Podcasts about Ruston

 687. Part 2 of our interview with Joel Sharpton. Joel talks to us about Louisiana politics in 2026. Joel is a Ruston-based audio professional and progressive grassroots organizer who seamlessly blends media production with political advocacy. As the founder of Pro Podcasting Services and an expert in mobile workflows, Sharpton brings over a decade of podcasting experience to his community-focused media projects. He utilizes this production expertise to host and produce "We Are Louisiana Indivisible," a political podcast dedicated to amplifying the voices of regional activists and interviewing progressive candidates for state and local office. Working alongside organizations like Indivisible North Louisiana, Sharpton is actively engaged in grassroots organizing, voter mobilization, and hosting local civic rallies to push for democratic change across the state. 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. Sidonie de la Houssaye. “Alix de Morainville.”     But one day — God knows how it happened — a child of the village all at once entered the chamber where I was and knew me.     “Madame Alix!” he cried, took to his heels and went down the terrace pell-mell (quatre à quatre) to give the alarm. Ten minutes later Matthieu came at a full run and covered with sweat, to tell us that all the village was in commotion and that those people to whom I had always been so good were about to come and arrest me, to deliver me to the executioners. I ran to Joseph, beside myself with affright.     “Save me, Joseph! save me!”     “I will use all my efforts for that, Mme. la Viscomtesse.” At that moment Jerome appeared. He came to say that a representative of the people was at hand and that I was lost beyond a doubt.     “Not yet,” responded Joseph. “I have foreseen this and have prepared everything to save you, Mme. la Viscomtesse, if you will but let me make myself well understood.”     “Oh, all, all! Do thou understand, Joseph, I will do everything thou desirest.”     “Then,” he said, regarding me fixedly and halting at each word — “then it is necessary that you consent to take Joseph Carpentier for your spouse.”     I thought I had [been] misunderstood and drew back haughtily.     “My son!” cried mother Catharine.     “Oh, you see,” replied Joseph, “my mother herself accuses me, and you — you, madame, have no greater confidence in me. But that is nothing; I must save you at any price. We will go from here together; we will descend to the village; we will present ourselves at the mayoralty — ”     In spite of myself I made a gesture.     “Let me speak, madame,” he said. “We have not a moment to lose. Yes, we will present ourselves at the mayoralty, and there I will espouse you, not as Claudine Leroy, but as Alix de Morainville. Once my wife you have nothing to fear. Having become one of the people, the people will protect you. After the ceremony, madame, I will hand you the certificate of our marriage, and you will tear it up the moment we shall have touched the soil of England. Keep it precious till then; it is your only safeguard. Nothing prevents me from going to England to find employment, and necessarily my wife will go with me. Are you ready, madame?”     For my only response I put my hand in his; I was too deeply moved to speak. Mother Catharine threw both her arms about her son's neck and cried, “My noble child!” and we issued from the cottage guarded by Guillaume and his three other sons, armed to the teeth.     When the mayor heard the names and surnames of the wedding pair he turned to Joseph, saying:     “You are not lowering yourself, my boy.”     At the door of the mayoralty we found ourselves face to face with an immense crowd. I trembled violently and pressed against Joseph. He, never losing his presence of mind (sans perdre la carte), turned, saying:     “Allow me, my friends, to present to you my wife. The Viscomtesse de Morainville no longer exists; hurrah for the Citoyenne Carpentier.” And the hurrahs and cries of triumph were enough to deafen one. Those who the moment before were ready to tear me into pieces now wanted to carry me in triumph. Arrived at the house, Joseph handed me our act of marriage. This week in Louisiana history. June 17, 1795. First bishop of New Orleans, Don Luis Cardenas, arrives in Louisiana. This week in New Orleans history. July 17, 1905: The last major yellow fever epidemic in the United States began in New Orleans, leading to a massive citywide campaign to eradicate mosquitoes. This week in Louisiana. Marshland Festival July 24'25 Lake Charles Event Center, 900 Lakeshore Dr. Lake Charles, LA 70601 Website: visitlakecharles.org The Marshland Festival returns to the Lake Charles Event Center for a two‑day celebration of Southwest Louisiana music, food, and culture. Founded over 30 years ago in Hackberry, the festival has grown into a major regional event featuring local artists, national touring acts, and a full indoor, air‑conditioned vendor hall: Live Music: A lineup of Southwest Louisiana performers alongside select national acts, continuing the festival's long tradition of supporting local musicians. Food Booths: Dozens of vendors serving regional favorites, from seafood dishes to festival classics. Arts & Crafts: Shopping from local artisans and makers throughout the Event Center. Indoor Venue: The entire festival takes place inside the Lake Charles Event Center, offering a comfortable, climate‑controlled experience. 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. 

In many schools today, students hesitate to give class presentations. Not because of stage fright, but because they're afraid of being secretly recorded and mocked on social media. Principals across the country are spending their time managing the aftermath of incidents sparked by viral trends like "Ship or Dip" posts. Physical altercations between students are often filmed by bystanders and shared online, amplifying the harm. In this episode, Dr. Ruston visits a middle school in Washington State and sits down with Principal Zach to explore what happened when phones were allowed on campus and how things changed dramatically once new policies were put in place. Zach shares the powerful transformation his school has experienced, and how restorative practices are helping students learn healthier ways to resolve conflict. This episode is intended for both adult and teen audiences.   Featured Expert Zach - Middle School Principal   Additional Links Awayfortheday.org Anti-Bullying Campaigns Cyberbullying: How does your child define it? Truths And Myths About Cyberbullying   Time Code 00:00 Introduction and Personal Story 00:27 The Impact of Smartphones in Schools 01:11 Real-Life Examples of Digital Cruelty 03:44 School Policies to Combat Phone-Related Issues 04:02 Principal Zach's Experience and Insights 07:10 The Culture Shift and Restorative Practices 13:02 Student Rights and Reporting System 16:07 Understanding Multiple Perspectives 16:52 Building Empathy and Conflict Resolution 19:15 Restorative Circles and Safe Spaces 21:10 The Role of Social Media in Conflict 23:26 Addressing Inappropriate Behavior 24:02 Conclusion and Resources

686. Part 1 of our interview with Joel Sharpton. Joel talks to us about Louisiana politics in 2026. Joel is a Ruston-based audio professional and progressive grassroots organizer who seamlessly blends media production with political advocacy. As the founder of Pro Podcasting Services and an expert in mobile workflows, Sharpton brings over a decade of podcasting experience to his community-focused media projects. He utilizes this production expertise to host and produce "We Are Louisiana Indivisible," a political podcast dedicated to amplifying the voices of regional activists and interviewing progressive candidates for state and local office. Working alongside organizations like Indivisible North Louisiana, Sharpton is actively engaged in grassroots organizing, voter mobilization, and hosting local civic rallies to push for democratic change across the state. 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. "The Elephant and the Whale." Alcee Fortier.     Compair Lapin went to get a very long and strong rope, then he got his drum and hid it in the grass. He took one end of the rope, and went to the elephant: “Mister, you who are so good and so strong. I wish you would render me a service; you would relieve me of a great trouble and prevent me from losing my money.”     The elephant was glad to hear such a fine compliment, and he said: “Compair, I shall do for you everything you want. I am always ready to help my friends.”     “Well,” said Lapin, “I have a cow which is stuck in the mud on the coast; you know that I am not strong enough to pull her out; I come for you to help me. Take this rope in your trunk. I shall tie it to the cow, and when you hear me beat the drum, pull hard on the rope. I tell you that because the cow is stuck deep in the mud.”     “That is all right,” said the elephant. “I guarantee you I shall pull the cow out, or the rope will break.”     Compair Lapin took the other end of the rope and ran towards the sea. He paid a pretty compliment to the whale, and asked her to render him the same service about the cow, which was stuck in a bayou in the woods. Compair Lapin's mouth was so honeyed that no one could refuse him anything. The whale took hold of the rope and said: “When I shall hear the drum beat I shall pull.”     “Yes,” said Lapin, “begin pulling gently, and then more and more.”     “You need not be afraid,” said the whale; “I shall pull out the cow, even if djabe were holding her.”     “That is good,” said Lapin; “we are going to laugh.” And he beat his drum.     The elephant began to pull so hard that the rope was like a bar of iron. The whale, on her side, was pulling and pulling, and yet she was coming nearer to the land, as she was not so well situated to pull as the elephant. When she saw that she was mounting on land, she beat her tail furiously and plunged headlong into the sea. The shock was so great that the elephant was dragged to the sea. “What, said he, what is the matter? that cow must be wonderfully strong to drag me so. Let me kneel with my front feet in the mud.” Then he twisted the rope round his trunk in such a manner that he pulled the whale again to the shore. He was very much astonished to see his friend the whale. “What is the matter,” said he. “I thought it was Compair Lapin's cow I was pulling.”     “Lapin told me the same thing. I believe he is making fun of us.”     “He must pay for that,” said the elephant. “I forbid him to eat a blade of grass on land because he laughed at us.”     “And I will not allow him to drink a drop of water in the sea. We must watch for him, and the first one that sees him must not miss him.”     Compair Lapin said to Bouki: “It is growing hot for us; it is time to leave.”     “You see,” said Bouki, “you are always bringing us into trouble.” This week in Louisiana history. July 10, 1941. Legendary jazz pianist and composer Jelly Roll Morton (born in New Orleans) died in Los Angeles. His musical innovations accelerated the development of jazz. This week in New Orleans history. July 10, 1927: Tom Benson, the future owner of the Saints and Pelicans, was born in New Orleans, later becoming one of the city's most prominent philanthropists This week in Louisiana. very Island ' Jungle Gardens & TABASCO' Factory Tour Daily Tours (year‑round) Avery Island, LA 70513 Websites: tabasco.com, junglegardens.org Avery Island offers two of Louisiana's most iconic attractions: the TABASCO' Brand Factory Tour, where McIlhenny Company has made its world‑famous pepper sauce for over 150 years, and Jungle Gardens, a 170‑acre botanical preserve filled with ancient oaks, wildlife, and historic structures. A single ticket grants access to both experiences: TABASCO Factory Tour: A self‑guided walk through the museum, pepper greenhouse, barrel warehouse, salt‑mine diorama, and the bottling line, with admission priced at $15.50 for adults, $12.50 for children, and 10% off for seniors/veterans. Jungle Gardens: A scenic drive‑through and walk‑through garden featuring live oaks, bamboo groves, wildlife viewing, and the historic Buddha statue. Joint admission with the TABASCO' tour is $15.50 for adults and $12.50 for children. Visitor Experience: The combined ticket includes access to the museum, greenhouse, conservation exhibits, Country Store, Restaurant 1868, and the full 170‑acre garden system. Postcards from Louisiana. Doreen.  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. 

Grant Chachere, an analyst for Tigerbait.com, joined Sports Talk. Chachere broke down LSU's latest recruiting addition: four-star Ruston safety Jayden Anding. Chachere also reviewed the question marks on LSU's 2026 roster.

Grant Chachere, an analyst for Tigerbait.com, joined Sports Talk. Chachere broke down LSU's latest recruiting addition: four-star Ruston safety Jayden Anding. Chachere also reviewed the question marks on LSU's 2026 roster.

Originally published Jan 2024 In this episode of The Screenagers Podcast, Dr. Delaney Ruston explores the complex issue of weed use among teenagers in today's digital world. The discussion delves into how cannabis is portrayed and often glamorized on social media and the potential risks this poses to young people, including addiction and mental health concerns.  The episode also sheds light on the cannabis industry's lack of stringent regulation and the dangers of high THC products. Importantly, Dr. Ruston offers practical strategies for parents to engage in effective and meaningful conversations with their teens about cannabis use.   Research References: Potency levels of regulated cannabis products in Michigan 2021–2022  (Journal of Forensic Sciences)  Recent rapid decrease in adolescents' perception that marijuana is harmful, but no concurrent increase in use  (Drug and Alcohol Dependence) Acute Mental Health Symptoms in Adolescent Marijuana Users (JAMA Pediatrics)   Featured Experts: Sharon Levy, MD Pam Ling, MD   Additional Links: Recovery support in general  Marajuana anonymous   Timecode: 00:04 Introduction to the Podcast 00:38 Teenagers' Perspective on Cannabis and Social Media 01:53 The Intersection of Cannabis Use and Screen Time 02:28 Medical Misconceptions about Cannabis 03:59 Personal Stories of Cannabis Use and Mental Health 04:19 The Risks of Cannabis Use for Mental Health 05:47 The Reality of Cannabis Addiction 09:26 The Impact of High THC Concentration in Cannabis 11:28 The Role of Vaping in Cannabis Use 12:33 The Need for Regulation in the Cannabis Industry 16:11 Strategies for Talking to Teens about Cannabis 18:52 Seeking Help for Cannabis Addiction 21:19 Personal Strategies for Decreasing Cannabis Use 22:27 Conclusion and Acknowledgements  

Down for most of the game, the Dunkin' Dogs flipped the script in the second half to force overtime and score a 70-68 victory over Delaware in their first-ever visit to Ruston. Freshman Jaylen Fenner tied his career-high with 15 points (all in the second half) while also tying his career-high for made three-pointers with three. He played a career-high 32 minutes.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With apologies for long absence, Alan Gray and Thordis return for more planty joy - with some 'Show and Tell' of what's looking great at East Ruston Old Vicarage at the moment!PLANT LISTRosa 'Climbing Pompon de Paris'Rosa 'Guy de Savoy'Rosa 'La Rose de Petit Prince'Rosa 'American Pillar'Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'Clematis 'Tie Dye'Fuchsia arborescensFuchsia procumbensPlumbago auriculataZantedeschia 'Kiwi Blush'Phygelius capensisKniphofia rufaPunica granatum 'Flore Plena'Salvia 'Tropicolor Sunrise'Salvia 'Amistad'Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue'Abelia chinensisErigeron annuusTagetes 'Cinnabar' (Dixter Strain)Laurus nobilis 'Aurea'Tradescantia 'Maiden's Blush'Dianthus 'Chomley Farran'Lathyrus odoratus 'Henry Eckford'Echium vulgareDianthus carthusianorumLonicera etrusca 'Michael Rosse'

On today's episode, we discuss Sarah's wedding weekend—from the Godfather-themed father‑daughter dance to a last‑minute ring mix‑up that required borrowing Jim's wedding band—before shifting into news and politics. The crew then breaks down Donald Trump's flag‑day birthday bash on the National Mall, highlighting the flyovers, bald eagle, and UFC fights, and using it as a springboard to talk about his new Iran deal, which reportedly requires Iran to destroy or surrender enriched uranium, open the Strait of Hormuz without charging tolls, and stop funding groups like Hezbollah in exchange for economic development and oil exports. They connect falling oil futures and gas prices to this agreement and explore how cheaper energy could ripple into food costs, especially beef, while also noting the competition from energy‑hungry AI data centers. From there, the conversation turns to Elon Musk's expanding empire—Tesla's Full Self‑Driving quirks and improvements, chip manufacturing plans to rival TSMC, SpaceX's IPO windfall for employees, and the quiet rollout of Optimus robots—as well as a candid comparison of AI tools like Grok, Perplexity, and Claude. The episode wraps up with quick hits on local issues like Ruston's “red district” street‑party problems, concerns about hawks eyeing neighborhood cats, major airline crashes, the expiration of Patriot Act Section 702, and rumors of new executive orders to tighten mail‑in ballot tracking via USPS barcode technology. Don't miss it!

United States v. Richard Ruston

Director of Alumni Engagement Leslie Brister Carpenter is proud to have a Louisiana Tech heart. Born and raised in Ruston, she's made a career out of serving the campus and the community and letting her love for the University radiate through all she does. From her time as a student recruiter in college to jobs working with admissions and LA Tech Football, she's worked hard to personify the phrase "Ever Loyal Be" and spends this episode explaining why. Your Tech, Your Town 2026: latechalumni.org Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/ Email: 1894@latech.edu

The subject of this sermon is the justified sinner's THOUGHTS of Christ. It was preached at Grace Baptist of Ruston

On today's episode, we discuss everything from haunted houses and immigration law to sewage mysteries in New York, all with Madeline in the legal hot seat and the regular crew chiming in. The show opens with a deep dive into Stambovski v. Ackley, the famous “haunted house” case, using it to explain the difference between legal defects, caveat emptor, and equitable remedies like rescission when a buyer discovers the home's ghostly reputation only after signing. From there, the conversation shifts to a bizarre asylum story about an illegal immigrant from a Muslim country claiming to be gay, raising tough questions about how persecution-based claims are proved, sham marriages for citizenship, and the line between genuine protected classes and convenient identities. In the middle segment, they lighten things up with a long riff on coffee culture and local shops, then pivot to Tina Peters' commuted sentence, housing bubbles in Tampa and Ruston, college baseball taunting, and Pizza Hut's planned return to its 1980s sit‑down restaurant model after a franchisee's retro experiment reportedly doubled sales. The episode closes with a series of rapid‑fire news hits: a suspicious group of men entering and exiting a New York manhole at night, speculation about what could be done to a city via its sewers, questions about trillions in government asset forfeitures and undervalued Fort Knox gold, and cautious optimism about a promising new pill in human trials for pancreatic cancer. Don't miss it!

In today's episode, Dr. Ruston interviews tech journalist Manoush Zomorodi about her book Body Electric and a movement to normalize periodic movement breaks from screens. Zomorodi talks about research that shows five minutes of gentle movement every 30 minutes can significantly improve glucose, blood pressure, focus, mood, and energy, and explains a large self-reported project with 20,000 participants testing breaks every 30 minutes, hour, or two hours. They discuss why standing desks aren't enough, how movement supports circulation and cognition, practical habit strategies, and parenting approaches to help motivate kids to move, such as framing movement as something kids "get to" do.   Expert: Manoush Zomorodi   Book: Body Electric: The Hidden Health Costs of the Digital Age and New Science to Reclaim Your Well-Being, by Manoush Zomorodi   Research References: Breaking Up Prolonged Sitting to Improve Cardiometabolic Risk: Dose-Response Analysis of a Randomized Crossover Trial, Keith Diaz, PhD et al.   Resources: Screenagers Website Bring Screenagers to Your Community   Time Code:  00:00 Show Updates 00:28 Meet Manoush 02:40 Why Screens Exhaust Us 04:13 Five Minute Fix 06:49 Testing Movement Breaks 08:24 Citizen Science Approach 11:56 Lab Results Surprise 15:28 Standing Desk Myth 18:04 Making Breaks Stick 20:46 Listening to Your Body 21:30 Movement Mindset Shift 22:22 Screenagers Films Break 23:13 Parenting Without Shame 24:42 The Pandemic Questionnaire 26:35 Did You Get to Move 27:24 Airport Workouts Legacy 28:08 Tracking Steps Without Pressure 30:21 Be the Weirdo at Work 32:17 Movement Experiments With Kids 33:04 Part Two Tease and Resources 33:50 Where to Find Manoush 34:44 Podcast Wrap and Credits

Stephen Featherston lives the 'SID' life. And while the sports information director role has evolved, so has Featherston. In addition to football at Tech, Featherston also oversees strategic communications for softball & bowling, Featherston describes the differences in each sport, how he continues to elevate his craft and impact while wearing a variety of different hats, and too the path that's led him to Ruston.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sermon from Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana Speaker: Rev. Doug de Graffenried — If you're new or listening for the first time, we'd love to connect: http://bit.ly/392sC6a Learn more about Trinity: http://trinityruston.org 

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.

New Bulldogs Soccer Head Coach Matt Lodge details the early transition in Ruston as he and his staff build a winning formula in Ruston.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sermon from Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana Speaker: Rev. Doug de Graffenried — If you're new or listening for the first time, we'd love to connect: http://bit.ly/392sC6a Learn more about Trinity: http://trinityruston.org 

Sermon from Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana Speaker: Rev. Doug de Graffenried — If you're new or listening for the first time, we'd love to connect: http://bit.ly/392sC6a Learn more about Trinity: http://trinityruston.org 

Mike and Charlie interviewed LSU sports reporter Zack Nagy and Sean Fox, the Sports Director of Sports Talk 97.7. Nagy broke down LSU football's latest recruiting additions: JUCO CB Lavonte Williams and Ruston five-star TE Ahmad Hudson. Fox, who covered Hudson at Ruston, evaluated the Tigers' talented addition. Mike gave his early top player in college football before the upcoming 2026 season. Lindsay Rhodes, an analyst for Sumer Sports, joined Sports Talk to discuss the Saints' offseason additions. Steve and Charlie spoke to Oleh Kosel, a credentialed NBA reporter, about the Pelicans' head coaching search.

LSU sports reporter Zack Nagy joined Sports Talk. Nagy broke down LSU football's latest recruiting additions: JUCO CB Lavonte Williams and Ruston five-star TE Ahmad Hudson.

Mike and Charlie interviewed LSU sports reporter Zack Nagy and Sean Fox, the Sports Director of Sports Talk 97.7. Nagy broke down LSU football's latest recruiting additions: JUCO CB Lavonte Williams and Ruston five-star TE Ahmad Hudson. Fox, who covered Hudson at Ruston, evaluated the Tigers' talented addition.

LSU sports reporter Zack Nagy joined Sports Talk. Nagy broke down LSU football's latest recruiting additions: JUCO CB Lavonte Williams and Ruston five-star TE Ahmad Hudson.

Sermon from Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana Speaker: Rev. Doug de Graffenried — If you're new or listening for the first time, we'd love to connect: http://bit.ly/392sC6a Learn more about Trinity: http://trinityruston.org 

What does it really mean to be free in Christ? #trinityruston #livedeeper #reachwider Follow us online – https://www.trinityruston.org In this episode of the Going Deeper Podcast, Kyle is joined by Becky and Katie for a conversation about Romans 8, Hebrews 11, 1 John, 1 Corinthians 13, and the practical shape of the Christian life. Together, they talk about why God's boundaries are not meant to limit us, how faith grows even through imperfect people, why Scripture matters for everyday life, and how the light and love of Jesus shine through us when we stay connected to Him. This conversation also touches on parenting, worship, children's ministry, community, and the simple but powerful reminder that we are weak, but He is strong. Scripture discussed: Romans 8, Hebrews 11, 1 John, 1 Corinthians 13 Topics: Freedom in Christ, faith, discipleship, Scripture, parenting, worship, Christian community If this conversation encouraged you, share it with someone who may need the reminder that true freedom is found in Jesus. The Going Deeper Podcast is a ministry of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana and is designed to help people Learn and apply God's Word in everyday life. Through thoughtful conversation and biblical insight, we explore the larger story of Scripture and how it shapes our faith today. If you want to grow deeper in your understanding of the Bible and your relationship with God, this podcast is for you.  Send an email to askgoingdeeper@gmail.com. Going Deeper is a podcast ministry of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, LA, helping us L.I.V.E. by learning and applying God's Word through faithful Christian Bible study and real-life conversation.

Sermon from Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana Speakers: Avery Madden and Ella Kate Whitaker — If you're new or watching with us for the first time, we'd love to connect: http://bit.ly/392sC6a Learn more about Trinity: http://trinityruston.org

Sermon from Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana Speaker: Rev. Doug de Graffenried Scripture: Romans 8:1-8 In Romans 8, Paul reminds us that freedom in Christ is not something we achieve, but something we receive. This sermon explores the difference between legalism and grace, between transactional religion and life in the Spirit, and what it means to truly live as people who have been set free. Because of Jesus, we are no longer defined by condemnation, shame, or performance, but by the unwavering love of God. — If you're new or watching with us for the first time, we'd love to connect: http://bit.ly/392sC6a Learn more about Trinity: https://www.trinityruston.org

When your child breaks a rule or misbehaves, do you feel unsure what consequences to impose? Do you avoid discipline altogether, or worry your responses are too harsh? Dr. Ruston talks about this with Tammy Fisher Huson, PhD, a beloved school counselor, trainer of counselors, and the author of two books: Fearless Parenting and There's Always Something Going Right. Tammy provides a roadmap for addressing broken rules and digs into consequences for real scenarios. For example, when a teen spends excessive time with an AI companion through video gaming, another who secretly subscribed to Snapchat Plus on a parent's credit card, and a child who lies about homework. Huson also offers advice to parents when their kid gets into trouble at school.   Expert: Tammy Fisher Huson, PhD   Books: Fearless Parenting, Stepping Into Life's Greatest Role Using The Nurtured Heart Approach by Tammy Fisher Huson There's Always Something Going Right: Workbook for Creating Truly Great Schools by Tammy Fisher Huson and Louisa Triandis   Additional Resources: Data From 50 States: Teachers See Student Behavior as a Significant Problem, in Education Week, March 13, 2026 Screenagers Website Bring Screenagers to Your Community   Time Code: 00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup 01:53 Consequences as Privileges 03:34 Partnering With Schools 06:22 Snap Plus Credit Card Lesson 07:49 Let Teens Choose Consequences 12:52 Sponsor Break Screenagers Films 13:42 Homework Lies and Curiosity 15:41 Menu of Choices and Earning Back 19:13 AI Companions and Tough Limits 23:25 Village Support and Wrap Up 25:27 Final Thanks and Subscribe

The early church didn't start with strategy—it started with fire. #trinityruston #livedeeper #reachwider Follow us online – https://www.trinityruston.org n this episode of Going Deeper, we explore the book of Acts, the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, and the radical transformation of Paul. But more than that, we wrestle with what it means for the Church today—especially for the next generation. Are we missing something? Are we going deep enough? And what does it really look like to live out a Spirit-filled faith in a world that's constantly pulling us the other direction? Join us as we go deeper.

So much for playing a (potential) 20-game football season this year for Louisiana Tech University! Bulldogs fans can breathe a rather expensive $8 million sigh of relief after the school and Conference USA have apparently come to terms on a long-awaited exit agreement. This will allow Louisiana Tech to officially begin play in the Sunbelt Conference beginning with this fall’s college football season. The national news media enjoyed a not-that-funny field day making jokes about how Louisiana Tech might play a 20-game schedule this fall.  Conference USA and the Sunbelt Conference each released their football schedules in March which featured the Bulldogs participating in games in both conferences this fall. It started when Conference USA posted a 2026 fall football schedule on March 12 which included Louisiana Tech.  The Bulldogs have been a part of Conference USA since 2013.  However, the school gave notice to C-USA last summer that the Bulldogs intended to leave and join the geographically-closer group of schools in the Sunbelt Conference. Not to be outdone, the Sunbelt Conference released its own 2026 fall football schedule – including Louisiana Tech – the following day on March 13. A quick review of those two football schedules meant that the Bulldogs might have to play a 20-game football schedule this fall! A very creative sportswriter in Shreveport recently came up with a plan where Louisiana Tech could possibly play all 20 games this fall by utilizing a split-squad on a couple of occasions.  With 20 possible football games, the Bulldogs might be able to post the school’s first 10-win season and secure a top bowl invitation! The deal is not official – yet A few news outlets reported Tuesday that Louisiana Tech will open its wallet to pay Conference USA over $8 million to exit the league in order to join the Sunbelt Conference this fall. If you would like some history as to how this began, check out my previous posts here and here.  In recent weeks, Louisiana Tech and Conference USA have been at the negotiation table trying to settle this matter via arbitration. Neither Louisiana Tech nor Conference USA have officially announced this settlement agreement or its terms.  Many negotiated settlements include certain provisions which the two parties are required to keep confidential. We may never know the actual amount or how long Louisiana Tech has to pay it. Given the size of the reported settlement, the smiles seem more likely to be coming from Conference USA and its attorneys as many expected the final amount to be in the range of $4-5 million. What is $8 million worth to Louisiana Tech?  Plenty! The Knight Foundation college athletics database showed Louisiana Tech’s total athletics spending in 2024 was $33 million.  Football amounted to $9 million or 27% of the total. By contrast, Louisiana’s football giant LSU showed athletics spending of $221 million in 2024.  Football expenditures were $60 million of the total. To my surprise, football at LSU consumed the same 27% of the total athletics budget as Louisiana Tech’s. Unlike Louisiana Tech, though, LSU’s expensive athletics program has been turning a profit for decades.  The Ruston-based Bulldogs have gone into the red in several recent years. That’s why Louisiana Tech’s willingness to pay a $8 million price tag to exit Conference USA is a bit surprising. Why did Louisiana Tech agree to pay up? The school’s national reputation was on the line if a deal wasn’t consummated this spring. Conference USA’s agreement with Louisiana Tech had specific requirements which the school had to meet in order to exit the contract before its scheduled termination.  One stipulation involved Louisiana Tech giving a minimum notice (rumored to be 14 months) prior to exiting C-USA.  Another required Louisiana Tech to forfeit two years of its share of C-USA media revenues (estimated to be at least $2 million or more per year). For its part, Louisiana Tech watched as former Conference USA members Marshall, Old Dominion, and Southern Miss locked hands and broke away together to join the Sunbelt Conference in 2022. Not only did the exiting trio appear to give less prior notice than Louisiana Tech provided, the word leaked that each party had paid Conference USA about $3 million apiece in order to walk away. It’s quite possible that the leadership at Louisiana Tech expected similar treatment. One thing which most media sources have failed to consider is Conference USA’s current television/media deal with ESPN and CBS Sports Network. The new arrangement began in 2023 – one year after Marshall, Old Dominion, and Southern Miss had already walked away. The current media contract may have included a provision to reduce the annual media revenues to C-USA should any of the league’s then-current members (such as Louisiana Tech) leave the conference prior to the end of the latest media contract. Perhaps Conference USA demanded Louisiana Tech to compensate the remaining group of primary Conference USA members for several years of lost media revenues. Even at $8 million, should this be considered a good deal for Louisiana Tech? In the short term, it appears that the proverbial cart got before the horse. The $8 million price tag was a very steep price to pay for a school leaving a declining mid-major athletics conference to join a rising mid-major conference like the Sunbelt. Anyone looking to point fingers should start with Louisiana Tech’s decision makers.  Many openly expressed their desire to join the Sunbelt Conference months ahead of the official announcement last July.  Nearly everyone wanted to see the Bulldogs renew their old rivalries, save significantly on travel expenses, and retain top athlete-students. This fall’s move to the Sunbelt Conference will be a very positive moment for Louisiana Tech athletics.  The $8 million price tag must be amortized over a period of more than just a few years in order to feel better about the short-term financial pain. I have been a long-time critic of Conference USA’s rinky-dink October mid-week college football games.  Bulldogs fans cringed as their Saturday home games were moved to Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday nights during October purely for television. This was done to quench the media’s insatiable desire to show competitive football on television (and reap the advertising benefits) seven nights per week during fall’s pre-Christmas advertising blitz. Sports fans of the ULM Warhawks and Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns will be thrilled to have Louisiana Tech join their athletics conference.  Those two Sunbelt schools will see higher attendance and lower travel costs for all sporting events involving Louisiana Tech beginning this fall. The unfortunate downside of this expensive buyout is whether Louisiana Tech failed to fully understand its existing contract agreement with Conference USA. Someone at the school had to have established a value representing the worst-case scenario of the potential exit costs prior to making a deal to join the Sunbelt Conference.  A good attorney should have flagged the potential worst-case possibilities as well. It appeared that the school expected to make a reasonable exit deal ($3 million) similar to what Marshall, Old Dominion, and Southern Miss accomplished in 2022. Last July’s announcement decision by Louisiana Tech to join the Sunbelt Conference “no later than 2027” almost immediately started the clock running on legal fees. Conference USA sued Louisiana Tech in state court months later in November.  Tech countered with their own suit against C-USA in early 2026.  Recent weeks of arbitration and settlement discussions have been ringing up even more legal bills. In the end, Conference USA “won” its $8 million, but that’s about it Nothing against other long-time Conference USA members such as Western Kentucky, Florida International, and Middle Tennessee State, but Louisiana Tech carried the most recognizable national sports footprint in C-USA in recent years. Conference USA will no longer be able to claim the school whose athletics history includes Hall-of-Famers such as football’s Terry Bradshaw and Willie Roaf. The same goes for basketball Hall-of-Famers Karl Malone and women’s point guard-turned-four-time national championship coach Kim Mulkey. Conference USA’s far-flung geography was a big factor in Louisiana Tech’s decision to move to the Sunbelt.  Liberty University in Virginia and the University of Delaware are both more than 1,000 miles northeast of Ruston, Louisiana.  To the west, New Mexico State in Las Cruces is 936 miles away. By contrast, Louisiana Tech will become a member of the Sunbelt Conference Western Division. That means playing intrastate rivals UL-Monroe (35 miles east of Ruston) and UL-Lafayette (185 miles to the south).  Other Sunbelt West partners include Southern Miss in Hattiesburg (240 miles), Arkansas State in Jonesboro (300 miles), South Alabama in Mobile (340 miles) and Troy (440 miles away in southern Alabama). Louisiana Tech Bulldogs sports teams spent $5 million during 2024 on game expenses and travel as a member of Conference USA.  The school could save $1 million or more annually on reduced travel expenses as a member of the Sunbelt Conference Western Division. Louisiana Tech sports fans will now get to enjoy a Saturday, October 10 home college football visit from in-state rival UL-Lafayette. The following week will have the Bulldogs taking a short trip down I-20 to Monroe.  This much-anticipated football game against the ULM Warhawks will fill Monroe’s Malone Stadium on Saturday, October 17. Had the Bulldogs remained in Conference USA, their October football schedule would have included a Thursday night game followed by three consecutive Wednesday night contests.  The league’s annual “made-for-midweek-TV” October schedule would make any serious football program want to leave C-USA at the first opportunity. In all fairness, the move to the Sunbelt wasn’t likely worth $8 million, either. At least this year’s new Sunbelt football schedule (especially during the month of October) will be a nice down payment to build years of renewed fan interest in Louisiana Tech athletics. Go, Dogs, Go! The post Go, Dogs, Go! appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com.

On today's episode, we discuss what a healthy, biblical church actually looks like, as James, Jimmy Williams, Chris “the giant preacher” Witt, Glenn, and Mark debate the roles of pastors, teachers, evangelists, and ordinary members in making real disciples instead of passive spectators. Jimmy argues from Ephesians 4 that “pastor‑teacher” is one calling whose job is to equip believers for works of service, and he critiques churches that entertain crowds on Sunday but never actually train people to pray, study Scripture, or discover their ministry, sharing his own experience teaching welcome classes, adult Sunday school, and home groups without canned curriculum. Chris counters that pastors also must be visionary leaders, telling stories from Cabin Creek, West Virginia and decades in Ruston where bold, confrontational preaching, constant altar calls, and “big days” on holidays grew congregations and produced visible conversions, insisting that if a church isn't increasing, something is wrong in the mirror, not just the pews. Glenn brings in his leadership and systems lens, arguing that churches need structures of repetition and discipline—weekly worship, daily habits, and identity‑shaping practices—so believers don't become “spiritual trash compactors” who only hear truth but never do it, and Jimmy presses that if longtime deacons still “aren't comfortable praying out loud,” that's a failure of pastoral discipleship, not just personal shyness. The conversation closes with practical tests—like whether there'd be “enough evidence to convict you” of being a Christian if it became illegal, and whether you choose Christ over family, comfort, or culture—as the group agrees that every believer has a specific ministry, pastors will answer for how well they equip people to do it, and that numbers matter only if they represent growing, serving disciples, not just bigger audiences. Don't miss it!

From the Garden of Gethsemane to the empty tomb, we walk through the arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus, unpacking what these events mean for us today. #trinityruston #livedeeper #reachwider Follow us online – https://www.trinityruston.org In this episode of Going Deeper, we explore one of the most important questions in the Christian faith: Who did Jesus claim to be—and why does it matter? The Going Deeper Podcast is a ministry of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana and is designed to help people Learn and apply God's Word in everyday life. Through thoughtful conversation and biblical insight, we explore the larger story of Scripture and how it shapes our faith today. If you want to grow deeper in your understanding of the Bible and your relationship with God, this podcast is for you. Do you have questions for us? Send an email to askgoingdeeper@gmail.com. Going Deeper is a podcast ministry of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, LA, helping us L.I.V.E. by learning and applying God's Word through faithful Christian Bible study and real-life conversation.

Sermon from Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana Speaker: Rev. Doug de Graffenried Scripture: Acts 27:21-25 This message explores the difference between a transactional faith (earning “God points”) and a transformational faith that rests in grace. Because storms don't wait for permission—and they don't follow your calendar—but God is never surprised. — If you're new or watching with us for the first time, we'd love to connect: http://bit.ly/392sC6a Learn more about Trinity: http://trinityruston.org 

Sermon from Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana Speaker: Rev. Doug de Graffenried Scripture: John 20:1–10   Before the sun rises… before the disciples understand… before anyone believes—God has already moved.  In this message, we see how the resurrection begins in the dark. Through Mary's grief, Peter's failure, and the disciples' confusion, we're reminded that hope doesn't wait for clarity—it meets us right where we are. — If you're new or watching with us for the first time, we'd love to connect: http://bit.ly/392sC6a Learn more about Trinity: http://trinityruston.org

Is faith about following rules, or having a relationship with God? In this episode of the Going Deeper Podcast, Kyle, Doug, and Melanie explore the stories of Genesis and the messy family dynamics of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. The Bible doesn't hide human flaws, yet through broken people and difficult circumstances we see a faithful God working out His plan. Join us as we discuss forgiveness, surrender, and how God continues to work through imperfect people.   #trinityruston #livedeeper #reachwider   Follow us online – https://www.trinityruston.org   The Going Deeper Podcast is a ministry of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana and is designed to help people Learn and apply God's Word in everyday life. Through thoughtful conversation and biblical insight, we explore the larger story of Scripture and how it shapes our faith today. If you want to grow deeper in your understanding of the Bible and your relationship with God, this podcast is for you. Do you have questions for us? Send an email to askgoingdeeper@gmail.com. Going Deeper is a podcast ministry of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, LA, helping us L.I.V.E. by learning and applying God's Word through faithful Christian Bible study and real-life conversation.

In this episode of Going Deeper, we explore the full story of David—from the courage of Goliath to the failure with Bathsheba—and what it reveals about faith, repentance, and God's grace. #trinityruston #livedeeper #reachwider Follow us online – https://www.trinityruston.org The Going Deeper Podcast is a ministry of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana and is designed to help people Learn and apply God's Word in everyday life. Through thoughtful conversation and biblical insight, we explore the larger story of Scripture and how it shapes our faith today. If you want to grow deeper in your understanding of the Bible and your relationship with God, this podcast is for you. Do you have questions for us? Send an email to askgoingdeeper@gmail.com. Going Deeper is a podcast ministry of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, LA, helping us L.I.V.E. by learning and applying God's Word through faithful Christian Bible study and real-life conversation.

In this episode of Going Deeper, we explore what it really means to be called by God—and why that calling often feels overwhelming, uncomfortable, and even a little terrifying. #trinityruston #livedeeper #reachwider Follow us online – https://www.trinityruston.org Looking at the stories of Isaiah and Jeremiah, we see two people who didn't feel ready, qualified, or worthy… yet God called them anyway. From Isaiah's “woe is me” moment to Jeremiah's hesitation, we wrestle with the same question today:

What do you really believe about Jesus—and why does it matter? #trinityruston #livedeeper #reachwider Follow us online – https://www.trinityruston.org In this episode of Going Deeper, Kyle and Doug explore the life of Jesus through the Gospels and unpack one of the most important questions anyone can ever answer: Who do you say that Jesus is? From the unique perspectives of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to the deeply personal nature of faith, this conversation challenges the idea of secondhand belief and invites you into something real and transformative. Whether your faith has been a lifelong journey or a sudden turning point, this episode will help you reflect on what it truly means to follow Jesus. The Going Deeper Podcast is a ministry of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana and is designed to help people Learn and apply God's Word in everyday life. Through thoughtful conversation and biblical insight, we explore the larger story of Scripture and how it shapes our faith today. If you want to grow deeper in your understanding of the Bible and your relationship with God, this podcast is for you. Do you have questions for us? Send an email to askgoingdeeper@gmail.com. Going Deeper is a podcast ministry of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, LA, helping us L.I.V.E. by learning and applying God's Word through faithful Christian Bible study and real-life conversation.

Is faith about following rules, or having a relationship with God? In this episode of the Going Deeper Podcast, Kyle, Doug, and Marie talk about Moses and the Exodus and how God's plan for saving his people reveals how he wants a relationship with his people more than he wants a nation of rule followers. #trinityruston #livedeeper #reachwider Follow us online – https://www.trinityruston.org The Going Deeper Podcast is a ministry of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana and is designed to help people Learn and apply God's Word in everyday life. Through thoughtful conversation and biblical insight, we explore the larger story of Scripture and how it shapes our faith today. If you want to grow deeper in your understanding of the Bible and your relationship with God, this podcast is for you. Do you have questions for us? Send an email to askgoingdeeper@gmail.com. Going Deeper is a podcast ministry of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, LA, helping us L.I.V.E. by learning and applying God's Word through faithful Christian Bible study and real-life conversation.

Confused about ADHD or looking for effective ways to support a child or teen? Dr. Ruston is joined by Erin Schoenfelder Gonzalez, PhD, a clinical psychologist at Seattle Children's Hospital, who explains how ADHD is diagnosed and how symptoms evolve from childhood through adolescence. They explore both the strengths and challenges associated with the condition. The episode focuses on research-based strategies that parents and other adults can use to support youth, including "point-of-performance" actions, preventing "dopamine cliffs," and other approaches for managing screen time, physical activity, and sleep. Dr. Schoenfelder Gonzalez also shares her work developing FAST (First Approach Skills Training), a free, evidence-based program designed to give parents practical tools to support youth with ADHD and other conditions.   Featured Expert‍ Erin Schoenfelder Gonzalez, PhD ‍ Research References Sibley, M. et al. Non-pharmacological interventions for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Lancet Child & Adolescent Health. 2023 Sharma, A. et al. Stimulant medications affect arousal and reward, not attention networks. Cell, 2025.   Resources‍ Fast Approach Skills Training Program   ‍Additional Resources Screenagers Website Bring Screenagers to Your Community‍ ‍‍‍‍ Time Code 00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup 01:34 Meet Dr Erin Felder Gonzalez 02:37 Why ADHD Not ADD 03:33 ADHD Across Ages 08:14 Motivation and Reward Brain 09:53 Explaining ADHD Positively 11:59 ADHD and Mood Struggles 12:59 Screenagers Films Break 13:49 Parent Training Big Picture 17:10 Positive Reinforcement Skills 18:50 Family Media Plan Basics 21:59 Handling Screen Limit Pushback 24:50 Transitions and Consequences 27:10 Choosing Better Content 29:06 Physical Activity in Teens 31:26 Sleep Challenges and Tips 34:51 ADHD Brain Differences 36:54 FAST Program Resources 37:52 Community Support and Wrap 39:19 Final Thanks and Subscribe

In episode 240 of the Transition Drill Podcast explores military transition, identity, and skill translation for veterans and first responders navigating life after high-tempo service. You'll hear Tod Neal on the loss of tribe, the challenge of making military experience understandable in the civilian world, and what it takes to build a meaningful second chapter without losing yourself in the process.Tod Neal's story starts far from the life he'd eventually build. He grew up in Ruston, Louisiana, spent part of his youth in a children's home, and learned early that structure mattered. After struggling in school, finding direction, and then losing his footing again in college, he joined the Navy in 1991 looking for discipline, purpose, and a better path. What followed wasn't a straight line. He spent his first years in the Navy doing admin work, but kept pushing toward the things that pulled at him most, including diving, shooting, and jobs that demanded more of him than his official title suggested.That drive eventually led him into Navy EOD. After leaving active duty and entering the reserves, 9/11 changed everything. He was called back, went deeper into EOD, and moved from the desk into the fight. He deployed with SEAL teams, served through repeated combat rotations, and built a career around risk, precision, and protecting lives. Along the way, he saw the cost of war up close, not just in combat, but at home. He talks about the toll of multiple deployments, the strain on marriages and families, and the way years of service can quietly take time from your children that you never get back.What makes this conversation hit is that it doesn't stop at the war years. Tod gets into the harder part for a lot of veterans and first responders, figuring out who you are when the uniform comes off. He talks about The Honor Foundation, USC, learning that money and title weren't the real non-negotiables, and realizing that the people you work with matter more than the paycheck. He also gets brutally honest about transition itself. You can have technical skill, leadership, problem solving, and years of experience, but if you can't translate it, civilian employers won't see it. If you can't manage your ego, you'll make the process even harder. And if you don't build a new tribe on purpose, you can end up isolated fast.This is a grounded conversation about service, humility, transition, and learning how to carry your experience forward without expecting the next chapter to look like the last one.CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:https://transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#aboutQUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:paul@transitiondrillpodcast.comSPONSORS:GRND CollectiveGet 15% off your purchaseLink: https://thegrndcollective.com/Promo Code: TRANSITION15Blue Line RoastingGet 10% off your purchaseLink: https://bluelineroasting.comPromocode: Transition10Frontline OpticsGet 10% off your purchaseLink: https://frontlineoptics.comPromocode: Transition10

On today's episode, we discuss Glenn's still‑missing Cyberbeast, how a post‑order price cut on Cybertrucks suddenly flooded Tesla with demand, and why his promised March 16 delivery date has quietly slipped toward late April or early May. The crew teases Glenn about paying a hefty down payment without even having a VIN yet, trading jokes about whether his truck has been “born” while they keep spotting new, non‑Beast Cybertrucks cruising around Ruston. Glenn explains the differences between regular Foundation Series trucks and the fully loaded Beast—with off‑road hardware and subtle badging that's hard to spot unless you're right up on it. They also get into the quirks of stainless‑steel exteriors, why Glenn plans to wrap his truck in satin black with a protective ceramic layer, and how that kills James's dream of a raw‑steel “Back to the Future”‑style time‑machine look. A detour into music history follows, as they reminisce about Blondie, Deborah Harry, early rock‑rap crossovers, and the 80s glam and grunge acts Rush Limbaugh once roasted. Throughout, the conversation blends consumer‑law style questions about deposits and delivery promises with pop‑culture riffs, friendly ribbing, and James's pledge to adopt a Rush‑style “stack of stuff” and a stopwatch so the show actually ends on time. Don't miss it!

Sermon from Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana. Speaker: Brad Mc Kenzie Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 — If you're new or watching with us for the first time, we'd love to connect with you: http://bit.ly/392sC6a Learn more about Trinity or find ways to get involved: http://trinityruston.org

Director of On-Campus Recruiting for Louisiana Tech Football Jenna Latour is an absolute joy. She just completed her first season running point on so many different logistical facets of Bulldogs football, including rolling out the red carpet for recruits. There's so much more, though, that she's responsible for. Jenna shares her enthusiasm for her young career in a space less populated by women and how a unique networking connection landed the Tennessee native in Ruston.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What are the risks of regularly handing an upset child a screen to soothe them? How can we help younger kids handle their big emotions related to screen time rules? How can you get evidence-based answers to any screen time question, straight from the AAP? Dr. Ruston speaks with pediatricians and researchers Dr. Megan Moreno and Dr. Jenny Radesky, who helped launch and now oversee the American Academy of Pediatrics' Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health. Dr. Moreno is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and co-medical director of the center. Dr. Radesky is an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan Medical School and director of the Division of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics. Together, they share their research and insights on children, screens, and how families can get trusted guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics.   Featured Experts Megan Moreno, MD Jenny Radesky, MD   Resources The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Center of Excellence  on Social Media and Youth Mental Health The AAP's Family Media Plan Tool   ‍Additional Resources Screenagers Website Bring Screenagers to Your Community   Time Code 00:00 Meet the Experts 00:28 Megan's Early Social Media Cases 01:36 Jenny's Relational Health Lens 02:33 Screens as Regulation Research 04:50 Calm Without the iPad 08:14 AAP Family Media Plan 10:48 Problem Solving With Fast Tech 13:24 Key Rules for Teens 16:19 Content Choices for Little Kids

Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations Wyatt Olson is a hoot. Not only is he wearing nearly every different hat at various phases throughout his days in the Tech athletic department, he's finishing his doctoral research and preparing for a summer wedding. From Wisconsin, the former collegiate baseball player has laid down Ruston roots and is constantly working to maximize his professional and personal potential. Olson delivers his unique story, love for the university and community, and relentless pursuit of bettering himself each.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Going Deeper, we begin our study of the Top Ten Bible Stories by exploring Genesis 1–11. Why does the beginning matter? How do creation, chaos, and hope shape the rest of Scripture—and our own lives? Join the conversation as we look at why Genesis still matters today. #trinityruston #livedeeper #reachwider Follow us online – https://www.trinityruston.org In this episode of Going Deeper, we begin our Christian Bible study series on the Top Ten Bible Stories by examining Genesis 1–11—the creation story, the fall, the flood, and the Tower of Babel. These foundational chapters of the Book of Genesis shape the entire story of Scripture, pointing us toward God's work of bringing order out of chaos and ultimately toward Christ. At Trinity Methodist Church, our mission to L.I.V.E. begins with Learning and applying God's Word, and studying Genesis helps us understand who we are, why the world is broken, and how we faithfully respond as stewards of God's story. Whether you are new to Bible study or have read Genesis many times, this conversation invites you to see why the beginning still matters. Do you have questions for us? Send an email to askgoingdeeper@gmail.com. Going Deeper is a podcast ministry of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, LA, helping us L.I.V.E. by learning and applying God's Word through faithful Christian Bible study and real-life conversation.

Matt Miller is a 'Bulldog Man.' The 7th-year assistant and current Associate Pitching Coach details what that honor means to him and more, including his journey from Illinois to Ruston, the Louisiana Tech baseball culture, and helping to continue the build of a Bulldogs powerhouse on the diamond.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Josh Taylor continues to build a Bulldog culture on the diamond at Louisiana Tech. The shift was instant as Taylor took home the first of two Conference USA Coach of the Year honors in his inaugural 2022 campaign guiding Tech softball. And now, that championship from 4 years ago is what will help define the effort and title aspirations for this current crop of 'Dogs. A 4-0 start to the season is just the start, and there's so much balance, youth, experience, and alignment from every corner of the locker room to the field. Taylor tells his story, instilling his vision in Ruston, and why he thinks this year's team is so special.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.