Louisiana's Playground

Guest Pam Shaheen, a golf tourism expert, joins Louisiana’s Playground to break down the best public courses to play while visiting Southwest Louisiana. With multiple options and plenty to do off the course, Lake Charles will be your new favorite golfing destination. 

Norman McKnight, the Rosa Hart Theatre Supervisor and Technical Director, joins co-hosts Brady Renard and Taylor Stanley on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss the Rosa Hart Theatre’s impact on the community and its rededication on Oct. 15.    Find more information on where to eat, things to do, and events happening this weekend at VisitLakeCharles.org .    Stop by Lagunas Mexican Grill and Cantina...

Guest Jason Barnes, the Director of the Burton Complex, joins co-hosts Brady Renard and Eric Zartler on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss the Burton Complex’s impact on the Lake Charles community. The complex hosts many types of events each year from high school state championships to state-wide rodeos and community events.    Find more information on where to eat, things to do, and events happeni...

Guests Nathaniel Allured and Adam Fontenot, the founders of Smoke & Barrel, join host Brady Renard on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss the upcoming Smoke & Barrel Festival and what the process of starting a festival is like. From the initial idea to the why behind their charity partner, the trio discusses the behind-the-scenes as well as the bourbon and BBQ event itself.    Find more info...

Guest Brandon Hartwig, the manager at Caesars Sportsbook in the Horseshoe Casino, joins hosts Brady and Anna on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss the casino’s first year in Southwest Louisiana as well as the fan experience at the sportsbook.    Find more information on where to eat, things to do, and events happening this weekend at VisitLakeCharles.org .    Make a stop at Brew Brothers for a pub...

Guest Billy Nungesser, the Lt. Governor of Louisiana, joins hosts Brady and Anna on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss the travel industry in the state of Louisiana. The trio talks culinary, culture and the state’s plan to expand its international market.    Find more information on where to eat, things to do, and events happening this weekend at VisitLakeCharles.org .    Make a stop at Pat's of He...

In Southwest Louisiana, we like to celebrate, well, everything! The fall season is packed with festivals and events and the Louisiana’s Playground podcast is here to give you a rundown of what to expect from Lake Charles’ biggest celebrations over the next few months. Brady and Anna discuss all the upcoming fall events on this special episode of the podcast.    Learn more about upcoming events in...

Guest Jan Gourley, the Founder/Festival Director at Adfish Group, joins hosts Brady and Anna on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss the upcoming Louisiana Food and Wine Festival. The trio touch on all the experiences you don’t want to miss during the four-day event. In addition, find out why Lake Charles is the perfect destination for the culinary celebration.    Find more information on where to ea...

Guest Josh Robinson, the Chief Marketing Officer at Golden Nugget Lake Charles, joins hosts Brady and Anna on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss the casino resort’s numerous entertainment offerings from big acts coming into town, to a relaxing pool day by the lazy river.    Find more information on where to eat, things to do, and events happening this weekend at VisitLakeCharles.org .    Make a sto...

Guest Captain Andrew Soileau, the owner and operator of High Tide Charters, joins hosts Brady and Anna on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss charter fishing in Southwest Louisiana. The trio talk fish, the best time of the year to be out on the water and the many places you can be picked up to have your own charter fishing adventure!    Find more information on where to eat, things to do, and events...

Guest Amanda Cusey, the 2022 Queen of Louisiana Seafood and Executive Chef at The Terrace Restaurant, joins Brady and Anna on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss the Louisiana Seafood Cook-off coming to Lake Charles for the first time. The trio also touch on the live-action experience of the cook-off and how the honor has catapulted Chef Cusey's career over the last year.       Find more information...

Guest Adley Cormier, a local historian, joins hosts Brady and Anna on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss Lake Charles’ rich history and its Charpentier Historic District. Known for its unique variety of architectural styles and materials, the Charpentier Historic District is living history in the city. Cormier also touches on local ghost stories, urban legends and notable moments in Lake Charles hi...

Guest Brandon Ledet, a local Zydeco musician, joins hosts Brady and Anna on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss the history of the Louisiana-based music as well as what makes the genre so endearing. Ledet focuses on the feeling of the music, the unique instruments as well as why Southwest Louisiana is the perfect place to take in the foot-tapping sounds of Zydeco.  Find more information on where to...

Louisiana’s Playground is a podcast about all there is to experience in Lake Charles. Join hosts Brady Renard and Jillian Corder as they share fresh perspectives from locals, businesses, and area experts about the best-kept secrets of Southwest Louisiana. This podcast will give you all the tools you need to build your personal Lake Charles itinerary. Louisiana’s Playground explores what it means t...

In Southwest Louisiana, we like to celebrate, well, everything! The summer season is packed with festivals and events and the Louisiana’s Playground podcast is here to give you a rundown of what to expect from Lake Charles’ biggest celebrations over the next few months. Brady and Anna discuss all the upcoming summer events on this special episode of the podcast.    Learn more about upcoming events...

Guest Nic Hunter, the Mayor of Lake Charles, joins hosts Brady and Anna on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss the city of Lake Charles and its future. The trio touch on upcoming projects as well as those that have shaped the city over the last few years. Mayor Hunter also discusses Investor’s Day, as he aims to bring more businesses to the city.    Find more information on where to eat, things to d...

Guest Heath Allen, the Executive Director of the Lake Charles Regional Airport, joins hosts Brady and Anna on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss LCH’s impact on the Lake Charles region and new ways the airport is improving. LCH offers direct flights to Dallas and Houston, making Lake Charles a one-stop hub to hundreds of destinations.    Find more information on where to eat, things to do, and even...

Guest Tracie Ramey, the park manager at Sam Houston Jones State Park, joins hosts Brady and Anna on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss Southwest Louisiana’s only state park! The trio discusses the park’s newest facility upgrades, camping opportunities, hiking trails and upcoming events. Sam Houston Jones State Park is one of the premier places in the Lake Area to enjoy the great outdoors!    Find m...

Guest Vance Perkins, the president of the DeQuincy Railroad Museum Board of Directors, joins hosts Brady and Anna on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss the railroad industry’s impact on the town of DeQuincy. DeQuincy is in the northern part of Calcasieu Parish and is the home to the DeQuincy Railroad Museum and the Louisiana Railroad Days Festival. Perkins touches on the founding of DeQuincy, the i...

In Southwest Louisiana, we like to celebrate, well, everything! The spring season is packed with festivals and events, and Louisiana’s Playground podcast is here to give you a rundown of what to expect from Lake Charles’ biggest celebrations over the next two months. Brady and Anna discuss all the upcoming Spring events on this special episode of the podcast.  Go to visitlakecharles.org/events/ fo...

Guest Eddie Bonine, the Executive Director of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, joins hosts Brady and Anna on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss the LHSAA’s role of bringing high-quality championship events to Southwest Louisiana. The trio touch on the behind-the-scenes preparations from the staff involved to the way the brackets are put together as well as what to expect from a champ...

Guest Samantha Carroll, the Executive Director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board joins hosts Brady and Anna on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss the impact of seafood to Louisiana. The trio discusses seafood’s role in the state’s economy, workforce and culture. In addition, Carroll dishes about her experience with the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off as it heads to Lake Charles for...

Guest Giva Foy, the manager for the Cash & Carry Farmer’s Market joins hosts Brady and Anna on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss the market’s role in the community and what offerings the weekly market typically has. In addition, the trio discuss the historic Cash & Carry building and an upcoming project produced by Visit Lake Charles.    Find more information on where to eat, things to do,...

Southwest Louisiana’s Mardi Gras celebrations are nearly upon us as Brady and Anna discuss all the upcoming events tied around Louisiana's most unique holiday on this special episode of Louisiana’s Playground.  Events start on Feb. 11 and run through Mardi Gras Day on Feb. 21. Learn more about Mardi Gras and its schedule of events by visiting swlamardigras.com . Find more information on where to e...

Guest David Faulk, the director of the Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Museum, joins hosts Brady and Anna on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss Louisiana’s premiere festival, Mardi Gras! The trio discuss the roots of Mardi Gras as well as how the Lake Area promotes a family-friendly celebration. From the Mardi Gras Balls, to the parades and king cake, find out the best ways to join in on the fun!   ...