Retire Southern with James Lewis

James Lewis
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Semimonthly

On the Retire Southern podcast, host James Lewis shares authentic experiences and meaningful connections from the heart of the American South. From chefs and athletes to business leaders and entertainers, get ready to meet the people who leave lasting impressions on those they encounter. Listen to new episodes every other Monday to discover and revel in the tales of these inspirational Southern Characters who live life with purpose and follow their compass. The message is simple—Don't Wait for Retirement to Start Living!

  1. Sep 21

    Wes Moss: The Retire Sooner Method, a USA TODAY Bestseller

    Some people spend a lifetime accumulating wealth. Wes Moss has spent nearly three decades studying what that wealth is actually for. In this episode of Retire Southern, James Lewis sits down with his longtime friend, colleague, and occasional bandmate to trace Wes's journey from rural Pennsylvania and Amish farm country to the University of North Carolina, Atlanta radio, and a career helping people build happier retirements. Wes shares the research behind his newest book, The Retire Sooner Method, which debuted in the Top 20 on the USA TODAY bestseller list. Drawing from a national study of 1,200 Americans, he explains the financial and lifestyle habits most closely associated with retirement happiness, including financial security, core pursuits, meaningful relationships, planning your future, and getting enough sleep. He also reflects on his relationship with Clark Howard, the evolution of Money Matters, America's longest-running live call-in investment and personal finance radio show, and why the ultimate goal is not simply accumulating more money. Because retirement is not only about retiring sooner. It is about living sooner. Read the companion feature, "Maybe I Can Do That One Day," and discover more stories about the people, places, and experiences shaping the South at: https://www.retiresouthern.com/lifestyle/wes-moss-retire-sooner-method Rooted in the South. Driven by Purpose. Built for Living. This information is provided to you as a resource for informational purposes only and is not to be viewed as investment advice or recommendations. This information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. This information is not intended to and should not form a primary basis for any investment decision that you make. Always consult your own legal tax or investment advisor before making any investment, tax, estate, financial planning considerations or decisions. The views and opinions expressed are for educational purposes only as of the date of production and may change without notice at any time based on numerous factors such as market or other conditions.

  2. Sep 7

    Kevin Rathbun: Shaping Atlanta's Hospitality

    Every great Southern city has people who quietly shape its identity. In Atlanta, Kevin Rathbun helped shape the way the city eats, gathers, and celebrates. In this episode of Retire Southern, James Lewis sits down with the celebrated chef and restaurateur to trace his journey from cooking professionally as a teenager in Missouri to learning from Ella Brennan, Emeril Lagasse, and Pano Karatassos before taking the risk of building restaurants of his own. Kevin shares the stories behind Rathbun's, Kevin Rathbun Steak, KR SteakBar, and Krog Bar; defeating Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America; and the lessons he has learned about ownership, partnership, leadership, philanthropy, and hiring people smarter than yourself. He also reflects on the essential role his wife, Melissa, has played in building something designed to last. Because restaurants do more than feed a city. They become part of its memories. Read the companion feature, "What Kevin Rathbun Taught Me About Building Something That Lasts," and discover more stories about the people, places, and experiences shaping the South at: https://www.retiresouthern.com Rooted in the South. Driven by Purpose. Built for Living.

    Kevin Rathbun: Shaping Atlanta's Hospitality

  3. Jun 1

    The Thompson Nashville: The Dream Team Behind Marsh House, L.A. Jackson, and the Soul of The Gulch

    Broadway may be where Nashville turns the volume up, but The Gulch is where the city sharpens its edges. In this episode of Retire Southern, James Lewis sits down with the team behind one of Nashville's most compelling hospitality experiences: Executive Chef Brack May, Beverage Director Todd Johnston, and Executive Pastry Chef Natalie Moorer of The Thompson Nashville. From oysters sliding across the raw bar at Marsh House to espresso martinis climbing toward the rooftop at L.A. Jackson, this conversation explores what actually makes a hotel feel alive. Not just the food. Not just the cocktails. The feeling. Together, the group dives into: The ecosystem philosophy behind modern hospitality Seafood sourcing, raw bar culture, and caviar service at Marsh House Soft-shell crab yaka mein and elevated Southern seafood The rise of espresso martinis and rooftop culture at L.A. Jackson Building a pastry program that feels refined yet approachable Why locals genuinely spend time at The Thompson The team's version of the perfect Nashville weekend What Southern hospitality looks like when it is done correctly Chef Brack brings decades of experience from San Francisco to New Orleans, shaping Marsh House into one of Nashville's defining seafood destinations with an approach rooted in authenticity over performance. Todd has helped build both Marsh House and L.A. Jackson since opening day in 2016, creating spaces that feel elevated without ever becoming pretentious. And Chef Natalie quietly ties the entire experience together through desserts, pastries, brunch, and small details that guests remember long after checkout. What emerges is a conversation about hospitality, energy, rhythm, and the kind of places people return to because of how they feel when they are there. The Thompson Nashville is not trying to compete with Broadway. It is offering a different frequency altogether. A little calmer. A little sharper. A little more intentional. Read. Watch. Listen. Rooted in the South. Driven by Purpose. Built for Living.

    The Thompson Nashville: The Dream Team Behind Marsh House, L.A. Jackson, and the Soul of The Gulch

  4. May 18

    John T. Edge on House of Smoke, Southern Identity, and the Stories We Inherit

    James Lewis sits down with author, food writer, and TrueSouth host John T. Edge to discuss his memoir House of Smoke: A Southerner Goes Searching for Home. The conversation explores inherited identity, childhood trauma, Southern culture, accountability, unintended consequences, and the stories we unconsciously carry forward. Best known for his work with the Southern Foodways Alliance and the Emmy Award winning series TrueSouth, John T. reflects on family, purpose, leadership, and what it means to confront the truths that shape us. This is a conversation about more than food. It is a conversation about identity, memory, and what to carry forward from our past. Watch. Read. Listen. Companion essay: "The Story We Inherit" https://www.retiresouthern.com/lifestyle/the-story-we-inherit

    John T. Edge on House of Smoke, Southern Identity, and the Stories We Inherit

  5. May 4

    Between Airplanes and Amplifiers: The Ballad of Frankie G

    Most people think success in music looks like the spotlight. The front man. The headliner. The name on the marquee. But there is another path. One built on preparation, consistency, and being ready when the call comes. In this episode, I sit down with Frank Grocholski, a professional guitarist, session player, and touring musician for Cowboy Mouth, to talk about what it really looks like to build a life in music. From getting his first guitar at three years old to teaching himself by ear off Nirvana, The Beatles, and Metallica to touring the world before he was 20 to stepping on stage at Jazz Fest in front of 30,000 people Frankie's story is not about chasing the spotlight. It is about becoming the guy who gets the call. We talk about the grind, the moments that mattered, and what it means to build a career between airplanes and amplifiers. If you have ever wondered what it really takes to do what you love for a living, this one is for you. Read the full feature here: https://www.retiresouthern.com/retiresouthernpodcast/frankie-g-guitarist-cowboy-mouth-story Read. Watch. Listen. Rooted in the South. Driven by Purpose. Built for Living.

    Between Airplanes and Amplifiers: The Ballad of Frankie G

  6. Apr 20

    EPICureanism at Nowak's: Discover the 22nd Century Culinary Philosophy

    *]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:afe50263-35d3-4211-a2f5-d4f5c68b79eb-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> What if most of what we call "dining" today… isn't actually dining at all? In this episode of Retire Southern, we sit down with Chef Kevin Joseph of Raw Lab and Blaiss Nowak of Nowak's Steakhouse to explore a new way of thinking about food, hospitality, and human connection. On April 28 in Atlanta, they're bringing that vision to life with EPICureanism at Nowak's. A one-night, immersive culinary experience designed not as a dinner, but as a progression. A conversation. A room built for presence. Because as Kevin puts it: "The delta between eating and dining is discovery." In this episode, we cover: The difference between 21st century dining and a 22nd century culinary philosophy How Raw Lab redefined what a meal can be Why presence is the ultimate luxury in a dining experience The psychology of shared tables, music, and environment What to expect from EPICureanism at Nowak's on April 28 The Experience: EPICureanism at Nowak's This is not a traditional dinner. It's a curated, multi-course experience built around: Oyster Flight Salon de Caviar Land & Sea Sea Salt Social Wine travel throughout Designed to engage, challenge, and connect. This experience unfolds in real time, with every guest moving through it together. No distractions. No separate tables. Just a room built for discovery. Who This Is For This isn't for everyone. And it's not supposed to be. This is for the curious. For people who value presence over routine. For those who believe the best conversations, and the best relationships, are built around a table. Event Details 📍 Nowak's Steakhouse, Atlanta, GA 📅 April 28 🕕 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM 🎟️ Limited seating This is what Life EQ looks like in real time. Some dinners you forget. Others change how you experience everything that comes after. This is one of those. 🎧 Read. Watch. Listen. Full feature

    EPICureanism at Nowak's: Discover the 22nd Century Culinary Philosophy

  7. Apr 6

    Jump Small. Dream Big. One Lily Pad at a Time

    What if the problem isn't your work… but your alignment? In this episode of the Retire Southern Podcast, James Lewis and his wife Amanda sit down with Callie and Jeff Dauler to explore a question most people avoid. What happens when your life looks right on paper… but feels wrong in practice? From the outside, Callie and Jeff had built successful, visible careers in media. But behind the scenes, something wasn't lining up. And instead of ignoring it, they made a decision most people only talk about. They stepped away. What followed was a complete rethinking of how they approach work, creativity, and life. At the center of that shift is a simple but powerful idea they call the Lily Pad Strategy. You don't jump the whole pond. You move one intentional step at a time. This conversation goes deeper into: Why "success" without alignment creates friction you can't ignore The Lily Pad Strategy and how small moves lead to meaningful change What most people get wrong about podcasting, growth, and audience Why getting the right 10 people matters more than reaching 10,000 The tradeoffs that come with building something that looks successful from the outside This is not a conversation about quitting. It is a conversation about choosing. Choosing clarity over noise. Choosing alignment over expectation. Choosing a life that actually fits. If you have ever felt the tension between where you are and where you want to be, this one will resonate. Jump small. Because that is how you get across the pond.

    Jump Small. Dream Big. One Lily Pad at a Time

  8. Mar 23

    What If Your Normal Isn't Healthy? | Our Primal 5

    What if the way you feel every day isn't actually normal? In this episode of the Retire Southern Podcast, James Lewis sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Matthew Campbell to explore a simple but powerful idea. Modern life has drifted away from the conditions humans were designed for. The result is a quiet baseline many people accept without question. Tired. Distracted. A little off. Dr. Campbell breaks this down into five foundational behaviors he calls Our Primal 5. Sunlight. Sleep. Movement. Connection. And what we choose to consume. This is not theory. His workbook and app are built to help people apply these behaviors in a practical way over five weeks. One focus at a time. Real implementation, not just ideas. The conversation goes deeper into: Why your "normal" might actually be misalignment How small changes can create outsized improvements The hidden cost of modern habits and constant stimulation Why behavior leads and feelings follow If you have ever felt off but could not explain why, this conversation will resonate. Start with one. Because momentum builds.

    What If Your Normal Isn't Healthy? | Our Primal 5
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About

On the Retire Southern podcast, host James Lewis shares authentic experiences and meaningful connections from the heart of the American South. From chefs and athletes to business leaders and entertainers, get ready to meet the people who leave lasting impressions on those they encounter. Listen to new episodes every other Monday to discover and revel in the tales of these inspirational Southern Characters who live life with purpose and follow their compass. The message is simple—Don't Wait for Retirement to Start Living!

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