Episode 216: Hammond Business Owner Abi Caswell Talks Expansion and TikTok

Abi Caswell opened her BATTER, A Bakery in Downtown Hammond in 2022. The self-taught baker went from popping up at local farmer's markets to going viral on TikTok and expanding to open a new shop in New Orleans. Caswell shares her journey with listeners and highlights the value small businesses hold in the city of Hammond. Follow Caswell's journey, along with her over 285,000 followers, on TikTok here.

The Tunica-Biloxi tribe recently held their 27th annual Pow Wow, which highlighted the tribe's culture and community. Additionally, the Pow Wow marked the opening of the tribe's new Justice Center. In this week's episode, Chairman Marshall Pierite shares insight into the tribe, it's history and more about the Justice Center.

This week, we get a little dose of the Cajun culture with content creators and podcasters Koa Melancon and Sarah O’Pry - better known as the Cajun Mamas. Melancon and O'Pry rose to fame on TikTok documenting their lives in South Louisiana. From raising kids to preparing for hurricanes and all that's in between, the duo's videos have captured the attention of those all over the country. This episode talks about what it means to be Cajun and a little insight into how the women got started on social media.

This week, we're headed to the Louisiana state capital. Laura Cating, senior vice president of marketing & communications for Visit Baton Rouge, gives listeners an insight to the history of the city, a little of the lore, plus what to do, where to stay and - most importantly -  where to eat when you're here.

On May 8, 2025, Robert Francis Prevost was introduced as Pope Leo XIV, the new head of the Catholic Church. Prevost is the first American to be elected as Pope and while that would be enough for American Catholics to celebrate, New Orleanians took the celebration a step farther when local Certified Genealogist and historian with the Historic New Orleans Collection Jari Honora discovered a familial connection between Pope Leo and New Orleans. In this week’s podcast we talk to Honora about the popes connection to the city, what exactly it means to be Creole and Kelly even shares a little of her Creole family background.

In new host Kelly Massicot's first episode, NOWFE Executive Director Aimee Brown shares the ins and outs of a festival that brings together wine connoisseurs and aficionados a like for one week each summer.Now in its 33rd year, NOWFE hosts a week of events – from grand tastings to labs – each summer, while highlighting what New Orleans does best – hospitality.

In tandem with the new season of sister publication New Orleans Magazine's "Beyond the Beads" podcast, we're launching a crossover episode. Producer, and occasional host, Kelly Massicot talks to Vice producer and storyteller Jackson Garrett. Garrett and Vice will release a new documentary this year highlighting the culture and traditions behind Cajun Mardi Gras. Garrett shares his insight into the celebration and what he hopes viewers learn from his experience.

Louisiana is blessed with several areas of natural wonders including the Gulf of Mexico’s shore and barrier islands, the Kisatchie Forest and the Atchafalaya Basin. The basin cuts north-south from near Simmesport to Morgan City. Historian Jason Theriot joins host Errol Laborde and podcast Kelly Massicot to talk about this ancient wonderland of swamps, cypress trees, wildlife and native cultures. He also discusses the impact of floods and modern efforts to keep the area rivers on course. Then there are food sources. What’s the basin’s most popular fish for eating? Here’s a hint, keep a frying pan nearby.

George Rodrigue is one of Louisiana’s all-time important artists, and may be the most important at depicting images of early like in Cajun Culture. He created scenes of celebrations beneath moss laden oak trees; life of the bayou and even Evangeline. Then there is the Blue Dog – a descendent of a family pet and the fictional loup-garou that prowls the swamps. TV producer Sean O’Malley joins host Errol Laborde and podcast producer Kelly Massicot to talk about his documentary, “Blue; The Life and Art of George Rodrigue.”  Hear about Rodrigue’s genius as an artist and as a marketer both of which contributed to the world’s image of the Cajun life. (And don’t worry about the dog; he’s friendly.)

Ok, here’s a Louisiana Trivia Question: Who originated the state’s motto, “Union, Justice and Confidence?” And why? Historian Jason Theriot joins host Errol Laborde and podcast producer Kelly Massicot to talk about his research on the motto’s origin, as well as the historic ideals that the motto was supposed to represent. He also tells stories from his book "Frenchie," about soldiers from Louisiana who spoke the native language in France during World War II. Here is history from two eras in one conversation. As for the originator of the motto... hint: It was not Huey Long.