Unscripted: the NolaPapa Podcast

Send us Fan Mail I cannot imagine the amount of courage it took for NFL’s Ryan O’Callaghan to muster all his strength and begin to live his own authentic truth.  He came out in 2017 after he retired from the sport.  Ryan sat down with me and opened up about it all! From the beginnings all the way to now.  He is a true trailblazer and… teddy bear. Don’t tell him I told you.  Afterwards.  I got to s...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to a brand new season of Unscripted, y’all! It is sure to be full of inspiration from all corners of not only our city, but the whole dedgum country.  Today, we welcome New Orleans City Council Member at Large, Helena Moreno. Listen as she shares with us that leap from the anchor’s chair to the incredibly important chair that she leads now. A true inspiration and NOLA trea...

Send us Fan Mail Join Erik as he interviews New Orleans' Own Icon, Poppy Tooker as we revisit my very first interview of all time. Her openness and empathy to others is so incredibly obvious from the sound of her voice. Learn about her new books and how they came to be! "Coffee Talk" in Our brand new segment with Erik's husband, Dr. Douglas Alexander. Before finding his love of...

Send us Fan Mail Hollywood stereotypes, real estate, HIV positive. Join Erik and his guests as they discuss home remodeling and design, being authentically yourself, and becoming a biological father through surrogacy. SHOW GUESTS: Malik Mingo, TV Host - Instagram Brian Rosenberg, Gays With Kids - Blog Carmine Sabatella, HGTV Host - Instagram NOLAPAPA: Website Store Instagram Facebook YouTube LEARN...

Send us Fan Mail Representation, compartmentalization, pride. Join Erik and his guests as they discuss the diligence it takes to show up as a gay dad, the dark perspective of alcohol mixed with suicidal thoughts, and the implications of the despicable 'Don't Say Gay' law recently passed in Florida. SHOW GUESTS: Senator Gary M. Farmer, Jr., Florida Democrat - The Florida Senate Corey...

Send us Fan Mail Mental health, children's safety, gift of adoption. Join Erik and his guests as they speak to the importance of approaching children where they are in their identity and emotions, the significance behind the 501c3 that helps fund family adoptions, and how his Disney relates to the Florida bill infringing upon LGBTQ rights.  SHOW GUESTS: Doug Munster, Blogger - Real Modern Dad...

Send us Fan Mail Manifesting, guardian angels, crystal kits. Join Erik and his guest, the internationally-renowned Psychic Medium, Kim Russo, as they have an emotional conversation surrounding sensing and connecting with others, the significance behind angel numbers, and a live reading with Erik about his family. *Trigger Warning*: mentions of death, suicide, overdose. SHOW GUESTS: Kim Russo - Web...

Send us Fan Mail Racing, race, raising awareness. Join Erik and his guests as they converse on the importance of child development education and awareness, the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage, and how one NASCAR driver came out to his small hometown. SHOW GUESTS: Earl & Michael Benjamin Robinson, Public Health Practitioner & Mental Health Therapist-  The Bach Group Dr. Lee Ann An...

Send us Fan Mail Children's heart disease, private adoption, facing fear. Join Erik and his guests as they discuss the emotional baggage & much needed change behind the fostering system, the cost of poverty within the American healthcare system, Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' law, and all the happenings around Nola for Easter and Earth Day. SHOW GUESTS: Lisa Pecquet Harell,...

Send us Fan Mail Presents to premature families, summer camps,  sudden adoption. Join Erik and his guests as they discuss how this local non-profit brings a small bit of comfort to families in the NICU, a raving review of Mardi Gras carnival courtesy and safety, and how one unfortunate situation led this special gay, transgender man found his voice and created a whole firm towards helping others....

Send us Fan Mail Florida laws, Real World of New Orleans, Mardi Gras festivities. Join Erik and his guests as they discuss how photography can be used as a healing gift, safety tips for kids at parades this carnival season, and how one comedian turned his act into a sponsored cooking show with his family. SHOW GUESTS: David Nola -  IG & Photography Page Nikki Rockwood, NICU RN - Ochsner Health...

Send us Fan Mail Red Beans & Rice, community engagement, puppy training. Join Erik and his guests as they have conversations surrounding COVID fundraising for the Louisiana community, how one couple's birth photo made Toronto's Top 10 of the year, and how one teacher turned an unfortunate situation into one of his life passions. SHOW GUESTS: Jeanette Weiland, Author -  Personal Websi...

Send us Fan Mail King Cakes, child boosters, American Idol. Join Erik and his guests as they discuss dealing with the fame of coming out, children's relationship with food, and the journey of a mother with a premature baby in the Nicu. SHOW GUESTS: Jessica Eisenstat, Founder -  The Park Foundation Nikki Rockwood, NICU RN - Ochsner Health Dr. Jake Kleinmahon, Pediatric Cardiology - Ochsner Hea...

Send us Fan Mail Pansexuality, depression, religious fundamentalism, and the beauty of being validated by a religious leader. Join Erik and his guests as they discuss a pastor's presence in gay bars, community outreach, and the fake reality of social media.  SHOW GUESTS: Father Bill Terry - St. Anna's Episcopal Church Kieran Lovegrove, MLB Athlete & Player Outreach Coordinator  - Ins...

Send us Fan Mail Children and anxiety, the coming out story of a Christian musician, and the need for inclusivity and representation. Join Erik as he shares this special holiday episode with his guests and signs off the last episode of the year with a warm goodbye - have a warm, safe, and happy holiday season!! SHOW GUESTS: Dr. Angelia Spurgin, Ph. D. Pediatric Psychologist - Ochsner Health Center...

Send us Fan Mail The historical figure behind Santa, orchestrating music on Broadway, and the curious case of Jingles the lost Elf. Join Erik as he kicks off the holiday season with his guests and gets the latest holiday happenings around local New Orleans. SHOW GUESTS: Todd van Alstyne, Anglican Dominican Friar, School Chaplain - Instagram Nikki Rockwood, NICU RN at Ochsner Health Stephen Oremus,...

Send us Fan Mail Adoption process, 'Real World' insiders, and holiday celebrations. Join Erik as he celebrates National Adoption month with his guests, as well as gives the latest scoop on his interaction with  'The Real World: New Orleans' cast. SHOW GUESTS: Suzanne Loeb, Clinical Social Worker - suzy.loeb@yahoo.com Nikki Rockwood, NICU RN at Ochsner Health Joe Motowidlak and...

Send us Fan Mail Harsh realities of the entertainment industry, healing from trauma, energies and emotions. Join Erik in this exclusive interview with Eric Nies, a former reality television personality on MTV's The Real World, who speaks to his own spiritual journey built upon his travels around the world, meditation, and plant medicine. SHOW GUESTS: Eric Nies Facebook Page Instagram NOLAPAPA...

Send us Fan Mail Vaccinating children, Halloween recap, and Disney to 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?'. Join Erik as he engages with his guests covering the safety of getting the COVID vaccination booster, upcoming local New Orleans events, and an insider scoop into how 'Let's Make A Deal' adjusted to the pandemic lifestyle. SHOW GUESTS: Dr. Jake Kleinmahon, Pediatric Cardiology...

Send us Fan Mail SHOW NOTES: • Local Chef and Restauranteur, Jarred Zeringue lets me in on the details of his new cookbook and how Hurricane Ida’s wrath is still being felt months after it’s gone. • Family Building: A Foster Journey with Fred Swanson, Gays With Kids • TikTok sensation and gay dad, Josè Rolón stops by to walk us through his viral adventures with his 3 babies and how his beautiful s...

Send us Fan Mail Guests:  New Orleans Icon and Author,  Poppy Tooker Gayswithkids.com Co-founder, Brian Rosenberg MTV’s The Real World: Las Vegas, Trishelle Cantanalla!!  In my writings, I have always said that each of our paths are connected more than anyone may realize.  But the truth is, we ALL have hopes. We each have dreams. We have ambitions, eagerness and desire.   And when we harness that...