In this episode of Grass & Roots, Toree sits down with Lauren Jones, Executive Director of Shreveport Green, to explore how community-driven environmental work can spark powerful change. From addressing food inequity through mobile markets and urban farming to restoring tree canopies and educating neighbors about sustainability, Lauren shares how Shreveport Green is cultivating a healthier, more connected city. Together, they discuss the role of education, access, and shared responsibility in building a future where both people and the planet can thrive.

In this episode, Toree sits down with Tasha Guidry to explore the challenges and triumphs of community advocacy in Lake Charles, Louisiana. They focus on the ongoing recovery from natural disasters and the importance of understanding individual needs through criminology and life coaching.

The conversation highlights the power of active listening, collaboration with local professionals, and the need to educate communities on available resources and navigating government systems. Toree and Tasha delve into the long-term recovery efforts following hurricanes Laura and Delta, the role of civic engagement and local journalism, and initiatives like Displaced that document the experiences of disaster-affected residents.

Tasha also offers valuable advice for aspiring community advocates, emphasizing passion, empathy, and consistency as the keys to meaningful service work.

In this episode, host Toree sits down with writer and professor Dr. Megan Poole to discuss her journey from Southwest Louisiana. Megan shares how storytelling preserves culture and community identity, emphasizing the importance of local voices in conversations about climate change and cultural preservation. She talks about using writing to foster connection, the need for reciprocal relationships in marginalized communities, and her upcoming projects on sugarcane farming and the history of enslaved individuals in Lake Charles, Louisiana. This conversation highlights the power of listening, storytelling, and understanding cultural histories.