Discover Lafayette

Discover Lafayette: Senator Brach Myers on Public Service, Family, and Revitalizing the Oil Center of Lafayette Louisiana State Senator Brach Myers, who began serving Senate District 23 in March 2025 after representing House District 45, joined Discover Lafayette to reflect on his deep-rooted commitment to public service, his childhood journey, and his ongoing mission to uplift Lafayette and the s...

Jacoby Landry, the new owner of Lafayette’s oldest indoor shopping center, Northgate Mall, shares his vision to bring hope, commerce, and fresh energy to North Lafayette. Jacoby’s energy and can-do attitude is a beacon of light for a community waiting to see how he will transform the mall into “The Hub.” Jacoby, owner of JL Construction and Pont Breaux Plaza in Breaux Bridge, is...

We welcome UL – Lafayette Football Head Coach Michael Desormeaux, a graduate of Catholic High in New Iberia and standout UL Lafayette quarterback, who became the eighth quarterback in NCAA history to post back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. He joined the UL coaching staff in 2016, helping lead the Ragin’ Cajuns to four consecutive Sunbelt West Division titles and their first outright Su...

Real estate expert Bill Bacque of Market Scope Consulting, whose career has spanned over 53 years in the housing industry, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss real estate trends. Formerly with Van Eaton & Romero—later acquired by Latter & Blum—Bill is now retired, but his passion for tracking housing statistics and analyzing market trends remains strong. In this episode, Bill shares a data...

In this episode of Discover Lafayette , we shine a light on a unique community tucked away in South Louisiana: veterans who find healing, camaraderie, and fun on the ice rink. Our guests, Eric Iorio and Danielle (“Dani”) Francis, share their inspiring journeys from military service to building a new mission at home — through Acadiana Veterans Hockey. “I was born here in Lafayette, Loui...

Steve Raggio, co-owner of Bayou State Pawn & Jewelry, joins Discover Lafayette to share the remarkable story of his dual life as a successful business owner and newly published poet. His book, Heart Talking, Inspiring Poems for the Soul , has quickly become a best-seller in its category and has touched hearts across the country. “If I can touch just one person in getting closer to God by readi...

On this episode of Discover Lafayette , we welcome Jude David, managing partner of Final Ascent, a mergers and acquisitions advisory firm that helps mid-market business owners—typically with $5 million or more in annual revenue—prepare their companies for sale and successfully transition for maximum value. But Jude’s passion goes far beyond business mechanics. He’s also a philanthropist and one of...

In this episode of Discover Lafayette , we dive into Lafayette’s emerging role as a major player in the regional and national tech ecosystem with Ben Johnson and Marcus Brown of the newly formed Lafayette Regional Technology Council. This dynamic group of volunteer leaders are working hard to ensure Lafayette’s deep well of tech talent is recognized and nurtured. Ben Johnson , CEO of Techneaux Tec...

Robert Daigle on Why He Invested in Upper Lafayette Originally recorded in October 2013 /Aired on Upper Lafayette On the Move This episode of Discover Lafayette takes us back to an insightful conversation with the late Robert Daigle, the visionary managing partner of River Ranch Development Company and the developer of the Village of River Ranch, a 320-acre traditional neighborhood development tha...

Discover Lafayette welcomes Justin Bennett, the new owner of Artmosphere, and Anthony Daniels—known to many as Moose Harris—who serves as booking agent and sound engineer for the venue. Moose Harris, Justin Bennett, and Jan Swift at recording Discover Lafayette at RADER. Located at 902 Johnston Street in downtown Lafayette, Artmosphere has long been known as a cultural hub where music, art, and co...

In this episode of Discover Lafayette , we honor the 25th anniversary of Miles Perret Cancer Services, a nonprofit that has supported more than 27,000 families in Acadiana over the years facing the challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Joining us are Executive Director, Tim Rinaldi and Community Liaison, Sherry Hernandez, two passionate leaders dedicated to advancing the mission and heart of this vita...

John Munsell, CEO of Bizzuka, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss his newly released book, Ingrain AI: Strategy Through Execution, which offers a practical guide for businesses looking to embed AI into their core operations and culture. John Munsell is a true pioneer in the world of AI, having spent over 10,000 hours mastering how businesses can use AI to achieve extraordinary results. His newly r...

Discover Lafayette welcomes Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission’s CEO Ben Berthelot and Jesse Guidry, Vice President of Communications, two of the most passionate advocates for Lafayette’s cultural and culinary identity. “You don’t have to go to a museum to experience our culture – you can be immersed in it. You can eat it, dance with it, and live it .” Together, they explor...

Michael Soileau and Scott Prather of LFT Fiber: Bringing Community-Owned Connectivity to Lafayette and Beyond This episode of Discover Lafayette features Michael Soileau, Director of LFT Fiber (formerly LUS Fiber), and Scott Prather, Public Relations Manager for the community-owned fiber utility. Together, they share the powerful story of how Lafayette’s local investment in fiber optics two decade...

Discover Lafayette welcomes Dale Clark, Ursula Quoyeser, and Harriet Hoag to discuss the upcoming 4th annual Fin Feather Fur Food Festival (“F5”). This event raises funds for the Team Gleason Foundation, which supports individuals living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (“ALS”). Team Gleason, through its diverse and broad-reaching programming, brings assistive technology, equipment,...

Discover Lafayette is thrilled to welcome Kiki Frayard, founder of Kiki, a boutique store known for its exquisite selection of fine jewelry, fragrances, handbags, and other carefully curated items from designers across the world. While Kiki is known for offering unique designs, Kiki says, “Anybody can walk in to buy fun or lower price point jewelry at $75 to $250. We also offer jewelry up to...

In this episode of Discover Lafayette, we welcome Chris Cook, General Manager of KLFY-TV 10. With years of experience in the broadcasting industry both locally and nationally, Chris is at the forefront of delivering the news, weather, and community stories that matter most to Acadiana. Under his leadership, KLFY continues to evolve in the digital age while maintaining its deep roots in local journ...

Fred Reggie is the author of the soon-to-be-released book, Tell Me: How to Initiate and Nurture Meaningful Conversations with Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime . Throughout his career, Fred has worked with Fortune 500 companies and service organizations across the U.S., helping leaders cultivate meaningful connections and drive success. Fred Reggie is an executive coach, international speaker, and expert...

Denise Giosa: A Journey in Fashion and Events Denise Giosa’s journey in the world of fashion and events began while she was still in high school, when she joined the Junior Fashion Board at D.H. Holmes in Baton Rouge. It was during this time that she met Beth Phillips, a wonderful mentor who played a significant role in shaping her career. Recognizing Denise’s potential, Beth invited her to be the...

In this episode of Discover Lafayette , we are honored to welcome Father Howard Blessing, a retired Catholic priest in the Diocese of Lafayette. Ordained in 1976 at the age of 25, Father Blessing has dedicated his life to serving others through his pastoral work at various parishes, including Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Holy Cross, Fatima, Sacred Heart of Ville Platte, and as chaplain at Our La...

In this episode of Discover Lafayette, we welcome Jude David, Executive Chairman of Stately Doors & Windows, to discuss the company’s role in delivering ultra-luxury doors and windows for high-end residential and commercial projects. His company does approximately $100 million dollars in sales each year to homes built for business owners, celebrities, and others who can afford to build no matt...

Billi Lacombe, Executive Director of Faith House since 2002, joins Discover Lafayette to talk about her life mission to help survivors of domestic violence become safe. Leaving an abusive situation is never easy due to various barriers such as financial insecurity, lack of support systems, fear of losing children, and concerns over personal safety. Faith House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization...

Ryan Pécot, proprietor of Adopted Dog Brewing, is a successful commercial realtor with Sterling Properties as well as a force in changing the food and entertainment landscape in Lafayette. Adopted Dog Brewing offers a family friendly place to bring your kids and your dogs. Located at 329 Dulles Drive, it celebrated its second anniversary on February 1, 2025. A public celebration will be held on Fe...

Molly Rowe, newly appointed Executive director of the Hilliard Art Museum, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss her love of the arts and working with artists. Molly has worked with arts and culture organizations such as the New York City Ballet and Savannah College of Art and Design, and Fortune 500 companies such as Google and The New York Times. Born and raised in Lafayette, Molly’s mother...

Becca Begnaud, actor, musician, creative, and traiteur joined Discover Lafayette alongside John Paul (JP) Summers, Abbeville-based director and cinematographer, to discuss their collaboration on the 2025 Doritos Crash Commercial, which ranked in the top 25 out of 2000 entries. Together, they share their stories of creativity, healing, and cultural preservation. It is a story about synchronicity in...