Discover the unique charm and rich history of New Orleans' cemeteries, where each one tells its own story. Explore beyond the famous spots and uncover hidden gems with Sally Asher in our latest episode
Jul 09, 2025•31 min•Ep. 233
Saigon fell in April 1975. Shortly thereafter Vietnamese immigrants began arriving in New Orleans. Now, fifty years after the fall of Saigon, the Historic New Orleans Collection has created an exhibition telling their stories. Join me as I sit down with Senior Historian and Mark Cave to discuss the details.
Jun 25, 2025•34 min•Ep. 232
Slavery in Louisiana - a Visit to Whitney Plantation In today's episode, we learn about slavery in Louisiana. We visit Whitney Plantation, located in Wallace, LA 40 miles West of New Orleans. The Whitney is the only plantation whose primary focus is on the slaves who worked, lived, and died along this stretch of the Mississippi River. My guest today is Joy Banner, Director of Marketing at Whitney. Joy is also a native of the nearby community and is a descendant of the slaves at Whitney. On today...
May 29, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 231
Today’s episode is a question and answer epiosde with questions from listeners like you.
May 15, 2025•41 min•Ep. 230
My guest is a successful business owner who created a shop focused on celebrating New Orleans through its offerings.
Apr 30, 2025•16 min
Ever wanted to support New Orleans artists but didn’t know how to connect with them other than a visit to the city? My guest today hopes to bridge that gap through her business called Cucuron.
Apr 17, 2025•24 min•Ep. 228
Hansen's Sno-Bliz and the Story of the New Orleans Snowball In today’s episode, we head over to Hansen's Sno-Bliz on Tchoupitoulas Street, in uptown New Orleans. We visit with Ashley Hansen, granddaughter of Ernest and Mary Hansen, and the current owner of Hansen's Sno-Bliz. Hansen's is the oldest snowball stand in the United States, and is currently open for its 86th season in 2025. In the 1930s, Ernest Hansen created the first machine to shave ice into the snowy powder essential for a terrific...
Apr 04, 2025•40 min•Ep. 227
Coastal restoration and finding ways to preserve the Louisiana Coast has been a topic I’ve wanted to explore for several years. Today, I’m joined by James Karst, Director of Communications at the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.
Mar 19, 2025•32 min•Ep. 226
Today’s show is about an effort to revitalize Canal Street. My guest today, Sandra Thompson Herman, is the founder of that effort called Celebrate Canal! Coalition.
Mar 06, 2025•24 min•Ep. 225
Several years ago I did an episode or two with the Historic New Orleans Collection about the Storyville red light district. They had an excellent small exhibit about Storyville. Well now, there is a whole museum dedicated to Storyville. I’m joined today by the museum’s founder and curator, Claus Sadlier.
Feb 19, 2025•42 min•Ep. 224
My guest today is a New Orleanian who decided to create a board game focused on Mardi Gras. Michael Combes was disappointed in the lack of games with a New Orleans theme, so he created his own. Listen in as he describes the game and his plans for making it a reality.
Feb 05, 2025•23 min•Ep. 223
My guest today probably knows as much about Mardi Gras as anyone. He’s published an annual Mardi Gras Guide for 49 years, including the 2025 edition. I'm thrilled to be joined by Arthur Hardy!
Jan 23, 2025•35 min•Ep. 222
Today’s episode is all about Leon Goudchax, a Jewish immigrant to New Orleans who made a fortune as a merchant, and a sugar cane farmer and refiner.
Jan 09, 2025•56 min•Ep. 221
Today’s episode is a recap of 2024 and a bit of looking ahead to what’s in store for the show in 2025.
Dec 25, 2024•42 min•Ep. 220
Today’s episode is all about Mr. Bingle, a beloved local Christmas character created by a department store. Joining me is author Sean Patrick Doles who created a fairy tale called Saving Mr. Bingle . We discuss Mr. Bingle's history as well as Sean's book.
Dec 11, 2024•36 min•Ep. 219
Today’s episode is about the Mississippi River batture, and specifically the people who’ve chosen to live on that sliver of land over the years. To help me explore this culture I’ve enlisted the help of Macon Fry, author of the book They Called Us River Rats, and himself an inhabitant of the batture.
Nov 28, 2024•44 min•Ep. 218
My guest is an author, a chef, and perhaps most importantly a Cajun woman, in love with her native land and way of life. Melissa Martin joins me to talk about the restaurant, her latest cookbook, Bayou, Feasting Through the Seasons of a Cajun Life , and more.
Nov 14, 2024•34 min•Ep. 217
For more than 40 years, the Berger House at 6000 St. Charles Avenue is transformed each Halloween into the Skeleton House. The lawn is covered with dozens of skeletons, each with a costume and a name. In 2024, the skeletons embraced the arrival of Taylor Swift and her Eras tour. Join me as I learn all about it from Louellen Berger.
Oct 30, 2024•19 min•Ep. 216
My guests today are the co-owners of Porgy's Seafood Market, a local market and restaurant with a focus on Louisiana caught seafood.
Oct 17, 2024•37 min•Ep. 215
This week, we answer questions about New Orleans from listeners like you!
Sep 18, 2024•49 min•Ep. 214
Today's guest tells us about the tradition of black New Orleanians masking in Indian suits.
Aug 21, 2024•48 min•Ep. 213
My guest today, Miss Anais St. John, is an entertainer, performer and a teacher.
Aug 07, 2024•29 min•Ep. 212
Ever wondered what it's like to work on the Mississippi River? Today, we go behind the scenes with Todd Clower, CEO of Harbor Towing and Fleeting.
Jul 25, 2024•38 min•Ep. 211
My guest today is an author, folklorist, educator, scholar, and former Poet Laureate of Louisiana. Dr. Mona Lisa Saloy writes about her life as a black Creole in her 7th Ward neighborhood, as well as about the larger perspective of the black experience, in Louisiana and beyond. This discussion was a joy. I hope you enjoy it, too.
Jul 10, 2024•50 min•Ep. 210
What happens when the Louisiana Governor decides not to accept federal funding for feeding school-aged children during the summer? Amanda and Isaac Toups, owners of Toups' Meatery decided to do something about it. Join me and Amanda to learn about their efforts.
Jun 26, 2024•27 min•Ep. 209
This week, we answer listener questions about New Orleans on a variety of topics.
Jun 13, 2024•51 min•Ep. 208
Today, we discuss Bastion, a Community of Resilience. Bastion is a community, purpose built for veterans. To learn more about it I am joined by Jackson Smith, Bastion’s Executive Director.
May 29, 2024•52 min•Ep. 207
Join me and Keith Spera as we recap Jazz Fest 2024, and talk about the New Orleans music scene.
May 15, 2024•34 min•Ep. 206
Ever been to Jazz Fest, or want to go? We've got all the insider tips you need to have a great time!
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 205
Interested in haunted New Orleans? Ghost stories and other popular and untold legends? This is the episode for you! Join me and guest Orion Couling as we talk about his experience leading haunted tours around New Orleans.
Apr 03, 2024•45 min•Ep. 204