PODCAST · society
Louisiana Insider
by Louisiana Life Magazine
A superlative guide to a great state’s destinations.
Episodes
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Episode 251: Cultured Guru is Making Sauerkraut & Fermentation Accessible in Louisiana & Beyond
We’ve all heard the buzz words lately of gut health, probiotics and whatever else is trending across social media these days. But a Louisiana husband and wife team has made it their mission through their brand Cultured Guru to educate the masses on fermented foods, its benefits and how it’s...
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Episode 250: A Peggy Martin Rose by Any Other Name Wouldn't Smell as Sweet
Louisiana native Peggy Martin never imagined her love of gardening, starting as a child in the 1940's with her mother and grandmother, would lead to a flower being named after her - but it did. This year not only did the Plaquemines Parish Council official name a specific variety of rose after…
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Episode 249: National Rivers Month with Restore the Mississippi River Delta
Did you know that June is National Rivers Month? And Louisiana is home to the delta of one of the more important – and second longest - rivers in the country. The Mississippi River is a vital piece of transportation for the country and the river and Louisiana are home to one of the largest volume...
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Episode 248: The Ban on Mass Balloon Release in Louisiana
In Louisiana, conservation and protecting our wildlife and farming communities has always been at the forefront, safeguarding our way of life and the environment around it. With this in mind, House Bill 851, Act 196 was recently passed in Baton Rouge as a way to protect our environment locally…
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Episode 247: The Tradition and Importance of Louisiana Fine Dining
Louisiana knows food. Whether it’s a crawfish boil in your parrain’s backyard or a night out at one of the longest running restaurants in the state – there is a character and whimsy associated with everything we do culinarily. New Orleans has truly set itself apart as a food destination and puts…
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Episode 246: An Author's Fictional Take on the Acadian Great Upheaval
In the mid-1700s the Acadian people had been settled in the Nova Scotia region of Canada for over 100 years. When the area was transferred to the British, it was encouraged that the Acadian people take an oath of allegiance to the Crown. While many battles and political moments contributed, which...
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Episode 245: Pontchartrain Conservancy is Making Sure the Community is Ready for Hurricane Season
Hurricane season for the gulf coast begins June 1. Each year, Pontchartrain conservancy – the nonprofit dedicated to creating an environmentally sustainable, prosperous and resilient region – host their storm aware and prepare event. This even is meant to provide hurricane preparedness resources...
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Episode 244: Tennessee Williams Fest Brings Stars to New Orleans for a One-Night-Only Special Performance
The Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival has a special performance to mark its 40th Anniversary: We Have Not Long to Love: A Celebration of Tennessee Williams, a one-night-only immersive theatrical experience directed by acclaimed director and choreographer Rob Ashford. The...
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Episode 243: Celebrating Louisiana's Literary Legacy at Books Along the Teche
Louisiana is rich when it comes to the depth of our culture, our food, our traditions. But one aspect of our identity that many festivals have been trying to highlight is that of our vast contributions to the literary world at large. Whether native Louisianians or those who have found creative...
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Episode 242: New Orleans Festival Honors Tennessee Williams and Louisiana Artists
This week’s podcast is a little different as we hear from Louisiana Life magazine editor Reine Dugas – not in her capacity as editor, but instead for her work with the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival. The festival is in its 40th year in New Orleans and promises to bring a lot…
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Episode 241: A Conversation with Oscar-Nominated Louisiana Native Donnie Dean
"Sinners," the 2025 Ryan Coogler horror/action film starring Michael B. Jordan, has already won big at major award shows like the Golden Globes, Actor Awards and Brit Awards. But everyone in Louisiana should be rooting for the movie on Sunday, March 15, as the 98th annual Academy Awards takes...
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Episode 240: How Zydeco Izreal is Making Music Education More Accessible
From Clifton Chenier to Buckwheat Zydeco, Creole Zydeco music has been a part of the cultural definition of Louisiana for generations. Like many young people, 18 yr old artist Zydeco Izreal is doing what he can to preserve our history and educate both young and old about the music and culture of...
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Episode 239: Royal Sonesta Hotel's Annual Greasing of the Poles
Greasing of the poles that are outside of the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans during Carnival may now be the start of many reveler’s Deep Gras – the final weekend before Mardi Gras Day – but this practice was originally born out of necessity. Adrienne Breaux, the hotel’s director of sales and...
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Episode 238: Louisiana Life Contributor Wins Documentary Photographer of the Year
Each year the louisiana endowment for the humanities host the Bright Light Awards. In this year’s award winners is Louisiana Life and Acadiana Profile magazines writer and photographer Kevin Rabalais. Kevin is being honored as the Documentary Photographer of the Year – which is awarded to a...
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Episode 237: Bad Moms That Dance's Spin on the Carnival Dance Krewe
When it comes to being a mom, or even an adult, it can sometimes feel like there isn’t a space anymore for the activities that always brought you joy. This is how the concept of Bad Moms That Dance classes started with founders Alyse and Whitney This eventually lead them to create the Bad Moms…
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Episode 236: 4Sisters Rice is Promoting Louisiana and Sustainable Farming One Grain at a Time
Louisiana is the 3rd largest rice producing state in the US and rice is one of the state's top agricultural exports. The family behind 4Sisters Rice knows the industry inside and out, and is doing everything they can to bring attention back domestically and locally to Louisiana. Meryl Kennedy is...
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Episode 235: How a Lafayette Man Turned His Passion into Art
It is said that if you do what you love you’ll never work a day in your life. I believe that is true for Lafayette native Daniel Barousse. Barousse is a skateboarder and artist, who combines both of his passions into creating unique furniture pieces out of skateboards meant for the trash.…
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Episode 234: A Mother/Daughter Duo Explores Haunted New Orleans
It’s common lore the ghost and spirit-infused stories of New Orleans. The vast history of the area along with the endless amounts of tragedy leave behind a lingering spirit you feel the moment you step into the city. But what lead to the Big Easy’s cemented status as one of the most haunted…
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Episode 233: Beignet Fest's Community and Culinary Efforts
On Nov. 15, Beignet Fest in New Orleans will host its 8th annual event. Not only is this festival highlighting a culinary fan favorite, the event as a whole was created to support the Beignet Fest Foundation and its mission to celebrate and support children with autism and their families. This...
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Episode 232: 119 Years of the State Fair of Louisiana
Since 1906, the State Fair of Louisiana has been bringing Louisianians and visitors a like together for fun, food and the promotion of agriculture across our state. From the largest livestock show and carnival in the state, to lumberjack competitions and even a petting zoo - the state fair has a...
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Episode 231: Shreveport-Native John Hoffman Joins the Band Primus
In this week's episode, editor Reine Dugas takes over the podcast to talk to John Hoffman. The Shreveport-native is the new drummer for the band Primus. Hoffman won the spot in a long audition process that saw thousands of competitors. Hoffman shares with Dugas his experiences with the band, the...
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Episode 230: Dustin Dale Gaspard is Putting Cajun Culture Front and Center on The Voice
You may know him as a member of Team Niall on the current season of "The Voice" on NBC, but Dustin Dale Gaspard is helping to put Cajun music and language on an international stage. The artist, from Cow Island Louisiana has officially made it to the third round of the singing competition after...
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Episode 229: Ayu Bakehouse CoFounder Receives National Honor
Each year, Food & Wine magazine shares their list for Best New Chefs in the country. Kelly Jacques – cofounder and chef of Ayu Bakehouse in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans – joins the ranks of Nina Compton, Anna Castro and Nicole Cabrera Mills as a Best New Chef. Jacques started the…
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Episode 228: Three Full Days of Festival Acadiens et Creoles
In today’s episode, we’re highlighting this year’s Festival Acadien et Creoles in Lafayette with VP of Programming & Development Patrick Mould. The festival, as it’s known today, is in its 51st year of bringing Cajun and Creole culture to the masses. The three-day festival is set to highlight the...
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Episode 227: Haunted French Quarter Hotels
Nicole Beauchamp is a world-renowned paranormal researcher with a soft spot for the spirit of the Crescent City. Her recent contribution to the paranormal world is her newest book “Haunted French Quarter Hotels,” where she takes a dive into the history and hauntings of 10 New Orleans hotels. This...
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Episode 226: City of West Monroe's Northeast Louisiana Celtic Fest
For a couple decades West Monroe has played host to the Louisiana Celtic Festival. While northeast louisiana might not strike many as the most celtic areas of the world, the festival brings together those from all over looking to don a kilt and learn more about the rich culture. And for those of…
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Episode 225: Lake Charles Mayor Reflects on Hurricane Rita 20 Years Later
This year marked the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the greater New Orleans area. But, less than a month later, southwest Louisiana was hit by one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record and the biggest storm to hit the area in almost 50 years at that time. For 17...
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Episode 224: NBC Nightly News' Tom Llamas Shares His Connection to Louisiana
Earlier this summer Tom Llamas took over the reigns as the anchor and managing editor of NBC’s Nightly News. A graduate of Loyola University New Orleans, and married to a local New Orleanian, the Big Easy has been like a second home for the journalist. I recently interviewed him for our sister...
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Episode 223: The New Orleans Superdome at 50 Years
Next to the St. Louis Cathedral and the Crescent City Connection, the Superdome is a visual icon of the city, completing the well-known skyline of the Big Easy. Through the ups and downs of football to playing host to the likes of The Rolling Stones and Muhammed Ali, The Superdome has seen the…
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Episode 222: Lafayette – The Best Place to Visit for Fall
Lafayette has been nominated in USAToday’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards for Best Place to Visit for Fall. A contest you can help the city win by voting up until Sept. 8. This week, Ben Berthelot, president and CEO of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, shares some insight into the...
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Episode 221: Duck Hunting in Louisiana
Last December, Louisiana Life writer Kevin Rabalais set out in the early morning hours outside of Natchitoches with Richard Armstrong, his daughter Camille, hunting dog Gage and the rest of their crew to go duck hunting. A hunter his entire life, Richard talks with us about the ins and outs of...
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Episode 220: Lake Isabel Farm Brings a New Beach Day Option to Louisiana
About 30 minutes outside of Covington, sits Isabel, Louisiana in Washington Parish - the now host of a crystal-clear private lake that has officially opened to the public for day passes and cabana bookings. With kayaks, fishing spots, a 3-mile nature walking trail and more, Lake Isabel Farm is...
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Episode 219: The Louisianians Behind the Movie "The Dirty South"
"The Dirty South" recently became available to stream on Amazon Prime and Roku. The 2023 film – staring Shane West, Willa Holland and Dermot Mulroney – was meant to bring a viewers into the small towns that create the South... while adding in a little crime, drama and intrigue that garnered an…
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Episode 218: What Canceling the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Means for Louisiana
On July 17, the state officially canceled the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project - the biggest coastal restoration project in the country, made possibly by funds from a settlement of the 2010 BP Oil Spill. This week, Pontchartrain Conservancy Executive Director Kristi Trail answers the...
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Episode 217: Celebrating and Saving Canal Street in New Orleans
Canal Street in New Orleans has a long history of fashion, culture, nightlife and great food. For decades it was a main stop for New Orleans visitors and families alike. In recent years, Canal Street has lost a bit of its glimmer. Sandra Herman is the founder of the Celebrate Canal! Coalition, a...
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Episode 216: Hammond Business Owner Abi Caswell Talks Expansion and TikTok
Abi Caswell opened her BATTER, A Bakery in Downtown Hammond in 2022. The self-taught baker went from popping up at local farmer's markets to going viral on TikTok and expanding to open a new shop in New Orleans. Caswell shares her journey with listeners and highlights the value small businesses...
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Episode 215: The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana
The Tunica-Biloxi tribe recently held their 27th annual Pow Wow, which highlighted the tribe's culture and community. Additionally, the Pow Wow marked the opening of the tribe's new Justice Center. In this week's episode, Chairman Marshall Pierite shares insight into the tribe, it's history and...
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Episode 214: Coffee Talk with the Cajun Mamas Koa and Sarah
This week, we get a little dose of the Cajun culture with content creators and podcasters Koa Melancon and Sarah O’Pry - better known as the Cajun Mamas. Melancon and O'Pry rose to fame on TikTok documenting their lives in South Louisiana. From raising kids to preparing for hurricanes and all...
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Episode 213: Exploring Baton Rouge
This week, we're headed to the Louisiana state capital. Laura Cating, senior vice president of marketing & communications for Visit Baton Rouge, gives listeners an insight to the history of the city, a little of the lore, plus what to do, where to stay and - most importantly - where to eat when...
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Episode 212: Pope Leo and His New Orleans Connection
On May 8, 2025, Robert Francis Prevost was introduced as Pope Leo XIV, the new head of the Catholic Church. Prevost is the first American to be elected as Pope and while that would be enough for American Catholics to celebrate, New Orleanians took the celebration a step farther when local…
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Episode 211: The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience
In new host Kelly Massicot's first episode, NOWFE Executive Director Aimee Brown shares the ins and outs of a festival that brings together wine connoisseurs and aficionados a like for one week each summer. Now in its 33rd year, NOWFE hosts a week of events – from grand tastings to labs – each...
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Episode 210: Vice Takes a Look Inside Cajun Mardi Gras
In tandem with the new season of sister publication New Orleans Magazine's "Beyond the Beads" podcast, we're launching a crossover episode. Producer, and occasional host, Kelly Massicot talks to Vice producer and storyteller Jackson Garrett. Garrett and Vice will release a new documentary this…
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Episode 209: Exploring the Atchafalaya Basin
Louisiana is blessed with several areas of natural wonders including the Gulf of Mexico’s shore and barrier islands, the Kisatchie Forest and the Atchafalaya Basin. The basin cuts north-south from near Simmesport to Morgan City. Historian Jason Theriot joins host Errol Laborde and podcast Kelly...
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Episode 208: A Man and His Blue Dog - George Rodrigue's Cajun Revival
George Rodrigue is one of Louisiana’s all-time important artists, and may be the most important at depicting images of early like in Cajun Culture. He created scenes of celebrations beneath moss laden oak trees; life of the bayou and even Evangeline. Then there is the Blue Dog – a descendent of a...
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Episode 207: Union, Justice and Confidence – The Man Who Made The Motto
Ok, here’s a Louisiana Trivia Question: Who originated the state’s motto, “Union, Justice and Confidence?” And why? Historian Jason Theriot joins host Errol Laborde and podcast producer Kelly Massicot to talk about his research on the motto’s origin, as well as the historic ideals that the motto...
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Episode 206: Steamy Alexandria - Red River Town Had Its Bawdy Days
Folks in Central Louisiana sometimes refer to their beloved section of the state as “CENLA.” There was a time when some wags might have referred to the city of Alexandria and the area around it as “Sinla.” Historian Michael Wynne joins host Errol Laborde, and podcast producer Kelly Massicot, to...
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Episode 205: Political Analyst Robert Collins Shares What We Learned From the Election
Political analyst Robert Collins joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde to talk about the past historic Nov. 5 election. Collins, a political science professor at Dillard University and a political analyst for WVUE TV Fox 8, discusses what was learned from Donald Trump’s election...
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Episode 204: The Drago's Family - Creativity on a Half Shell
Journalist Peter Finney Jr. joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde and podcast producer Kelly Massicot to talk about his new book, “Drago’s: An American Journey.” It is a compelling story about the Civitanovich family that migrated from Croatia after World War II and the eventual...
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Episode 203: So, Who Was Bienville?
If you have lived in New Orleans for any time at all you have heard about this fellow referred to simply as “Bienville” –although his baptismal name was Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. The native of Montreal gets the credit for founding New Orleans and being the Louisiana territory’s…
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Episode 202: Shadowing the Bayou Teche - Crawfish Capitol and Evangeline Country
It was along Bayou Teche, at St. Martinville, where Evangeline, according of Henry Longfellow’s classic poem, searched for her love Gabriel. The two had been separated by the Acadian expulsion from Nova Scotia. Not far away in Breaux Bridge there is a happier scene at the annual Crawfish Festival...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Louisiana Insider have?
Louisiana Insider currently has 242 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Louisiana Insider about?
A superlative guide to a great state’s destinations.
How often does Louisiana Insider release new episodes?
Louisiana Insider publishes regularly with 242 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Louisiana Insider?
You can listen to Louisiana Insider 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 Louisiana Insider?
Louisiana Insider is created and hosted by Louisiana Life Magazine.
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