The 318 Experience

#92 - Roderick Rod Williams - Guidance LLC - Former NFL/CFL Athlete

Roderick “Rod” Williams joins The 318 Experience to share his incredible journey from the south side of Monroe to professional football and successful entrepreneurship. A former Richwood High School standout, All-American at Alcorn State, and NFL/CFL athlete, Rod opens up about the challenges of professional sports, transitioning into business, and building Guidance LLC into a company serving hundreds of families across Northeast Louisiana. We discuss mental health, leadership, technology, investing, community impact, and why so many people in Louisiana are carrying stress today. Rod also reflects on being nominated for the 2026 T.H. Scott Award of Excellence and what it means to create opportunities for others in the community he’s always called home.

#91 - Children's Advocacy Center - Jessica Bryant & Mindy Toups

In this episode of The 318 Experience, we sit down with Jessica Bryant and Mindy Toups from the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeast Louisiana to discuss the vital role the CAC plays in supporting child victims and their families. Jessica and Mindy share their personal journeys into this work, what a forensic interview really looks like, and how the CAC provides a unified, trauma-informed approach that reduces stress and protects dignity during incredibly difficult situations. We also dive into the importance of community awareness, prevention, and how everyday people can play a role in protecting children. This is a meaningful and eye-opening conversation about impact, resilience, and hope.

#90 - Soda Jerk - Teal Hoffman

Teal Hoffman, owner of Soda Jerk, joins The 318 Experience to share the journey behind her business—one that began with a calling at just 16 years old. After spending years as a stay-at-home mom and navigating personal challenges, Teal found herself stepping into entrepreneurship at exactly the right time. What started as a leap of faith with her sister quickly turned into a business embraced by the entire community. In this episode, Teal talks about building a brand that’s fun and welcoming, leading with authenticity, breaking free from the competition mindset, and what it really looks like to trust the timing of your life. This conversation is for anyone waiting on their moment—and wondering if it will ever come.

#89 - Verbon R Muhammed Sr. - Monroe City Council Vice Chairman

In this episode of The 318 Experience, Brian sits down with Monroe City Council Vice Chairman Verbon Muhammad, Sr. for a powerful conversation about leadership, community, and the future of Monroe. Verbon shares his journey from growing up in South Monroe to building a 30-year career with Greyhound and eventually stepping into public service. The conversation dives into the realities behind city leadership — from infrastructure challenges and economic development to the deeper issues of crime, education, and community responsibility. They explore the importance of housing, the need for economic growth across all districts, and why improving quality of life requires more than government — it requires people. This episode is honest, thoughtful, and focused on solutions — highlighting what it takes to move a community forward. 00:00 Intro 01:05 Growing Up in South Monroe 04:26 From Band to Business Mindset 08:17 30 Years at Greyhound 12:52 Why He Chose Public Service 24:24 Fixing Schools & Resources 31:18 Stepping Into City Council 37:20 The Truth About Growth 40:05 Housing: The Real Challenge 44:32 Crime & Community Solutions 52:00 Social Media, Culture & Youth 57:40 Economic Development & Opportunities 01:05:40 Quality of Life: Parks, Zoo & Community 01:11:18 Leadership, Conflict & Moving Forward 01:20:00 Unity, Mindset & Community Growth 01:28:36 Final Thoughts & Call to Action

#88 - Tommy Elmore - The Gentleman's School

Tommy Elmore joins The 318 Experience to share a life story marked by hardship, discipline, loss, faith, and purpose. Raised on the south side of Monroe during a difficult era, Tommy talks about bullying, street influence, gang involvement, getting shot at 15, being expelled, earning his GED, and eventually finding structure in the U.S. Army. He opens up about serving as Infantry, becoming a Military Police officer and Drill Sergeant, then facing a devastating bone cancer diagnosis that ended his military career and led to a long season of treatment, addiction, isolation, and rebuilding. He also shares how accountability, education, and a renewed mission led him to Louisiana Delta Community College, where he rebuilt academically, became a school ambassador, earned a 4.0 semester, and continued pursuing his goal of becoming a professor. That journey now fuels the work he and his wife are doing through Gentlemen’s School and “From a Father’s Perspective,” helping boys and girls learn discipline, self-defense, confidence, presentation, and practical life skills. This episode is a powerful conversation about masculinity, family, fatherlessness, resilience, responsibility, and what it means to invest in your community for real. 00:00 – Intro and why Tommy’s work matters 01:55 – Growing up on the south side of Monroe 04:06 – His father, Vietnam, PTSD, and home life 07:25 – Bullying, carrying a knife to school, and the street pull 15:06 – High school spiral: fights, drugs, skipping school 39:29 – Getting shot at 15, GED, college struggles, and choosing the Army 46:23 – Military growth, becoming a Drill Sergeant, and bone cancer diagnosis 55:11 – Isolation, treatment, painkiller addiction, and losing structure 01:06:26 – Why he went back to school and started building toward purpose 01:20:42 – Gentlemen’s School, suits for boys, girls programming, and practical life skills Top 10 timestamps