549. Alison Pelegrin, Poet Laureate

549. This week we're happy to have Louisiana's current poet laureate Alison Pelegrin visiting us. 'Alison was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She received an MFA from the University of Arkansas. Pelegrin is the author of Waterlines (Louisiana State University Press, 2016); Hurricane Party (University of Akron Press, 2012); Big Muddy River of Stars (University of Akron Press, 2007), which received the 2006 Akron Poetry Prize; and The Zydeco Tablets (Word Press, 2002).

548. The New Orleans Writers' Workshop

548. We talk with Allison Alsup and Jessica Kinnison, who run the New Orleans Writers’ Workshop. "Since its founding in Spring 2017, the New Orleans Writers Workshop has aimed to affordably meet the need for quality creative writing classes in the New Orleans community.

547. Isabelle Jacopin

547. This week to caught up with Isabelle Jacopin, an artiste peintre born in France, who has been drawn to the world of art since her early childhood. In 1998, her artistic path led her to New Orleans, where she delved into pastel painting, using the vibrant city as her muse. She sketched the lively streets, vibrant clubs, and distinctive elements that make New Orleans so unique.

546. Robin Roberts

546. We interview Robin Roberts about her new book, City of the Undead. "From its looming above-ground cemeteries to the ghosts believed to haunt its stately homes, New Orleans is a city deeply entwined with death, the undead, and the supernatural.

545. Stefan Schöberlein.

545. This week we chat with Stefan Schöberlein about his book, Walt Whitman's New Orleans: Sidewalk Sketches and Newspaper Rambles  Whitman in NOLA. "Walt Whitman’s short stint in New Orleans during the spring of 1848 was a crucial moment of literary and personal development, with many celebrated poems from Leaves of Grass showing its influence.

544. David Ervin

 544. We chat with David Ervin, creator of the drive-thru daiquiri stand. "The humble history of the drive-thru daiquiri dates back to 1981, when David Ervin first opened the Daiquiri Factory in Lafayette, Lousiana. Ervin got the idea from a liquor store he frequented during his college days, which had a frozen drink stand on the side.

543. Elista Istre Part 2

543. Part 2 of our interview with our friend Elista Istre. Elista has written a new book entitled, Josette and Friends Cook a Gumbo. “This beautifully written and illustrated children’s book is a brilliant blend of Louisiana’s culture and cuisine.”— Chef John Folse "Cool fall days and warm, cozy friendships bring Josette and her friends together to cook a delicious gumbo bursting with flavor.