Louisiana Insider

Millions of people listen to music on the radio. Over a half million people listen to radio each week to hear Nick Spitzer talk about music. Spitzer’s pioneering broadcast American Routes is way more than a D.J. spinning songs but a weekly two-hour public radio program that presents the breadth and depth of the American music scene and cultural landscape.

Syndicated by 225 radio stations American Routes is the most widely heard regular presence for tradition-derived and community-based music on public radio today. Spitzer joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot, to tell stories about the origins and characters of the nation’s many music forms. He also has interview clips including Jerry Lee Lewis; Willie Nelson and the late zydeco artist Clifton Chenier. The podcast presents a fun side trip into American routes.

A teenager named Abraham Lincoln was once part of the crew of a packet boat bringing goods downriver to New Orleans. As they approached the city they camped on the river banks up shore from New Orleans. There were rough characters who worked along the river. That night, young Lincoln and his group were attacked and beaten up. Fortunately, for history's sake, he survived and made it to New Orleans where he had another experience that also favored history’s sake.

He saw the city’s slave markets and was appalled. What he saw in New Orleans influenced his attitude about slavery that would shape his political career.

Author and professor Ted Widmer will moderate a panel, including New Orleanians Richard Campanella (who has written about the above Lincoln story) and the author C. W. Goodyear, titled “Hail to the Chief, New Orleans and the American Presidency.” Goodyear is the author of a new book about James Garfield.

Widmer joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot, to talk about presidents who spent time in the city either earlier before their time in office or as incumbents. It is a fascinating conversation a president whose reputation was made in New Orleans.

Whenever polls are taken of Louisiana’s most popular restaurants Commander’s Palace in New Orleans is usually near or at the top. That’s quite an accomplishment for a state already known for its great restaurants.

Ti Martin, co-proprietor of Commander’s Place, and Executive Chef Meg Bickford join Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot to stir into topics including Louisiana-grown products – the quality and availability, plus, revelations about the classic Brennan’s family style of service. (Did you know: At least three people work each table.) Bickford is a rising star whose resume includes apprenticing with Chef John Folse; Martin is an established leader in the restaurant community.

We also ask the two to reveal their favorite at-home comfort foods.

There are thousands of hurricane stories. Some stories are tragic, others are heroic and many are truly compelling, especially for podcast listening. A documentary recently released by Louisiana Public Broadcasting, the statewide public broadcast system, entitled “Cajundome City” tells the story of how a college sports arena suddenly became the center of survival in the 2005 aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and then Rita. Trent Angers, a Lafayette-based author and book publisher who served as a co-producer of the documentary, and father and son co-directors Chris and Christopher Allain join Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot, to tell about the compassion of the Lafayette community and the challenges of the effort. We will also hear about the University of Louisiana Lafayette celebrating its 125 anniversary and the successful dealmaking behind its creation.

Remember the comedian George Carlin? In 1958, when he was an airman at nearby Barksdale Air Force Base, his first appearance on a stage was in Shreveport. Carlin was the star of the Shreveport Little Theatre’s production of “The Happiest Millionaire.” That is one of the many surprising facts about the theater which, in another surprise, celebrated its centennial in 2022. Robert Darrow, the theater’s managing and artistic director, as well as Sherry Kerr, a Shreveport-based drama consultant, writer and actress, join Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot, to talk about the theater – which Life Magazine once dubbed as one of the top three community playhouses in America. The history of the theater and its stars has been produced by Louisiana Public Broadcasting as a documentary entitled “Maker of Dreams.” (Check LPB Passport and streaming options.) Among the stories is that of a Shreveport native who auditioned for a role in the original making of “Gone With the Wind” and what happened to her career.

There are two things, among many, that we all need to do – eat, and be fit. The problem is that sometimes doing one contradicts the other.

Fortunately, there are some dietitian who keep and eye on that sort of thing and who have the connections to help us walk the thin line. Molly Kimball is a one person fitness information boutique. She administers the popular Eat Fit programs for Ochsner hospitals; has several books on fitness recipes (including one about booze); she makes television appearances and has her own podcast. 

Speaking of which, she joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot, for our own podcast to talk about eating tips and health. She also spills the beans on breakfast and is it always the most important meal of the day.

If you confuse the Louisiana Children’s Museum for a boat permanently docked alongside a small bay that is understandable. The museum, located in New Orleans’ City Park, is a masterpiece of whimsical design and learning creativity. It is as much fun as it is educational – and there is plenty of both.

Tifferny White, the museum’s CEO joins, Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot, to talk about the museum not only as a great place for young and older to visit, but also as an important tool in early childhood education. We will also hear about the imaginative food choices created by a prominent restauranteur and the splendid views created by nature.

New Orleans was once a fertile area for developing championship boxers. Mainly because of the large Italian immigration many of the boys who came from poor families and grew up in tough neighborhoods were attracted to boxing. Not only were the skills a matter of survival, but they could also be a way, for some, to fame and wealth. One example was Tony Canzoneri who grew up in the New Orleans area, eventually moved to New York City where he ultimately won several boxing championships.

Ramon Antonio Vargas, who has seen the tough side of life as a former crime reporter for the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde to talk about his new book "Family, Gangsters & Champions: Boxer Tony Canzoneri's Life & World."

We will also hear about Canzoneri’s New Orleans experiences in the ring and about his brief effort operating a bar.

Who would have thought that there would be a working farm on Jackson Avenue right in the heart of Uptown amid the mansions and the magnolias?

Well, there is, and it is more than tomato plants stuck in the ground but all kinds of vegetables and fruits grown scientifically—all part of the urban farm movement . Michael Richard, farm director for Recirculating Farms – a non-profit group committed to being ecologically resourceful yet bountiful in its produce – joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot to talk about how serious farming can be developed in urban neighborhoods. He also explains the process and benefits of water recirculation.

When hurricanes rumble from the Gulf, the high winds and storm surges sometimes re-locate unwilling sea mammals into surrounding land masses and waterways. That happened after Hurricane Ida in 2021, which displaced a dolphin into a bay near Grand Isle. 

While the bay water was ecologically sound to support the new arrival, it offered no access to the Gulf. With the cooperation of several sea life specialist, plans were made to re-locate the mammal who during the interim had delivered a calf that swam at her side.

Gabriella Vazquez, the Audubon Nature Institute’s Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding and Rehab Coordinator, joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot to tell the tale of a relocation that required scientific knowledge, skill, strong backs and good hearts.

We will also hear what the staff named the two dolphins and how researchers are able keep up with their whereabouts.