Louisiana Insider Louisiana Insider
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- Society & Culture
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A superlative guide to a great state’s destinations, hosted by Errol Laborde, Executive Editor of Louisiana Life Magazine.
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Episode 172: Cultural Historian Explores Storyville and Prohibition
Sally Asher is a historian, photographer and tour guide who specializes in the bawdy days of the early 20th century in New Orleans and the life and death of the Storyville bordello district.
Asher joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with producer Kelly Massicot, to discuss how the city adapted to two major concerns of the times: prostitution and boozing. In both cases New Orleans has its own creative solutions.
As a photographer she also has fascinating stories to tell including the time when the Dali Lama met Dr. John and who was most impressed with whom. -
Episode 171: Julius Rosenwald - A Saga of a Man and His Schools
Even in the worst of times great stories about compassionate people emerge. Stories such as the case of Julius Rosenwald, who in the tense days pf the early 19th Century was concerned that kids from African American families in the South were denied educational opportunities because of segregation laws. Rosenwald, who had achieved wealth at the managerial level of the Chicago based Sears and Roebuck company, became a major philanthropist and used much of his wealth to fight social problems. He cooperated with educator Booker T. Washington to help fund schools throughout the South that gave opportunities to minorities. Kenneth Hoffman, the executive director of the New Orleans-based Museum of the of Southern Jewish Experience, joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde to tell the story of the Rosenwald schools, a movement that was eventually responsible for approximately 5000 new two-classroom schools. Of the schools built in Louisiana one building, in Donaldsonville, still stands and is used as a museum with an incredible story to display.
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Episode 170: Warren Bell's Search for Buried History
As a former TV news anchor, Warren Bell reported news of the day. Now in retirement, Bell is discovering news from the past and his sources are archives and cemeteries. Bell joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with producer Kelly Massicot, to discuss his new documentary “Buried History: Finding Our Past.” The story centers around St. Louis Cemetery # 2 where he discovered a deteriorating family tomb. That began a search for family records and also an investigation of the old cemetery, which once was the burial place of mixed family groups including African-American Creoles. Not only did he learn much about his roots, but also links to others, including early musicians who were entombed there.
Bell also discusses the research options available to those who want to learn more about their families and the business side of cemeteries. -
Episode 169: Making Headlines – The Evolution of Louisiana's Newspapers
Louisiana has always been known as a great state for news. The news itself my not have always been great but the flow of reporting on the politics, disaster, lifestyles and good times within a multi-cultural state has been continuous. Jari C. Honora, historian and genealogist for the Historic New Orleans Collection, joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde to talk about the evolution of newspapers in the state including the rise of publications targeting the black community and the challengers of the modern news media.
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Episode 168: Rubensteins - A Place to Shop and Now a Place to Stay
Rubensteins New Orleans has always been a place to shop for quality clothes. Now, the New Orleans business provides a quality place to stay.
Located at Canal Street and St. Charles Avenue, Rubensteins has long shown a commitment to the city’s downtown. That support has been further expressed by combining some of its adjacent buildings into a new quality boutique hotel.
Family member Kenny Rubenstein, an owner and general manager of the store, talks to Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde and producer Kelly Massicot about retail, urban downtowns and customer loyalty. He also explains the intricacies of running two businesses that not only provide a place to spend your day, but to end your day as well. -
Episode 167: A Conversation Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club President Elroy James
This week's episode is a crossover with sister podcast "Beyond the Beads" from New Orleans Magazine. Since the early 20th Century, the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club has been a prominent figure in Carnival culture. From the meeting of the Courts every Lundi Gras to throwing their famous coconuts each Mardi Gras day, Errol and Elroy tackle all aspects of the krewe both in and outside of the Carnival season.
Customer Reviews
Looking forward and backward
I am fascinated by Louisiana history and I also like to know what our state and citizens are doing to build the future of our communities. This podcast covers both and with the most interesting people!
Keep up the search for more stories!
Mary
Host has severe stuttering problem
This show could have been good based on the variety of subject matter, but the host has no business running a podcast. He has a stuttering problem that is so off-putting that I don’t feel like listening. The stuttering feels contagious.
Listening from Texas!
Thank you!!!!! Best way to handle my homesickness during covid.