One person who most identifies a city is its mayor. There are council members, legislators, judges, sheriffs and police chiefs, but it's the mayor who usually, for better or worse, is in the best position to direct the future.

Friday Ellis, the first term mayor of Monroe, joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot, to talk about not just his city but also the vision of the state from his perspective and that of other City Hall colleagues. We will also hear about serious plans for AMTRAK rail service and downtown revival. Mayor Ellis’ wife Ashley also joins the conversation. The Monroe First Lady is a member of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education making them Northeast Louisiana’s ultimate power couple.