Walt Leger from New Orleans & Company joins the show to preview Rockin’ 1000, the world’s largest rock band performance coming to the Caesar Superdome on January 31. With a thousand musicians jamming together, this viral sensation—born in Italy—is making its U.S. debut in the perfect city for music and community. Walt also shares insights on New Orleans’ new mayor Helena Moreno, her leadership potential, and the city’s exciting future, including the revitalization of Charity Hospital and booming convention business. From Halloween festivities to major concerts and conferences, New Orleans is buzzing—and this episode captures the energy driving it all.

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Metro Councilman Darryl Hurst joins the show to discuss his ambitious Revive Plank Road initiative, a transformative plan aimed at revitalizing North Baton Rouge’s historic corridor. The conversation began with Southern University’s vibrant homecoming week, highlighting Hurst’s deep personal ties to the institution. Shifting to the main topic, Hurst outlined a three-part strategy to restore Plank Road’s economic vitality, starting with the Evangeline Airline corridor. The plan includes leveraging $18.3 million in bonded sales tax revenue to accelerate development that would normally take a decade.

Hurst emphasized preserving the area’s nostalgic charm while introducing modern design standards, inspired by successful models from cities like Houston. Major brands—including Walk-On’s, CeCe’s Coffee, AT&T, and Peach Cobbler Factory—have shown interest in investing, and the old Firestone building is set to become a new library. Public safety is a cornerstone of the plan, with coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies and infrastructure upgrades like LED lighting and street sweeping to foster a walkable, vibrant community.

The initiative also focuses on empowering local entrepreneurs with business tools, sustainability models, and AI integration to help them scale and franchise. Public investment is expected to spark private investment, with organizations like CAFA, BRAF, and the Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Foundation backing the effort. Hurst envisions Plank Road as a destination, not just a pass-through, with food truck festivals and tourism potential. With over $60 million already committed, Revive Plank Road aims to restore the corridor as a thriving economic epicenter for Baton Rouge.

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Actor Jeremy Swift joins the show to talk about his latest role in Grow, a heartwarming, family-friendly Halloween film about a gifted young girl and a magical pumpkin-growing journey. But first, Swift dives into his iconic role as Higgins in Ted Lasso, reflecting on the show's unexpected rise and the excitement around a potential fourth season. Swift shares insights on working in American comedy, his love for storytelling, and the joy of switching gears from football to fertilizer. Whether you're a Lasso loyalist or looking for a cozy fall flick, this episode delivers charm, laughs, and a whole lot of heart.

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Gifford Briggs of the American Petroleum Institute joins the show to unpack Governor Landry’s controversial executive order placing a moratorium on new carbon capture projects in Louisiana. Briggs dives into the implications for the Gulf Coast’s energy future, the competitive pressure from neighboring states like Texas and Mississippi, and the economic ripple effects on jobs and investment. With no sunset clause in sight, Briggs warns of the message this sends to investors and the risk of losing leadership in the carbon capture space. It’s a candid, fast-paced conversation about policy, industry, and the race to stay ahead in energy innovation.

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Retired Colonel Lamar Davis joins the show to discuss Blue Night Out, a powerful collaboration with National Night Out, designed to build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Hosted by the Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Foundation, this event brings together over 50 local organizations, live music, and family-friendly fun—all with a mission to foster real conversations and lasting partnerships. Davis shares how events like this, and the upcoming Inspiration Center in North Baton Rouge, are turning dialogue into action. It’s about more than safety—it’s about shared responsibility, mutual respect, and investing in a stronger, united future.

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Dr. George Xue from LSU joins the show to unveil groundbreaking AI technology revolutionizing flood forecasting. His team has developed a machine learning model that predicts compound flooding—caused by both storm surge and rainfall—across the Gulf Coast with unprecedented speed and accuracy. What once took 500 supercomputers two hours can now be done on a laptop in just four seconds. Dr. Xue explains how this innovation not only enhances emergency response but also opens doors for smarter infrastructure planning and virtual reality simulations. It’s a game-changing leap in climate resilience, built right here in Louisiana.

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Tommy Faucheux of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association joins the show to discuss Governor Landry’s recent executive order placing a moratorium on new carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) applications. While the order acknowledges Louisiana’s leadership in energy and the potential of CCS technology, it halts the review of new permit applications—raising concerns about slowing progress and losing competitive ground to states like Texas.

Faucheux emphasized that Louisiana has already made significant strides in CCS, including securing Class VI primacy from the EPA, which allows the state to regulate its own CCS projects. This regulatory advantage has attracted tens of billions in investment. However, the moratorium could chill future investments and allow other states to catch up, especially as Texas nears its own primacy status.

He noted that companies already operating in Louisiana have been proactive in engaging communities, supporting local education, and training first responders—efforts that align with the executive order’s call for community involvement. Importantly, the moratorium does not apply to projects already in the permitting process.

Faucheux also pointed out that the executive order lacks a clear “punch list” or sunset clause, making it uncertain how or when the moratorium will be lifted. He stressed that the rigorous safety and environmental standards established during the primacy process remain in place and are being followed by companies.

Ultimately, Faucheux warned that this pause could undermine Louisiana’s momentum in a critical moment of energy innovation. With strong federal support and growing global demand for energy and manufacturing, Louisiana stands at a pivotal point. The industry’s continued evolution depends on maintaining regulatory clarity and encouraging investment—not creating uncertainty that could drive opportunity elsewhere.

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In this special Crime Stoppers segment for Mental Health Awareness Month, Mrs. Louisiana USA, Courtney Vicari, joins the conversation to spotlight the unseen battles faced by veterans, first responders, and their families. Drawing from her own experience as a military spouse and youth mentor, Courtney shares powerful insights on PTSD, burnout, and the importance of recognizing mental health triggers. From the front lines of Iraq to the emotional toll at home, she emphasizes the need for counseling, compassion, and accessible resources like the 988 crisis line. This episode is a heartfelt call to break the stigma and support those who serve.

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Liz Smith from the Baton Rouge Alliance for Students returns to spotlight Torch, a transformative training program empowering future civic leaders. With 30 new graduates, Torch equips everyday citizens with the tools, confidence, and connections to run effective, values-driven campaigns. Liz and Brian discuss the importance of servant leadership, demystifying politics, and preparing candidates to govern with integrity. From school board races to statehouse ambitions, Torch is cultivating a new generation ready to serve Baton Rouge with purpose. With 2026 elections on the horizon, this episode is a rallying call for those ready to lead—and those who don’t yet know they are.

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Haggai Davis joins the show for a Cup of Tech Gumbo to dive into the evolving world of tech, branding, and business strategy. Broadcasting from the newly sponsored 180 Pro Studio, they explore how 180 Pros is redefining IT partnerships with people-first service and simplified billing. The conversation shifts to the looming AI bubble, raising questions about inflated valuations, venture capital cycles, and the sustainability of free tech models. They also poke fun at corporate rebranding chaos—from Apple TV’s identity crisis to the alphabet soup of tech giants. It’s insightful, irreverent, and packed with punchy takes on the future of tech and media.

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