Send us a text Cozy Len, a remarkable musician from Zachary, Louisiana, is stepping into the spotlight on the national stage as a contestant on season 26 of NBC's "The Voice" with Team Gwen. Join us as we connect with Cozy to explore his transition from aspiring basketball player to soulful singer, a journey redirected by a wrist injury that led hi…

Send us a text Discover the equestrian world through the eyes of our inspiring guests, Kaylea Marionneaux and Professor Neely Heidorn. Both have unique stories that showcase their love and dedication to horses, from Kaylea’s heartfelt adventures with her beloved horse Smoke to Neely's tales of life with her spirited mare, Daisy. Unravel the opportu…

Send us a text Unlock the secrets to transforming your hospitality business with our latest episode featuring marketing maestro Rob Powell. With an illustrious career that includes stints at Disney and Grand Casinos, Rob shares his unparalleled insights into creating unforgettable customer experiences and building rock-solid brands. Learn why marke…

Send us a text In 2022, we created a safe space for political candidates to amplify their message to our listeners. We stressed over the questions and the logistics, and it was a huge success for all concerned. We’re back to do it again, but this time for the Baton Rouge Mayoral candidates. We invited all 8 candidates, and Mayor President Sharon We…

Send us a text What if you could hear the raw, unfiltered experiences of those who lived through one of the darkest days in American history? In this heart-wrenching episode of Porch and Parish, we are joined by Louie DiVirgilio, a former New York City police officer, and his wife Ambre DiVirgilio, a college student in Manhattan at the time of the …

Send us a text Ever wondered what it's like to be at the heart of Southern hospitality? Join us as Joel Frosch from South Plains Food Company takes us on a flavorful journey through his life in the food service industry. We reminisce about his great-grandma's unforgettable cooking, his go-to comfort food—the Rib-eye Melt—and our shared mission to b…

Send us a text What role can a local gallery play in empowering a community? This week, we celebrate the vibrant spirit of Zachary with DeAndre Lee from Greater Works Gallery and Brittany McLean-Ray, Miss Louisiana Plus America for 2023-24. DeAndre offers a glimpse into his vision for fostering local artistry alongside his wife, while Brittany shar…

Send us a text What if you could combine a passion for fashion with a commitment to community? Join us on Porch Parish as we sit down with Jessica, the remarkable entrepreneur behind Zachary's upcoming Best Co Boutique. From her early days as an LSU graduate in fashion merchandising to managing a Baton Rouge boutique and dabbling in real estate in …

Send us a text Ready to protect your home and family during hurricane season? Learn the essential steps to ensure your home generator is installed safely and legally with insights from City Inspector Scott Masterson and Meter Director Chip Troth. This episode promises to arm you with the knowledge you need to avoid costly mistakes and ensure your g…

Send us a text Ever wondered how a simple holiday activity could transform into a booming local business? Join us as we chat with the dynamic sister duo Bailey and Harper Galloway and their inspiring mom, Ebony McAllister, who turned their popcorn-making fun during the 2020 lockdown into the successful brand, Posh Pop. We explore their journey from…

Send us a text When Courtney Yoes, local art sensation and instructor embodies the spirit of Zachary's vibrant community. We celebrate her influence, from the murals that grace children's play areas through her work in the school system. The narrative deepens as we explore the profound ways art tells stories. We tackle the complex dance of professi…

Send us a text Ever wondered about the myth of a cougar in Rouse's parking lot or chuckled at the thought of a city inspector doubling as a stand-up comic? Join us as Bryant Dixon, the Zachary City Planning and Zoning Director, brings lightness to the serious world of city planning. We bust myths, laugh at Scott Masterson's dad jokes, and unpack th…

Send us a text Discover the transformative power of your backyard as we're joined by Caitlin Robbins from Swampfly Native Landscapes to unravel the secrets of Louisiana's native plant ecosystems. Embrace a journey through the lush diversity of our local flora and fauna, learning how to turn your garden into a certified Louisiana habitat. From the u…

Send us a text Step behind the scenes at the awe-inspiring Louisiana Night Jam with Jay Bennett, and hear firsthand from two-time champion Hannah Stralsova about the high-flying world of water ski jumping. This episode peels back the curtain on the sheer spectacle and athletic prowess on display at Bennett's Water Ski and Wakeboard School. Feel the…

Send us a text Unlock the secrets of Louisiana's economic renaissance as we sit with Adam Knapp, a visionary in the state's push for progress. In a candid discussion, we peel back the layers of local economic strategies and the colorful food culture that not only feeds the body but also fuels the soul of this unique region. From the impact of guber…

Send us a text Imagine the pulse of Baton Rouge's culture and entrepreneurial spirit coming alive right before your ears. Our latest episode takes you on a cultural safari through the city's traditions and innovations with special attention to Baton Rouge Entrepreneurship Week. We wax poetic about our adored BREC parks and debate the merits of the …

Send us a text Have you ever wondered what it takes to capture the essence of a community in print and audio? Jen Gennaro, the creative force behind Porch Parish Zachary's Community Magazine and podcast, joins us for a story-rich tapestry of local flavor and charm. We traverse the journey of Counter Space Zachary's metamorphosis into a cultural cor…

Send us a text Discover the heartbeat of Baton Rouge as Maggi Spurlock from the Baton Rouge Area Chamber joins me, Mike Gennaro, to unravel the city's vibrant local scene. We'll take you down memory lane, mourning the bygone havens of our beloved city while revealing our cherished eateries and music joints that keep the local charm alive. Witness h…

Send us a text Unlock the secrets of commercial insurance with Danette Castellot, the esteemed president of the Louisiana Professional Insurance Agents, who joins us for a riveting episode that will forever change the way you view the intricacies of insurance coverage. Whether it’s the whimsical notion of insuring beloved fictitious characters like…

Send us a text His high school resume includes membership in the Honors Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Future Farmers of America. To wind down, he spends time reading, or camping in the woods with his wife. And he loves his tiny toy breed puppy. These are some unexpected revelations from our interview with the Zachary Police Departm…

Send us a text When Mayor David McDavid decided to swap his morning espresso shots for decaf, little did he know it would be the least surprising change of his first mayoral year. Our fireside chat with him is more than just a cozy conversation—it's a treasure trove of heartfelt anecdotes and city updates that will leave you feeling like an insider…

Send us a text Controversial and resilient—Storm, the spirit worker from Storm Kalmerz Metaphysical Healing Boutique, steps into the booth to tell her side of the story, sharing tales of perseverance against a backdrop of community scrutiny, and offering her perspective on the misunderstandings that shadow spiritual practices like hoodoo and herbal…

Send us a text Ever found yourself daydreaming about the perfect small town, where progress and charm dance in harmony? That's the spirited discussion we waltz into with Ashley McHugh and Bryant Dixon, the visionaries behind Zachary's growth. They're not just the minds shaping our economic and zoning landscapes; they're the beating heart of communi…

Send us a text Hello to all of our listeners in Zachary who tune in every week. We’re back in the groove with new diggs, the winter issue just rolled out last Monday, and we’ve got nothing but good things ahead of us in 2024. While the winter season is a time of new beginnings to most, it is also a time when we can look to those less fortunate that…

Send us a text Welcome back Zachary! When we hit 100 episodes, we took a breather to move to our brand new—actually 120 year old headquarters at Virginia Street in beautiful downtown Zachary. I may not be hosting for the full 120 years, but just take a moment to envision how amazing Zachary could be in that time frame. We’ve got to set that aside f…

Send us a text Coach Little is Zachary Highschool’s Strength & Conditioning coach—and there is nothing little about him, at 6’3 280 pounds, he’s a larger than life human spark plug that enjoys rushing out on the football field with the team and pushing them towards greatness on and off the field. He’s the former strength & conditioning coach at McN…

Send us a text Jack Burk informed us that his mom would be turning 100 on Sunday, December 3rd, so Bre and I took a ride out to their sprawling family estate off Old Scenic Hwy. The driveway was 1 mile long, to give you an idea. We did the interview at the family’s dining room table, so you may hear some uncharacteristic background noise. Coinciden…

Send us a text Host Mike Gennaro welcomes another local entrepreneur, one who many in the Z know simply as Benzer. The Benzer family was featured in the Fall family issue of Porch & Parish. Pick up a magazine at one of more than 50 local rack locations to read the story of how the Benzer House became home for a party of 7. This week we welcome Dust…

Send us a text Host Mike Gennaro welcomes Luke Parks, an incredible young entrepreneur who is also a scholar and athlete and all around great human being. Luke is the owner of Royal Treats, a business that sells frozen, ready-to-bake desserts in stores across Greater Baton Rouge. City Court Judge David Conachen says, “We’re all going to be working …

Send us a text We’ve got the incredible Northwestern Middle School Cross Country coaches in the booth, and Coach David Onellion has just officially handed off the Baton to Coach Justin Doherty. Just a heads up, there are no Batons in XC—it’s a little known sport that is growing in popularity as a Fall sport that allows athletes of all makes and mod…

Send us a text Gardening coach Kellye Jeansonne of Wild Child Kitchen Gardens talks with host Mike Gennaro on a frost versus a freeze, what to dig up and what to plant in the Fall and Winter in this episode of Porch & Parish The Podcast. Change is hard, but we're welcoming a new season! It's time to harvest everything that thrives in the summer bec…

Send us a text Today’s show is all about perspective. We’ve got Rafael Nowicki, Polish-American immigrant and entrepreneur, owner of Biomedical Support Services, Inc. He’s got an incredible story of how he escaped communist Poland with the equivalent of $8.00 in his pocket and made his way to England and then Zachary, Louisiana. Big thanks to the M…

Send us a text At P&P, we’re all about highlighting the best of Zachary, free of negativity and conflict. If you live long enough, we’ve all found ourselves in situations that have challenged our ability to be the bigger person. Today, we’ve got someone who stuck it out with us in the trenches when a neighboring politician was dogging our city to h…

Send us a text Tall tales swirl around the dynamic figure known locally as AEKO, (an abbreviation of his real name, and pronounced “echo”), everyone’s favorite–and only–server at Asian Pearl. And some of them are true. Tune in as AEKO sits down with host Mike Gennaro to talk about his uncanny ability to remember hundreds, maybe thousands, of unique…

Send us a text Hey Zachary, I can feel a change in the air…can you? If you don’t have your Halloween decorations up and a PSL in hand, it’s time to get with the program. We’re going to talk about a unique perspective today, running—yes, if you know me, you know I like to run with my kids, if I can keep up. We’re going to be specifically talking abo…

Send us a text Zachary Mayor David McDavid joins host Mike Gennaro for the quarterly Fireside Chat with the Mayor. Tune in to hear about the progress of road rehab projects, legislative changes, a deep dive into how annexation and taxes from unincorporated areas of the city work, and much more! These quarterly episodes are generously supported thro…

Send us a text Now for today’s topic—Hometown Business with Hometown Pharmacy of Zachary. If you’ve seen the new sign at the former Medical Pharmacy West, now you can get the details about their opening date and more. The name says it all…hometown service that the residents of Zachary expect and certainly deserve. Continuing the long-time legacy of…

Send us a text We’re continuing with our back to school showcase - you’ve heard from the ZHS Band of Blue Drum Majors, district athletic director and Broncos head football coach, Coach Brew, and this week we’re thrilled to have Zachary Schools Superintendent Ben Necaise with us in the booth! If you haven’t yet, go check out his article in the lates…

Send us a text Coach David "Brew" Brewerton is the Zachary Community School District Athletic Director and Head Football Coach of the Zachary High School Broncos. He's back for the second year in a row to talk all things athletics and football as the new school year kicks off! Rumi.ai All-in-one meeting tool with real-time transcription & searchabl…

Send us a text Zachary High School Band of Blue Drum Majors Aaron Westbrook & Sara Lampton tell us what a Drum Major is, how they balance band, school and other extracurriculars, and how you can support local and students through the Band of Blue Foundation! Learn more about the Band of Blue and Band of Blue Foundation by following them on Facebook…

Send us a text Publisher and podcast host Mike Gennaro welcomes editor Jen Gennaro and Bre Smith, managing editor and podcast producer, for an update on all the wonderful things happening at Porch & Parish! From the e-newsletter to Family Dinner and the new Zachary Community School Guide - join us for a candid conversation about our mission and the…

Send us a text Cybersecurity engineer and overall tech guru Jason Day joins host Mike Gennaro for an episode all about - you guessed it - cybersecurity! Jason walks us through best practices for protecting yourself from cyber threats in the home and at work. Rumi.ai All-in-one meeting tool with real-time transcription & searchable Meeting Memory™ S…

Send us a text Coach Sam Barham, long-time Zachary resident and beloved cross country, basketball and track coach with a 46-year-long career talks about overcoming adversity, being there for those who are grieving, and offers a sneak peek into the upcoming We Can Mens Conference he is co-hosting on August 5. Click here to learn more about the We Ca…

Send us a text P&P has has one of the brightest minds we’ve ever managed to coax to our headquarters on High Street, and I’ve asked him to be here to bring talk about how our town can benefit from some of the latest emerging technology. LSU’s incredible Dr. Andrew Schwarz is with us—he’s professor in the Stephenson Entrepreneurship and Information …

Send us a text In this episode, ShredHedz President Travis Gaspard explains leveraging technology to scale business, Zachary’s unique value proposition to larger companies, and walks us through the upcoming Rising Plains Business Center project, which will house the Zachary Business Co-Op. The company is in the process of renovating and rebranding …

Send us a text Kellye Jeansonne of Wild Child Kitchen Gardens is here to give us some summer gardening project management advice and clarify what soil really is once and for all. It's not too hot, too late, or too early to start planting! Kellye gives practical advice for getting started with a garden TODAY. Learn more or sign up for the Wild Child…

Send us a text Today, we'll meet a member of our Zachary extended family. He's a State Farm agency owner, a recently minted podcast host, and a pickleball fanatic who knows how to serve up more than just that. He ain't Jake from State Farm, but let's give a warm welcome to the incredible Cecil Graves! So grab your favorite spot, plug in those earbu…

Send us a text Welcome back to another Zachary local experience. It’s summer, and a lot of you are traveling this week, so we dipped into the archives for one of our all time greatest episodes. We’re airing June 19th or Juneteenth. This day in 1865 is one of the most significant days in American history. Juneteenth commemorates Union Army General G…

Send us a text Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Porch & Parish podcast, where we bring you the stories, insights, and inspiration from the movers, shakers, and story makers of our community. Today, we have a special guest returning to our podcast booth. It's none other than Kenny Nguyen, the CEO and Co-Founder of ThreeSixtyEight Medi…

Send us a text Ladies and gentlemen, welcome, welcome, to another week of engaging home grown stories from the town we all love—I’m talking about the Z. But Zachary wouldn’t be anything without you, so I just want to let you know how grateful I am for you sharing these stories with us. Stories have a way of bringing everyone together, and today, we…