Louisiana Inspired

Baton Rouge Youth Coalition goes beyond K-12, mentoring students through college, careers

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE | Staff writer
May 14, 2024

During her time at Baton Rouge Youth Coalition, Allie Diefendorf has served in a number of roles. She started part-time in fall 2019 and transitioned to full-time as the director of underclass…

Volunteer opportunities in Acadiana, Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport/Bossier

May 12, 2024

Louisiana Inspired highlights volunteer opportunities across south Louisiana and the Shreveport/Bossier City area. If your organization has specific volunteer opportunities, email us at lainsp…

Creating special love languages between mother and child takes different forms: Jan Risher

BY JAN RISHER | Staff writer
May 12, 2024

We tightrope walked a balancing act between my parents' professions in my childhood home.

‘The Ally’: The cost of not being angry

BY BETH KISSILEFF | Contributing writer
May 12, 2024

How can people with opposing points of view who inhabit the same spaces — a campus, a neighborhood — share their ideas in a way that promotes deep listening?

Small actions to gain mastery over seven sins: Amor Towles explains 'Rules of Civility'

BY JAN RISHER | Staff writer
May 12, 2024

Best-selling author Amor Towles' "Rules of Civility" is the next Louisiana Inspired Book Club pick.

'There's no handbook to being a mom': Why it's important to secure your oxygen mask first.

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE | Staff writer
May 10, 2024

Before takeoff, the flight attendant says, "Should an emergency situation occur, secure your own oxygen mask first before helping others."

Volunteer opportunities in Acadiana, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Shreveport/Bossier

Staff report
May 5, 2024

Check out local volunteer opportunities.

Lessons from a garden party keep growing: Jan Risher

BY JAN RISHER | Staff writer
May 5, 2024

One thing leads to another — and sometimes the results are their own brand of magic.

Lessons from a garden party keep growing: Jan Risher

BY JAN RISHER | Staff writer
May 5, 2024

One thing leads to another — and sometimes the results are their own brand of magic.

Early Christian Scripture and ancient codices draw collectors’ eyes to Paris

BY CATHERINE PEPINSTER | Contributing writer
May 5, 2024

LONDON (RNS) — Amid all the preparations to turn Paris into a venue for the Olympic Games that begin in less than 100 days, one small corner of the French capital is preparing for another mode…

Baton Rouge teacher wins fellowship, travels to the British Isles with National Geographic.

BY CHARLES LUSSIER | Staff writer
May 3, 2024

After school lets out for the summer, Nathalie Roy likes to travel. A classics teacher versed in Latin and Greek, Roy uses her summer trips to go back in time and learn more about ancient peoples.

Swamp Base participants earn every mile paddling in Louisiana: 'The swamp is the classroom'

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE | Staff writer
Updated May 3, 2024

For the past 14 years, Ben Pierce has served as the executive director of the Lafayette-based nonprofit Louisiana Swamp Base, as well as the director for Swamp Base’s partner company, McGee’s …

Millions of pounds of oyster shells are being recycled to help restore the Louisiana coast

BY IAN McNULTY | Staff writer
Apr 30, 2024

One night in March, Jason Pitre left his Bayou Rosa Oyster Farm in Leeville with sacks of oysters bound for a fundraiser in New Orleans. He’d just pulled those oysters from the waters of Bayou…

How a minor league hockey team won the hearts of Louisiana's capital city: 'It gives me chills'

BY LARA NICHOLSON | Staff writer
Apr 29, 2024

Baton Rouge’s Zydeco just needed to keep their 3-2 lead.

The Finnish word 'sisu,' a simple plan and a cold plunge may change your approach to life

BY JAN RISHER | Staff writer
Apr 28, 2024

Toward the end of last year, my husband and I were having dinner with another couple. We spontaneously decided to make 2024 our "Year of Countries." To do so, we made no elaborate plans.

New ‘human flourishing’ survey links frequent religious practice to life satisfaction

BY FIONA ANDRÉ | Contributing writer
Apr 28, 2024

(RNS) — Announcing the results of a new Global Flourishing Study, a consortium of scholars and pollsters led by Gallup said that they found links between religiosity and people’s satisfaction …

Nurturing Nook offers free baby supplies while connecting parents to resources

By STEPHEN MARCANTEL | Staff writer
Apr 25, 2024

Every parent knows that a newborn tears through diapers and baby formula. The costs quickly add up for parents, especially those living on financial margins. Tack on inflation and the rising c…

Strong social connections lead to a longer life: How this social worker is helping others

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE | Staff writer
Apr 23, 2024

Gina Rossi is a licensed clinical social worker in the Baton Rouge community working in clinical and administrative roles for 30+ years.

Baton Rouge principal gives up desk to walk 20K steps a day. He's a TikTok sensation.

By JACK BARLOW | Staff writer
Apr 22, 2024

Whether dealing with social media or unusual office spaces, Jared Lamb does things differently.

Volunteer opportunities in Acadiana, Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport/Bossier

Apr 21, 2024

Louisiana Inspired highlights volunteer opportunities across south Louisiana and the Shreveport/Bossier City area. If your organization has specific volunteer opportunities, email us at lainsp…

Nine years after Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, Muslims launch a counterpart

BY FREDRICK NZWILI | Contributing writer
Apr 21, 2024

When Pope Francis released his encyclical on the environment, “Laudato Si’,” in 2015, Muslims, Hindus and other faith leaders joined Christians in dialogues in response to the pontiff’s powerf…

Animal chaplains offer spiritual care for every species

BY KATHRYN POST | Contributing writer
Apr 21, 2024

Sarah Bowen says she’s been doing the work of an animal chaplain since she was 6 years old.

'Remember me': How a girl born in 1887 in New Orleans continues to touch lives

BY JAN RISHER | Staff writer
Apr 19, 2024

Three weeks ago, I wrote a column about an old picture frame I bought and how its hidden contents ended up with me speaking at a New Orleans School Board meeting.

Building an accessible home: This book tells how one Louisiana couple did just that

BY KAREN TAYLOR GIST | Staff writer
Apr 18, 2024

When Frank and Lisa Vicidomina decided to build a house in Metairie, they leaped into a world of minute details and big decisions with what they saw as very little information available to sup…

Art Guild of Louisiana creates time and place for artists to gather, workshop and exhibit

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE | Staff writer
Apr 17, 2024

When Anna Hingle painted in her home studio, she was a lonesome artist, save for a few online friends. Still, she couldn't tap someone next to her to ask for critiques on her artwork. Then she…

National Parks accepting grant applications for preservation projects and heritage festivals

STAFF REPORT
Apr 17, 2024

The National Park Service, in partnership with the Jefferson National Parks Association, will begin accepting applications for the Lower Mississippi Delta Initiative grants for cultural herita…

He created New Orleans Botanical Garden and is retiring after 4 decades. Meet Paul Soniat.

BY ROBERT S. WOLF | Contributing writer
Apr 15, 2024

Paul Soniat walks through the rose garden and past a reflecting pool full of water lilies at the New Orleans Botanical Garden in City Park. In midsentence, the conversation abruptly stops. He …