LOPA, Organ Donation Awareness, and Cayden’s Legacy with Lori Steele & Maggie Fan | What’s What BR

In this episode of What’s What BR, host Brandon talks with returning guest Lori Steele from the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) and new guest Maggie Fan about promoting organ, eye, and tissue donation through education and conversation before a crisis occurs. Lori recaps National Donate Life Month activities in April, including flag raisings, butterfly releases, campus outreach, and free presentations available through LOPA.org, and explains how most people register through the OMV heart symbol, as well as other registration options. Maggie shares the story of her son Caiden, how honoring his donor decision was overwhelming in the hospital, and how donation became part of her faith and grief journey. She describes meeting recipients, writing letters, and learning Caiden impacted 105 people across multiple states and countries, and highlights her book, “Beautifully Broken: Finding Beauty in the Struggle.”

00:00 Welcome and Guests

00:33 What LOPA Does

01:23 Signing Up to Donate

01:58 Covington Headquarters and Memorial Park

02:55 April Donation Month Highlights

05:19 Why Talking About Donation Matters

08:13 Maggie and Caiden Introduction

09:11 Caiden Story and Turning Point

11:24 Making the Decision in Crisis

14:11 Relatable Support Matters

14:54 Families Decide Under Pressure

15:41 DMV Talk To Dinner Table

17:30 Reaching People Repeatedly

18:25 Tools And Presentations

18:59 Registering And Legal Consent

20:35 Meeting Recipients And Healing

22:56 Book And Legacy Impact

25:13 Aftercare And Honor Walks

28:46 LOPA Team And Statewide Stats

30:10 Closing Thanks And Next Steps

Hurricane Season Prep with GOHSEP’s Mike Steele: Supplies, Power, Insurance & Generator Safety

In this episode of What’s What BR, we talk with returning guest Mike Steele from Louisiana GOHSEP about gearing up ahead of hurricane season through training, partner coordination, and a statewide conference in May. They note last year’s hurricane season was active overall even though Louisiana was largely spared, and stress year-round readiness for tornadoes, flooding, and winter weather. Key tips include rotating supplies like water and batteries, planning for multi-day power outages (including using UPS backups for home internet gear), keeping vehicles fueled, and tailoring family and business plans. They emphasize checking homeowners and flood insurance early because changes may be limited once storms approach, and warn not to rely on FEMA assistance. They also highlight local damage reporting, volunteer organization support, and critical generator safety practices.

00:00 Welcome Back Mike

00:46 Hurricane Season Prep

03:03 Refresh Your Supplies

04:09 Power And Connectivity

07:00 Family Plans And Fuel

08:39 Blue Sky Planning

09:40 Build Supplies Gradually

12:44 Insurance And Flood Risk

15:04 FEMA Reality Check

16:32 Local Reporting And Aid

21:37 Generator Safety Basics

23:37 Wrap Up And Resources

How Professional Organizers Help Busy Families

In this episode of What’s What BR, first-time guest Olivia Parks, owner of Professional Organizers, explains how her team helps individuals and families declutter and organize homes to make daily life easier and reduce stress. She discusses how clutter impacts productivity and mental health, the difference between cleaning, decluttering, and organizing, and why organizing addresses the root problem by creating systems. Olivia shares how sessions typically run for five hours, when clients need to be present (decluttering) versus not (organizing), and how her team brings supplies and can recommend products without unnecessary spending. She also explains their donation process, common mistakes like trying to tackle too much at once, and how they support clients facing ADHD, anxiety, depression, downsizing, or loss of a loved one.

00:00 Meet Olivia Parks

00:36 What Organizers Do

02:30 Why Clutter Stresses Us

04:27 Declutter vs Organize

06:45 How Decluttering Works

07:59 DIY Mistakes and Small Wins

10:26 Supplies and Product Planning

12:13 Donations Made Easy

13:28 Sessions Scheduling and Surprises

17:26 Final Tips and Wrap Up

Get Your Rear in Gear Baton Rouge 5K: Colon Cancer Screening, Symptoms & Event Details

00:53 Get Your Rear in Gear Event

02:04 Why Colon Cancer Matters

02:53 Screening Age and Symptoms

03:57 Louisiana Stats and Disparities

04:57 Are Screenings Improving

05:58 Early Detection and Test Options

07:04 Race Day Experience at Pennington

08:18 Key Message and What to Expect

09:20 How to Get a Screening

10:01 How Often to Get Checked

10:49 Event Details and Closing

Raising Awareness and Funds for Alzheimer's Services with Astrid Clements

00:30 Understanding Alzheimer's Services

02:17 Personal Connection to Alzheimer's

04:46 Joining the Board and Fundraising Efforts

06:10 Inspiration Behind the Fundraising Ball

15:36 Event Details and Community Support

20:19 Conclusion and Future Plans

Celebrating 100 Years of Louisiana State Library with State Librarian Meg Placke

The Facts About Organ Donation - National Donate Life Month Special

In this episode of What's What BR, we welcome back Lori and Wendy from LOPA (Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency) to discuss the importance of organ, tissue, and eye donation. April is National Donate Life Month, and our guests share their experiences, including Wendy's life-saving liver transplant. We delve into the ease of becoming a donor, common misconceptions, and the impact of educating the public about donation. The conversation also explores emotional aspects like survivor's guilt and the powerful connections between donors and recipients. Tune in to learn how you can make a difference and possibly save lives through donation.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:25 National Donate Life Month Activities

01:05 Understanding Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation

02:10 How to Register as an Organ Donor

03:22 Encouraging Conversations About Donation

03:56 Personal Stories and Impact

05:36 Addressing Myths and Misconceptions

11:22 Connecting Donor Families and Recipients

17:38 The Role of LOPA and Other Organizations

20:47 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Love the Boot Week: Cleaning Up Louisiana with Melissa Kenyon

In this episode of What's What BR, we welcome Melissa Kenyon from Keep Louisiana Beautiful, part of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. Melissa shares insights about the organization's transition from a nonprofit to a state program and delves into the annual Love the Boot Week. This major initiative focuses on litter cleanup and beautification across Louisiana, involving thousands of volunteers and hundreds of events statewide. Melissa also discusses educational efforts, partnerships, including with Coca Cola for recycling, and ways businesses and individuals can get involved. Join us to learn more about this impactful campaign and how you can contribute to keeping Louisiana beautiful. Sign up now at lovetheboot.org.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:27 Overview of Keep Louisiana Beautiful

01:30 Love the Boot Week Campaign

03:58 Youth Education and Community Involvement

07:13 Addressing Louisiana's Litter Problem

12:43 Recycling Initiatives and Partnerships

15:09 Encouraging Business and Community Participation

18:36 Conclusion and Future Plans

Discover the Vital Role of St. George Fire Department with Meg

Join us in this episode of What's What BR as we sit down with Meg from the St. George Fire Department to discuss their crucial work and initiatives. From distinguishing their service from the Baton Rouge Fire Department to detailing the heat-related emergencies they handle, Meg shares insights into their day-to-day operations. Learn about their ongoing community programs, including their unique marketplace model, public education on fire safety, and child safety workshops. Discover how they are making a difference with enhanced EMS capabilities, bleeding control classes, and their innovative Prepared Coach program. Whether you're interested in joining their team or learning about their services, this episode has all the information you need.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:25 Heat-Related Emergencies and Hydration Tips

01:20 St. George Fire Department Overview

03:22 Community Services and Unique Responses

04:51 Public Education and Safety Initiatives

10:05 Love Community Marketplace

14:40 Firefighter Training and Recruitment

21:47 Conclusion and Future Updates