Breaking Bread with Stafford Shurden

On this episode of Breaking Bread, I sit down with Hayes Dent, a Republican strategist and lobbyist from Yazoo City, Mississippi, and one of the most fascinating political minds I’ve ever met. Hayes has lived a lifetime of history. While still a young man, he worked on Ronald Reagan’s 1984 re-election campaign, went on to serve in the George H. W. Bush administration, and later played a key role working for Kirk Fordice, Mississippi’s first Republican governor since Reconstruction. In the m...

In Episode 16 of Breaking Bread, Stafford sits down once again with good friend, mentor, and serial entrepreneur Will Bradham. Will returns to the podcast to talk candidly about business, life, and the everyday realities of building companies in Mississippi. He currently owns and operates Right at Home, a home-care service that provides nurses and professional caregivers to families in need, Delta Maids, a statewide cleaning company, and Bradham’s Collectibles, a sports memorabilia and baseba...

Matt Callahan aka Matt's Adventures is a social media influencer that made his name as the Brisket King but has branched out into lots of content most notably his take on the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Roy Waldrup is a local Drew, Mississippi farmer who spent his teenage years in the Alaskan Bush hunting and trapping. His family and the Shurden's have been friends for a long time. Roy is also one of the best storytellers I know.

Chis Lynn grew up on the Mississippi River in Vicksburg hunting and fishing with his father and selling the fish they caught on the weekend. Now Chris makes a living on social media and is famous for his line, "y'all get up and do something".

David Ellis aka Yawt Yawt. On any given week he might be setting traps, tracking hogs or beavers, heading into the woods under thermal scopes all with grit, and respect for the land.. But he’s more than a trapper. He’s a man of faith who believes that what you take from the land comes with a responsibility. Which brings us to what he’s doing now: giving back. Yawt Yawt has started a food pantry in his hometown of Mathiston, Mississippi, using the influence and resources he’s gained to f...

Episode 11: Feeding Mississippi with Martha Allen Price of Extra Table In this episode, Stafford sits down with Martha Allen Price, Executive Director of Extra Table, a Mississippi-based nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger across the state. Serving food pantries in more than 60 counties, Extra Table is redefining how communities support their neighbors in need. Martha shares inspiring stories of lives changed through this mission and how your donations can make a real difference in puttin...

A singular, delightfully idiosyncratic voice in the world of comedy, Mary Ryan Brown is a wife, mother, writer, and comedian who leaves no moment unexamined. She’s a one-of-a-kind act known across social media for her characters and parodies of women across the South, and her standup blends punchy observations and layered storytelling with absurd impromptu crowd work. She’s relentless, neurotic, and bursting with eldest daughter energy. From writing to consulting to performing, Ma...

Episode 9: Duck Bands & Cotton Rows – A Conversation with Tucker Miller In this episode of Breaking Bread, Stafford sits down with a true Delta legend—Tucker Miller from right here in Drew, Mississippi. Tucker’s a world-renowned duck hunter and a lifelong cotton consultant with nearly 60 years of stories from the fields and flooded timber. From the art of checking cotton to the thrill of the morning hunt, Tucker’s lived it all—and he's got more duck bands than years to prove it. We talk ...

In this episode of Breaking Bread with Stafford Shurden, we sit down with Ryan Biles, an architect and community developer from Lonoke, Arkansas. As the owner of Kudzu Collective, Ryan is dedicated to designing spaces that foster connection and growth. His work extends beyond Arkansas, making an impact throughout the Mississippi Delta. Join us as we discuss his passion for architecture, the role of thoughtful design in community development, and the unique challenges and opportunities i...

Jay Bradley is a seasoned entrepreneur, dynamic speaker, and business strategist. As the former owner of the iconic Cowbells Bar in Starkville, MS, and the founder of Roofnuts, Jay has built a reputation for turning businesses into thriving success stories. Today, he travels the country, training and inspiring business owners on how to scale sales, maximize growth, and achieve true entrepreneurial freedom.

Don Joe and his brother Wally owned the best reviewed restaurant in the south for years, KCs.

Mike Ellis is a Musician and retired farmer. Mike Ellis and the Hometown Band have been a staple of Mississippi Delta Music for 60 years.

Jenny Smith aka Mississippi Memaw is a social media influencer with millions of views. She went viral for ordering pickles in her Dr. Pepper at Sonic landing in the top 10 most searched things on Google for 2024. She is loved for her down to earth Mississippi charm and is followed by hundreds of thousands of people.

This was such a fun episode for me as a restaurant guy. Robert is a salt of the earth all around good man and I feel inspired just by being around him. Robert has written 13 books and owns several restaurants including, Crescent City Grill, Tabella, Ed's Burger Joint, Enzo, The Midtowner, Loblolly Bakery, and The Mahogany Bar. Robert also was instrumental in founding Extra Table, a non profit committed to ending hunger in Mississippi. Today's lunch was from Roberts restaurant, The Midtowner.&...

Dr. Michael Manning is both a Doctor and serial entrepreneur. Dr. Manning co owns several clinics including the Men's Clinic in Madison, MS. He is also a land developer and owns the property where the Half Shell Oyster House is located in Madison. He also co owns the Mississippi Vein Institute and Mississippi Medical Ascetics. Dr. Manning grew up in Drew, MS. Lunch today came from The Half Shell in Madison.

What happens when a serial entrepreneur with over 160 employees prefers a cheeseburger over renowned barbecue? Our meal on this episode is from Abe's BBQ in Clarksdale and has been open since 1924! Join us as we share a meal with my dear friend Will Bradham. We chat about our favorite dishes and swap stories from the Delta, reminiscing about local favorites like Rest Haven and Ramon's. The episode takes flight, literally, as we dive into the thrills and challenges of piloting a s...