PODCAST · society
Discover Lafayette
by Jan Swift
The Gateway to South Louisiana
Episodes
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J.P. MacFadyen — Moncus Park, a Place Where Community, Nature and Belonging Come Together
When J.P. MacFadyen first joined Discover Lafayette in 2022, Moncus Park was still in the early stages of becoming the extraordinary public gathering place envisioned by a group of determined Lafayette citizens nearly two decades earlier. Today, the 100-acre park in the heart of Lafayette has...
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George Marks – Director of International Trade and Cultural Development for LCG
George Marks, Director of International Trade and Cultural Development for Lafayette Consolidated Government, joined Discover Lafayette to discuss his vision for connecting Lafayette to the world by building upon one of our region’s greatest assets: our culture. George stepped into his new role…
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Olivia Regard – Attorney, Baker, Writer and Champion of the Arts
Olivia Regard, corporate counsel for Aggreko, food writer for The Advocate, baker, arts advocate, mother and enthusiastic traveler, joins Discover Lafayette to share the many chapters of a life that has been shaped by curiosity, creativity and a willingness to say “yes” to new experiences. Olivia...
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CuGino’s Hunter Moody and Gene Todaro
Discover Lafayette welcomes Hunter Moody and Gene Todaro, proprietors of CuGino, their beautiful Sicilian restaurant located at 117 South College Road in Lafayette. This episode is presented in special partnership with Eat Lafayette by Lafayette Travel, celebrating the locally owned restaurants...
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Missy Rogers – Founder and President of Noble Plastics
Discover Lafayette welcomes Missy Rogers, founder and president of Noble Plastics, an advanced manufacturing company headquartered in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. Noble Plastics is a remarkable Acadiana success story. What began in 2000 with one injection molding machine and Missy as the company’s…
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Dr. Charles Boustany – Journey to Ukraine to Witness Human Toll of War
Dr. Charles Boustany, retired cardiovascular surgeon and former six-term member of Congress representing South Louisiana from 2005 to 2017, joins Discover Lafayette to recount an extraordinary and deeply personal journey to Ukraine, where he traveled with his longtime friend and former Kentucky...
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Alyson Habetz – Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball Coach
Alyson Habetz: Coming Home to Lead Louisiana Softball with Faith, Purpose and Heart Alyson Habetz, head coach of Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball, joins Discover Lafayette to share the remarkable journey that brought her from the baseball fields of Crowley to collegiate and professional...
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Leonard Louvierre – Zea Rotisserie & Bar
For nearly 25 years, Leonard Louviere has been one of the most familiar faces in Lafayette’s restaurant community, serving as general manager and an investor in Zea Rotisserie & Bar. But Leonard’s story in hospitality began long before Zea opened its doors in Lafayette. In this episode of…
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Dr. Thomas Sammons – Dental Artistry
Dr. Thomas Sammons – Bringing Technology, Compassion and a Preventive Approach to Dentistry Dr. Thomas “Tom” Sammons of Dental Artistry joins Discover Lafayette to discuss his path into dentistry, his commitment to continuing education and advanced technology, and his philosophy that good dental...
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Justin Centanni – Lafayette Parish Tax Assessor
Lafayette Parish Tax Assessor Justin Centanni joins Discover Lafayette to explain the duties of his office, how property values are determined, and what property owners need to know about the upcoming 15-day assessment review period. Justin is Lafayette Parish’s 26th Tax Assessor, but his...
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Jessica Moroux – Acadiana Hyperbarics: Supporting the Body’s Capacity to Heal
Jessica Moroux, owner of Acadiana Hyperbarics in Lafayette, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the personal experiences that led her to the field, and her belief in giving the body the conditions it needs to heal and function at its best. A Lafayette native…
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Sylvia Turner- Known Affectionately as “Ms. T” To Generations of Swimmers
Sylvia Turner, affectionately known to generations of Lafayette families as “Ms. T,” joins Discover Lafayette to reflect upon a remarkable life of teaching, music, faith, and service to others. For more than five decades, beginning in 1972, Sylvia taught children and adults to swim in the…
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Katie Ferguson – Choosing Purpose in the Face of Life’s Most Unexpected Challenges
Discover Lafayette welcomes Katie Ferguson, whose remarkable story is one of resilience, advocacy, and choosing purpose in the face of life’s most unexpected challenges. A Lafayette native, communications professional, and passionate community advocate, Katie has lived through two extraordinary...
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Christina Olivier – Excelerant – Coaching Others to Excellence Through Time Effectiveness
Leadership isn’t about managing time. It’s about making better choices. That is the central message from Christina Olivier, co-founder and Managing Partner of Excelerant, whose thoughtful conversation on Discover Lafayette challenges many of the assumptions we make about work, productivity, and...
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Dr. Joe Abraham – Reading With Kids – Beginning in the Prenatal Period
For many of us, reading to a child feels like a cherished bedtime ritual. But what if the benefits begin long before birth? In this fascinating episode of Discover Lafayette, we visit with Dr. Joe Abraham, physician, research biologist, award-winning author, former president of the Lafayette…
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Sensai Stacey Knight Mejia – Women’s Safety Awareness Begins with Confidence
Our guest is Stacey Knight Mejia, an attorney by training but better known throughout Acadiana as “Sensei Stacey,” co-owner and chief instructor of Acadiana Karate. A ten-time national forms and weapons champion, Stacey has spent decades teaching martial arts, confidence, and practical…
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Ryan Furby – CEO of RAF Strategic Communications and Public Affairs – “It’s All About Trust”
Many people have never heard of Ryan Furby, yet they have likely experienced the impact of the work he does. After an international career with some of the world’s largest corporations, including FedEx, Philip Morris International, and Biogen, Ryan returned to Louisiana and quietly built a...
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Trent Angers: Acadian House Publishing -Preserving Louisiana’s Stories
For more than five decades, Trent Angers has dedicated his life to journalism, publishing, and preserving the stories that define Louisiana and its people. As founder, editor, and publisher of Acadian House Publishing, Trent has edited and published 126 books over a 45-year career while also...
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Harold Schoeffler — A Lifetime of Stewardship, Conservation, and Civic Engagement
Few people have shaped environmental policy and conservation efforts in Acadiana as persistently as Harold Schoeffler. Known to many as part of the family behind Schoeffler Cadillac, Harold’s legacy extends far beyond the automobile business. For more than six decades, he has been a tireless...
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Troy Broussard – Author, Where Lies the Truth
For many people across Acadiana, Allen & Gooch attorney Troy Broussard is known as a respected litigator and senior partner who has practiced law in Lafayette for more than three decades. But in this episode of Discover Lafayette, listeners meet another side of Troy: novelist, storyteller,...
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Connecting Louisiana Audiences with Cinematic Works of Artistic Excellence
Independent films and film festivals are thriving in Louisiana, and on this episode of Discover Lafayette, we welcome three passionate advocates helping shape the future of filmmaking across the state: Southern Screen Festival Founder and Executive Director Julie Bordelon; filmmaker and Director…
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Lafayette Police Chief Paul Trouard
Lafayette Police Chief Paul Trouard joins Discover Lafayette for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about nearly three decades in law enforcement, the rapid evolution of policing technology, and the realities of leading a modern police department in one of Louisiana’s fastest-growing...
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Jay Dardenne – Storytelling the Soul of Louisiana – Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi…or Any Place Else!
Few public servants in Louisiana history have worn as many hats, or told as many stories, as Jay Dardenne. Having served as State Senator, Secretary of State, Lieutenant Governor, and Commissioner of Administration under John Bel Edwards, Dardenne has spent decades shaping and promoting the…
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Lafayette Public Library System – Danny Gillane, Director
Danny Gillane, Director of the Lafayette Public Library System, joins Discover Lafayette for a timely conversation about the evolving role of our parish libraries and the tax renewal on the ballot Saturday, May 16, 2026. Gillane has served Lafayette’s library system for nearly two decades,...
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Secretary of State Nancy Landry
On this episode of Discover Lafayette, we welcome Nancy Landry, Louisiana’s 45th Secretary of State and the state’s chief elections officer. A Lafayette native and former State Representative for District 31, Landry brings both institutional knowledge and a deep personal connection to Acadiana as...
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Dr. Ramesh Kolluru – President of University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Recorded on March 19, 2026 at Vermilionville during the LFT Fiber Powered by Connectivity Summit, this episode of Discover Lafayette captures a powerful conversation about leadership, innovation, and the role of connectivity in shaping Acadiana’s future. The summit’s theme, Growth Powered by…
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Destin Ortego – Executive Director of the Opportunity Machine
Destin Ortego, Executive Director of the Opportunity Machine, known as the “OM,” joined Discover Lafayette to discuss the OM’s role as a driving force behind Lafayette’s growing tech and startup ecosystem. This special edition of Discover Lafayette was recorded at LFT Fiber’s Powered by...
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Team Gleason – 5th Annual Fin Feather Fur Food Festival Fundraiser for People Living with ALS- April 30, 2026
Today on Discover Lafayette, we welcome Dale Clark, Ursula Quoyeser, and Kelly Viator to talk about the upcoming fifth annual Fin Feather Fur Food Festival, known as F5, benefiting Team Gleason Foundation. The event will be held April 30, 2026, at Blackham Coliseum, and if you’ve ever attended…
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Whitney Savoie – FlyGuys’ Chief Marketing Officer
At the historic grounds of Vermilionville, beneath the oaks and along the bayou that so vividly reflect our region’s living history, this special episode of Discover Lafayette was recorded during the second annual LFT Fiber Powered by Connectivity Summit on March 19th, 2026. The summit’s theme,...
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2026 Books Along the Teche Literary Festival – Deb and Paul Lindsey
On this episode of Discover Lafayette, we welcome Deb and Paul Lindsay, the enthusiastic co-chairs of the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival, which celebrates its 10th anniversary April 10–12, 2026 in downtown New Iberia. Centered around the Sliman Theater, Shadows-on-the-Teche, and other...
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Maureen Dugas Foster — Celebrating 10 Years of Creativity with Designing Women of Acadiana
On this episode of Discover Lafayette, we visit with Maureen Dugas Foster, founder of Designing Women of Acadiana, a collaborative network that has spent the past decade bringing together women interested in architecture, design, creativity, and community. What began as a simple idea during a...
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LARC – Developmental Disabilities Services
For more than six decades, LARC has quietly served one of the most important missions in Acadiana—supporting individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and helping them live meaningful, independent lives. On this episode of Discover Lafayette, we sit down with Nicole Harrison,...
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Claude Martin – CEO of AcadianaCares
From a volunteer-run initiative in the 1980s to a regional continuum of care in 2026: On this episode of Discover Lafayette, we sit down with Claude Martin, CEO of AcadianaCares, to talk about what it looks like when a community builds an institution out of necessity, and then keeps rebuilding it...
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Dr. Charles Boustany – Cardioscular Surgeon, Former U. S. Congressman for 3rd Congressional District, Lifelong Learner
On this episode of Discover Lafayette, we welcome Charles Boustany, a retired cardiovascular surgeon who served as the U.S. Representative for Louisiana’s Third Congressional District from 2005 to 2017. Most recently, he earned a Master’s degree in history from the University of Louisiana at...
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Katie & Denny Culbert – Wild Child Wines
Wild Child Wines is one of those rare downtown spots that feels instantly like a neighborhood living room—warm, inviting, and full of discovery. In this episode of Discover Lafayette, we sit down with Katie and Denny Culbert, the couple behind Lafayette’s signature natural wine shop and wine bar,...
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UL – Lafayette Career Services and Internships, Preparing Students and Employers for Success
On this episode of Discover Lafayette, we sit down with two leaders deeply involved in shaping student career readiness at University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Brandi Hollier, Director of the B.I. Moody College of Business Internship Program, and Kim Billeaudeau, Director of the Office of Career...
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Stephanie Manson, President: FMOL Health | Our Lady of Lourdes
Stephanie Manson, President: FMOL Health/ Our Lady of Lourdes, joins Discover Lafayette to talk about leadership, mission-driven Catholic healthcare, and the most significant hospital expansions Lafayette has seen in years. Stephanie shares her deeply personal journey into healthcare...
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Bob Miller, CEO and Founder of IRGame, Gamification for Incident Response Training
Bob Miller, CEO and Founder of IRGame, is a technology entrepreneur with 30+ years of experience across cybersecurity and emerging technologies. He’s a pioneer in using AI-powered gamification for incident response (“IR”) training, designed specifically for busy executives who can’t spend full…
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Don Dupuis, Founder of Acadiana Computer Systems, Discusses Business Success and the Early Days of Business Computing in Acadiana
Don Dupuis is a Louisiana technology pioneer whose work quietly shaped how businesses across Acadiana and far beyond learned to operate in the early days of the digital age. Don founded Acadiana Computer Systems in 1969, at a time when most offices still relied on adding machines, paper ledgers,...
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Melissa Bonin – Lafayette Artist, Poet, Lyricist, Author
Discover Lafayette welcomes Melissa Bonin, celebrated artist, poet, lyricist, and author whose work is deeply rooted in the landscape, language, and spirit of South Louisiana. A native of New Iberia with French and Acadian ancestry, Melissa is widely recognized as one of Louisiana’s leading...
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Bee Organized Lafayette – Heather Borges
Discover Lafayette welcomes Heather Borges, owner of Bee Organized Lafayette, a professional organizing and life-transition company serving the Lafayette area. January is National Organizing Month, and this first conversation of 2026 kicks off the new year with practical insight into why...
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Dr. Mary B. Neiheisel – Living Legend of Service
Discover Lafayette welcomes a true living legend of service to Acadiana: Dr. Mary B. Neiheisel. Dr. Neiheisel was the 2017 recipient of the prestigious Lafayette Civic Cup, one of the highest honors for civic service in our community. Her journey in Lafayette began in 1966, when she started...
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Andre Michot – Michot Accordions
Andre Michot, a driving force behind Louisiana’s cultural soundscape and a founding member of the Grammy-winning Lost Bayou Ramblers, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss Michot Accordions. Widely known for pushing Cajun music forward while remaining deeply rooted in tradition, Andre’s influence...
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Top Five Acadiana Business Stories of 2025 with Adam Daigle, Business Editor of Acadiana Advocate
In this episode, Adam Daigle, Business Editor of The Acadiana Advocate, returns to break down Lafayette and Acadiana’s top five business stories of 2025. With years of experience tracking economic trends, major developments, and the people shaping our community, Adam offers an inside look at…
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Hans Nelson a/k/a ‘Fast,’ Co-Host of Morning Show on Big 102.1
Discover Lafayette welcomes Hans Nelsen, known on air as “Fast,” who co-hosts the morning show on Big 102.1 from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. each weekday with CJ Clements. Pictured are CJ Clements and “Fast” (Hans Nelson), co-hosts of Big 102.1’s Morning Show Hans has been on the air in South Louisiana...
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Devon Faul – Bringing Magic to Acadiana
We welcome Lafayette’s own master of illusion, Devon Faul, one of Acadiana’s most captivating magicians. Devon is known for blending sleight of hand with a deep sense of showmanship to create experiences that leave audiences spellbound. From close-up moments to full stage performances, Devon…
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Teri Dupuy-Gore, Hub Lafayette Urban Ministries
Our guest is Teri Dupuy-Gore, Executive Director of Hub Lafayette Urban Ministries, a Christ-centered outreach serving our neighbors experiencing homelessness, chronic poverty, hunger, and difficult life transitions. Teri shares how The Hub and its Lovewell Center at 1515 W. University Avenue in...
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Kent Zerangue – Food With Love
Discover Lafayette welcomes Kent Zerangue, the founder of Food With Love, “a heart centered ministry of Hospice of Acadiana” that he first began in July 2017 when he offered to cook for a former classmate whose son had been diagnosed with a brain bleed. Kent had retired in March of 2017 with…
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Chanda Rubin – Louisiana Tennis Legend
Chanda Rubin – From Carencro to World Tennis Stardom This special episode of Discover Lafayette features an archival interview with Lafayette’s own Chanda Rubin, one of the greatest athletes to emerge from our community. Originally recorded in 2014 for Upper Lafayette on the Move, this…
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Louisiana Grass Roots – A Short Documentary About Our Forgotten Prairie
Today we shine a spotlight on Louisiana Grass Roots, a compelling new documentary produced by Dr. Phyllis Baudoin Griffard and directed by Jillian Godshall. This film captures the voices of everyday Louisianians working to preserve our state’s environmental and cultural heritage, highlighting...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Discover Lafayette have?
Discover Lafayette currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Discover Lafayette about?
The Gateway to South Louisiana
How often does Discover Lafayette release new episodes?
Discover Lafayette has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Discover Lafayette?
You can listen to Discover Lafayette on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Discover Lafayette?
Discover Lafayette is created and hosted by Jan Swift.
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