Unscripted: A Nolapapa Podcast

Y’all I am just beside myself! We are embarking on our 4th season of this experiment- this love letter to New Orleans, that keeps being written. I set out looking for people, artists and creators that inspire not only me, be so many others every single day. Anyone that knows anything about New Orleans knows that right now is a unique and special time of the year where the locals and tourists alike revel in the streets for Mardi Gras! Starting January 6 each year on King's Day and party all the way up to Fat Tuesday on Mardi Gras day! One of my personal favorite parades to go to is a "Super Krewe" and rolls on Lundi Gras, the Monday night before Fat Tuesday! Founded 31 years ago by giant celebrity Harry Connick Jr, he wanted to create a Mardi Gras krewe that was made up of artists of all types. He wanted to make sure that his krewe would accept people of all creeds. Over the 3 decades that Orpheus has rolled, each year it has gotten a little bigger and prettier with all of the beautiful floats that make it one of the most sought after experiences of the whole Carnival Season! Renee Maxwell, Orpheus' entertainment director sat down with me recently to dish out some of the new details for the krewe this year! For example , Neil Patrick Harris and his HUSBAND David Burtka are the celebrity monarchs this year.  Yall, did you hear what I just said? A GAY COUPLE will grace the celebrity monarch float just like ANY OTHER over the years! This is the most inclusive work I have ever seen during recent years for Mardi Gras!Find out more details like Taylor Dayne performing at their Ball after the parade! Join us Lundi Gras- Feb 12 for the thirty first year of the Krewe of Orpheus! Find out everything at www.kreweoforpheus.comAnd then we welcome one of the Iconic beings in the Universe that is about to take to the streets TOMORROW NIGHT in the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacca!The Pink Wookie is synonymous with this walking krewe of space and fantasy revelry. Gary Griggs, the human being inside of the pink wookie sat down with me to talk about just HOW he was able to create such a memorable and vibrant character! The Krewe of Chewbacca may not be a "super krewe" but they are definitely a GIANT walking krewe with thousands of the most creative people in New Orleans! Join us tomorrow night! Saturday, Jan. 20 at 6:00 in the Marginy! Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenWww.ochsner.orgRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comSandpiper VacationsWww..sandpipervacations.comZak George’s Dog Revolution! Pinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream CompanyWww.neworleansicecream.comReal Estate with Steph & Berkshire Hathaway www.realestatewithsteph.comAudubon Institute www.auduboninstitute.orgThe Gift of Adoption FundGiftofAdoption.org

 Welcome to this special episode, brought to you by Ochsner Hospital for Children in recognition of World Autism Awareness month and today we are joined by Dr. Lee  Annotti, a pediatric psychologist at Ochsner Hospital for Children and an expert in autism spectrum disorders.Find out the myths, early warning signs and learn how to cope as a parent dealing with autism. Because parent fatigue is real. Next we welcome an incredible product AS SEEN ON TV! The first human dog bed for HUMANS! From Shark tank, to day time tv, and all in between, this product is everywhere! Hear from the inventors themselves and find out what inspired them to create this amazingly relaxing product! Go to weareplufl.com and enter NOLAPAPA for you own discount! Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comZak George’s Dog Revolution! Pinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream CompanyWww.neworleansicecream.comReal Estate with Steph & Berkshire Hathaway www.realestatewithsteph.comAudubon Institute www.auduboninstitute.org

Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast, where we feature inspiring stories and conversations with people who are making a positive impact on the world. Today, we are honored to have Rob Sheer, the founder of global nonprofit Comfort Cases, join us.Comfort Cases is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing comfort and support to children in foster care. Through their programs and initiatives, they aim to ensure that no child has to endure the upheaval of moving from home to home with nothing but a trash bag to hold their belongings. Rob Sheer, a former foster child himself, founded Comfort Cases with the goal of improving the foster care experience for children everywhere.In this episode, we'll hear Rob's personal story and the inspiration behind the creation of Comfort Cases. We'll also learn about the impact Comfort Cases has had on children and families around the world and what they have in store for the future as we introduce our new amazing segment with our friends at Comfort Cases! Next up, Todd Parr is an American author and illustrator of children's books. His books are known for their vibrant illustrations, positive messages, and themes of diversity and inclusivity.Parr has written and illustrated over 50 books, including "It's Okay to be Different," "The Family Book," and "The Goodbye Book." His books cover a wide range of topics, from celebrating differences and promoting self-acceptance to dealing with loss and saying goodbye.Parr's work has been praised for its ability to help children feel seen and valued, no matter their differences or challenges. He has won numerous awards for his books, including the Parents' Choice Gold Award and the National Parenting Publications Gold Award.In addition to his work as an author and illustrator, Parr is also a philanthropist and activist. He has donated millions of dollars to children's charities and is a strong advocate for causes such as children's education, animal welfare, and LGBTQ+ rights.Whether through his books or his activism, Todd Parr's work has touched the lives of countless children and families, promoting love, kindness, and acceptance for all.Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comZak George’s Dog Revolution! Pinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream CompanyWww.neworleansicecream.comReal Estate with Steph & Berkshire Hathaway www.realestatewithsteph.comAudubon Institute www.auduboninstitute.org

We've got two wonderful guests this episode, and my goodness did I learn a lot! First up we talk to Dominique Fleitas, an assistant curator at the Audubon Zoo in NOLA who takes care of the Jaguar Jungle and the Louisiana Swamp exhibits. Dom tells us about how she got interested in zoo work through her favorite animal, the North American Otter. We talk about Audubon's new alligator exhibit, how it was designed, and how the white leucistic alligators (not albino!) are found and brought to the zoo. Then we discuss what Dom's days look like caring for the animals in the Jaguar Jungle, who feeds and cleans all the animals at the zoo, and how staff use 'enrichment' to keep the animals active and healthy.Then we welcome back our good friend Becky Balfe, past editor of lovewhatmatters.com and writer for our new digital magazine, NolapapaNow, which you can find at Nolapapa.com. Becky tells us about how her life experiences have influenced her writing, which focuses on issues like divorce, infertility, living with lupus, and being a single mom. She also talks about what her new column will include for the Nolapapa Magazine and what might be coming up for Becky on the dating front!Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comZak George’s Dog Revolution! Pinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream CompanyWww.neworleansicecream.comReal Estate with Steph & Berkshire Hathaway

Getting good beauty sleep is about more than just keeping yourself looking fresh. March 12-18 is National Sleep Health Week, so this episode we're talking to Ochsner Hospital's pediatric pulmonologist and sleep expert Dr. Leyden Lozada about healthy sleep habits for adults and kids. Dr. Lozada tells us why sleep is critical for our health and growth, especially for kids, how a lack of sleep impacts our bodies, and how we can improve our pre-bedtime routines. We also discuss whether it's a good idea to ban toys in bed, whether soothing sounds and lights are really helpful for babies, and what warning signs parents should look out for in their children when it comes to respiratory health at night.Then we hear an important true story from documentary film director Tye Turner of the so-called NOLA Hot Dog War. Tye tells us about the corruption he's uncovered that is going on right now in the streets of New Orleans in his movie "Dirty Dogs." The documentary tells the story of a local ordinance that has allowed Lucky Dog hotdog vendors to have a 50-year monopoly on the French Quarter!!! Y'all ever noticed there are NO other food trucks or food stands allowed?! Well, as Tye explains, he uncovered in his filmmaking that Lucky, the only food cart chain in the Quarter, is also part-owned by one of our own state senators! This is a fascinating and enraging story, after you hear it I think you'll agree that we need to do something about the lack of equal opportunity for potential food vendors in our beloved city.Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comZak George’s Dog Revolution! Pinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream CompanyWww.neworleansicecream.comReal Estate with Steph & Berkshire Hathaway

We're getting real and deep this week with inspirational writers Kari and John Turner. We're talking about what it's like to be a disabled person with children in America today. Kari and John are my husband's dear cousins, who accepted me into their family immediately and with open arms, and I'm thrilled for y'all to hear their story of inspiration and strength. We discuss how John got sober after his traumatic brain injury and found his life's purpose in writing for a magazine where his future wife Kari was the editor. Kari, who has cerebral palsy, tells us what it's like to be a mother with a lifelong disability who was raised alongside a twin without a disability. She also tells us about her activism work for disability rights, her work on blogs that talk about life with disabilities, and how she deals with people who overstep their boundaries with comments in public.Then we sit down with America's Got Talent top 5 competitor, dog dance trainer extraordinaire, Sara Carson! You might remember Sara and her Collie dogs Hero and Loki from AGT's cast in Season 12. We're talking about how Sara trains her dogs from puppies, what it's like doing the AGT show day in and day out, how it felt waiting to hear if she made it to the next round, and how life has been for her and her beloved dogs after the show. Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comZak George’s Dog Revolution! Pinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream CompanyWww.neworleansicecream.comReal Estate with Steph & Berkshire Hathaway

I've been drinking coffee for a long time y'all, and as you may know I'm an anxious person... but are those two things connected? Does caffeine make us anxious, and if we're anxious people, should we be avoiding that sweet morning nectar we call coffee?Educating us this episode about the health impacts of coffee is my sweet husband, Oschner-affiliated psychiatrist and longtime coffee expert, Dr. Doug Alexander with another "Dr. Doug's Coffee Talk!" He's telling us about the side effects off too much coffee, like how it impacts our sleep cycles, stunts growth, and can even cause caffeine-induced anxiety disorder! He also teaches us how we can wake up and be active without coffee, how to do meditation to naturally help lower our heart rate and anxiety symptoms, and how journaling can help us keep track of our caffeine intake.Then we check in with our good friend Chewy Jang from Kids Dream Dress Shops US! We talk to Chewy about her background as a "Dreamer" under the DACA program, how she got into the garment business as a first-generation Korean American, and how she helped her LA community by making masks during the pandemic. Then we talk about some very exciting news.... our new specialty NOLAGIRL DRESS! I can't wait for y'all to hear about it - but you'll heave to listen to find out more!!!Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comPinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream Company

I love CBS's The Price is Right, it's been one of my favorite shows since I was little. So this episode we're paying homage to the show by talking to two people who's lives have changed because of TPIR!First up, Kerry Maloney come on down!  We talk to my good friend Carrie, photographer and blogger from Traveler Broads, and one of the winners of The Price Is Right! Carrie tells us about her experience on the gameshow, and all the cool stuff she won. She also explains how one of her prizes led her to partner up with her friend Fender to create Traveler Broads! Now Carrie and Fender organize group trips to amazing places around the world, all thanks to the inspiration and opportunity from The Price is Right. She also tells us about their upcoming trips to Portugal and Jordan, and how you can join the Traveler Broads on their travels.Then, hold on to you hats y'all..... because we got the one and only GEORGE GRAY from THE PRICE IS RIGHT!!! George tells us about his own childhood memories of watching the show, how he got the gig, and what it's like to announce alongside legendary host Drew Carey. He also talks about how they keep the show feeling fresh after all this time, why he started shouting out his mom so much, and how he loves connecting with a new generation of The Price Is Right fans.Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comPinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream Company

There's a lot going on in February, and this episode we're discussing two of those important events. First, we're talking about National Heart Health Month with Dr. Jake Kleinmahon, Pediatric Cardiologist at Ochsner Children's Hospital in New Orleans. Dr. Jake tells us how to keep our hearts and our kids' hearts healthy through healthy play and diets. He also talks about how to encourage exercise to teens without insinuating a hard workout at the gym (YouTube dance videos hellooo?!) and he tells us the signs we should and should not be concerned about when it comes to our kids' heart health.Then we're marking Black History Month with an important and inspirational conversation with Rob and Fox Richardson, a New Orleans couple whose story of enduring love and strength has gone from book to the big screen in the Academy Award-nominated documentary "Time." Rob and Fox tell us how their love outlived all kinds of hurdles that many Black Americans face, including dozens of years spent incarcerated and away from each other and their kids. We get real and talk about the difficulties many Black people face when they try to reach the American Dream, their experience within the criminal justice system, and how they used their "indestructible human spirits" and faith in God to survive the harshest of times, like their ancestors before them. Together they have six sons and continue their advocacy for incarcerated families through the NOLA chapter of Participatory Defense Movement, an initiative of Rich Family Ministries, which they founded with the vision of “changing lives and laws through love” and dedicated to empowering families and marriages to thrive. Find out more about their book at foxandrob.comThank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comPinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream Company

I know it seems early, but it's already that time of year when many of us start planning our spring and summer vacations! This episode we're talking to Nick Bryan, a fellow gay dad and the owner of Sandpiper Vacations. Nick and I dig into what's the best cruise for adults with and without and kiddos, what we can expect when we book our families onto cruise ships post-pandemic, and which cruise line has THE best food options for food lovers to enjoy.Then we're getting excited about NOLA's upcoming Mardi Gras parade with City Councilwoman Lesli Harris. Not only is she representing the diverse District B, where most of the parade route is, she's also an accomplished attorney and the former Chief of Staff at Loyola University. We discuss Ms. Harris' history, her campaign, her passion for the city of New Orleans, and how we can come together as a community this Mardi Gras season to enjoy the celebrations and our famous parade (even if it is with those dang ladders in tow!)Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comPinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream Company

Which medicines should we be buying for our kids? And what are the differences? We're back this week with our good friend Dr. Jake Kleinmahon, Pediatric Cardiologist at Oschner Hospital for Children in New Orleans, for another "Dr. Jake's Take!" We're talking about getting our babies healthy before Mardi Gras parades kick off. We cover the difference between all those cough syrups, how to make sure you and your parenting partner aren't accidentally overdosing your children on two kinds of Ibuprofen, and some of the super-sweet natural ways we can cure a little one's sore throat.Then we get to fangirl out over Steve Lewis, owner of Gideon's Bakehouse inside Walt Disney World Florida. Believe me when I say his cookies are to die for! I almost wept eating them!!! Steve tells us how he runs his own social channels with over 200k followers and still has time to come up with delicious new recipes for all his Disney visitors. We also talk about where he gets his inspiration for new recipes, why he loves doing his Friday Pride Day cookies, and what's in store for Valentine's Day, which is just around the corner. Ooh and enjoy that silky-smooth voice, y'all!Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comPinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream Company

I got CHILL BUMPS this week y'all! First we're checking back in with the one and only Cari Roy, New Orleans' famed psychic medium, about the guardian angels that stay all around us. Cari tells us how we're beloved by those in other realms, whether we know it or not, and we have spirit guides that can follow us across lifetimes. She gives so many people such peace, Cari even teaches us how to let those angels in to our lives by using meditation to open the door.Then, it's our new segment "Early Arrivals," where we honor the brave humans that help premature babies and their families (like mine!) manage the first days of a brand new life. We welcome back our friend, Oschner Children's Hospital NICU nurse Nikki Rockwood, to discuss the experience of having a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit, how she helps new parents through the early stages of their baby's fragile life, and how she fell in love with the important work she does at Oschner. Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comPinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream Company

This episode we hear the stories of some really inspirational and strong people from our communities. First, I talk to Jodi Harris, one of two gay sisters behind the incredible lotion company (and one of our beloved sponsors!) Pinxav. As Jodi tells us, her grandparents started Pinxav in the 1920's, and it was such a useful product it's now being used by families all over the nation. Jodi, who is also a mom, tells us about her familial roots in Ohio, how the company was started and continued by her family, and how she's renewed Pinxav's image on social media to bring it into 2023.Then I talk to NOLA's new State Senator for District 5, Royce Duplessis. We chat about the worrying crime in NOLA and the French Quarter, and we get real and talk about our frustration over the safety of our city. We also discuss how State Sen. Duplessis is going to advocate for LGBT families and communities of color, his thoughts on schools banning certain books, and what inspires him to keep working for the people of NOLA every day.Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comPinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream Company

Happy new year, y'all! We're excited to be back for 2023 with a great lineup. This episode we've got two amazing guests talking to us about being healthy, and finding happiness in the new year. First, we check in with the fabulous Ms. Patricia Greenberg AKA The Fitness Gourmet. She's the author of four healthy-eating cookbooks including "Eat Well, Live Well, Age Well," and she's here to talk to us about the importance of staying active as we mature. We talk about how to be healthy beyond just trying to lose weight, we cover some really delicious salad and veggie soup recipes, and we discuss what the heck a microbiome is and why it's so important to stay hydrated as we age.Then we talk about something Papa knows nothing about, but is all too interested in; Cosplay! We talk to Bill Burns, the man y'all probably know as the uncanny Walt Disney cosplayer from his 2022 viral video, where he dressed up as Walt himself and went around the Disney parks bringing joy to everyone around him. We chat about what inspired him to don the Disney garb and go meet Mickey, who filmed the video that has now been viewed millions of times, what cosplay conventions we can go to, and what it was like for Bill to go from an unknown cosplayer to having people cry with joy seeing him as Walt.Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comPinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream Company

Parents get stressed at New Years, and I have three babies so I know our littles are feeling it too. This episode I'm talking to Dr. Nikita Patel, Pediatric specialist at Oschner's Hospital for Children in New Orleans, about how to help our kids manage the stress we all feel around the start of the new year. Dr. Patel and I  talk about preparing our kids for stresses like scary weather (we got tornadoes in NOLA now, y'all!) and being around crowds for New Years parties. We also get into healthy eating habits, how to stay active when it's cold outside, and setting realistic goals with our children for the year ahead.Then we get a heart-warming and tear-jerking story from our inspirational second guest, Nick Lynch, who was one of the original Make-A-Wish kids from the 1980s. Now he's all grown up and is telling us just how important it is to grant wishes for critically ill kids and their families, so they get something to look forward to and memories they can cherish. Nick tells the story of how he got to know Make-A-Wish at age 3 when he was diagnosed with cancer. Now, he sits on the foundation's board, and makes sure more kids with critical illnesses get the chance to have their spirits lifted too. We also talk about the MAW Foundation's changes over the pandemic, and what the team has planned for 2023.That's it from the NolaPapa team for 2022! We'll be back in January. Until then, Happy New Year, y'all! Nola love!!!Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comPinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream Company

Can y'all believe it?! Christmas is here! And so is Country  Music Superstar, Ty Herndon!  He is joining us on our special Christmas Eve episode!!Ty tells us about his experience being raised in the church in Mississippi and following his dreams of being a country singer, years before he came out in 2014. We talk about how he dealt with telling his fans he was gay while he was on stage, how his mama helped him find the strength to live his authentic life, and how his dating life is going now (hint: he's lookin', fellas!)We also get to hear and discuss some of Ty's new music. He even opens up about the angels that inspired him to save his own life, and how he wrote his latest album. Then, we break out the tears and reminisce about our vey own late gay idol Leslie Jordan, who was a good friend to Ty for many years. This episode is packed full of inspiration y'all, so enjoy and Merry Christmas one and all!Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comPinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream Company

We're checking in with Dr. Jake Kleinmahon, Pediatric Cardiologist at Oschner's Hospital for Children, for another edition of Dr. Jake's Take. He's got some really important bits of holiday health info, like how to calm stressed out kids (and parents!) during the end of the year chaos. Then Dr. Jake spills the tea on why parents of teenagers should be alarmed about a new 'Loaded Tea' our high schoolers are getting into. It's just too much caffeine, y'all!Then I sit down with my friend, our beloved local NOLA Anglican Dominican Friar, Brother Todd van Alstyne. Not only does he have a complete heart of gold, he's actually a lot like the real Santa Claus! Brother Todd tells us the real story of Jolly Old Saint Nick, how he's inspired by the classic tale of the real man who became a saint, and how Brother Todd tries to embody Santa's values year-round in New Orleans. Merry almost-Christmas, everybody!Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comPinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream Company

This episode is all about the famous NOLA Réveillon Dinners - 23 courses, all-night parties, holidays done New Orleans Style!We're blessed with some delicious restaurants in NOLA, and one of my personal favorites is Commander's Palace, a 130-year-old family-run creole restaurant in the heart of the Garden District. I'm talking to Ti Martin, owner of Commander's Palace, about how her family took on the restaurant in the 60s, how they select their ever-changing menu of delectable dishes, what's on the menu for their Réveillon Dinner, and how their waitstaff coordinate so we all get our dishes at the same time. That's real service, y'all! At the end of our conversation, Ti tells us the exciting news about her new fiancée!Then I talk to NOLA icon Poppy Tooker, New Orleans' native culinary activist, author, and host of NPR-affiliated radio show and podcast, Louisiana Eats! Poppy tells us all about the historic ways NOLA celebrates Christmas with feasts, including the old Réveillon Dinners, and the traditions of the old Catholic French Quarter.Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comPinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream Company

It's the winter season, when all the germs spread and everyone gets sick. Including Papa! This episode we're talking all about how we can help our kids stay healthy. First, I talk to Dr. Lauren Mutter, who works in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Oschner Hospital for Kids here in New Orleans, about her top health and safety tips for parents this holiday season. We talk about the uptick in kids getting Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), how to handle the fevers and colds our babies and us parents get this time of year, and how to keep our homes safe for our toddlers while we stay busy cooking turkeys and hanging decorations.Then, I talk to the most amazing kids author, y'all are going to love him; David Norec. He's got a new children's book that will help our kids think about choices that impact their health. It's called "The Adventures of Exo and Cy," and it tackles some really important topics for kids like healthy snacking choices, diabetes, and exercising.  He's got a heart of gold, and the story behind why he wrote this book gave me goosebumps. I know y'all will love it too.Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comPinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream Company

Babies change everything, I say it all the time. Our three babies came to us through adoption, and since November is National Adoption Month, we're going to be talking about what it's like to adopt as a gay man, and what it's like to adopt a premature baby.First,  We Revisit Gayswithkids.com and pluck an INSPIRATIONAL article that I LIVE FOR. I talk to fellow gay dad Michael Bellavia (@mrbellavia on Instagram) about his experience becoming a father through a co-parenting/surrogacy relationship. Not only is he a fabulous otter daddy (although he won't admit it!) he's also a top-notch game show contestant with advice to give!!!Then, we've got our brand new segment, brought to us  by our friends at Pinxav.com amd Ochsner Hospital for Children-"Early Arrivals, A Preemie Story" - In future episodes we'll be joined by segment leader Nikki Rockwood, a NICU nurse, but this week I wanted to sit down and talk with my husband Dr. Douglas Alexander to tell you about our own preemie experience with our first daughter, who was born at 29 weeks. We're talking about bad tummies, scheduling feedings, learning from our social workers, and books books books!Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comKid’s Dream Dress ShopWww.kidsdreamus.comSandpiper VacationsWww.sandpipiervactions.comPinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream Company