We got lots of ground to cover on this episode! We’re gonna be talking about why we’ll never stop loving the South and many of the things that we learned from this podcast. As many of you know, we started this show 6 years ago this week. November of 2018!  We’ve come a long way in terms of our podcast. We have a better format, flow, editing, sound, yes, we still say “um” and get things wrong from time to time, but overall we are really, really proud of the last 255 episodes. We’ve covered SO...

We wanted to take time to address how to walk out your relationships and hospitality head on before the election results are tallied. How we do those things practically do not change dependent on circumstances or election outcomes. Join us at the table as we discuss how we plan to do this.  This particular episode is going to feel a bit more built on our Christian faith because that is the only way we know how to walk out loving people who think differently than we do. Honestly, we don’t have...

Clearly, we are lovers of the American South. There are many facets to this diamond of a region, but it has been the birthplace of almost all of the music genres. This great nation has join us at the table as we discuss western swing. Western swing is a combination of many genres, including blues, jazz, polka, country, and more. It's characterized by a strong dance rhythm and the use of electrically amplified stringed instruments, like the steel guitar. Let’s not forget that the point of this...

New Orleans, Louisiana has produced some of the most interesting culture in the great U.S. of A. Join us at the table, as we discuss New Orleans jazz; sometimes called Dixieland jazz.  Mentioned in this episode: Preservation Hall: https://www.preservationhall.comNew Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: https://www.nojazzfest.comSpotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0iMiZcvIy26MqHQln5kkrIPrevious episodes referenced:1. Southern Wedding Traditions:...

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville, South Carolina offers visitors a unique blend of traditional Southern charm and contemporary cool you won’t find anywhere else. Join us at the table as we discuss our new favorite South Carolina gem, Greenville.. THIS PLACE IS SO GREAT. Whether you love the outdoors, coffee shops, museums or shopping, there are so many treasures to discover. Mentioned in this episode:  Greenville Bike...

***If you’d like to support efforts for the horrific damage Hurricane Helene cause in the Southeast, we are recommending any of the organizations below*** Hope Force International: https://www.hopeforce.org/ Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/ Morgan Wallen Foundation: http://bit.ly/HELPAfterHelene Born and raised in Sneedville, Tenn, country singer Morgan Wallen has been on a trajectory of stardom that many never would have imagined.  Join us at the table as we discuss the...

***If you’d like to support efforts for the horrific damage Hurricane Helene cause in the Southeast, we are recommending any of the organizations below*** Hope Force International: https://www.hopeforce.org/ Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/ Morgan Wallen Foundation: http://bit.ly/HELPAfterHelene 250 episodes is pretty epic, so today we are covering one of our favorite cities! Whether you were a history buff, foodie an architecture lover or a beach bum, Charleston, South...

***If you’d like to support efforts for the horrific damage Hurricane Helene cause in the Southeast, we are recommending any of the organizations below*** Hope Force International: https://www.hopeforce.org/ Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/ Morgan Wallen Foundation: http://bit.ly/HELPAfterHelene Nashville’s Big Back Yard is a natural watershed region anchored by 100 miles of the historic Natchez Trace Parkway and made up of 12 connected communities with populations under...

***If you’d like to support efforts for the horrific damage Hurricane Helene cause in the Southeast, we are recommending any of the organizations below*** Hope Force International: https://www.hopeforce.org/ Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/ Morgan Wallen Foundation: http://bit.ly/HELPAfterHelene Highlands, NC is one of the highest towns east of the Mississippi River, with an elevation of 4,118 feet. It's also located in one of the few temperate rainforests in North...

Every region has its own culture of music, dance, food, language, faith expressions, and more. With the fast pace of life these days, it takes intentionality to keep those aspects of culture alive. Here in Franklin, Tennessee, we have someone keeping square dancing and clogging alive. Join us at the table as we sit with Tommy Jackson to hear about his Rocky Top Revue. Tommy Jackson is a native of Franklin, Tennessee and has literally been dancing longer than we’ve been alive! He formed the...

Southern writers are at a bit of an advantage in that we have a powerful sense of place, but mostly we know characters. We ARE characters. We come from families, neighborhoods, churches, and kinfolk that are the stuff you think is made up, but only slightly. We love an embellished story. We are storytellers. To be southern is to be a good storyteller. Join us at the table as we discuss male southern authors. We already did an episode on female southern authors. You can listen to that...

Sacred Harp singing is a tradition of sacred choral music sung a capella that did not originate in the South but has been kept alive in the South. The 4-tone scale, fa-sol-la-mi, is sung by reading notes shaped in a triangle, circle, square or diamond. Join us at the table as we discuss this unique tradition! Intro Music: “St. Thomas” - https://sacredharpbremen.org/34b-st-thomas/If you want to see how Nicole Kidman and Jude Law would look singing shape notes. Check out the movie COLD MOUNTAIN...

Leiper's Fork, Tennessee is a place of tranquility, charm, green rolling hills, art and music. With a population of just under 1,000 people this unincorporated area formerly known as Hillsboro, TN covers 1,100 acres 30 miles southwest of Nashville. "If Sunday morning had a hometown, the charming village of Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee might very well be it." Join us at the table as we discuss one of our absolute favorite places in TN. Mentioned in this episode: The Land Trust of Tennessee:...

"Any discussion about American music that doesn’t include Muscle Shoals, Alabama isn’t really a discussion at all.” That’s a direct quote from the website of FAME STUDIOS. We had a chance to visit Muscle Shoals and the 2 studios that stayed undercover for most of the 60’s and 70’s while legends came to record with a producer and a rhythm section that should be household names. Join us at the table as we discuss the music of Muscle Shoals. If you’re a big Lynyrd Skynyrd fan you may have...

Museums of Dallas Dallas has a vibrant arts scene that keep someone busy for days on end. Museums offer so much to explore from classes, films, lectures, and it really helps expand your horizons. The Dallas Arts District is just 6 miles from Love Field Airport (Southwest’s hub)! So let’s discuss several of the museums that we’ve visited in the Big D. Mentioned in this episode:  Visit Dallas is a GREAT resource for you to use when planning: https://www.visitdallas.comDallas Museum of Art (The...

For many, Memorial Day is the official start of summer, kicked off with a large parade and a celebration of the men and women who gave their lives so we could have the freedom to enjoy our own. But up until 1971, this day was simply known as "Decoration Day.” Join us at the table as we discuss this important tradition. Mentioned on this episode: Would you consider financially supporting this show? Here’s where you can do that: https://linktr.ee/steelmagnoliasPole and hooks to keep your flag...

Louisiana is known as a “Sportsman‘s Paradise”, but due to its location, it has also seen more than its share of natural disasters from hurricanes. Join us at the table, to hear about a grassroots effort for sportsman and sports women to join forces in an effort to help their neighbors when disaster strikes. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005 Todd Terrell, Founded the United Cajun Navy. Katrina brought about not just a need for supplies, but also a need for BOATS. The United Cajun Navy is a...

Located on the sea islands of South Carolina and Georgia are communities of people who are descendants of enslaved Africans. They have a unique culture that is directly linked to West Africa. In South Carolina, this group of African-Americans and the language they speak are referred to as Gullah, and in Georgia they are called Geechee. Many historians believe the word Gullah comes from Angola a West African country from which many of the slaves came. Another idea is that Gullah is from the...

If walls could talk, the Steel Magnolia Bed & Breakfast in Natchitoches would have hundreds of stories to tell. The home is located in Natchitoches, Louisiana where the writer of the play, Robert Darling, originally grew up. The 1989 film was shot here in this very small town and today the central home to this story is run as a bed & breakfast.  Can you imagine Sally Field, Shirley McLaine, Julia Roberts, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton and Daryl Hannah all coming to your very small...

We’re discussing the show that made country music famous! The Grand Ole Opry is the longest running radio show; turning 100 next year! With an ever changing lineup of musicians, each performance is broadcast to a global audience via WSM radio, SiriusXM and Circle. We got to sit down with our dear friend, Sean Dietrich to discuss his debut Opry experience, so join us at the table as we discuss the gem that still makes Music City grand. Places to listen: Circle, Facebook, YouTube, WSM and...

Baton Rouge is the capital city of Louisiana and sits right on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River. If you want to experience history and culture galore in a family friendly setting Baton Rouge is the city for you! Big thanks to Tamara Williams at Visit Baton Rouge for making this trip so much fun! To help plan your trip you can find great information at VisitBatonRouge.com Connect with Visit Baton Rouge:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visitbatonrougeFacebook:...

According to the Library of Congress, in 1862 President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, opened the door for African-Americans to enlist in the Union Army. Although many had wanted to join the war effort earlier, they were prohibited from enlisting by a federal law dating back to 1792. President Lincoln had also feared that if he authorized their recruitment, border states would secede from the Union. By the end of the U.S. Civil war, almost 200,000 African-American soldiers had joined...

It’s the most sought after ticket by golf fans…. We are talking today about The Masters held annually at Augusta National Golf Club in AUGUSTA, GA.   Special thanks to these contributors: Curtis Barman, John & May Bumpus, Jeremy Carlson, Charles Phillips, Bill Reeves and Mark Stiver   7 Famous MASTERS Golf Tournament Recipes You Must Try: https://bit.ly/3sIRHLl  Follow this link and set up an account to APPLY - https://tickets.masters.com/en_US/ticketsInfo Steel Magnolias Podcast is an...

It's Holy Week. Passion Week. The week that we celebrate the game changing moment of ALL time. We couldn't let the resurrection of Jesus go without a mention this week. Enjoy a quick bonus episode from us on Easter! Mentioned on this episode: Steel Magnolias episode: https://steelmagnoliaspodcast.com/episode/re-visit-steel-magnolias"Sacred Seasons: A Family Guide to Center Your Year Around Jesus” - https://amzn.to/3PF6W5lEaster Now App - https://easternow.com/Resurrection Rolls recipe...