673. Leslie Bary, Part 1

673. Part 1 of our conversation about prison reform with returning guest Leslie Bary. In this episode, we discuss Leslie Bary’s recent article, “From Angola with Love: Activism, Academics, and the Abolitionist Future,” which chronicles her thirty-year journey providing post-conviction relief and solidarity for death row and maximum-security prisoners at the Louisiana State Penitentiary. Leslie examines the intersection of praxis and theory, the limitations of the prison-industrial complex, and the evolving relationship between academic work and abolitionist activism.

672. "Liberty in Louisiana" presentation for the Cabildo

672. Bruce and Stephen give a new presentation about Liberty in Louisiana. This was a Friends of the Cabildo event. The Louisiana State Museum and Friends of the Cabildo’s Second Thursday Lecture Series is held on the second Thursday of each month, beginning at 6 p.m. at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint or on Zoom. Every month a different topic is explored from Louisiana’s unique history. Programs are free of charge; refreshments courtesy of Friends of the Cabildo. For more information, contact Friends of the Cabildo at 504.523.3939 or go to the events page for the most updated lecture schedule.

671. Kayla Hardy

671. On this episode of the Louisiana Anthology Podcast, we are joined by Kayla Hardy to discuss her new novel, Quarter Queen. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century New Orleans, the story follows a young woman’s journey through the mystique and social complexities of the French Quarter. Kayla shares how she blended historical research with rich storytelling to capture the spirit of an era where power and tradition often collided.

670. Sophie White

670. Sophie White joins us to discuss her book, Voices of the Enslaved: Love, Labor, and Longing in French Louisiana. Sophie also has a companion website, "Voices of the Enslaved: A Digital Humanities Approach to Encountering the Archive." This website is well worth your time. It has an article on the earliest reference to voudou, for example, with primary documents and detailed analysis. In Voices of the Enslaved: Love, Labor, and Longing in French Louisiana, Sophie White uncovers a rare and startling "soundscape" of the 18th century. While most history books treat enslaved people as silent statistics, White mines the meticulously recorded trial records of the Louisiana Superior Council to find something revolutionary: the direct testimony of over 150 men and women.

669. Marcelle Bienvenu, Part 2

669. Part 2. We continue Women's History Month by concluding our conversation with Marcelle Bienvenu. Whe is an author working on the history of Creole cooking. Marcelle Bienvenu's highly anticipated new release of her timeless classic, Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make A Roux? is a treasure trove of over two hundred recipes, revised with a Foreword by Emeril Lagasse and sumptuous color photography capturing the essence of every season. Marcelle is a cookbook author and food writer who has been preparing Cajun and Creole dishes since the 1960s.

668. Marcelle Bienvenu, Part 1

668. We begin women's history month by talking to Marcelle Bienvenu about the history of Creole cooking. In a city known worldwide for its food, the women of New Orleans have led the way. Marcelle Bienvenu's highly anticipated new release of her timeless classic, Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make A Roux? is a treasure trove of over two hundred recipes, revised with a Foreword by Emeril Lagasse and sumptuous color photography capturing the essence of every season.

667. Kass Byrd, Part 2.

667. Part 2 of our conversation with Kathleen Kass Byrd about her book on the history of Natchitoches. "Kathleen M. Byrd’s Natchitoches, Louisiana, 1803–1840 is an examination of one French Creole community as it transitioned from a fur-trading and agricultural settlement under the control of Spain to a critical American outpost on the Spanish/American frontier and finally to a commercial hub and jumping-off point for those heading west. Byrd focuses on historic events in the area and the long-term French Creole residents as they adapted to the American presence.