Louisiana Insider

Not only have whiskey and rum long been shipped through the state’s ports but local bartenders have created classics such as the Sazerac and Huey Long’s favorite, the Ramos Gin Fizz. Tim McNally – an expert on cocktail history and the author of a new book about the Sazerac, along with Louisiana Life Magazine Executive Editor Errol Laborde and producer Kelly Massicot, provides a fun romp through the history of booze in Louisiana.

What is it like to own a plantation estate? Well, instead of worrying about the sugar harvest there is more concern about the tourist arrivals. It also helps to have a good eye for architecture, design and style. Kevin Kelly the owner of Houmas House and Gardens in Ascension Parish joins Errol Laborde, executive editor of Louisiana Life magazine, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot on a verbal exploration of grandeur, controversy and history. Oh yes, he will also reveal the latest on a rumored Viking invasion.

To the great debate about which is more appropriate to accompany gumbo – sweet potato or potato salad? – Stanley Dry offers a great alternative, sweet potato salad.

Dry is the Food Editor for Louisiana Life magazine. He had also written for Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, The New York Times, The New York Times Book Review and is the author of "The Essential Louisiana Cookbook" published by Louisiana Life.

He joins Errol Laborde, executive editor of Louisiana Life, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot on a verbal exploration of the best of Louisiana cooking. Oh yes, the New Iberia resident is also a dedicated baker and will reveal his picks of the best of Louisiana pies...

Asked which he prefers, alligators or crocodiles, and Dean Wilson did not hesitate. “Alligators,” he replied, “I can swim with them, but I can’t swim with crocodiles.” Wilson should know. He once spent four months alone in the Atchafalaya swamps' deep basin with only “a spear, a few hooks, a bow and arrows.” Fortunately, he lived to tell about it and to discuss his career of saving the basin. His fights these days are more often against human intruders than critters.

Wilson is founder and executive director of the Atchafalaya Basin Keeper, a group dedicated to saving the basin he knows from the inside and outside. He joins Errol Laborde, executive editor of Louisiana Life, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot on a verbal exploration of the basin, North America’s great river swamp. Oh yes, he will also tell about the time that a nutria got in his boat.

Poverty Point is a pre-historic settlement dating back as far as 1700 years BC. Located in what is now Northeastern Louisiana, Poverty Point was the center of an indigenous culture that spread thorough the Gulf South.

Archaeologists Diana Greenlee digs old things. As the resident researcher at the UNESCO designated World Heritage site, she is leading the way with innovative research into an ancient past. She joins Errol Laborde, executive editor of Louisiana Life Magazine, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot to discuss the particulars of Poverty Point...  Oh yes, we will also discover how the site got that strange name...

There are two things that many of us might like to have more of “faith” and “healing.” Mary Perrin can provide both. Perrin is a traiteuse, the Acadian equivalent of a faith healer. Working with herbs, plants and prayer traiteurs look to cure maladies. Perrin is also the Chairperson of the Jardin des traiteurs located at Vermillionville in Lafayette. She joins Errol Laborde, executive editor of Louisiana Life, along with podcast producer, Kelly Massicot to discuss the particulars of an ancient tradition... Oh yes, we will also discover a berry that seems to have amazing curative powers.

Natchitoches is one of Louisiana’s most charming towns. It is also the oldest continuing settlement having been discovered by French explorers, even before New Orleans. The region is known for its rich history, including having been the setting for the film “Steel Magnolias.” Folk artist Clementine Hunter learned her craft nearby and Kate Chopin, having married a man from Natchitoches, lived for a while in neighboring Cloutierville,.

Kelli West, the Marketing and Communications Director of the Natchitoches Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau, joins Errol Laborde, executive editor of Louisiana Life, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot to tell the fascinating stories of Natchitoches, the Cane River country and the town's Christmas Festival. Oh yes, we will also discover the origins of the town’s indigenous meat pie.

Located in Keithville, Chimp Haven is the largest protected area for chimps in the country. Many of the residents were once owned by the federal government for research; others were pets. Now they all live a leisurely life, which everyone can see in the new National Geographic and Disney+ series "Meet The Chimps."

Amy Fultz – Chimp Haven’s director of Behavior, Education and Research – joins Errol Laborde, executive editor of Louisiana Life, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot to tell the fascinating story of the chimps and their behavioral patterns.  Oh yes, we will also discover if there are any favorites in the group.

"The Cajuns and the French History of Louisiana"

Warren Perrin might be referred to as a Cajun Activist. The Lafayette Attorney once petitioned Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain asking for a British apology for the deportation of the Acadian people. (The British did not apologize but they acknowledged the incident.) He is one of the foremost authorities on Louisiana’s culture and even operates a related museum in the town of Erath. Perrin joins Errol Laborde, executive editor of Louisiana Life magazine, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot to talk about Cajun culture, past and present. Oh yes, we will also discover if he thinks that in the long run the Acadians were better off having been relocated in Louisiana.

By law, the job of the Lieutenant Governor is not only to be ready when needed, but to also oversee the state’s tourism. COVID-19 has dropped many bombs on the industry and this week, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser talks about the twin challenges of rebuilding tourism and, because there are fewer restaurant customers, the seafood industry. Nungesser joins Errol Laborde, executive editor of Louisiana Life magazine, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot to talk about the future and survival of Louisiana tourism.  Oh yes, there's more... we will also discover how an industry was built involving used shipping containers.