Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans

Coastal restoration and finding ways to preserve the Louisiana Coast has been a topic I've wanted to explore for several years. Today, I'm joined by James Karst, Director of Communications at the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. 

Today's show is about an effort to revitalize Canal Street. My guest today, Sandra Thompson Herman, is the founder of that effort called Celebrate Canal! Coalition. 

Several years ago I did an episode or two with the Historic New Orleans Collection about the Storyville red light district. They had an excellent small exhibit about Storyville. Well now, there is a whole museum dedicated to Storyville. I'm joined today by the museum's founder and curator, Claus Sadlier.

My guest today is a New Orleanian who decided to create a board game focused on Mardi Gras. Michael Combes was disappointed in the lack of games with a New Orleans theme, so he created his own. Listen in as he describes the game and his plans for making it a reality.

My guest today probably knows as much about Mardi Gras as anyone. He's published an annual Mardi Gras Guide for 49 years, including the 2025 edition. I'm thrilled to be joined by Arthur Hardy!

Today's episode is all about Leon Goudchax, a Jewish immigrant to New Orleans who made a fortune as a merchant, and a sugar cane farmer and refiner.

Today's episode is a recap of 2024 and a bit of looking ahead to what's in store for the show in 2025.

Today's episode is all about Mr. Bingle, a beloved local Christmas character created by a department store. Joining me is author Sean Patrick Doles who created a fairy tale called Saving Mr. Bingle . We discuss Mr. Bingle's history as well as Sean's book.

Today's episode is about the Mississippi River batture, and specifically the people who've chosen to live on that sliver of land over the years.  To help me explore this culture I've enlisted the help of Macon Fry, author of the book They Called Us River Rats, and himself an inhabitant of the batture.

My guest is an author, a chef, and perhaps most importantly a Cajun woman, in love with her native land and way of life. Melissa Martin joins me to talk about the restaurant, her latest cookbook, Bayou, Feasting Through the Seasons of a Cajun Life , and more.

For more than 40 years, the Berger House at 6000 St. Charles Avenue is transformed each Halloween into the Skeleton House. The lawn is covered with dozens of skeletons, each with a costume and a name. In 2024, the skeletons embraced the arrival of Taylor Swift and her Eras tour. Join me as I learn all about it from Louellen Berger.

My guests today are the co-owners of Porgy's Seafood Market, a local market and restaurant with a focus on Louisiana caught seafood.

This week, we answer questions about New Orleans from listeners like you!

Today's guest tells us about the tradition of black New Orleanians masking in Indian suits.

My guest today, Miss Anais St. John, is an entertainer, performer and a teacher. 

Ever wondered what it's like to work on the Mississippi River? Today, we go behind the scenes with Todd Clower, CEO of Harbor Towing and Fleeting.

My guest today is an author, folklorist, educator, scholar, and former Poet Laureate of Louisiana. Dr. Mona Lisa Saloy writes about her life as a black Creole in her 7th Ward neighborhood, as well as about the larger perspective of the black experience, in Louisiana and beyond. This discussion was a joy. I hope you enjoy it, too.

What happens when the Louisiana Governor decides not to accept federal funding for feeding school-aged children during the summer? Amanda and Isaac Toups, owners of Toups' Meatery decided to do something about it. Join me and Amanda to learn about their efforts.

This week, we answer listener questions  about New Orleans on a variety of topics.

Today, we discuss Bastion, a Community of Resilience. Bastion is a community, purpose built for veterans. To learn more about it I am joined by Jackson Smith, Bastion's Executive Director.

Join me and Keith Spera as we recap Jazz Fest 2024, and talk about the New Orleans music scene.

Ever been to Jazz Fest, or want to go? We've got all the insider tips you need to have a great time!

Interested in haunted New Orleans? Ghost stories and other popular and untold legends? This is the episode for you! Join me and guest Orion Couling as we talk about his experience leading haunted tours around New Orleans.

One of the things I really like to do with the podcast is highlight businesses I think you would enjoy that also have owners who seem to do things right. My guest today is one of those. Róbert LeBlanc is the founder of Leblanc + Smith, a hospitality company with several local businesses.

Wondering what to do in New Orleans post-Mardi Gras? We've got you covered in this episode.