Unscripted: A Nolapapa Podcast Erik Alexander

I have ALWAYS loved to watch those ghost shows on the television . Man oh Man. Talk about something that fascinates me. It's the unknown. The mysteriousness. The fright! Yall know from time to time, Papa goes after some of these investigators. I want to learn! After all, what is the the harm of a little haunted fun? 
Well, that being said, I found the MOST POPULAR ghost hunter in New Orleans. With almost 150,000 followers on Instagram, John Gualtieri is easily the bravest man in the room. Remember that eerie Christmas tree that was high up in the abandoned Charity Hospital? That's HIM! No, it wasn't Casper trying to get festive. It was John doing what he does. He explores the COOLEST and scariest abandoned places all around New Orleans and Louisiana. 
My hope is he allows us to tag along one day and record a show LIVE. Here's hoping! 

Yall have got to check out his stuff on Instagram. Follow him at
@new_orleans_ghost_hunter  and you will see what I am saying!

Then later I sat down with a new documentary film maker that  just released his first of many documentaries about the eerie legends of Louisiana. Chris Mathieu's doc is called 
"The Forbidden Documentary: Occult Louisiana" and it explores everything from haunted history to Pirates Alley with Jean Lafitte. Yall know HE REALLY walked those streets in the Quarter.  Chris even explored the swamps of the Bayou in search of the real life Rougaroux. And THAT PARTICULAR story is absolutely WILD. 
It is over an hour of real life stories that have left so many, including me is left scratching their head. 
You can watch his new Documentary on Apple or Tubi: 


Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors!
Ochsner Hospital for Children
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Rouses Markers
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Sandpiper Vacations
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Zak George’s Dog Revolution!

Pinxav Diaper Rash Cream
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Comfort Cases
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New Orleans Ice Cream Company
Www.neworleansicecream.com

Real Estate with Steph & Berkshire Hathaway
www.realestatewithsteph.com

Audubon Institute
www.auduboninstitute.org

The Gift of Adoption Fund
GiftofAdoption.org

Y'all.
 I had to adjust my hat for this one. 

Mayor Marc Morial will be celebrating his 30'th anniversary of not only becoming mayor of New Orleans  but following in his father's footsteps by being one of the First  African American Mayors. Not only that but at the time he was the youngest in history! 
At 35 years old, he implemented a new way of leading. He brought EVERYONE to the table. He's the people's mayor. 
In his administration, crime fell by 5 %! He had a hands on approach that REALLY reaped benefits! By the time his re elections ended he won his second term by almost 80%. 
He brought an eager and ambitious plan to help revitalize all parts of this city. 
His legacy lives strong as the Mayor that cleaned out city hall with a shovel, rather than a broom.
One day, this great city will find another leader like Mr. Morial. I will keep the faith. 

Until then, give a read to his book, The Gumbo Coalition here:


Then, I talked to my friends over Anytime Fitness- Garden District
Personal Trainer and regional manager Sean Prevost stopped by to talk about FAILED RESOLUTIONS and how we can easily hop back on the wagon. Recently, with my own health scare, I was even more eager to learn about how to keep my own health in check! Resolutions are all to working out. Listen and learn about what you can do too! 

Anytime Fitness Garden district is a great way to start!
Call or click to take a tour or to sign up! 


Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors!
Ochsner Hospital for Children
Www.ochsner.org

Rouses Markers
Www.rousesmarkets.com

Sandpiper Vacations
Www..sandpipervacations.com

Zak George’s Dog Revolution!

Pinxav Diaper Rash Cream
Www.pinxav.com

Comfort Cases
Www.comfortcases.org

New Orleans Ice Cream Company
Www.neworleansicecream.com

Real Estate with Steph & Berkshire Hathaway
www.realestatewithsteph.com

Audubon Institute
www.auduboninstitute.org

The Gift of Adoption Fund
GiftofAdoption.org

I love it when I find chefs and restaurants that not only push out the best dishes you can imagine, but also, lead by example.  
In a perfect world, a restaurant would open it's doors and just cook for it's guests.  
But unfortunately, that isn't the way the world works.  
In the span from  dusk to dawn, a guest's life can change in an instant. 

A hurricane, a fire, an oil spill, or this, takes away the option of just being able to eat.
 "It's times like these you learn to live again. It's time like these you learn to give again."

Right now, Louisiana is dealing with a problem I didn't think could ever happen. 
Our Louisiana Government  denied MILLIONS of dollars to feed our own state's children throughout  the summer. 
Money that was sent to Louisiana for this reason was rejected.
Well, that is when the chefs and restaurants answer to the calls from the helpless. 

With that said, Top Chef has always been one of my favorite shows to watch. 
AND it just came back on to celebrate its 21st season! 
Our first guest this week went ALL THE WAY to the finals in Season 13! (the season where they cooked all across the country)

Chef Isaac Toups and his wife, Amanda opened their restaurant, Toups Meatery back in 2012 on N Carrolton Ave and began churning out some of the most delicious cajun delicacies anyone can imagine. Since then, he and Amanda have helped during natural disasters and now have just opened it' doors to the families that will not have the money to buy food for the kids over the summer. 

Folks, this is what I am talking. This is the selfless love that comes from a select few. 
They are role models.  New Orleans is indebted forever to their generosity.

If you or someone you know can help Chef Isaac and Amanda on their amazing mission, please call them at 504-252-4999

Then Later, we welcome back our dear friends at Audubon Institute to see how everything is going Under the Sea at the Audubon Aquarium! What better team member to talk to than the Director of Husbandry! 
This particular team member finds all of the curators and talent that fills every nook and cranny! Literally! 
Over at the Aquarium, their director, Higino Covarrubias is here today to answer some of the best Sea Life questions submitted by YOU! 

We had a little contest and the FIRST question selected by Mr. Higino, 
wins a $25 gift card from our friends at Rouse's! 
We learned so much about not only the ways the Aquarium obtains their fish and animals, Why jellyfish glow and what happens when Hurricanes come?
A fascinating show that you don't want to miss! 

Want a ticket to the BRAND SPANKING NEW AQUARIUM AND INSECTARIUM?
Click here!  www.audubonnatureinstitute.org  
Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors!
Ochsner Hospital for Children
Www.ochsner.org

Rouses Markers
Www.rousesmarkets.com

Sandpiper Vacations
Www..sandpipervacations.com

Zak George’s Dog Revolution!

Pinxav Diaper Rash Cream
Www.pinxav.com

Comfort Cases
Www.comfortcases.org

New Orleans Ice Cream Company
Www.neworleansicecream.com

Real Estate with Steph & Berkshire Hathaway
www.realestatewithsteph.com

Audubon Institute
www.auduboninstitute.org

The Gift of Adoption Fund
GiftofAdoption.org

Emergencies can happy out of nowhere! Especially when you have a kid... even more when you have children.  I learned quickly as each of our kids were born that situations can go south really fast. I remember as a new parent how scared I would get when our first newborn baby would act differently. 
That is why I thought it would be helpful to create a brand new segment that allows our audience to submit their own questions as it relates to them.
**With that said, This is for entertainment purposes ONLY. If you have ANY hesitation about your child's health, PLEASE seek advice from your child's pediatrician.**

We asked our audience members to submit their own Pediatric Emergency Questions and for fun, the first question chosen by Dr. Mutter wins a $25 gift card to Rouse's Markets to help make some groceries. I want to be sure to thank Rouse's for their generosity.
Listen to find out who the winner is! 

Then, later we welcome Ochsner's Athletic trainer to talk to us about why March is Athletic Training Month. 
I can only imagine how my kids would act later on in life watching from the side lines from any sport. They would be kicking and screaming to get back in the game. Sometimes, that could be a crucial mistake. 
Find out the 7 signs that your kid is ready to get back to their sport. 
Destini Manuel, LAT, ATC, Athletic trainer from Ochsner Andrews Sports Medicine Institute is here to go over all of the signs we as parents need to look for!

As always thank you to our talented guests this week. Nola Love! 
Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors!
Ochsner Hospital for Children
Www.ochsner.org

Rouses Markers
Www.rousesmarkets.com

Sandpiper Vacations
Www..sandpipervacations.com

Zak George’s Dog Revolution!

Pinxav Diaper Rash Cream
Www.pinxav.com

Comfort Cases
Www.comfortcases.org

New Orleans Ice Cream Company
Www.neworleansicecream.com

Real Estate with Steph & Berkshire Hathaway
www.realestatewithsteph.com

Audubon Institute
www.auduboninstitute.org

The Gift of Adoption Fund
GiftofAdoption.org

Sandpiper Vacations has been a sponsor for NolaPapa.com from the beginning and I am so thrilled that the owner, Nick Bryan is back to share the latest in what is happening in the world of vacationers. 
This week he is here to introduce us all to the biggest, grandest, most gigantic cruise ship in the world! 
The brand new, state of the art cruise ship, Icon of the Seas is a record breaking, next level voyage of entertainment!
"World class venues that push the limit of your imagination..."
As intimidating as planning such a vacation is, Nick is here to make it super simple. His team is located strategically around the country to help anyone maximize the magic in their vacation. 
I have BEEN wanting to go on a pleasure cruise... now, I want to even more! 

Find out more how to plan your most magic vacation ever by visiting 
www.sandpipervactions.com. 
Tell em' NolaPapa sent ya!

Then later, we go back in time to me standing on the theater stage in 8th grade. I was trying out for the drama program in high school. The lights were bright. The nerves were upended. But, I stepped up into the circle of light and auditioned my little heart out. 
Drama is exhilarating. Improv is even more!  This next guest gets me excited because she is an author that has devoted her talents to help children find their own talents in improv. 
Sam Marsden is an author that has written multiple books, like Drama Games for Early Years and Acting Games for Improv. 
All of her work is geared towards opening up our children's minds to allow instinct to outshine fear. After all, kids have an overall easier experience to block the outside out than adults do. 
Learn more here,
www.marsdensam.com
Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors!
Ochsner Hospital for Children
Www.ochsner.org

Rouses Markers
Www.rousesmarkets.com

Sandpiper Vacations
Www..sandpipervacations.com

Zak George’s Dog Revolution!

Pinxav Diaper Rash Cream
Www.pinxav.com

Comfort Cases
Www.comfortcases.org

New Orleans Ice Cream Company
Www.neworleansicecream.com

Real Estate with Steph & Berkshire Hathaway
www.realestatewithsteph.com

Audubon Institute
www.auduboninstitute.org

The Gift of Adoption Fund
GiftofAdoption.org

 

Relationships with people are an easy indicator of how far our own pages have turned.  
When I first came to New Orleans, I snuck off from my friends and went to the "other" side of Bourbon Street.  
Down on the opposite end stood the gay clubs and everything else that came along with them. There was an energy around that I had never experienced before.
I knew in those first moments that THIS was my new scene. A short time after, I met long time friend, Cousin Dimitri. No, he wasn't just my cousin, he was everyone's cousin! He was and still is a beloved D.J. at the iconic radio station, WWOZ. 
If you have never heard of this radio station then I strongly urge you to go to www.wwoz.org and you can live stream it. 
Cousin Dimitri has been around to see me grow up, fall in love, get married, have kids and everything in between. He even came to Douglas and I's wedding. 
I hope you enjoy listening  to our times gone by. After all, it's those times that pass that shape us into who we are today! 
Locals go to 90.7 FM but to listen to the Jazz and Heritage Station, check out their site! 

Then later, The Joker of New Orleans sits down with me. Didn't know there was one? Well, there is. Not only is his mug on point donning bright electric green hair, but he can read your mind. Like, really. He is a mentalist that has been known to tell you your exact birthday, unlock your phone, or nail it with slight of hand. 
I don't know his name- just Joker of New Orleans. Mysterious right?
He even blew my mind! You have got to listen to this. His plan is to be on AGT soon! I am very excited to see where this uniquely mysterious cat is going!
Check him out on Instagram @Jokerofneworleans
Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors!
Ochsner Hospital for Children
Www.ochsner.org

Rouses Markers
Www.rousesmarkets.com

Sandpiper Vacations
Www..sandpipervacations.com

Zak George’s Dog Revolution!

Pinxav Diaper Rash Cream
Www.pinxav.com

Comfort Cases
Www.comfortcases.org

New Orleans Ice Cream Company
Www.neworleansicecream.com

Real Estate with Steph & Berkshire Hathaway
www.realestatewithsteph.com

Audubon Institute
www.auduboninstitute.org

The Gift of Adoption Fund
GiftofAdoption.org