We have heard of Shriners Hospital but, but we bet you didn’t know that the organization’s children’s healthcare movement began in Shreveport in 1922. Steve Caskey, chairman of the Board of Governors for Shriners Children’s Shreveport, tells Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot the story of the emerge of the system that originally placed a high emphasis on orthopedics, including during the challenging days of polio.

With one of the world’s great rivers flowing through it, Louisiana has always deserved a seat at the table when the topic is world trade. Now the subject had become enhanced as the local chapter of the World Trade Center has linked with Greater New Orleans Inc., which promotes trade not only in New Orleans but Southeast Louisiana and, by implication, all of the state.

Michael Hecht, president and CEO of the newly combined World Trade Center at Greater New Orleans Inc, joins Executive Editor of Louisiana Life Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot to talk about the riveting pursuit of global trade. It is an essential story with as many twists as the river itself.

Oh yes, we will also hear about how the state can best benefit from the burgeoning off-shore wind industry. The solution is different than you might think.

Warren Perrin could deserve the title of Mr. French (Monsieur Français.) The Lafayette lawyer was a founder of Codofil (the organization to preserve the French language in Louisiana) and founded the Acadian Museum of Louisiana in Erath.

Perrin joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot to talk about several topics including his conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron and how the French perceive Louisiana’s native Cajun French.  Other topics covered include the tricentennial of the colonial Louisiana capitol having moved from Biloxi to New Orleans; and, a victim of the Munich Olympics terrorist attack 50 years ago who had connections in Louisiana. This is a compelling conversation worth listening to.

There are many acres of crawfish ponds in China, but did you ever hear the story about where the stock for those ponds originate? Hint: It is a state in America. Errol Laborde, Executive Editor of Louisiana Life, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot talk to author Sam Irwin whose book “Louisiana Crawfish: A Succulent History of the Cajun Crustacean” gives the lowdown on the mudbug, including how it became so popular in Louisiana. 

Oh yes, there is also a debate about the eternal question, "to suck the heads or to not sucks the heads"?

Here is a question we should all consider: “Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi or Anywhere Else?” 

Philosophers have long pondered the question but now there is good news, a TV documentary series takes a closer look. Jay Dardenne, a two time Lt. Governor and Secretary of State and now the governor’s Commissioner of Administration, and Linda Midgett, a producer for Louisiana Public Broadcast (LPB), join Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde and podcast producer Kelly Massicot to talk about the documentary, which will be broadcast and streamed over the LPB system. The content is a romp through Louisiana history filled with history, anecdotes, talking heads and some laughs.

Oh yes, the two have assured that while Louisiana is indeed great, Mississippi ain’t so bad either.

Though we hope to never see anything like them again, great urban tragedies should never be forgotten – if for no other reason than to to remind us to be vigilant at doing the things to prevent more disasters. Errol Laborde, Executive Editor of Louisiana Life, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot talk with Royd Anderson, a documentary maker who specializes in documenting harrowing experiences such as a high-rise fire and a sniping incident from the top of a hotel. 

Both terrorized New Orleans within a matter of weeks 50 years ago.

When you need a way to promote your state that will draw lots of attention and is fun to look at, a spin-off of a Mardi Gras float might work, especially if your state is Louisiana.

State tourism promotion is officially under the direction of the Lieutenant Governor’s office. "Louisiana Insider" producer Kelly Massicot went to the source to talk to Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser about the effort during the holiday season for Louisiana to have a presence in both the nationally televised Rose Bowl parade and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day procession.

Oh yes, we will also hear about a 60-foot-long alligator making his way through Manhattan.

They were raised among French speaking families. Their ancestry traced through Nova Scotia and the maritime provinces. They were teased by Anglo troops when they went to war. They became of enormous value in France as translators. 

Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot, talk with Jason Theriot, a Lafayette-based historian whose upcoming book "Frenchies" profiled Cajuns who went to war and whose work inspired an exhibit at the National World War II Museum. Now he has expanded his base by studying troops from French Canada. Were there any similarities to their war experience?

Oh yes, we will also hear about common last names such as LeBlanc heard in both areas.

Jerry Lee Lewis made a lot of music and left a lot of stories to tell about unrivaled popularity, unparalleled scandal and a rocking comeback. Jim Brown, former Secretary of State, Insurance commissioner and State Senator joins Louisiana Life Executive Director Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot to talk about Jerry Lee who was a neighbor in the upstate town of Ferriday, as well as his first legal client.

Oh yes, we will also hear about Lewis’ famous cousins.

I guess you might call them faith healers, but they are more than that description because they often rely on certain herbs and plants, as well as handed-down prayer and sometimes even a gentle touch to heal certain maladies. They have long been a part of Cajun culture especially in rural areas away from standard medical treatment. Mary Perrin and Bev Fusel, two traiteuses (the female equivalent of “traiteurs”) from the Lafayette area, and the authors of a newly published book "Healing Traditions of South Louisiana, prayers, plants and poultices" join Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot to talk about what maladies are best treated by traiteurs and why.

Oh yes, we will also hear about the power of elderberries.