For my dad Karl and all the Steuers. Merry Christmas, family!  I love you!

Mignon Francois is the Founder and CEO of The Cupcake Collection. A New Orleaninian at heart, Mignon now runs her cupcake empire from Nashville, where she virtually joined for this recording. Mignon began her cupcakery from the bare bones of her kitchen back in 2008 and built it into a thriving business, shipping cupcakes nationwide from The Cupcake Collection's New Orleans and Nashville locations. Following this success, Mignon has become a sought-after speaker and goes around the country encouraging other entrepreneurs who seek her grass-roots experience. Mignon recently published her first book, Made from Scratch: Finding Success Without a Recipe which is available for purchase on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, or on Mignon's website. Mignon was as sweet to speak with as the confections she creates and I cannot wait to let you all hear from her. 

Olivia Ivey Bannock is a Los Angeles-based fashion stylist specialising in bridal & event styling. Olivia trained in New York, assisting successful stylists before moving to the West Coast and establishing her own identity as a personal stylist. Two years ago while on her own honeymoon plagued by COVID, Olivia applied her editorial education to style herself, joking in her Instagram caption that she had become a blogger. A few months later, Olivia’s wedding was published on the ever popular bridal site Over The Moon, cementing Olivia as the style director that she is. Olivia is extremely humble after such a meteoric rise to success for the talent that she is. 

Subscribe to Olivia’s Wednesday Wishlist Newsletter for the dreamiest wardrobe inspiration at: https://www.oliviaiveybannock.com/subscribe (https://www.oliviaiveybannock.com/subscribe)

If you’re a 2025 bride and looking for styling support, email Olivia directly at 
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Sydney Ellis began Niall Knithouse with two semi-paradoxical goals in mind; She aspired to create a fashion label while encouraging buyers to shop less. Her mission became helping reduce textile waste coming from the fashion industry by inspiring shoppers to buy less and wear more. 

In this episode, Sydney explains the magic in modular design and the importance of conscious consumption. We talk the building of her brand, the success of Niall Knithouse today, and what it's like to work with truly influential influencers. At the end of this episode is an extra special and chaotic early 2000s themed Would You Rather!

If you are listening from NYC, Niall Knithouse is currently operating a pop up in Soho at DOORS.NYC for the entire month if people want to come see the clothes in person!

*Sensitive Content Advisory* 

Let The Good Talk Roll veteran David Darragh returns for a very special and important episode on what it was like to lead local corporation Zatarain's through the terrible time of Hurricane Katrina. This episode may not be for everyone. I understand what a deeply upsetting loss Hurricane Katrina was for so many locals here in New Orleans. If this episode isn’t for you, I highly suggest you go back and listen to our first episode with David on his corporate career arc to now leading a favorite New Orleans-based not-for-profit organization, Team Gleason.

Mary Benson is a contemporary painter out of Charlotte, North Carolina whose unique style blends contemporary impressionism with stained glass-inspired abstract shapes. Mary's work is grounded in her love of natural landscapes which she captures in a romanticised mosaic of bright and pastel color. 

In this episode, Mary and I talk taking the leap to become a full time artist, discovering your own distinctive artistic technique, and the promise of social media. We also continue my impromptu new Would You Rather segment -- this time pre-planned!

I chose to reach out to Mary, first, because her work stood out as artwork I coveted. I hope you all enjoy meeting Mary and taking in her beautiful art! 

Casey Langteau Johnson is both an artist and a small business owner, among a myriad of other things — the most wonderful friend, a wife, a mother-to-be, a daughter, a sister, and (!!) my boss. 

As a person and as an artist she is so loved by those who know her and in turn she exudes and creates such happy energy and art!

Casey is a palette knife painter and her style would be described as impasto, with heavy impressionist influences. A few of my favourite adjectives to describe the quality of Casey’s paintings — and it is my  job to do so — are: effervescent, deeply thoughtful, romantic, playful, peaceful, spiritual, serene, dimensional, luminous, bright. 

It is such a delight to ~finally~ have Casey on this podcast. After listening, please visit Casey’s insta, the website, or, for the locals… come visit me in the gallery!!

In this episode we are chatting with Lauren Trostorff creator of Vibrant Market, a beauty and wellness shop here in New Orleans.

Not only is this an incredibly interesting episode, it also comes with some special bonus material! I was first interested in visiting Vibrant Market after speaking with Tyler Robinson, Lauren's fiancé and former LTGTR guest, and learning that his then-girlfriend sold a particular makeup line (that I adore and which isn't sold anywhere else in the city!) in her store. 

But what all I found at Vibrant was so much more than cosmetics alone. They offer many services and host an impressive matcha bar. Vibrant even offers personal makeup consultations and professional application from their in-house expert makeup artist (or, if you are lucky, by Lauren herself!) So, to give you a real inside look and to add a little spice to this episode, Lauren and I filmed a little tutorial: a glimpse into all that is Vibrant.

Hanna Geiger made a home for herself in beautiful Charleston and then built a career helping others do the same. From our earliest college days, it was clear that Hanna possessed an innate sense of style and took care in curating the world around her. And since, I have had the pleasure of watching her grow not one but three thriving businesses. After first obtaining her real estate licence and establishing herself within the industry, Hanna decided to expand her capabilities by adding on both staging and interior design companies. In this episode, we discuss how all three of her pursuits align and why Hanna choses to strive for the most. 

To see Hanna's work, and some beautiful business portraiture, go to www.hannageiger.com 

Before Let The Good Talk Roll takes some holiday time off, I do have one last guest to introduce y'all to before the new year and she's really a star!! 

Okay please forgive me for the pun but please let me introduce Kim Starr Wise!! Kim is a New Orleans-based floral designer and the owner of two businesses: a floral events company and a flower shop, located -- as many of my favorite places are -- off Magazine Street. 

Kim immediately came across to me as someone well grounded, someone attached to the Earth in a special way and with an innate appreciation for its creations. She was delightful to chat with, so thank you again, Kim for welcoming me into your studio and allowing me this conversation.

I think it is important to me that I point out that this is a success story from someone who did not know-- until adulthood, and then still really not until a business plan materialized-- what they wanted to be or exactly where their passions lay. Life is so much more complicated than education can prepare anyone for, and while some creators know early on who they want to be and how they aspire to achieve it, not all of us do...and I include myself in this population. 

So with that nugget in mind...please welcome New Orleans' hottest florist, Kim Starr Wise!