Some people hold big titles and still refuse to make leadership about themselves. That’s exactly what makes this conversation with Fumi Rita so powerful, practical, and honestly refreshing. Fumi is the executive director of LAGCO in Lafayette and the current president of the Junior League of Lafayette, yet she keeps coming back to one idea: progress happens when you listen, collaborate, and stay focused on people.

We talk about how her background shapes that mindset, from being born in Russia and raised in Portugal to building a life in Louisiana after coming to Lafayette for school in 1999. From there, we dig into what LAGCO actually does, how the organization adjusted after COVID, and why the energy industry conversation now includes solar, wind, and even nuclear alongside oil and gas. We also explore the push and pull of economic development, including excitement about growth and the responsibility to protect Louisiana’s natural resources.

Then we shift to community impact through the Junior League of Lafayette, including the diaper bank, new focus areas like opioids, and how the League looks for root solutions, not just quick fixes. You’ll also get a clear preview of Tinsel and Treasures at the Cajun Dome (September 24 to 26), from preferred shopping to family moments and Ladies’ Night, plus how the fundraiser supports programs that stay right here in Lafayette.

If you care about nonprofit leadership, women’s leadership, STEM education, and building a healthier community, hit play, subscribe, and share this with someone who believes service still matters. If you enjoyed it, leave a review and tell us what local need you want to see tackled next.

He left Louisiana with a dream, showed up in New York with about $900, and refused to quit even when the “plan” looked ridiculous from the outside. That stubbornness turned into a working acting career, years on major sets, and a front-row education in how success really works when the cameras are off. We talk with actor John Valdetero about the grit behind the glamour and the moments that shape a life more than any credit ever could.

John walks us through the early identity that formed him, the hunger of the New York grind, and the surprising Europe chapter filled with commercial work, travel, and lessons in flexibility. From there, the conversation lands in Hollywood, including the long arc of Coach and the instant that stopped time for him: standing on stage with Tim Conway and being transported back to childhood nights watching comedy with his mom. We also dig into what “old Hollywood” sold versus what his generation had to earn, plus why he never let himself believe he had fully arrived.

Some of the most powerful stories are personal: sharing a truth with John Lithgow that changed how Lithgow spoke about Footloose for decades, a jaw-dropping World War II family connection that resurfaces on a soundstage, and the emotional cost of taking on a dark role meant to protect kids online. John also opens up about leaving LA to come home, raising his kids with real roots, and maintaining posture and purpose after an above-the-knee amputation.

If you care about resilience, reinvention, faith, and living on purpose, hit subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

A lot of people say “thank you for your service,” but fewer know what to do next. We sit down with Andrew Ward, Army and National Guard veteran and the leader behind Acadiana Veterans Alliance (AVA), to talk about what real support looks like when the uniform comes off and life keeps moving. The conversation starts with a simple challenge: even when you have a million things going on, pick one way to serve, because it can refill your own cup while you help someone else.

Andrew breaks down AVA’s clear “Work, Heal, Give” model and why post-9-11 veterans often need different resources than earlier generations. We talk veteran employment and career placement, how AVA connects veterans with companies ready to hire, and why mentorship matters when the military’s built-in structure disappears. We also get into veteran entrepreneurship through Mission Launch, a program designed to help veterans turn ideas into businesses with practical guidance and the right network.

Then we go deep on veteran mental health and healing. Andrew explains AVA’s HEAL program, including the stellate ganglion block (SGB) for hyperarousal and post-traumatic stress, and why pairing the procedure with trauma-informed counseling changes outcomes. We also discuss the shift from PTSD to PTSI, treating post-traumatic stress as an injury instead of a disorder, and how privacy and telehealth can lower the barrier to asking for help.

We close with a look at “The Boot,” a Louisiana effort that recruits transitioning service members like a college football program, matching talent with careers, education options, and relocation support that strengthens families and the state’s workforce. If you care about veteran transition, community service, or practical mental health solutions, you’ll leave with new language and real next steps. Subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show.