The Stafford Shurden Podcast

In this episode of Breaking Bread, Stafford sits down with Jesse Phillips, a Marine, filmmaker, photographer, writer, and what can only be described as a true warrior poet.

Jesse is the kind of man you don’t forget after you meet him. He’s got a quiet intensity, a natural charisma, and a presence that feels like it belongs on screen. But underneath all of that is something deeper. Jesse is a man of faith, a devoted husband and father, and someone who genuinely cares about people and their stories.

A lot of Jesse’s work is centered around sitting down with veterans and giving them a space to be heard. Not polished. Not scripted. Just real. And if you had to boil it all down, that’s who he is at his core he is a storyteller.

We talk about his journey from the Marines to filmmaking.
What it means to carry both strength and vulnerability.
The influence of his father—the original “warrior poet”.
And how faith, family, and purpose all tie it together.

In this episode of Breaking Bread with Stafford Shurden, I sit down with Dakota Greer, better known as The Apizza Guy. Originally from Grenada and now based in Oxford, Dakota started out reviewing pizza but quickly built a following by expanding into full restaurant reviews across North Mississippi and beyond.

Outside of content, Dakota is also a nurse, which gives him a unique perspective on balancing a demanding real-world career with building a brand online. What started as a side project has turned into something much bigger.

We get into what it’s really like being a creator today. The good, the bad, and the misunderstood. From dealing with public perception to the pressure of putting yourself out there, we talk honestly about the challenges that come with reviewing other people’s work and living in the spotlight, especially in smaller communities where everybody knows everybody.

If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the camera, or what it takes to build something from nothing in the content world, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear.

In this episode of Breaking Bread, Stafford sits down with Brian Hadad, one of Mississippi’s most recognizable voices in sports media. Known for his work covering Mississippi State athletics, Brian has built a reputation for thoughtful analysis, honest commentary, and a deep understanding of college sports in the South.

Over a plate of good food and real conversation, Stafford and Brian talk about sports, media, Mississippi culture, and the passion that fuels college athletics across the state.

Brian shares insights from his career covering the Bulldogs, what it’s really like inside the world of sports media, and how the landscape of college athletics has changed dramatically in recent years.

The conversation also explores the power of sports to unite communities, the unique role Mississippi plays in the national sports conversation, and what fans often don’t see behind the scenes.

It’s an honest, engaging conversation about sports, media, and Mississippi.

In this episode of Breaking Bread, I sit down with my good friend Bart Davis, owner of 360 Marketing and the FloBama in Florence, Alabama AKA the Shoals. Bart and I met at a Whiskey & Wisdom event in Nashville, and we quickly realized we share a lot of the same values: think bigger, build better, and do it with purpose.

Bart has become a true student of marketing through his experience in the restaurant business, learning firsthand how brand personality, consistency, and customer experience drive growth. We talk about entrepreneurship in smaller markets, building businesses with vision, and why your values matter just as much as your strategy.

Bart was also a guest of Success Supper Club at Stafford's in Drew, MS. 

James Downs is a true creative in every sense of the word. From sketching original furniture designs by hand to building the finished piece himself, he lives at the intersection of craftsmanship and imagination. James has upholstered furniture for the Oval Office under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, designed dining chairs for U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, and created custom pieces for clients including Nick Saban.

Tested with a 138 IQ in high school and once invited to meet President Ronald Reagan, James has always blended intellect with artistry. He’s written short stories and poetry, traveled to nearly every state in America, built his own high-end furniture line, and gathered stories along the way that range from celebrity encounters to gritty moments behind Atlanta dumpsters.

Matt Wyatt is a former Mississippi State quarterback who played for the Bulldogs from 1996 to 1999, 
Matt  was right in the middle of one of the most important eras in Mississippi State football history. During the 1998 season, Mississippi State won the SEC West, earning a trip to the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. That game matched State up against Tennessee Volunteers and quarterback Tee Martin, who would go on to lead Tennessee to a national championship later that season.
That ’98 team helped elevate Mississippi State onto the national stage, and Matt was one of the leaders inside the huddle during that run — playing for a program that was redefining itself in the late ’90s and setting a foundation that fans still talk about today.

Matt is also  one of the most recognizable voices in Mississippi sports media. After his playing days, Matt built a career behind the mic and on camera: he’s the host of The Matt Wyatt Show on The Zone 105.9, and he’s also long been part of Mississippi State football coverage as a radio color analyst. 
On top of sports, Matt’s got a deep Mississippi outdoors streak—he hosts the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, where he talks hunting, fishing, conservation, and the people who live it. 
And he’s not just a broadcaster—he’s a creator. Through Matt Wyatt Media, he does professional photography and video production, documenting life, sports, and the outdoors across Mississippi and beyond. 

On this episode of Breaking Bread, I sit down with Hayes Dent, a Republican strategist and lobbyist from Yazoo City, Mississippi, and one of the most fascinating political minds I’ve ever met.

Hayes has lived a lifetime of history. While still a young man, he worked on Ronald Reagan’s 1984 re-election campaign, went on to serve in the George H. W. Bush administration, and later played a key role working for Kirk Fordice, Mississippi’s first Republican governor since Reconstruction.

In the middle of all that, Hayes also answered the call to serve his country, deploying during the original Desert Storm. He eventually finished his degree at University of Mississippi, though politics and military service understandably slowed that journey along the way.

What makes Hayes truly unique isn’t just his résumé but the respect he’s earned on both sides of the aisle. He’s one of those rare people who is genuinely well-liked by Republicans and Democrats alike. Hayes believes deeply in collaboration, mutual respect, and working together for the common good of Mississippi, and that spirit comes through in every story he tells.

This conversation was fun, thoughtful, and packed with incredible behind-the-scenes stories from Mississippi and national politics. There’s no doubt we’ll be doing a round two.

You’re going to enjoy this one.

In Episode 16 of Breaking Bread, Stafford sits down once again with good friend, mentor, and serial entrepreneur Will Bradham. Will returns to the podcast to talk candidly about business, life, and the everyday realities of building companies in Mississippi. He currently owns and operates Right at Home, a home-care service that provides nurses and professional caregivers to families in need, Delta Maids, a statewide cleaning company, and Bradham’s Collectibles, a sports memorabilia and baseball card shop in downtown Oxford, Mississippi. This conversation feels more like two friends catching up than a formal interview, touching on lessons learned, relationships, and the value of community. Will also reflects on being the most recent guest at the Success Supper Club, an event that was a big success and continues the mission of bringing entrepreneurs together around the table.

Matt Callahan aka Matt's Adventures is a social media influencer that made his name as the Brisket King but has branched out into lots of content most notably his take on the 6.5 Creedmoor. 

Roy Waldrup is a local Drew, Mississippi farmer who spent his teenage years in the Alaskan Bush hunting and trapping. His family and the Shurden's have been friends for a long time. Roy is also one of the best storytellers I know.