See the Ville

Marc welcomes Kalyn Anderson of Basel’s Market for a warm and lively conversation about homemade food, family tradition, and building a business with heart in St. Francisville. From her early beginnings in a food truck to Basel’s growing success, Kalyn shares the story behind the eatery and her exciting plans for the future.

Marc sits down with Peyton Fisher to talk about yoga, wellness, and the inspiration behind an upcoming retreat at Shadetree Inn. Their conversation highlights healing, connection, and the unique warmth and charm of St. Francisville as a place to rest, reflect, and recharge.Learn more about Peyton & his upcoming retreats! [Website]

Marc welcomes Alex Kennon Shahin and Sam Shahin for a heartfelt conversation about Shadetree Inn, its family legacy, and the unique beauty of St. Francisville. They share memories, hopes for the future, and the sense of warmth, hospitality, and community that makes Shadetree so special.

Marc sits down with James Fox-Smith, publisher of Country Roads magazine, for a rich and engaging conversation about Louisiana, culture, travel, and the unexpected journey that brought him from Wales and Australia to St. Francisville. Along the way, James shares the story behind Country Roads, his life with Ashley, and his deep appreciation for the people, places, food, music, and creative spirit that make this region so remarkable. It’s a thoughtful and charming episode filled with local color, humor, and genuine affection for Louisiana life.Listen to James Fox-Smith’s podcast Art Rocks! [Podcast]Explore Country Roads magazine for stories on travel, food, arts, history, and life around the region. [Website]

Marc sits down with designers Caroline Alberstadt and Maggie Lambert of Alberstadt Lambert Design for a lively conversation about creativity, partnership, and building a business that beautifully blends residential and commercial design. They share how their collaboration began, how their different backgrounds strengthen their work, and what it’s like balancing design, entrepreneurship, and family life. From new construction to thoughtful renovations, this episode offers an engaging look at the process of helping clients create spaces that truly feel like home.Check out Alberstadt Lambert Design! [Website]

Marc sits down with renowned photographer C.C. Lockwood, whose decades of work have captured the beauty, complexity, and fragility of Louisiana’s landscapes and beyond. From the Atchafalaya Basin to the Gulf Coast, and from the headwaters of the Mississippi River to the depths of the Grand Canyon, C.C. shares stories from a lifetime of exploration—filled with adventure, insight, and a deep respect for the natural world. This conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into the experiences behind the images, and the passion that has shaped one of Louisiana’s most celebrated visual storytellers.

Marc sits down with Heather Melancon of HM Design & Consulting, a woman-owned design and construction business bringing thoughtful, full-service remodeling to St. Francisville and beyond. Heather shares how she helps homeowners transform the spaces they love—guiding them from concept to completion with a practical, transparent approach to design, budgeting, and materials. From kitchens and historic homes to the philosophy behind timeless style, this conversation highlights the value of creating spaces that reflect who you are—not just what’s trending.Check out HM Design & Consulting!  [Instagram]  [Facebook]

Marc sits down with Ross K. Nichols—local resident, author, and Old Testament scholar—for a fascinating conversation about the ancient world and the modern Middle East. Ross shares stories from his many study tours to Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, explaining what draws people to explore the lands of the Bible and how travel there often challenges common perceptions. Marc and Ross discuss history, faith, cultural connections, and the surprising hospitality of the region, offering listeners a glimpse into the places where biblical history unfolded.Check out Ross K. Nichols' YouTube Channel!  [YouTube]

Marc sits down with Marsha Daniel, proprietor of Findings, a lively antique shop in St. Francisville filled with unique treasures and vendor stalls. Marsha shares how her love of antiques, beautiful objects, and community led her to create a space where collectors, vendors, and curious visitors can all discover something special. Marc and Marsha talk about the stories behind antiques, the joy of the hunt, and why a good shop is about more than just things—it's about the people who gather around them.

Marc sits down with West Feliciana native Toby Nichols; actor, filmmaker, and drama coach, whose career began with backyard YouTube movies and grew into roles alongside Bryan Cranston, Jonah Hill, and appearances in major productions like Underground, American Horror Story, and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. Toby shares behind-the-scenes stories from film sets, the realities of modern auditions, and his passion for creating independent films and building a local acting community. At just 24, he’s balancing Hollywood ambition with small-town roots and inviting others to step into the spotlight through his weekly acting classes.

Marc welcomes architect James Dart, a proud son of Louisiana whose career spans New York City, Italy, and Saint Francisville. From teaching architecture and running an urban design program in Italy to restoring historic buildings back home, James reflects on love, legacy, and the pull of small-town roots. He shares stories of meeting his husband David on New Year’s Eve, caring for his remarkable mother, and helping shape the preservation and future of Saint Francisville. A thoughtful, charming conversation about architecture, history, and coming home.

Marc sits down with David Parker, general manager of The Saint Francisville Inn and a man whose journey spans Mississippi roots, New York City life, floral design, and Southern hospitality. From social work and cancer survival to building a nationally recognized floral business and helping shape Saint Francisville into a true destination, David shares how service, creativity, and community have guided every chapter of his life. A thoughtful conversation about finding your place—and thriving there.

Marc drops in on a lively ladies’ luncheon and happily crashes the party, joining Heather Jenkins, Heather Melancon, Kelly Hickerson, and Ellen Kennon for an afternoon of candid conversation and playful banter. Hosted by Heather Jenkins—who runs a private cat rescue and somehow keeps a home with 23 cats impeccably fresh—the gathering quickly turns to design, creativity, community work, and life in Saint Francisville. From renovation stories and paint palettes to volunteering, home restoration, and the joy of making spaces reflect the people who live in them, this episode feels like pulling up a chair at the table and listening in. Relaxed, funny, and full of local color, it’s a true slice of life in The Ville. 

Marc welcomes Susan Davis, the beloved creative force behind Grandmother’s Buttons, a shop that became a Saint Francisville landmark and a destination for visitors from around the world. Susan shares how a drawer full of her grandmother’s buttons sparked a decades-long journey of design, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship—transforming antique buttons into beautiful jewelry and building a business that reached museums and historic sites across the globe. Their conversation wanders through the history of buttons, the stories behind her iconic building, brushes with Hollywood, and the joy of returning to creativity in retirement. A rich, nostalgic, and fascinating visit with one of the town’s true originals.

Marc sits down with Kenny Havard, West Feliciana’s parish president and a proud native of Jackson, Louisiana. Kenny talks about growing up in East Feliciana, his two terms in the state legislature, and what led him back home to focus on local leadership. Together, he and Marc dive into community life, the future of the parish, and the energy behind major projects shaping West Feliciana today. A candid, down-to-earth conversation with one of the parish’s most recognizable voices.

Marc welcomes Karen Snyder, a Saint Francisville resident whose life shines with service, creativity, and compassion. Karen shares the path that led her to lead the local food pantry and to study for the diaconate at Grace Episcopal Church, all while nurturing her creative spirit as a former band director and dedicated weaver. She and Marc talk about the quiet challenges many neighbors face, the joy found in helping others, and the simple grace of gratitude. A warm and inspiring conversation about faith, community, and living a life of purpose.

Brandon Branch is my latest guest, and I’m thrilled to have him here on See The Ville. Brandon and his husband Jim moved to St. Francisville in 2019, and their arrival truly helped spark a new wave of energy in our little town. Their stunning renovation of the historic St. Francisville Inn — and the creation of its award-winning restaurant and bar, The Saint — inspired a whole renaissance of new restaurants, shops, and creativity throughout the historic district.Brandon is a true renaissance gentleman — a gifted interior designer and horticulturist, a New York Times best-selling author, a familiar face from Bravo’s Southern Charm Savannah, and so much more. Listen in; I know you’ll really enjoy this conversation.

Marc sits down with Josh Roberts, a fellow Louisianan whose creative journey has taken him from Baton Rouge to Boston, Los Angeles, and back home again. Josh shares how life’s twists—from working on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills to weathering the pandemic in L.A.—ultimately led him to write his debut novel, Bloodline: The Book of Charlotte, a Southern gothic fantasy steeped in Louisiana folklore and mystery. Together, Marc and Josh talk about writing as healing, the art of storytelling, and finding one’s way back to where it all began.Check out Joshua's Website [HERE]

Marc welcomes his stylish new friend and fellow Louisianan, Kelly Hickerson, to See the Ville. A lifelong thrifter turned curator of beauty, Kelly shares how her love of history, design, and good finds led her and her husband, Emile, to their enchanting 19th-century dream home, Ouida, built in 1869 in West Feliciana Parish. Together, they talk about architectural “eldercare,” small-town kindness, and the joy of discovering treasures—whether in a thrift store, a historic home, or a community that feels like family.

Marc sits down with his dear friend and longtime Saint Francisville resident, Owen Kemp. From her first yoga class as a young bride in 1970s New Orleans to decades of study and teaching, Owen shares how the practice has shaped her life—helping her heal from injuries, travel the world, and guide others with compassion. Marc and Owen also explore the history and spirit of Saint Francisville, from the stories of Grace Episcopal Church to the legacy of Bayou Sara. Their conversation is filled with resilience, wisdom, and the charm of small-town life along the Mississippi. 

Marc chats with his good friend and fellow Saint Francisville resident, the divine wedding planner, Bev Walker. Beverly shares stories of growing up in Baton Rouge and coming up in Switzerland, Hawaii, and New Orleans. Marc and Beverly discuss how wonder and determination lead to lives well lived. For Beverly, this means Mexican summers, Polo, and tending to her sublime homestead, Rosebank. To find out more about Bev and her elevated and imaginative wedding and event planning offerings, visit https://www.bevwalkerweddings.com/. 

Marc drops the tea with his close friend, Saint Francisville neighbor, and former colleague, Ellen Kennon. They discuss working together in the eighties at the iconic Manhattan design firm, Peter Marino, along with stories about prickly clients and manifesting one's wildest dreams. Ellen tells Marc about the origins of her thriving international paint company, Full Spectrum Paints, along with beguiling tales from her fascinating biography, The Color of Magic. To find our more, visit https://ellenkennon.com/.

Marc talks practice, energy and St. Francisville with talented Bay St. Louis, MS, muralist, Kevin Wiggs.