Kenneth Hoffman is the Executive Director of the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience. We sat down with Kenneth to talk about the museum’s mission to preserve and share over 300 years of Jewish history in the American South, and why understanding these stories matters now more than ever. From immigration and identity to community-building and cultural exchange, Kenneth shares how Southern Jewish communities helped shape the South while also creating spaces of belonging for generations of families.

We also dive into the museum’s newest exhibit, Holocaust Survivors in a New Land: The New Americans Social Club of New Orleans, which highlights Holocaust survivors who rebuilt their lives in New Orleans after World War II. Kenneth walks us through the powerful stories behind the exhibit, the process of curating personal artifacts and oral histories, and the importance of creating spaces that encourage empathy, curiosity, and conversation. We also discuss education programs, genealogy research, New Orleans hospitality, and why the museum wants every visitor to feel at home the moment they walk through the doors.

To learn more about the museum’s collection and special exhibitions, visit www.msje.org

Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. Missions Bayou is hosted by Maya McGee and Brenna Gourgeot. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Brenna Gourgeot is a community organizer and data analyst focused on socioeconomic and environmental justice in Southeast Louisiana. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Emily Snyder is a Program Manager at Urban Conservancy. We sat down with Emily to talk about how Urban Conservancy is helping build a greener, healthier, and more resilient New Orleans through stormwater management, native plants, tree advocacy, and community-driven environmental education. From protecting the city’s tree canopy to helping residents better understand green infrastructure, Emily shares how small actions can create a major impact across neighborhoods.

We also dive into Urban Conservancy’s work with local schools, volunteer programs, and community projects focused on reducing flooding, improving urban habitats, and making environmental advocacy more accessible for everyday residents. Emily explains why trees are one of the city’s most valuable resources, how native plants strengthen local ecosystems, and what New Orleanians can do to get involved in protecting the environment around them.

Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. Missions Bayou is hosted by Maya McGee and Brenna Gourgeot. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Brenna Gourgeot is a community organizer and data analyst focused on socioeconomic and environmental justice in Southeast Louisiana. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

As part of our Maternal Health Month series this May, we’re highlighting the voices, organizations, and conversations shaping the future of care for families in New Orleans. Joined by guest host Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and host of the Little Brain Campaign podcast, we’re bringing added perspective to these important conversations. Throughout the month, we’re diving into the realities of maternal health, the gaps that still exist, and the people working every day to create safer, more supportive systems for parents.

Kimberly Novod is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Saul’s Light, a Louisiana nonprofit dedicated to supporting NICU families and families experiencing infant loss. We sat down with Kimberly to talk about the realities of navigating the NICU, the emotional toll that premature birth and infant loss can have on families, and how Saul’s Light is creating a community of support through peer mentorship, advocacy, mental health resources, and direct assistance for parents across Louisiana.

We also dive into the larger maternal health challenges facing Louisiana, including transportation barriers, healthcare inequities, access to donor milk, and the importance of family-centered NICU care. Kimberly shares how Saul’s Light is working alongside hospitals, healthcare professionals, and lawmakers to create lasting change for mothers, babies, and bereaved families while building a future where every family has access to the care and support they deserve.

Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. The Missions Bayou Maternal Health series is hosted by Maya McGee and Dr. Lauren LaRose. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Dr. Lauren LaRose is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist and the host of The Little Brain Campaign Podcast. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Follow The Little Brain Campaign

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign

Website: https://www.littlebraincampaign.com/

As part of our Maternal Health Month series this May, we’re highlighting the voices, organizations, and conversations shaping the future of care for families in New Orleans. Joined by guest host Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and host of the Little Brain Campaign podcast, we’re bringing added perspective to these important conversations. Throughout the month, we’re diving into the realities of maternal health, the gaps that still exist, and the people working every day to create safer, more supportive systems for parents.

Chante Lewis is the Senior Director of Program Operations at Clover. We talk with her about how Clover is addressing Louisiana’s maternal health crisis through its Parents as Educators program, a home-based model that equips parents to be their child’s first teacher while also providing critical prenatal and postpartum support. From in-home visits with educators, nurses, and doulas to streamlined access to services like WIC and Healthy Start, this approach is designed to reduce barriers and better support families during and after pregnancy.

We also dive into the real impact this model is having, from dramatic reductions in low birth weight and negative birth outcomes to major improvements in early childhood development. Chante shares how Clover’s wraparound, community-driven care is changing outcomes not just for babies, but for entire families, and why expanding this model across Louisiana could transform maternal health on a larger scale.

Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. The Missions Bayou Maternal Health series is hosted by Maya McGee and Dr. Lauren LaRose. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Dr. Lauren LaRose is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist and the host of The Little Brain Campaign Podcast. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Follow The Little Brain Campaign

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign

Website: https://www.littlebraincampaign.com/

As part of our Maternal Health Month series this May, we’re highlighting the voices, organizations, and conversations shaping the future of care for families in New Orleans. Joined by guest host Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and host of the Little Brain Campaign podcast, we’re bringing added perspective to these important conversations. Throughout the month, we’re diving into the realities of maternal health, the gaps that still exist, and the people working every day to create safer, more supportive systems for parents.

Dr. Victoria Williams is the Advocacy Director at Birthmark Doula Collective, a cooperative dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for pregnant and parenting families. We sit down with Dr. Williams to explore how Birthmark provides full-spectrum care through doula services, lactation support, and postpartum resources, while also building a movement centered on reproductive justice and community empowerment.

We also dive into the critical role advocacy plays in shaping maternal health outcomes, especially for Black birthing people who continue to face disproportionate risks. Dr. Williams breaks down current policy efforts like paid family leave, the importance of having support during birth, and what it will take to create a healthcare system that truly supports families before, during, and after childbirth.

Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. The Missions Bayou Maternal Health series is hosted by Maya McGee and Dr. Lauren LaRose. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Dr. Lauren LaRose is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist and the host of The Little Brain Campaign Podcast. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Follow The Little Brain Campaign

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign

Website: https://www.littlebraincampaign.com/

Dominique Jones-Johnson is the founder and executive director of Daughters Beyond Incarceration, an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering girls with incarcerated parents. We sit down with Dominique to talk about how DBI creates a safe, transformative space for girls ages 8–18 through mentorship, afterschool programming, and a powerful youth policy fellowship that teaches them how to navigate the criminal justice system, understand legislation, and advocate for themselves and their communities.

We also dive into the real impact of this work, from girls speaking out against school relocation and systemic inequities to influencing policy changes and stepping into leadership at a young age. Dominique shares her personal story and the deeper realities families face when a loved one is incarcerated, while highlighting how DBI meets both emotional and practical needs for the girls it serves. This conversation is a powerful look at youth voice, community support, and what it means to build the next generation of leaders in New Orleans.

Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. Missions Bayou is hosted by Maya McGee and Brenna Gourgeot. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Brenna Gourgeot is a community organizer and data analyst focused on socioeconomic and environmental justice in Southeast Louisiana. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Michael Williamson is the President and CEO of United Way of Southeast Louisiana. We sit down with Michael to break down United Way’s bold mission to eradicate poverty in our region and their goal of helping 100,000 individuals reach pathways to prosperity by 2035. We dive into the reality of ALICE households, working individuals and families who are still struggling to afford basic needs, and how rising costs, systemic barriers, and the benefits cliff keep people stuck despite doing everything right.

We also explore how data-driven tools like the ALICE Report and poverty simulations are shaping real solutions across Southeast Louisiana. From workplace practices to public policy, we talk about what it actually takes to create lasting change and why supporting these communities is not just the right thing to do, it is essential for a stronger economy. Michael shares how individuals, businesses, and organizations can step in to make an impact through advocacy, volunteering, and community support.

Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. Missions Bayou is hosted by Maya McGee and Brenna Gourgeot. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Brenna Gourgeot is a community organizer and data analyst focused on socioeconomic and environmental justice in Southeast Louisiana. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Jeanne Geoffray is the co-founder of the 431 Exchange, and Jeanna Barrett is an educator and scholarship recipient. We sit down with Jeanne and Jeanna to explore how the 431 Exchange is expanding access to education across Louisiana by supporting adult learners with scholarships, mentorship, and long-term guidance. Jeanne shares the powerful origin story rooted in a 1965 New Orleans secretarial school that helped train and empower African American women to enter and integrate the workforce, while continuing that legacy today through ongoing educational support.

We also hear Jeanna’s multi-generational story about how her aunt, daughters, and now she herself have all benefited from the program, and how that support has opened doors, built confidence, and fueled her pursuit of a doctorate. This conversation highlights the real impact of investing in people over time, the importance of community-driven support systems, and how organizations like the 431 Exchange are creating lasting change in New Orleans and beyond.

Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. Missions Bayou is hosted by Maya McGee and Brenna Gourgeot. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Brenna Gourgeot is a community organizer and data analyst focused on socioeconomic and environmental justice in Southeast Louisiana. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Ready to start planning your campaign? Grab our GiveNOLA Day Playbook Worksheet and map out your strategy, messaging, and donor outreach before the big day.

Download the worksheet: comfystone.com/givenoladayplaybook

The Missions Bayou GiveNOLA Day Series is a special set of conversations designed to help nonprofits make the most of one of the biggest giving days in New Orleans. Hosted by Maya McGee, the series brings together nonprofit leaders, fundraising experts, and communications professionals to share practical strategies for planning, messaging, and engaging donors.

Through these conversations, we explore how organizations can prepare for GiveNOLA Day, tell stronger stories about their impact, and build lasting relationships with supporters. The goal is to give nonprofit teams the tools, insights, and inspiration they need to turn a single day of giving into year-round community support.

Rachel Swann is a Senior Program Officer at the Greater New Orleans Foundation, Diana Turner is the Co-Director of Be Loud Studios, and Meagan Moreland is a Senior Communications Strategist at Gambel Communications. In this final installment of the Missions Bayou GiveNOLA Day Series, we bring the conversation full circle by focusing on what happens after GiveNOLA Day ends and how nonprofits can turn one-time donors into long-term supporters.

We discuss practical strategies for donor retention, including personalized thank-you outreach, building meaningful donor relationships, and sharing impact updates that show supporters how their contributions make a difference. The conversation also explores the importance of campaign debriefs, tracking analytics, and positioning GiveNOLA Day within a broader year-round fundraising strategy so organizations can strengthen engagement, reduce donor fatigue, and build momentum for the future.

Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Ready to start planning your campaign? Grab our GiveNOLA Day Playbook Worksheet and map out your strategy, messaging, and donor outreach before the big day.

Download the worksheet: comfystone.com/givenoladayplaybook

The Missions Bayou GiveNOLA Day Series is a special set of conversations designed to help nonprofits make the most of one of the biggest giving days in New Orleans. Hosted by Maya McGee, the series brings together nonprofit leaders, fundraising experts, and communications professionals to share practical strategies for planning, messaging, and engaging donors.

Through these conversations, we explore how organizations can prepare for GiveNOLA Day, tell stronger stories about their impact, and build lasting relationships with supporters. The goal is to give nonprofit teams the tools, insights, and inspiration they need to turn a single day of giving into year-round community support.

Rachel Swann is a Senior Program Officer at the Greater New Orleans Foundation, Diana Turner is the Co-Director of Be Loud Studios, and Meagan Moreland is a Senior Communications Strategist at Gambel Communications. Together, they share practical insights on how nonprofits can successfully promote their campaigns and drive donations during GiveNOLA Day, drawing from their experience working directly with organizations across the region.

We explore the strategies that actually lead to donations, including building ambassador teams, empowering supporters to make one-to-one asks, and coordinating communication across email, social media, and personal outreach. The conversation also highlights how nonprofits can create simple toolkits for advocates, plan their messaging in advance, and tap into supporters both inside and outside of New Orleans to strengthen their fundraising efforts.

Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/