Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home

10/02/2025

All, I wanted to share a quick note.

Starting today, “Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home” will be on hiatus. I am not sure yet whether it is temporary or the end. But either way, it has been such a pleasure to have these conversations and to do this work. It’s truly been one of the highlights of my life so far.

Want to know one of the main things that makes this community special? It’s the people.

Thank you to my 158 guests. You can find video of every episode here (or wherever you get your podcasts by searching “Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home”):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQY5HOnPxLuTUVBTsAxtaJQ

Episode 158 – Emily Jo Manchester-Sanden, Executive Director of the Renesting Project, Inc
Episode 157 – Pam Barker, Principal of Louisiana Key Academy in Shreveport
Episode 156 – Kade McDonald, Commercial Relationship Banker 1, VP at Origin Bank and Chairman of the Board at Sci-Port Discovery Center
Episode 155 – Steven Grant, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance for Caddo Schools
Episode 154 – Alan Clarke, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Planning Commission for the City of Shreveport
Episode 153 – Rachel Fischer, Harvard Fellow
Episode 152 – Loreli Lopez, Vice President and Owner of PPT Inc.
Episode 151 – Superintendent Jason Rowland and Communications and Media Officer Sonja Bailes
Episode 150 – Brad Neffendorf, Head Coach of National Champion LSUS Baseball
Episode 149 – Professional entertainer and tour guide, Winston Hall
Episode 148 – Vernae and Lance Thompson, Founders of the Dream Big Interactive Initiative
Episode 147 – Tamara Crane, Executive Director of the Bossier Council on Aging
Episode 146 – Danielle Richard, Owner of Richard Creative
Episode 145 – Bob Thames, Co-Founder of Single Source Business Solutions
Episode 144 – Patrick Wesley, Director of Parks and Recreation for the Parish of Caddo
Episode 143 – Terri Matthews, Executive Director of Downtown Shreveport Unlimited
Episode 142 – Logan Sledge, Chair of the Theater Department at Centenary College
Episode 141 – Center/Kicker Chase Baker and Heather Fontenot, President of the Shreveport Rouxgaroux Fan Club
Episode 140 – Morgan Walker, Executive Director of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra
Episode 139 – Dedicated Community Advocates, Lindsi and Dany Martin
Episode 138 – Jay Johnson, General Dynamics Information Technology
Episode 137 – Retired Cotton Farmer and Community Leader Archer Frierson
Episode 136 – Sylvia Goodman, Community Leader
Episode 135 – Janet Miller, Executive Director of CADA
Episode 134 – Maria Sermons, Vice President of Total Yard Care and President of the Hispanic Heritage Association
Episode 133 – Ronald Collins Jr., Editor of The Shreveport Sun
Episode 132 – Tabatha Taylor, Shreveport City Council Chair
Episode 131 – Deidra Lewis-Robertson, Director of Friendship House for Community Renewal International
Episode 130 – Greg Powell, Owner and Operator of SB Rides
Episode 129 – Emily Hays, Co-Owner of Osborn Hays Real Estate and North Port Sports
Episode 128 – Shreveport journalistic icon, Maggie Martin
Episode 127 – Tony Richardson and Karen Baker, Krewe of Gemini
Episode 126 – Clarrissa Stephens, Connections and Community Relations Pastor at Northpoint Community Church
Episode 125 – Mack McCarter, Founder and Coordinator of Community Renewal International
Episode 124 – Dr. Christopher Holoman, President of Centenary College of Louisiana
Episode 123 – Chase Boytim, Proprietor of Fatty Arbuckle’s Pub
Episode 122 – Africa Price, Assistant Vice President for Ochsner Health
Episode 121 – John Dean, Business Leader and Community Activist
Episode 120 – Oliver Jenkins, President and CEO of Phillips Energy
Episode 119 – Former State Senator Barrow Peacock
Episode 118 – Dr. Barzanna White, Caddo Parish District School Psychologist
Episode 117 – Howard Pernell Allen, Community Activist and Reformed Prisoner
Episode 116 – Roy Murry, Former Director of Security for Caddo Schools
Episode 115 – John Hoffman, Local Drummer
Episode 114 – Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts and Captain LaTienda Pierre
Episode 113 – Mario Chavez, Former Caddo Parish Commissioner and Owner of MersaTech
Episode 112 – Kempten Schwab, Managing Director for STS Capital Partners
Episode 111 – Dr. Aubra Gantt, Chancellor of Southern University at Shreveport
Episode 110 – Damien Ford, Project Manager and Associate Architect for Mike McSwain Architect
Episode 109 – Alexander Jeffery, Filmmaker
Episode 108 – Jillian Elwart, Paralympian
Episode 107 – Russ Mathers, Director of STRIKEWERX
Episode 106 – Kyle Pierce, Former US and Ghana Olympic Weightlifting Coach
Episode 105 – Jordan Ring, Executive Director at MLK Health Center & Pharmacy
Episode 104 – Chef Hardette Harris
Episode 103 – Andrew Gaspard, Sportspectrum Owner
Episode 102 – Poetic X, Caddo Parish’s Poet Laureate
Episode 101 – Chris Brown, Local Music Historian
Episode 100 – Mike and Mark Mangham, Twin Blends: Northwest Louisiana History Hunters
Episode 99 – Ross Barrett, Venture Capitalist
Episode 98 – Larry Clark, LSU Shreveport Chancellor Emeritus
Episode 97 – Businessman, Public Servant, and Caddo Parish Commissioner John Atkins
Episode 96 – Jamon Turner, Chairman of Just Believe Training
Episode 95 – Rolanda Hewitt, 3rd Grade Math and Science Teacher
Episode 94 – Vicki and Matt Whitehead, Common Ground Youth Program Directors
Episode 93 – Glenn Kinsey, Businessman and Community Philanthropist
Episode 92 – Dr. Gary Joiner, Historian
Episode 91 – Dr. Betsy Boze, Academic and Higher Education Administrator
Episode 90 – Chancellor Robert Smith, Chancellor of LSUS
Episode 89 – Barbara Joseph, Executive Director of the North Louisiana Jewish Federation
Episode 88 – Donny Jackson and Tim FitzGerald, Shreveport Youth Boxing Club
Episode 87 – Jon Soul, Outdoor Educator
Episode 86 – Dr. Michael Hicks, Education Thought Leader
Episode 85 – Laura Baxter, Director of the Institute for Childhood Resilience at LSU Health Shreveport
Episode 84 – Architect Mike McSwain
Episode 83 – Father Raney Johnson, administrator at Cathedral of St John Berchmans and one of the chaplains at Loyola College Prep
Episode 82 – Entrepreneur and Multiple Local Business Owner Andrew Crawford
Episode 81 – Lieutenant Amy Bowman, Shreveport Police Department, and Doctor James Patterson, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport
Episode 80 – Young Adult Author Kayvion Lewis
Episode 79 – Angel Martin, Triathlete AND Director of Student Activities and Recreational Sports at LSU Shreveport
Episode 78 – Ryan Williams, Chief Executive Officer and Owner of Seedlinks Behavior Management, LLC
Episode 77 – Sophia Herron Sanders, Director of Child Life & Community Engagement at the Gingerbread House
Episode 76 – Martha Marak, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana
Episode 75 – K.C. Kilpatrick, Founder and Executive Director of Geaux 4 Kids and Project Geaux Bags
Episode 74 – US Attorney Brandon Brown
Episode 73 – Emerie Holtzclaw, Owner of Lagniappe P.R.I.M.E., LLC
Episode 72 – Ben Whalen, Owner of Clean Slate Botanicals
Episode 71 – Erica Bryant, Caddo Parish Administrator and CEO
Episode 70 – Dr. Toya Graham, Executive Director of the Carolyn W and Charles T Beaird Family Foundation
Episode 69 – Dr. Jayda Spillers, Chancellor of Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College
Episode 68 - Nell Shehee, Community Activist
Episode 67 – LeVette Fuller, Community Activist
Episode 66 – Dr. David Guzick, Chancellor of LSU Health Shreveport
Episode 65 – Mike Nolan, LSU Health Shreveport’s Pediatric Trauma Coordinator
Episode 64 – Clint Davis, Clinical Supervisor/Clinician at Clint Davis Counseling & Integrative Wellness
Episode 63 – Laura Gauthier, Program Director at The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center
Episode 62 – Sister Sharon Rambin
Episode 61 – Carolyn Hammond, President and Chief Executive Officer of Volunteers of America North Louisiana
Episode 60 – Dr. Heather Carpenter, Director of the Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Research (INAR) at LSUS
Episode 59 – Orlando Medellin, Head Soccer Coach for Bossier High School
Episode 58 – Greg Lott, Executive Vice President/Northwest LA Division President of Progressive Bank
Episode 57 – General Bob Elder
Episode 56 – Dr. Sheila Asghar, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at LSU Health Shreveport
Episode 55 – Kristi Gustavson, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Foundation of North Louisiana
Episode 54 – Demetrius Norman, President and Board Chair for NWLA Makerspace
Episode 53 – Rashida Dawson, Vice President of Financial Stability of United Way of Northwest Louisiana
Episode 52 – Larry Blackwell, Director of Airports for Shreveport Airport Authority
Episode 51 – Michael Coleman Hicks, Youree Drive Middle School student
Episode 50 – Dylan Holmes, Huntington High School Senior
Episode 49 – Michael Pierce, Photographer and Founder of the Instagram page
Episode 48 – Historian Robert Trudeau
Episode 47 – Tommy Williams, President and Founder of Williams Financial Advisors, LLC
Episode 46 – Louisiana State Representative Thomas Pressly
Episode 45 – Dr. Timothy Jones, Pastor of Peaceful Rest Missionary Baptist Church
Episode 44 – KaDavien Baylor, Public Artist
Episode 43 – Kelly Rouse, Director of Community School Services at Holy Angels
Episode 42 – Candace Higginbotham, Formerly with HUD and the Department of Community Development
Episode 41 – Mike Busada, Attorney and Community Activist
Episode 40 - Drayden Dunn, Entrepreneur and Community Leader
Episode 39 - Bonnie Moore, Director of the Department of Community Development for the City of Shreveport
Episode 38 - Keith Burton, Chief Academic Officer for Caddo Parish Public Schools
Episode 37 – Brittney Dunn, Owner of Brittney Dunn, CPA LLC and Chairwoman of the Shreveport African American Chamber of Commerce
Episode 36 – Dinero’ Washington, SporTran Chief Executive Officer
Episode 35 – James E Stewart, Caddo Parish District Attorney
Episode 34 – Isaiah Lee, Owner of Leeson Real Estate Investment Firm
Episode 33 – Suyi Georgewill, General Manager of Cintas Corporation
Episode 32 – Jim Malsch, Entrepreneur
Episode 31 – John Hussey, Former Mayor of Shreveport
Episode 30 – Danny Logan, Farmer from North Caddo Parish
Episode 29 – Kevin Nolten, Vice President of the Cyber Innovation Center
Episode 28 – Dr. Ruby Scroggins, Former Principal of JS Clark and Supervisor of Special Education Compliance, Complaint Management, and Parent-Community Involvement with Caddo Parish
Episode 27 – John Tuggle, Executive Director of Shreve Memorial Library
Episode 26 – Clay Walker, Director of Juvenile Services for Caddo Parish
Episode 25 – Madison Poche, Executive Director of the Highland Center
Episode 24 – Liz Swaine, Executive Director of the Shreveport Downtown Development Authority
Episode 23 – Sabrina Washington, Coach at the Walmart Supercenter on Shreveport Barksdale Highway
Episode 22 – Keith Hanson, Chief Technology Officer of the City of Shreveport
Episode 21 – Dan Farris, Local Attorney and Community Activist
Episode 20 - Briant Garcia, Owner of 318Latino
Episode 19 - Caleb King, Co-Owner and Co-Founder of Dripp Donuts
Episode 18 - Edgar Guzman, Entrepreneur and Founder of The Lot Downtown Shreveport
Episode 17 - Cassie Hammett, Founder and Director of The Hub: urban ministry
Episode 16 - Kelli Todd, Executive Director of Volunteers for Youth Justice
Episode 15 - Billy Anderson, Community Activist
Episode 14 - Logan Lewis, Executive Director of Red River Revel, Inc
Episode 13 - Crystal Tate Barnes, Principal of Booker T Washington High School
Episode 12 - Steve Walker, Former President and CEO of Commercial National Bank
Episode 11 - Carranza Pryor, Chief Counsel of LSU Health Shreveport
Episode 10 - Kasie Mainiero, Principal of University Elementary School
Episode 9 - Tom Harrison, Executive Pastor of Broadmoor Baptist Church
Episode 8 - Verni Howard, Executive Director of Providence House
Episode 7 - Jamal Martin, Documentary Photographer and Filmmaker
Episode 6 - Dr. Kenna Franklin, Assistant Provost of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement
Episode 5 - Graham Walker, President and CEO of Fibrebond Corporation
Episode 4 - Ananya Bhatia, Junior at Caddo Magnet High School
Episode 3 - Chris Dudley, Director of Tennis at Querbes Tennis Center
Episode 2 - Gabriel Balderas, Owner and Chef of El Cabo Verde and Zuzul
Episode 1 - Al Childs, Managing Partner of Vintage Realty Company

09/25/2025

It's always a treat to sit down with one of our great nonprofit leaders to talk about one of our great nonprofits. You can find my full discussion with Emily Jo Manchester-Sanden, Executive Director of the Renesting Project, Inc, here (or wherever you get your podcasts by searching "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home").

Here are the questions I asked:

0:45 1. You’re the Executive Director of one of our community’s great nonprofits – Renesting Project, Inc. Renesting Project is a community furniture bank doing really important work, providing basic furniture and household items free of charge to hundreds of men, women and children in need.

Let’s start here today. Talk to me about some of the different populations Renesting serves.

2:38 2. You were recently honored by NBC 6 as its Remarkable Woman of the Year, which from my perspective seems well deserved. I don’t have a question around that but I wanted to make sure I mentioned it as I think it’s a huge deal.

Renest Fest, your annual fundraiser is right around the corner, two days before we publish. Tell people about this great and important event.

6:27 3. I came across a quote of yours where you said, “I really believe in the dignity of the human spirit and the collective power of community”. Talk to me some about this.

11:52 4. You and I met because of the great work of Dr. Heather Carpenter who runs the Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Research (or INAR as most know it) at LSUS. In 2023, you were one of 15 nonprofit leaders selected for the 2023 Nonprofit Capacity Building Cohort. You also earned your Masters in Nonprofit Administration through INAR’s program at LSUS.

Talk to me about INAR from your perspective. Why is the work they’re doing so important in our community and why has it been so important for you and your work?

19:19 5. For those in our community listening, how can they best help you achieve your mission?

09/23/2025

Logan previewing one of the countless highlights of this year's Revel that is starting Thursday!

Red River Revel
Squonk

09/22/2025

Logan's back to tell us more about the incredible Second Saturday at this year's Revel!

Red River Revel
Sam Shahin
Naughty Professor
Barakat Band
Stanton Moore
TaikoProject
John Hoffman Drums
John Hoffman

09/18/2025

All around our community, people are recognizing places where we have gaps and bringing new businesses, programs and services to meet those needs. A great example of this is Louisiana Key Academy in Shreveport. You can find my full discussion with Pam Barker, Principal of Louisiana Key Academy in Shreveport, here (or wherever you get your podcasts by searching "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home").

Here are the questions I asked:

0:34 1. Pam, you are the Principal of Louisiana Key Academy in Shreveport, a tuition free, charter school for dyslexia. In preparing for today’s discussion, I came across two incredible statistics – that 1 in 5 kids suffer from dyslexia but that only about 2% of kids with dyslexia are identified in Louisiana.

Let’s start here today just with some foundational information. What is dyslexia?

3:52 2. For parents listening today, what are some early indicators that a child may suffer from dyslexia?

6:45 3. Once a parent feels that one of their kids might be dyslexic, what are the next steps they should take to ensure THAT is a proper assessment and to consider entering their child into the Louisiana Key Academy?

17:55 4. It’s clear that we do not identify dyslexia enough in our kids and that if we do we often identify it far later than we should. What are some consequences of not identifying dyslexia early?

22:24 5. Talk to me about both some similarities and differences between Louisiana Key Academy and “regular” schools?

09/11/2025

So many places we can focus as we work to grow our community for the next generation, a city our kids are proud to call home and want to return to after college. This week we get a key perspective from one of our young professionals. You can find my full discussion with Kade McDonald, Commercial Relationship Banker 1, VP at Origin Bank and Chairman of the Board at Sci-Port Discovery Center, here (or wherever you get your podcasts by searching "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home").

Here are the questions I asked:

1:05 1. You grew up in Ruston. You are a Commercial Relationship Banker 1, VP at Origin Bank.

Let’s start here today. Talk to me about how you ended up in Shreveport-Bossier.

8:05 2. Talk to me some about your role and responsibilities at Origin.

9:30 3. Talk to me about what it’s like being a young professional in Shreveport-Bossier.

13:10 4. You are currently the Chairman of the Board for Sci-Port Discovery Center. Share a few of the great things that are happening there right now.

17:58 5. As you look out at the Shreveport-Bossier community, what are some of the things that concern you the most?

31:12 6. Lastly, what gives you hope that our community is moving in the right direction?

09/10/2025

Part 2

Thanks so much The Institute for Nonprofit Administration & Research - LSUS!

🌟 Advisory Board Spotlight 🌟
Jeffrey Goodman - Part Two

💼 Jeffrey Goodman is no stranger to leadership and community impact.

He helped spark Shreveport’s film industry boom, revitalized the City Tennis Tournament, and co-founded the Reel Adventures film club with the R.W. Norton Art Gallery.

Since 2019, Jeffrey has served as Director of Marketing and Development for the YMCA of Northwest Louisiana—growing its donor base, expanding its footprint with the Camp Forbing branch and Youth Baseball & Softball Complex, and launching "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home", a podcast and panel series bringing the community together.

LSU Shreveport

09/09/2025

One of the things I look forward to most - working with Heather and her team at The Institute for Nonprofit Administration & Research - LSUS and the special team of inspiring people who make up the Advisory Board.

🌟 Advisory Board Spotlight 🌟
Jeffrey Goodman - Part One

Meet Jeffrey Goodman, Director of Marketing and Development for the YMCA of Northwest Louisiana and proud member and Chair of INAR’s Advisory Board.

A Shreveport native and Captain Shreve graduate, Jeffrey studied at Washington University in St. Louis, where he competed on the NCAA Division III Tennis Team and later became a Fulbright Scholar in France. He also spent seven years in Los Angeles pursuing his passion for filmmaking before returning to Shreveport to direct the feature film "The Last Lullaby", raising over $2M from 49 local investors. 🎬

LSU Shreveport

09/07/2025

For more, subscribe to YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/

09/04/2025

Caddo Schools continues to evolve to meet the needs of our students. You can find my full discussion with Steven Grant, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance for Caddo Schools, here (or wherever you get your podcasts by searching "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home").

Here are the questions I asked:

0:34 1. You can make an amazing claim that very few others can make, that you played football for the great Football Coach Eddie Robinson at Grambling. Tell me 2-3 things you learned about leading people from Coach Robinson.

2:06 2. You have a passion for helping people. Where does that passion come from?

6:08 3. From 2017-2025, you served as the Principal of Green Oaks Performing Arts Academy. As you look back at that time, what do you count among your greatest accomplishments? What about a couple of your biggest regrets?

10:39 4. Fast forward and you are now working for Caddo Parish Schools as part of a newly formed team, entitled TAC. First off, what does TAC stand for? And why was this new team formed?

20:56 5. I know school is just getting started. But describe to me what you expect your work weeks at TAC to look like?

22:52 6. Why did COVID have such an impact on truancy?