Great bookstores, vibrant local music scene and fun, casual pizza joints and coffee shops are just a few of the reasons we love college towns. Join us at the table as we discuss some of the great college towns we have across the American South. We did our best to represent a large spread: 10 towns from 10 states. Episodes Referenced: College Football Traditions: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/steel-magnolias-podcast/id1442852139?i=1000448448565Presidential...

The chain of barrier islands that skirts the coast of North Carolina from the Virginia border to Cape Lookout was once remote. Today the Outer Banks is one of America’s most popular vacation destinations; welcoming millions of visitors each year! We had the opportunity to sit down with author and Outer Banks native Clark Twiddy. He chronicles the region's journey from isolation to popularity through the stories of innovators and risktakers. Clark Twiddy grew up in Duck, NC and has watched...

We have found two Southern Jewish women that share our passion in preserving history around the dinner table! We are sitting down with Rachel Gordon Barnett and Lyssa Kligman Harvey, two lifelong South Carolinians, to discuss the intersection of traditional Jewish dishes with classic Southern ingredients and African American culinary traditions.  The American South boasts some of the oldest communities of people of Jewish faith. In the 1600s Jewish people began settling in Charleston, South...

We are revisiting one of our all time favorite topics to discuss… College Football Traditions rule and reign on Saturdays in the South and we are going school by school to discuss! We also mentioned that previous guest, Elizabeth Heiskell, is now available for catering at Ole Miss home games - https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw-frzWrQYE/ or website - https://www.elizabethheiskell.com/Best College Traditions - https://bit.ly/2Pp6ZW4Biggest College Rivalries - https://bit.ly/2MKJg0vMobituaries -...

In 1955, two Georgia neighbors opened up a restaurant that would change the world.  Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner were living in Avondale Estates, GA, when they decided to open a 24-hour, sit-down restaurant for their friends and neighbors, focused on people on both sides of the counter.  That first restaurant opened the door to create the Waffle House brand that you see today. We love this place and hope you have a Waffle House near you! Here are some references made during today's...

Fort Worth, Texas is often known as the sister city to Dallas, but it has an old west culture that is quite distinct. Join us at the table as we discuss the beauties of Cowtown! Let’s dive into the 12th largest city in the U.S…. Stops mentioned: Historic Stockyard District: https://www.fortworthstockyards.org/Stockyard Museum: http://www.stockyardsmuseum.org/ML Leddy’s: http://leddys.com/Cowtown Opry: https://www.cowtownopry.org/Cattlemen’s Steak...

Get your last minute wear on white yall! Pools are closing, school is starting and sales are happening on mattresses and appliances.  Join us at the table as we discuss the roots of Labor Day and how we like to celebrate. Let’s have a Labor Day cookout! We did say cookout — and we mean that. It’s not a BBQ although there could be BBQ there…but don’t count on it Ideas for what to make: Strawberry Spinach Salad - https://www.wellplated.com/spinach-strawberry-salad/Cucumber Salad...

The Golden Isles   Halfway between Savannah, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida lies a nature-lover’s dream vacation spot: The Golden Isles. These Georgia islands have something for everybody, from luxurious accommodations and great golf courses to more modest spots with marsh lands and bike trails for outdoor exploration.  Lainie personally spent some time this summer at Jekyll Island, but we will also discuss St. Simon Island, Little St. Simon Island, Sea Island,  and Brunswick (port...

Today we will be discussing the importance of recipes in the continuation of family heritage. Using food as a means to bridge generations one to another, we hope this discussion will inspire you to head back to the family dinner table to hear from one another, learn about your past, and figure out where you fit in the bigger story of your family's future.    One mentioned podcast episode we referred back to is "Southern Cookbooks." Link to that episode...

We are back after a much-needed summer break from podcasting!   If you are new, welcome, if you’ve been with us for a while now, you know what to expect and we hope you still feel very welcome here!   We're discussing summer birthdays, the best BLT Lainie has ever eaten, our speaking engagement at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Jekyll Island, Savannah, the best (and only) icebox pie Laura Beth has ever made, the county fair and much, much more!   If yall aren’t subscribed,...

There is one southerner who has given us all a soundtrack that celebrates the coastal life and just screams "summer is here." That person is Jimmy Buffett! Join us at the table as we discuss Buffett and his Parrot Head clubs that were also born in the South.   Magnolia Margarita: (The kick of jalapeño with the sweet of a southern peach) 2 oz tequila 1 1/2 oz peach brandy  3/4 oz freshly squeezed lime juice 1/2 oz orange liqueur  Optional to sweeten: 1/2 oz agave  Elevated Craft...

Some people really are just gifted in having an eye to see an alternative use for something old of the everyday items. We got the chance to sit down with our friend Laura Stockett Roberts to talk about some of the hidden gems she's found at flea markets, antique malls and estate sales. Join us for a fun conversation with a veteran collector, and true southerner! Previous Episode Mentioned: Estate Sales & Hidden...

Dockery Farms was established by Will Dockery in 1895 to produce cotton, America’s most important export of the 19th and early 20th century. African Americans who came to Dockery to cultivate cotton created a culture that inspired the music we know as the Blues. In the words of B.B. King “You might say it all started right here.” We took a trip to see the farm for ourselves on the Mississippi Blues Trail so meet as at the table for more adventures from the Delta….   If you follow this show...

Owensboro, KY is barely considered in the South, yet the culture of bluegrass music, bourbon, and BBQ as well as the people seemed very Southern to Lainie, who is fresh off a weekend away! She’s here to share her experiences and y’all know she travels well and packs it in, so get ready to learn all about the 4th largest city in the state of Kentucky!   Mentions:   Bluegrass  Hall of Fame & Museum - https://www.bluegrasshall.org/ Hampton Inn - Riverfront was a great hotel! Lots of...

Jeremy Parsons, media personality, of People, Today, GMA, Rachel Ray and all the red carpet awards shows, has graciously come to Lainie’s kitchen table to interview us for this milestone episode.   After 200 episodes, we are so grateful to know the star of the show: THE SOUTH and to have incredible listeners that share our affinity for southern culture. You guys are the best.... and if no one listened this show would be pointless, so THANKS Y'ALL!   TODAY is a good day to share this show...

We are excited to occasionally drop in episodes we are gonna call "meet the maker." This is our first installment of meet the maker and we are excited to introduce you to another double-named southern, Mary Landrum! Mary Landrum Pyron is the owner and artist behind ML provisions. Her unique talents, vision, and sense of adventure led her to Wyoming for five years where she learned the art of hat making. She’s returned to her Mississippi roots, and is now the first and only custom felt hat...

Charles Philip Arthur George also known as Charles III is King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other commonwealth realms. On May 6, 2023, The Archbishop of Canterbury will lead the coronation for King Charles. We recently sat down for tea with our friend and former guest, Laura Stockett Roberts, to discuss ways us southerners can celebrate and the origins of taking tea. Laura is a native of Mississippi and lives here in Nashville with her husband and sons. She creates fantastic videos that...

A destination in its own right with its vibrant, downtown shops and restaurants must see attractions and great hotels. The charming Delta town of Cleveland, Mississippi is just over 100 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee. A city of 12,000 named after President Grover Cleveland, the town began formation in 1869 as people moved inland from the Mississippi River. Join us as we explore the adventures we had in Cleveland, Mississippi. We stayed at The Cotton House - Located in the heart of the...

If you’ve listened to this podcast for a while now, you know that the tone of the show is to share uplifting conversations about life in the South, and today is no exception. Last Monday, March 27,  2023 our city of Nashville faced devastating heartbreak through a school shooting that took the lives of 3 children and 3 adults including the head of the school Katherine Koonce, a dear friend to Lainie for the last 23 years. Today, we wanted to give space for honoring Katherine in a personal way...

Sunday Dinner in the South was once a staple that would never have been missed no matter what demands were on the family.  These days the schedules are tighter and the food requests are lighter. Today we’re taking a look at what makes this tradition important and sit down with Lauren McDuffie, a Charleston, SC-based cookbook author, food writer, stylist and photographer for some ideas on how we can lighten up Sunday Dinner in the South.   We got to catch up with Lauren McDuffie creator of...

If you have visitors coming to stay with you, your hospitably is about to be on the main stage and we want to help you SHINE! Your preparation will make your guest feel expected and welcome. We are sharing all kinds of tips on this episode to get you excited AND prepared to host.    Mentions: Boll & Branch Sheets - Sleep better at night with luxurious, silky sheets available in 10 different colors. Get 15% off your first order with promo code STEELMAGNOLIAS at...

Atlanta, Georgia is the largest metropolitan area of the southeast and has no shortage of things to do for its visitors. Lainie made a short trip to taken a few things she had not experienced as a resident in the mid-90s as well as one place that she has frequented, but not since it’s renovation! Join us at the table to hear about her urban adventure. Luxury bus, Vonlane, a private jet on wheels! This is a first class experience that goes from one nice hotel pick up in one city to another...

Cajun and Creole culture has made Louisiana truly one of the most interesting areas of the American South. These two ethnic groups have their own unique history, cuisine, culture and traditions. Meet us at the table to discuss some of the similarities and differences of cajun and creole.   New Orleans Jazz Festival - April 28 - May 7, 2023 - https://www.nojazzfest.com You can share, connect and support this show in a variety of ways: Text friends and make sure they have a link to the...

As the name states, the word revival simply put is when something is revived. But what exactly? In terms of faith, theologian and preacher Jonathan Edwards once said, "Revival is the Acceleration & Intensification of the normal work of the Holy Spirit."  We think people and places are shaped by such moves so today we are discussing Southern Revivals. What happens in revival? How is that different than an awakening? What impact did any of the documented revivals in the US have on the...

We love this story! Today we are talking all things "Steel Magnolias" from the play to the movie. Disclaimer: there are lots of spoilers in this episode, so if you haven't yet seen it we encourage you to do that first! This was a fun episode but also a hard one because the story of Steel Magnolias is sad, and yes, we cried in talking about it, and no, we did not edit all of that out. We're real. We're Steel and We're Magnolias! You can share, connect and support this show in a variety of...