the Lord had me by that car so He could try me and show me He could fix anything. Some of the times when the Lord was teaching me these lessons, I got in the flesh to do things myself, and nothing worked out right. For instance, I told you how, when the insurance money came in, I bought a new Chevrolet station wagon. Well, I'd watched a lot of advertisements for a product called “Slick 50” that showed how you could put it in an engine, run it in there a while, and afterward actually dump out the oil and the engine would still run. I was impressed with that. I thought, “Wow! That will keep my engine. It will make it last a long, long time.” But, folks, I already had a God Who would keep my engine and make it last a long, long time. He's a jealous God. He really wanted me to put my trust in Him. Do you know what I did? I put that Slick 50 in there, even though they said not to use it unless you have 40,000 or 50,000 miles on the car. Well, I stuck it in there a little early and they warn you that you can break some rings doing that. At the time, I still lived in Florida, and I had to go on a teaching tour in Texas. So all of my family and I got in the car and we took off, and before I got very far down the road, the car started pouring smoke out of the tailpipe. I looked in the rear-view mirror, and it was just solid smoke back there. I said, “What in the world has happened to my new car?” I checked the PCV and things like that but couldn't find anything wrong. The only thing I determined was that I must have broken rings, as they said I might do if I put Slick 50 in an engine that didn't have extra clearance in it. I would go a few miles down the road and pour a quart of oil in it, go a few miles and pour another quart in it, so I decided I was going to pray over the engine. I said, “Lord, forgive me for getting in the flesh, and I'm going to trust You to keep this engine.” So I prayed over the engine and I commanded it to be healed in the name of Jesus. I don't know where I got into the terminology of calling it “healed.” I've prayed over vehicles, refrigerators, washing machines, and things like that, and I would always just call it “healing.” Anyway, I prayed over that engine and commanded it to “be healed in the name of Jesus,” because it's not the terminology that you use. Your theology might be a little bit wrong, but the Lord knows what you're meaning. Well, I got back into the car and we went on our way. We got a lot farther down the road, and I think I had to put one more quart in that car on the whole trip to Texas and back. God repaired those broken rings and we had no more problem with that. I didn't have much trouble with that car for many, many years, but I had the water pump stop working on it once when my wife and I were out driving. She cranked the car, and water started just pouring out on the ground. I asked her to get out of the car and come lay hands on the hood with me, which we did. We laid hands on the hood and commanded that water pump to “stop leaking in the name of Jesus.” And that water pump seal immediately sealed back up and we drove off. I've had many miracles like that, but most people never think about doing that. The first thing that comes to their mind is, “Well, I have a warranty on this car; or “I have enough money to hire a mechanic to fix it.” I wanted to stay in the wilderness because I wanted to learn those lessons that, one day, everybody is going to have to learn, so I took every opportunity to stay in the wilderness The Israelites wanted to run back to Egypt whenever they came into a place where God would try them, but God put it in my heart to want to stay out there. I wanted to learn; I wanted to see God do these miracles. Besides that, God told me, “I'm bringing you through a wilderness, so you can tell My people that I still supply there.” I treasured these experiences. Some people would call them terrible tribulation, but I treasured them and I enjoyed seeing God do these things. Let me tell you about my washing machine. One time, after we had moved to Florida, the washing machine started leaking. Mary came and told me, “The seal in the washer has gone out; the pump is leaking onto the ground.” I thought, “I'm going to go pray for it.” So I went and prayed for it and commanded it to be healed, then I sopped up the water and told her to go ahead and use it. Well, she did the rest of the laundry, and the machine didn't leak any more water. Then, just a few weeks later, she said, “That machine is leaking again,” so I went back in there and did the same thing. It went for a few more weeks, and for a third time she said to me, “David, that washer is leaking again.” I said, “No, it's not. It's not leaking; that thing is healed. It's okay, it's fine, just wash and don't worry about it.” You see, I didn't want to go back on what I had spoken. I wanted to keep my trust in the Lord and, sure enough, it sealed up. I told my wife, “If you see it leak, don't confess it, just thank God that it's not leaking and it's fixed.” And, you know, I kept that washing machine until somebody gave me another one that was a lot newer. I remember another time, back when we were in Louisiana, when my two young sons were playing in the living room and I was sitting there studying. My wife came in and she said, “That washing machine won't run. It won't even come on.” I said, “Well, Corban and Nathan, you two go back there and lay hands on that washing machine and just command it to run in the name of Jesus and it will run.” So they did that; they went back there and they laid hands on that thing and they commanded it to run and it took off. I taught all my children to lay hands on this and that, and they got to see the power of God in their simple, childlike faith. Children will always have awesome faith if you teach them about God and you show them the truths in the Bible. We had this lawnmower, and we pulled it out after the winter so we could cut the grass in the early spring. I pulled and pulled and pulled on this lawnmower, but it wouldn't start. My boys were really young at the time, and they were just standing around, looking at me. Well, I pulled the spark plug wire off, put it alongside the block, and pulled it. There was no spark. Now, by this time, I was sweating, tired and I wanted to get it over with. I called my boys to me and said to them, “Let's pray for this thing. Let's command it to run in the name of Jesus. I don't care if it has a spark or not; I just want it to run.” So my boys came over and we all laid hands on the lawnmower, and I commanded it to run in the name of Jesus. Then I cranked it up and mowed the lawn. I don't know if it ever had a spark or not. That didn't make any difference; it just had to run. (Mat.21:21) And Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do what is done to the fig tree, but even if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea, it shall be done. (22) And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. The Lord told us, if you speak to a mountain and don't doubt, that what we say will come to pass, and I tell you, teach your children. They have more faith than you. When you tell a child something, the child just believes you, and that's the way we ought to be with God. (Mat.18:2) And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them, (3) and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. We need to become like a child and, with childlike faith, just believe in our God, just believe that He will do it.

Resilience After A Life Changing Hurricane. When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005, the world watched in disbelief as one of the most destructive storms in American history swallowed communities whole. Among those whose lives were upended was a woman named Dr. Sandra Speer. The storm not only destroyed her home, it unearthed emotional wreckage that had been buried for decades. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast interview, available for free on their website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more podcast platforms. “Lake Pontchartrain was in my living room,” Sandra recalled. “I lost everything I owned, but what I didn't expect was that it would force me to face the emotional destruction I'd lived with since childhood.” In the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. This is not just a story about surviving a natural disaster. It is a story about surviving life. It's about resilience after a profound life change caused by a hurricane and the lifelong shadows of childhood trauma. It's about rebuilding, not only a house or a career, but a sense of self, and learning to live fully, freely, and fiercely. Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . The Day the Waters Rose, Resilience After A Life Changing Hurricane. Hurricane Katrina was more than just a Category 3 storm when it hit land near Buras-Triumph, Louisiana, on August 29, 2005. It was a monstrous force of nature that ultimately claimed 1,392 lives and caused more than $125 billion in damages. It flooded 80% of New Orleans, displacing hundreds of thousands and revealing deep flaws in infrastructure, governance, and preparedness. Sandra was among the countless residents who lost everything. She was in her 40s, living a modest life with her family when the levees failed and water surged into her neighborhood. Without access to money, food, or medical care, she and her loved ones were forced to evacuate and relocate to Florida, beginning a painful journey of recovery. But Katrina, she says, wasn't just the storm outside, it was the storm within. A Life Already Marked by Trauma, Resilience After A Life Changing Hurricane. Before Katrina ever formed in the Gulf, Sandra's life had already been shaped by a very different kind of disaster, childhood trauma. Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. “I was sexually abused starting at the age of nine until I was nearly eighteen,” she said quietly. “There was verbal abuse, psychological abuse. I was never really safe.” These early experiences had a devastating impact on her development. As with many survivors of childhood abuse, Sandra struggled with relationships, trust, and emotional regulation as an adult. She carried the trauma with her, even if it wasn't always visible to others. The trauma was cyclical, passed down through generations, never fully named or addressed, until the hurricane forced everything into the open. The Catalyst for Change, Resilience After A Life Changing Hurricane. When Sandra lost her home, it felt like the ground had literally and metaphorically been ripped from under her. But in that devastation came clarity. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. “Katrina stripped everything away. It forced me to stop running, stop hiding, and start healing.” This was the moment she began her journey toward resilience. No longer just surviving, she began rebuilding her life from the inside out. It started with therapy. Then came education. And eventually, self-discovery and a career shift that allowed her to use her pain to help others. Her life change caused by the hurricane was not the end of her story, it was the beginning of something much deeper. Understanding Childhood Trauma Experts define childhood trauma as any distressing or painful event during the developmental years (ages 0–18) that can have long-lasting physical and emotional consequences. These events include abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, or surviving a natural disaster. You can listen to his stories and interview on our website for free in addition to platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and other major podcast platforms. Trauma of this kind can affect nearly every area of life, emotional regulation, self-esteem, relationship development, and even physical health. And while children often try to move on, the emotional wounds can fester into adulthood, showing up in anxiety, depression, poor boundaries, or chronic stress. “The trauma didn't just stop when I turned eighteen,” Sandra explains. “It stayed with me, in my body, my decisions, my parenting, my relationships. But I made a decision: It would not pass on to my children.” With that powerful intention, she broke the cycle. Resilience After A Life Changing Hurricane. A New Purpose Emerged After returning to Louisiana, Sandra continued her education and earned her Ph.D.. She became a Legal Advocate, focusing on CPS and Parental Alienation cases. Though she's not an attorney, she serves as an Abuse and Corruption Expert Witness, working to protect families and hold systems accountable. Her career shift was a direct result of her lived experience. She knew what it was like to be failed by systems, first as a child, then during a disaster. Today, she uses that knowledge to empower others. She also authored a book, The Remains of Hurricane Katrina, which tells her personal story and offers insight and encouragement to others dealing with trauma, loss, and resilience. The full podcast episode is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. “I wrote the book for people who felt like they were drowning emotionally, even after the storm had passed.” The Ongoing Work of Healing, Resilience After A Life Changing Hurricane. Healing is not a one-time event, it's a lifelong process. And Sandra continues to do the work. “I'm learning to develop healthier intimate relationships. That's something that was always hard for me. But I'm proud of how far I've come.” In her advocacy and public speaking, she often emphasizes the importance of seeking mental health care, especially for children who experience trauma. She advocates for evidence-based treatments like trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and encourages families to ask for referrals through pediatricians, school counselors, or community organizations. Be sure to follow the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. “Not every child recovers from trauma just with love. Some need professional support, and there's no shame in that.” Reaching Audiences Worldwide, Resilience After A Life Changing Hurricane. Today, Dr. Sandra Speer is reaching audiences around the globe. She actively shares her message of resilience and recovery on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast Social Media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Her interviews and insights have been featured on major outlets, and her story has been covered in numerous podcasts on Apple, Spotify, and other popular platforms. Through it all, her message remains consistent: “You are not what happened to you. You are what you choose to become.” The Legacy of Strength Sandra's life now serves as a living testament to what's possible when a person decides to rise after being knocked down, by people, by systems, by nature itself. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast is promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. She broke the cycle of generational trauma for her children. She built a new life rooted in truth, advocacy, and service. And she's using her voice to ensure that no one feels alone in their pain again. Find a wide variety of great podcasts online at The Podcast Zone Facebook Page , look for the one with the bright green logo. Be sure to check out our website . Be sure to follow us on MeWe , X , Instagram , Facebook, Pinterest, Linkedin and other social media platforms for the latest episodes and news. You can help contribute money to make the Gunrunner Movie . The film that Hollywood won't touch. It is about a now Retired Police Officer that was shot 6 times while investigating Gunrunning. He died 3 times during Medical treatment and was resuscitated. You can join the fight by giving a monetary “gift” to help ensure the making of his film at agunrunnerfilm.com . Background song Hurricane is used with permission from the band Dark Horse Flyer. You can contact John J. “Jay” Wiley by email at Jay@letradio.com , or learn more about him on their website . Get the latest news articles, without all the bias and spin, from the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on Medium , which is free. Resilience After A Life Changing Hurricane. Attributions Dr. Sandra Speer Website Wikipedia Waterstones SAMHSA.Gov The National Child Traumatic Stress Network #Resilience #After #A #Life #Change #Caused #By #Hurricane #Childhood #Trauma #Relationships #Adult #Book #Facebook #Instagram #LinkedIn #News #Apple #Spotify #Podcast

This episode has one of the best comeback stories ever! It's filled with genuine emotion and inspiration and will have you thinking about the purpose of your next swim.  Matt Moseley — a man whose life is fueled by purpose, storytelling, and water. From boardrooms to backstrokes, Matt is not just a world-record open water swimmer, but also a strategic communications expert, environmental advocate, and author of his recently released book, Soul is Waterproof.By day, Matt runs the Ignition Strategy Group, guiding high-stakes campaigns for clients like Johnny Depp, the Colorado Senate, and American Rivers. By sunrise, he's logging record-breaking swims through some of the planet's most challenging waters — all with a mission: to protect our rivers and reconnect us with what truly sustains life.In this rich and emotional conversation, Matt shares:How he uses extreme swims to raise awareness for clean water and river conservationThe story behind his 25-mile Lake Pontchartrain swim and the jazz musicians who accompanied him from a boatHis inspiring recovery from a devastating leg injury and painkiller dependencyWhy open water swimmers are uniquely positioned to be powerful advocates for our planet's waterHis work overturning Colorado's felony murder statute and collaborating with Hunter S. Thompson and Johnny DeppHow mental conditioning and purposeful goals helped him conquer some of life's darkest momentsMatt's message is clear: We're not just athletes—we're ambassadors. Whether you're swimming 25 miles or simply wading into a local stream, your story can ripple outward and make a difference.Resources & Mentions:Matt Moseley's new book: Soul is WaterproofLearn more about American Rivers: www.americanrivers.orgDear Dr. Thompson (Matt's book about Hunter S. Thompson's advocacy and legacy)The WOWSA (World Open Water Swimming Association)The Ignition Strategy Group: www.ignitionstrategygroup.comEmail us at HELLO@ChampionsMojo.com. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

With race week in Chicago beginning, Dane Neal, in for Dean Richards, starts the show talking to Steve Miklos, live from the New Orleans Powerboat Grand Prix, discussing the first race at Lake Pontchartrain in 20 years. Andy Kuntz of Andy’s Frozen Custard joins Dane to talk about the new All-American Cherry Pie Concrete, exclusive […]

With race week in Chicago beginning, Dane Neal, in for Dean Richards, starts the show talking to Steve Miklos, live from the New Orleans Powerboat Grand Prix, discussing the first race at Lake Pontchartrain in 20 years. Andy Kuntz of Andy’s Frozen Custard joins Dane to talk about the new All-American Cherry Pie Concrete, exclusive […]

With race week in Chicago beginning, Dane Neal, in for Dean Richards, starts the show talking to Steve Miklos, live from the New Orleans Powerboat Grand Prix, discussing the first race at Lake Pontchartrain in 20 years. Andy Kuntz of Andy’s Frozen Custard joins Dane to talk about the new All-American Cherry Pie Concrete, exclusive […]

* We talk to Rafael Goyeneche with the Metropolitan Crime Commission about former NYPD commissioner William Bratton coming in for a security review and about some of the criticism of NOPD and Anne Kirkpatrick * Have you seen a manatee in Lake Pontchartrain? Then Audubon wants to hear from you. We talk with Gabriela Harlamert with Audubon Aquarium Rescue about their efforts to find a manatee that's been spotted in the lake and how common it is for them to show up around here

Have you seen a manatee in Lake Pontchartrain? Then Audubon wants to hear from you. We talk with Gabriela Harlamert with Audubon Aquarium Rescue about their efforts to find a manatee that's been spotted in the lake and how common it is for them to show up around here

Don is joined by Mike Gallo, of AAofLA.com, to tell us about what you should be aware of if you are looking to launch around the lakes and bayous of Louisiana's coastal waters, Lake Pontchartrain has been a huge surprise for saltwater fishermen in 2024... but why?

Don and Cheri open up the 2nd hour hearing from our listeners and their votes on our Bad Boy of the Year with one case looking to run away with it, Mike Gallo helps us figure out why Lake Pontchartrain has been such a wonderful surprise to saltwater fishermen this year, Eric Muhoberac details the upcoming calendar of events for the BCKFC and how you can join the club, we reconvene with Cheri to go over the the nominees for Bad Boy of the Year, and Ryan Lambert tells us all about hunting Rails for with a guy from Idaho before we close out the year with our premiere winner, your pick of the Bad Boy of the Year!

On today's show, Don and Cheri welcome you into our end of the year extravaganza where we look ahead to 2025 and what we would like to see before diving into some field reports like Glen Sanchez filling in for Robbie Campo, sounds off on the latest around the St. Bernard area. After, we give the rundown of the baddest of the bunch of Bad Boys we've had throughout 2024 before closing out the first hour with Daryl Carpenter telling us all about what you can catch around Grand Isle before the end of the year. Later on, we hear from Mike Gallo about the resurgence of Lake Pontchartrain for fishermen across SE Louisiana, Eric Muhoberac details the BCKFC 2025 calendar events for the first few weeks of the year, and Ryan Lambert tells us all about hunting Rails and making sure you are prepared for wet, rainy weather when out on the water before finishing the show (and the year) with our winner, voted by you, for the Baddest Bad Boy of the Outdoors for 2024!

The bridge, closed for eight hours and trapping 30 people, finally saw northbound lanes clear just before rush hour. Also, twelve people, including 11 foreigners and one Georgian national, have tragically died from carbon monoxide poisoning at the Gudauri ski resort in Georgia, authorities announced. The victims were discovered in a sleeping area above a restaurant at the popular resort, and all worked in the building where their bodies were found, a statement from police added. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Don is joined by Mike Gallo from AAofLA.com to discuss some hunting out west in Texas with Mike on a trip spending times with friends and clients, but back home how has the fishing been around Bayou Bienvenue, fishing along the bridges on Lake Pontchartrain, and if Mike ever uses fish scents or similar products.

On today's show, Don sets the stage before heading to the reports from our guest and field operators with Robbie Campo hearing Snooks are hanging around his place, a prestigous Duck call competition goes on during today's show and Don tells the story of Ben Lilly, one of the craziest hunters to ever grace Louisiana, and Daryl Carpenter sounds off on why we could see some restrictions on Sheepshead in the future. Later on, Don continues fieldling reports from the likes of Mike Gallo discussing what and where you can find decent catches across the bridges of Lake Pontchartrain, Brendan Bayard covers changes coming to the Minimalist Challenge, a Bad Boy Black Bear hunter, Ryan Lambert tells us all about Mexico and Duck hunting pass the border, and Blake Soileau recaps his first split of the Duck season and details how the second split has been.

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, Chuck and Sam deliver a packed show, starting with U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who discusses the importance of Social Security, the stakes for Republicans in keeping the House majority, and more. Next, media insider Ken LaCorte gives a behind-the-scenes look at newsrooms on election nights—describing it as the media's Super Bowl. Then, women's rights advocate and former NCAA All-American swimmer Riley Gaines joins to discuss Proposition 313, which would enforce life sentences for child sex traffickers in Arizona. Also joining is Yuval Levin, Director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, to discuss the Constitution's foundation on compromise and its continued relevance today. Finally, Arizona legislative candidate Michael Way shares insights into his race for Legislative District 15. Don't miss this versatile lineup as they dive into the most pressing issues of this election cycle!www.breakingbattlegrounds.voteTwitter: www.twitter.com/Breaking_BattleFacebook: www.facebook.com/breakingbattlegroundsInstagram: www.instagram.com/breakingbattlegroundsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/breakingbattlegrounds-Show sponsors:Invest YrefyYrefy offers a secure, collateralized portfolio with a strong, fixed rate of return - up to a 10.25%. There is no attack on your principal if you ever need your money back. You can let your investment compound daily, or take your income whenever you choose. Make sure you tell them Sam and Chuck sent you!Learn more at investyrefy.com4Freedom MobileExperience true freedom with 4Freedom Mobile, the exclusive provider offering nationwide coverage on all three major US networks (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) with just one SIM card. Our service not only connects you but also shields you from data collection by network operators, social media platforms, government agencies, and more.Use code ‘Battleground' to get your first month for $9 and save $10 a month every month after.Learn more at: 4FreedomMobile.comDot VoteWith a .VOTE website, you ensure your political campaign stands out among the competition while simplifying how you reach voters.Learn more at: dotvote.vote-About our guests:Steve Scalise proudly represents the First Congressional District of Louisiana, stretching from the beautiful Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain and the culturally distinct New Orleans suburbs to the vibrant bayous and wetlands abundant in natural resources. He was elected to Congress in 2008 after serving in the Louisiana State Legislature from 1996-2008.Scalise served as House Majority Whip from 2014-2018 and as House Minority Whip from 2019-2022, where he was responsible for unifying the Republican Conference as legislation moved through the House of Representatives.For the current 118th Congress, Scalise was elected House Majority Leader by his colleagues, the second highest position in House Republican Leadership.Scalise keeps a pulse on what is happening in communities across the United States and responds accordingly. As Majority Leader, Scalise is responsible for the day-to-day workings of the House of Representatives and helps Republicans communicate their priorities to the American people. By scheduling legislation on the House Floor for a vote and guiding committee chairs on which policies and bills to prioritize, Majority Leader Scalise plays a critical role in setting the House's overall agenda.-Ken LaCorte is a friend of the show and Host of Elephants In Rooms. He writes about censorship, media malfeasance, uncomfortable questions, and honest insight for people curious how the world really works.-Riley Gaines is a leader defending women's single-sex spaces, advocating for equality and fairness, and standing up for women's safety, privacy, and equal opportunities.Gaines graduated from the University of Kentucky, where she was a 12x All-American swimmer. Riley has made waves for speaking out after tying UPenn's Lia Thomas, a biological male swimmer on the women's team, at the 2022 NCAA Division 1 Women's Swimming & Diving Championships. After Riley directly experienced competing against a man in women's sports, being forced without warning or consent to undress before the fully intact male, and subjected to discrimination by the NCAA, she became one of the most powerful voices to speak out against the injustice, challenging the rules of the NCAA, USA Swimming, International Olympic Committee (IOC), and other governing bodies. Riley now works for the leading women's organization making real and lasting change, legally defining ‘woman,' protecting Title IX, and defending women's rights to single-sex spaces and equal opportunities. She has traveled the country speaking and has testified before the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and countless state legislatures.-Yuval Levin is the director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he also holds the Beth and Ravenel Curry Chair in Public Policy. The founder and editor of National Affairs, he is also a senior editor at The New Atlantis, a contributing editor at National Review, and a contributing opinion writer at New York Times.-Michael Way is running for the Arizona House to represent Legislative District 15. Learn more here: https://www.michaelwayforaz.com Get full access to Breaking Battlegrounds at breakingbattlegrounds.substack.com/subscribe

Reading and interpreting Genesis 15. Chapter made no sense and had some genealogy information that didn't appear to mean much. Discussed water skiing accident on Lake Pontchartrain on this date in 1984. Touched lightly on some format experiments like the intro music on this episode. Briefly touched on Iran rocket attack on Israel and the death of the great actor John Amos from Good Times.

If you enjoyed this episode please leave us a review!!! Follow @SoNatPodcast on ⁠Facebook⁠ and⁠ Instagram⁠! Visit our website at ⁠https://lucec.loyno.edu/so-nat-podcast ⁠ Did you know that bull sharks have been found in rivers 1,800 miles away from the ocean? In this episode we are joined by Dr. Martin O'Connell, a scientist who has extensively researched sharks and other marine species. We dive into the history of bull shark encounters in Lake Pontchartrain and other estuarine areas. We also explore WHY these sharks come into the lake, their role as an apex predator, and our own feelings about swimming in the same bodies of water with these fascinating creatures.  Do you have any more questions about nature? Message us on social media or email us at ⁠sonatpodcast@gmail.com⁠ and we will answer you! Hosts: Dr. Robert Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas Produced by Emma Reid   Intro Music composition by Hunter Wainwright

Less than an hour's drive from New Orleans' French Quarter, Baton Rouge, and Mississippi's Gulf Coast is Lake Pontchartrain's Northshore. The charming towns of Madisonville, Mandeville, and Abita Springs are filled with hospitality and delicious dining opportunities. On this week's show, we cross the Causeway to visit our Northshore neighbors. We begin at the Covington Farmers Market, which is widely considered to be one of the best markets in the state. We hear from market founder Bo Gallup and a pair of indomitable sisters – Jan Biggs and Ann McKenzie Mellon – who have kept the market rolling for decades. Then, we go just a handful of blocks over to Covington's main drag, where Torre and David Solazzo's Del Porto Ristorante and their casual gastropub, The Greyhound, are bringing big, new flavors to the city's diners. Finally, we head a bit further north to the rural town of Bush, Louisiana, where Ross McKnight and his family have cracked the code on true, American-made foie gras at Backwater Farmstead. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Less than an hour's drive from New Orleans' French Quarter, Baton Rouge, and Mississippi's Gulf Coast is Lake Pontchartrain's Northshore. The charming towns of Madisonville, Mandeville, and Abita Springs are filled with hospitality and delicious dining opportunities. On this week's show, we cross the Causeway to visit our Northshore neighbors. We begin at the Covington Farmers Market, which is widely considered to be one of the best markets in the state. We hear from market founder Bo Gallup and a pair of indomitable sisters – Jan Biggs and Ann McKenzie Mellon – who have kept the market rolling for decades. Then, we go just a handful of blocks over to Covington's main drag, where Torre and David Solazzo's Del Porto Ristorante and their casual gastropub, The Greyhound, are bringing big, new flavors to the city's diners. Finally, we head a bit further north to the rural town of Bush, Louisiana, where Ross McKnight and his family have cracked the code on true, American-made foie gras at Backwater Farmstead. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

586. Part 2 of our most recent conversation with Ed Branley, also known as the NOLA History Guy. "The clanging of a streetcar's bell conjures images of a time when street railways were a normal part of life in the city. Historic Canal Street represents the common ground between old and new with buses driving alongside steel rails and electric wires that once guided streetcars.  New Orleans was one of the first cities to embrace street railways, and the city's love affair with streetcars has never ceased. New Orleans: The Canal Streetcar Line showcases photographs, diagrams, and maps that detail the rail line from its origin and golden years, its decline and disappearance for almost 40 years, and its return to operation. From the French Quarter to the cemeteries, the Canal Line ran through the heart of the city and linked the Creole Faubourgs with the new neighborhoods that stretched to Lake Pontchartrain" (Hickory Stick Bookshop). 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 220 years. Order your copy today!  This week in Louisiana history. August 10, 1936. Highest temperature ever recorded in Louisiana, Plain Dealing, 114 degrees. This week in New Orleans history. August 3, 1974. "Lady Marmalade" by the group Labelle was written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan, and produced by Allen Toussaint and Vicki Wickham. It was released on August 3, 1974 as the first single from the album Nightbirds. This week in Louisiana. Poverty Point Reservoir State Park 1500 Poverty Point Parkway Delhi, LA 71232 United States 318-878-7536 1-800-474-0392 Email: povertypointres@crt.la.gov Hours of Operation 6 a.m. — 10 p.m. Admission/Entrance Fees $3 per person Free for seniors (62 & older) Free for children (3 & under) Postcards from Louisiana. Dirty Rotten Vipers at French Quarter Fest. 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. 

Tommy talks with Kristi Trail, executive director of Pontchartrain Conservancy

A developer on the Northshore wants to build a handful of homes on new land along Lake Pontchartrain in Mandeville. We hear from him and from a Mandeville councilmember who's opposed to the project.

Who could Kamala Harris pick as her VP candidate? How we've improved the water quality in Lake Pontchartrain over the years A developer wants to build on new land in Mandeville. Listen to his plan...and why some are objecting to it So much of your information is out there online for bad actors

583. Part 1 of our most recent conversation with Ed Branley, also known as the NOLA History Guy. "The clanging of a streetcar's bell conjures images of a time when street railways were a normal part of life in the city. Historic Canal Street represents the common ground between old and new with buses driving alongside steel rails and electric wires that once guided streetcars. New Orleans was one of the first cities to embrace street railways, and the city's love affair with streetcars has never ceased. New Orleans: The Canal Streetcar Line showcases photographs, diagrams, and maps that detail the rail line from its origin and golden years, its decline and disappearance for almost 40 years, and its return to operation. From the French Quarter to the cemeteries, the Canal Line ran through the heart of the city and linked the Creole Faubourgs with the new neighborhoods that stretched to Lake Pontchartrain" (Hickory Stick Bookshop).     "A former High School History teacher turned computer consultant and trainer, Branley was born just north of Boston, MA, in 1958. His family moved to New Orleans when he was two, and he's called metro NOLA home ever since. Educated by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart at Brother Martin High School in Gentilly (Class of 1976), he also holds a B.A. in Secondary Education from the University of New Orleans (Class of 1980). Branley taught at Redeemer High School before opening his own computer consulting business. He continues to teach, primarily in the computer specialty of Storage Area Networking." An avid fan of streetcar and public bus transportation, Branley's first book New Orleans, the Canal Streetcar Line, won critical acclaim across the city (Amazon). 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 220 years. Order your copy today! This week in Louisiana history. July 20 1661 Piere LeMoyne Iberville born This week in New Orleans history. July 21, 1967. The Green Bridge (the unofficial local name of the Paris Road Bridge) carrying Louisiana Highway 47 across the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet between St. Bernard Parish and New Orleans opened on July 21, 1967. The bridge replaced the Paris Road pontoon bridge. The name "the Green Bridge" came from it originally being painted green. About 1980 it was repainted brown, and more recently grey, but locals continued referring to it as "the green bridge". (Wiki) This week in Louisiana. 13th Annual Bayou BBQ Bash Event Dates: July 26th-27th, 2024 Presented by the Morgan City Marine Corps League The annual Bayou BBQ Bash is a BCA Sanctioned State Championship BBQ Competition held rain or shine in Morgan City, LA each July. Thursday, July 25, 2024 Meet the cooks and enjoy the unveiling of LA Shrimp & petroleum Festival Poster  Holiday Inn Express   5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2024 BBQ Bash will be under the U.S. 90 Bridge in Morgan City.  There will be food vendors, arts, and crafts from 4 p.m. -9:30 p.m., and live music by Cliff Hillebran from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday, July 27, 2024 There will be arts & crafts and food vendors at 10 a.m., DJ from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., and live music by South 70 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Come join and enjoy some food anytime. For more information, please contact Bill at (985) 384-3446 (985) 372-8880 email at wgoessl@hotmail.com. Postcards from Louisiana. Cajun Band on Royal Street. 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 the 2nd hour, Don opens up by hearing about some fishing stories of ole involving fishermen and their Dads before hearing from Mike Gallo already up and at 'em on Lake Pontchartrain discussing how next week might look like with the new Redfish regulations, Brendan Bayard discusses some hot spots for paddlers across the coast, a Bad Boys Story showcasing another instance of competition fraud, Ryan Lambert discusses some new revelations in our upcoming Duck season, and we hear from our latest Tigers in the Wild star, LSU Defensive Tackle, Preston Hickey, on a trip he and his Dad took with Don!

Don calls up Mike Gallo from AAofLA.com who is already out on Lake Pontchartrain looking to discuss what he is catching already, what makes Chefs Pass a good area for White Trout, the bait that is doing well at the moment, and his thoughts on the Redfish regulations coming down the line next week. 

As this year's hurricane season ramps up, we go to New Orleans for a kind of biblical reckoning. A story of science and prayer, with a cast of improbable partners—environmental architects and nuns—coming together to create a vision for living with water in New Orleans. Mirabeau Water Garden, one of the largest urban wetlands in the country designed to educate, inspire and to save its neighborhood from flooding.New Orleans. Surrounded by The Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, besieged by hurricanes and tropical storms, permeated with man made canals, levees, pumping stations …. Water is a deep and controversial issue in New Orleans. What to do with it? Where to put it? How to get rid of it? How to live with it?David Waggonner, of Waggonner & Ball architecture and environment firm has been thinking and dreaming about these questions for years. One of the primary architects behind the Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan, David envisions floating streets, pervious pavement, planting bioswales—“living with water” rather than pushing it down and pumping it out.In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina the Sisters of Saint Joseph convent in New Orleans was under eight feet of water. A year later, on a clear blue day, the building was struck by lightning. The Sisters prayed for a sign. And in walked David Waggonner with a vision.The Mirabeau Water Garden will become one of the largest urban wetlands in the country and a campus for water research and environmental education, demonstrating best practices for construction and urban water management in the city's lowest-lying and most vulnerable neighborhoods.The 25-acre parcel was donated to the City of New Orleans by the Sisters of Saint Joseph on condition that it be used to enhance and protect the neighborhood to “evoke a huge systemic shift in the way humans relate with water and land.”Produced by The Kitchen Sisters (Nikki Silva & Davia Nelson) with Nathan Dalton & Brandi Howell. For more stories and information visit kitchensisters.org

In the 2nd half, Don discusses the Red Snapper season opening across the South this past week, the LA CCA STAR Tourney opening up this weekend, and what changes we might expect this year. Mike Gallo sounds off on his Memorial Day plans along Lake Pontchartrain and how the Biloxi Marsh is looking this time of year, Eric Muhoberac tells us about how kayakers need to start looking towards Mississippi for some great fishing holes, a Bad Boys story about fishing fraudster, and Sam Hopper, the head honcho himself, Director of the Louisiana CCA STAR rodeo as they enter their 30th year with $750k in prizes!

Mike Gallo, of AAofLA.com, is over at Lake Pontchartrain to discuss his plans ahead of this Memorial Day weekend, how clear the water is this time of year in the Biloxi Marsh, as well as a few other fishing holes that Mike recommends, and where the boats are congregating at around the Lake?

On this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host Katie Burke chats with Bruce Lowe, a collector of Louisiana and teal decoys. They delve into Bruce's introduction to hunting and the outdoors, sharing how he got started waterfowl hunting. Bruce also shares how he got into collection and why both Louisiana and teal decoys are important to him. Tune in to her more about Bruce's passion for the outdoors and vintage decoys.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Mike Gallo from AAofLA.com joins us to discuss the oddest fishing sandwich he's ever seen, windy weather fishing along the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain, trolling fishing reports, and interior fishing this past week as the water levels climbed back to normal which brought back a flurry of fish, and Mike's Mother's Day plans for his Mom!

Just a few hours until the Eco Expo opens in Mobile later today and Don tells the story of his Mother's Day fishing trip with his Mom and Theophile before diving back into reports along the windy Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain, a couple of good paddling spots away from the windy weather, a Bad Boy story that goes to show the lengths people will go to curb the law, our "Plastic Man" talks about how the catch won't slow down which could spell trouble this summer, and finally, LSU Volleyball star, Jade Demps, steps off the court and into the wild for a crawfish hunting trip that left her wondering if maybe crayfishing was her true calling?

Mr. Born-on-the-Bayou Mike Gallo from AAofLA.com joins us to talk about the 10-minute rule while looking for a good spot, what type of Catfish Mike has seen in Lake Pontchartrain, and how do you fish around those platforms in Lake Borgne?

This week, Brianne offers a substitute hot take, birds do not respond to polite requests, hitting record has detrimental consequences, we manifest sexy spreadsheets, the truth comes out about Melanie's dad, we look for a fun place to meet our ends together in Tennessee, and soon the Sleepytime Bear will crawl from the earth screaming, just like a cicada.Content warnings: drowning deaths and discussion during disaster relief about later term pregnancy loss and grief.

In the 2nd half, Don dives into some of this fantastic weather ahead of us, finding the sweet spots along the beach for Speckled Trout and others, Mike Gallo drops by to recap recent storm damage around Slidell, and if any crabbing info is coming out of Lake Pontchartrain. We also hear from Eric Muhoberac on Paddle Palooza, as well as an event over at Massey's this upcoming week, a Bad Boys story that has even conspiracy theorists confused, our "Plastic Man" is entertaining the idea of becoming a bird watching live bait user, and Sammy Romano of Chag's Sporting Goods joins us to discuss their big tent sale coming up next weekend and everything in store!

Mike Gallo from AAofLA.com to discuss this damage from tornadoes from this past weeks storms, if fish are in danger during a tornado, some Redfish are on the menu in the Biloxi Marsh this weekend for Mike and his guests, and is there any crabbing info coming out of Lake Pontchartrain?

When people talk about their business, there are a number of sentences that raise the red flag of skepticism. “Let me explain this as simply as I can” usually means you walk away scratching your head saying “Wait, what?” “Nobody's ever done anything like this” is typically the precursor to a business pitch you've already heard twice this month. And then there's this one – “I'm not in it for the money.” Pretty much every business is revenue-based, so, despite a passion-first perspective, it's almost impossible to have a business and not find yourself compelled to be in it for the money. So, it's a pleasure to introduce you to two people both involved in tech-driven businesses who are both, genuinely, not in it for the money. Jim O'Connell was a geophysicist working for Shell in the Gulf of Mexico till 2016 when he retired. That's when he became “Captain Jim.” Today, Captain Jim uses his 52 foot long sailboat, Satori, to take folks out on Lake Pontchartrain for a 3 hour sail from his mooring in Madisonville. Captain Jim says Satori is the only commercial sailboat in New Orleans. His customers get aboard by means of an app called Get My Boat. Get My Boat bill themselves as the world's largest boat rental and water experience marketplace, with over 150,000 listings in 184 countries. It's kind of a combination of Uber and AirB'n'B, for boats. Joshua Smith is a Library Associate at Algiers Regional Library on the Westbank; a branch of  New Orleans Public Library. So, right there, you can be pretty confident Joshua isn't looking to get rich. But he could. Because Joshua is also the creator of a music streaming platform. It's called Crescent City Sounds. Basically, it's like Spotify – it streams music. The difference is, all the music it streams is exclusively by New Orleans artists. Masterminding and creating a music streaming service sounds like something with a lot of profit potential. But, if this does make a lot of money, Joshua's not going to see it. Crescent City Sounds might be his brainchild, but he designed and operates it for the benefit of New Orleans musicians and New Orleans Public Library. In most conversations about business, the unspoken assumption is, the more money your business makes the more successful it is. And the more successful a business, the greater the accolades heaped on the person or people behind it. It's unusual and refreshing to meet people like Jim and Joshua who are not just giving lip-service to an alternative perspective, but who genuinely have goals beyond our usual definitions of success. Out to Lunch is recorded live over lunch at NOLA Pizza in the NOLA Brewing Taproom. You can find photos from this show by Jill Lafleur at itsneworleans.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don is joined by Mike Gallo from AAofLA.com to talk about the Ides of March and what that means for fishermen, if the Rigolets area will soon be filled with submerged grass, figuring out lure presentation for fishing on Lake Pontchartrain, and what bait colors have been working best for him?

Don is joined by Mike Gallo from AAofLA.com to cover Mike's jig of choice, where you can find some decent catches this weekend as the weather is perfect for fishing around Pearl River and Lake Pontchartrain, and if we continue to have nice fishing weather ahead of us this Spring?

It's Carnival time in New Orleans! But the Big Easy isn't the only place people are celebrating. Just across Lake Pontchartrain sits St. Tammany Parish, a combination of bedroom communities and small towns that embrace nature and a laid-back existence. There, folks in towns such as Slidell, Mandeville, and Madisonville have developed their own unique forms of Mardi Gras merriment. On this week's show, we hear from three of those revelers. We kick things off with Charlotte Collins, who tells us the story of Mona Lisa and MoonPie, the oldest walking parade krewe in the City of Slidell. In 1984, she co-founded the krewe with a mission "to promote the arts, Olde Towne Slidell, and good humor." Their signature throws are MoonPies – the Chattanooga-made treats – which are tossed by the tens of thousands to eager parade-goers each year. Then, Tina Rhinehart talks about the Mande Milkshakers, the Northshore's first all-women marching group. Hailing from the West Tammany town of Mandeville, the adult dance team boasts more than 80 members who dress as mid-century housewives as they strut their stuff in parades on both sides of the lake. Finally, Bonnie Dennis gives us the lowdown on St. Tammany's floating procession, the Krewe of Tchefuncte. For half a century, their flotilla of fun has been making its way along the Tchefuncte River, celebrating the Carnival season, as well as the rich natural resources of St. Tammany Parish. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

[00:01:14] Cancelled flight and bad luck.[00:04:13] Sharing drinks in New Orleans.[00:08:06] An interesting uber ride.[00:10:22] New Orleans gay scene.[00:14:10-00:14:21] Long bridge across Lake Pontchartrain[00:18:32] Powdered sugar explained.[00:21:15] The gay stare.[00:26:11] A sensual kiss.[00:29:19] A bizarre New Orleans experience.[00:31:46] The designated ugly fat friend.[00:36:33] Proud characters and seafood cheesecake.[00:38:29] Catholics Keep Their Cocks Clean.[00:43:05] Pearling body modification.[00:48:10] Happiness in relationships.[00:52:09] Shrinking friend groups.[00:55:29] America as a simulation.[00:57:47] Everybody gets to do everything.[01:01:41] Misrepresentation of Italian cheese."Not Well" Bobby and Jim's Take on Life's Unpredictable JourneyDive into the vibrant and insightful world of the "Not Well" podcast, where hosts Bobby and Jim candidly discuss the ups and downs of life's journey. Their latest episode is a compelling blend of travel stories, reflections on relationships, and astute social observations. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the podcast, this episode offers a unique blend of humor, wisdom, and real-world insights.Adapting to Travel Mishaps: Bobby and Jim share their experiences with travel disruptions, offering tips on how to maintain a positive attitude amidst flight cancellations and delays. Their stories reveal how adaptability can lead to unexpected adventures.The Essence of New Orleans: Explore New Orleans through Bobby and Jim's eyes, as they describe the city's charming yet challenging aspects. From its historic allure to its energetic streets, they paint a vivid picture of this iconic destination.Moderation in Merrymaking: The hosts highlight the importance of responsible drinking, especially in cities known for their vibrant nightlife. Their conversation is a reminder of the value of enjoying social settings sensibly.Embracing Spontaneity in Travel: Bobby and Jim's travel anecdotes underscore the joy of embracing the unexpected. They share how unplanned moments often become the highlights of their trips.Growth Through Relationships: The duo delves into the evolution of personal relationships and the importance of self-reflection and growth, sharing their insights on navigating these changes over time.Technology's Impact on Social Life: The podcast discusses the dual role of technology in enhancing and disrupting social interactions. Bobby and Jim offer their perspectives on finding balance in the digital age.Cultural Perspectives from Global Travels: Bobby and Jim's travel experiences provide a lens into diverse cultures and social dynamics, offering listeners a broader view of the world.Support the showAs always you can write us at nowellpodcast@gmail.com or call us at ‪(614) 721-5336‬ and tell us your Not Wells of the week InstagramTwitterBobby's Only FansHelp us continue to grow and create amazing content, like a live tour or just help fund some new headphones when needed. Any help is appreacited. https://www.buzzsprout.com/510487/subscribe#gaypodcast #podcast #gay #lgbtq #queerpodcast #lgbt #lgbtpodcast #lgbtqpodcast #gaypodcaster #queer#instagay #podcasts #podcasting #gaylife #pride #lesbian #bhfyp #gaycomedy #comedypodcast #comedy #nyc #614 #shesnotdoingsowell #wiltonmanor #notwell

Louisiana Northshore is a renowned travel destination known for its culinary delights and outdoor adventures. Discover upscale dining experiences, soft adventures, and exciting outdoor activities such as swamp tours, biking the Tammany Trace, and sailing in Mandeville. Only 45 minutes from New Orleans, The Northshore is an easy Louisiana getaway for solo travelers, couples, and families. Get inspired and start planning your next trip! Read the blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/things-to-do-on-northshore/ Many thanks to Visit The Northshore for partnering with me on this podcast episode. Visit The Northshore is a phenomenal resource for travelers planning their next Louisiana getaway. Discover things to do, places to eat like a local, and events happening all year round.    Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett  Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/financiallysavvytravelers  Website: www.thoughtcard.com  Follow on Twitter: @thethoughtcard Follow on Instagram: @thedanielledesir   Other Content You'll Enjoy Things To Do in Houma, Louisiana (blog post)  Historical Attractions in Clarksville, Tennessee - Episode 145 Things To Do in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee - Episode 146    Read My Books:  We Are Financially Savvy Travelers  Affording Travel: Saving Strategies For Financially Savvy Travelers Traveling With a Full-Time Job Managing Your Money As A New Homeowner  Iceland: Nature, Nurture & Adventure    Work With Me: Email thethoughtcard@gmail.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

If you'd been living in the 1800's you might have found yourself sitting at a lunch table asking your friends, “What are y'all talking about? What is “tennis”?” Today you're more likely to ask, “What is pickleball?” Pickleball Like tennis, pickleball is played on a court with a net. The ball is a kind of wiffleball. And instead of a racket, a pickleball bat looks like a big ping-pong bat. Pickleball is, reportedly, the world's fastest growing sport. In 2021 there were 5 million players. By 2023 there were over 36 million. It's growing about 300% a year. Here in New Orleans, you can play pickleball at The Exchange Pickleball and Bar. Yes, because it's New Orleans, it's a sports complex with a bar. The Exchange - off of Tchoupitoulas Street, near Walmart - is a $3m development that opened in August 2023. And, like pickleball itself, it was an instant success. The developer and owner of The Exchange Pickleball and Bar is Renee Melchiode. Sailing Sailing started out as a means of survival. To get to where the fish are. Or to migrate to other lands. Now, like pickleball, sailing is a pastime. But getting out onto the ocean, or even Lake Pontchartrain, requires a financial commitment greater than a couple of pickleball bats. Judging by the number of boats at South Shore Harbor Marina and The Southern Yacht Club, there are plenty of New Orleanians with enough discretionary income to get themselves out on the water.  Walking around these moorings you might wonder, “Where do all these boats come from?” One answer to that question is Murray Yacht Sales. The boat brokerage was founded in 1974 by Tim Murray. Tim's son, Stanton, took over the business in the early 1990's, and today Murray Yacht Sales has brokerages in New Orleans, Houston, and St Petersburg Florida. Beyond New Orleans, Murray Yacht Sales' brokers, boats and clients are scattered across the Gulf South, in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. PIckleball Sailing if you'll excuse the irony, it's generally unwise to make generalizations. Especially about people. But it's probably safe to bet that almost everybody reading this has either just put their phone down, is just about to pick it up, or maybe you have it in your hand right now. There's something liberating about an activity that gets us away from our screens,  puts us firmly in the real world, and requires a combination of 100% physical exertion and mental focus. Although they're very different, sailing and pickleball are both in this category. We can thank Renee for going out on a limb and taking a serious financial risk to bring the fun of pickleball to New Orleans, and in a lifetime dedicated to sailing Stanton's business continues to be a gateway to joy for countless thousands, in New Orleans and across the Gulf South. Out to Lunch is recorded live over lunch at NOLA Pizza in the NOLA Brewing Taproom. You can find photos from this show at itsneworleans.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Less than an hour's drive from New Orleans' French Quarter, Baton Rouge, and Mississippi's Gulf Coast is Lake Pontchartrain's Northshore. The charming towns of Madisonville, Mandeville, and Abita Springs are filled with hospitality and delicious dining opportunities. On this week's show, we cross the Causeway to visit our Northshore neighbors. We begin at the Covington Farmers Market, which is widely considered to be one of the best markets in the state. We hear from market founder Bo Gallup and a pair of indomitable sisters – Jan Biggs and Ann McKenzie Mellon – who have kept the market rolling for decades. Then, we go just a handful of blocks over to Covington's main drag, where Torre and David Solazzo's Del Porto Ristorante and their casual gastropub, The Greyhound, are bringing big, new flavors to the city's diners. Finally, we head a bit further north to the rural town of Bush, Louisiana, where Ross McKnight and his family have cracked the code on true, American-made foie gras at Backwater Farmstead. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Our environment is facing a new challenge: microplastics. A lot of this material is found in our waterways, and researchers are working hard at identifying where they come from and how we can mitigate this problem before it gets worse. Dr. Brady K. Skaggs, Jr. is the Water Quality Program Director for The Pontchartrain Conservancy. Growing up as a swimmer, Dr. Skaggs has always had a connection with water. This passion developed into his working with The Pontchartrain Conservancy with a goal of making waterways better and cleaner for people who live around Lake Pontchartrain. In this episode, Dr. Skaggs talks about: His role at The Pontchartrain Conservancy. The importance of improving waterways for future generations. How microplastics are revealing themselves in nature, and what The Pontchartrain Conservancy is doing to combat them.  How microplastics are introduced into the environment. Are you interested in protecting the water quality in your area? Learn more about how you may be able to make a difference in your community by taking advice from this front-line environmental worker! To learn more about Dr. Skaggs and his work with the Pontchartrain Conservancy, visit scienceforourcoast.org. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

Episode 180 covers the The Houma bunker raid, of the Schlumberger  Wells Company munitions and arms cache, which took place in the late summer of 1961. Later it was found that  participants  in the raid included  some individuals who were also implicated in the assassination plot related to  President Kennedy.The participants in the raid included David Ferrie, Sergio Aracha Smith, Rancier Blaise Ehlinger, Carlos Quiroga, Layton Martins, Luis Rabel Nunez, Gordon Novel, Novel's wife Marlene Mancuso and Andrew Blackmon, an ex-Marine.The munitions  stored at the compound were thought to have been placed there by the CIA under a contract with Schlumberger and were thought to have originally been designated for use in  a diversionary portion of  the Bay of Pigs, or to be used in the OAS revolt of the French Generals against Charles  DeGaul.  It turns out that they were not used in  either event,  and the CIA made a decision to remove them from the bunker after Schlumberger expressed their unhappiness over the Bay of Pigs outcome. As a result the CIA directed a  group of covert operatives which included David Ferrie to remove the arms cache over a period of several months, in several different trips to Houma. They munitions were distribute to several locations including David Ferrie's apartment,  the New Orleans offices of Guy Bannister at 544 Camp Street, and to the Lake Pontchartrain anti-Castro Cuban training camp owned by William McClaney, which was raided by the FBI in July, 1963.Even as early as 1964, rumors and serious concerns over  the lone gunman theory and the evidence that might contravene it,  were becoming a major concern for the government and the commission. Conspiracy theories were contrary to the government's stated narrative from the very beginning. This  real-life story is more fascinating than fiction. No matter whether you are a serious researcher or a casual student, you will enjoy the fact filled narrative and story as  we relive one of the most shocking moments in American History. An event that changed the nation and changed the world forever.