Retire Southern with James Lewis

Broadway may be where Nashville turns the volume up, but The Gulch is where the city sharpens its edges. In this episode of Retire Southern, James Lewis sits down with the team behind one of Nashville's most compelling hospitality experiences: Executive Chef Brack May , Beverage Director Todd Johnston , and Executive Pastry Chef Natalie Moorer of The Thompson Nashville. From oysters sliding across...

James Lewis sits down with author, food writer, and TrueSouth host John T. Edge to discuss his memoir House of Smoke: A Southerner Goes Searching for Home . The conversation explores inherited identity, childhood trauma, Southern culture, accountability, unintended consequences, and the stories we unconsciously carry forward. Best known for his work with the Southern Foodways Alliance and the Emmy...

Most people think success in music looks like the spotlight. The front man. The headliner. The name on the marquee. But there is another path. One built on preparation, consistency, and being ready when the call comes. In this episode, I sit down with Frank Grocholski , a professional guitarist, session player, and touring musician for Cowboy Mouth, to talk about what it really looks like to build...

What if most of what we call "dining" today… isn't actually dining at all? In this episode of Retire Southern, we sit down with Chef Kevin Joseph of Raw Lab and Blaiss Nowak of Nowak's Steakhouse to explore a new way of thinking about food, hospitality, and human connection. On April 28 in Atlanta, they're bringing that vision to life with EPICureanism at Nowak's. A one-night, immersive culinary e...

What if the problem isn't your work… but your alignment? In this episode of the Retire Southern Podcast, James Lewis and his wife Amanda sit down with Callie and Jeff Dauler to explore a question most people avoid. What happens when your life looks right on paper… but feels wrong in practice? From the outside, Callie and Jeff had built successful, visible careers in media. But behind the scenes, s...

What if the way you feel every day isn't actually normal? In this episode of the Retire Southern Podcast, James Lewis sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Matthew Campbell to explore a simple but powerful idea. Modern life has drifted away from the conditions humans were designed for. The result is a quiet baseline many people accept without question. Tired. Distracted. A little off. Dr. Campb...

For years, when someone asked where to find the best French dip in Atlanta, the honest answer was Houston's. That changed when Ford Fry launched the French Dip at Bar Blanc in Midtown Atlanta. In this episode of the Retire Southern Podcast, James Lewis sits down with Ford Fry to explore how a simple sandwich became a ritual. From prime rib roasted overnight to dry aged beef infused au jus, from Ea...

Napoleon House has never tried to be anything other than what it is. In this episode of the Retire Southern Podcast, James Lewis sits down with Chris Montero, Executive Chef and General Manager of Napoleon House, to explore what it means to care for one of the French Quarter's most enduring neighborhood institutions. An eighth generation New Orleanian, Montero brings his family's traditions into t...

Arnaud's Restaurant has stood in the French Quarter for more than a century, not by chasing trends, but by carrying tradition forward with care. In this episode of the Retire Southern Podcast, James Lewis sits down with owner Archie Casbarian, bartender Christoph Dornemann, Chef de Cuisine Tommy DiGiovanni, and Director of Sales Kaitlin Rodgers to explore what it takes to steward a historic New Or...

In this episode of Retire Southern, James Lewis sits down with Dave Echols, President and General Manager of the Charleston RiverDogs, inside the press box at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park. Dave shares the simple philosophy that has guided nearly two decades of leadership. Fun is good. You will hear how that idea influences everything from staff culture and fan experience to community engagement and tr...

In this episode of Retire Southern, James Lewis travels to the Lowcountry to explore what it really takes to grow oysters the right way. Recorded on the water at Charleston Oyster Farm, this conversation dives into mariculture, stewardship, and the patience required to work in rhythm with tides, weather, and nature itself. You will hear how oyster farming works from seed to harvest, why Charleston...

In this episode of Retire Southern, James sits down with Chris Hall, one of the South's most influential hospitality leaders and the co-founder of Unsukay Restaurant Group. From childhood memories shaped around a family dinner table to the intense kitchens that forged his career, Chris shares a story filled with grit, generosity, and the belief that food connects us all. You will hear how Muss & T...

In this episode of Retire Southern, Steve Nygren shares the remarkable story behind Serenbe, the pioneering wellness community tucked into the hills of Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia. Steve opens up about the Monday morning he woke up, stepped off the corporate treadmill, and completely rewrote the script of his life. What began as a quiet escape to the country became the spark for a movement built...

In this episode of  Retire Southern , host James Lewis sits down with Coy Bowles — Grammy-winning guitarist, songwriter, and children's author best known for his work with the Zac Brown Band — to explore how music, family, and purpose intersect in a life built on creativity and gratitude. From his "blue-collar Wonder Years" upbringing in Thomaston, Georgia, to writing hits like Colder Weather and...

In this episode of Retire Southern, we sit down with Kevin Ouzts , founder of The Spotted Trotter , sharing how his entrepreneurial spirit, grit, and dedication to the craft has shaped a slow food legacy with a Southern twist. Learn how he built one of the nation's most respected charcuterie houses with the trademark, New American Charcuterie, and how his story defines what it means in the context...

In this episode of Retire Southern , we sit down with Erica Tuggle , founder of Livin , a meal service that connects professional chefs with busy families for healthy, affordable, home-cooked dinners and gatherings. Recorded inside James and Amanda's home, Erica shares how Livin helps families reclaim their time, build better habits, and support local chefs. If you've ever asked "What's for dinner...

Charleston doesn't just tell its history—it haunts it. In this episode of Retire Southern, we meet Mike Brown, historian and host of the Pleasing Terrors Podcast and ghost tour. Mike shares how his fascination with Charleston's darker past led to a podcast praised for both its research and atmosphere. From personal paranormal encounters at the Old Jail House to historical truths buried under decad...

Cristi Kavanaugh caught her first wave at 38 — and built a business that helps others catch theirs, too. In this episode of Retire Southern, host James Lewis visits Cristi at her St. Simons Island home to talk surfing, custom skimboards, community events, and the much anticipated opening of the KavPar Boardsports storefront. Whether you're a beach lover, parent, or entrepreneur, Cristi's story of...

Creature Comforts Brewing is a force for good - just like its mission statement. Now an Athens stronghold with direct connections to the University of Georgia, the Brewery started with roots in science and sustainability, with a little curiosity. CEO Adam Beauchamp joins Retire Southern to teach us about how their focus on community impact, sustainability - and of course, making award-winning beer...

Tom Lewis, founder of the Kids Can Fish Foundation, joins Retire Southern to share how one moment with his daughter turned into a thriving nonprofit helping kids fall in love with fishing. From coast-to-coast camps to the high-stakes Running of the Bulls Charity Surf Redfish Tournament, this episode explores how generosity, mentorship, and family shaped a mission to break down barriers for young a...

Neil "Hondo" Williamson the legendary voice of the Georgia Bulldog radio network, Gregg Russell of Harbour Town Sea Pines Plantation, chef and restaurateur Ford Fry, Cooper Manning of Fox NFL Sunday's "Manning Hour", Fred LeBlanc of Cowboy Mouth and so much more. Check out Season 1 of the Retire Southern podcast for authentic experiences and meaningful connections from the heart of the American So...

Kevin Joseph isn't just serving oysters—he's serving up transformation. In this episode of Retire Southern , James and Amanda dive into Raw Lab, a 12-seat experimental dining experience in Charleston that challenges guests to slow down, engage every sense, and discover something new about food and themselves. From caviar rituals and choreographed courses to stories of resilience and reinvention, t...

Nashville's culinary legend Ms. André Prince joins Retire Southern to share the spicy story behind Prince's Hot Chicken. From its origins as "revenge chicken" to its worldwide reputation, Ms. Prince reflects on family legacy, food culture, and how she built an empire—without even knowing how to cook. Now in her late 70s, she's passing the torch while holding tight to her community roots. Listen in...

Fred LeBlanc, drummer and frontman of Cowboy Mouth, joins Retire Southern to talk about his wild journey through the music industry—from trash can drums and New Orleans chaos to packed festival stages and decades of electric live shows. Hear how a punk rock spirit, a passion for people, and a commitment to joy have shaped one of the South's most iconic bands. It's loud, it's personal, and it's eve...

In this episode, James Lewis sit down with Ti Adelaide Martin inside Commander's Palace to talk about what hospitality actually looks like in practice. Not in theory. Not in slogans. But in the daily discipline of answering phones, reading tables, training people, and caring about details that most guests never consciously notice. Ti shares how growing up under the influence of her mother, Ella Br...