Alexis Marceaux is the Director of Community Programming for the Lafitte Greenway Partnership. We sit down with Alexis to explore how the Lafitte Greenway transformed from a post-Katrina grassroots vision into a vibrant 2.6-mile linear park connecting six New Orleans neighborhoods. Alexis shares how the Greenway’s programs, like the Supernova light and music festival, engage local communities and serve as a launching pad for emerging artists. We hear about the economic impact of the Greenway, how it’s attracting new businesses, and the powerful stories of residents reclaiming blighted spaces.

We also dive into Alexis’ passion for preserving Louisiana’s French heritage through music, her band’s mission to modernize Cajun songs, and how cultural preservation connects generations. Looking ahead, we discuss plans to complete the Greenway’s full 3.1-mile trail, expand green infrastructure to help manage stormwater, and plant 1,000 cypress trees to restore the area’s natural resilience. Join us as we celebrate the Greenway’s 10-year anniversary and its vital role as both a cultural and environmental asset for New Orleans.

Mission 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.

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Don-Scott Cooper is the Producing Executive Director of Le Petit Théâtre, one of the oldest theaters in the United States. We sat down with Don to explore the incredible 108-year history of Le Petit, from its founding by French-speaking performers in 1917 to its ongoing role as a cornerstone of New Orleans’ vibrant arts scene. Don shares what makes live theater irreplaceable, why communal storytelling still matters today, and how La Petite provides opportunities for local artists to thrive.

We also dive into the theater’s robust education programs, which bring thousands of students through its doors each year with free performances, hands-on training, and support that breaks down barriers to arts access. Don reveals how these programs are creating the next generation of performers, technicians, and theater professionals, while ensuring that young people in New Orleans can experience the transformative power of live performance.

Mission 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.

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Eric Seiferth is a curator and historian at the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC). We sat down with Eric and our special guest host, Scott Tilton, to talk about HNOC’s two powerful new exhibitions: Making It Home, which tells the story of New Orleans’ Vietnamese community starting in 1975, and The Trail They Blazed, a deep dive into the local civil rights movement from the 1950s through the 1970s. Eric shares how both exhibitions were created with extensive community collaboration, oral histories, and a focus on honoring the voices of those who lived these stories.

We explore why sharing these recent histories is so important for understanding New Orleans today and how these exhibits aim to inspire civic engagement, especially among young people. Eric also gives us insight into HNOC’s mission to make local history accessible to everyone, their free museum spaces in the French Quarter, and the unique ways they connect past and present to tell a richer story of our city.

Mission 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.

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Nia DeCoux is the Education Manager at BK Historic House and Gardens, a French Quarter museum that tells the layered stories of New Orleans through the lens of one historic home. We sat down with Nia, alongside special guest host Scott Tilton of the New Orleans Foundation for Francophone Culture (NOUS Foundation), to explore how BK House is reclaiming space for locals in a neighborhood too often treated like a tourist attraction. From live storytelling events like Quarter Kaleidoscope to youth programs that connect students to their city’s history, BK House is redefining what a museum can be.

We talk about the importance of community-rooted cultural spaces, the power of youth engagement, and how programs like YouthForce NOLA are helping the next generation find a sense of belonging in the French Quarter. Nia also shares upcoming events tied to BK House’s 200th anniversary, including Bastille Day and a new youth-created video series. This one is full of love for New Orleans and the people who make it home.

Mission 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.

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Toure Folkes is the Executive Director of Turning Tables, a New Orleans-based nonprofit that is redefining what leadership looks like in the city’s hospitality and spirits industry. We sat down with Toure to talk about how his 12-week externship program is helping create real career paths for bartenders from underrepresented communities. The program combines hands-on training, mental health resources, and mentorship rooted in New Orleans culture.

We also dive into how the cocktail industry is evolving, why representation matters behind the bar, and how Turning Tables is adapting to meet the needs of a new generation of hospitality professionals. From classic drinks to cultural impact, Toure shares how the program builds confidence, community, and opportunity, one cocktail at a time.

Mission 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

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

Jordan Cressy, Director of Impact and Innovation, and Eric Walter, Jr., Director of Impact and Post-Secondary Experiences at Junior Achievement, join us to discuss JA Startup, a new program designed to support young entrepreneurs in New Orleans. Focused on 18–25-year-olds who already have businesses, JA Startup provides mentorship, a comprehensive resource guide, and up to $25,000 in funding to help young entrepreneurs grow and succeed. Jordan and Eric explain how the program empowers culture bearers—local artists, musicians, and creatives—and connects them to the networks and support they need to thrive.

We talk about the challenges young entrepreneurs face, the importance of building community, and how Junior Achievement acts as a connector rather than a competitor in the local business ecosystem. With a focus on real-world support, JA Startup is helping to build the next generation of New Orleans’ culture and business leaders.

Mission 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

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

Chase Mattison is the co-founder of Feels, a digital marketplace connecting visitors to local nonprofits, and Mike Springer is the owner of Book NOLA, a hospitality company helping guests experience New Orleans. We sat down with them to talk about how Feels is reshaping the way businesses and visitors support New Orleans nonprofits through easy, hyperlocal giving.

We dive into how the platform reduces donor acquisition costs, simplifies donations through QR codes, and helps protect the culture that keeps New Orleans vibrant. Chase and Mike share how their collaboration gives tourists an opportunity to give back while also benefiting local businesses that rely on the city's unique spirit.

Mission 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

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Clara Baron-Hyppolite is the Executive Director of College Beyond, a nonprofit helping Louisiana students, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, navigate the college application process and access the financial aid they need to succeed. We talk with Clara about the recent drop in FAFSA completion rates since the state mandate was repealed, and how that’s impacting college access for thousands of students across Louisiana. She breaks down why FAFSA is such a critical tool, the common barriers students face, and what College Beyond is doing to support them.

We also explore how structural issues like counselor shortages, food insecurity, and lack of internet access add layers of difficulty to an already stressful process. Clara shares how her team is stepping in with workshops, one-on-one coaching, micro-grants, and legislative advocacy to close the gap. This conversation is a powerful reminder that true college access means addressing more than just forms—it means showing up for students as whole people.

Mission 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

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

Tifferney White is the CEO of the Louisiana Children’s Museum, and she’s leading a major expansion that’s reshaping how the museum serves older kids and teens. With a new $2.5 million grant from the Lilly Endowment, the museum is “aging up”—adding exhibits for youth up to age 14 and launching a teen mentorship program designed to build leadership and life skills. We talk with Tifferney about how this shift came directly from community feedback and why it’s important for museums to create space for kids beyond early childhood.

We also explore how LCM is leaning into New Orleans culture—think teamwork, neighborliness, and communal learning—to design experiences that reflect the city’s spirit. Tifferney shares how older kids are mentoring younger visitors, why stipends matter for equitable access, and how this initiative could be a model for youth development nationwide. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or community leader, this conversation is packed with insights on reimagining learning spaces to be more inclusive, authentic, and lasting.

Mission 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/

Nellie Catzen is the Executive Director of the Committee for a Better New Orleans. We sat down with her to talk about how civic engagement in New Orleans can be reimagined through joy, culture, and community. Nellie shares how the organization’s “Better New Orleans Block Party” flips the script on traditional civic spaces by bringing the work of democracy to the people—in their neighborhoods, through music, food, and hands-on activities.

We get into why so many people feel disconnected from local government, the legacy of CBNO’s post-Katrina work, and why creating space for fun is a crucial step toward deeper engagement. From gamifying the city budget to empowering youth with real questions for their community, Nellie breaks down how block parties are building bridges between residents and the systems that shape their lives.

Mission 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/