The 318 Experience

Tommy Elmore joins The 318 Experience to share a life story marked by hardship, discipline, loss, faith, and purpose.

Raised on the south side of Monroe during a difficult era, Tommy talks about bullying, street influence, gang involvement, getting shot at 15, being expelled, earning his GED, and eventually finding structure in the U.S. Army. He opens up about serving as Infantry, becoming a Military Police officer and Drill Sergeant, then facing a devastating bone cancer diagnosis that ended his military career and led to a long season of treatment, addiction, isolation, and rebuilding.

He also shares how accountability, education, and a renewed mission led him to Louisiana Delta Community College, where he rebuilt academically, became a school ambassador, earned a 4.0 semester, and continued pursuing his goal of becoming a professor. That journey now fuels the work he and his wife are doing through Gentlemen’s School and “From a Father’s Perspective,” helping boys and girls learn discipline, self-defense, confidence, presentation, and practical life skills.

This episode is a powerful conversation about masculinity, family, fatherlessness, resilience, responsibility, and what it means to invest in your community for real.

00:00 – Intro and why Tommy’s work matters
01:55 – Growing up on the south side of Monroe
04:06 – His father, Vietnam, PTSD, and home life
07:25 – Bullying, carrying a knife to school, and the street pull
15:06 – High school spiral: fights, drugs, skipping school
39:29 – Getting shot at 15, GED, college struggles, and choosing the Army
46:23 – Military growth, becoming a Drill Sergeant, and bone cancer diagnosis
55:11 – Isolation, treatment, painkiller addiction, and losing structure
01:06:26 – Why he went back to school and started building toward purpose
01:20:42 – Gentlemen’s School, suits for boys, girls programming, and practical life skills

Top 10 timestamps

🎂 Night of Cakes Fundraiser

Join Quota West Monroe for their annual Night of Cakes fundraiser on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 5:30 PM at the West Monroe Convention Center (901 Ridge Ave, West Monroe, LA).

This signature event helps fund Quota’s mission of supporting women and children facing health, medical, and life challenges throughout our community.

For more information, follow Quota West Monroe on social media or connect with a Quota member.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/quota-west-monroe-night-of-cakes-tickets-1976421428697

In this episode of The 318 Experience, we’re joined by Margaret Troquille, Vice President, and Jackie Guillot, Immediate Past President of Quota West Monroe.

Established in 1999, Quota West Monroe is a nonprofit service organization dedicated to supporting women and children facing health, medical, and life challenges. Through scholarships, community partnerships, and hands-on service, their mission lives out one powerful message: Where Compassion Meets Action.

Margaret and Jackie share the heart behind Quota, the leadership lessons learned through service, and the incredible impact being made right here in Northeast Louisiana. We also spotlight their signature fundraiser, Night of Cakes, and how the community can get involved.

This episode is a reminder that meaningful change often starts locally — and grows through compassion.

What happens when success isn’t enough?

In this episode of The 318 Experience, Brian sits down with Greg Manley Jr. — State Farm agent, husband, father of three, and man of faith — to talk about resilience, pressure, and the power of surrender.

Greg shares his story of surviving childhood cancer, building a thriving insurance business, and then walking through one of the darkest seasons of his life marked by fear, anxiety, financial stress, and spiritual warfare. He opens up about the turning point that changed his trajectory, the role faith played in rebuilding his life, and why serving others now defines success for him.

This is a raw, honest conversation about leadership, fatherhood, faith, and learning to build God’s kingdom instead of your own.

Greg's Contact Info

(318) 355-0748

[email protected]

Sterlington, Louisiana has had a big year — and Mayor Matt Talbert joins The 318 Experience to walk us through it all.

In this episode, Mayor Talbert breaks down the State of the Town, highlighting major infrastructure improvements, sports complex upgrades, nearly $9.2 million in economic impact, sewer system investments, community beautification efforts, and new residential developments shaping Sterlington’s future.

With a background that includes military service, 21 years in small business leadership, and time on the Sterlington Town Council, Mayor Talbert brings a grounded, service-first perspective to local government.

This conversation is a deep dive into leadership, growth, and what it takes to build a strong, thriving small town — from the ground up.

At 23 years old, Pamela Stephens opened her first business during a recession — and she’s been building, flipping, creating, and reinventing ever since. With more than 12 years in real estate, over 1,000 homes sold, a portfolio of rentals, and her new micro-store The Remix, Pamela’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through everything she touches.

But behind the success is a story shaped by resilience. From childhood loss to major life setbacks, Pamela has faced the unthinkable… and still chose to keep showing up, creating, and moving forward.

In this episode, Pamela breaks down her business journey, her love for design, time management with “many hats,” and the mindset shifts she teaches to help people get unstuck. This is an honest look at what it really takes to build a life you love — even when life hits hard.

The Christmas Project has been changing holiday mornings for children across Louisiana and Mississippi since 2001 — and today, we sit down with the two leaders carrying that legacy forward. Dr. Matthew Nappier and Chris Ramsey of The Center for Children & Families join us to share the heart, history, and real impact behind an effort that now reaches more than 1,000 children every year.

From their unique leadership journeys in the military, ministry, and nonprofit work to the systems and compassion that make this project possible, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how a community comes together to deliver hope.

Listen in and discover how you can be part of this year’s ripple effect of generosity.

Learn more or get involved:

Website: www.standforhope.org
Email: [email protected]
Text: STANDFORHOPE to 53555

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