Mississippi Stories with Marshall Ramsey: Recent Episodes
Marshall Ramsey
Everyone has a story and Mississippians usually have the best ones. Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large sits down with a new storyteller every Wednesday. Prepare yourself to learn, laugh and be inspired.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Janet Parker from Innovate Mississippi. Janet serves as the director of Business Development and marketing at Innovate Mississippi. She oversees all marketing, PT, corporate fundraising functions with the ultimate goal of working with partner organizations and companies to grow Mississippi’s innovation ecosystem — and the state economy. She is a Mississippian by choice — heralding originally from Illinois. In her past life, she was a VP for public relations for Maris, West & Baker Advertising, a business consultant and communications coach working with Fortune 500 clients in the US, Canada and Trinidad.
If she looks familiar, she was the hose of the Emmy-Award winning TV show, “Mississippi Outdoors” on MPB and has appeared on TV commercials, radio ads and print promotions. She also had an 11-year career as an award-winning pharmaceutical sales representative. In 2012, she was named one of the Business Women in Mississippi by the Mississippi Business Journal.
In this edition of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Extra Table’s Executive Director Martha Allen to talk about Extra Table’s mission, the many facets of hunger in Mississippi and how you can sponsor a TURKEY as a part of their Tackle Hunger Holiday Campaign for $15 (your donation will put a 10-12 pound Jennie-O turkey on the table of a family in need this holiday season.) Founded in 2009 by restauranteur Robert St. John, Extra Table has helped fight hunger by stocking food pantries across the state of Mississippi by lowering the cost of food (Every dollar provides 5.9 meals.)
In this edition of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Extra Table’s Executive Director Martha Allen to talk about Extra Table’s mission, the many facets of hunger in Mississippi and how you can sponsor a TURKEY as a part of their Tackle Hunger Holiday Campaign for $15 (your donation will put a 10-12 pound Jennie-O turkey on the table of a family in need this holiday season.) Founded in 2009 by restauranteur Robert St. John, Extra Table has helped fight hunger by stocking food pantries across the state of Mississippi by lowering the cost of food (Every dollar provides 5.9 meals.)
On this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Mississippi Mass Choir Executive Director and pastor Jerry Mannery. Mannery has lived a colorful life that includes being in the first class to integrate Florence High School to being in the Navy, a Jackson Firefighter, an executive at Malaco Record, a poet, a songwriter, a pastor of We Are One United Methodist Church and founding member of the world-famous Mississippi Mass Choir, Jerry has done it all. He discusses his life, the choir, his family and how his faith has influenced it all. This is a great conversation with a Mississippi legend.
On this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Mississippi Mass Choir Executive Director and pastor Jerry Mannery. Mannery has lived a colorful life that includes being in the first class to integrate Florence High School to being in the Navy, a Jackson Firefighter, an executive at Malaco Record, a poet, a songwriter, a pastor of We Are One United Methodist Church and founding member of the world-famous Mississippi Mass Choir, Jerry has done it all. He discusses his life, the choir, his family and how his faith has influenced it all. This is a great conversation with a Mississippi legend.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with owner and publisher of Mississippi Christian Magazine Katie Eubanks. Katie, a former writer for the Northside Sun and the Clarion Ledger, took a leap of faith when she took over the longtime Mississippi magazine founded by Marilyn Tinnin. She talks about what it is like to wears entrepreneur, businessperson and writer hats and she talks about how her faith keeps her grounded and moving forward through business challenges. She also talks about her upcoming women’s conference and some of the challenges her speakers and panelists have faced at well.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with owner and publisher of Mississippi Christian Magazine Katie Eubanks. Katie, a former writer for the Northside Sun and the Clarion Ledger, took a leap of faith when she took over the longtime Mississippi magazine founded by Marilyn Tinnin. She talks about what it is like to wears entrepreneur, businessperson and writer hats and she talks about how her faith keeps her grounded and moving forward through business challenges. She also talks about her upcoming women’s conference and some of the challenges her speakers and panelists have faced at well.
According to the USDA ERA, 15% of Mississippi households in 2020 were experiencing food insecurity. In 2018, one in four Mississippi children walked around hungry. Hunger is an invisible problem that affects so much and so many. On this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor At Large Marshall Ramsey is joined by Langston Moore, who serves as the Regional Director for Society of St. Andrew — Mississippi, an organization that gleans leftover food from farmers and gets it into the hands of those across the state who are feeding the hungry. From January to July of 2022, 715,814 pounds of food has been gleaned and distributed providing 2,863,256 servings of nutritious food. Hunger continues to be an issue in Mississippi and Moore shares how SoSA MS is fighting it one saved vegetable at a time. To donate to SoSAMS, you can text 42828 or email mississippi@endhunger.org. Or you can mail a check to PO Box 5362, Jackson, MS 39296.
According to the USDA ERA, 15% of Mississippi households in 2020 were experiencing food insecurity. In 2018, one in four Mississippi children walked around hungry. Hunger is an invisible problem that affects so much and so many. On this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor At Large Marshall Ramsey is joined by Langston Moore, who serves as the Regional Director for Society of St. Andrew — Mississippi, an organization that gleans leftover food from farmers and gets it into the hands of those across the state who are feeding the hungry. From January to July of 2022, 715,814 pounds of food has been gleaned and distributed providing 2,863,256 servings of nutritious food. Hunger continues to be an issue in Mississippi and Moore shares how SoSA MS is fighting it one saved vegetable at a time. To donate to SoSAMS, you can text 42828 or email mississippi@endhunger.org. Or you can mail a check to PO Box 5362, Jackson, MS 39296.
Watercolorist Wyatt Waters joins Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey from the road for this episode of Mississippi Stories. Waters talks about new book, “The Watercolor Road: Painting and writing through America’s South.” He and his wife Kristi traveled through the Southeastern U.S. with their trusty trailer in tow. Waters tells stories about some of the paintings (shown on the screen) and tells about some of the people he met along the way. Along with the watercolor paintings, the book contains 21 essays as well. The audio is a little scattered due to him being on the road, but the images and stories make this video worth a watch. Wyatt Waters is a Mississippi treasure and this book will make him a national one as well. To find out more, go to wyattwaters.com.
Watercolorist Wyatt Waters joins Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey from the road for this episode of Mississippi Stories. Waters talks about new book, “The Watercolor Road: Painting and writing through America’s South.” He and his wife Kristi traveled through the Southeastern U.S. with their trusty trailer in tow. Waters tells stories about some of the paintings (shown on the screen) and tells about some of the people he met along the way. Along with the watercolor paintings, the book contains 21 essays as well. The audio is a little scattered due to him being on the road, but the images and stories make this video worth a watch. Wyatt Waters is a Mississippi treasure and this book will make him a national one as well. To find out more, go to wyattwaters.com.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with author, reporter and playwright Ellis Nassour. Nassour, a native of Vicksburg has lived a colorful life covering celebrities and the entertainment scene. Author of the book Honky Tonk Angel, The Intimate Story of Patsy Cline (a book that has been in print for over 40 years), he talks about writing that book. Cline’s colorful but short life and the people he interviewed to write it. He also covers his involvement in Jesus Christ Superstar and how he observed first-hand the attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11. Nassour dreamed he’d write for the New York Times (he did) and be involved in the entertainment business. His is an interesting story about making lucky breaks and how hard work can help you live a interesting life.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with author, reporter and playwright Ellis Nassour. Nassour, a native of Vicksburg has lived a colorful life covering celebrities and the entertainment scene. Author of the book Honky Tonk Angel, The Intimate Story of Patsy Cline (a book that has been in print for over 40 years), he talks about writing that book. Cline’s colorful but short life and the people he interviewed to write it. He also covers his involvement in Jesus Christ Superstar and how he observed first-hand the attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11. Nassour dreamed he’d write for the New York Times (he did) and be involved in the entertainment business. His is an interesting story about making lucky breaks and how hard work can help you live a interesting life.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Dr. Alyssa Killebrew to talk about her life and incredible resilience in the face of crushing loss and grief and her work to help kids work past their trauma. Dr. Killebrew knows about working past trauma. In December of 2021, Dr. Killebrew’s longtime husband Keath, a successful farmer, died in a plane crash in South America. This is after losing the couple lost their unborn child to COVID-19. You will be inspired by her incredible strength and positive outlook. She talks about her and Keath’s creation of a camp called SEK Intensives to honor their youngest daughter and help both adolescents and their parents deal with life’s challenges. Dr. Killebrew is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (No. 54-946), a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor. In 2005, she earned a Master’s degree of Education (M.Ed.) in Community Counseling from Delta State University. In 2008, she obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology from Jackson State University and completed a residency at Valley Mental Health in Salt Lake City, Utah. She completed her post-doctoral year with the Mississippi Department of Corrections, where she was the Mental Health Director of the Youthful Offender Unit. She started her private practice, Killebrew Psychological Services, LLC, in 2016, focusing her services primarily on mood disorders, PTSD, addiction and personality disorders. She specializes in Biofeedback, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and Modified Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Dr. Alyssa Killebrew to talk about her life and incredible resilience in the face of crushing loss and grief and her work to help kids work past their trauma. Dr. Killebrew knows about working past trauma. In December of 2021, Dr. Killebrew’s longtime husband Keath, a successful farmer, died in a plane crash in South America. This is after losing the couple lost their unborn child to COVID-19. You will be inspired by her incredible strength and positive outlook. She talks about her and Keath’s creation of a camp called SEK Intensives to honor their youngest daughter and help both adolescents and their parents deal with life’s challenges. Dr. Killebrew is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (No. 54-946), a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor. In 2005, she earned a Master’s degree of Education (M.Ed.) in Community Counseling from Delta State University. In 2008, she obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology from Jackson State University and completed a residency at Valley Mental Health in Salt Lake City, Utah. She completed her post-doctoral year with the Mississippi Department of Corrections, where she was the Mental Health Director of the Youthful Offender Unit. She started her private practice, Killebrew Psychological Services, LLC, in 2016, focusing her services primarily on mood disorders, PTSD, addiction and personality disorders. She specializes in Biofeedback, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and Modified Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Jeff Good about how Jackson’s continuing water crisis is pushing local independent restaurants to the brink. Water is a huge part of a restaurant’s operation from drinks to food preparation to hand washing to ice and when drinks and ice have to be bought, dwindling profit margins (down 75% due to inflation) are stressed. Good speaks on behalf of other restaurants in Jackson and how leadership needs to start communicating to find a solution.
In this bonus episode of Mississippi Stories, we share the conversation between Editor-at-Large Marshall Ramsey and Laurel-based couple Ben and Erin Napier of HGTV's Home Town. Hear more on how they balance work and family life, their upcoming projects, and answers to member questions like what their go-to paint colors are. This interview originally premiered during a live member event on July 1.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey visits with golfer Ethan Mangum. Mangum is a graduate student and member of the golf team at the College of William & Mary. He’s also a former Jackson resident who was recently named the inaugural Genesis Invitational tournament Pathway Player, awarded to a player with a minority background who is excelling on the golf course and academically. Mangum tells about how he started playing golf at the age of two, his pathway of success, how his parents influenced him and how he trains to be the world-class athlete and student. His is an inspirational story and a blueprint for anyone who wants to be successful. His story is a perfect blend of talent and hard work.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-at-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with award-winning author W. Ralph Eubanks to talk about his book, A Place Like Mississippi. Eubanks talks about teaching other writers to learn their voice and how those voices have helped lift Mississippi’s literary tradition.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Brigadier General Maxey J. Phillips (Retired) of the Mississippi Air National Guard. Maxey fell in love with aviation early in life as he picked cotton on his family’s Northeast Mississippi farm. He’s watch as World War 2 training aircraft (AT-6 Texans) buzzed over his head. While they were training future pilots, they also lit a dream in a small boy. After graduating from Mississippi State with an aeronautical engineering degree, Maxey joined the U.S. Air Force where he trained to fly the Air Force’s newest fighter, the F-4 Phantom. From the Cuban Missile Crisis, to Vietnam, to England and back to Mississippi, Maxey tells stories about his nearly 40-year career in the Air Force. Those stories include a career-altering conversation with legendary aviator General Chuck Yeager, a near-fatal encounter with a turkey buzzard while flying at 480 knots and his time as the 172nd Airlift Wing Commander in Jackson, Mississippi. Most poignantly for Memorial Day weekend, though, Maxey talks about his fallen comrades and a beloved uncle who died in Vietnam. Sponsored by the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Mississippi Today’s Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with singer, songwriter and musician Scott Albert Johnson. Born in Jackson, Scott Albert Johnson moved around the U.S. before putting down roots back in Mississippi. A graduate of Harvard and Columbia, Johnson shares stories about his time as a kicker and then how his career as a musician took off. Ramsey and Johnson talk creativity, dreams and how to achieve them. Johnson also tells how to achieve balance in life rooted in family, friends and music.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Pam Confer. Pam is an international, award-winning, bilingual singer, song-writer, and speaker. She has deep Mississippi roots, and a smile that can move the world. Her voice is described as velvety Jazz, dipped in soul. Performing with her group Jazz Beautiful, she was voted the Mississippi Jazz Foundation’s 2015 “Jazz Ambassador of the Year.” She recently wrote and debuted the song, “Mississippi Beautiful,” which has quickly become a unifying and favored piece in Mississippi. “Mississippi Beautiful” is also permanently featured in Gallery 8 of the new Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. A self-proclaimed “Joy Scout,” Pam talks about positivity, empathy and the beauty all Mississippians process. Prepared to be inspired.
On this episode of Mississippi Stories, Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Sammy Moon. Sammy is the executive director of the Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy. In his role, Sammy provides leadership and support to nonprofit and philanthropic organizations in their efforts to strengthen Mississippi’s children, families, and communities. His work involves interaction with nonprofits organizations, foundations, United Ways, public sector entities, and businesses throughout the state. Prior to becoming the executive director of The Alliance, Sammy served as director of the Mississippi Association of Grantmakers (MAG). Before his work with MAG, Sammy worked as senior advisor to United Way Worldwide’s Field Engagement Division where he worked with local United Ways interested in third-grade reading programming and impact investing. Sammy also worked as a senior associate at the Annie E. Casey Foundation in Baltimore, Md., the largest private foundation in the country devoted solely to building stronger futures for vulnerable children and their families. A native of Amory, Miss., Sammy’s formal education includes a Masters of Arts in sociology from the University of Mississippi, a Masters of Social Work from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a Masters in Public Administration from the Kennedy School at Harvard University.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, esteemed 2016 – 2021 Mississippi Poet Laureate, author and Ole Miss professor Beth Ann Fennelly sits down with Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey to talk about her writing, creativity and how she plows through setbacks.
In 1939, a movie theater was built in an outlying neighborhood of Jackson called Fondren. Originally called, The Pix, the theater closed and reopened in the 1960’s as Capri theater. In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with the trio who helped bring Capri back to life. Developers David Pharr, Jason Watkins and restauranteur Robert St. John talk about how the $13 million redevelopment of the long-dormant theater came about and how it is already helping the booming Fondren neighborhood. With a combination of movies, food and bowling, The Pearl Tiki, Highball Lanes, Capri and upcoming Ed’s Restaurant show how a dream can come to life, no matter what a global pandemic can throw at it.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor At Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with public speaker and owner of Champion Communications, Janie Walters. Janie, a Madison resident and former Gulfport High School teacher, talks about her long and successful career as a speaker and gives tips on how to overcome the fear of public speaking.
She also shares tips on how to be resilient during difficult times — a conversation we all need to hear these days. Walters has spoken thousands of times in 47 different states in her long and interesting career. Faithful, she loves teaching and sharing as a ministry.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor At Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Dr. Jeannine Herron, neuropsychologist, reading expert and widow of Civil Rights photojournalist Matt Herron.
Thanks to a connection between the Mississippi Museum of Art and the Barksdale Reading Institute, pre-school children in Jackson will be experiencing an innovative approach to reading and writing this semester because of an acquisition of civil rights photographs by MMA. MMA recently acquired 80 vintage photographs of the Civil Rights Movement taken by renowned photojournalist Matt Herron, mostly of events in Mississippi that occurred in 1963 -65. He died in 2020 and left a legacy of historic photos behind. This acquisition will give MMA the distinction of having the largest museum collection of vintage Herron photographs in the country.
The connection to the Barksdale Institute is Dr. Jeannine Herron, Herron’s wife, who is a neuropsychologist who came to Jackson in 1963 to honor Medgar Evers’ life by joining hundreds of grieving citizens who walked down Lynch Street after his murder. She also started the first Head Start program in the country in Mississippi. Herron and Ramsey discuss the photographs, her time in Mississippi, the importance of reading, the program in Jackson and how a child learns to read.
On this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey visits with U.S.S. Alabama museum technician Matthew McCluney. McCluney, a Gautier resident, talks about his passion for preserving a giant piece of American and Naval history.
The U.S.S. Alabama, launched in 1942 during World War 2, is a veteran of both the Battle of the Atlantic and numerous combat actions against the Japanese in the Pacific. Mothballed after the war, the 45,000-ton U.S.S. Alabama was presented to the citizens of Alabama in 1965 and towed to Mobile’s U.S.S. Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. The park also is home to the Gato-Class submarine U.S.S. Drum, 45 historic aircraft and various artillery pieces.
McCluney has created numerous exhibits throughout the ship and along with his teammates helps keep the Alabama shipshape for the nearly 18 million visitors who have visited it throughout the years and for those who will visit it in the future.
On this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor At Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with internationally respected conductor and Jackson native William Garfield Walker. Described by Klassik begeisert as a “master of intense sound waves with a pioneering spirit” William Garfield Walker is an emerging young American conductor quickly establishing himself on the international stage.
Hailed as a “Modern Day Maestro”, Walker is currently the Chief Conductor of the Nova Orchester Wien(NOW!)- Vienna’s newest professional orchestra. Within their first performances together Walker and NOW! have performed Mahler at the legendary Wiener Musikverein as well as for the 2020 G20 economic forum.
He also serves as the Artistic Director and Conductor of the “Master Camerata Orchestra”- the professional orchestra of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra’s International summer music festival, “Premier Orchestral Institute”. Previously he served as Principal Conductor of the Moonlight Symphony Orchestra, the Royal College of Music Oratorio Society, and at the age of 20, founded the Virtuoso Philharmonic of Chicago.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-at-Large (and cartoonist) Marshall Ramsey sits down with cartoonist Paige Braddock. Braddock tells how she decided at the age of 7 that she wanted to be a cartoonist.
After moving around the country and attending 17 schools (!), she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1985. Early in her career she worked as an illustrator for several newspapers, including The Orlando Sentinel, The Chicago Tribune, and The Atlanta Constitution. Braddock began crafting her long-standing comic, Jane’s World, in 1991.
After a 20-year run, Braddock stepped away decided to end the strip. But her book Love Letters to Jane’s World recently won her the Mississippi Library Association’s Mississippi Writer’s Fiction Award. Paige attended elementary school in Wiggins, Mississippi.
In 1999, Braddock assumed the position of Chief Creative Officer and in this role is charged with overseeing the visual and editorial direction for all Peanuts licensed products worldwide. The Schulz studio works in tandem with the licensing office in New York, Peanuts Worldwide. As a professional cartoonist, she has illustrated several Peanuts children’s books. The Snoopy U.S. postage stamp issued in April 2001 was designed by Braddock.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with filmmaker Anthony Thaxton. Thaxton and restauranteur Robert St. John have produced the wonderful documentary and accompanying book, Walter Anderson: The Extraordinary Life and Art of the Islander.
Thaxton discusses the making of the film, Anderson’s legacy and the joy of getting to work with Walter Anderson’s children and his own (his daughter helped him film some of the artwork and his son wrote the film’s score). It’s a wonderful hour talking about Anderson and his art — and how the Mississippi Gulf Coast shaped it and him.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with AARP Mississippi State Director Kimberly L. Campbell. She is responsible for leading and directing AARP’s work in advocacy, community engagement, and communications to serve the 285,000 AARP members in Mississippi.
Previously, she served in the House of Representatives (House District 72) from 2008 to 2016 and clerked for two justices on the Mississippi Supreme Court.
A mom of four girls, Campbell talks about work-life balance, her career, Mississippi and family. It’s an inspiring conversation.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with TrustCare Kids Pediatrician Dr. Catherine Phillippi to discuss vaccinating kids against COVID-19 and what she has seen as a doctor during the pandemic. She gives trusted advice that you’d expect from your family pediatrician.
Dr. Philippi joined TrustCare in 2021. She earned the Bachelor of Science in Biology from Mississippi College in 1994 and her medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in 1999. Dr. Phillippi completed her pediatric training at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Prior to joining TrustCare, Dr. Phillippi practiced at Children’s Medical Group in Jackson, Mississippi, and spent time in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Phillippi is married to Dr. Mark Phillippi, a nephrologist at Central Nephrology Clinic and they have three children.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Karen Matthews, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Delta Health Alliance. Matthews talks about growing up in Fulton, Mississippi, studying engineering and accounting and how she made the pivot to healthcare. She also shares some of the success stories of the Delta Health Alliances from the past 20 years and some of its (and the state’s) biggest challenges. Created by the late Senator Thad Cochran, DHA funds and operates 40 different healthcare initiatives in 38 Mississippi counties. Health truly does equal wealth.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Mississippi Arts Commission Executive Director Sarah Story. Story became executive director of Mississippi Arts Commission in November 2020 and leads the state agency in its mission to be a catalyst for the arts and creativity in Mississippi. In this fun interview, Story talks about all the ways the MAC helps on one of Mississippi’s greatest natural resources – it’s creatives.
Story previously served as the executive director of the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum in Austin, Texas, which exhibits the work of Charles Umlauf, his influences, and other contemporary artists and as deputy director and project coordinator of the Ogden Museum in New Orleans. She received a BFA in painting from the University of Mississippi and a Master’s in Arts Administration from the University of New Orleans.
Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Jeffrey Rupp, director of outreach for the Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach at Mississippi State University. Rupp, also an alderman in Starkville, talks about the E-center, it’s missions, its successes and how it helps reduce brain drain. He also discusses his career in the media and as mayor of Columbus, Miss. Rupp says that one way to reduce brain drain is to encourage entrepreneurship.
Marshall Ramsey sits down with Walt Grayson about his long career as a Mississippi storyteller. Grayson is a life-long Mississippian who was born and raised in Greenville. After moving to Jackson, he worked at various radio stations until moving to television in 1984. He was a weather anchor and feature reporter for WLBT for over three decades before heading back to WJTV-12. Grayson is also well known as the long-time host and a segment producer for Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s Mississippi Roads.
Marshall Ramsey talks with Dr. Michael Montesi and Rhonda Meadows from the Recovery after COVID Clinic at Methodist Rehabilitation to talk about recovering from Long COVID. Dr. Montesi, who suffered a case of COVID last year, was placed on a ventilator for 27 days. He found that he was initially paralyzed. His recovery now provides inspiration for his patients who are also on that same path. Meadows, as the head of the clinic, talks about the ways the Recovery after COVID Clinic can help patients.
In this episode, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Pamela Junior, who is the Director of the Two Museums – The Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. Junior, a native Jacksonian, is a Jackson State University graduate, the former manager of the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center and was a park ranger with the National Park Service in Washington, D.C. Honored by many national and local groups, prepare to be inspired by Junior’s story.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large sits down with author Larry Wells. Wells is the director of Yoknapatawpha Press in Oxford, Mississippi, which he established with his late wife Dean Faulkner Wells. He also is the author of his memoir, “In Faulkner’s Shadow.” In this interview, Wells shares his memories of Oxford from 1970, Willie Morris, and his marriage to William Faulkner’s niece, Dean. Wells is an engaging storyteller and this episode even includes a ghost story.
In this special episode, Dr. Dan Edney joins Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey to discuss the current delta variant wave crushing Mississippi’s healthcare system. Daniel P. Edney, MD, FACP, chief medical officer and regional health officer for the Central Public Health Region for the MS Dept. and has practiced medicine in Vicksburg, MS for 30 years. Edney gives an inside look of how the variant is affecting the struggling systems and gives tips on how you can protect you and your family.
Jill Browne is the multiple #1 New York Times bestselling author of Sweet Potato Queens® books and has created a global phenomenon--6,200 chapter groups in 37 countries--based upon her philosophy and world-view as recounted through these rollicking, raucous and riotously funny essays. Women and smart men understand that the bawdy, sassy, down-to-earth humor is the vehicle by which the message is conveyed--that is, one of self-reliance and empowerment, inspiring all to do what makes their hearts sing.
Two-time Grammy-winning Blues legend Bobby Rush joins in for a special edition. Rush, 86, talks about his ilife, career and new autobiography “I Ain’t Studdin’ Ya: My American Blues Story” (written with Herb Powell.) From great tragedies (losing children and suffering injuries in a wreck) to great triumphs (recognition for an incredible career), Rush tells stories about his life. Known for his energetic performances, Rush shares his secrets for success in show business and his passion for entertainment.
In this episode of Mississippi Stores, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Jackson-based chef Nick Wallace. Nick Wallace learned to associate love and food from his grandmothers. That passion has continued throughout his long career as a chef, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Named best chef in Jackson and Mississippi, Wallace has been featured on episodes for Food Network’s “Chopped” and “Fire Masters.”(which he won.) On July 20, 2021, his latest venture, The Nissan Café opened at Mississippi’s Two Museums. He also has given back through his non-profit, Creativity Kitchen. Wallace talks about his life, his career, his philosophy, his passion and his love of Mississippi.
Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Mississippi Public Broadcasting Executive Director Ronnie Agnew. Angew, Born and raised in Saltillo, Mississippi, graduated from Ole Miss with a broadcasting degree and rose through the ranks of the newspaper industry. He served as The Clarion (Jackson, Miss.) Ledger’s first African-American Executive Editor before joining MPB in 2011. Agnew and Ramsey talk about his career, mentorship and resilience in an ever-changing media environment.
Mississippi Today Editor-at-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with former Miss Mississippi and artist Glenda Grubbs. From Richton, Glenda got her undergraduate and masters’ degrees in music from The University of Southern Mississippi. After winning Miss Mississippi in 1972, Glenda married Gary Grubbs and moved to Los Angeles. Gary became a character actor, starring in many television and movie roles. Glenda taught elementary music education until one day she picked up the paint brush and palette.
Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey interviews popular watercolorist Wyatt Waters. Known for his watercolors of Southern culture, Waters is a watercolor master who works solely on location – preferring the challenges that both plein air and watercolor present. Waters' works have been featured in Art & Antiques, American Artist, Plein Air, and Watercolor. His artwork can be found in both private and corporate collections.
Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with a true Mississippi storyteller, acclaimed investigative journalist Jerry Mitchell. Mitchell, who founded the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting in 2018 after a long career at the Clarion Ledger, talks about his recent book Race Against Time: A Reporter Reopens the Unsolved Murder Cases of the Civil Rights Era and the cases he has covered in his career, including how his reporting convicted serial killer Felix Vail to justice.
Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson to discuss his first year in office. In that time, he has faced a pandemic, hurricanes and a severe winter storm. But he also has had several successes, and being a mayor is not new to him. Previously the mayor of Crystal Springs, Gibson moved to Natchez five years ago. He’s a lobbyist, a piano player, a Bed and Breakfast owner and now mayor. He ran on a platform of bringing jobs and economic opportunities to Natchez.
Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Stacey Spiehler for an incredible story of trauma, addition, collapse, resilience, sobriety, recovery and success. After suffering life challenges, she sank into the world of addiction, but she clawed her way back to sobriety and success. First by working as a waitress and then restarting her education, she now is chasing her dream of being a journalist. She recently was awarded one of 15 Lyceum Scholarships from the University of Mississippi.
Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey talks with Lloyd Gray, Executive Director of the Phil Hardin Foundation and former long-time editor of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Gray tells a little about his family and how he fell in love with journalism. He also talks about how he made the transition into working for a foundation. The Phil Hardin Foundation, founded in 1964 by Phil Hardin focuses on improving the lives of Mississippians through better educational opportunities.
In this edition of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with author Susan Cushman to discuss her new novel John and Mary Margaret, her love of writing and her creative process. Cushman, who was born in Jackson and attended Ole Miss in the 1960’s, now lives in Memphis, Tennessee.
Cushman is also the author of Friends of the Library, Cherry Bomb and Tangles and Plaques: A Mother and Daughter Face Alzheimer's and is additionally an editor.
In this edition of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Tupelo businessman, philanthropist and former Mayor Jack Reed, Jr.. Jack joined Tupelo’s Reed’s in 1980 after several years practicing law. He became President in 1987. Jack was born and raised in Tupelo. Following a pathway walked by his father and Chairman, and his grandfather and founder, Jack had devoted much time and energy to putting back into his communities – both local and state.
Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with journalist and teacher Curtis Wilkie to talk about his career and new book When Evil Lived in Laurel: The "White Knights" and the Murder of Vernon Dahmer. A graduate of University of Mississippi, Wilkie began his career at the Clarksdale Press Register covering the Civil Rights movement. From there, he covered eight presidential campaigns as the White House correspondent during the Carter and Reagan administrations and covered the Middle East.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Layne Bruce, Executive Director of the Mississippi Press Association. Mississippi’s small newspapers have a rich history and provide an invaluable service to the communities they serve.
Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with businessman and former politician Dick Molpus. Molpus, born and raised in MS, was the first person Governor Winter hired for his staff. As one of the “Boys of Spring,” Molpus helped push through education reform which became a signature piece of legislation during the Winter administration. After, Molpus successfully ran for Secretary of State and held the office from 1984-1996. Molpus founded the successful Molpus Woodlands Group, LLC.
In this week’s Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Rhea Williams-Bishop, Director of Mississippi and New Orleans programs for the WK Kellogg Foundation (WKKF). A life-long Mississippian raised in Carthage and educated at Jackson State, Mississippi, Rhea Williams-Bishop has always had her foot in the philanthropy and public service world.
In this episode of Mississippi Stories, restaurateur and author Robert St. John sits down with Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey to discuss St. John’s long career in the restaurant business. With the COVID-19 pandemic hitting local independent restaurants particularly hard, St. John shares how it has affected both his businesses and his charity Extra Table (which won a 2021 GIVE Award for its efforts to feed food-challenged Mississippians during the pandemic.)
Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with the dean of Mississippi sports writers, Rick (The Governor) Cleveland. Cleveland, a native of Hattiesburg and resident of Jackson, has been Mississippi Today’s sports columnist since 2016.
Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Tom Ramsey, a native of Vicksburg and former resident of Jackson. Ramsey is now a chef, sommelier, raconteur, writer and media personality living in New Orleans, Louisiana. He talks about meeting a daughter he didn't know he had and then immediately having to fight for his life after contracting a serious case of COVID-19.
Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey visits with producer Caren Zucker and journalist John Donvan about the documentary based on their Pulitzer-Finalist book “In a Different Key.” Did you know the first person to ever be diagnosed with autism lives in MS? Don Triplett of MS was the first. "In a Different Key," by Zucker (award-winning producer at ABC news) and Donvan (Journalist, broadcaster and debate moderator) debuts at the Oxford Film Festival and tells Triplett's story.
Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Mississippi filmmaker Patrick O’Connor (The Invisible Patients) to discuss his new documentary titled Look Away, Look Away, which highlights the efforts (and resistance to) changing the Mississippi state flag. It won the Audience Award for Best Documentary Film, Best Film, and Best Mississippi Film at the Oxford Film Festival.
Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey talks with Jackson native and nationally known comedian Rita Brent about success, meditation, creativity, talent and what it’s like when your career is sideswiped by a pandemic.
Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey visits with award-winning director Tate Taylor (The Help, Get On Up, The Girl on the Train, Ma and his new film) on his career, his move to Natchez and his belief in Mississippi’s film industry. Taylor also talks about Film Natchez and its goal to grow Natchez’s and Mississippi’s creative community. Taylor talks about the importance of chasing your dream and what MS needs to do to make sure its youth has a chance to realize those dreams.
In the third episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Hagan Walker and Anna Barker. Walker and Barker, the founders of the Starkville-based company Glo, discuss their company, entrepreneurialism, how their products went from a way to liven up parties to soothe autistic children at bath time and their newly renovated historic new corporate headquarters. Both Walker and Barker talk about why they decided to stay in Mississippi, how they plan to fight Brain Drain in the state and the importance of giving back to the community.
New York Times #1 Best Selling Author Angie Thomas joins Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey to talk about her brand new #1 novel Concrete Rose, fame, creativity and growing up in Jackson. Thomas also talks about writing, movies and why she continues to live in Mississippi.
In the inaugural episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor at Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with Nic Lott. Lott is a public servant who was the first African-American student body president elected at the University of Mississippi. Lott defeated five other candidates in the history making event for the state's oldest university, once plagued by the dark days of racism.