The 318 Experience

What does it take to walk away from the corporate world and start completely over at 53? For Eric Hammons, it took courage, conviction, and a deep love for agriculture. In this powerful episode of The 318 Experience, Eric shares the full story of how he went from working his way up at Nissan and Mazda to building handcrafted chicken coops in rural North Louisiana—and finding his purpose along the way.

Raised in the countryside near ...

In this heartfelt episode, Erin Stokes—freelance PR professional and former nonprofit communicator—joins Brian to shine a light on CASA of Northeast Louisiana. Together, they explore what advocacy for a child looks like, the powerful impact of CASA volunteers, and the urgent need for more community members to step up. Brian also shares his own experience as a CASA volunteer, offering a personal and authentic look at why this work m...

Joey Hixon on Discipline, Redemption, and the Heart Behind "Uncle Joey’s Boxing"

From kickboxing to coaching kids who need more than just fitness—Joey Hixon shares a raw and powerful journey of self-discovery, setbacks, and second chances. In this episode, we unpack how he turned personal struggles into purpose, building a boxing program that champions discipline, confidence, and heart. Whether you’re a parent, coach, or j...

Chief Bobby Moore of the Ouachita Parish Fire Department joins the show to talk about his 33-year journey in public safety, how OPFD is evolving to meet today’s challenges, and why becoming a firefighter could be your next move. From drone missions to life-saving rescues, we explore what it takes to join one of the region’s most advanced emergency response teams.

00:00 - Intro

00:01:07 – Why He Chose Firefighting
00:06:06 – Hands-On S...

Jasmyne McConnell returns to spotlight her latest venture: Chateau Rouge on the Bayou in Monroe, LA. In this episode, she shares how this unique venue blends a bar-and-lounge atmosphere with live music and scenic bayou boat tours. We dive into the vision, the local artist focus, and what to expect at their special Mother’s Day brunch event. A must-listen for creatives, music lovers, and Monroe locals!

🎟️ Ready to experience it ...

Courtney & Mark Holyfield join Brian for a candid, insightful conversation about what most folks never hear when it comes to home loans, credit, and getting started in real estate. They break down how they’re using their roles at Citizens Progressive Bank to make lending more human — from helping families navigate tough financial conversations to offering real solutions for buyers shut out of traditional options. This is about ...

Samuel Magee’s story is one of survival, resilience, and reinvention. After battling addiction and homelessness, he rebuilt his life and launched Shop Talk Studios, a creative media company in Northeast Louisiana. In this episode, he opens up about his darkest moments, the turning points that changed everything, and how storytelling became his way forward. We talk about addiction, recovery, breaking stigma, and the power of second ...

Learn more about The Vine of Northeast Louisiana:
🌐 Website: https://www.thevineofnela.org/
📲 Follow on Facebook & Instagram: @thevineofnortheastlouisiana

Bethany Wilson’s journey is one of redemption, resilience, and purpose. Raised in church but not truly following Christ, she found herself at a crossroads after an unplanned pregnancy. Convinced her life was over, she made a decision that would haunt her for years.

What...

https://www.ayusa.org/

Call 888.552.9872

In this episode, Caroline Ernst, a community representative for AUSA, discusses the impact of hosting exchange students and the cultural exchange experience. She shares insights on the program, the benefits for host families, and addresses common misconceptions about hosting.

Key Discussions:

• Introduction to AUSA:

  • AUSA is an exchange student program that facilitates cultural experiences...

Wendy Driedger is on a mission to help foster kids and families in Northeast Louisiana. She’s the Co-Director of Project 2.5+, a ministry providing essentials like clothing, diapers, and beds to children entering foster care.

Right now, 308 kids in Ouachita Parish need homes, but there are only 60 foster families. That’s a huge gap. Wendy breaks down what’s really happening, why the system is struggling, and how Project 2.5+ is step...

Pre-Order her book:https://a.co/d/dnsmTX0

The Saltworks Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-saltworks/id1646681744

In this episode ofThe 318 Experience, we welcomeHallie Dye—author, speaker, and host ofThe Saltworks Podcast.

Hallie opens up about growing up in a faith-filled home, facing imposter syndrome, and learning to surrender to God’s plan in unexpected ways. She shares the powerful journey behind her bookYou'r...

In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Frye, partner at SnapMe Creative Agency, to talk about how she helped build one of North Louisiana’s fastest-growing marketing powerhouses. We get into the real story—how SnapMe started back in 2007 when websites were still a new thing, how they navigated the chaos of COVID-19, and how an unexpected request to take sports photos accidentally launched an entirely new part of their business.

R...

Doug Harvey returns for a deep dive into entrepreneurship, leadership, and financial freedom. From running a UPS Store franchise to real estate investing, Doug shares his journey, lessons learned, and strategies for scaling success. We talk about thriving as a small business owner in Monroe, building passive income, and how leadership can change a community. This episode is packed with practical advice and big ideas—don’t miss it.

...

🎙️ In this episode of The 318 Experience, we sit down with entrepreneur Josh Taylor to explore his incredible journey from selling cookie dough as a child to owning Car Wash West, a thriving business employing 20-30 people. Josh shares the lessons he learned as a young lawn care entrepreneur, his foray into real estate and homebuilding, and how mentorship and faith have shaped his career.

This conversation dives into pivotal momen...

Jason McGuffie is the Calhoun Campus Pastor at First West and a passionate leader in church revitalization and mentorship. With a background that includes serving as a pastor in various communities across Louisiana and Mississippi, Jason holds multiple theological degrees, including a doctorate in ministry. He’s also the director of the Multiply Network, where he empowers pastors to lead healthy churches.

In this heartfelt episode,...

John Bruscato’s journey is one of resilience, service, and dedication. From growing up in Monroe, Louisiana, to overcoming challenges that shaped his career, John shares how his experiences as a student, business owner, and attorney have driven his mission to fight for others. Tune in to hear about his family’s legacy, his personal challenges, and his vision for community impact.

00:00:00 John Bruscato 00:04:13 Law Student on Beco...

Contact Info:

• 318-243-3499

Voting Dates for Capital Infrastructure Tax Renewal:

• Early Voting: November 22nd - 30th (Excluding November 23rd and 24th)
• Election Day: December 7th

Doug Harvey, Monroe City Council Member, joins The 318 Experience to talk about the Capital Infrastructure Tax (CIT). Learn why this 1% sales tax, which has funded over $120 million in vital projects since 2021, is critical to Monro...

Contact Information:

• Email: info@westmonroechamber.org
• Phone: 318-325-1961

In this episode, Allison Wilkerson, Membership Director of the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce, joins us to share how the Chamber is enhancing business growth and creating powerful community connections in Ouachita Parish. Allison explains the value of Chamber membership, highlighting how businesses of all sizes—from startups to es...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jamie McCullars, founder of Bayou Belle Wellness Chiropractic Studio. Jamie shares her journey from growing up in West Monroe to pursuing chiropractic care inspired by her uncle. She discusses her dedication to family-focused wellness, offering insights into her holistic approach to chiropractic and her specialization in pediatric and prenatal care. From overcoming personal challenges to buildi...