We found ourselves in New Orleans
NEW EPISODE ALERT!
In this episode, we touch down in New Orleans. We sip sazeracs with ghosts in the legendary French Quarter; we feast in the Garden District on James Beard award-winning coastal Louisiana cuisine; we witness the power of art to preserve history and pave the future of this great city; we sway to the sounds of American music at the legendary Jazz & Heritage Festival; and a blind beignet taste test settles the question: Loretta's or Cafe du Monde? This city celebrates culture with a capital C. This is the WTAF Show: New Orleans.
“But during all these years I had a vague but persistent desire to return to New Orleans. I never forgot New Orleans. And when we were in tropical places and places of those flowers and trees that grow in Louisiana, I would think of it acutely and I would feel for my home the only glimmer of desire I felt for anything outside my endless pursuit of art.”
Here’s my hot take: Our ideas what it means to be an American would be so very different if we spent more than five minutes on New Orleans in U.S. history classes. Founded in 1682, you simply won't find another city here that looks like, sounds like, or tastes like it. Borne of a wide range of Creole, French, African diaspora, Caribbean and Indigenous roots, the impact of this city on American food, art, music and culture is undeniable. And yet, it's often overlooked or left to stereotypes -- think a drunken Mardi Gras, or the lasting scars of devastating hurricanes. Today, New Orleans is rising above its typecasts, with chefs, artists, and community leaders proudly advancing its music, art and food scenes as core to the American experience, not to mention its spiritual side -- right down to the real estate signs. (Haunted. Not Haunted. For real.) Times Square isn't New York, and Bourbon Street sure as hell isn't The Big Easy.
Our raucous dinner party at the James Beard Award-winning Mosquito Supper Club - hot damn, one of the best tasting menu experiences of my life, c/o Chef Melissa Martin. L-R: LaShaunda Pickett-René, moi, Tracy Morgan, Diana O’Gilvie, Asante Salaam.
We love introducing you to the women breaking barriers and building successful businesses in their communities. So when you visit New Orleans, please seek out the chefs, artists and destinations we feature in the episode, listed conveniently here for you in the order of segments:
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest)
Compère Lapin (Chef Nina Compton)
Mosquito Supper Club (Chef Melissa Martin)
New Orleans African American Museum
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 (This is a must-see. Formal filming isn’t permitted thanks to jerks from Hollywood back in the 1960s; however, we were told it’s okay to grab some shots on our phones — so we did! Take the tour and ask for Mary Jo as your guide. Worth every penny.)
Loretta’s Pralines (get the beignets)
Cafe du Monde (ditto)
It isn’t lost on us that the launch of our New Orleans episode coincides with the anniversaries of Hurricanes Katrina (2005) and Ida (2021), both of which made landfall August 29 on this magical city. We spend time discussing the realities of these two storms — and the resilience of New Orleanians — with our guests who lived through them. Mother Nature is not to be messed with, and climate change means the risk to this city is higher than ever. But, we beg you: do not let that deter you from seeing this gem for yourself. We mean it when we say you can’t fully understand the American experience until you visit New Orleans. It’s stood the test of time for more than 300 years, and it’s worth every minute and penny on your own travel wish list. Sending love to the people of New Orleans.
The official 2024 Jazz Fest poster — a coveted collector’s item!
Finally, a big thanks to our show sponsor, BetterHelp. We say “Travel Like a Woman” because travel is an act of personal wellness. An act of self-care. An act of protest. An act of pure joy. An act of inspiration.
For GenX women like me, we’re experiencing massive physical, mental, emotional and relational changes. Some of us are still slaying at our careers, or juggling multiple jobs, or just getting started with new business ideas or startups. Some are empty nesters with more time to invest (finally) in ourselves. Some are caring for aging parents, kids, or both. Add to this the reality of a challenging time: Generational shifts, wars and conflicts, politics, women’s rights hanging by a thread, and so much more.
The good news: We’re doing more than ever to keep our bodies moving, our minds healthy, and our lives in a meaningful state.
When I travel, I don’t take a break from taking care of myself. I’m no longer a Spring Break party queen, though I can still put down a pint of beer in less than 5 seconds. (True story.) And while I do still eat and drink everything I can while on location, the version of me today still works fitness and wellness into every trip. My mobile phone, smart watch and apps make this so much easier to do, from staying in touch with my personal training coach (even on leg days, ugh) to my therapist.
I’ve been a BetterHelp patient since 2023, and I just love it. The access to my licensed therapist via the app makes it easy for me to stay connected and mindful of my mental wellbeing, no matter where I am in the world.
BetterHelp connects you with a professional who is trained to listen and give you helpful, unbiased advice. Getting started is a snap: First, use our link below, or visit https://betterhelp.com and use code: WTAF for 10% off your first month of services. Answer a few questions, and BetterHelp will match you to a professional who has years of experience helping people with mental wellness needs just like yours.
Remember: We don’t have to age the way our mothers and grandmothers did. We can and should live life—and age, and travel—on our own terms.
Take the trip to New Orleans - it’s an act of self-care. Travel like a woman!
It’s been a whirlwind of a summer here in the U.S. — and not as many Substacks were published as I planned. But the good news is that we’ve been doing what we love: traveling, eating, taking in great art experiences, spending time with our loved ones, and making this new episode. We hope your summer has been a peach, too, and you’ve spent time doing the things that call to you.
As ever, we’re here to inspire you to #TravelLikeAWoman. We showcase the women chefs, artists, and entrepreneurs who have an impact on their local communities—and whose stories have gone untold for far too long.
Now, we’re mapping out the next episode for this show. We film on location in October! Any ideas where we’re going next? Drop your guess here!
If you’re on the socials, give us a follow on Instagram, Threads, TikTok and Facebook — we post tons of content, from behind the scenes footage from each episode to timely observations. (And despite what you see, no, I’m not demure. No fun in that!)
Until next time — KG
