This week’s podcast is a little different as we hear from Louisiana Life magazine editor Reine Dugas – not in her capacity as editor, but instead for her work with the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival. The festival is in its 40th year in New Orleans and promises to bring a lot of exciting events starting March 25. For more information, a full schedule and tickets, click here.

"Sinners," the 2025 Ryan Coogler horror/action film starring Michael B. Jordan, has already won big at major award shows like the Golden Globes, Actor Awards and Brit Awards. But everyone in Louisiana should be rooting for the movie on Sunday, March 15, as the 98th annual Academy Awards takes place. The film was shot on location in Louisiana with countless Louisiana workers. One of those workers is Donnie Dean. Donnie is an Emmy Award-winning, Louisiana-born special effects artist who has help run the Louisiana-based Spectrum FX company for almost 20 years. Donnie, along with three others, is nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Visual Effects for his work as the lead special effects coordinator on the movie – a first for Louisiana in this category.

This week, Donnie shares a little about his work, the excitement of being nominated and what this means for the Louisiana film industry.

From Clifton Chenier to Buckwheat Zydeco, Creole Zydeco music has been a part of the cultural definition of Louisiana for generations. Like many young people, 18 yr old artist Zydeco Izreal is doing what he can to preserve our history and educate both young and old about the music and culture of our great state. For the last year, he has been bringing Zydeco Jams to south Louisiana and has started a new Jam program with NuNu Arts and Culture Collective in Arnaudville.