Lotus Club Website: lotusmonroe.com

The Lotus Club of Monroe has been a cultural cornerstone since 1920, but what does it take to carry such a historic institution into the modern era?

In this episode of The 318 Experience, Brian is joined by Troy Lizenby, who shares his journey with the Lotus Club — from walking into a space with “lots of charm and lots of empty space” to helping revitalize its programs, culture, and community presence.

From its fascinating history and traditions to its new direction, this conversation shines a light on how the Lotus Club remains a vibrant hub of connection, fine dining, and fellowship in Northeast Louisiana.

Ryan Howard is the Creative Director at 3 Bridges Productions, a full-scale studio creating music, film, and photography for everyone from Grammy-winning artists to local business and political leaders.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The behind-the-scenes world of a top-tier production studio

• How 3 Bridges balances commercial projects with meaningful storytelling

• Ryan’s work as a voice actor and combat sports announcer

• The discipline of martial arts and the focus of competitive gaming

From the studio to the fight cage to the gaming arena, Ryan’s story is all about creativity with purpose.

Jennifer Zimmerman is a force in Northeast Louisiana — a small business owner, serial side hustler, and current Chairman of the West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber. In this episode, she shares the heart and vision behind her newest passion project: Women of Ouachita, a women’s networking group launching July 22. Jennifer opens up about her journey in business, her nonprofit work with 65 Alive, and how she’s creating space for women to lift each other up and shape their own future. If you’ve ever dreamed of building something meaningful from the ground up, this one’s for you.

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
02:55 – From Chicago to West Monroe
08:00 – Launching Delta Benefit Consulting
13:20 – Navigating Healthcare & Medicare
18:40 – The Side Hustle Mentality
23:00 – Lessons from Small Business Ownership
28:10 – Leading the Chamber of Commerce
33:30 – Balancing Business and Community
38:50 – The Little Red Caboose Story
44:00 – Vision for Women of Ouachita
49:30 – Vulnerability and Reinvention
54:45 – Final Reflections & Closing

Vivian and Reece Aultman are flipping the script on volleyball in Northeast Louisiana — a region long considered a “black hole” for the sport. What started in late 2023 as a simple goal to teach kids the basics has exploded into a full-blown movement: youth leagues, camps, private lessons, and competitive travel teams.

In this episode of The 318 Experience, the Aultmans share how they’re building a new volleyball culture from the ground up, why they believe their community is ready for it, and how they’re balancing family life with the grind of grassroots sports development. Real talk, real hustle, and a whole lot of heart — this is how change starts.

0:00 – Intro & Origins
2:20 – Starting West Monroe Volleyball
4:40 – Why Volleyball Hooks You
7:10 – Choosing Community Over College Play
10:10 – First Camp to Full Movement
13:45 – The Sports Complex Impact
19:30 – Breaking the Volleyball “Black Hole”
24:30 – Confidence & Mental Strength
31:00 – From Campers to Coaches
40:40 – Building Something Bigger

What does it take to walk away from the corporate world and start completely over at 53? For Eric Hammons, it took courage, conviction, and a deep love for agriculture. In this powerful episode of The 318 Experience, Eric shares the full story of how he went from working his way up at Nissan and Mazda to building handcrafted chicken coops in rural North Louisiana—and finding his purpose along the way.

Raised in the countryside near Monroe, Eric learned early on the value of hard work, family, and simplicity. After years of success in business, he found himself longing for a life that felt more connected—more grounded. That longing led him to leave the fast-paced world behind and follow a dream that had been quietly growing inside him for years.

What started with a single coop and a leap of faith turned into Chick Chick Coop, a backyard lifestyle brand that represents much more than fresh eggs. Eric's story is one of reinvention, resilience, and remembering who you are. This episode is for anyone who's ever wondered if it's too late to start over—and what might be waiting if you do.

00:00 – Intro & Background
06:30 – Life-Changing School Moment
13:00 – Marriage, Family & Early Career
19:30 – Leaving the Cookie Dough Business
26:00 – The First Chicken Coop
32:30 – Listening to Customers
38:30 – COVID and Business Growth
45:00 – Backyard Chicken Lifestyle
51:00 – Chickens as Therapy
57:00 – Faith, Family, and Final Thoughts

In this heartfelt episode, Erin Stokes—freelance PR professional and former nonprofit communicator—joins Brian to shine a light on CASA of Northeast Louisiana. Together, they explore what advocacy for a child looks like, the powerful impact of CASA volunteers, and the urgent need for more community members to step up. Brian also shares his own experience as a CASA volunteer, offering a personal and authentic look at why this work matters. Tune in and discover how you can be part of the change.

00:00 – Meet Erin Stokes
02:01 – What Is CASA
05:31 – Advocate Role Explained
10:01 – Foster Care Challenges
15:01 – Volunteer Experience Shared
20:01 – Training & Preparation
25:01 – Volunteer Impact Shown
30:01 – Community Success Stories
35:01 – Child Advocacy Stats
40:01 – Volunteering Commitment Rewards
45:01 – Final Call Action

Joey Hixon on Discipline, Redemption, and the Heart Behind "Uncle Joey’s Boxing"

From kickboxing to coaching kids who need more than just fitness—Joey Hixon shares a raw and powerful journey of self-discovery, setbacks, and second chances. In this episode, we unpack how he turned personal struggles into purpose, building a boxing program that champions discipline, confidence, and heart. Whether you’re a parent, coach, or just looking for inspiration—this one hits deep.

📍 Train with Joey Hixon at Uncle Joey’s Boxing
📬 Located at West Monroe Boxing Club – N. 7th St, right beside the Rec Center
📞 Call or text Joey directly at (318) 381-1931 to ask about classes, private sessions, or youth training

00:00 – Welcome Joey Hixon to the show01:00 – Growing up in Rayville and finding his path02:15 – Kickboxing as a life-saving outlet05:45 – From the ring to real-world lessons: why boxing stuck10:50 – Teaching adaptive PE and working with special needs kids16:30 – Social skills over sports: why connection matters21:20 – The birth of “Uncle Joey’s Boxing”23:45 – What “Uncle Joey” really means26:30 – Building confidence in overlooked kids30:45 – Joey’s take on bullying, boundaries, and parenting35:00 – Structure, self-defense, and trust in the gym39:10 – Teaching discipline, empathy, and life skills43:00 – The power of positivity and relationships

Chief Bobby Moore of the Ouachita Parish Fire Department joins the show to talk about his 33-year journey in public safety, how OPFD is evolving to meet today’s challenges, and why becoming a firefighter could be your next move. From drone missions to life-saving rescues, we explore what it takes to join one of the region’s most advanced emergency response teams.

00:00 - Intro

00:01:07 – Why He Chose Firefighting
00:06:06 – Hands-On Specialized Training
00:11:01 – Fire Safety in Homes
00:16:04 – Smoke Alarms & CO Detectors
00:21:00 – Mental Health Support
00:26:06 – Career Growth Path
00:31:12 – How to Apply
00:36:48 – Department Growth & Expansion

Jasmyne McConnell returns to spotlight her latest venture: Chateau Rouge on the Bayou in Monroe, LA. In this episode, she shares how this unique venue blends a bar-and-lounge atmosphere with live music and scenic bayou boat tours. We dive into the vision, the local artist focus, and what to expect at their special Mother’s Day brunch event. A must-listen for creatives, music lovers, and Monroe locals!

🎟️ Ready to experience it for yourself?
Visit Chateau Rouge on the Bayou for live music, boat rides, and unforgettable events!

📍 Located at 320 Virginia Street, Monroe, LA
🌐 Book your boat tour or event: www.chateaurouge320.com
📱 Follow them on Facebook: Chateau Rouge on the Bayou

Support local. Discover something different.
🎶 Because at Chateau Rouge—live music lives here.

00:00:23 — Intro to Chateau Rouge
00:01:19 — Jasmyne’s vision hits
00:03:03 — Original condition of the property
00:05:20 — Renovation challenges begin
00:07:28 — Going all in on the Rouge
00:10:06 — Why live music is the draw
00:14:02 — Launching bayou boat tours

00:21:14 — How to book boat tours and events

Courtney & Mark Holyfield join Brian for a candid, insightful conversation about what most folks never hear when it comes to home loans, credit, and getting started in real estate. They break down how they’re using their roles at Citizens Progressive Bank to make lending more human — from helping families navigate tough financial conversations to offering real solutions for buyers shut out of traditional options. This is about real stories, real solutions, and real people who care about their community.

0:00 – Intro + Meet the Holyfields
2:32 – What Makes Local Lending Different
7:10 – Breaking Down Mortgage Fees and Rates
12:03 – The Value of Personal Lending
18:30 – AI vs Human Connection in Lending
22:40 – Courtney’s Approach: Education First
26:48 – Mark’s Journey: From Nursing to Mortgages
30:30 – The Manufactured Home Market Trailblazer
37:00 – Land + Home Packages and Fixer-Uppers
43:15 – In-House Bank Advantage
48:22 – Real Talk About Credit Scores & Myths
55:10 – Community Work & Citizens Progressive Bank's Outreach
59:30 – Turning Renters into Homeowners
1:04:40 – Advice for First-Time Buyers
1:10:15 – How They Help People Create Long-Term Plans
1:14:50 – Rates, Refis, and What’s Really Worth Paying For
1:18:00 – Final Thoughts: It’s All About the People