The 318 Experience

On this episode of The 318 Experience, Brian welcomes Chad Ali, Director of Programs for Choices Mentoring for Families and Youth, Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Wossman High School, award-winning filmmaker, and former Division I football player. Chad shares his journey from the University of Wyoming to the worlds of film, music, coaching, and community leadership. The conversat...

Kennedy Johnson joins The 318 Experience to share her journey from collegiate softball player to coffee shop owner. Kennedy discusses growing up between New Orleans and Houston, transferring to ULM after feeling called in a different direction, and how a love for coffee culture sparked the dream of owning Hebrews Coffee. She also shares the story behind the iconic turquoise camper, the challenges...

Dr. Emily Jones joins The 318 Experience for an important conversation about mental health, trauma, and healing. As Clinical Director for Therapeutic Services, a counselor, supervisor, educator, and trauma-informed practitioner, Emily helps individuals and families navigate life's challenges through connection and support. In this episode, we discuss what mental health really is, common reason...

Roderick “Rod” Williams joins The 318 Experience to share his incredible journey from the south side of Monroe to professional football and successful entrepreneurship. A former Richwood High School standout, All-American at Alcorn State, and NFL/CFL athlete, Rod opens up about the challenges of professional sports, transitioning into business, and building Guidance LLC into a company serving hund...

In this episode of The 318 Experience , we sit down with Jessica Bryant and Mindy Toups from the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeast Louisiana to discuss the vital role the CAC plays in supporting child victims and their families. Jessica and Mindy share their personal journeys into this work, what a forensic interview really looks like, and how the CAC provides a unified, trauma-informed appr...

Teal Hoffman, owner of Soda Jerk, joins The 318 Experience to share the journey behind her business—one that began with a calling at just 16 years old. After spending years as a stay-at-home mom and navigating personal challenges, Teal found herself stepping into entrepreneurship at exactly the right time. What started as a leap of faith with her sister quickly turned into a business embraced by t...

In this episode of The 318 Experience , Brian sits down with Monroe City Council Vice Chairman Verbon Muhammad, Sr. for a powerful conversation about leadership, community, and the future of Monroe. Verbon shares his journey from growing up in South Monroe to building a 30-year career with Greyhound and eventually stepping into public service. The conversation dives into the realities behind city...

Tommy Elmore joins The 318 Experience to share a life story marked by hardship, discipline, loss, faith, and purpose. Raised on the south side of Monroe during a difficult era, Tommy talks about bullying, street influence, gang involvement, getting shot at 15, being expelled, earning his GED, and eventually finding structure in the U.S. Army. He opens up about serving as Infantry, becoming a Milit...

🎂 Night of Cakes Fundraiser Join Quota West Monroe for their annual Night of Cakes fundraiser on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 5:30 PM at the West Monroe Convention Center (901 Ridge Ave, West Monroe, LA) . This signature event helps fund Quota’s mission of supporting women and children facing health, medical, and life challenges throughout our community. For more information, follow Quota West M...

What happens when success isn’t enough? In this episode of The 318 Experience , Brian sits down with Greg Manley Jr. — State Farm agent, husband, father of three, and man of faith — to talk about resilience, pressure, and the power of surrender. Greg shares his story of surviving childhood cancer, building a thriving insurance business, and then walking through one of the darkest seasons of his li...

Sterlington, Louisiana has had a big year — and Mayor Matt Talbert joins The 318 Experience to walk us through it all. In this episode, Mayor Talbert breaks down the State of the Town , highlighting major infrastructure improvements, sports complex upgrades, nearly $9.2 million in economic impact , sewer system investments, community beautification efforts, and new residential developments shaping...

At 23 years old, Pamela Stephens opened her first business during a recession — and she’s been building, flipping, creating, and reinventing ever since. With more than 12 years in real estate, over 1,000 homes sold, a portfolio of rentals, and her new micro-store The Remix, Pamela’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through everything she touches. But behind the success is a story shaped by resilience...

The Christmas Project has been changing holiday mornings for children across Louisiana and Mississippi since 2001 — and today, we sit down with the two leaders carrying that legacy forward. Dr. Matthew Nappier and Chris Ramsey of The Center for Children & Families join us to share the heart, history, and real impact behind an effort that now reaches more than 1,000 children every year. From th...

Lotus Club Website: lotusmonroe.com The Lotus Club of Monroe has been a cultural cornerstone since 1920, but what does it take to carry such a historic institution into the modern era? In this episode of The 318 Experience , Brian is joined by Troy Lizenby , who shares his journey with the Lotus Club — from walking into a space with “lots of charm and lots of empty space” to helping revitalize its...

Ryan Howard is the Creative Director at 3 Bridges Productions , a full-scale studio creating music, film, and photography for everyone from Grammy-winning artists to local business and political leaders. In this episode, we dive into: The behind-the-scenes world of a top-tier production studio How 3 Bridges balances commercial projects with meaningful storytelling Ryan’s work as a voice actor and...

Jennifer Zimmerman is a force in Northeast Louisiana — a small business owner, serial side hustler, and current Chairman of the West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber. In this episode, she shares the heart and vision behind her newest passion project: Women of Ouachita , a women’s networking group launching July 22. Jennifer opens up about her journey in business, her nonprofit work with 65 Alive, and...

Vivian and Reece Aultman are flipping the script on volleyball in Northeast Louisiana — a region long considered a “black hole” for the sport. What started in late 2023 as a simple goal to teach kids the basics has exploded into a full-blown movement: youth leagues, camps, private lessons, and competitive travel teams. In this episode of The 318 Experience , the Aultmans share how they’re building...

What does it take to walk away from the corporate world and start completely over at 53? For Eric Hammons, it took courage, conviction, and a deep love for agriculture. In this powerful episode of The 318 Experience , Eric shares the full story of how he went from working his way up at Nissan and Mazda to building handcrafted chicken coops in rural North Louisiana—and finding his purpose along the...

In this heartfelt episode, Erin Stokes—freelance PR professional and former nonprofit communicator—joins Brian to shine a light on CASA of Northeast Louisiana. Together, they explore what advocacy for a child looks like, the powerful impact of CASA volunteers, and the urgent need for more community members to step up. Brian also shares his own experience as a CASA volunteer, offering a personal an...

Joey Hixon on Discipline, Redemption, and the Heart Behind "Uncle Joey’s Boxing" From kickboxing to coaching kids who need more than just fitness—Joey Hixon shares a raw and powerful journey of self-discovery, setbacks, and second chances. In this episode, we unpack how he turned personal struggles into purpose, building a boxing program that champions discipline, confidence, and heart....

Chief Bobby Moore of the Ouachita Parish Fire Department joins the show to talk about his 33-year journey in public safety, how OPFD is evolving to meet today’s challenges, and why becoming a firefighter could be your next move. From drone missions to life-saving rescues, we explore what it takes to join one of the region’s most advanced emergency response teams. 00:00 - Intro 00:01:07 – Why He Ch...

Jasmyne McConnell returns to spotlight her latest venture: Chateau Rouge on the Bayou in Monroe, LA. In this episode, she shares how this unique venue blends a bar-and-lounge atmosphere with live music and scenic bayou boat tours. We dive into the vision, the local artist focus, and what to expect at their special Mother’s Day brunch event. A must-listen for creatives, music lovers, and Monroe loc...

Courtney & Mark Holyfield join Brian for a candid, insightful conversation about what most folks never hear when it comes to home loans, credit, and getting started in real estate. They break down how they’re using their roles at Citizens Progressive Bank to make lending more human — from helping families navigate tough financial conversations to offering real solutions for buyers shut out of...

Samuel Magee’s story is one of survival, resilience, and reinvention. After battling addiction and homelessness, he rebuilt his life and launched Shop Talk Studios, a creative media company in Northeast Louisiana. In this episode, he opens up about his darkest moments, the turning points that changed everything, and how storytelling became his way forward. We talk about addiction, recovery, breaki...

Learn more about The Vine of Northeast Louisiana: 🌐 Website: https://www.thevineofnela.org/ 📲 Follow on Facebook & Instagram: @thevineofnortheastlouisiana Bethany Wilson’s journey is one of redemption, resilience, and purpose. Raised in church but not truly following Christ, she found herself at a crossroads after an unplanned pregnancy. Convinced her life was over, she made a decision that...