Louisiana Anthology Podcast: 686. Joel Sharpton, Part 1

686. Part 1 of our interview with Joel Sharpton. Joel talks to us about Louisiana politics in 2026. Joel is a Ruston-based audio professional and progressive grassroots organizer who seamlessly blends media production with political advocacy. As the founder of Pro Podcasting Services and an expert in mobile workflows, Sharpton brings over a decade of podcasting experience to his community-focused media projects. He utilizes this production expertise to host and produce We Are Louisiana Indivisible, a political podcast dedicated to amplifying the voices of regional activists and interviewing progressive candidates for state and local office. Working alongside organizations like Indivisible North Louisiana, Sharpton is actively engaged in grassroots organizing, voter mobilization, and hosting local civic rallies to push for democratic change across the state.

Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!
This week in the Louisiana Anthology. "The Elephant and the Whale." Alcee Fortier.
    Compair Lapin went to get a very long and strong rope, then he got his drum and hid it in the grass. He took one end of the rope, and went to the elephant: “Mister, you who are so good and so strong. I wish you would render me a service; you would relieve me of a great trouble and prevent me from losing my money.”
    The elephant was glad to hear such a fine compliment, and he said: “Compair, I shall do for you everything you want. I am always ready to help my friends.”
    “Well,” said Lapin, “I have a cow which is stuck in the mud on the coast; you know that I am not strong enough to pull her out; I come for you to help me. Take this rope in your trunk. I shall tie it to the cow, and when you hear me beat the drum, pull hard on the rope. I tell you that because the cow is stuck deep in the mud.”
    “That is all right,” said the elephant. “I guarantee you I shall pull the cow out, or the rope will break.”
    Compair Lapin took the other end of the rope and ran towards the sea. He paid a pretty compliment to the whale, and asked her to render him the same service about the cow, which was stuck in a bayou in the woods. Compair Lapin’s mouth was so honeyed that no one could refuse him anything. The whale took hold of the rope and said: “When I shall hear the drum beat I shall pull.”
    “Yes,” said Lapin, “begin pulling gently, and then more and more.”
    “You need not be afraid,” said the whale; “I shall pull out the cow, even if djabe were holding her.”
    “That is good,” said Lapin; “we are going to laugh.” And he beat his drum.
    The elephant began to pull so hard that the rope was like a bar of iron. The whale, on her side, was pulling and pulling, and yet she was coming nearer to the land, as she was not so well situated to pull as the elephant. When she saw that she was mounting on land, she beat her tail furiously and plunged headlong into the sea. The shock was so great that the elephant was dragged to the sea. “What, said he, what is the matter? that cow must be wonderfully strong to drag me so. Let me kneel with my front feet in the mud.” Then he twisted the rope round his trunk in such a manner that he pulled the whale again to the shore. He was very much astonished to see his friend the whale. “What is the matter,” said he. “I thought it was Compair Lapin’s cow I was pulling.”
    “Lapin told me the same thing. I believe he is making fun of us.”
    “He must pay for that,” said the elephant. “I forbid him to eat a blade of grass on land because he laughed at us.”
    “And I will not allow him to drink a drop of water in the sea. We must watch for him, and the first one that sees him must not miss him.”
    Compair Lapin said to Bouki: “It is growing hot for us; it is time to leave.”
    “You see,” said Bouki, “you are always bringing us into trouble.”
This week in Louisiana history. July 10, 1941. Legendary jazz pianist and composer Jelly Roll Morton (born in New Orleans) died in Los Angeles. His musical innovations accelerated the development of jazz.
This week in New Orleans history. July 10, 1927: Tom Benson, the future owner of the Saints and Pelicans, was born in New Orleans, later becoming one of the city's most prominent philanthropists
This week in Louisiana.
very Island ' Jungle Gardens & TABASCO' Factory Tour
Daily Tours (year‑round)
Avery Island, LA 70513
Websites: tabasco.com, junglegardens.org
Avery Island offers two of Louisiana's most iconic attractions: the TABASCO' Brand Factory Tour, where McIlhenny Company has made its world‑famous pepper sauce for over 150 years, and Jungle Gardens, a 170‑acre botanical preserve filled with ancient oaks, wildlife, and historic structures. A single ticket grants access to both experiences:

TABASCO Factory Tour: A self‑guided walk through the museum, pepper greenhouse, barrel warehouse, salt‑mine diorama, and the bottling line, with admission priced at $15.50 for adults, $12.50 for children, and 10% off for seniors/veterans.
Jungle Gardens: A scenic drive‑through and walk‑through garden featuring live oaks, bamboo groves, wildlife viewing, and the historic Buddha statue. Joint admission with the TABASCO' tour is $15.50 for adults and $12.50 for children.
Visitor Experience: The combined ticket includes access to the museum, greenhouse, conservation exhibits, Country Store, Restaurant 1868, and the full 170‑acre garden system.