In this episode of Retire Southern, James Lewis travels to the Lowcountry to explore what it really takes to grow oysters the right way. Recorded on the water at Charleston Oyster Farm, this conversation dives into mariculture, stewardship, and the patience required to work in rhythm with tides, weather, and nature itself.

You will hear how oyster farming works from seed to harvest, why Charleston oysters reflect the place they are grown, and what it means to build a sustainable operation from the ground up. From navigating years of permitting to delivering oysters to local restaurants just hours after harvest, this episode offers a rare look behind the scenes of a working waterfront.

A thoughtful conversation about place, responsibility, and why sometimes the best path forward is learning to grow with the flow.

Charleston Oyster Farm Website

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In this episode of Retire Southern, James sits down with Chris Hall, one of the South's most influential hospitality leaders and the co-founder of Unsukay Restaurant Group. From childhood memories shaped around a family dinner table to the intense kitchens that forged his career, Chris shares a story filled with grit, generosity, and the belief that food connects us all.

You will hear how Muss & Turners, Local Three, MTH Pizza, and Roshambo came to life, why Chris never wanted to wake up at sixty and wonder what if, and how a tragedy inside their restaurant family sparked the creation of Giving Kitchen, the James Beard Award winning nonprofit that now serves hospitality workers across the country.

This conversation explores the heart of Southern dining, the evolution of intentional hospitality spaces like Warhorse and Seahorse, the dishes you absolutely cannot miss at each of his restaurants, and why human connection sits at the center of everything Chris and his team create.

A powerful episode rooted in purpose, humor, honesty, and the reminder that life is too short to wait for someday.

Explore Unsukay: https://unsukay.com/

Explore Giving Kitchen: https://unsukay.com/giving/

In this episode of Retire Southern, Steve Nygren shares the remarkable story behind Serenbe, the pioneering wellness community tucked into the hills of Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia. Steve opens up about the Monday morning he woke up, stepped off the corporate treadmill, and completely rewrote the script of his life. What began as a quiet escape to the country became the spark for a movement built on radical common sense.

Steve reflects on the moment a bulldozer flattening a nearby forest pushed him from observer to advocate, and how that single wake-up call inspired a new model for community living. Guided by nature, human connection, and intentional design, Serenbe's story is a reminder that our surroundings shape our lives more than we realize.

We talk about free-range kids, uncaged elders, clustered neighborhoods, and why designing around nature—not on top of it—creates healthier, happier people. Steve also shares what it means to protect green space, build with purpose, and create a place where people can breathe again.

If you've ever felt the pull to step out of the rat race, reset your priorities, or rethink what "home" should feel like, this conversation is your invitation to explore a different way of living.

Explore Serenbe. Explore Steve's new book. Explore what's possible when you stop waiting for someday.

Listen now and share with someone who's craving a life lived with more intention.

Explore Serenbe: https://www.serenbe.com/visit
Buy the Book: Start In Your Own Backyard

In this episode of Retire Southern, host James Lewis sits down with Coy Bowles — Grammy-winning guitarist, songwriter, and children's author best known for his work with the Zac Brown Band — to explore how music, family, and purpose intersect in a life built on creativity and gratitude.

From his "blue-collar Wonder Years" upbringing in Thomaston, Georgia, to writing hits like Colder Weather and Knee Deep, Bowles shares how his Southern roots shaped his storytelling — and how fatherhood and faith now fuel his passion for inspiring others.

He also opens up about his newest children's book, Every Amazing Story, co-written with Malcolm Mitchell, and his mission to help young readers across Georgia discover the power of imagination and literacy.

In this episode of Retire Southern, we sit down with Kevin Ouzts, founder of The Spotted Trotter, sharing how his entrepreneurial spirit, grit, and dedication to the craft has shaped a slow food legacy with a Southern twist. Learn how he built one of the nation's most respected charcuterie houses with the trademark, New American Charcuterie, and how his story defines what it means in the context of living well in the South.

In this episode of Retire Southern, we sit down with Erica Tuggle, founder of Livin, a meal service that connects professional chefs with busy families for healthy, affordable, home-cooked dinners and gatherings. Recorded inside James and Amanda's home, Erica shares how Livin helps families reclaim their time, build better habits, and support local chefs. If you've ever asked "What's for dinner?" one too many times—this episode is for you.

Charleston doesn't just tell its history—it haunts it. In this episode of Retire Southern, we meet Mike Brown, historian and host of the Pleasing Terrors Podcast and ghost tour. Mike shares how his fascination with Charleston's darker past led to a podcast praised for both its research and atmosphere. From personal paranormal encounters at the Old Jail House to historical truths buried under decades of myth, Mike gives us a front-row seat to the ghost stories that still linger in the Holy City. Listen now to hear how storytelling, history, and hauntings come together in one unforgettable tour.

Cristi Kavanaugh caught her first wave at 38 — and built a business that helps others catch theirs, too. In this episode of Retire Southern, host James Lewis visits Cristi at her St. Simons Island home to talk surfing, custom skimboards, community events, and the much anticipated opening of the KavPar Boardsports storefront. Whether you're a beach lover, parent, or entrepreneur, Cristi's story of confidence and coastal connection will leave you inspired. Catch the full episode and book surf camps at kavparcustoms.com.