In the South, when somebody dies, you don't just send condolences—you send food.

Mark Ballard looks back at the wonderfully Southern tradition of funeral food, when church ladies descended on a grieving household armed with fried chicken, casseroles, homemade cakes and serving dishes carefully labeled with masking tape.

From the feast surrounding his mother's funeral to the decidedly different reception when his father died, Mark shares some of his funniest memories of food and bereavement. Then a funeral in Soperton introduces him to a towering pink coconut cake—and a recipe good enough to end up in one of his cookbooks.  

It's a story about food, family, changing traditions and the recipes that keep our memories alive.

In This Episode:

• The Southern tradition of funeral food
•  Why everything used to be made from scratch 
•  Church ladies, Tupperware and masking-tape name tags 
•  Why Mark expects flowers—and plenty of them 
•  A grandmother who fried chicken "just in case" 
•  What happened when Mark asked, "Where are the cakes?"
•  Discovering Willie Mae's unforgettable pink Cherry Crumb Cake 
•  Southern etiquette when someone asks for your recipe 
•  How food and recipes preserve memories as traditions change 

Chapters
00:00  Welcome to Genuinely Southern
00:45  The Southern Tradition of Funeral Food
01:40  From Scratch or Store-Bought?
02:43  Tupperware, Masking Tape & Southern Manners
03:53  Funeral Food for Mark's Mother
05:03  Church Ladies Take Over the House
06:10  Fried Chicken—Just in Case
08:17  Cake Gets You Through Grief
09:13  “Where Are the Cakes?”
10:03  Funeral Food in the Country
11:31  The Mysterious Pink Cake
12:55  Willie Mae's Cherry Crumb Cake
14:06  The Rules of Sharing Recipes
15:07  From Funeral Table to Mark's Cookbook
16:15  “Laying a Corpse” & Other Southern Expressions
23:55  Traditions Change, Memories Remain

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Carlyle Place at Home - Inclusive, Interactive Retirement Living Without Moving

Before the books, television, radio and decorating, Mark Ballard was a South Macon kid who drew on anything he could find. In this episode of Genuinely Southern, Mark tells the story of becoming “The Artist.” It begins with a third-grade teacher who recognized his talent and a mother determined to find a way to pay for art lessons. 

Enter Hauser Smith—a demanding, classically trained teacher who taught young Mark charcoal, oils and, most importantly, discipline. Those lessons eventually carried him from Macon to the Atlanta College of Art and back home again. 

Along the way: nude models, a life-changing family crisis, Macon’s early Cherry Blossom Festival and the persistence required to turn talent into a career.

It’s the story of the people, places and unexpected moments that helped a little boy who loved to draw become “The Artist.”

In this episode:

• The third-grade teacher who first recognized Mark’s artistic talent
•  How his mother found a way to make private art lessons possible 
•  Meeting Hauser Smith—and learning discipline the hard way 
•  Why eight-year-old Mark’s pine cone made the adult students jealous 
•  Leaving Macon for the Atlanta College of Art 
•  A family crisis that brought Mark back home 
•  Finding his place in Macon’s emerging art scene 
•  How the Cherry Blossom Festival helped open an unexpected door 
•  Why persistence and discipline mattered just as much as talent in becoming “The Artist”

Chapters

00:00  Welcome to Genuinely Southern
02:15  The Teacher Who Saw Something
04:23 Meet Hauser Smith
05:14  The Eight-Year-Old & the Pine Cone
06:51  Learning Discipline
09:31  Off to Art School
10:49  Mark Meets the Atlanta Art World
12:22  A Life-Changing Phone Call
14:50  Coming Home to Macon
15:43  Cherry Blossoms & Opportunity
18:11  A Painting Opens a Door
19:30  Persistence Pays Off
21:19  When Fate Clicks In
24:10  Becoming “The Artist”

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Carlyle Place at Home - Inclusive, Interactive Retirement Living Without Moving

How exactly do you explain a love story that begins with a toddler in a diaper, takes a detour through church musicals, the Georgia State Fair and Atlanta disco, and ends with a wedding in one of Macon’s grandest historic homes? Mark Ballard welcomes a particularly special guest to Genuinely Southern: his wife, Deborah. Together, they finally answer one of the questions they’re asked most often—“How did y’all meet?”

The answer requires going way back.

It's funny. It's tender. It's occasionally outrageous. In other words, it's Genuinely Southern.

In this episode:

• The first time Mark and Deborah met—and Mark's questionable wardrobe
• Growing up together in Macon
• Church productions, sweetheart banquets and hauling a trunk full of sand
• Memories of Macon's old Georgia State Fair
• Deborah's prophetic comment about Mark
• Love and loss at Christmas
• Caviar, disco and a night at Atlanta's Limelight
• Why Mark's professors noticed Deborah before Mark did
• Deciding to get married on the drive from Athens to Macon
• Becoming one of the first couples married at the historic Hay House
• And the final verdict on whether Deborah really is a “cougar”

Chapters
00:00  Welcome to Genuinely Southern
00:54  Meet Deborah Ballard: “How Did Y’all Meet?”
01:19  It All Started When Mark Was Two
04:09  Church Kids, Sweetheart Banquets & a Truckload of Sand
06:25  Growing Up at the Georgia State Fair
09:40  The “Big One” & Their Church Variety Show Years
11:32  Mark Attended Deborah’s First Wedding
13:04  A Baby, Thanksgiving & Some Serious Foreshadowing
15:01  A Christmas That Changed Everything
17:52  Art School, Macon & a Friendship Grows Closer
18:30  Caviar and a Night at the Limelight
20:32  Mark Goes to “Sodom and Gomorrah”
21:48  When Mark’s Art Professors Noticed Deborah
23:12  “You Wanna Get Married?”
24:15  A Cougar, a Gigolo & Some Concerned Families
24:35  Getting Married at Macon’s Hay House
27:32  Wedding Vows & 44 Years Later
28:24  Would They Do It All Again?
28:59  Closing: More Southern Stories to Come

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Carlyle Place at Home - Inclusive, Interactive Retirement Living Without Moving

Mark Ballard shares stories about his dogs and the deep bond they share, illustrating how pets are cherished family members in the South. This episode explores the joys, challenges, and unforgettable moments of pet ownership.

Key Topics
Pets are considered family members in the South, often with deep emotional bonds.
Memorable stories highlight the importance of rescue and caring for animals.
The emotional impact of losing a pet is profound and often commemorated in unique ways.
Pets provide comfort and companionship, especially during times of grief or recovery.
Community and family play a vital role in pet care and remembrance.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Southern pet culture and Mark's stories
01:55 The story of Babette and her special bond with Mark's family
03:51 Babette's death and the humorous yet heartfelt trip to the mountains
06:09 The arrival of Jean Pierre and the importance of grooming routines
07:58 Rescue dog Georgie and the decision to adopt a rescue pet
09:47 Georgie's adventures, training, and eventual passing
14:00 The return of Bandit and the special place he holds in the family
18:04 Bandit's personality, adventures, and the bond with Libby
20:10 Reflections on pets as family and closing thoughts

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Carlyle Place at Home - Inclusive, Interactive Retirement Living Without Moving

Mark Ballard shares heartfelt stories from his childhood in Macon, Georgia, illustrating the rich culture, family values, and personal growth that shaped his life and work.

Key Topics
Southern childhood memories
Family and community in the South
Creative pursuits inspired by upbringing
Lessons learned from family and church
Humorous and heartfelt childhood stories

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mark Ballard and the Genuinely Southern Podcast
00:28 Growing up in Macon, Georgia, during the holidays
01:23 Childhood birthday stories and family traditions
02:15 Early influences: family, church, and community
04:06 Learning to cook and garden with Granny
05:58 The love of hot peppers and gardening
07:20 Childhood creativity: plays, backdrops, and school projects
11:02 The Cub Scout adventure and dog bite incident
12:23 Mother’s quick thinking and the dog search
15:40 Deciding to leave Cub Scouts and parental support
16:04 Early artistic talents and school achievements
17:26 Winning the Sitting Bull contest and first newspaper photo
19:21 Christmas traditions and creative decorations
21:36 Full circle moments: creating for Foresters
22:33 Lessons on perfectionism and childhood memories
23:52 Mother’s influence and childhood adventures
24:49 Mother’s legacy of imagination and reaching for the stars
25:44 Closing remarks and gratitude

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Carlyle Place at Home - Inclusive, Interactive Retirement Living Without Moving

In this episode, Mark Ballard interviews Chuck Leavell, a renowned musician with a rich history in the music industry and a deep connection to the South. They discuss Chuck's early musical influences, career milestones, and his passion for preserving natural lands and community heritage.

Key Topics
Chuck Leavell's early musical influences and learning to play piano
The impact of Ray Charles on Chuck's career decision
Chuck's experience with Capricorn Records and the Southern music scene
His involvement with the Rolling Stones and other legendary artists
The revival of Capricorn Studios and its significance to Macon
Chuck's passion for land conservation and outdoor activities
Balancing a music career with environmental advocacy
The importance of community and family in his life

Takeaways
Passion and focus are essential to turning a hobby into a career.
Diverse musical influences enrich an artist's versatility.
Reviving historic music studios preserves cultural legacy.
Balancing artistic pursuits with environmental stewardship enhances life.
Community and family roots provide strength and inspiration.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Chuck Leavell and his Southern roots
01:56 Chuck's early musical influences and learning piano
03:53 The moment Chuck decided to pursue music as a career
05:59 Experience with Ray Charles and its impact
08:58 Joining Capricorn Records and the Southern music scene
12:09 Meeting the Allman Brothers and the Macon music community
14:56 Chuck's involvement with the Rolling Stones
17:58 Revival of Capricorn Studios and its cultural significance
21:55 Balancing a music career with land conservation and outdoor life
26:12 Family, land, and community in Twiggs County
30:03 Chuck's ongoing musical performances and projects
32:59 Closing thoughts and appreciation for community

Resources
Capricorn Studios - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capricorn_Records
Chuck Leavell - The Tree Man Documentary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Carlyle Place at Home - Inclusive, Interactive Retirement Living Without Moving

Whether through writing, broadcasting, or word-of-mouth, stories have always forged a connection between people and places. Nowhere else is this truer than in The South. Southern artist, influencer, speaker, and author Mark Ballard will weave stories of life in Macon, Georgia, and stories of the South. Tales told as only Mark can, will be interwoven with guest interviews and listener questions, and requests.