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You’ve probably seen his work in a newspaper near you, but now, you can put a voice to the name. On Now You’re Talking with Marshall Ramsey, you’ll hear commentary on the latest news, punch-lines from his latest cartoons, interviews with fellow cancer survivors he’s met along the way and compelling stories of known and unknown people, places, and things of Mississippi. Email the show: marshallramsey@mpbonline.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Joe Lee has a background in radio, television, and journalism and was a radio disc jockey and a television weatherman before becoming a full-time writer and publisher. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Dogwood Press, a small but traditional publishing house headquartered in Brandon, Mississippi, and he is the author of nine suspense novels set in northe…
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If you’re looking to see some cool stuff and learn about our state’s history, consider the Museum of the Mississippi Delta. Director Lisa Cookston joins us via Zoom today to talk about the museum, which at the crossroads of regional history and art. Located in Greenwood, the building houses visual reminders of the Delta’s military and agricultural …
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What do you say we kick off the month of December chatting about Christmas play? Arts educator and friend to many William “Peppy” Biddy is back in town to direct “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas” at New Stage theatre in Jackson. Peppy is a professor emeritus of Mississippi University for Women where he served 31 years and directed over 40 producti…
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This episode is produced in loving memory of Maggie Hurley, Marshall's mother-in-law and dear friend, who passed the day before this show was recorded. If you haven’t heard by now, a massive music festival has decided to make our capitol city its host for the next few years. The 82nd National Folk Festival will take place in downtown Jackson, Missi…
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There’s a new documentary soon to air on MPB Television and today’s guest wants to tell you about it. Renowned writer Eudora Welty is explored through intimate photographs and in charming interviews of family and friends set against the backdrop of Jackson, Mississippi. A film by Anthony Thaxton, Eudora is a revealing portrait of adventure, daring,…
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Sometimes you just need a friend, and that’s what today’s guest is to me and so many others. Corinth native Kenneth Williams joins us by phone today to tell some stories about where his life has taken him. He decided in 1977 it would be fun to run a marathon, and that decision has led to the completion of 75 marathons over the ensuing 46 years, man…
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A native Mississippian, Ross Walton became involved in digital humanities as a way of promoting the Hattiesburg music scene. He began publishing a monthly music podcast, The South Mississippi Music Sampler, in 2005. Wishing to learn more about the oral traditions of storytelling, he started as a volunteer with the Center for Oral History and Cultur…
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A proud native of the Mississippi Delta, author Nash Nunnery has peened newspaper and magazine articles for various publications over four decades, including the Clarion-Ledger, Jackson Daily News, Mississippi Business Journal, Clinton News, Mississippi Sports Magazine, Clinton Courier, Vicksburg Post and Rankin County News. He joined the Mississip…
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Patrick Carpenter is Singer/Songwriter from Jackson, Ms. He moved to Nashville full time after being a part of several acts in Mississippi and quickly joined other artists and bands on the Nashville circuit. His First studio album “Chasing Me” debuted at #1 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts in 2021. Carpenter has amassed over 10 million stream…
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Two men that Marshall has known for several years are in the house today to talk about a very cool event. What began as a small church-sponsored afternoon of music 40 years ago is now one of Jackson’s major fall festivals with top musical talent on two stages, food trucks, children's activities, arts and crafts vendors, and more. Since the festival…
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It is no exaggeration to call Mike Duke the poster child for MPB’s mission of education and serving the community. Blind since birth, Mike attended the Mississippi School for the Blind and Mississippi State University, where he earned a degree in communications. He then worked as a commercial radio announcer for 12 years before joining Mississippi …
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Bibliophiles rejoice, the annual Mississippi Book festival is here at last. One of the most anticipated state events, this celebration of literary achievement takes place at the capitol every year. Dozens of panelists from around the country will be talking about their books, including yours truly, so my producer Lacey will be asking me some questi…
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Ryan Parker is the Executive Director of the Mississippi Film Society, a non-profit that is working to bring unique film screening experiences, film-based educational programming, and a prison screening program to Mississippi. A Brookhaven native, Ryan has been working in the film industry as a producer and marketing/PR consultant for the last 12 y…
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He’s been an attorney for nearly five decades, but he’s also a pretty darn good author. That’s right, we have entertainment attorney and 2024 Mississippi Book festival panelist X.M. Frascogna in the house. Known by his friends and family as simply Mike, X.M. has specialized in entertainment and sports law since the early seventies. He has co-author…
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It is Education Week here at MPB Think Radio and most of our shows are taking part in a very important theme- education and back-to-school topics. Who better to talk about this than the 2024 Mississippi Teacher of the Year, Shauna Waters. Currently teaching English at East Lauderdale High School in Collins, Shauna Waters has been a teacher since 20…
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Apologies in advance if today’s episode makes you hungry- we have Newks’ CEO Chris Newcomb in the building. Based in Jackson, Mississippi, Newk’s Eatery is a fast-casual chain that operates and franchises just under 100 units in 16 states. Ever since it’s founding in 2004, Newk’s has been a go-to for sandwiches, soups, salads and pizza whether you …
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A Vicksburg native and Ole Miss graduate, today’s guest uses incredible storytelling skills only the south can provide. Ellis Nassour has a background in Journalism and has been writing books about the history of Broadway musicals for decades. He is back home this week to sign copies and inform his statesmen of his newest book, Jesus Christ Superst…
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Today’s guests were recently recognized by the New York Times as some of the best pizza-makers in the United States. Leña (which translates to firewood) makes dough from scratch and brings it to life with traditional proofing practices. Located in the rural Mississippi Delta, this Cleveland staple provides pizza and bagels unlike anywhere else in t…
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If you’ve worked in television in the state of Mississippi in any capacity, today’s guests are no stranger to you. Emmy award-winning television legends Walt Grayson and his daughter Keri Grayson Horne are joining us in the studio today to talk about what they know best- how storytelling and educational media can truly shape an entire state. Walt h…
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Our guests today know all about the importance of keeping it in the family. Connie Hollins and her son DeSanto Rollins will be the the guests of honor in a soon-to-come episode of Family Owned: A Legacy Leadership podcast, produced in partnership with Ole Miss and MPB. The owners of Rollins Funeral Home in Woodville, this entire family has been ded…
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Our guest today wants to talk to you about the importance of giving life. Christopher Swafford is the President and CEO of Mississippi Blood Services (MBS) based in Flowood, MS. MBS is a community based blood center that serves hospitals throughout the state of Mississippi and was established 45 years ago. Christopher is the 3rd CEO of the organiza…
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We have two guests this week with one mission. Big House Books is an organization that provides literature to the incarcerated, making sure those in the prison system still have access to reading materials and the right to read. The team recently won a 2024 Governor's Initiative for Volunteer Excellence or GIVE Award. Here to discuss the success an…
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Our first guest in the month of June is a local activist determined to save lives. Christina Dent is the Founder & President of End It For Good, a Mississippi-based nonprofit advocating for approaches to drugs that prioritize life and the opportunity to thrive. Christina supported a criminal justice approach to drugs until her experience as a foste…
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Happy Memorial Day! We are out of the office so in lieu of a new episode, here's an instant classic from earlier this year. We are honored to welcome an iconic Mississippian from an iconic family to the show today. Reena Evers-Everette is the daughter of civil-rights activists Medgar Evers and Myrlie Evers-Williams. Born in Mound Bayou, Mississippi…
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Marshall welcomes director Ann Ford and long-time producer Perez Hodge to discuss the new documentary on film on the now-defunct WZZQ radio station. For a brief shining moment (the 70’s!), this free form, counterculture, FM radio station in Jackson, Mississippi rocked the mid-South. With no playlists, no rules, and very few inhibitions, the legenda…
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Francine Reynolds has been the artistic director at New Stage Theatre in Jackson since 2006, and has worked as a theatre artist for 35 years. A Michigan native and current Jackson resident, Reynolds has served three terms on the board of directors for the Theatre Communications Group, a national organization for American theatre; and is on the boar…
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Kate Medley is a North Carolina-based visual journalist and filmmaker documenting the American South. Her photography work explores issues of social justice, community, and the shifting politics of states like Mississippi. Her work has been featured in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, and her collection “Thank You Please Come Again: …
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Ana Lampton Triplett is a documentary maker and a retired attorney. In her episode of “Family Owned, a Legacy Leadership Podcast,” she discusses how she and her family have entrepreneurship running through their veins. Part of the Lampton family that owns manufacturing powerhouse Ergon in Jackson, Ana has used her talents to help with both the fami…
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Currently serving as the head honcho of the Mississippi Children’s Museum, Susan Garrard has been with the museum since it’s inception, serving as a volunteer when the museum was still in its planning stages. Originally from Sebastopol, she earned her undergraduate degree at Mississippi State University before attending the Fashion Institute of Tec…
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Trigger Warning: this episode of Now You're Talking contains recounts of war. Marshall Ramsey sits down this week with Mississippi Public Broadcasting's very own Chief Operations Officer Anna Neel as she discusses her career coming up in the world of media and communications. From her time as a humble intern with CNN all the way to where she is tod…
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World-renowned Chef, restaurateur, and Pike County native Austin Sumrall is no stranger to the kitchen. Owner of White Pillars in Biloxi, Austin is also a former Champion of Food Network’s “Alex vs. America” in May 2023. The James Beard nominee for “Best Chef: South” and crowned “King of American Seafood!” in the 2021 Great American Seafood Cook-Of…
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Marshall Ramsey sits down the week with second generation jazz musician and singer Antonia Bennett, renowned daughter of Grammy Award winning jazz musician Tony Bennett as she discusses what it was like growing up surrounded by the jazz music scene and how it shaped her into the musician she is today. From growing up surrounded by greats like Rosem…
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Marshall Ramsey sits down with Natalie Perkins, a Rolling Fork-based journalist and recently named USA Today Woman of the Year. She discusses her journalistic efforts during the devastating EF4 tornado that struck her community in March 2023 and how she was able to keep those around her informed during that time of crisis. Marshall Ramsey, a nation…
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Dr. Roderick Little is an accomplished conductor, clinician, adjudicator, composer, arranger, drill writer, and instrumentalist, and currently serves as Director of Bands/Assistant Professor of Music at Jackson State University. A native of Jackson, he grew up in a musical family/background, and received his Bachelors and Masters in Music Education…
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Our guest today is Peter Zapletal, one of those most recent recipients of a Governor’s Arts Award. A five-time Emmy Award-winning puppeteer, Peter had an illustrious career right here at Mississippi Public Broadcasting that spanned over several decades, and recently retired as the director of the Puppet Arts Theatre, a professional touring theatre …
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Sally Burchfield Doty was recently named as the first director of BEAM - the Office of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi. This office serves as the State's sole point of contact for broadband policy and oversees the administration of federal funding for broadband infrastructure expansion. Sally previously served as the Executive …
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We are honored to welcome an iconic Mississippian from an iconic family to the show today. Reena Evers-Everette is the daughter of civil-rights activists Medgar Evers and Myrlie Evers-Williams. Born in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, she studied business merchandising at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology. She is now executive director of the Med…
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In the past few months, today's guests have made their own "black history," Here at Mississippi Public Broadcasting, Director of Television Taiwo Gaynor and Director of Radio Java Chatman are the first black individuals to ever serve in their respective roles for the organization. On today's show, both of these men chat with Marshall about upcoming…
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If you’re a Jackson native, my guest today needs no introduction. Bill Ellison is a musician/radio host based in Jackson, Mississippi. Bill, a vocalist, guitarist and pianist, has performed professionally for more than 40 years, playing all styles of music from bluegrass to jazz. Bill has also worked for radio and television stations in Jackson and…
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If you’ve ever wondered what good it would do if large organized faiths joined forces, todays guests will certainly be of interest to you. Lapidus & Myles is a collaboration between two faith-based musicians in Atlanta. Micah Lapidus is a Reform rabbi who serves as school rabbi for The Davis Academy and is also composer-in-residence at The Temple. …
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Happy New Year! We’re doing things a bit differently today and sharing some of our favorite moments from 2023 with you. Join me and my producer Lacey Alexander as we talk about some highlights from the past year, from moving conversations to belly laughs to talks of exciting future projects with some of the coolest guests we’ve talked to this year.…
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Our guest today is Nina Parikh, the director of the Mississippi Film Office. She celebrates 25 years with the office this year, as she began working for the Film Office as the deputy director in 1998 and became director in 2017. She studied filmmaking at New York University and the University of Southern Mississippi, and her work place is celebrati…
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Coach Bill Courtney is a native Tennessean and an Ole Miss graduate. Though already a successful business owner, in 2003, Bill began volunteering at Memphis’ inner city Manassas High School in an effort to turn its underperforming football team around. In 2003, the team had 19 players with a dismal 4-95, 10-year record. In the 2008 & 2009 seasons, …
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Growing up in a military family, George Fondren knows very well what it means to have loved ones overseas for the holidays. That’s why he and his family are hosting the 8th Annual Christmas for the Troops party on December 9 in Ridgeland. This event has grown considerably over the years and now includes scouts and veterans from central Mississippi.…
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Joining us today is Michael Farris Smith. He is an award-winning writer whose novels have appeared on Best of the Year lists with Esquire, NPR, Southern Living, Garden & Gun, Oprah Magazine, Book Riot, and numerous other outlets. He lives in Oxford, Mississippi, with his wife and daughters, and the state he knows so well serves as a backdrop for hi…
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Our guest today is Paul Elias, who recently made history as the very first bass fisherman to be inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. Paul Elias said he was too small to play football, was “pretty good” at baseball but “was really, really good” at fishing while growing up. A Mississippian thru and thru, Paul is a native of Laurel and a…
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The 6888 postal battalion was the only predominantly-black, all-female battalion to serve overseas during World War II, and serves as the subject for filmmaker James Williams Theres’ 2019 film “Six Triple Eight,” which will have a free screening tonight in Nachez. James is also an award-winning Executive Writer for the Department of Veterans Affair…
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Ghosts and ghouls beware, my next guest, Jeff Duke, author of the 2022 book, Ghostly Tales of Mississippi, uncovering 14 terrifying tales, based on reportedly true accounts about some of the state’s most haunted locations, proves that his fascination for things that go bump in the night, has reached the pinnacle of detective level. He joins me toda…
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My next guest’s boots are made for walking, the son of a fourth generation farming family, growing up on Double B Farms in Randolph, Mississippi, Benjamin Bowen spent his childhood riding horses, and going to football games, all while wearing his favorite pair of boots. Fast forward to today, he not only still wears his favorite pair, he is the fou…
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Filmmakers Willy Bearden, and George Larrimore join me today to discuss their 4-part docuseries: The Rolling Fork Tornado of 2023, premiering on MPBTV this Thursday at 7 p.m. In the film, Director Willy Bearden returns to his hometown of Rolling Fork, to document the destruction from the March 24th tornado. Damage was catastrophic, fourteen died an…
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