The 318 Experience

https://www.ayusa.org/ Call 888.552.9872 In this episode, Caroline Ernst, a community representative for AUSA, discusses the impact of hosting exchange students and the cultural exchange experience. She shares insights on the program, the benefits for host families, and addresses common misconceptions about hosting. Key Discussions: Introduction to AUSA: AUSA is an exchange student program that fa...

Wendy Driedger is on a mission to help foster kids and families in Northeast Louisiana. She’s the Co-Director of Project 2.5+ , a ministry providing essentials like clothing, diapers, and beds to children entering foster care. Right now, 308 kids in Ouachita Parish need homes, but there are only 60 foster families . That’s a huge gap. Wendy breaks down what’s really happening, why the system is st...

Pre-Order her book: https://a.co/d/dnsmTX0 The Saltworks Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-saltworks/id1646681744 In this episode of The 318 Experience , we welcome Hallie Dye —author, speaker, and host of The Saltworks Podcast . Hallie opens up about growing up in a faith-filled home, facing imposter syndrome, and learning to surrender to God’s plan in unexpected ways. She shares...

In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Frye , partner at SnapMe Creative Agency , to talk about how she helped build one of North Louisiana’s fastest-growing marketing powerhouses. We get into the real story—how SnapMe started back in 2007 when websites were still a new thing, how they navigated the chaos of COVID-19, and how an unexpected request to take sports photos accidentally launched an e...

Doug Harvey returns for a deep dive into entrepreneurship, leadership, and financial freedom. From running a UPS Store franchise to real estate investing, Doug shares his journey, lessons learned, and strategies for scaling success. We talk about thriving as a small business owner in Monroe, building passive income, and how leadership can change a community. This episode is packed with practical a...

🎙️ In this episode of The 318 Experience , we sit down with entrepreneur Josh Taylor to explore his incredible journey from selling cookie dough as a child to owning Car Wash West, a thriving business employing 20-30 people. Josh shares the lessons he learned as a young lawn care entrepreneur, his foray into real estate and homebuilding, and how mentorship and faith have shaped his career. This co...

Jason McGuffie is the Calhoun Campus Pastor at First West and a passionate leader in church revitalization and mentorship. With a background that includes serving as a pastor in various communities across Louisiana and Mississippi, Jason holds multiple theological degrees, including a doctorate in ministry. He’s also the director of the Multiply Network, where he empowers pastors to lead healthy c...

John Bruscato’s journey is one of resilience, service, and dedication. From growing up in Monroe, Louisiana, to overcoming challenges that shaped his career, John shares how his experiences as a student, business owner, and attorney have driven his mission to fight for others. Tune in to hear about his family’s legacy, his personal challenges, and his vision for community impact. 00:00:00 John Bru...

Contact Info: 318-243-3499 Voting Dates for Capital Infrastructure Tax Renewal: Early Voting: November 22nd - 30th (Excluding November 23rd and 24th) Election Day: December 7th Doug Harvey, Monroe City Council Member, joins  The 318 Experience  to talk about the Capital Infrastructure Tax (CIT). Learn why this 1% sales tax, which has funded over $120 million in vital projects since 2021, is critic...

Contact Information : Email: info@westmonroechamber.org Phone: 318-325-1961 In this episode, Allison Wilkerson, Membership Director of the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce, joins us to share how the Chamber is enhancing business growth and creating powerful community connections in Ouachita Parish. Allison explains the value of Chamber membership, highlighting how businesses of all si...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jamie McCullars, founder of Bayou Belle Wellness Chiropractic Studio. Jamie shares her journey from growing up in West Monroe to pursuing chiropractic care inspired by her uncle. She discusses her dedication to family-focused wellness, offering insights into her holistic approach to chiropractic and her specialization in pediatric and prenatal care. From overc...

In this episode of The 318 Experience , Margaret Troquille from the West Monroe Chamber of Commerce joins us to discuss the Chamber’s impactful Mentorship Program. This initiative connects high school students with local business leaders, offering them opportunities for self-discovery, personal growth, and professional development. Margaret shares her passion for shaping the next generation and th...

In this episode, we dive into the big plans for Neville High School with Stewart Shelby, from the Neville Charter Association. Stewart shares insights into the effort to convert Neville into a Type 3 charter school, explaining how it will empower both students and teachers while preserving the school’s rich history. We discuss the potential impact on academic offerings, community involvement, and...

In this powerful episode of The 318 Experience , we sit down with Larry Bell Jr., a New Orleans native, entrepreneur, public speaker, and poet. Larry shares his compelling journey growing up in Uptown New Orleans, balancing life as the only brother among three sisters, and finding his calling through faith, family, and community service. From surviving the devastation of Hurricane Katrina to rebui...

In this episode of The 318 Experience, we sit down with Amy Keifenheim, Director of Development for the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Louisiana. Amy shares the transformative work the Boys & Girls Club is doing in Monroe, West Monroe, and Bastrop. From affordable after-school programs to life skills and enrichment activities, learn how the organization is creating a safe, engaging, and fu...

In this episode, we sit down with Briana Calhoun, a Louisiana-born artist, teacher, mother, and founder of the nonprofit Hope on the Inside . Briana shares her extraordinary journey from growing up in a musical family to battling addiction, facing incarceration, and ultimately rebuilding her life. Briana opens up about how her experience in prison gave her a second chance, the struggles of overcom...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dominique McKane, a martial artist, military veteran, and survivor of a tragic attack. Dominique shares her family's journey into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the impact of her National Guard service, and how she turned trauma into a mission to empower women through her self-defense program, SHESAFE Training. She also recounts her harrowing experience during...

Jonathan Kirkland’s life is a true testament to the power of faith and resilience. In this episode of The 318 Experience, Jonathan takes us through his journey from a troubled youth, marked by loss and legal troubles, to facing a 20-year prison sentence. But it was in that dark time that he found faith and turned his life around. Today, Jonathan is a successful entrepreneur running multiple busine...

Join us in this episode of The 318 Experience as we welcome Dr. Kylie O'Neill from Calhoun Wellness Collective. Dr. O'Neill's journey from Cleveland, Ohio, to Calhoun, Louisiana, is a testament to her dedication to health, wellness, and holistic healing. With a doctorate in physical therapy from Slippery Rock University, Dr. O'Neill has built a practice that goes beyond traditional...

Check out Regymen! https://www.regymenfitness.com/monroe/ Join us for an inspiring episode with Kenny O'Neil, the local franchise owner of Regymen Fitness in Monroe. Kenny shares his incredible journey from surgical sales to becoming a fitness entrepreneur. We dive into the innovative HIIT workouts and heart rate monitoring that set Regymen Fitness apart, discuss the challenges Kenny faced alo...

Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Virendra Chhikara, the Center Director at the LSBDC at the University of Louisiana Monroe. With expertise in strategic planning, financial planning, and market research, Virendra shares his insights on the importance of understanding the market and comprehensive market research. Discover how LSBDC supports both new and existing small busines...

Justin's Youtube Channel Join us in this episode of The 318 Experience as we dive into the incredible journey of Justin Underwood. Starting as a real estate appraiser and agent, Justin has navigated an unconventional path to success, becoming a top mortgage banker and a renowned expert in the Marvel trading card community. Discover how he grew his YouTube channel to over 7200 subscribers, his...

https://connectedpathways.org/ Join us on "The 318 Experience" as we dive into an enlightening conversation with Dr. Robyn Rushing, a trailblazer in the healthcare sector and an advocate for neurodiversity. With a rich background as a health system CEO and her current role as a Leadership and Organizational Consultant, Dr. Rushing brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table. In...

First West Thrift Store: https://fwthriftstore.cc/ In this episode we delve into the remarkable journey of Phillip Thigpen, the transformative leader behind First West Thrift Store's exponential growth. In this episode, Phillip shares the secrets to tripling sales, expanding his team from a handful to over a hundred, and his dual role managing Daily Harvest. Discover his leadership philosophy...

📚 Discover "The Non-Selling Seller": https://a.co/d/9ujzOYU This episode of The 318 Experience features Derrick Gibson, an expert in sales with a career spanning over two decades, and the mind behind the groundbreaking book "The Non-Selling Seller." Derrick discusses his unique approach to sales, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and understanding consumer needs. Whet...