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

Episode 158 Emily Jo Manchester-Sanden - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

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.
 
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?

Episode 157 Pam Barker - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

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.
 
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?

Episode 156 Kade McDonald - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

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.
 
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?

Episode 155 Steven Grant - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

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.
 
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?

Episode 154 Alan Clarke - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

This week we have the special opportunity to sit down with Alan Clarke, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Planning Commission for the City of Shreveport, as he looks back on 46 years with the City.  You can find our full discussion here.
 
Here are the questions I asked:
 
0:28 1. Alan, you are the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Planning Commission (or the MPC as many people know it). After 46 years with the City, you recently announced that you will retire at the end of this year. Tell me about some of the different roles and responsibilities of the MPC for the City.
 
3:51 2. You recently helped spearhead the $300,000 master plan update, the first since the $1.2 million “Great Expectations” Master Plan was delivered to Shreveport residents in 2014. Tell me about the master plan update and why this is so important.
 
7:30 3. We’ve heard a lot in the news recently about Shreveport’s new One Stop Shop. Tell me some about this and why this is an important development.
 
8:40 4. We often hear that it’s easier to do business in Bossier than in Shreveport. In your opinion, why do people think or say this?
 
10:28 5. Lastly, as you look back on your time with the City, talk to me a little about your legacy. What do you count among your greatest accomplishments? How about your biggest regrets?

Episode 153 Rachel Fischer - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

What do we want our city to look like in the future and how do we get there? My two guests this week are doing the work to help answer these questions. You can find my full discussion with Rachel Fischer co-hosted by Verni Howard here.
 
Here are the questions I asked:
 
0:44 1. You are a critical part of one of the largest and most ambitious citywide cleanup efforts in Shreveport’s history – The City of Shreveport Block by Block Initiative. How did you first come to be involved in this project?
 
6:55 2. Talk a little about the Block by Block Initiative.
 
11:25 3. If you’re part of the community and have never seen one of these - what do one of the 11 clean sweeps look like?
 
24:39 4. Today is actually your last day in town. Tell me what your work has looked like with the City?
 
28:43 5. Share one of the most enlightening or revealing moments each of you has had in this work so far.
 
33:00 6. Rachel, we were all together at the City Council meeting earlier this week when you presented your case study. Tell us more about the material and what you presented. What information have you left for the City to build upon as far as Block by Block goes?
 
40:28 7. Block by Block is the result of an intensive planning and leadership effort led by a team of city and community leaders selected by Mayor Arceneaux to participate in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative—a global program that helps cities design more effective public policy. Shreveport was one of a limited number of U.S. cities chosen for the initiative.
 
I’ve read where Mayor Arceneaux said, "You'll see the difference in buildings that are repaired or removed; in streets that are brighter, cleaner and safer; and neighborhoods that people once again feel proud to call home.”
 
What happens once the eleven weeks end? How do we ensure that this wonderful initiative has an ongoing and long-term effect on the community?

Episode 152 Loreli Lopez - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

Join us this week as we learn more about one of our great business success stories. You can find my full discussion with Loreli Lopez, Vice President and Owner of PPT Inc., here.
 
Here are the questions I asked:
 
0:27 1. Let’s start with just some family history. Tell me a little about your parents’ background. And when and how did you end up in Shreveport-Bossier?
 
8:53 2. You are the Vice President and Owner of PPT Inc. Tell me about how the business got started and some of the services you offer today.
 
19:50 3. You are the Chair of Scholarship for the Hispanic Heritage Association of NWLA and I want to speak about your important involvement and work with the association. Talk to me about the scholarship program you have helped oversee the last several years.
 
25:52 4. Talk to me about how you have seen the local Hispanic community evolve and change over the years?
 
28:13 5. What are some steps you feel could be taken to further integrate the Hispanic community into the greater Shreveport-Bossier community?

Episode 151 Jason Rowland and Sonja Bailes - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

This week we gain wonderful insight into Bossier Schools and all the extraordinary work they are doing to strengthen our community's future. You can find my full discussion with Superintendent Jason Rowland and Communications and Media Officer Sonja Bailes here.
 
Here are the questions I asked:
 
0:31 1. We have an incredible team here. Jason, you come from a family deeply rooted in public education.
 
On January 1, 2024, you became the Superintendent for Bossier Schools, after serving as Assistant Superintendent of Administration and Personnel for Bossier Schools since 2019. And you have hit the ground running to say the very least. We’ll try to cover some of the high points, of which there are many.
 
One of your key initiatives was the Empowering Principals mentoring program. Talk to me some about this if you could.
 
5:31 2. Sonja, how lucky Bossier Schools is to have someone like you. You have been the Public Relations Liaison for more than a decade after spending 20 years in television news. You have been heavily involved in community service and non-profit work and are an Athena Award nominee and Virginia K. Shehee Most Influential Woman honoree and a recipient of the Clyde E Fant Memorial Award.
 
Talk to me some about your role with Bossier Schools.
 
9:20 3. The two of you oversee a wonderful podcast entitled “On the Record with Bossier Schools.” Talk to me about the genesis of this project and why it is such an important part of your work.
 
15:39 4. I read that approximately 13% of your students are from military families. Tell me how you have to think about your military students in a customized way, as well as how you have to think about and approach your relationship with Barksdale.
 
22:56 5. Talk to me about the Monday Morning Memo. Give me an example or two of what that sounds and looks like.
 
30:12 6. What does your weekly collaboration look like, the two of you?
 
33:08 7. Bossier Parish is booming. Talk to me about how this growth is impacting enrollment and your overall approach to overseeing Bossier Schools.
 
37:07 8. Jason, you were recently selected by the National School Public Relations Association as one of the top 25 Superintendents to watch in the country.
 
I read something that was incredible. That when school started last year, you boarded a school bus and visited all 34 Bossier School campuses in two days to offer words of encouragement.
 
What does being a great superintendent and leader mean to you?
 
45:21 9. One of the recurring themes on this podcast is about how many of our young people leave after school and don’t return. How can we do a better job at holding on to our best and brightest?

Episode 150 Brad Neffendorf - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

Many cities similar-sized to us have large universities and/or sports teams that bring the community together. We probably will never have either of those things BUT one thing we should all feel great about and come together around is the fact that LSUS just completed the greatest season in baseball history. You can find my full discussion with Head Coach Brad Neffendorf here (or wherever you get your podcasts by searching "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home").
 
Here are the questions I asked:
 
0:38 1. You recently completed the greatest season in baseball history. 59-0. LSUS Baseball’s first national championship and the first national championship at LSUS in any sport. Clearly you’re doing something very right.
 
Rather than rehash the season which I know you’ve done in countless interviews, I’d rather spend today just getting your thoughts and perspective on a few different things.
 
Let’s start here.
 
You were hired in early 2020. And when your hiring was announced, LSUS AD Lucas Morgan called you a “winner”. What does being a winner mean to you? Both for yourself and if you were using that word to describe one of your players?
 
7:35 2. You have coached countless pitchers who signed professional contracts. Why do pitchers flourish under your guidance?
 
16:07 3. You recently received the Skip Bertman Coach of the Year Award honoring the nation’s top coach from any level of college baseball. In speaking about the award, you said that Coach Bertman embodied everything a great leader and coach should represent. In your opinion, what makes someone a great leader and coach?
 
18:47 4. All of us face adversity at different times in our lives. In the final game, after going 58-0, your team went down early 4-Zero. Share some of your thought process in that moment, in hopes of helping all of us deal with adversity better when we inevitably face it. Also, what do your think your team’s process was at that time to push through the challenges and early difficulties in the championship game?
 
23:42 5. In speaking about this year’s team, you said that they became incredibly close, extremely quick. Talk to me about some of the factors you attribute to the team’s quick and strong process of bonding with one another.
 
31:22 6. You once said, “A lot of cities are built off something, but the athletic piece is what takes it over the top”. I know how important sports can be for a town’s identity, self-esteem, and just for bringing everyone together? How can we make LSUS sports and all the incredible things you are doing part of more of our community’s lives?

Episode 149 Winston Hall - "Shreveport- Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

For more than three years now and 149 episodes, I have been sitting down with community leaders talking about how do we get our city to the next level. I think there are as many answers to that question in this discussion as in any I have had. You can my full conversation with Winston Hall here.
 
Here are the questions I asked:
 
0:32 1. Winston, you’re a professional entertainer and tour guide, deeply knowledgeable about the rich and important music history of our area. And we’ll get into all that and many other things today. But let’s start here.
 
There’s an interesting story I’ve heard about your first gig as a performer. Share that if you would.
 
4:39 2. You help oversee a fascinating podcast entitled Louisiana Haywire. Tell me about the genesis of this project, as well as the great national news it was recently able to share.
 
10:29 3. You were recently appointed to the Louisiana Music Commission. What is the Commission and how could this potentially be important for our area?
 
17:23 4. Like you, I share an interest in seeing a museum locally dedicated to the importance of Leadbelly. Tell us about Leadbelly and what made him such an important figure in music all across the world.
 
22:30 5. I’ve heard you say that we don’t talk about our rich music history enough. In your opinion, why do we struggle as a city at knowing, preserving, and rallying around (with pride) our city’s rich musical past?
 
29:40 6. We haven’t talked much about it but you’re one of the area’s most knowledgeable historians about Municipal Auditorium.
 
Let’s say in your newly appointed position to the Louisiana Music Commission, they tell you that you get one project locally to better tell and preserve our area’s rich music history. What project would you most want to see happen?