Let The Good Talk Roll: Recent Episodes
Natalie Steuer
This podcast, as a collection of interviews, brings to light the original — and sometimes unorthodox — professional trajectories of selected artists and entrepreneurs. Based out of New Orleans, and hosted by Natalie Steuer, Let The Good Talk Roll will feature individuals whose lives and careers reflect an undeniable appreciation for beauty and business. However, beyond aesthetics and success, my appreciation is largely for the fortitude and follow-through which led them each to where they are today.
Mignon Francois is the Founder and CEO of The Cupcake Collection. A New Orleaninian at heart, Mignon now runs her cupcake empire from Nashville, where she virtually joined for this recording. Mignon began her cupcakery from the bare bones of her kitchen back in 2008 and built it into a thriving business, shipping cupcakes nationwide from The Cupcake Collection's New Orleans and Nashville locations. Following this success, Mignon has become a sought-after speaker and goes around the country encouraging other entrepreneurs who seek her grass-roots experience. Mignon recently published her first book, Made from Scratch: Finding Success Without a Recipe which is available for purchase on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, or on Mignon's website. Mignon was as sweet to speak with as the confections she creates and I cannot wait to let you all hear from her.
Olivia Ivey Bannock is a Los Angeles-based fashion stylist specialising in bridal & event styling. Olivia trained in New York, assisting successful stylists before moving to the West Coast and establishing her own identity as a personal stylist. Two years ago while on her own honeymoon plagued by COVID, Olivia applied her editorial education to style herself, joking in her Instagram caption that she had become a blogger. A few months later, Olivia’s wedding was published on the ever popular bridal site Over The Moon, cementing Olivia as the style director that she is. Olivia is extremely humble after such a meteoric rise to success for the talent that she is.
Subscribe to Olivia’s Wednesday Wishlist Newsletter for the dreamiest wardrobe inspiration at: https://www.oliviaiveybannock.com/subscribe (https://www.oliviaiveybannock.com/subscribe)
If you’re a 2025 bride and looking for styling support, email Olivia directly at
olivia@oliviaiveybannock.com (mailto:olivia@oliviaiveybannock.com)
Sydney Ellis began Niall Knithouse with two semi-paradoxical goals in mind; She aspired to create a fashion label while encouraging buyers to shop less. Her mission became helping reduce textile waste coming from the fashion industry by inspiring shoppers to buy less and wear more.
In this episode, Sydney explains the magic in modular design and the importance of conscious consumption. We talk the building of her brand, the success of Niall Knithouse today, and what it's like to work with truly influential influencers. At the end of this episode is an extra special and chaotic early 2000s themed Would You Rather!
If you are listening from NYC, Niall Knithouse is currently operating a pop up in Soho at DOORS.NYC for the entire month if people want to come see the clothes in person!
Sensitive Content Advisory
Let The Good Talk Roll veteran David Darragh returns for a very special and important episode on what it was like to lead local corporation Zatarain's through the terrible time of Hurricane Katrina. This episode may not be for everyone. I understand what a deeply upsetting loss Hurricane Katrina was for so many locals here in New Orleans. If this episode isn’t for you, I highly suggest you go back and listen to our first episode with David on his corporate career arc to now leading a favorite New Orleans-based not-for-profit organization, Team Gleason.
Mary Benson is a contemporary painter out of Charlotte, North Carolina whose unique style blends contemporary impressionism with stained glass-inspired abstract shapes. Mary's work is grounded in her love of natural landscapes which she captures in a romanticised mosaic of bright and pastel color.
In this episode, Mary and I talk taking the leap to become a full time artist, discovering your own distinctive artistic technique, and the promise of social media. We also continue my impromptu new Would You Rather segment -- this time pre-planned!
I chose to reach out to Mary, first, because her work stood out as artwork I coveted. I hope you all enjoy meeting Mary and taking in her beautiful art!
Casey Langteau Johnson is both an artist and a small business owner, among a myriad of other things — the most wonderful friend, a wife, a mother-to-be, a daughter, a sister, and (!!) my boss.
As a person and as an artist she is so loved by those who know her and in turn she exudes and creates such happy energy and art!
Casey is a palette knife painter and her style would be described as impasto, with heavy impressionist influences. A few of my favourite adjectives to describe the quality of Casey’s paintings — and it is my job to do so — are: effervescent, deeply thoughtful, romantic, playful, peaceful, spiritual, serene, dimensional, luminous, bright.
It is such a delight to ~finally~ have Casey on this podcast. After listening, please visit Casey’s insta, the website, or, for the locals… come visit me in the gallery!!
In this episode we are chatting with Lauren Trostorff creator of Vibrant Market, a beauty and wellness shop here in New Orleans.
Not only is this an incredibly interesting episode, it also comes with some special bonus material! I was first interested in visiting Vibrant Market after speaking with Tyler Robinson, Lauren's fiancé and former LTGTR guest, and learning that his then-girlfriend sold a particular makeup line (that I adore and which isn't sold anywhere else in the city!) in her store.
But what all I found at Vibrant was so much more than cosmetics alone. They offer many services and host an impressive matcha bar. Vibrant even offers personal makeup consultations and professional application from their in-house expert makeup artist (or, if you are lucky, by Lauren herself!) So, to give you a real inside look and to add a little spice to this episode, Lauren and I filmed a little tutorial: a glimpse into all that is Vibrant.
Hanna Geiger made a home for herself in beautiful Charleston and then built a career helping others do the same. From our earliest college days, it was clear that Hanna possessed an innate sense of style and took care in curating the world around her. And since, I have had the pleasure of watching her grow not one but three thriving businesses. After first obtaining her real estate licence and establishing herself within the industry, Hanna decided to expand her capabilities by adding on both staging and interior design companies. In this episode, we discuss how all three of her pursuits align and why Hanna choses to strive for the most.
To see Hanna's work, and some beautiful business portraiture, go to www.hannageiger.com
Before Let The Good Talk Roll takes some holiday time off, I do have one last guest to introduce y'all to before the new year and she's really a star!!
Okay please forgive me for the pun but please let me introduce Kim Starr Wise!! Kim is a New Orleans-based floral designer and the owner of two businesses: a floral events company and a flower shop, located -- as many of my favorite places are -- off Magazine Street.
Kim immediately came across to me as someone well grounded, someone attached to the Earth in a special way and with an innate appreciation for its creations. She was delightful to chat with, so thank you again, Kim for welcoming me into your studio and allowing me this conversation.
I think it is important to me that I point out that this is a success story from someone who did not know-- until adulthood, and then still really not until a business plan materialized-- what they wanted to be or exactly where their passions lay. Life is so much more complicated than education can prepare anyone for, and while some creators know early on who they want to be and how they aspire to achieve it, not all of us do...and I include myself in this population.
So with that nugget in mind...please welcome New Orleans' hottest florist, Kim Starr Wise!
Brad Michael is our guest this ep. and guess what! He is actually the husband of Let The Good Talk Roll vet Catherine Guidry!
Brad Michael owns his own architecture firm, Brad Michael Architecture, based here in New Orleans, where he does both new construction and renovation. Brad loves a crisp, white palette and always has longevity and functionality top of mind. Please peep his work -- shared to our insta @letthegoodtalkroll
In this episode, we get reflective and consider how Brad got to where he is now, as well as what success means, and what it sometimes feels like.
Annie Moran is a New Orleans local artist who has a deep love for Louisiana, its landscape, its creatures, and its culture…but you wouldn’t have to listen to this episode to know that, as her paintings evoke such vivid romanticism. What you will learn from today’s episode is how Annie became a successful working artist and that she is as delightful and gentle as her pastel imaginations.
While Annie credits her rural river-bank upbringing, as well as her like-minded, art-inclinded father, for her origination and later success as an artist, she spent her early career exploring work in New York, employed in both fashion and jewelry.
Her path to becoming a full-time painter was not linear -- though the jury is still out on whether or not it was destined -- and taking the leap -- trusting in her artistic talent took a lot of gut and a lot of realism.
But of course the world is better and more beautiful since she did. And while hand-painted murals are the most precious to Annie herself, she currently offers her art in many forms. I know, you want to know more….
Me too, so let's give a warm warm welcome to Ms. Annie Moran!
MUTTS: A Celebration of Mystery Mixed Breeds, speaks to any animal lover but specifically aims to warm hearts to rescue pups and raise awareness for their lovability -- and their dire need for adoption.
Creating and publishing MUTTS the book is only Olivia Grey Pritchard’s latest accomplishment but it is an incredibly cute one.
Olivia’s greatest loves are children, pets, and photography so she created a business where she can work with all three! Olivia Grey Pritchard Photography is an award-winning luxury family and pet portrait studio here in New Orleans. Olivia also provides education for working photographers, is the New Orleans Area Coordinator (and an affiliated photographer) for the international nonprofit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, and is the Regional Teaching Artist for Pablove Shutterbugs, a photography workshop for children living with cancer. A real humanitarian at heart, Olivia began her studio after working as a photographer and consultant for the United Nations in Burundi and Chad, and then as Advocacy and Communication Adviser for a nonprofit in eastern Congo.
I think Olivia’s background is supremely interesting and provides additional context for the making of MUTTS. The book contains over 100 adorable mutts and every photograph is accompanied by the pup’s name and best guess of breed mix -- as well as one fun fact about them.
Catherine Guidry’s photography is undeniably romantic and consistently effervescent…just as you may hope a wedding photographer’s work to be. Additionally, Catherine is an extremely skilled and highly-practiced professional.
In my personal opinion, one’s choice of wedding photographer is second only to one’s choice of partner. Memories fade, but photographs can outlast us all and for many, wedding day moments are supremely precious.
Not only is Catherine sought after by hundreds of soon-to-be brides, but she is also a leader in her field. She is an educator for both aspiring and established photographers.
Catherine was as delightful and radiant as the work she produces. In this episode, I default to the word ‘beautiful’ many, many times!
Bronwen Watt never set out to become a cake-creating Instagram sensation when she first started posting. However, her uniquely adorned cakes cultivated a demand for the recognizable brand she grew into, Bayou Saint Cake.
Her delightful confections are thoughtfully made with an emphasis on sustainability. Bronwen prioritizes working with organic and locally sourced produce; her flavor offerings are in flux with the seasons.
Bayou Saint Cake now operates out of commercial kitchen space at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum (SoFAB) in New Orleans. Check out her website for ordering because as alluring as the aesthetics are, the taste is so sweet.
David Darragh has led an objectively successful corporate career. Early on, he set his heart on working in branding and marketing. He then worked his way up from Assistant Marketing Manager to CEO. Recently, however, David made a ~seemingly~ radical change and bid farewell to the for-profit realm. Today, David acts as Managing Director of a very special organization, Team Gleason.
In this episode, David speaks to the mission and work of the Team Gleason Organization and how he hopes to lead and and support his internal team members. We explore how he built his career and his realizing his second mountain. David has so much insight and experience to share that you can expect his return on Let The Good Talk Roll in the near future.
There are rockstars and then there are the designers who dress them 🧨🤘🏼
Laura Citron’s designs pay tribute to the maximalist glamour of decades past 🎉 Laura’s designs have been featured in Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Rolling Stone 🎸, and the Wall Street Journal. Her clothing has been worn by Little Big Town, Sugarland, Pistol Annies, Greta Van Fleet, and Jake Wesley Rogers amongst others.
The Laura Citron label evokes eclectic nostalgia for the 60’s, 70s, and 80s 🕺🏾💃🏼 and is the manifestation of her lifelong love for vintage glamour. As Laura puts it best, “fashion is fantasy, and I aim to create a world of filled with color, sparkle, and fun where everyone can feel as confident, strong, and fearless as they truly are”!
When I say Alex Harvie, think of a man wearing white aviator sunglasses (day or night) in a paint-splattered black suit. This is Alex’s signature look and is exactly how he would show up to paint your wedding.
Alex is, after all, first and foremost known for his work as wedding painter and performer extraordinaire. His jazzy painting style is harmonious with city of New Orleans, where he resides, and is sought after by engaged couples and art collectors cross the States.
Alex, his wife Amy, and their dog Comet gracious invite me into their home studio for what became hours of interesting conversation, drinks, and dinner. Don’t worry — I’ve condensed our visit into a manageable amount — a real feat.
I do want to issue a content warning as adult language is used. So if you have kids or sensitive listeners around — please save this episode for later!
Additionally, Alex and Amy will be participating in White Linen night here in New Orleans on August 6th from 5pm to 10pm, at Humphrey & Partners off Julia Street. I highly encourage everyone come and check out his work in person after listening to this episode!
If you are, however, ready for a truly entertaining conversation, please welcome artist Alex Harvie!
Calling from Charleston… Erin Tufts Cartier is the founder and designer of Rorin, a luxury handbags brand focused on responsibility, ethical craft, and sophisticated design. Each Rorin creation is handmade in Erin’s Charleston studio, where she joins me virtually from today. We of course discuss Erin’s career beginnings and her business’s....as well as we talk transparency -- not sustainability, elite stitching, dream inspirations, and a lot more. For a sincerely educational look inside the business of luxury goods, please welcome Erin!
Martine Chaisson Linares is the Owner and Artistic Director of Martine Chaisson Gallery in New Orleans. Her gallery represents a variety of emerging and established contemporary artists. Martine is joined today by Adrien Broom, one of her gallery’s own artists and her good friend. Adrien is a fine art and commercial photographer and is especially recognizable for the hand-built sets Adrien herself designs and installs. Her installation-infused photography reflects elements of both classical painting, digital photography, and film making.
Today, Martine, Adrien, and I discuss Adrien’s upcoming Annual Private Ballroom Sessions here in New Orleans! These commissioned portraits are mostly shot in a surreal dreamscape installation, which Adrien builds in this beautiful ballroom in Martine’s own home (swipe to see) located on the top floor of the gallery building. This special event will occur this October and session availability for families and individuals is limited. Tickets do, however, officially go on sale (first come, first serve) at the end of this month on June 30th!
Set your alarms and email: booking@adrienbroom.com for info and to sign up for this truly ✨✨magical ✨✨ affair 👆🏼
Tyler Robinson is a Founding Partner and Managing Director at SVN | Urban Properties, a boutique real estate consulting, development, brokerage, and property management firm focused on urban projects in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tyler comes on Let The Good Talk Roll to share his professional journey thus far and the makings of his shared firm. In this episode, we talk not only real estate, but failure, foundational strength, and enjoying life at work.
Ellie Mantis, a two-time international entrepreneur and luxury product importer, is the epitome of beauty and brains. She successfully sold her first business, a beauty & lifestyle boutique she named Heaven on Earth, and is now the Founder & Creative Director of her own jewelry brand Ella Bartlow.
Today I’ve had the pleasure of hearing how Ellie applied her education in mechanical engineering and her masters in shipping, trade, and finance to begin her first venture -- a wildly successful international importing and distribution business -- and how she is applying what she learned from her first success in the luxury fashion and jewelry industry to create an accessories line of her own.
Please welcome the ever-glamorous Ellie Mantis!
Today we have a fabulous guest -- Eleanor (Eliie) Schwing! Ellie is the founder of BENE, a luxury handbags and accessories brand made in Italy. Each handbag is produced with Italian hide but, inside, is lined in custom printed fabrics featuring original artwork by New Orleans female artists.
Trishala Bhansali was born and raised in New Orleans but spent her summers strolling the marketplaces of India, where both her parents are from. As a teenager, she began designing her own clothes and shoes. Then as a young adult, she began her career in luxury retail buying -- which she did for a decade before deciding to begin her own fashion brand. She named her brand Lekha and built her line around her love for quality muslins. Lekha designs reflect her New Orleans upbringing and Indian heritage; the garments are designed here in New Orleans and the clothes are handmade in India. Inspired by her grandmother's work, Trish sought out fellow female creators and allies in both New Orleans and India to build and advocate for Lekha.
Louisiana native Joel Dondis is a professionally trained chef and serial entrepreneur. He first fell in love with food and cooking at a young age and later went on to study at the Culinary Institute of America in New York. Following graduation, Joel traveled to Europe to practice at the Michelin-rated Schloss Hotel and Restaurant Gargantua in Frankfurt, Germany. After living in Europe and beginning a crawfish exporting business, he moved back to Louisiana and next worked as a Sous Chef at Emeril’s for three-years before founding Joel’s Grand Cuisine, Inc, now called Joel Catering and Event Planning. Joel opened James Beard Award winning La Petite Grocery in 2004, in 2006 Joel opened Sucre -- a dessert shop now arguably synonymous with the city of New Orleans itself -- and in 2007, Joel unveiled a seafood restaurant, Grand Isle. Today, Joel continues to live Uptown New Orleans with his wife, daughter, and dog.
This week we have not one, but two very fashionable guests: Angelique Palumbo and Janine Butscher. Angelique and Janine currently co-own Angelique Boutique, here in New Orleans. Angelique first opened this first Maple Street location in 2001 and is the store’s clothing buyer. Janine joined the business a few years later and is the buyer of shoes and accessories. The store is known for carrying ready-to-wear designer labels that are both stylish and enduring.
Century Girl Vintage is a boutique located off Magazine Street, here, in New Orleans. Stepping into Century Girl is both like stepping into a storybook and a portal to the past. Inside, perfectly preserved haute couture tulle gowns take center stage. Glittering jewels and adorning bobbles from every decade line the walls and hang from mannequins. Everything in the store has passed a test of quality and taste; each was hand-selected by Leah Blake, owner of Century Girl Vintage.
Since opening its first doors in 2014, Century Girl has been highlighted in numerous publications and beloved by stylists, designers, and fabulously dressed individuals.
I have been obsessed with Leah’s carefully curated vintage oasis since my first trip in. I am so thankful for the time she gave me and am certain you all will find her as delightful as I do.
Alyssa Carson is a Future Mars Walker, Astronaut in Training, Global Speaker, Author, Philanthropist, Aquanaut, Skydiver, Pilot, Soccer Coach, Brand Ambassador, Actress, Model, Intern, and Current College Student.
While Alyssa may not classically fall into the box of either "artist" or "business owner," she is an ideal guest and role model as someone who has acknowledged her passion and relentlessly pursued it. While this podcast will not be limited to featuring New Orleanians, Alyssa is also from Louisiana.
Because Alyssa is so exceptionally accomplished and an interesting person, there are endless topics I could have dedicated this episode to. So, if you are interested in learning more about Alyssa at the end of this conversation, I encourage you not only to read her book, “So You Want To Be An Astronaut” and listen to her past Ted Talks, but also seek out her other podcast features.
Because Alyssa is currently studying in Florida, our interview was held remotely -- please forgive the difference between our audio, it is more than worth the listen.
Past and present brides, and those in the wedding industry, you may have heard of artist Stephanie Torregrossa. Stephanie is recognized not only locally or nationally but globally for her work as a live wedding painter. In today’s episode we discuss taking risks, being a “yes man”, becoming a professional artist, the wedding painting process, giving back, swamp birds, and so much more.
Penn Iarocci and her two partners, Allison Till and Melissa Montgomery, had become disillusioned by the climate-clogging beads and throws that accompany Carnival season. Together, they began to design, create, and source alternative eco-friendly throws. Their business, Epiphany Throws, was born out of their love for New Orleans, and their desire to see it -- and our planet -- better preserved. As they would say, Love the Party. Love the Planet…. And don't be trashy.