Podcasts about North Louisiana

The Ducks Unlimited Podcast is adding a new voice — and a new perspective.In this episode, host Dr. Mike Brasher and co‑host Dr. Jerad Henson introduce Wade Shoemaker, the newest member of the DU Podcast team. Wade brings a fresh, field‑driven perspective rooted in years of experience as a passionate, everyday duck hunter.Growing up in North Louisiana, Wade's journey into waterfowling didn't begin with perfect hunts or polished knowledge — it started like it does for many hunters: borrowed gear, cold mornings, and figuring things out along the way. That path, along with a strong appreciation for community and relationships, shaped his approach to hunting and storytelling.Throughout the conversation, Wade shares how his love for waterfowl expanded from local hunts to traveling across multiple flyways, experiencing different regions, techniques, and cultures. From flooded timber to prairie hunts and coastal marshes, those experiences have given him a broad perspective he now brings to the podcast.The addition of Wade represents a shift toward blending perspectives — combining on-the-ground hunting experience with Ducks Unlimited's science, conservation, and policy expertise. His role will help connect everyday hunters with deeper insights while keeping the conversation grounded in real-world experiences.This episode sets the stage for what's ahead: more stories, more perspectives, and a new connection between the people who hunt and the science and conservation that support it.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you're winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Hanna Singh, better known as Hanna in Louisiana, joins Tigs to talk Louisiana food, North Louisiana culture, restaurant reviews, real estate, gumbo, hot water cornbread, and the never ending North Louisiana vs South Louisiana debate.They get into how Hanna started creating content, why she loves highlighting local restaurants, why North Louisiana gets called South Arkansas, the Louisiana food spots people need to stop sleeping on, and the gumbo opinion that might get her in trouble.

679. Can love and trust survive amid ethnic cleansing and imperial warfare? This week, we talk to Marianne Rabalais Sulser about her new novel, Like Snow Before Sun. Set in 1755 Acadia, it is the gripping tale of a woman torn between worlds, a desperate rescue mission, and an unlikely bond forged in the deep wilderness. Listen in for our full breakdown of this historical romance. Marianne Rabalais Sulser is a historical fiction author who specializes in bringing forgotten voices and histories to light. Drawing deeply from meticulous research, she writes narratives that explore shifting loyalties, survival, and the human spirit under the pressure of war. Like Snow Before Sun is her latest novel. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Jennifer Reeser. The Lalaurie Horror.    A red, infernal light glowed, magnified By lachrymosal glass and tavern fume As I awaited my belated guide;    So tired of his delay ' though to resume My life within the world, without the wait Would seem like flight away, upon a broom.    I did not wonder why my guide was late. Instead, I pondered life's approaching fringe, To close the life in back of me: a gate.    Of iron this gate was wrought, pronged, with a hinge Constructed clean, but rusted through the springs And screeching, so to make a deaf man cringe;    The kind to carve a stone floor, when it swings, Embedded in its plate, an oval brooch, The numerals of French and Spanish kings. This week in Louisiana history. May 22, 1873. U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant finally offically recognizes Gov. Wm. Kellogg's Republican administration. This week in New Orleans history. May 22, 1873: The "Battle of Liberty Place" occurred as the White League attempted to overthrow the integrated Reconstruction government in the city. This week in Louisiana. Lake Claiborne State Park 225 State Park Road Homer, LA 71040 Open year‑round; ideal for late‑spring swimming, hiking, and lakeside recreation Website: lastateparks.com Email: info@crt.la.gov Phone: (318) 927‑2976 Lake Claiborne State Park offers rolling pine forests, sandy beaches, and one of North Louisiana's clearest lakes, making it a perfect early‑summer getaway for families, paddlers, and anglers: Swimming & Beaches: A designated swimming area with a wide sandy shoreline. Trails & Wildlife: Miles of forested hiking paths with birding and nature‑watching opportunities. Boating & Fishing: Clear water ideal for kayaking, water‑skiing, and bass, crappie, and bream fishing. Postcards from Louisiana. The Rock Block Band at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar. 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. 

One week ago, the state of Louisiana’s Legislative Auditor’s office released its annual fiscal review of Grambling State University’s athletics program for the year ending June 30, 2025. The school was cited for a few audit irregularities and quickly announced that changes were being made.  That wasn’t the biggest news, though. Grambling’s athletics department lost $5.1 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.  Revenues were reported at $9.2 million versus annual expenses of $14.3 million. In percentage terms, Grambling’s revenue was only 64% of the amount needed to sustain the athletics programs at the current level. Grambling wasn’t the only north Louisiana public university whose athletics spending exceeded revenue last year The same Louisiana Legislative Auditor also filed reports earlier in 2026 for Louisiana Tech University, Northwestern State University and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Each of these four football-playing state universities located north of Alexandria reported losses in their athletics programs for the year ending June 30, 2025.  Grambling’s massive deficit grabbed the recent news headlines, but there is a troubling commonality among Louisiana public schools not named LSU. Louisiana Tech recently cut an expensive deal (rumored to be in the vicinity of $8 million) in order to exit Conference USA and join the more geographically-suitable Sun Belt Conference. That move may turn out to be prudent for the Bulldogs over the long-term.  Louisiana Tech’s annual travel expenses as part of Conference USA totaled nearly $3.5 million.  Nearby Sun Belt rival UL-Monroe’s travel costs for the same year were $2.3 million.  Louisiana Tech is expected save $1 million or more annually on its travel expenses beginning this fall by moving to the Sun Belt Conference. Let’s look under the hood at each of these four universities’ athletics spending.  We’ll finish with a few common sense (cheap) ideas on how to achieve break-even in the future. Grambling State University – 5,200 students (2024/2025 school year) Grambling is nationally known for its athletics and its exceptional marching band.  It was bit surprising to learn that Grambling’s football program had lost $2.5 million in the most recent year.  That amounted to about 50% of the athletic department’s annual deficit of $5.1 million. The football team’s travel costs of $1.1 million last fall were higher than all three of the other north Louisiana pubic schools. The expense summary also showed nearly $160,000 was spent to cover the costs of the school’s spirit groups (for one or more road trip performances). Grambling’s men’s and women’s basketball teams each posted losses in excess of $900,000 for the most recent year. Grambling (like Northwestern State) participates NCAA’s FCS small college football division.  The G-men play in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Louisiana Tech University – 12,145 students (Fall, 2025) The Bulldogs are based in Ruston.  Louisiana Tech’s campus is less than six miles east of Grambling via Interstate 20.  The Bulldogs have been competing in Conference USA and a part of the NCAA FBS major college football division.  As mentioned earlier, Louisiana Tech moves into the Sun Belt Conference this fall. Audit results for Louisiana Tech’s athletics department last year showed a loss of $11.875 million. Football lost “only” about $1.6 million for the year.  Louisiana Tech’s men’s and women’s basketball teams each ran a deficit of about $700,000 apiece.  Other competitive sports at Louisiana Tech lost another $2.6 million.  The school’s income statement showed “non-program specific” athletic costs with a $6 million shortfall. As noted earlier in this report, Louisiana Tech’s overall travel costs playing in far-flung Conference USA were easily the highest in the group.  The Dogs’ annual total of $3.5 million for travel exceeded Grambling ($2.6 mm), UL-Monroe ($2.3 mm) and Northwestern State (less than $1 million). Northwestern State University – 8,402 students (Fall, 2025) The Demons from Natchitoches, Louisiana came the closest to break-even within its athletics programs among these four state schools.  Northwestern State participates in the NCAA’s FCS small college football division in the regionally-aligned Southland Conference. Northwestern State posted a relatively benign loss of $167,245 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.  The Demons’ men’s basketball program ran the largest deficit at more than $300,000.  The football team came up short by $280,000. Noteworthy, Northwestern State collected nearly $1.5 million in annual student fees to help support athletics.  That was about 10% of the school’s athletics spending.  It was the highest total among these four north Louisiana state schools. University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) – 8,678 students (Fall, 2025) Sun Belt Conference member ULM (like Louisiana Tech) competes in the NCAA’s FBS major college football division.  ULM is expecting to benefit from Louisiana Tech’s arrival in the Sun Belt Conference this fall with increased attendance and revenues expected at home games in all major sports. The Warhawks’ athletics budget is the smallest among the NCAA’s 136 FBS major colleges.  ULM’s overall school budget has been prone to massive shortfalls in recent years, too.  That means that ULM’s $1.5 million athletics department loss in fiscal year 2025 is much harder to cover. Audit results showed the UL-Monroe football program lost a whopping $3.8 million in the most recent report.  The Warhawks’ men’s and women’s basketball teams lost a combined $2.5 million.  Ouch! The school’s institutional support has kept the ULM athletics department afloat for years.  Significantly higher fan support for the Warhawks football and basketball programs is needed immediately.  Otherwise, the school may have no other choice but to consider returning to the NCAA FCS small college athletics division. A few suggestions from SwampSwami to achieve fiscal break-even These four north Louisiana state universities are located within 100 miles of each other.  Each school is a very large and important employer in its home city. These state schools must immediately address their athletics spending and move quickly toward achieving fiscal balance.  At the same time, they must also work harder and more creatively to raise sports revenues over the long-term to grow the athletics programs. First things first – Take immediate cost cutting measures – The simplest and fairest way is to voluntarily reduce athletics spending by cutting a certain percentage across the board.  That could come in the form of job reductions or, perhaps, an across-the-board pay cut for staff making more than $30,000 per year.  For example, a 5% mandatory spending reduction in Year 1 may spur some voluntary budget trimming beyond that level.  Yes, this likely means one less assistant coach, one fewer support staffer, one less charter flight, etc.  The athletics departments must take a hard look at streamlining operations.  Learn to do more with less. Refuse to play long-distance road games unless the school earns a significant profit by participating – UL-Monroe’s football team hits the road for at least two “Clobbering Time” payday games every season. They are often paid more than $1 million to play at large universities such as LSU, Texas A&M, and Alabama with huge stadiums.  ULM receives more money from some of these massive “visitor” paychecks than playing a home game in front of a sold-out stadium.  There are also downsides from being on the receiving end of a couple of massive road losses every season, too.  The football team and local fans can become a bit demoralized about the team’s chances for the remainder of the season. Now, let’s try to grow the revenue side with a few cheap ideas Stimulate increased student, alumni, and hometown support – Student and local support for the athletics programs within each of these four communities (Grambling, Ruston, Natchitoches, and Monroe) must improve.  Local fans want to see their sports teams having a chance to win more than they lose.  Identify sports which are cost-effective and give the school the best chance to hang a new (and long overdue) championship banner. Success in any of the major sports at these four schools can go a long way in rejuvenating and expanding the school’s athletic support base. Improve local marketing and promotion – It may sound corny but handing out free tickets to youth at local elementary, junior high school and high schools gets parents and guardians to purchase tickets, too.  A positive game day experience for that youth can plant a valuable seed about attending that college some day.  Each of these four north Louisiana public universities have thousands of empty seats available at football and basketball games.  A purposeful campaign to encourage and engage more youth at nearby college sporting events will pay future dividends. Inject more game day excitement – Utilize the pregame, quarter breaks, halftime, and post-game times to get fans more engaged.  Experiment with creative new (and inexpensive) ideas to keep the game experience fresh for all ages of fans. They will be more likely to return if they are having more fun at the games. Relentlessly promote ahead – There are only a few home football games played each fall.  Make each game special with its own promotion.  There are, perhaps, twenty home basketball, baseball or softball home games, too.  Give thought as to how to make each home game unique for fans. Target every recent (last few years) ticket purchaser by sending a weekly email.  Remind them of the school’s upcoming weekly sports schedule, special promotions, and discounts.  Utilize all types of social media to reach a wider audience to spread the word about upcoming college athletic events and team opponents. Depend on your own athletics staff to get the word out – Sadly, we live in a world with fewer and fewer exceptional local newspapers.  It is incumbent on each school’s athletics department to take an aggressive role in publicizing and promoting all ticket-based sporting events.  Fans want to know about the school’s upcoming games and events, so take the initiative! The post North Louisiana’s College Sports Programs are Underwater appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com.

In this episode of the Talk Design podcast, host Adrian Ramsey sits down with Mike Roberts, the author, real estate investor, and podcast host widely known as The Converse Cowboy.Mike shares his origin story, detailing his journey from growing up playing baseball in North Louisiana to working in pharmaceutical sales. Inspired by foundational texts like Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich and Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Poor Dad, Mike fundamentally shifted his mindset away from the traditional "factory worker" conditioning of going to school and getting a standard job. Instead, he built a real estate portfolio that eventually allowed him to walk away from his corporate career.The conversation takes a deep dive into Mike's newly released Amazon #1 bestselling book, Perspective as a Verb. Originally planned as a daily entry book with 365 quotes, Mike details the rigorous editing process with Scribe Publishing that helped distill the work down to 101 powerful illustrations and personal reflections. He explains how the book serves as his own journal and philosophical guide, born out of a dark period following a divorce.Adrian and Mike also explore Mike's passion for the performance horse world. Mike shares a profound analogy from his book, comparing the untrained subconscious mind to a young, unbroken colt, and the conscious mind to the rider who must use consistency and awareness to guide it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special 150th episode of the Grow Your Local Business Podcast, I'm doing something different.I originally planned to record an Ask Me Anything episode, but after seeing how many of your questions were really about me and my story, I decided to take this episode in a different direction.So today, I'm pulling back the curtain and sharing the full journey... from growing up in North Louisiana, to dreaming of working for a fashion magazine in New York City, to becoming a teacher, blogger, event host, social media manager and eventually the local marketing coach I am today.This episode is personal, but it's also a lesson for you: your audience wants to know you.They don't just want your tips, your strategy or your how-to content. They want your story, your personality, your life and the things that make you you.That connection is what builds trust, relationships and real demand over time.Inside this episode, I'm sharing how I built a name for myself locally in Baton Rouge, how my local blog turned into sold-out events and a thriving community, how I left teaching, found coaching, launched The Localpreneur Academy, and why I eventually let go of one business to fully go all in on the one I have now.If you've ever wondered where I started, how I got here, or what this whole business journey has really looked like behind the scenes, this is it.Tune into this episode to learn:How my career evolved from magazine editor to teacher, blogger, event host, social media manager and coachThe pivot that helped me stand out locally and become known in my cityHow letting go of old identities, offers and distractions helped me focus and grow fasterMentioned in this episode:Work with me inside The Localpreneur AcademyFollow me on Instagram @‌lesliepresnallDownload my Free Guide: How To Grow Your Local Instagram FollowingEpisode #63: Leaving My Full-time Job and Facing My Worst Case ScenarioIf you're ready to grow your local business and bring in a steady stream of clients, you need to check out The Localpreneur Academy. Click here to join me inside.Rate, Review & Follow:“I LOVE listening to the episodes, especially since they're focused on local businesses and it's not just generic marketing advice.” If you love the show too, please leave a rating and review. This helps me reach more people just like you who want to reach more local people and create a business they love.

When we started out making a show about New Orleans business, people – even in the business community – said, “Well that’s great, but what are you going to do after 6 weeks?” That was 2011. We’ve recorded a new episode of Out to Lunch almost every week since then. And we still haven’t run out of guests. In fact, there are so many people doing interesting things in New Orleans business that we rarely have anyone on the show more than once. But, once in a while, we like to check in on some of our earliest guests and see what they’re up to. Back in 2012, in our first year on the air, we met a young man by the name of Kenneth Purcell. Kenneth had some ideas that bridged the gap between the real world – that most of us lived in in those days – and the virtual world, that was beginning to stagger to its feet. To put this in context, in 2006 Apple launched a music player called the i-pod. In 2007 they launched the iPhone. In 2010 they launched the iPad. Locally, before all that, in 1999, Kenneth launched a company called iSeatz. iSeatz wasn’t a device, it was a then-revolutionary new way of making a reservation at a restaurant: Online. I won’t go through every twist and turn in the story, but basically, Kenneth’s company, which is still called iSeatz, went on to pioneer the back-end of online travel and financial services. Among other accomplishments, iSeatz was the company that came up with the idea of using air-miles to buy things other than air tickets. Today, iSeatz creates and provides the online travel engine for companies like Expedia, Trip Advisor, Avis, Hertz, Wyndham Hotels, and American Express. In 2014, at the Idea Village Entrepreneur Week, we met a young woman called Catherine Todd. Catherine and her partner had founded a business called Where Y’Art that had just won Idea Village’s entrepreneur prize for an arts-based business pitch. It was a then-innovative online art gallery: A curated marketplace where selected local artists would be introduced to people who buy art. Today, the company is called Where Y’Art Works and is focused on providing local art to organizations that want to decorate. Where Y’Art Works collaborates with interior designers, facilities teams, set designers, and industry professionals to put original art by local artists in spaces in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, North Louisiana, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. To date they’ve completed over 325 commercial projects - including putting art on the walls in the Sheraton Hotel, Fidelity Bank, and Ochsner and LCMC facilities. In the process, they’ve paid local artists, framers and installers over $6.5m. If we had to pin an exact date on the birth of New Orleans and give it an astrological sign, the city is probably Gemini. The twins. I say that because there seem to be two co-existing versions of the city. One is the city that never changes. You can leave for years and when come back, your favorite people and your favorite dishes at your favorite restaurants are still be here. The other New Orleans is the city that is constantly changing. New brass bands, new Mardi Gras parade groups, new types of king cakes, and new businesses that are growing, or getting bought and sold. Catherine and Kenneth have a foot in both camps. Their businesses are still growing, they’re changing and adapting, but they've been at it now for long enough to become local institutions. And even though they're still both young, they’re the entrepreneurial OG generation – the inspiration for a whole new generation of entrepreneurs. Out to Lunch was recorded live over lunch at Columns in Uptown New Orleans. You can find photos from this show by Jill Lafleur at itsneworleans.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The discussion centered on the book of Job, emphasizing its themes of suffering, faith, and the limits of human understanding. Participants explored Job's righteousness, the role of his friends, and the broader implications of suffering. They highlighted the importance of not jumping to conclusions about others' sins and the need for discernment. The conversation also touched on the significance of Job's faith and his eventual restoration, drawing parallels to biblical figures like David and the broader context of God's sovereignty and plan. The group reflected on the importance of resilience, trust in God, and the impact of suffering on personal growth and faith. The discussion centered on the importance of wisdom and discernment, referencing Solomon's initial prayer for wisdom. James Wilkerson compared Epicureanism and stoicism, noting that mature Christians can balance these philosophies. The conversation also touched on the balance between pleasure and stability in faith, using sports fandom as an analogy. Glenn Cox provided practical advice on seeking pleasure in North Louisiana, recommending PJ's Coffee and local bakery items. The meeting concluded with a light-hearted note on the benefits of finding joy in everyday experiences.

A woman from North Louisiana told me this amazing story of an event that happened right AFTER she surrounded her home with Scripture, and you will be shocked by what it implies. Tune in to see what happened when an item was stolen from her backyard. Active-Faith.org https://active-faith.org/taking-ground https://active-faith.org/active-faith-training https://active-faith.org/donate/ take back territory, expel evil, and heal through spiritual growth

Our guest, Dr. Caroline Jurisich, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss her inspiring work with The Quad, a Lafayette-based program helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities continue learning, building independence, and forming meaningful social connections after leaving school. A Lifelong Passion for Education and Inclusion Originally from North Louisiana, Caroline earned her bachelor's degree in communications from LSU and initially worked in that field. But her career path changed after she began working with students who had emotional and behavioral challenges. She went on to earn her Master's at UL Lafayette and taught in the Lafayette Parish School System before being recruited to help develop and teach in UL LIFE, an inclusive post-secondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities. “When I started with UL LIFE in 2014, there were about 200 programs like it in the country,” she recalled. “Now, there are 364.” The program, which began as a small pilot with local students, has since expanded to 35 students from across the U.S. who live on campus, participate in university classes, and are fully integrated into campus life. As the program grew, Caroline noticed a troubling pattern: “Once these students graduated, they secured employment, but there was still a gap in opportunities for continued learning and in maintaining the skills they'd developed.” That realization led her to found The Quad in 2023. Filling the Gap After Graduation Located in the Oil Center at 1021 E St Mary Blvd., Suite A, The Quad serves adults aged 18 to 62 who have completed high school or college-based programs and are seeking continued education, social engagement, and life skills training. “I'm a big believer in building a strong foundation before branching out,” Caroline said. “We're focused on what we call learning sessions—structured, engaging opportunities to develop practical skills without feeling like school.” The Quad offers 26 sessions a week, each about real-world abilities: Money Smarts: budgeting, banking, and financial literacy. Vocational Training: preparing for, securing, and maintaining employment. Social and Relationship Skills: navigating family, friendship, and workplace dynamics. Independent Living Skills: cooking, meal planning, grocery budgeting, and household management in their full kitchen lab. Each session is small and tailored. “We want to make sure it's meaningful for every individual,” she said. “Independence doesn't necessarily mean doing it all by yourself—it means knowing when to ask for help, knowing your strengths, and building on both.” The Quad also emphasizes community engagement. Members participate in service projects such as filling the Lafayette Community Fridge, supporting Second Harvest, and organizing toy drives. “We remind our members that to be an active, engaged part of your community, you also have to give back,” Caroline said. Creating Belonging and Connection Social isolation after leaving school is a major challenge for adults with disabilities. Caroline has seen firsthand how The Quad helps bridge that gap. “There's so much research on the impact of isolation—higher rates of depression and anxiety once individuals leave school,” she explained. “At The Quad, they have a space for connection, shared experiences, and casual practice of social skills.” Each Friday, The Quad hosts Happy Hour—a relaxed afternoon where members gather for games, conversation, and community. “Some play air hockey, some just hang out. For many, weekends can be isolating, so this helps fill that gap with friendship and laughter.” Members often form their own social groups. “We've had young men who didn't know each other before The Quad but now meet regularly to play cards or go out to lunch together. That's huge.” A Member-Focused Community

A massive new Meta data center is coming to north Louisiana, but powering it requires three new gas plants. Governor Landry and Entergy say it's a smart investment. Critics warn it's rushed, costly, environmentally risky, and will bring few permanent jobs to the region. KD Minor, Community Solutions Manager for the Alliance for Affordable Energy, joins Ian Hoch to discuss if this is the kind of economic development Louisiana needs.

In this episode, Nolan sits down with Sontus Mitchell,a Louisiana State Trooper and 2x Majestic Bass Tournament champion, to talk bass fishing on Lake D'Arbonne and beyond. Known for consistently finding big fish when others can't, Sontus shares the strategies, mindset, and tactics that have made him one of the most respected anglers in North Louisiana. Whether you're a weekend warrior or a die-hard tournament angler, this conversation is packed with tips, local insight, and stories from both the water and the badge.https://www.spotteddogsportinggoods.com/

Caleb and Rev sit down with Chuckie Darnell from Simmons Sporting Goods and discuss All Things Fishing but especially on Bussey Brake. They talk tips and tactics for Bass and Crappie then get into a discussion on the other big lakes in North Louisiana. After the break Rev discusses what's coming new in the Archery world and when to start getting ready for deer season. 

On todays show James, Dwayne and Glenn talk about the weather in North Louisiana, the presence of listeners in Italy and Ukraine, and the Secret Service's withdrawal from protecting Hunter Biden. The conversation also touched on the economic impact of layoffs, with over 90% of job creation last month coming from the private sector. The group discussed the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, the potential sinking of an Iranian spy ship, and the Houthi rebels' threats. They also mentioned the release of unredacted Kennedy files and the overhaul of the Kennedy Center by Donald Trump. The term "swatting" was explained as a false police report to elicit a SWAT team response. The discussion covered the issue of "swatting," where individuals are falsely reported to be in distress, leading to SWAT team responses. The speakers highlighted the need for better tracking technology and solutions. They also discussed Donald Trump's final appointments to military academy boards, including notable figures like General Michael Flynn and Maureen Bannon, emphasizing the importance of these appointments in shaping military leadership. The conversation shifted to the significance of military academies, stressing the need for elite officers focused on their mission rather than political or social agendas. The meeting concluded with plans for future discussions on historical religious movements and a call for listener engagement. Don't Miss It!

What does a Texas-based NBA franchise have in common with a North Louisiana city's former Double-AA minor league baseball team?… The post Dallas Mavericks and the Shreveport Swamp Dragons appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com.

The heyday of the boomtowns of Northern Louisiana is long since passed, but their mark on the geography and environment still lingers. Henry Wiencek joins us to discuss his new book, Oil Cities, and the people who built, occupied, and abandoned these towns.Essential Reading:Henry Wiencek, Oil Cities: The Making of North Louisiana's Boomtowns, 1901-1930 (2024).Recommended Reading:Brian Black, Petrolia: The Landscape of America's First Oil Boom (2000).Terence Daintith, Finders Keepers? How the Law of Capture Shaped the World Oil Industry (2010).Daneil Yergin, The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power (2009).Perry W. Howard, Political Tendencies in Louisiana (1971) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textReady to feel the adrenaline of college football night games? Experience the electric atmospheres of LSU and Texas as we break down the unparalleled energy that only these powerhouse programs can deliver. With Texas soaring to the top of the Associated Press poll for the first time since 2008, join us as we dissect their rise, debate early-season rankings, and scrutinize the strengths and challenges of both Texas and Georgia. This episode promises an engaging discussion on what it truly takes to maintain that coveted number one spot.Next, we shine the spotlight on Texas' future star—freshman quarterback Arch Manning. Learn how this prodigious talent made a memorable debut, stepping in for Quinn Ewers and delivering a standout performance. Stevie and I unpack Manning's 67-yard touchdown run and the meticulous game plan crafted by Coach Sarkisian. Discover how the strength and conditioning coach, Torrey Becton, is shaping the team's success and why Manning's entry mirrors the impactful freshman year of Colt McCoy.And the excitement doesn't stop there. Relive the nail-biting moments of Texas State's narrow loss to Arizona State, from Joey Holbert's astonishing hurdle to Gunner Helm's athletic feats. Get a taste of Dak Prescott's dominoes skills and the cultural nuances of North Louisiana, all served with a side of humor. Finally, we reflect on the strategic genius of Coach Sarkisian and the importance of direct communication in personal relationships. This episode is packed with action, insight, and the heart of college football. Don't miss it!Support the showPlease like and follow each of Stories Inside the Man Cave Podcast social media links on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Tik Tok.

In this episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I'm excited to share my conversation with an amazing author and dear friend of mine, Jessica Booth, whose second novel A PICTURE PERFECT SUMMER just came out. She shares: How being a huge reader inspires her to write. The modifications she made to the timeline for her second book based on lessons she learned the first time around. How she's built a community of book lovers and the benefits of authentic engagement. What she did to gain momentum before launch day. Insight into what interconnected standalone novels are and plans for her next novel. I think you'll love Jessica's advice and perspective – as a busy mom of four who has a day job and runs a Bookstagram account – especially if you've ever wondered how you'll find the time to write. >> If you're ready to commit to writing your book, join me in the next round of Thriving Authors Academy that starts October 8th! Find more details at ThrivingAuthorsAcademy.com or send me a message.  About Jessica: Jessica is a lifelong reader and writer. She earned a bachelor's degree in communications and professional writing before making a career in journalism and editing. Jessica has always dreamt of writing a book, and her love for novels spurred her into becoming an avid bookstagrammer. She loves books that make people happy. Although she grew up in North Louisiana, Jessica now resides in Southwestern Ohio with her husband, pack of rowdy children, and a couple of hounds. They love to spend their time together visiting indie bookstores, or outside digging up worms and transforming piles of sticks into castles. Follow her at @readbelievelove and https://jessicaboothauthor.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dallas-woodburn/support

As we transition from summer to fall, we bring you a special episode featuring highlights from some of our most inspiring conversations this summer. Get ready to dive into creativity, innovation, and leadership insights from a variety of exceptional guests. Here's a quick snapshot of what you'll hear in this compilation:- Matt McLean (Uncle Matt's Organic Juices): Discover how Matt built a thriving business from humble beginnings and overcame the unpredictable challenges of agriculture.- Jeff Wetzler (Author of "Ask"): Learn how to tap into the hidden wisdom of those around you for unexpected breakthroughs in leadership and life.- Sustainability Book Panel: Explore the collaborative process of bringing together global authors and illustrators to tackle sustainability through creativity.- John Novello (Musician, Author): Journey through John's evolution from a Grammy-winning jazz pianist to an author exploring metaphysical creativity.- Karin Hurt & David Dye (Leadership Experts): Uncover powerful phrases that can foster creativity and resolve conflicts in the workplace.- Geoff Thatcher (Experience Designer): Delve into the future of AI in storytelling and how it's revolutionizing experience design.- **Henry Alexander Wiencek (Historian/Author): Revisit the historical significance of North Louisiana's oil cities and their impact on society and economy.- Alice Austin (Singer-Songwriter): Enjoy insights from a globetrotting musician who blends creativity with cultural exploration.Key Quotes:- Matt McLean: "If you love change, get into agriculture."- Jeff Wetzler: "We often overestimate sensitivity when people are dying to be asked a question."- Katja Schimmel: "Use creative thinking to approach the global goals in many different ways."- John Novello: "As we think and believe within, so without."- Karin Hurt: "On the other side of disagreement is often where the real creative breakthroughs happen."- Geoff Thatcher: "AI is just another arrow in my quiver of experience design."- Henry Alexander Wiencek: "The oil cities of North Louisiana were pivotal from both an economic and societal standpoint."- Alice Austin: "Music is a universal language that connects us to every corner of the world."Enjoy these highlights, and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review *Your World of Creativity* on your favorite podcast platform. It's the best way to stay inspired and support the show!Special Thanks to Our Sponsor:This episode is brought to you by White Cloud Coffee Roasters. Enjoy 10% off online orders with the promo code CREATIVITY at checkout. Visit http://whitecloudcoffee.com to explore their artisan blends!

The Democratic National Convention wraps up tonight, and plenty of Louisianans – from former New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu to actor Wendell Pierce – have made appearances. The Times Picayune/The Advocate's editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace joins us to break down the DNC.Last week, the Louisiana Public Service Commission gave initial approval to the Southern Spirit transmission project that would connect cleaner wind power in Texas to Mississippi . The project would also bring clean energy to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator network, which Louisiana is a part of. But, the project faces obstacles, as this past session state legislators passed a law in an attempt to stop Southern Spirit from crossing North Louisiana.Louisiana Illuminator reporter Wesley Muller explains why these property rights may be slowing Louisiana's access to clean energy. This Friday, the West Baton Rouge Museum will open an exhibition on the life of architect and sculptor Angela Gregory. Gregory contributed to the architecture of many Louisiana buildings – including the state capitol – at a time when female artists struggled to be taken seriously. Curator Elizabeth Weinstein joins us for more on the exhibit and Gregory's legacy.  ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber; our contributing producers are Matt Bloom and Adam Vos; we receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Oil Cities: North Louisiana's Oil Boom with Dr. Henry Alexander WeincekIn this captivating episode, we delve into the rich history of North Louisiana's early 20th-century oil boom with Dr. Henry Alexander Weincek. His new book, "Oil Cities," offers a profound exploration of this transformative period, highlighting the social, economic, and environmental impacts on the region. Host Mark Stinson, with personal ties to North Louisiana, engages in a thoughtful discussion about the intersection of history, community, and industry.Oil Cities book publisher linkEpisode Highlights:- **Historical Context:** Dr. Weincek explains how the discovery of oil in 1904 transformed North Louisiana from a sparsely populated agricultural area to a bustling industrial hub.- **Community Life:** The conversation explores the daily lives of those living in oil boom towns, highlighting the diverse communities that formed, including migrants from various parts of the world.- **Racial and Social Dynamics:** The discussion covers the racial tensions and societal changes brought about by the oil industry, including the story of Lily Gussie Taylor, one of America's wealthiest Black oil heiresses.- **Economic Impact:** Insights into how oil wealth was distributed and concentrated, particularly in urban centers like Shreveport, and the resultant infrastructural developments.- **Environmental and Political Factors:** The episode examines the environmental consequences of the oil boom and the political landscape that allowed for certain economic activities and racial segregation in the industry.Pull-Out Quote:"It's pretty striking that you've got a lot of these southern farmers from Arkansas, Texas, living alongside people from Sweden and Ireland and Russia. Pretty remarkable conglomeration of people in the tents."* - Dr. Henry Alexander WeincekThanks to our Sponsor: White Cloud Coffee RoastersJoin us as we continue to explore the fascinating intersections of history, creativity, and industry in various parts of the world. Tune in to discover how inspiration, organization, confidence, and connections drive creative work.

Our final unreleased episode from the North Louisiana trip from October 2023 is here!Chuck P and Jay Ducote talk with Great Raft Brewing owner Andrew Nations.THIS EPIOSDE WAS RECORDED ON OCTOBER 21ST, 2023.

Send us a Text Message.How does a golfer rally from three shots back to clinch victory with a stunning 5-under 66? Join us as we explore the remarkable performance of champ flight winner Chuck Spears at the Cajun Classic Tamahka Trails Golf Club in Marksville, Louisiana. Chuck dives into the details of his improved tee shots and consistent iron play, keeping his cool under pressure, and offers invaluable tips for high-handicap golfers. We also examine the impact of rain on course conditions and the unpredictable nature of super skins payouts that added an extra layer of excitement.Balancing a new business venture with competitive golf is no small feat, but Josh Rogers from the A-Flight managed to do just that. Hear Josh recount his recent victory, his strategic approach to the final round, and the challenges of maintaining his game while opening a new bar. The dedication of the agronomy team, especially Krista Cody and Justin Sochang, is also applauded for keeping the course in excellent condition despite adverse weather.Shane Simpson shares his unique perspective on the contrasting atmospheres of different regional tours, from Houston to North Louisiana, and the fantastic organization by Gina and her team. Whether it's discussing the skills needed to excel in national championships or the camaraderie built over a weekend of competitive golf, this episode is packed with engaging stories and heartfelt moments. We wrap up with a light-hearted conversation about technical hiccups and the joy of supporting each other through wins and challenges. Tune in for an episode filled with triumph, perseverance, and the community spirit that defines the Golfweek Amateur Tour. Podcast HomepageGolfweek Amateur TourSenior Amateur TourFacebookYouTube#GWPodcastshirtChallengeJ Butler GolfMeridian PuttersJohn Robinson (JR) Contact InformationCell - ‭(843) 422-3767‬E-Mail - hiltonheadjr@aol.com

Episode 168 Series: How Were Your Barriers Removed - 39 In the latest episode of the Removing Barriers podcast, we are sharing a previously unreleased interview with H (yes, that is his real name!), a man whose life story is a testament to the power of faith and the transformative impact of accepting Christ. H's journey is not just about his personal salvation but also about the myriad barriers he faced and overcame along the way.H was born in rural North Louisiana, near the Ouachita River, in a time when the Great Depression had left its mark on every aspect of life. His early life was marked by his father, a strong and sturdy man, and his mother, a sweet and tender woman. They created a stable environment, albeit one without much religious influence. Despite the lack of regular church attendance in his family, H found his way to the local Baptist church, often hitching a ride from passing churchgoers. It was in this humble setting, with no electric lights and a preacher who only visited bi-monthly, that H first encountered the gospel. The message was simple yet profound: "Ye must be born again."For anyone facing their own barriers to faith, H's story offers hope and encouragement. It underscores the idea that while we cannot force others to accept Christ, we can live our lives in a way that reflects His love and grace and proclaim the truth of the gospel that they may know the mercy and grace available in Christ and Christ alone. Listen to the Removing Barriers Podcast here: Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cutt.ly/Ega8YeI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cutt.ly/Vga2SVd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Edifi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cutt.ly/Meec7nsv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cutt.ly/mga8A77⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podnews: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podnews.net/podcast/i4jxo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ See all our platforms: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://removingbarriers.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact us: Leave us a voice message: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/removingbarriers/message⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://removingbarriers.net/contact⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Financially support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://removingbarriers.net/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Affiliates: Book Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bookshop.org/shop/removingbarriers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Answers in Genesis Bookstore: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shrsl.com/2tu8i⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Design It Yourself Gift Baskets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shrsl.com/2m64o⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ BulbHead: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shrsl.com/4ft37⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Share a Sale: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shrsl.com/2jz4f⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ See all our affiliates: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://removingbarriers.net/affiliates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/removingbarriers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/removingbarriers/support

Informed Consent in Dysphagia: The Challenges of Balancing Patient's Rights and Provider Best Practices with Hillary Cooper, MA, CCC-SLP and Michelle Coffaro, MS, CCC-SLP​ Members link to the course quiz: https://medslpcollective.com/courses/informed-consent-in-dysphagia-the-challenges-of-balancing-patients-rights-and-provider-best-practices-replay-webinar/ 0.2 ASHA CEUs / 2 PDHs Available.  To get ASHA CEUS/ PDHs for this course, you can join the MedSLP Collective Membership here: https://medslpcollective.com/invite After this webinar, you will be able to… Identify three main components of the Patient Self Determination Act of 1990 that apply to the informed consent process. Describe the dietary modification recommendation informed consent process. Identify the differences between “coercive” and “non-coercive” strategies for ethically managing patients who choose diets other than what is clinically recommended. Agenda: 0-5 Minutes: Introduction 5-25 Minutes: Litigation in Dysphagia (an overview) 25-45 Minutes: All about the Patient Self Determination Act of 1990 45-75 Minutes: Waivers, Hospice, & PEGS, Oh My! 75-100 Minutes: Navigating the Informed Consent Process 100-120 Minutes: Case Scenarios/ Q&A Speaker Information and Disclosures FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Hillary Cooper will receive an honorarium for this webinar from Mobile Dysphagia Diagnostics. She is the owner of North Louisiana Swallow Solutions and Speech Therapy Services of North Louisiana, LLC, and receives a salary. Michelle Coffaro will receive an honorarium for this webinar from Mobile Dysphagia Diagnostics. She receives a salary from Midwest Speech Therapy, LLC, TriState Imaging and Swallowing Solutions, and West Chester Hospital. NON-FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Hillary Cooper is a member of the ASHA 2019 Convention Program Planning Committee – Business and Practice Management. Michelle Coffaro has no non-financial disclosures. The post WEBINAR: Informed Consent in Dysphagia: The Challenges of Balancing Patient's Rights and Provider Best Practices appeared first on The MedSLP Collective Podcast.

562. This week we talk to Greta de Jong about civil rights in North Louisiana.  "Civil rights in North LA. Examining African Americans' struggles for freedom and justice in rural Louisiana during the Jim Crow and civil rights eras, Greta de Jong illuminates the connections between the informal strategies of resistance that black people pursued in the early twentieth century and the mass protests that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s. Using evidence drawn from oral histories and a wide range of other sources, she demonstrates that rural African Americans were politically aware and active long before civil rights organizers arrived in the region in the 1960s to encourage voter registration and demonstrations against segregation." "Greta de Jong is Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. Her research focuses on the connections between race and class and the ways that African Americans have fought for economic as well as political rights from the end of slavery through the twenty-first century. She is the author of A Different Day: African American Struggles for Justice in Rural Louisiana, 1900-1970 (2002)." This week in Louisiana history. February 24, 1843. Bossier Parish created out of Natchitoches District, named for Pierre E. Bossier.  This week in New Orleans history. "Ernest Kador, Jr, known by the stage name Ernie K-Doe (the self proclaimed "Emperor of the World") was born at Charity Hospital on February 22, 1936. He recorded as a member of the group the Blue Diamonds in 1954 before making his first solo recordings the following year. "Mother-in-Law",  his best known 1961 hit single, written by Allen Toussaint, was his first hit, and was #1 on both the Billboard pop and R&B charts."  “I'm not sure, but I'm almost positive that all music came from New Orleans.” This week in Louisiana. 4th Annual Bayou Terrebonne Boucherie (Pork BBQ) March 02, 2024 Downtown Houma 8043 Main Street Houma, LA Website "Join us downtown on March 2, 2024, at the fourth Annual Bayou Terrebonne Boucherie for a day of food, festivity, and teamwork. In addition to mounds of pork, there will be live music and the now-famous Cajun Cup (a series of bayou-themed competitions). Whether spectating or participating, it'll be a day of good Cajun fun for the whole family. C'mon out, and let's have a good time! Proceeds will go towards quality-of-life projects in Terrebonne Parish, making our home a better place to live." Postcards from Louisiana. Boardwalker & the 3 finger swingers sing at Bamboulas.  Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

Welcome back to Eye on Franchising where you learn how to become your own boss! Today's guests are Alex Fanning, Chief Development Officer and Tom Gerdes, VP of Brand Operations of Southern Classic Chicken! Tom Gerdes has been with Southern Classic Chicken since 2021 and has served as Vice President of Brand Operations since March 2022. Alex Fanning has been with Southern Classic Chicken since 1999 and is one of the brand's Founding Partners. Southern Classic Chicken has been a family institution in North Louisiana for over 35 years. In this episode, Tom and Alex talk about their involvement in the company and what makes their chicken so popular. They dive into the franchise process and the involvement that goes into running a Southern Classic Chicken!Check out the video podcast on my Youtube channel and don't forget to like and subscribe! Link to Website: eyeonfranchising.comLink to Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC20LI036w8THs6-Ahzw9vyg

In this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host Katie Burke interviews guest Rick Milligan, a call and decoy collector. Rick shares his passion for collecting and discusses those who served as mentors to him in the field. They also talk about an upcoming exhibition in the museum and delve into Rick's introduction to the outdoors and hunting. Tune in to hear Rick's journey as an outdoorsman and call collector.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Her vision is simple; be honest, be nice, and have fun. Brittney Naron is first time fishing tournament director in North Louisiana and if her vision and passion stay true, it will not be her last.

In this episode I give a run down of my 2023 deer season in Oklahoma, where I killed an 11pt. I also talk about my trip will be making to North Louisiana at end of January. 

Resilience and love are two emotions that can fuel a successful relationship. One cannot exist without the other. Love may be patient and kind but without resilience many marriages have faltered.  Lack of patience with the other, inability to find common ground on a key issue, or just plain old stubbornness and selfishness, have wrecked even the most well-intentioned couples in their pursuit of “happily ever after”. But when a couple dedicates themselves to resilience and love no matter what the circumstance, a long-lasting and fruitful relationship usually ensues. Duck Dynasty's Phil and Kay Robertson are a testament to this. Despite a marriage that has lasted 47 years, they did not live happily ever after, at least for a long time. Instead, Phil's demons threatened to tear their lives apart. But their resilience and love for each other eventually prevailed. What the world sees today is a far cry from a relationship that nearly succumbed to alcohol and Phil's philandering. As the oldest of Phil and Kay's four children, Alan Robertson had a front row seat to those early years, a period of time that he now calls a miracle due to God's patience with and ultimate forgiveness of Phil.  In the new movie, “The Blind” (now available on most streaming platforms as well as DVD), viewers get a glimpse of never-before-revealed moments in Phil and Miss Kay's lives as he seeks to conquer the shame of his past. Working through the turmoil that handcuffed him in his early adult years, the biopic demonstrates a love story that persevered through the darkest of turbulent moments and rose to create a strong foundation for generations to come.  Alan joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to reflect on the success of the biopic and how the film has brought his family even closer together. Listen as he shares how his father went from being the biggest heathen in South Arkansas and North Louisiana to John the Baptist seemingly overnight. Links to Crossmap Crossmap Website Crossmap Facebook

552.  Today we talk with Doug Duffey, North Louisiana blues musician. "Blues musician.Doug Duffey is a singer, songwriter, pianist, bandleader, music arranger, record producer, music publisher, poet, diarist, photographer and visual artist. From Monroe, Louisiana, Doug Duffey was inducted into the "Louisiana Hall of Fame" in April, 2001 and inducted into the National Blues Hall of Fame in 2009" (Wikipedia). This week in Louisiana history. December 8, 1879. Citizens of Louisiana ratified a new state constitution. Simultaneously, the state capital was moved from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. This week in New Orleans history. The World Cotton Centennial (World's Fair) opened in New Orleans on December 16, 1884 and ran until June 2, 1885 in what is now Audubon Park. It featured displays with a great deal of electric light illumination, an observation tower with electric elevators, and several prototype designs of electric streetcars. This week in Louisiana. Celebration in the Oaks City Park, New Orleans, LA November 24 - January 1 Website This well-known light display in New Orleans beautifully highlights the lovely collection of Live Oak trees that are found in New Orleans. Perfect for a date night or an evening with the kids, this is one of of the most popular holiday light displays in Louisiana. From late November until early January, over a million dazzling lights illuminate 25 acres of City Park in what can only be described as pure magic. Postcards from Louisiana. Stephen Walker Band at the Frenchmen Hotel. Listen on Google Play. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

Lynn Stevens, Workforce Director for Goodwill NWLA joins us this week to discuss how Goodwill was founded as well as how the company impacts cities and regions across America by employing those in need. There are misconceptions about Goodwill that are cleared up and discovery of many things that they do that most aren't aware of! All of these mission partners and testimonies we share are the result of First Methodist Church Shreveport's loyal congregation. The commitment of our church to focus on stewardship of time, talents, gifts, and service is the force that drives life change in our community. Please continue to support your church through your stewardship pledge, or begin with your first pledge now. Our church thanks you, and our mission partners thank you!  https://firstshreveport.com/give

I love to celebrate new book launches and champion the Celebrate Lit Publishing authors who's work I've edited. Today's episode is no exception! Join my special guest and me as we talk about her writing journey and celebrate her brand new novella. Marguerite Martin Gray is the author of the Revolutionary Faith series, Gardens in Time series, and Room for Love in the Suamalie Islands series. She enjoys researching and studying history. An avid traveler and reader, she teaches French and Spanish. She currently lives in North Louisiana with her husband and rescue pets. Her two adult children and two grandsons keep her up to date and young. Promise Me Christmas is a Christmas novella, companion to Revolutionary Faith Series, 1784 Charleston, SC Purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBD4524R?crid=13Z6KSZ1AHDWG&keywords=promise+me+christmas&qid=1688802633&sprefix=promise+me+christma,aps,1631&sr=8-9&linkCode=sl1&tag=celelit-20&linkId=d1389c405b2ed09385eacf7f2deed398&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl   Connect with Marguerite at the following links: Newsletter: https://eepurl.com/gF-3I1 Website/Blog: https://www.margueritemartingray.com BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marguerite-martin-gray Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1408197086342364 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margueritemgray   Visit www.everyday-excellence.com and use promo code Inspirational Journeys to get 10% off any product on the site. Subscribe to the 540 Writers Community for free, if you need some writing accountability, and you want  to participate inwriting workshops. Visit: https://540writerscommunity.com/ to sign up for the newsletter and search for 540 writers community on Facebook. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inspirational-journeys/message

Uncle Si returns from the infamous Hazard Fest with Martin, Godwin, and Jay, along with fresh stories of the world's most interesting lineup of guests and fans. Godwin wistfully remembers a time before diabetes when he could eat a dozen of the best donuts in North Louisiana. Martin and Jay are confused when Si calls himself an "active" person and the boys remember the other truly active Robertson brother, Tommy. Si claims he doesn't believe in Bigfoot, but he does agree with Jay about the existence of the Rougarou from cajun Louisiana folklore. https://www.factormeals.com/duck50 — Get 50% off right now when you use code duck50! Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/duck https://rocketmoney.com/duck — Cancel unwanted subscriptions with Rocket Money. The average person saves up to $720 a year! - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

540. We talk to Candice Battiste about redistricting in Louisiana. “Candice Battiste is the North Louisiana Organizer for the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice where she is committed to building voices and power in traditionally disenfranchised communities and bringing together groups across North Louisiana.” “The Power Coalition is a coalition of community-based organizations who work together to educate and empower voters across Louisiana. Through our voter engagement and community organizing work, we seek to unify our collective voices into a stronger, more cohesive force that can successfully advocate for an agenda of shared values and issues.” This week in Louisiana history.September 15, 1978. Ali defeats Spinks to regain boxing title. This week in New Orleans history. Born in New Orleans on September 23, 1883,  jazzman Wooden Joe Nicholas was an active member of the early New Orleans jazz scene. He knew Buddy Bolden and said Bolden was the main influence on his cornet style.  In 1915 he was playing clarinet with King Oliver.  In addition to forming the Camelia Brass Band in 1918,  he was famous for his volume and endurance. Nicholas did not record until 1945 when he was 62 years old and again in 1949.  He died in New Orleans on November 17, 1957.  This week in Louisiana. Red River Revel Arts Festival Festival Plaza 101 Crockett St. Shreveport, LA 71101 September 30, 2023 - October 8, 2023 Website Phone: (318) 424-4000 The Red River Revel is an annual festival of food, culture, art and music. This year's festival will be held at Festival Plaza in Shreveport. Over 80 artists specializing in oils, acrylics, sculpture, jewelry, woodwork, glass, metal and much more! Vendors serve everything from funnel cakes and seafood macaroni to favorites like Natchitoches meat pies and chicken & waffles! Postcards from Louisiana. Single Malt Please with Maude Caillat at the BMC Bar on Decatur St. in New Orleans. Listen on Google Play. Listen on Google Podcasts. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

The New Orleans Saints are in the midst of training camp and we give our predictions for the season. Nothing could be easier than winning the worst division in the NFL, but will typical Saints luck stand in their way, or will injuries and a slow and aging defense be their undoing? We discuss this, a trip to North Louisiana, a visit to Galatoire's, and much much more.

Memorial Day is an annual day of remembrance to honor all those who have died in service to the United States during peace and war. Our Living Legend is an attorney and decorated soldier who served in the Army during the Vietnam War. This episode is full of history and colorful stories about the military and growing up in North Louisiana. There will be more to come from Attorney Wayne.Click Here to listen to Interview with James Wayne - Memorial Day Edition along with notes, transcript, pictures and videos. 

President Theordore Roosevelt once said, "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far". I can't help but think of that statement when I think about Allen Anders. He doesn't speak much, he's not flashy, but when he goes fishing, he's a big stick. He and his dad Richard fish the local bass tournaments in North Louisiana and do quite well. They even beat Ben Millican at Caney in January. Millican just won the Bassmasters Open on Toledo Bend, so to me, that's a big deal. Allen came on this week to talk about his year and share some insight on how you can do better yourself. Hope you guys enjoy!

Having an empowered home birth even when things don't go as planned is possible! Even when you create the best plan for your birth, it can unfold unexpectedly. Having a plan in place can help you navigate something like a hemorrhage confidently.Bekah shares her hospital and home birth story, she talks about how each birth experience helped her plan differently for her next baby. Birth can be so unpredictable but how we plan and react to it matters!Bekah is a wife and mother of two, and she's building a business as a Birthworker in North Louisiana. She has a passion for mothers, families, and all things birth. She loves meeting families where they're at and empowering mothers to take control of their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey.Connect with BekahWebsite: nobleandgracehollow.comInstagram: @nobleandgracehollowFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/nobleandgracehollow-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       Let's Connect!✨ The Birth Junkie Website: www.birthingcometrue.com/thebirthjunkiepodcast/10✨ Follow me on Instagram: @thebirthjunkiepodcast✨ Check out the transcript here! Dreamy home birth with a hemorrhage ✨ If you'd like to be a guest: Fill this out!✨ A topic you'd like for me to dive into: Fill this out

Baby faces but killer instincts.  When I first saw these two, I overlooked their abilities because of their age.  Needless to say, I was wrong, and crow doesn't taste very good.  Hagen and Gage fish with the West Ouachita Fishing Team in in the High School Fishing world and are tops in their class.  They've also been competing against some of the best bass anglers in North Louisiana in some of the biggest tournaments around and are definitely holding their own.  This is a good one y'all.

The ARKLA Team Tournament Trail is one of the fastest growing bass fishing trails in North Louisiana.  Craig & Taylor Kolb are the AOY (Anglers of the Year) for the trail and chatted with me about their experience last year.  Hope you guys enjoy.

A native of North Louisiana, Ever More Nest's Kelcy Wilburn (“Kelcy Mae”) is as equally influenced by the gospel, country, and blues of her Bible Belt hometown as she is by the emotional rawness of the artists that consumed her generation: Cranberries, Counting Crows, Tori Amos, Radiohead, et al. At 18, she moved to New Orleans, where open-mindedness and acceptance gave her the freedom to be herself and to find her voice. As a student of creative writing, she fostered a love of language evident across her early releases as Kelcy Mae and across Ever More Nest's debut and sophomore albums. (evermorenest.com) Kelcy and I met at FARM (Folk Alliance Region Midwest) near Chicago this past October. I immediately took a liking to her music and personality, and was excited to get to speak with her on my show. The two of us are also connected through our mutual friends, Louise Baker and Bruce Swan of Baker Booking. (Bruce was on episode 89 of MCRS) Our conversation delves into Kelcy's childhood and roots in music, her new album ("Out Here Now" - Aug 19, 2022), and her extraordinarily written website bio. EMN is also releasing a single, "Happy New Year" on December 2. If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help out the most! IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow Guest Links: Website: https://evermorenest.com Ever More Nest on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4SyLT21Hx2AptF6kdopLqL?si=wlxO-iwwRPG1UG0hrAfxZA Episode Music: Original music by Andy Sydow Sponsors: A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF. For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at middleclassrockstar@gmail.com pqmastering.com narratorrf.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dirtybootsportsThe Dirty Boot boys discuss LA Tech's disappointing end to the 2022 Football season, preview the Bulldog and Lady Techster basketball teams, and finish it off with a look at the state of some North Louisiana high schools that are playing Semifinal football! Crew:Bill "UFC Bill" JonesHunter "Hoot" CarswellClay WilliamsIntro Music: Love Life - Ayo Beejay Outro Music: Nirvana - IamKvvngTuttSupport the showSubscribe to our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpsLGbVyBOXgG-xCCqbnuWQFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DirtyBootSportsFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dirty_boot_sports/?hl=enFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dirtybootsports?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DirtyBootSports/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dirtybootsportsThe Dirty Boot boys discuss LA Tech's Week 7 loss to North Texas, preview the Homecoming matchup against Rice, and finish it off with a look at the state of some North Louisiana high schools! Crew:Bill "UFC Bill" JonesHunter "Hoot" CarswellBustin' Chops & Callin' ShotsEach week Josh and Jon sit down to give their take on travel sports and everything in...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyIntro Music: Love Life - Ayo Beejay Outro Music: Nirvana - IamKvvngTuttSupport the showSubscribe to our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpsLGbVyBOXgG-xCCqbnuWQFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DirtyBootSportsFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dirty_boot_sports/?hl=enFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dirtybootsports?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DirtyBootSports/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dirtybootsportsThe Dirty Boot boys discuss LA Tech's Week 6 win over UTEP, preview the matchup against North Texas, and finish it off with a look at the state of some North Louisiana high schools! Crew:Bill "UFC Bill" JonesHunter "Hoot" CarswellClay WilliamsIntro Music: Love Life - Ayo Beejay Outro Music: Nirvana - IamKvvngTuttSupport the showSubscribe to our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpsLGbVyBOXgG-xCCqbnuWQFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DirtyBootSportsFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dirty_boot_sports/?hl=enFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dirtybootsports?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DirtyBootSports/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dirtybootsportsThe Dirty Boot boys discuss LA Tech's Week 3 & 4 losses, preview the homecoming game against UTEP, and finish it off with a look at the state of some North Louisiana high schools! Crew:Bill "UFC Bill" JonesHunter "Hoot" CarswellSubscribe to our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpsLGbVyBOXgG-xCCqbnuWQFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DirtyBootSportsFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dirty_boot_sports/?hl=enFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dirtybootsports?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DirtyBootSports/Intro Music: Love Life - Ayo Beejay Outro Music: Nirvana - IamKvvngTuttSupport the show

David said "In 1981 I was in North Louisiana and I came across this creature. He came from around a tree that was about 6 feet from me and we stared at each other. I wasn't sure what it was but I could tell by his facial expressions he was mad and working himself up to attack me. I shot it and I know it was a lung shot. I could describe every detail about him. This has weighed on me for the last 40 years, I have only told one person about it. It bothers me that I shot but from the way it was acting I thought it was him or me.”

Kate Chopin - The Awakening - Episode 1 - Meet The Author, Discover Local Color And Feminism!   I'm Christy Shriver, and we're here to discuss books that have changed the world and have changed us.    And I'm Garry Shriver, and this is the How to Love lit Podcast.  This episode we begin a journey to a very unique American location to discuss a very American author. Kate Chopin, was born in St Louis but her heritage is more associated with Louisiana than with Missouri as she is from an originally American people group, the Louisianan Creole's.  Christy, I know, you lived a part of your life in Louisiana, and your dad's family is from Louisiana.  As we discuss Kate Chopin and her unusual and ill-received novel The Awakening, I think a great place to start our discussion, especially for those who may not be familiar with American geography, is with the Pelican State itself.   What makes Louisiana so unusual than the rest of the United States, and why does that matter when we read a book like The Awakening.    Well, there are so many things that people think of when the think of Louisiana- Louisianan distinctive include Mardi Gras, crawfish bowls, jazz music, bayous, The French Quarter of New Orleans and its beignets.  The list is cultural distinctives is long.   But, just for a general reference, Louisiana is part of the American South.  Now, it might seem that the states that constitute the South are kind of all the same- and in some respects that's true.  Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, and the rest of them, … after all, they all succeeded from the Union during the Civil War, they all had slaves, they all have had to one degree or another racial tension over the last two hundred years, and, of course, to bring it to modern-day, they all are deeply entrenched in a tradition of American football, barbeque, shot guns, sweet tea, the Bible and a general admiration of good manners that include addressing each other as mr. mrs, yes mam and no sir.      Ha!  Yes, that IS the South.  I remember moving down here and being frustrated that I could never find anywhere that served tea without sugar- and when they say sweet tea down here- I'm talking one step away from maple syrup.      I like it!!!       People do and feel strongly about it.  In fact a lot of people have a lot have strong feelings about this part of the United States.  Some love the South; others hate it.  It's a part of the United States that is historical, by American standards, although laughably young compared to other parts of the world,  and controversial- to this very day.     Yes, yet having said that,  once you move here, it doesn't take you long to realize that  The South is not one cohesive unit.  Every state is very different.  Florida was colonized by the Spanish- and has strong ties to places such as Cuba to this day.  Virginia was the seat of government and is still central to the heart of American politics.  The horse-racing people of Kentucky are very different from their cotton-growing neighbors in Mississippi.  There are many many cultural distinctives that are both old and deep.  Which brings us to the great state of Louisiana- Louisiana, especially South Louisiana, in some ways has more in common with the Caribbean islands than it does with other parts of the United States.  My daddy was born in Spring Hill, Louisiana and raised in Bastrop Louisiana which are in North Louisiana- far from the coast but the people of north Louisiana share many commonalities with their Cajun and Creole brothers.  I have early memories of magnolia trees, cypress trees, bayous, shrimp gumbo,  and, of my Uncle Lanny taking us in the middle of the night out with his hound dogs to go coon hunting- as in racoon hunting.      So, for the record, these are things you don't see in other parts of the United States.      Indeed, they don't have bayous and gumbo anywhere else- and although they do have racoons in other places and likely hunt and eat them, I don't know.  The whole government of Louisiana is different and its visible.  They have parishes instead of counties.  The law is based on French law, not British law which affects everything.   It is predominantly Catholic not Protestant, hence Mardi Gras, which is what they call Carnival in Brazil but which we don't celebrate in other part of the US.  But what interests us for this book is the ethnic origins of the people indigenous to the region.     The rural part of the state has been dominated by a group we call Cajuns.  Cajuns are Roman Catholic French Canadians, or at least their descendents were.      They were run out of the Captured French Colony called Acadia in North Eastern Canada- it's actually be termed “the Acadian diaspora”.  Acadia was in the maritime provinces up on the Atlantic side, near the US state of Maine. That part of Canada was very British hence the obvious antagonism.      Well, The word Acadians kind of morphed into Cajuns over the years.  That's one people group.  But we also have another distinctively Louisianan people group  called the Louisiana Creoles.  This group of people ethnically are entirely different group than the Cajuns but also speak French.  Our author today, Kate Chopin was a creole, and she wrote about Lousianan Creole people.  Garry, before we introduce the Mrs. Chopin, local color and her influencial work, The Awakening, let's learn just a little about these remarkable people.  Who are the Creoles of Louisiana?    Well, let me preface by saying, as Kate Chopin would be the first to admit, history is always messy- people marry, intermarry, languages get confused and muddled, so when we talk about distinctives, we are talking about generalities, and if you want take to talk about Creole people the first word that must come to mind is multi-cultural.  There are creole peoples all over the Caribbean.  Haiti is the first country that comes to mind, so we need to be careful as we speak in generalities. But  the first generality you will notice of the Louisianan Creole people shows up in the first chapter of Chopin's book, and that is that they also speak the French language, except for the Louisiana Creoles that can mean two different actual languages.  Today, and the latest stat, I saw was from May of 2020,  1,281,300 identified French as their native tongue- that would be Colonial French, standard French and the speakers of would include both people groups the Cajuns and the Louisianan Creoles.  But what is even more interesting than that is that the language Louisiana Creole is its own distinctive indigenous language, and is not the same as Haitian Creole or Hawaiian Creole or any other form of Creole where you might hear that word.  Meaning, Louisianan Creole although having origins in the French language is not French at all but its own distinct language.   This is confusing because the Cajuns speak a dialect of French that sounds different than the French from France or Quebec, but it's still French and French speakers can understand what they are saying even if it sounds different than the way they might pronounce things.  That's different. Creole is French-based, but has African influences and is literally its own language and French speakers cannot understand it.  Today it's an endangered language, only about 10,000 people speak it, but it is still alive.       Yeah, that wasn't something I understood as a teenager living in Louisiana. I thought Cajun- Creole all meant Lousianan.  Since we lived in North Louisiana, I never met anyone personally who spoke Lousiana Creole.  All the Creole's I came into contact, including Mrs. Devereaux, my French teacher spoke traditional French, which is what they do in Chopin's book too, btw.       Of course, Cajuns and Creole people have a lot in common in terms of religion and even in taste in cuisine, but where they differ tremendously is in ethnicity and also in social class.  The Cajuns are white and from Canada but often rural and historically lower-middle class.  The Creole's are not white, but culturally a part of the urban elite, the ruling class.  They are the first multi-cultural people group on the American continent and deserve a special status for that reason.    Explain that, because that's really interesting.  Today, to be multi-cultural is cool, but 100 years ago when ethnic groups did not intermingle, and being a multi-cultural group that was upper class seems like a huge anomaly.  Although I will say the word “creole” tips you off to the multi-cultural element.  It actually comes from the Portuguese word “crioulo” and the word itself means people who were created.     And again, I do want to point out that this is kind of a very big simplification of a couple of hundred years of history, but in short, the criolos were people who were born in the new World- but mostly of mixed heritage.  Gentlemen farmers, primarily French and Spanish came over to the new world.  A lot of them came  by way of the Caribbean after the slave revolt in Haiti.   They had relationships and often even second families with local people here. Many were Black slaves, others were native Americans, lots were mulattos who also came from the Caribbean.  Unlike mixed raced people from Mississippi or Alabama, Creoles were not slaves.  They were free people.  They were educated.  They spoke French and many rose to high positions of politics, arts and culture. They were the elite, many were slaveholders.  Now, I will say, that most chose to speak Colonial French over Louisiana Creole as they got more educated, also over time as we got closer to the Civil War era being mixed race in and of itself got pretty complicated with the black/white caste-system of the South, which is another story in and of itself.   And as a result, you had creoles who were identifying as white and others who didn't- Chopin's family were white creoles.  But regardless of all that, but in the 1850s and through the life of Chopin, until today, Creoles are a separate people group that identify themselves as such.  They are a proud group of people who worship together, connect socially together, and often build communities around each other. They have societal behaviors and customs that set them apart, and we learn by looking at life through Edna Pontellier's eyes, have a culture that can difficult for an outsider to penetrate, if you marry an insider.    And so enters, Mrs. Kate Chopin, born in 1851 to a mother who was Creole and a father who was a Irish, both Catholic. She was not born in Louisisana, but in the great midwestern city of St. Louis.  St Louis, at the time had a rather large Creole population by virtue of being a city on the Mississippi river- which runs from New Orleans miles north. Her mom's family was old, distinguished and part of what has been termed the “Creole Aristocracy”.  Kate grew up speaking French as a first language, and as many Creole women was raised to be very independent by three generations of women in the household. She received an exceptional education, was interested in what they called “the woman question”.  This will give you an indication of how progressive her family actually was, now brace yourself because this is scandalous….on a trip to New Orleans at the ripe age of 18, Kate learned to smoke.    Oh my, did she smoke behind the high school gym or in the bathroom stalls?    Ha!  Who even knows, but we do know that at age 19 she married the love of her life, another Creole, Oscar Chopin.  Kate and Oscar were very compatible and the years she was married to him have been described as nothing but really happy by all of her biographers that I'm familiar with.  They lived in New Orleans at first and then to Natchitoches parish in the central Louisiana where he owned and operated a general store.  They were married for 12 years, and- this small fact wipes me out- they had five sons and two daughters.    Ha!  That confirms all the Catholic stereotypes of large families.      I know right, that's just a lot…and their lives were, by all accounts, going well until…there's always an until… Oscar suffered the fate of a lot of people around the world even to this day, who live in hot climates.  He caught malaria, and suddenly died.  And there Kate was, alone in the middle of the interior of Louisiana,  with this store and all these kids.  She ran it herself for over a year, but then decided to do what lots of us would do in that situation…she moved back to the hometown of her childhood, St. Louis so she could be near her mother- I didn't mention it before but her father had died in a terrible railroad accident when she was a young child and her brother had died in the Civil War- so basically all of the men that had meant anything to her at all, had all died.  One of Kate's daughters had this to say about that later on when she was an adult talking about her mom, “When I speak of my mother's keen sense of humor and of her habit of looking on the amusing side of everything, I don't want to give the impression of her being joyous, for she was on the contrary rather a sad nature…I think the tragic death of her father early in her life, of her much beloved brothers, the loss of her young husband and her mother, left a stamp of sadness on her which was never lost.”      Goodness, that Is a lot of sadness.    Well, it is and it took a toll.  When she got back to St. Louis, Dr. Kolbenheyer, their obgyn and a family friend talked her into studying some French writers for the sake of  mental health, specifically Maupassant and Zola and take up writing.  She took that advice ..…so at age 38 a widow with six living children, Chopin began her writing career.  A career, sadly that was only going to last five years.  It started great, and she was super popular, but then….she wrote a scandalous book and was cancelled, and I mean totally cancelled.  Five years after the publication of  this candalous book that today we call The Awakening, she had a stroke and died.  At the time of her death, Kate Chopin as a writer, was virtually unknown and uncelebrated.      What do you mean by cancelled? That sounds like a crazy story for a mommy writer.    True, and it is.  When she started  writing, she was super popular.  This kind of reminds me a little of Shirley Jackson, honestly.  She wrote short things for magazines for money.  What made her work popular, at least in part, was because writing about a subculture of America that people found interesting.  Although she was living in St. Louis, her stories were set in Louisiana amongst the Creole people- and people loved it.  This movement in American literature where authors focus on a specific region or people group  has been called “Local Color”, and her ability to showcase the local color of the Creole people led her to success.        Subcultures are so fascinating to me and I'm always amazed at how many different subcultures there are- and I'm not talking about just ethnically. There are endless subcultures on this earth, and most of the time we don't even know what we're looking at.    Oh, for sure.  I think of guitar players as their own subculture- they speak their own language, have their own passions, I wouldn't be surprised if they have their own foods.     HA!  Do I sense a bit of mockery?  But you are right, we do have a little bit of a subculture, but if you think guitarists are a subculture, what do you think of my cousin Sherry who is neck deep into Harley Davidson culture and goes to Sturgis, South Dakota every year.     True, and there are hundreds of thousands of people who participate in that subculture all over the world   And of course, we're talking about hobbies which are not the same as actual ethnic subcultures in any location, understanding and just seeing behind the fence of someone else' experience is the fun.  The idea of living life vicariously through the stories, so to speak, of people who are so radically differently is one of the things I most love about reading.  In the real sense of the term “local color” though, this was an actual movement after the Civil War.  Authors were using settings from different parts of the country and it made the writing feel romantic for people unfamiliar with the setting while actually being fundamentally realistic- I know that's a paradox, but if you think about it it makes sense.  They were works that could only be written from inside the culture by someone who was a part of it- that's what made them realistic.   Chopin was considered a local color author because she was Creole writing about the world of Louisiana Creoles.      Well, apparently it was well received.  She got stories printed first in regional publications but then in national publications.  “The Story of an Hour” which was the only story I had ever read of hers, and I didn't know this, was published in Vogue in 1894.      Very impressive, Houghton Mifflin, the publisher that to this day publishes quite a bit of high school literature textbooks actually published a collection of her stories, titled it Bayou Folk.  So, just in the title, you can tell they are playing up her Louisiana connection.  And that book was a success.  Chopin, who kept notes on how well all of her works were doing, wrote that she had seen 100 press notices about the book.  It was written up in both The Atlantic and the New York Times.  People loved how she used local dialects. They found the stories and I quote “charning and pleasant.”  She was even asked to write an essay on writing for the literary journal Critic- which I found really insightful.     Well, of course, all of these things sound like a woman bound for monetary and critical success- stardom of her day.       And so her trajectory kept ascending.  She was published in the Saturday Evening Post.  Of course that was a big deal.  Everything was moving in the right direction….until.. The Awakening.  The Awakening was too much and she crashed immediately and hard.     You know, when I read these reviews from 1899, it's so interesting how strongly they reacted.  Let me read a few, her local paper, The St Louis Daily Globe-Democrat wrote this, “It is not a healthy book….if it points any particular moral or teaches any lesson the fact is not apparent.” The Chicago Times Herald wrote, “It was not necessary for a writer of so great refinement and poetic grace to enter the over-worked field of sex-fiction.  This is not a pleasant story.”  Here's another one, “its disagreeable glimpses of sensuality are repellent.”      She was not prepared for this.  She did not expect it.  She was expecting people to see it as the American version of some of the things she had been reading in French that had been published in France.  Her treatment of sexuality is what really got her, and maybe if her protagonist had been male she could have gotten away with it.  Actually, I'm pretty sure, she would have gotten away with it, there are other authors who did.  But discussing how women felt about sexuality- and let me say- in case you haven't read the book- this is not a harlequin romance.  She doesn't talk about hot steamy passion in descriptive tones.  She is very polished and shows deference to the WAY things were expressed in her day.  The problem was not in how she was treating sexual content- the problem was that she WAS discussing how women felt about sexuality and this just was too realistic.  People weren't and maybe we still aren't, ready to be vulnerable about how we feel about intimacy.      You know, I tell students all the time that in American politics, sexual issues have always been used as a wedge issue to define people's position as good or bad people.  That has not changed in the American political scene in 200 years and is something our European and Asian friends have mocked us about for just as long.  We are a people committed to moralizing, even to this day.  For a long time, it was cloaked in religion, but now, hyperbolic moralizing, although not done in the name of a faith is still a favorite American pastime.      Well, honestly, I guess that's also been true for the arts as well.  But honestly, greatr art is never moralizing.  And Chopin knew that.  Furthermore, if anyone had read that essay Chopin printed about her writing that I referenced, they would have seen that Chopin, by design, does NOT moralize in hers.  She does not condemn or judge.  She has no interest in telling us how we should or shouldn't behave.  She sees the role of the artist, and clearly stated as much,  and the role of fiction as in demonstrating how we genuinely ARE as human beings.  It is a role of showcasing the human experience.  It is meant to help us understand ourselves.  What she does in her writing by using a culture that is unfamiliar to us, is allow us a safer space from which we can pull back the veil that IS our experience, so we can see ourselves.  Let me quote her from that essay and here she's talking about the Creole people of Louisiana,    “Among these people are to be found an earnestness in the acquirement and dissemination of book-learning, a clinging to the past and conventional standards, an almost Creolean sensitiveness to criticism and a singular ignorance of, or disregard for, the value of the highest art forms. There is a very, very big world lying not wholly in northern Indiana, nor does it lie at the antipodes, either. It is human existence in its subtle, complex, true meaning, stripped of the veil with which ethical and conventional standards have draped it.”  Well, regardless of how she wanted to come across, apparently, she struck a nerve people didn't want struck.  The Awakening unsettled America.  The book was published in April of 1899, by August critics were destroying it, and again I'll use the reviewers words,  it had been deemed “morbid and unwholesome” and was reproached on a national stage.  She was scorned publicly.  When she submitted a new short story to the Atlantic “Ti Demon” in November after the publication of The Awakening it was returned and rejected.    Her own publisher, the one who had published the controversial book decided to “shorten is list of authors”- and they dropped her.  Of course to be fair, they claimed that decision had nothing to do with the problems with the reception of The Awakening.    I'm sure that it didn't.  Chopin was obviously crushed.  She would only write seven more stories over the next five years.  In 1904 when she died of a stroke, she was basically a forgotten writer.  And likely would have remained forgotten until, ironically the French discovered the novel in 1952.  A writer by the name of Cyrille Arnavon translated it into French under the title Edna with a 22 page introduction essay called it a neglected masterpiece.  What he liked about it had nothing to do with “local color” or creole people or anything Americana.  He saw in it what we see in it today- psychological analysis.      So fascinating, this is the 1950s; this is exactly the time period psychology is shifting from Freudian interpretations of Chopin's' day into behaviorism and eventually to humanistic psychology.      Why does this matter?    With Freud everything is secret and we're ruled by unseen forces we don't understand without psychoanalysis.  Chopin's book came out when this was how we were looking at the world.  After him came Skinner's behaviorism which said everything can be reduced to rewards and punishments.   Humanistic psychology is this third way of looking at things.  It's extremely empathetic.  Names like Karl Rogers were looking at life with the idea that it's just plain difficult to be a human, and we need to understand this complexity.  They would like books that are not all black/white thinking or moralistic.  This is what's crazy to me about Chopin.  She wrote in the days of Freud, but she was so far ahead of her time psychologically; nobody would get her for another 60 years- literally two entire movements later in the field of psychology.      Well, when they did get her, they really got her.  In 1969 a Norwegian critic Per Seyersted brought her out into the open in a big way.  This is what he said, “ Chopin, and I quote “broke new ground in American literature. She was the first woman writer in her country to accept passion as a legitimate subject for serious, outspoken fiction. Revolting against tradition and authority; with a daring which we can hardy fathom today; with an uncompromising honesty and no trace of sensationalism, she undertook to give the unsparing truth about woman's submerged life. She was something of a pioneer in the amoral treatment of sexuality, of divorce, and of woman's urge for an existential authenticity. She is in many respects a modern writer, particularly in her awareness of the complexities of truth and the complications of freedom.”    Finally people were understanding what she was trying to do.  That's exactly what she wanted to show- the complexity of being human.  Here's another Chopin quote whole talking about the role of a writer, “Thou shalt not preach; “thou shalt not instruct thy neighbor”.  Or as her great- grandmother Carleville, who was extremely influencial in her life, used to tell her, Kate's grandmother who raised her was known for saying this “One may know a great deal about people without judging them.  God does that.”    Well, she was immediately resurrected.  Today she is considered one of America's premiere writers.    Well, it also didn't hurt her reputation that she was being discovered in Europe at the exact same time, the women's movement was taking off in the United States and finding an unsung feminist writer was very popular.     Yeah, I thought she WAS a feminist writer, but you don't see her as that.    I really don't, and that's not to say there isn't any feminism in the book, because obviously, it's about life as a woman at the turn of the century.  Virginia Wolfe famouslty argued in her essay A Room of One's Own that no one knew what women were thinking and feeling in the 17th century because they weren't writing.  Well, you can't say that about Chopin.  She was absolutely writing about what women were thinking and feeling, it just took 60 years for the world to allow her to share it.        If we want to talk the particulars about The Awakening, which of course we do, we have a female protagonist.  I'm not going to call her a hero because I don't find anything heroic about her.  But it's very very honest characterization of what women feel, and honestly, perhaps it's what a lot of people feel- both men and women when they live, as we all do, within cultures of high expectations.      Isn't writing about standing up to cultural norms and societal expectations kind of cliché?  I'm surprised you find it interesting in this situation.     Well, it for sure can be.  It's what a lot of teenage angst poetry is about.  But Chopin's book is a lot more complex than just a denouncement on social expectations of women's roles.  In some ways, that's just the setting.  This particular woman, Edna, is for sure, unhappyily objectified by a husband.  That part is obvious.  But, Chopin isn't necessarily moralizing against this or anything else.  In the opening encounter between husband and wife, we see the wife being objectified, but we also see that they have worked out some deal.  She has a very privileged life.  It's not a life between two people who have emotional intimacy, for sure.  These two clearly don't.  Edna asks if her husband plans on showing up for dinner.  He basically sayd, I don't know- I may; I may not.  It doesn't appear Edna could care less one way or another and Chopin isn't condemning them; she is observing.  This are the deals people are working out in the world.  She makes other observations in regard to Edna and her relationship with her children.  She loves her children; sort of; but it's certainly not the motherly and passionate devotion most mothers feel towards their kids.  It's definitely not the self-denying ideal, we see expressed through a different character in the book.  Again, Chopin is not endorsing nor condemning.  She's observing.  There's no doubt, Chopin herself was progressive.  She was raised in a house of dominant women.  She herself was a head of household.  She was educated.  She made money, but she had healthy relationships with the men in her life.  She is not a man-hater, that I can tell.  She never remarried but there is reason to believe she had at least one  other significant male relationship after her husband's death.  So, portraying her as a woman who influenced feminism in any kind of deliberate way, I don't think is something that she intended, nor was it something that happened.  She was cancelled.    I understand that, it's just interesting that today, we think of her first and foremost as a feminist writer in large part because she had sexual content in her books.  Although, as I think about the progressive women in the 1890s, what we know about them from history is that most were not really be fans of indiscriminate sex.     Oh my, we're getting edgy here, but I have to ask.  Why do you say that?    You have to understand this is before birth control.  Sexual relationships for women meant running the very real risk of generating children which was often a life-risking ordeal.  Kate herself had gone through that seven times in twelve years.  Women were spending half of their lives pregnant.  Many progressive women in this time period were not fighting for the freedom to have sex, they were fighting for the right to NOT have it.  They wanted the right to say no.  The goal of Self ownership was central to nineteenth century feminism.  Woman's rights were about possessing a fully realized human identity.  We think of this today in terms of sexual freedom but that's the arrogance of the presence kicking in.  Obviously human sexuality is a core part of the human experience and that's likely why it's central to Chopin's story, but there are other aspects of person hood.  Women, especially educated ones, were interested in navigating a sense of place in the community and the universe at large- and that involves all kinds of things- hard things like love, connections, maternity.    Exactly, and that's why Edna is so complicated.  Being a human is difficult.   Navigating  “the woman's sphere”, to use the expression of  the notable Chopin scholar Sandra Gilbert is complicated.  And so, we all find ourselves, one way or another in cages- some of our own making, some of the makings of our community, our religion, our culture, our own personalities- whatever it is.  And that is the opening of our story.  The Awakening starts with a woman in a cage.  This is not to say that men do not experience cages or awakenigs- they absolutely do, but Chopin is a woman and will speak from inside the world of women.  She will drop a woman named Edna, a middle child Presbyterian English speaking girl from Kentucky, into a French speaking Catholic world of elite Creole women.  Edna is flawed, but not awful.  She's flawed in the sense that we are all flawed.  This woman acts out- in the way that many of us have acted out- often as children, but for some of us, we don't experience this desire for agency until later in life.  For Edna it comes at the age of 26 and when it does- she will scandalize her world the way acting out always does.  She finds herself in a cage and decides she wants out...but then what…where do you go from there.  Let's read how Chopin sets this up in the first paragraph of her story.    A green and yellow parrot, which hung in a cage outside the door, kept repeating over and over:  “Allez vous-en! Allez vous-en! Sapristi! That's all right!”  He could speak a little Spanish, and also a language which nobody understood, unless it was the mocking-bird that hung on the other side of the door, whistling his fluty notes out upon the breeze with maddening persistence.  Mr. Pontellier, unable to read his newspaper with any degree of comfort, arose with an expression and an exclamation of disgust.  He walked down the gallery and across the narrow “bridges” which connected the Lebrun cottages one with the other. He had been seated before the door of the main house. The parrot and the mocking-bird were the property of Madame Lebrun, and they had the right to make all the noise they wished. Mr. Pontellier had the privilege of quitting their society when they ceased to be entertaining.    Christy, does she give the entire story away in the beginning?    She's doing something.  She opens with a bird- a parrot. We will talk more about this later, but birds are a big deal in this book.  But why a parrot- what do parrots do- well they imitate.  They talk.  This parrot is in a cage repeating something an English reader may not understand.      What does that phrase mean?    It means Go away! Go away!  For God's sake!  The bird is telling everyone to go away, and Mr. Pontellier pretty much ignores the bird and does actually go away.  The bird speaks a little Spanish but also a language no one else understands.  There's a lot of intentionality here.  This book begins with a bird in a cage and the book ends with a bird, but I won't tell you how we find that bird yet.       These 19th century writers were always using symbols on purpose.       They really do.  And if this one is our protagonist- what we can see is that she's beautiful, she's in a cage, and although she can talk, she cannot articulate something that can be heard properly or understood.      And so that is our starting point.    I think it is.  Next episode, we will join Edna and explore this beautiful place, Grand Isle- the site, and if the title of the book hasn't given it away yet, I will, of her Awakening.  We will watch Edna awaken- but then, we know from our visit with Camus…that is only step one.  Now what.    Indeed…now what.  Well, thank you for spending time with us today.  We hope you have enjoyed meeting Kate Chopin and jumping into the first paragraph of her lost but rediscovered American masterpiece, The Awakening.  And if you did, please support us by sharing this episode with a firend, either by text, by twitter, Instagram or email.  That's how we grow.  Also, if you have a favorite book, you'd like us to discuss, you are always invited to connect with us, again via all the ways Modern world people do.    Peace out!                 

With my moms passing yesterday I will be playing a rewind from episode 820. One of my favorite witnesses. SC EP:820 I Thought I Shot A Man Spoke to the eyewitness and he said “In 1981 I was in North Louisiana and I came across this creature. He came from around a tree that was about 6 feet from me and we stared at each other. I wasn't sure what it was but I could tell by his facial expressions he was mad and working himself up to attack me. I shot it and I know it was a lung shot. I could describe every detail about him. This has weighed on me for the last 40 years, I have only told one person about it. It bothers me that I shot but from the way it was acting I thought it was him or me.”