The Salad Bowl Podcast

In this episode of The Salad Bowl Podcast , Kev sits down with his little brother-in-law, Jamal Gaddis — a man whose story is far more interesting than any “Most Interesting Man in the World” commercial. Jamal opens up about his journey from Washington University undergrad to discovering his passion for biology, the moments that shaped his worldview, and his commitment to giving back to students a...

This Side Salad is about a word many use, many avoid, and almost everyone has feelings about. Kev steps into a quiet, honest examination of his own relationship with the N word—its history, its evolution, and the contradictions in how it shows up in his life today. This episode isn’t about judgment or rules. It’s about awareness. About honesty. About asking the questions we don’t always slow down...

In this Side Salad, Kev explores one of life’s simplest but most overlooked truths —  happy people aren’t mean.  From the co-worker with the cold shoulder to the stranger who snaps at you in line, mean behavior often says more about someone’s unhappiness than it does about you. Through real-life reflections and grounded wisdom, Kev unpacks how joy and cruelty can’t coexist — they’re oil...

In this episode of The Salad Bowl Podcast , Kev sits down kneecap to kneecap with Chris Thobaben — a husband, father, Marine Corps Officer, business owner, and supply chain consultant — for a powerful, human conversation that peels back the layers of what connects us all. Chris opens up about his origin story and the winding path that led him to love, fatherhood, and purpose. Together, we explore...

What can a frozen bird, a cow, and a cat teach us about life? More than you’d think. In this short but powerful Side Salad, Kev breaks down  The Parable of the Bird and the Poo  — a story that reminds us not to procrastinate, not to mistake help for harm (or harm for help), and to recognize when it’s best to just stay still and trust the process. Because sometimes life drops a little bul...

In this Side Salad, Kev challenges the modern American habit of choosing political loyalty over common decency. From Democrats dismissing good ideas because they came from Republicans, to Republicans rejecting progress just because it was voiced by a Democrat — he calls out the dangerous game of treating politics like a team sport where no one wins. As the government shutdown leaves hardworking Am...

🎙️ Most people know Miles Williams as the calm, thoughtful star of Married at First Sight: New Orleans — but for me, he’s much more than that. Miles is a true friend, “Uncle Miles” to my kids, and someone whose layers deserve a deeper look. In this episode, we go far beyond reality TV and step into the real life and heart of Miles Williams. We talk about his upbringing , his experience navigating...

In this Side Salad segment, Kev explores the power—and discomfort—of challenging ideas. Growth rarely happens in comfort zones, and sometimes the most valuable conversations are the ones that stretch us, unsettle us, or even frustrate us. This quick reflection asks: are you surrounding yourself with voices that simply echo what you believe, or ones that push you to think deeper, sharper, and truer...

In this Side Salad segment, host Kevin Thompson digs into the hidden weight behind three simple words:  “Don’t Post That!”   What does it say about us, our intentions, and the world we’re shaping online? This quick but powerful reflection will have you rethinking not just what you share, but why you share it. Sometimes the most important conversations aren’t about what we put out into th...

In this Side Salad segment of  The Salad Bowl Podcast , host Kevin Thompson takes a moment to remind us of something simple yet deeply powerful—we all have the right. But the right to what? That’s where the conversation gets interesting. Through his signature blend of storytelling and reflection, Kevin challenges listeners to pause and think about the freedoms, choices, and ownership we somet...

In this episode of The Salad Bowl Podcast , I sit down with my friend, mentor, and former colleague Darius Griffin — a former Marine Corps Career Recruiter (8412) whose leadership and people skills set him apart. After years of service, Darius transitioned into the corporate world, where he now thrives with Verizon , applying his unmatched expertise in sales and marketing. Our conversation takes u...

In this inspiring episode, Kevin sits down with Maria Rivera — a leader, mentor, and content creator known on TikTok as @boldincammies . Maria shares her powerful story of navigating life’s challenges and overcoming organizational obstacles in the Marine Corps. From the recruiting office to the digital space, she’s mastered the art of leadership in multiple arenas — guiding Marines in uniform, men...

In this deeply reflective Side Salad segment, host Kev explores a powerful truth:  “You saw the decision—but not the options.” Through real-world lenses of  leadership ,  parenthood , and  social judgment , this episode challenges listeners to look beyond outcomes and consider the hidden pressures, impossible choices, and untold stories that shape people’s decisions. Kev speaks...

In this episode of The Salad Bowl Podcast , we sit down with Orlando Primo — a proud Guyanese community influencer making powerful waves in New Orleans. From the sports fields with @the18thward, where he serves as Program Manager and coach, to the healing, soul-shifting rhythms of his drum school @majekfingers, Orlando is a living testament to what it means to lead with intention, passion, and cul...

For some, this title proves to be an unequivocal truth. On this Side Salad segment, we dive into the perspective that may support or disprove this narrative. Tune in as the host Kevin gives us an insight on the history, statistics and systems that surrounds this "truth". Strap in for this one... #TheSaladBowlPodcast #SideSalad

In Episode 11 of The Salad Bowl Podcast , I sit down with my brother in service and spirit — Joseph Pagart , a proud Louisianan whose love for the Saints , Pelicans , gumbo , and good people runs deep. But this conversation goes far beyond sports and hometown pride. Joseph opens up about the highs of fandom and the heartbreaks of real life — from the courtside excitement of the NBA to navigating p...

🎙️ In this Side Salad segment, we dig into something that too often gets pushed off the plate— feelings . Why is it that the moment emotions enter a conversation, people start scrambling for "just the facts"? As if the way something  feels  isn’t personal, relevant, or real. Host Kevin flips that tired logic on its head, making a compelling case for emotions as  essential tools , no...

In this powerful tenth episode, I sit down with Yunuss Diallo Labghaly — a United States Marine, a devoted Muslim, and a man I consider wise well beyond his years. Stemming from Africa and raised with the rich cultural threads of his heritage, Yunuss brings a thoughtful and grounded perspective to every part of our conversation. We explore his journey through the immigration of his family, the com...

What if knowing who you are— and in what order —was the secret sauce to showing up as your best self? In this flavorful episode of The Salad Bowl Podcast , host Kevin Thompson chops it up with the incomparable Alicia Polk, a radiant force of nature who lives life in a carefully curated order of importance. From a vibrant childhood foundation to the disciplined climb from enlisted to warrant office...

In this Side Salad episode of  The Salad Bowl Podcast , Kev takes a hard look at a soft place— the community pool . In the heart of New Orleans—a city celebrated for its cultural gumbo—why does the pool still look so…  segregated ? From childhood stereotypes like  “Black people don’t swim”  to the violent history of segregated swimming spaces, Kev dives deep into the hidden cur...

In this flavorful Side Salad segment of  The Salad Bowl Podcast , we break down the Betari Box—a deceptively simple model that reveals how our attitudes and behaviors create powerful ripple effects in every part of life. From toxic leadership in the workplace to tension in personal relationships, host Kev unpacks how energy cycles form, spread, and ultimately shape culture. When one person’s...

In this heartfelt episode of The Salad Bowl Podcast , your host Kevin sits down with Warren Leal, a 28-year veteran of the Louisiana National Guard, for a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation. From the discipline of military service to the chaos and beauty of family life, Warren opens up about the transitions that come with hanging up the uniform and rediscovering purpose beyond the battl...

In this Side Salad, Kev takes a seat at the table alone to break down a psychological concept that shapes how we see each other every day: the Fundamental Attribution Error. Why do we assume someone's rude because they're just that way, but excuse ourselves because we’re “just having a bad day”? 🤔 Kev explores how this bias shows up in our workplaces, relationships, and even random moments in tra...

🎙️ Navigating Business, Motherhood Relationships & Authenticity In this episode, I sit down with my great and longtime friend Laura Green, the powerhouse behind Impact Vector (@impact.vector). Laura is not just a seasoned business owner — she’s a wife, mother, daughter, and so much more. Tune in as Laura shares her authentic origin story, offers vulnerable insights into her worldview, and deli...

A Conversation with My Father, Steven Thompson In this deeply personal episode of The Salad Bowl Podcast , I sit down with someone who has shaped every part of who I am—my father, Steven Thompson. This is more than just an interview; it’s a heartfelt exchange between father and son, and I invite you to be a fly on the wall as we talk about life, love, and legacy. We cover everything from the joys...