Robert Thompson's Frenchmen Hotel renovation will be unveiled at the end of the month. Meanwhile, he made headlines this month for purchasing the much larger Whitney Hotel on the other side of the French Quarter. On this week's podcast, he talks about why he moved his business and family to New Orleans, and how his writer's imagination inspires his restaurant and hotel designs.

Seniors have always been at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, but with this aggressive Omicron variant, what should they be doing to stay safe? Is it OK to resume those doctor’s appointments? See family? What about protecting mental health? Dr. Brienne Loy, regional medical director for CenterWell Senior Primary Care for Texas and Louisiana, shares her advice.

This week, we talk to award-winning writer, editor and "Biz Talks" co-host Kim Singletary, who has been the managing editor of Biz New Orleans magazine since its launch in 2014. In this episode, she discusses the most important business stories of the year, and the top executives featured in the January issue.

This week, producer Kelly Massicot interviews Biz Talks co-host Rich Collins about his new role as the editor of Biz New Orleans' new publication the New Orleans 500. The New Orleans 500 is an annual book that profiles the business leaders who are driving the greater New Orleans economy today and making decisions that will shape the region’s future. The inaugural edition is out now and Collins talks about the process and which New Orleans notables you can see in its pages.

Last week, Calgary-based Canadian Pacific Railway finalized a $31 billion dollar purchase of Kansas City Southern railway. The deal, which is North America’s first major merger of Class I railroads in 20 years, could have a noticeable impact in south Louisiana, where some of Kansas City Southern’s 6,700 miles of track is located. John Spain is the executive vice president of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and a member of the Southern Rail Commission. On this week’s podcast, Spain talks about the deal’s implications, including how it may hasten the return of passenger rail service between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.  

On today’s episode, we talk to University of Holy Cross President Dr. Stanton McNeely. Under his leadership, the Algiers-based school’s rankings are on the rise and several new programs are attracting attention. Next semester, for instance, UHC will match TOPS scholarship awards for qualified students and is providing a one-time $1,500 housing scholarship for students who sign a contract to live on campus in UHC’s new residence hall. ... and later this week, they're hosting a winter festival complete with ice skating rink.

Armed with a marketing degree and zero culinary experience, Seventh Ward native Greg Tillery has transformed his dream to create tasty chicken wings into an Instagram-fueled success story. After only eight years, We Dat’s Chicken and Shrimp now boasts seven locations in two states, plus a popular line of seasonings, and is quickly moving toward franchising. In this episode of Biz Talks, Tillery shares his best startup advice for those looking to chase their own dreams.

This week’s episode features U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, who was one of the five lead Republican negotiators and a member of the bipartisan group of 22 senators that drafted the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. On the podcast, Cassidy talks about how the bill will affect the greater New Orleans region, which projects might start the soonest and where the job opportunities will be.

Inventory is down and prices are up, but does that mean you should wait to buy a car? Not according to Roch Eshleman, director of public relations for Ray Brandt Auto Group, who offers up a more complete picture of how car buying has changed during the pandemic, and explains how consumers can still come out on top in this week's episode. 

Husband-and-wife entrepreneurs Austin Sherman and Alexis Korman founded Big Easy Bucha seven years ago to create "healthy beverages spiked with New Orleans flavor." Now, they produce, distribute and sell millions of bottles annually. Last week, it was announced that Latin American drink maker Beliv purchased Big Easy Bucha for an undisclosed amount. Sherman and Korman plan to hire another 50 employees in New Orleans as they expand to meet increased demand.

On this week’s podcast, Sherman talks about the origins of his business, the details of the acquisition and why the market for kombucha and other health drinks is booming.