Missions Bayou

The New Orleans Flooding Solution Nobody Talks About with Urban Conservancy

Emily Snyder is a Program Manager at Urban Conservancy. We sat down with Emily to talk about how Urban Conservancy is helping build a greener, healthier, and more resilient New Orleans through stormwater management, native plants, tree advocacy, and community-driven environmental education. From protecting the city’s tree canopy to helping residents better understand green infrastructure, Emily shares how small actions can create a major impact across neighborhoods. We also dive into Urban Conservancy’s work with local schools, volunteer programs, and community projects focused on reducing flooding, improving urban habitats, and making environmental advocacy more accessible for everyday residents. Emily explains why trees are one of the city’s most valuable resources, how native plants strengthen local ecosystems, and what New Orleanians can do to get involved in protecting the environment around them. Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. Missions Bayou is hosted by Maya McGee and Brenna Gourgeot. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Brenna Gourgeot is a community organizer and data analyst focused on socioeconomic and environmental justice in Southeast Louisiana. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates. Follow Comfy Stone: Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3pFcFNUYko2OEJEVmhYcFU2UExZbzFuNElNQXxBQ3Jtc0tsYWUzRHlNOWJLaTIyV1hUX1ZaV0VVUkotTTNFaHc2ZjAyOXlWNUNaa3lQbHI1Q0NwT2hTenlCWjJveFJtY3dkZldXQ09ndlRUcDJGakVidzNVTVJ0TkpObmNsUU8xUy1XVFB1VEJXTjdwcTRyNEZTSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleducentertainment%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/ [https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/] Website: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazB5cGdlS3lWOEUweF9uLUJMUkpsSmViY1ZaZ3xBQ3Jtc0trS2pINUlfYkNLaE50SE9qdzRvXzNJSS1NUmo4NzNnVmxWblNjaDY4YjJEZHpwMS1vT2pBR29xR0E4M3lnbzBVYUhORDlwT3JPNmQxRmQtbmIyRmNmVnNjYWFZQVBiZVpGUGVhV2huZ2FSWjhpQW15WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleducentertainment.com%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.comfystone.com/ [https://www.comfystone.com/]

The Emotional Reality of the NICU with Saul's Light

As part of our Maternal Health Month series this May, we’re highlighting the voices, organizations, and conversations shaping the future of care for families in New Orleans. Joined by guest host Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and host of the Little Brain Campaign podcast, we’re bringing added perspective to these important conversations. Throughout the month, we’re diving into the realities of maternal health, the gaps that still exist, and the people working every day to create safer, more supportive systems for parents. Kimberly Novod is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Saul’s Light, a Louisiana nonprofit dedicated to supporting NICU families and families experiencing infant loss. We sat down with Kimberly to talk about the realities of navigating the NICU, the emotional toll that premature birth and infant loss can have on families, and how Saul’s Light is creating a community of support through peer mentorship, advocacy, mental health resources, and direct assistance for parents across Louisiana. We also dive into the larger maternal health challenges facing Louisiana, including transportation barriers, healthcare inequities, access to donor milk, and the importance of family-centered NICU care. Kimberly shares how Saul’s Light is working alongside hospitals, healthcare professionals, and lawmakers to create lasting change for mothers, babies, and bereaved families while building a future where every family has access to the care and support they deserve. Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. The Missions Bayou Maternal Health series is hosted by Maya McGee and Dr. Lauren LaRose. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Dr. Lauren LaRose is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist and the host of The Little Brain Campaign Podcast. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates. Follow Comfy Stone Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3pFcFNUYko2OEJEVmhYcFU2UExZbzFuNElNQXxBQ3Jtc0tsYWUzRHlNOWJLaTIyV1hUX1ZaV0VVUkotTTNFaHc2ZjAyOXlWNUNaa3lQbHI1Q0NwT2hTenlCWjJveFJtY3dkZldXQ09ndlRUcDJGakVidzNVTVJ0TkpObmNsUU8xUy1XVFB1VEJXTjdwcTRyNEZTSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleducentertainment%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/ [https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/] Website: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazB5cGdlS3lWOEUweF9uLUJMUkpsSmViY1ZaZ3xBQ3Jtc0trS2pINUlfYkNLaE50SE9qdzRvXzNJSS1NUmo4NzNnVmxWblNjaDY4YjJEZHpwMS1vT2pBR29xR0E4M3lnbzBVYUhORDlwT3JPNmQxRmQtbmIyRmNmVnNjYWFZQVBiZVpGUGVhV2huZ2FSWjhpQW15WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleducentertainment.com%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.comfystone.com/ [https://www.comfystone.com/] Follow The Little Brain Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign [https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign] Website: https://www.littlebraincampaign.com/ [https://www.littlebraincampaign.com/]

From Crisis to Care: Improving Maternal Health with Clover

As part of our Maternal Health Month series this May, we’re highlighting the voices, organizations, and conversations shaping the future of care for families in New Orleans. Joined by guest host Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and host of the Little Brain Campaign podcast, we’re bringing added perspective to these important conversations. Throughout the month, we’re diving into the realities of maternal health, the gaps that still exist, and the people working every day to create safer, more supportive systems for parents. Chante Lewis is the Senior Director of Program Operations at Clover. We talk with her about how Clover is addressing Louisiana’s maternal health crisis through its Parents as Educators program, a home-based model that equips parents to be their child’s first teacher while also providing critical prenatal and postpartum support. From in-home visits with educators, nurses, and doulas to streamlined access to services like WIC and Healthy Start, this approach is designed to reduce barriers and better support families during and after pregnancy. We also dive into the real impact this model is having, from dramatic reductions in low birth weight and negative birth outcomes to major improvements in early childhood development. Chante shares how Clover’s wraparound, community-driven care is changing outcomes not just for babies, but for entire families, and why expanding this model across Louisiana could transform maternal health on a larger scale. Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. The Missions Bayou Maternal Health series is hosted by Maya McGee and Dr. Lauren LaRose. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Dr. Lauren LaRose is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist and the host of The Little Brain Campaign Podcast. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates. Follow Comfy Stone Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3pFcFNUYko2OEJEVmhYcFU2UExZbzFuNElNQXxBQ3Jtc0tsYWUzRHlNOWJLaTIyV1hUX1ZaV0VVUkotTTNFaHc2ZjAyOXlWNUNaa3lQbHI1Q0NwT2hTenlCWjJveFJtY3dkZldXQ09ndlRUcDJGakVidzNVTVJ0TkpObmNsUU8xUy1XVFB1VEJXTjdwcTRyNEZTSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleducentertainment%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/ [https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/] Website: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazB5cGdlS3lWOEUweF9uLUJMUkpsSmViY1ZaZ3xBQ3Jtc0trS2pINUlfYkNLaE50SE9qdzRvXzNJSS1NUmo4NzNnVmxWblNjaDY4YjJEZHpwMS1vT2pBR29xR0E4M3lnbzBVYUhORDlwT3JPNmQxRmQtbmIyRmNmVnNjYWFZQVBiZVpGUGVhV2huZ2FSWjhpQW15WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleducentertainment.com%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.comfystone.com/ [https://www.comfystone.com/] Follow The Little Brain Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign [https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign] Website: https://www.littlebraincampaign.com/ [https://www.littlebraincampaign.com/]

How Advocacy Is Reshaping Maternal Health with Birthmark Doula Collective

As part of our Maternal Health Month series this May, we’re highlighting the voices, organizations, and conversations shaping the future of care for families in New Orleans. Joined by guest host Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and host of the Little Brain Campaign podcast, we’re bringing added perspective to these important conversations. Throughout the month, we’re diving into the realities of maternal health, the gaps that still exist, and the people working every day to create safer, more supportive systems for parents. Dr. Victoria Williams is the Advocacy Director at Birthmark Doula Collective, a cooperative dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for pregnant and parenting families. We sit down with Dr. Williams to explore how Birthmark provides full-spectrum care through doula services, lactation support, and postpartum resources, while also building a movement centered on reproductive justice and community empowerment. We also dive into the critical role advocacy plays in shaping maternal health outcomes, especially for Black birthing people who continue to face disproportionate risks. Dr. Williams breaks down current policy efforts like paid family leave, the importance of having support during birth, and what it will take to create a healthcare system that truly supports families before, during, and after childbirth. Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. The Missions Bayou Maternal Health series is hosted by Maya McGee and Dr. Lauren LaRose. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Dr. Lauren LaRose is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist and the host of The Little Brain Campaign Podcast. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates. Follow Comfy Stone Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3pFcFNUYko2OEJEVmhYcFU2UExZbzFuNElNQXxBQ3Jtc0tsYWUzRHlNOWJLaTIyV1hUX1ZaV0VVUkotTTNFaHc2ZjAyOXlWNUNaa3lQbHI1Q0NwT2hTenlCWjJveFJtY3dkZldXQ09ndlRUcDJGakVidzNVTVJ0TkpObmNsUU8xUy1XVFB1VEJXTjdwcTRyNEZTSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleducentertainment%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/ [https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/] Website: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazB5cGdlS3lWOEUweF9uLUJMUkpsSmViY1ZaZ3xBQ3Jtc0trS2pINUlfYkNLaE50SE9qdzRvXzNJSS1NUmo4NzNnVmxWblNjaDY4YjJEZHpwMS1vT2pBR29xR0E4M3lnbzBVYUhORDlwT3JPNmQxRmQtbmIyRmNmVnNjYWFZQVBiZVpGUGVhV2huZ2FSWjhpQW15WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleducentertainment.com%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.comfystone.com/ [https://www.comfystone.com/] Follow The Little Brain Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign [https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign] Website: https://www.littlebraincampaign.com/ [https://www.littlebraincampaign.com/]

Why Supporting Girls with Incarcerated Parents Matters with Daughters Beyond Incarceration

Dominique Jones-Johnson is the founder and executive director of Daughters Beyond Incarceration, an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering girls with incarcerated parents. We sit down with Dominique to talk about how DBI creates a safe, transformative space for girls ages 8–18 through mentorship, afterschool programming, and a powerful youth policy fellowship that teaches them how to navigate the criminal justice system, understand legislation, and advocate for themselves and their communities. We also dive into the real impact of this work, from girls speaking out against school relocation and systemic inequities to influencing policy changes and stepping into leadership at a young age. Dominique shares her personal story and the deeper realities families face when a loved one is incarcerated, while highlighting how DBI meets both emotional and practical needs for the girls it serves. This conversation is a powerful look at youth voice, community support, and what it means to build the next generation of leaders in New Orleans. Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. Missions Bayou is hosted by Maya McGee and Brenna Gourgeot. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Brenna Gourgeot is a community organizer and data analyst focused on socioeconomic and environmental justice in Southeast Louisiana. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates. Follow Comfy Stone Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3pFcFNUYko2OEJEVmhYcFU2UExZbzFuNElNQXxBQ3Jtc0tsYWUzRHlNOWJLaTIyV1hUX1ZaV0VVUkotTTNFaHc2ZjAyOXlWNUNaa3lQbHI1Q0NwT2hTenlCWjJveFJtY3dkZldXQ09ndlRUcDJGakVidzNVTVJ0TkpObmNsUU8xUy1XVFB1VEJXTjdwcTRyNEZTSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleducentertainment%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/ [https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/] Website: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazB5cGdlS3lWOEUweF9uLUJMUkpsSmViY1ZaZ3xBQ3Jtc0trS2pINUlfYkNLaE50SE9qdzRvXzNJSS1NUmo4NzNnVmxWblNjaDY4YjJEZHpwMS1vT2pBR29xR0E4M3lnbzBVYUhORDlwT3JPNmQxRmQtbmIyRmNmVnNjYWFZQVBiZVpGUGVhV2huZ2FSWjhpQW15WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleducentertainment.com%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.comfystone.com/ [https://www.comfystone.com/]