What if your pharmacist actually knew you, understood your medications, and had enough time to help you make better decisions about your health?

Apotheworx

In this episode of Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens, Jeremy Sutton sits down with Dr. Heidi Cram, pharmacist and founder of Apotheworx, an independent pharmacy in downtown Shreveport.

After more than 20 years in pharmacy and patient care, Heidi saw how difficult the traditional pharmacy system had become for both patients and pharmacists. Long lines, rising medication costs, insurance complications, limited time with the pharmacist, and overwhelmed pharmacy staff were making it harder to provide the personal care patients deserved.

Heidi decided to build something different.

Apotheworx was created to bring pharmacy back to its roots: personal relationships, clear communication, accessible care, and a pharmacist who has time to listen.

Jeremy and Heidi discuss what inspired her to open Apotheworx, the challenges of starting an independent pharmacy, and how its membership-based model allows her to provide a more personal level of service.

In This Episode

Jeremy and Heidi discuss:

• Heidi's background and more than 20 years of pharmacy experience

• How her father's career as a local pharmacist influenced her

• What inspired her to leave the traditional pharmacy environment

• Why the current pharmacy system can be frustrating for patients

• The role insurance companies and middlemen play in medication pricing

• How Apotheworx offers transparent prescription prices

• What a concierge or membership-based pharmacy actually means

• The value of having direct access to your pharmacist

• Why medication consultations can help patients better understand their health

• Prescription delivery, automatic refills, and personalized support

• How an independent pharmacy can work alongside physicians and other healthcare providers

• The challenges and rewards of opening a new business in downtown Shreveport

• Heidi's vision for creating a pharmacy that feels more like family

More Than Filling Prescriptions

A pharmacist can offer much more than a bottle of medication.

Pharmacists can help patients understand:

• Why they are taking a medication

• How and when it should be taken

• Possible side effects or medication interactions

• Whether a less expensive option may be available

• How their medications fit into their overall health plan

• What questions they may need to ask their physician

The problem is that traditional pharmacy environments do not always give pharmacists enough time to have these conversations.

At Apotheworx, Heidi is working to restore that relationship by giving patients greater access to a pharmacist who knows their history, answers their questions, and helps them navigate an increasingly complicated healthcare system.

The Apotheworx Difference

Apotheworx is an independent, patient-focused pharmacy offering services such as:

• Transparent medication pricing

• Prescription pickup and delivery

• Automatic prescription refills

• Direct access to a pharmacist

• Personalized health and medication consultations

• Immunizations

• Pet medications

• Ongoing support through a membership-based model

Instead of treating pharmacy care as a quick transaction, Heidi wants patients to feel known, supported, and confident about the medications they take.

A New Approach to Local Healthcare

This episode is also a story about entrepreneurship, courage, and betting on a better way of doing things.

Heidi recognized a problem within her profession and decided to create the kind of pharmacy she believed patients and pharmacists both needed.

Her work is a reminder that healthcare can still be local, personal, and relationship-driven.

Sometimes better healthcare begins with something simple:

Having enough time to listen.

Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens Hosted by Jeremy Sutton

Conversations with the people, businesses, and organizations making a positive difference in the Shreveport-Bossier community.

What if the problem isn't that there's nothing good happening in Shreveport-Bossier, but that we don't hear enough about it?

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Felicia Sullivan, creator of On the Bright Side, a free weekly newsletter built around the positive things happening throughout the Shreveport-Bossier community.

Every Monday morning, Felicia highlights local events, nonprofits, small businesses, volunteer opportunities, live music, and stories about everyday people making a difference.

In This Episode

Jeremy and Felicia talk about:

• Why Felicia created On the Bright Side
• The problem with constantly consuming negative news
• Why Shreveport-Bossier has more happening than many people realize
• How to find local volunteer opportunities
• The incredible work being done by local nonprofits
• Why small acts of service can have a major impact
• Finding positive stories that would otherwise never be told
• How getting involved changed Felicia's own perception of Shreveport-Bossier
• Why positive storytelling matters for community pride
• Moving from complaining about your community to helping improve it
• Why you don't have to do something huge to make a difference
• Felicia's plans for Bright Side Impact, connecting small businesses and nonprofits through volunteer projects

The Story That Says It All

One of Felicia's favorite stories isn't about a major organization or a huge donation. It's about a man she met through one of her physical therapy patients. After suffering a serious accident years earlier that left him paralyzed, he worked his way back to walking. Today, he uses that experience to help elderly people in his neighborhood. He simply goes to their homes, gets them outside, and walks with them. Nobody would know his name from the news.There probably won't be a big ceremony honoring him, but he's making his neighborhood better.

And that's exactly the kind of story On the Bright Side exists to tell.

Stop Being a Spectator

One of the biggest themes of this conversation is that improving a community can't always be somebody else's responsibility. There are nonprofits that need volunteers.There are neighbors who need help.There are local businesses worth supporting.There are churches and community organizations looking for people willing to serve.

You don't have to fix everything.

Find one place where you can contribute and start there.

As Jeremy and Felicia put it near the end of the conversation:

Go walk your neighbor.

Sometimes making your community better really can be that simple.

About On the Bright Side

On The Bright Side Newsletter

On the Bright Side is a free weekly newsletter focused on the positive people, organizations, events and opportunities throughout Shreveport-Bossier.

It arrives every Monday morning and helps locals discover what's happening, where they can volunteer, and who is doing good work throughout the community.

If you've ever said, "There's nothing to do here" or "I don't know how to get involved," On the Bright Side might change your mind.

Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens Hosted by Jeremy Sutton

Conversations with the people who are building, serving and making a difference in Shreveport-Bossier.

What does serving in the Air Force, living around the world, working in oil and gas, and building a career in financial services have in common?

For Mindy Rodriguez, each experience helped shape the way she works with people today.

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Mindy, a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Shreveport, to talk about her unconventional path into financial planning, why relationships matter just as much as numbers, and what people should really be thinking about when it comes to retirement and their financial future.

Mindy shares how joining the Air Force at 19 took her from Japan to England and Portugal, how she eventually found her way into financial services, and why she believes good financial planning isn't simply about trying to make the most money possible.

It's about figuring out what you want your life to look like and building a financial plan that helps you get there.

They also discuss retirement planning, 401(k)s, taxes, investment risk, planning for life's unexpected events, and why sometimes a financial advisor's job is actually to tell a client:

You've saved enough. Go enjoy some of it.

In This Episode

Jeremy and Mindy talk about:

• Why Mindy joined the Air Force at just 19 years old
• Living and serving overseas in Japan, England, and Portugal
• How military service influenced the way she approaches work and relationships
• Her transition from oil and gas into financial services
• Why she ultimately chose Edward Jones
• Why relationships remain important even in the age of AI
• What a financial planner actually does beyond managing investments
• Understanding your 401(k) and employer-sponsored retirement plan
• What happens to your retirement account when you leave a job
• How financial planning can help determine how much investment risk you actually need
• Planning for retirement, education expenses, taxes and unexpected life events
• Why it's never a bad idea to start asking questions about your financial future
• Why Mindy doesn't believe every potential client is necessarily the right fit

A Big Takeaway

Financial planning shouldn't begin with:

"How much money can I make?"

It should begin with:

"What do I want my life to look like?"

How do you want to live in retirement? What experiences do you want to have? What do you want to leave your children or grandchildren? How much risk do you actually need to take to accomplish those things?

Once those questions are answered, the investments become part of a much bigger plan.

And sometimes good financial planning isn't about saving more.

About Mindy Rodriguez

Contact Mindy

Mindy Rodriguez is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Shreveport. Her background includes 12 years in the United States Air Force, administrative leadership, work in the oil and gas industry, and more than a decade in financial services.

Today, she focuses heavily on relationships, retirement planning and helping clients build financial strategies around the lives they actually want to live.

When Should You Consider Talking to a Financial Advisor?

According to Mindy, it may be time to have that conversation when you're:

• Planning for retirement
• Already retired and want your money to last
• Planning for a child's or grandchild's education
• Evaluating your 401(k) or other retirement accounts
• Leaving a job and deciding what to do with an employer-sponsored retirement plan
• Preparing financially for unexpected events
• Looking for opportunities to manage taxes more efficiently
• Ready to create a comprehensive plan instead of managing each financial decision separately

You don't necessarily have to wait until you've accumulated a large amount of money. Sometimes the most valuable conversation happens while you're still building toward your goals.

Final Thought

One theme runs through Mindy's entire story:

People matter.

Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens Hosted by Jeremy Sutton

In this episode of the Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens Podcast, Jeremy Sutton sits down with Jeffrey Goodman, CEO of the Committee of 100, for a conversation about leadership, community engagement, economic development, and why the future of Shreveport-Bossier depends on people who are willing to show up and get involved.

Jeffrey shares his journey from leading community initiatives at the YMCA to stepping into his new role as the first full-time CEO of the Committee of 100. Along the way, he discusses the importance of collaboration over competition, the value of community partnerships, and how small actions can create lasting change.

The conversation explores:

• Jeffrey's transition from the YMCA to the Committee of 100
• Lessons learned from living in St. Louis, Europe, and Los Angeles before returning home
• Why an abundance mindset beats a scarcity mindset every time
• The importance of local leadership and community partnerships
• Hidden gems and organizations making a difference across Northwest Louisiana
• The Committee of 100's vision for revitalizing the Airport-to-Downtown corridor
• How improving first impressions can impact economic development
• Why Shreveport-Bossier history should be taught in local schools
• The importance of getting into the right rooms and surrounding yourself with people who challenge you
• Leadership lessons from filmmaking, entrepreneurship, and community service
• Why "I don't know" can be one of the most powerful phrases a leader can say
• The simple challenge Jeffrey leaves for everyone: Show Up

Key Quote "How do communities get better? They get better because people show up, roll up their sleeves, partner together, and do the work." About Jeffrey Goodman

Jeffrey Goodman serves as the CEO of the Committee of 100, a leadership organization made up of many of the region's top business leaders who work together to advance economic development and improve quality of life across Northwest Louisiana. Prior to joining the Committee of 100, Jeffrey spent seven years with the YMCA where he became known for his community engagement efforts, podcasts, and collaborative leadership style.

Connect with The Committee of One Hundred

https://committeeofonehundred.org

Connect with Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens

Hosted by Jeremy Sutton, PT, DPT

The Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens Podcast highlights the people, businesses, nonprofits, and leaders making a positive impact throughout Northwest Louisiana.

[email protected]

Show Notes

In this episode of the Shreveport Bossier Local Lens Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Sutton sits down with Ben Whalen, founder of Clean Slate Botanicals, to talk about entrepreneurship, pivoting in business, community impact, and why human connection still matters.

Ben shares his journey from being laid off from corporate America to building one of the most unique local businesses in the Shreveport-Bossier area. What started as a skincare company evolved into a thriving candle and fragrance brand known for immersive candle-making experiences, handcrafted products, and meaningful partnerships with nonprofits across the community.

This conversation dives deep into:

• The realities and struggles of entrepreneurship
• Why pivoting can save your business
• The importance of community partnerships
• How Clean Slate creates unforgettable customer experiences
• The role Ben's wife, Haley plays in the business
• Building a business centered on serving people, not just selling products

Ben also shares the heart behind their "Good Works" initiative, partnering with organizations like Shriners, The Gingerbread House, Robinson's Rescue, and more to give back to the community in a meaningful way.

If you love local business stories, entrepreneurship, creativity, and conversations about purpose and impact, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

In This Episode

• Ben's entrepreneurial journey after being laid off
• How Clean Slate evolved from skincare to candles
• The power of pivoting in business
• Candle-making experiences and community building
• Why hospitality and atmosphere matter
• Nonprofit collaborations through Good Works
• Lessons on leadership, vision, and perseverance
• The importance of knowing your "why"

Connect with Clean Slate Botanicals

Clean Slate Botanicals

Connect with The Mobility Doctor

The Mobility Doctor

In this episode of the Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens Podcast, host Jeremy Sutton sits down with longtime physical therapist and private practice owner Melanie Massey to talk about a topic many families quietly struggle with: pediatric pelvic floor physical therapy.

Melanie explains how issues like bedwetting, constipation, stool leakage, toilet fear, belly pain, and anxiety can often be connected to pelvic floor function. She shares why many children who appear to be "having accidents" or "refusing to go" may actually be dealing with chronic constipation, pelvic floor tension, poor breathing mechanics, or fear from painful bowel movements.

This conversation covers:

• What pediatric pelvic floor therapy is
• Why constipation and bedwetting are often connected
• Signs parents may be missing
• How anxiety affects bathroom habits
• Why breathing, posture, feet, and nervous system regulation matter
• What a first visit looks like for a child
• How therapy helps kids feel safe, understood, and successful
• Why these problems are not shameful or behavioral failures

Melanie also shares powerful stories of children and families whose lives changed after getting the right help.

Guest Contact: Melanie Massey Physical Therapy Phone: 318-396-1969 Facebook: Melanie Massey Physical Therapy

https://mmptinc.com/

Hosted by:

Jeremy Sutton, PT, DPT The Mobility Doctor www.themobilitydoc.com

In this episode of Shreveport Bossier Local Lens, Jeremy Sutton sits down with Casey Payne, Physician Assistant at Integrative Partners, to have an honest, much-needed conversation about modern healthcare and where it's falling short.

With over 20 years of experience, Casey shares how their concierge, integrative model is changing the way patients are treated, focusing on the whole person, not just isolated symptoms.

🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why healthcare should feel personal again The difference between traditional care and a concierge, integrative approach that actually listens.
• Menopause, perimenopause & musculoskeletal health How hormonal changes impact stiffness, inflammation, pelvic health, and overall mobility (and why this conversation has been overlooked for far too long.)
• Why women are often dismissed in healthcare Real stories that highlight the gaps and what needs to change.
• Nervous system dysregulation explained simply How chronic stress and being stuck in "fight or flight" can lead to:
  • Muscle tension
  • Digestive issues
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Chronic pain
  • Heart rhythm disturbances
• The connection between stress, trauma & autoimmune conditions Why your body may stay "on guard" and how that impacts long-term health.
• Healthspan vs. lifespan Why living longer isn't enough and how to actually feel good while doing it.

🌐 Learn More About Integrative Care

To learn more about their services, approach, and how they help patients take control of their health, visit: 👉 https://www.integrativepartners318.com/

Their clinic combines primary care + functional medicine to create a truly personalized, one-stop approach to wellness; something many patients have been missing in traditional healthcare.

💬 A Conversation That Matters

This episode is about more than medicine. It's about being seen, heard, and cared for.

If you've ever been told:

• "That's just aging"
• "Everything looks normal"
• "You'll get through it"

…this conversation will resonate deeply.

💡 Key Takeaway

You're not broken. You've just been underserved.

And it's time for a better way.

🎯 Want Help With Your Mobility & Health?

Dr. Jeremy Sutton, PT, DPT, Cert DN 📍 Serving Shreveport, Bossier City, Benton, and Haughton 📞 Call or text: 318-278-0330 🌐 Visit: www.themobilitydoc.com 📲 Follow: facebook.com/themobilitydoctor

⚠️ Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or program.

Cancer care often focuses on treatments, labs, and outcomes…

But what about the person behind the diagnosis?

In this powerful episode, Dr. Jeremy Sutton, PT, The Mobility Doctor. sits down with Deja Bowen, founder of Bloom Care Oncology Support, to explore what's missing in traditional cancer care and how community, connection, and holistic support can truly transform lives.

Deja shares her deeply personal story, from becoming a stem cell donor for her mother at just 21, to building a movement that helps cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers feel seen, supported, and restored.

You'll hear how Bloom Care's retreats are creating safe spaces for healing where people can connect, breathe, and rediscover hope together.

And we'll talk about something many overlook…

👉 Why isolation can be one of the most dangerous parts of the cancer journey 👉 Why caregivers need care too 👉 How movement, support, and community can change outcomes not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why traditional cancer care often misses emotional and social healing
• The power of community vs. isolation during treatment and recovery
• How retreats create lasting transformation and connection
• Simple ways patients and caregivers can support their well-being today
• Why taking care of yourself is essential even when you're caring for someone else

❤️ A Message That Sticks "You cannot pour from an empty cup."

This episode is a reminder that healing is not just about medicine. It's about people, purpose, and connection.

🌐 Resources & Links Bloom Care Oncology Support

Website: https://bloomcareoncologysupport.com

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: Search Bloom Care Oncology Support

👉 Upcoming retreats in Shreveport are open to patients, survivors, and caregivers across Louisiana, East Texas, Arkansas, and beyond.

The Mobility Doctor – Dr. Jeremy Sutton, PT

If you're a busy adult over 40 or caring for someone who is, and want to stay strong, mobile, and independent:

• 🌐 Website: https://www.healthysbc.com
• 📞 Call/Text: 318-278-0330
• 📍 Serving Shreveport, Bossier City, Benton, and Haughton

👉 Concierge, in-home physical therapy and wellness designed to help you move better, feel stronger, and live fully without leaving your home.

🎧 Connect With the Podcast

If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs hope today.

And if you or a loved one has a story to share, we'd love to hear it! Your voice could help someone else feel less alone.

What happens when your child is hospitalized… and you have nowhere to go?

In this powerful episode of the Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens Podcast, Jeremy Sutton sits down with Lori Moore, Mission Director of the Ronald McDonald House in Shreveport, to talk about one of the most impactful (and often overlooked) resources in our community.

This isn't just a place to sleep—it's a lifeline for families facing some of the hardest days of their lives.

❤️ What This Episode Is About:

When a child is in the NICU or PICU, families are often forced into impossible situations—sleeping in waiting rooms, cars, or driving long distances just to be close.

The Ronald McDonald House removes that burden by providing a completely free home away from home, steps from the hospital, so families can focus on what matters most: their child.

🔑 What You'll Learn:

• What the Ronald McDonald House actually provides (it's WAY more than a room)
• How families are supported physically, emotionally, and financially
• Why proximity to parents helps children heal faster
• The real cost families avoid (often $10,000–$15,000+ per stay)
• How community and shared experiences help families cope
• Why even families nearby (like Benton or Bossier) still need this resource
• How YOU can support or donate to keep this service free

💬 Powerful Moments:

• "Our goal is to fully care for families so the only thing they have to worry about is their hospitalized child."
• "This is a home away from home during the hardest days of their lives."
• "Some families were sleeping in their cars before this existed."

🏠 What Families Receive:

• Private family suites with beds, bathrooms, and space for kids
• Fresh, home-cooked meals every night
• Fully stocked pantry and essentials
• Laundry facilities on every floor
• Indoor & outdoor play areas for siblings
• Wellness opportunities like yoga and meditation
• A built-in community of families going through the same journey

👉 Plus: Day-use access for families who don't need overnight stays but still need rest, food, and support

📊 Real Impact:

• 80+ families served in the first 90 days
• Some families stay over 100 days during long NICU journeys
• 84% of families served are low-income

🎯 Who This Episode Is For:

• Parents and families in the Shreveport-Bossier area
• Healthcare professionals
• Anyone who wants to support meaningful local causes
• People who want to see the GOOD happening in their community

🙌 How You Can Help:

• Donate financially (every dollar stays local)
• Purchase items from their Amazon wishlist
• Donate new toys, snacks, or essentials
• Volunteer or host donation drives

🌐 Website: rmhcnla.org 📞 Phone: 318-840-9100

💡 Final Thought:

In a moment when everything feels out of control… having a place to rest, eat, and breathe can change everything.

This house doesn't just provide shelter; it gives families strength.

In this episode of the Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens Podcast, Jeremy Sutton sits down with Randy Roberson, a project coordinator for Magnolia Roofing and a passionate community servant who is making a real impact across Northwest Louisiana.

Randy shares his powerful journey—from facing unemployment during the pandemic to discovering purpose through serving others. What started as helping distribute food during a difficult season turned into a life centered around servant leadership, faith, and meeting real needs in the community.

You'll hear how simple acts of service can transform not only others—but your own mindset, purpose, and direction in life.

One of the most inspiring parts of this episode is Randy's work with "Picture Day for All," a community-driven initiative providing free school photos to at-risk youth and foster children. What seems like a small gesture—taking a photo—has proven to build confidence, dignity, and a sense of belonging for these kids.

This episode is about more than service—it's about:

• Seeing people for who they truly are
• Leading through humility
• Finding purpose in difficult seasons
• And making a lasting impact right where you are

If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your purpose… this conversation may be exactly what you need.

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Serving others can shift your mindset from frustration to purpose
• True leadership starts with putting others first
• Community impact doesn't require perfection—just action
• Small acts (like a photo) can create lifelong confidence
• Everyone has something to give—time, talent, or resources

❤️ ABOUT "PICTURE DAY FOR ALL"

"Picture Day for All" provides:

• Free school photos for at-risk youth and foster children
• Printed portraits + digital files for families and schools
• Confidence, dignity, and lasting memories for kids who might otherwise go without

👉 Learn more or donate: picturedayforall.org

If this episode impacted you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

And if you're in the Shreveport-Bossier area and want to stay strong, active, and independent as you age…

👉 Reach out to Dr. Jeremy Sutton, PT The Mobility Doctor We bring concierge physical therapy and wellness directly to your home.