Waiting Tables

On this episode of Waiting Tables, host John Bruscato sits down with Congresswoman Julia Letlow for a personal and thoughtful conversation about faith, family, public service, and the responsibility of representing Louisiana.Julia reflects on the legacy of her late husband, Luke Letlow, and the lessons he taught her about serving people with humility and purpose. She shares how that foundation shaped her own journey into public office, her passion for education, her work on the Appropriations Committee, and her belief that Louisiana’s future depends on strong families, local leadership, workforce development, and investing in the next generation.From early childhood education and trade schools to AI, cybersecurity, and the importance of staying grounded in Washington, this conversation gives listeners a closer look at the person behind the public role and the values that continue to guide her. 

On this episode of Waiting Tables, host John Bruscato sits down with John Fleming, Louisiana State Treasurer, physician, Navy veteran, businessman, former congressman, and candidate for U.S. Senate.Fleming shares his personal story, from growing up in a working-class home and losing his father at a young age, to paying his way through medical school through military service and building a career rooted in medicine, business, and public service. He also discusses his time serving in Congress, working in the Trump administration, and his current role as Louisiana’s State Treasurer.The conversation covers Fleming’s views on leadership, healthcare reform, government spending, carbon capture and sequestration, the role of a U.S. Senator, and what he believes is at stake for Louisiana’s future. Throughout the episode, John Bruscato focuses on getting to know Fleming beyond the headlines and politics, offering listeners a deeper look at the person, his background, and his motivation to serve.

In this episode of Waiting Tables, John Bruscato sits down with Misti Cordell for a wide-ranging conversation about work, family, leadership, and the lessons that come from serving others. Misti shares her journey from pharmaceuticals and interior design to higher education, healthcare outreach, and public service.They talk about the value of real-world experience, why young people need more exposure to career paths earlier in life, the challenges facing healthcare and workforce development in Louisiana, and how service jobs can teach skills that last a lifetime. It is an honest, thoughtful conversation about problem-solving, accountability, and what it means to lead well.

In this episode of Waiting Tables, John Bruscato sits down with Bigg Zigg to talk about his journey from coaching football to becoming one of the most recognizable sports photographers in the area. They get into the power of photography in helping athletes get noticed, the importance of mentorship, the culture around youth and high school sports, and the life lessons competition can teach. It’s a real conversation about sports, community, purpose, and the people behind the moments we all remember. 

In this episode of The Waiting Tables Podcast, we sit down with Michael Echols for a wide-ranging conversation about service, leadership, business, and his run for Congress in Louisiana’s 5th District.Michael shares his story from Bastrop to ULM, from banking and business to restoring downtown Monroe one building at a time. The conversation covers real estate, public service, economic development, healthcare reform, PBMs, tax policy, and what it really takes to step into politics and fight for change.This episode is about more than a campaign. It’s about vision, risk, community, and what it looks like to serve when the stakes are real.

What does it really mean to serve people well?In this episode of the Waiting Tables Podcast, sponsored by Bruscato Law, host John Bruscato sits down with Northeast Louisiana real estate professional Brian Benderley for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about service, relationships, and the responsibility that comes with helping people make life-changing decisions.Brian shares his journey from working at Coca-Cola to building a 20-year career in real estate, and how his perspective shifted from simply closing transactions to genuinely serving people. He opens up about the lessons he learned from mentors, the importance of relationships over sales tactics, and why taking care of clients doesn’t end at the closing table.The conversation also explores real-world topics affecting homeowners today, including rising insurance costs, interest rates, housing affordability, and the emotional realities of buying and owning a home.Beyond business, Brian talks about family, faith, and why he started his own podcast, The 318 Experience, to highlight the good happening in the community he loves.This episode is ultimately about more than real estate. It’s about integrity, responsibility, and what it means to serve others in your profession and in your life.

In this episode of Waiting Tables, Nolan West sits down with Dr. Ashley Owen, Director of Counseling Services at Louisiana Tech University, to talk about service in its many forms. From growing up in Farmerville and the Louisiana Watermelon Festival, to pageantry, mentorship under the late Freeman Stamper, and leading mental health care on a college campus through and beyond COVID, Dr. Owen shares a powerful story about purpose, vulnerability, and showing up for others.This conversation explores how service shapes leadership, why mental health access matters, and how small moments of mentorship can ripple into lifelong impact. Rooted in North Louisiana but relevant everywhere, this episode is a reminder that some of the most meaningful work happens far from the spotlight.

In this episode of Waiting Tables, John and Allan sit down for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about why community still matters and how we rebuild it in a world that feels more divided and disconnected than ever.From backyard gatherings and riverfront events to local media, student internships, and telling the stories that traditional outlets no longer cover, this episode traces a 20-year journey of bringing people together through music, food, culture, and shared experiences. They talk about the rise and fall of local newspapers, the role of modern technology, and why events still break down barriers in ways nothing else can.The conversation also touches on AI, education, trades, local sports, and why Northeast Louisiana has far more to offer than most people realize if we’re willing to show it and invest in it.At its core, this episode is about people needing people, and the power of creating spaces where that can still happen.

In this hilarious, heartfelt, and brutally honest episode of The Waiting Tables Podcast (sponsored by Bruscato Law), host John Bruscato sits down with fashion powerhouse Hanna Lavergne, CEO of Herringstones Boutique, to talk legacy, hustle, and the heart behind Louisiana entrepreneurship.From selling soap in steel-toe boots to running a multi-location fashion empire, Hanna shares the real behind the glam — family, faith, failures, and fierce lessons learned along the way.They swap stories about Monroe memories, love, leadership, small-town roots, and building a business that’s lasted nearly 40 years (and survived everything from oil spills to COVID). It’s part wine night, part masterclass, and all Louisiana charm.If you love southern storytelling, entrepreneurial truth, and belly laughs over Pinot Grigio — this one’s for you.

On this episode of The Waiting Tables Podcast, we pull up a chair for Mayor Friday Ellis. We talk about the overlap between hospitality and public service, how listening shapes better decisions, and the small habits that build trust. Mayor Ellis shares practical stories about showing up for people, staying calm when things heat up, and creating momentum in a community the same way a great team runs a dining room. If you care about leading well, serving well, and leaving places better than you found them, this one is for you.

In the premiere episode of Waiting Tables, we sit down with West Monroe High School’s head football coach, DeMichael Dizer, to talk about leadership, community, and what it takes to build a winning culture on and off the field. Coach Dizer shares his journey to becoming head coach of one of Louisiana’s most storied football programs, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and how he’s inspiring the next generation of Rebels. Whether you’re a football fan or someone who believes in the power of mentorship and perseverance, this episode sets the tone for what Waiting Tables is all about; stories of service, grit, and people who live to make a difference.