Red Fox on the Run with Christiana Roussel

The conversation explores the journey of New York Times best-selling author Patti Callahan Henry from being a clinical nurse practitioner to becoming a successful author, discussing the nuances of writing, the importance of community in the literary world, and the personal experiences that shape storytelling. The conversation explores the creative process, focusing on experiences with research, writing, and the inspiration drawn from Patti's surroundings, particularly in Birmingham. It delves into her latest book, the importance of solitude, and the role of creativity in her life.

Takeaways

• Writing is a long process
• Community supports creativity Importance of research in writing
• Finding inspiration in solitude

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey to Writing
• 11:23 Building a Literary Community
• 20:22 Navigating Jealousy and Authenticity
• 25:06 Inspiration from Nature and Personal Experiences
• 26:28 The Spark of Inspiration
• 29:19 The Joy of Research
• 31:41 Creative Processes and Challenges
• 34:51 The Role of Solitude in Creativity
• 39:36 Birmingham: A Hidden Gem
• 43:20 Community and Connection in Birmingham
• 50:51 Finding Authenticity in Creativity

In this mini-podcast episode, Tricia Wheeler of The Seasoned Farmhouse in Columbus, OH talks about bringing a culinary tourism group to Birmingham, AL for the annual SOUTHBOUND Food Festival - this is a converation on food, culture, bridging divides and discovering why Birmingham really is The Magic City.

Bart Stephens, the owner of High Dive Lounge in Birmingham, AL shares the journey of creating a unique listening lounge in Birmingham, Alabama. From the music we grew up with to how we experience it as adults, this is a fantastic conversation rooted in the art of LISTENING.

Takeaways

• The cultural shift and reaction to the internet and social media have led to the emergence of listening lounges as a response to the need for slower and calmer experiences.
• The hospitality industry is uniquely positioned to create connections and experiences, with a focus on sound being a neglected element in the evolution of food and beverage spaces.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Genesis of High Dive
• 01:52 Acquiring the Property
• 02:50 Location and Surroundings
• 03:20 Interest in Sound and Acoustics
• 04:45 Emergence of Listening Spaces
• 07:12 Cultural Shift and Reaction
• 09:11 Seeking Slower and Calmer Experiences
• 11:05 Hospitality as a Connector
• 12:02 Evolution of Food and Beverage Industry
• 14:52 Neglect of Sound in Hospitality

Episode Title:
From the Statehouse to the Studio: Kyle Rogers, aka "Obnoxious Lil Shit"

What happens when a successful lobbying career collides with a life-changing health scare?

For Alabama artist Kyle Rogers—better known by his delightfully irreverent moniker, Obnoxious Lil Shit—the answer was simple: paint.

In this episode of Red Fox on the Run, Christiana sits down with Kyle for a conversation that's equal parts hilarious, vulnerable, and inspiring. They explore the unexpected road that led him from navigating legislation to creating bold, colorful works of art that have found devoted collectors across the South.

Kyle opens up about the cardiac event that forced him to reconsider how he was spending his life, why art became more than a hobby, and what it feels like to bet on yourself after decades in another profession.

Along the way, they dive into his unmistakable artistic style, his creative seasons spent in Round Top, Texas—a tiny town that's become an outsized hub for artists, designers, and antique lovers—and, of course, the story behind the unforgettable nickname "Obnoxious Lil Shit." (Round Top Area Chamber of Commerce)

It's a conversation about second acts, creative courage, and the beautiful unpredictability of reinventing yourself.

• How a cardiac scare became the catalyst for an entirely new career
• Leaving the world of lobbying to become a full-time artist
• Why it's never too late to pivot
• Developing a painting style that's instantly recognizable
• The influence of Round Top, Texas, on Kyle's creative life
• The surprisingly funny origin story behind "Obnoxious Lil Shit"
• Building a business around authenticity instead of expectations
• Why collecting stories—and collecting art—have more in common than you might think

"Sometimes the biggest wake-up call isn't about what you're running from—it's about finally giving yourself permission to run toward what you've always wanted to do."

Follow Kyle Rogers @ObnoxiousLilShit to see his latest paintings, exhibitions, and adventures.

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with someone who's wondering if it's too late to reinvent themselves.

Because curiosity has a funny way of leading us exactly where we're supposed to go.

Chef Kyle Biddy: Building More Than a Restaurant

What does it take to leave the mountains of Aspen for Birmingham, Alabama—and build one of the city's most talked-about restaurants?

In this episode of Red Fox on the Run, Christiana Roussel sits down with Chef Kyle Biddy, executive chef of Little Betty Steak Bar, for a conversation that goes far beyond what ends up on the plate. Biddy shares the winding path that took him from a high school cooking class and Johnson & Wales University to some of America's top steakhouses before helping create Little Betty, a restaurant that has quickly become one of Birmingham's dining destinations.

Together, they explore the creative process behind developing a menu, why culture in the kitchen matters as much as technique, and the delicate balance between honoring classic steakhouse traditions while continually pushing forward. Kyle also opens up about moving across the country with his fiancée and fellow chef, Britton Crotta, building a restaurant from the ground up, and why Birmingham's food scene continues to surprise people.

As always, the conversation wanders into the places where the best stories live—mentors, failures, inspiration, travel, hospitality, and the moments that shape a life in food.

Whether you're a chef, a home cook, or simply someone who loves hearing the stories behind remarkable people, this episode is a reminder that the best meals always begin long before anyone sits down at the table.

• Kyle's unexpected path into professional cooking
• The mentors and experiences that shaped his career
• Why he traded Aspen for Birmingham
• Building Little Betty from the ground up
• The creative process behind developing memorable dishes
• How great restaurant culture starts behind the scenes
• The importance of hospitality over perfection
• Birmingham's emergence as one of the South's most exciting food cities
• Why curiosity is one of a chef's greatest ingredients

Chef Kyle Biddy is the Executive Chef of Little Betty Steak Bar in Mountain Brook, Alabama. With more than 25 years in professional kitchens, his career has included acclaimed restaurants in Denver and Aspen before leading the culinary team at Little Betty. His cooking blends classic steakhouse techniques with seasonal ingredients, thoughtful creativity, and a deep respect for hospitality. (Qwoted)

Subscribe to Red Fox on the Run

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with someone who loves great stories, remarkable people, and unforgettable meals.

Follow Christiana:

• Substack: Red Fox on the Run
• Instagram: @christiana.roussel

"The best conversations usually begin with curiosity—and often end around a table."

What makes a restaurant unforgettable? Is it the food—or the people who taught us to cook, gather, and care?

In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with James Beard Award-nominated chef Bill Briand, owner and executive chef of Little Bird in Fairhope, Alabama. Bill opens up about the people and experiences that shaped his career—from childhood memories in his mother's kitchen to leading some of the Gulf Coast's most celebrated restaurants.

Little Bird is much more than a restaurant. It's a deeply personal tribute to Bill's late mother, Virginia ("Ginny"), whose recipes, hospitality, and quiet wisdom continue to influence every plate that leaves the kitchen. The restaurant itself is filled with thoughtful nods to her legacy, creating a place where food becomes memory and every meal feels like coming home. (littlebirdfairhope.com)

We also talk about:

• Why hospitality is really about making people feel seen.
• The lessons Bill learned from years at Fisher's at Orange Beach.
• What it was like earning national recognition while staying rooted on the Alabama Gulf Coast.
• The Southern Grace dinners that brought some of the country's finest chefs together for unforgettable collaborations.
• How grief, gratitude, and family shaped the creation of Little Bird.
• Why the simplest dishes are often the hardest to perfect.
• The importance of mentoring young chefs and building kitchen culture.
• What "success" means after decades in the restaurant industry.
• The memories every great meal leaves behind.

This conversation is less about recipes and more about purpose—about why we gather around a table in the first place, and how the people we love continue to shape us long after they're gone.

Whether you're passionate about food, hospitality, or simply love hearing the stories behind remarkable people, this episode is one you'll want to savor.

• Little Bird
• The Hope Farm
• James Beard Foundation

• Little Bird Restaurant
• About Chef Bill Briand & Little Bird

If you enjoyed this episode of Red Fox on the Run, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, leave a review, and share it with someone who believes the best stories are often told around the table.

Former history teacher Chris Paysinger of Athens, AL has taken his love of old things -- things with a story -- and turned it into a thriving business, Reconstruction South. This is where you can find everything from reclaimed turtle shells to trench art, antique mirrors to phenomenal taxidermy and so much more.

In this episode, we talk about sourcing, preserving, and curating found pieces; placemaking; the value of small towns; and a really incredible bourbon punch.

The conversation covers the practical use of AI in daily life and business operations, Brandon Stewart's entrepreneurial journey, the turnaround of bankrupt businesses using AI, different types of AI platforms, the role of context and memory in AI, AI as a teaching tool, and AI's impact on family activities and education. The conversation covers the impact of AI as an equalizer, its role in job opportunities, upskilling employees, home automation, overcoming intimidation, AI in education, the risk of exclusion, the impact of AI on work and passion pursuit, and the role of Caravan in Birmingham's AI ecosystem.

Takeaways

• AI in everyday life
• AI for business optimization AI as an Equalizer
• AI and Job Opportunities

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to AI in Daily Life
• 07:35 Different Types of AI Platforms
• 24:36 AI in Family and Education
• 30:19 AI and Upskilling Employees
• 35:44 AI in Education and Generational Impact
• 45:51 The Role of Caravan in Birmingham's AI Ecosystem

Most people are living their lives based on the unspoken rules of tradition and expectation—and missing out on what truly fulfills them. In this candid conversation, Ragan Cain, Chief Administrative Officer for TACALA Group, dismantles those barriers to discover a richer, more intentional life rooted in passion, purpose, and curiosity. Ragan shares her inspiring journey from a traditional accounting background to leading a company with over 15,000 employees, revealing how her focus on people—both in the workplace and in her personal pursuits—has transformed her view on legacy and fulfillment. She discusses the power of embracing contradictions, the beauty of being both a homebody with wanderlust, and the importance of living intentionally after 40. Her experiences curating small, design-centric trips and her love of travel expose the deeper value of stepping outside comfort zones to explore, learn, and grow. You'll discover:

• How to craft your own second mornings to start each day with clarity and purpose

• The importance of creating legacy through your everyday actions, not just children or material things

• Practical tips for embracing curiosity, learning new skills, and finding joy in the small pleasures of life

• Why turning 40 and beyond is a time of freedom, honesty, and embracing authenticity

• The role of tradition, place, and memory in shaping a meaningful life

This episode is essential listening if you're feeling caught in the grind, contemplating a career or life pivot, or seeking inspiration to live with more purpose. Ragan's reflections on living intentionally, combined with her passions for travel, design, and storytelling, will motivate you to ask: what’s the point—and how can I make mine matter?

In this episode of Red Fox on the Run, Christiana sits down with mother-daughter media business partners, Michele & Aleks Arwood. With their combined experiences in marketing, journalism, creative endeavors and family, they launched Aveline -- a platform (magazine, podcast, workshop weekends) rooted in the encouragement and support of smart young women.

Aleks shares her story of feeling lost when she first started college before pursuing a journalism degree at University of Georgia and competing in the Miss Georgia competition.

Michele shares how she keeps a sense of self while fostering a bond that still allows Aleks the room to soar.