Retire Southern with James Lewis

Blair Crimmins didn't just find his sound—he fought for it. From fronting rock bands in Atlanta to leading a full seven-piece ragtime jazz ensemble, Blair's journey has been anything but conventional. After a life-altering accident and some soul searching, he rediscovered the sounds of New Orleans jazz and Dixieland swing and embraced a vision that defies industry norms. Catch this episode of Reti...

Chef Conner Hinderks is bringing bold flavors and big ideas to Greenville, SC, with his pop-up residency kitchen, Little Secret. From his early days in Kansas City to honing his craft in New Orleans, Conner shares how his culinary journey led him to create accessible, high-quality food without the fine-dining price tag. Hear how he's building a name for himself through community partnerships, crea...

Hear the incredible story of John Lavin, the visionary owner of the historic Blue Ridge Inn Bed & Breakfast in Georgia. From his Southern upbringing split between Lafayette, LA and Chattanooga, TN, to a brief acting career in NYC + Hollywood and a passion for curating guest experiences, John shares how he found his true calling as an innkeeper - starting with going viral on TikTok showing tourists...

What's it like to grow up as the eldest Manning brother in a family of football legends? Cooper Manning joins Retire Southern  to catch up with high school pal and host, James Lewis, to share colorful stories of growing up in New Orleans with his father, Archie, and brothers, Peyton and Eli. From hilarious memories of his intense basketball coach, Coach Fitz, to afternoons in the Saints locker roo...

The Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research's CEO and Founder, Dean Crowe, shares how she advocates for groundbreaking change in pediatric cancer funding. What began as a grassroots effort in the South has grown into a nationwide movement, securing over $35 million for research grants and $223 million in Department of Defense funding for childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancers. By hi...

For more than 20 years, Bob Kesling has been the "Voice of the Vols" at the University of Tennessee, narrating iconic moments in college athletics. Bob reflects on his incredible journey from a walk-on fullback at the University of Tennessee to a celebrated broadcaster and mentor. He shares stories of unforgettable games, countless personalities, and the impact of mentoring through Big Brothers Bi...

In this episode of Retire Southern , James Lewis sits down with acclaimed chef and restaurateur Ford Fry to explore his journey from growing up in Houston, to culinary school, to building a culinary empire with over 20 restaurants in seven cities across five states. Ford shares how his Southern roots and family travel experiences shaped his passion for food, leading to nationally recognized restau...

In this live audience episode of  Retire Southern , James Lewis hosts Daron K. Roberts, a former Harvard Law graduate turned NFL coach, bestselling author, and keynote speaker. They discuss Daron's unique journey, his new book Microwins, and his philosophy on breaking big goals into small, achievable steps. With insights on family, resilience, and redefining success, Daron's story inspires listene...

Legendary Hilton Head musician Gregg Russell joins Retire Southern for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into performing under the Liberty Oak at Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, SC. Gregg shares stories from his remarkable career, from his start as a Disney performer to becoming a beloved figure in the community. He talks about his passion for connecting with audiences, the founding of his chari...

Brandon Schexnayder, the talented creator of the acclaimed Southern Gothic podcast, joins our host James Lewis this week on Retire Southern . With over 200 episodes, Southern Gothic blends meticulously researched Southern history with eerie, haunted tales, captivating listeners with every story. Brandon shares personal anecdotes about his family's 200-year history in New Orleans, his love for Sout...

Ralph Brennan's name and family are synonymous with New Orleans cuisine after owning and operating iconic restaurants like Brennan's (originators of Bananas Foster), Napoleon's House, and more. In this episode, Ralph takes us behind the scenes of his culinary empire, describing everything from his first job delivering potatoes to studying in the south of France and rescuing and reviving the family...

Today we welcome University of Georgia's broadcasting legend, Neil "Hondo" Williamson, to the show! With over 47 years in broadcasting, Hondo has become an integral part of UGA's Game Day, hosting multiple broadcasts per game, along with Bulldogs Live with Coach Smart. Beyond the stadium, Hondo juggles a day job at Cox Media Group, where he excels in sales and marketing across several radio statio...

Get ready to travel down memory lane with David Rule as he candidly shares his culinary journey with Retire Southern . David's career began in high school, igniting a lifelong passion for the restaurant industry and creating a story of persistence, creativity, and a deep appreciation for quality ingredients. Beginning with the smell of his grandmother's fresh sausage and biscuits on summer morning...

Louisiana basketball legend Randy Livingston joins the Retire Southern Podcast for an inspiring, wide ranging conversation about resilience, purpose and the pursuit of basketball. Randy shares his journey from growing up in the Calliope Projects to becoming a national high school superstar, choosing LSU, overcoming major injuries, reaching the NBA and later coaching across the United States and Au...

In the inaugural episode of Retire Southern, James and Amanda pull back the curtain on how their blended family of eight, affectionately known as Team Chaos, tackles one of their favorite places in the South: Florida's Forgotten Coast. From St. George Island to Cape San Blas, this conversation is equal parts travel guide, family story, and reminder that intentional living does not mean perfect liv...