Fat Tuesday gets a thoughtful reset as we dig into the real heart of Mardi Gras—community, gratitude, and the pivot toward reflection—through the lens of Cajun cooking and Owensboro kindness. Brad Hammers joins us to unpack how Shreveport flavors, fresh Gulf shrimp memories, and a family table full of jambalaya shaped his belief that culture isn’t chased; it’s built at home.
We dive into the kitchen where Brad’s attention sharpens: no distractions, just sight, sound, scent, and the courage to adjust. He shares why Cajun food may be America’s most honest cuisine—French roots, Caribbean influence, and resourceful techniques that turn what you have into something rich. Along the way, we revisit New Orleans staples—gumbo, po’ boys, and king cake—while explaining what those purple, green, and gold colors really stand for. Beads aren’t a spectacle; they’re a simple way to say, “You belong here.”
Then we widen the frame to Owensboro. Brad maps the everyday compassion that defines our town: volunteerism that never needs applause, accessible sidewalks that quietly include everyone, and events like Night to Shine that center dignity. He also reframes Scouting, showing how kids already carry the virtues we celebrate; adults simply create space for them to flourish. As a care coordinator, he offers hard-won guardrails for serving others without burning out: recognize limits, refill your own tank, and choose presence over rigid rules.
By the end, you’ll feel why welcome is a flavor—and why the best legacy might be work done so well that no one notices. If you’re craving stories that smell like gumbo and feel like home, pull up a chair. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves Owensboro, and leave a review to help more neighbors find us. What’s your way to glue community together?
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It's been a great episode and I hope you share this with all your Owensboro friends! Thanks for the support and again, if you have questions or guests ideas, send a text!
