Vanelis Rivera was born in Puerto Rico, and grew up in the the U.S. Virgin Islands. After attending college back in Puerto Rico she was accepted into a graduate program at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and after graduation took a position teaching English Composition. Outside of teaching Van also writes both a food and a music column for Bayou Life Magazine, a Monroe based monthly publishing featuring local people and events. In this podcast we talk a bit about what has inspired Van to pursue journalism, English, music, a bit of modeling, and we even talked a bit about immigration along the way! Enjoy!

Desi Bougeois Is the Owner and Chef of Grown and Grazed, a food truck located in downtown Ruston, La at Heard Freight House Food Park. Desi has been a big part of getting the food park off the ground and planning for its future. I believe Desi is beginning to set the precedent for how food will be sourced and served in Ruston. He uses fresh, local ingredients from farms in the surrounding area, and highly encourages other trucks in the park to do so as well. As a rule the park promotes recycling by not allowing styrofoam, and setting up separate bins for cans, bottles, and food waste. In this podcast we talk a lot about how Desi got into the food industry and experiences moving through the ranks of culinary school to becoming an Executive Chef at Google in Austin, TX.

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@grown_and_grazed

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In this episode we discuss at length about Zach's extensive baseball career. From competing for state championships in high school, to winning a junior college national championship, to leading the SEC in homers and getting drafted by the Detroit Tigers. After his baseball career ended he pursued another athletic passion in golf, specially long-drive competition. Zach spends most of his time now in the gym or pursing trophy whitetail deer. We talk about all of these events and Zach shares a-lot of stories that happed along the way. Enjoy!

Instagram: @Dan.Mabry @zachkirksey

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Sadie Rylander is the Director of Video Operations and Creative Services at Louisiana Tech. She has been in and around athletics her entire life playing basketball and softball into the collegiate level. Towards the end of college she saw an opportunity to pick up a camera and film sports and pounced! Since then she has spent time with multiple organizations, in many different sports, fulfilling different rolls with each change she has made. Sadie has a creative mind and a hardworking attitude, both of which have gotten her to the level she is now.

Bubba Reeves is an country artist who has had a passion for music his entire life. After years of working in the West Texas oilfields he has decided to come back home and purse music full time. I have known Bubba since high school where we played football together. In this interview we talk a little bit about what has inspired Bubba from discovering music as a child, to pursuing himself!

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Facebook: @bubbareevesmusic

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Andrew Harris is a 27 year old middle school English teacher and basketball coach. His passion beyond teaching is music, you can find him mixing vinyl records in his spare time out side of the gym or the classroom. He has found a way to use his love for music and hip hop to help better translate difficult lessons within his classroom.

Tyler Cain is a former ULM running back from West Monroe Louisiana. Tylers football career was full of ups and downs, triumphs and injuries. After being denied a medical red shirt for his 5th year of elegiblity after tearing his ACL for the second time. He had to turn his focus elsewhere to prove for his family. We talk about this journey, and the years that lead up to it! I have had the privilege of knowing Tyler since the 1st grade and he has been inspiring myself and others to be the absolute best we can be. I am forever thankful for his friendship. Check out his book "Starting Point"- Tyler Cain on Amazon!

Kyle Snellenberger works with wood, a lot of which he salvages from different parts of North Louisiana. With these logs he creates beautifully hand crafted tables, bar tops, beams, flooring, and pretty much anything else he can dream up. About four years ago he started Ouachita Antique Woods. He now has conference tables in large businesses like Century Link, and local universities like ULM. Hear how Kyle went from traveling musician, to full time woodworker!

Asja Jordan is a young entrepreneur who vision is to bring people together and help them become better versions of themselves though the power of yoga. Asja is incredibly excited for life and seems to try to make the absolute best out every situation she find herself in. This weekend June 21 & 22 2019 she is putting on a donation based yoga event in Ruston. All donations will be going to the Ruston relief fund, helping to rebuild Ruston after the tornado that destroyed a large part of downtown. For more information reach out to Asja!

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@asjajordan

@dan.mabry

Ben was raised a missionary kid, and had the opportunity to live in many different places around the world growing up. Along the way he lived in Mauritius and begin surfing. Later on in South Africa he was given the opportunity the draw on a surfboard, and the dream was on. After honing his craft he had an opportunity to move to Hawaii and work for a large surfboard manufacturer. He has since painted boards for tons of professional surfers and art lovers alike.

Follow Ben on Instagram @bentrail_art

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Follow Headcase Films @HeadcaseFilms