What’s What BR

LOPA, Organ Donation Awareness, and Cayden’s Legacy with Lori Steele & Maggie Fan | What’s What BR In this episode of What’s What BR, host Brandon talks with returning guest Lori Steele from the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) and new guest Maggie Fan about promoting organ, eye, and tissue donation through education and conversation before a crisis occurs. Lori recaps National Donate...

Hurricane Season Prep with GOHSEP’s Mike Steele: Supplies, Power, Insurance & Generator Safety In this episode of What’s What BR, we talk with returning guest Mike Steele from Louisiana GOHSEP about gearing up ahead of hurricane season through training, partner coordination, and a statewide conference in May. They note last year’s hurricane season was active overall even though Louisiana was l...

How Professional Organizers Help Busy Families   In this episode of What’s What BR, first-time guest Olivia Parks, owner of Professional Organizers, explains how her team helps individuals and families declutter and organize homes to make daily life easier and reduce stress. She discusses how clutter impacts productivity and mental health, the difference between cleaning, decluttering, and organiz...

Get Your Rear in Gear Baton Rouge 5K: Colon Cancer Screening, Symptoms & Event Details In this episode of What’s What, BR, the host welcomes first-time guest Lauren Lindsey from the Colon Cancer Coalition to discuss the Get Your Rear in Gear colon cancer 5K happening Saturday the 28th at Pennington Biomedical Center in Baton Rouge. Lauren explains the event’s 16-year history, its role in raisi...

Raising Awareness and Funds for Alzheimer's Services with Astrid Clements In this episode of 'What's What BR,' we are joined by Astrid Clements, a dedicated board member of the Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Region. Astrid shares her personal journey with her husband's battle with Alzheimer's and discusses the vital services their organization provides, including adult daycare centers, contin...

Celebrating 100 Years of Louisiana State Library with State Librarian Meg Placke In this episode of 'What's What BR,' we welcome Meg Placke, the Louisiana State Librarian and Assistant Secretary, as our first-time guest. Meg discusses the unique role and extensive services of the state library, which is distinct from public libraries and supports them across the state. She highlights the library's...

The Facts About Organ Donation - National Donate Life Month Special In this episode of What's What BR, we welcome back Lori and Wendy from LOPA (Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency) to discuss the importance of organ, tissue, and eye donation. April is National Donate Life Month, and our guests share their experiences, including Wendy's life-saving liver transplant. We delve into the ease of becomi...

Love the Boot Week: Cleaning Up Louisiana with Melissa Kenyon In this episode of What's What BR, we welcome Melissa Kenyon from Keep Louisiana Beautiful, part of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. Melissa shares insights about the organization's transition from a nonprofit to a state program and delves into the annual Love the Boot Week. This major initiative focuses on litter cleanup and beautific...

Understanding Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery with Dr. Ryan Farmer In this episode of What's What BR, first-time guest Dr. Ryan Farmer, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Ochsner, delves into the day-to-day life and responsibilities of his profession. He discusses the unique challenges and rewarding aspects of working with pediatric patients, especially those with special needs. Dr. Farmer provides in...

Discover the Vital Role of St. George Fire Department with Meg Join us in this episode of What's What BR as we sit down with Meg from the St. George Fire Department to discuss their crucial work and initiatives. From distinguishing their service from the Baton Rouge Fire Department to detailing the heat-related emergencies they handle, Meg shares insights into their day-to-day operations. Learn ab...

Bridging the Gaps in Autism Support with Drew Walker | What's What BR In this episode of What's What BR, we welcome Drew Walker, Executive Director of the Capital Area Autism Network (CAAN). Drew explains CAAN's mission to unite community members in Baton Rouge to support and provide education for autistic and neurodivergent individuals. Drew discusses the challenges in accessing autism services,...

Innovative Education Initiatives: Interview with Jamey on What's What BR In this episode of 'What's What BR,' we welcome first-time guest Jamey, a multi-faceted individual involved in multiple ventures including School Aids, Dream Teachers, and the Academic Distinction Fund (ADF). Jamey shares insights into his daily work at School Aids, which has been a cornerstone for teacher and school supplies...

Bridging the Digital Divide: A Conversation with Sunni LeBeouf of Cox Communications In this episode of What’s What BR, Brandon welcomes first-time guest Sunni LeBeouf, Market Vice President for Cox Communications in New Orleans. Sunni discusses her role at Cox, emphasizing the importance of providing exceptional customer service and being a community resource. They dive into the concept of digita...

Mayor Sharon Weston Broome Discusses Flood Insurance Discounts, Corridor Cleaning, and Community Initiatives Join us in this episode of What's What BR as we welcome back Mayor President Sharon Weston Broome. We discuss a range of topics, including a new 20% discount on flood insurance premiums for East Baton Rouge parish residents, the latest corridor cleaning program to enhance community cleanlin...

Louisiana's Tourism Boom and State Park Revival with Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser In this episode of What's What BR, we welcome back Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser to discuss the remarkable resurgence of Louisiana's tourism industry. Lt. Governor Nungesser shares insights on the unique attractions across the state, from Cajun country to the Atchafalaya Basin, and how these experiences draw vi...

Economic Development in Louisiana: Insights from Adam Knapp Join us in this episode of What's What BR as we welcome back Adam Knapp, now representing the Committee of 100 (C100). Adam shares his experiences over the past seven months with C100, focusing on the organization's role in driving economic development in Louisiana. We discuss the origins and mission of C100, recent legislative wins, and...

Understanding Colorectal Cancer Screening with Dr. Nusloch from Ochsner Baton Rouge In this episode of What's What BR, host Brandon talks to Dr. Nusloch, a gastroenterologist at Ochsner Baton Rouge, about the importance of colorectal cancer screening. Dr. Nusloch shares insights about her daily work on the inpatient service, common reasons for gastroenterology consultations, and the prevalence and...

Exploring Modern Libraries: Free Resources and Programs for All Ages In this episode of What's What BR, hosts Brandon welcomes back Mary and Tara from the East Baton Rouge Parish Library. They discuss the library’s array of free resources and activities available for kids, teens, and adults—ranging from 3D printing to streaming services like Canopy and IndieFlix. The conversation also highlights t...

Preparing for Hurricane Season with GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux | What's What BR In this episode of What's What BR, I welcome JT from the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP). They dive into the importance of being prepared for hurricane season, discussing everything from having a generator and emergency kits to the significance of thorough planning. JT...

Unpacking Public Service and Baton Rouge's Future with Ted James In this episode of 'What's What BR,' host Brandon welcomes first-time guest Mr. Ted James. The discussion dives into Ted's extensive career in public service, the challenges he faces as a parent, and his daily life balancing law practice and community engagement. Ted also shares insights from his LinkedIn history, recent stint at the...

In this episode of What's What BR, we are joined by Dr. Bourgoyne, a first-time guest and an expert in allergy and immunology from Ochsner’s Baton Rouge. Dr. Bourgoyne discusses a range of topics including the high prevalence of allergies in Louisiana, misconceptions about common allergens, and the importance of exposure to build a resilient immune system. He also explains the role of immunotherap...

In this episode of What's What BR, Brandon interviews returning guest Congressman Garret Graves, discussing the progress and details of a significant bill related to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The bill, aimed at improving the passenger experience and incorporating new technology in aviation, has passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support. They also delve int...

Advancing Louisiana's Education: Insights from BESE's Acting President In this episode of What's What BR, guest Ronnie Morris, the acting president of the BESE board, discusses the improvements in Louisiana's K-12 education system, highlighting the state's climb to number 40 in national rankings. Morris shares the strategic focus on literacy, the adoption of phonics, and the deployment of new tech...

Diving Deep into Highway Safety with Lisa Freeman In this episode of What's What VR, Brandon interviews Lisa Freeman, the Executive Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and the governor's representative for highway safety in Louisiana. They discuss the significance of highway safety and its impact on every road user, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Lisa hig...

Celebrating Louisiana Through Children's Books with Angelle Terrell   In this episode of What's What VR, we welcome first-time guest and local children's book author, Angelle Terrell. Angelle discusses her journey as a writer, her passion for storytelling, and her excitement for her upcoming second picture book, 'Someone in Louisiana Loves You', set to hit shelves on May 25th. She shares insights...