Ben Collier - Ben's Burgers and Cyborg Saint

Chef Will Avelar - From Emeril's Kitchen to Mawi Tortillas

On Episode 75 of the Only Good Vibes News Network, host Leroy "Whistle Monsta" Mitchell sits down with his longtime friend, Chef Will Avelar. Will is a New Orleans native, Grace King and Delgado alum, and one of the most genuine success stories this city's food scene has produced. Will's journey reads like it was written for the screen. He walked into his first restaurant job not even knowing what a busboy was and just figured it out. That fearlessness and hunger to learn carried him through every station in the kitchen, from dishwasher to line cook, butcher to saucier, all the way through nearly 15 years inside Emeril Lagasse's restaurant organization. He worked at Emeril's Delmonico, NOLA Restaurant, and eventually rose to Chef de Cuisine at Meril, Emeril's Warehouse District restaurant. Then Will did what only the truly loyal and fearless do. He walked away from the top spot to bet on his family. Together with his father Carlos and brother Fernando, Will built Mawi Tortillas, starting as a small wholesale tortilla bakery in Metairie, then pivoting during COVID to pupusas and birria tacos that went viral on Instagram. What started as a family hustle has grown into one of the most beloved Latin American restaurants in the New Orleans area. And in 2025, Mawi expanded to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Leroy and Will also get into the 2009 Saints Super Bowl season, the Zen card that set the tone for the whole conversation - loyalty - and why walking in the path of your own heart is the only way to truly win. Subscribe for weekly inspiring interviews, community stories, and positive news. Connect with Chef Will Avelar: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/will.avelar/ [https://www.facebook.com/will.avelar/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mawinola/ [https://www.instagram.com/mawinola/] Mawi Tortillas - https://mawitortillas.com/ [https://mawitortillas.com/] Whistle Monsta: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/badasswhistla/# [https://www.instagram.com/badasswhistla/] Website - https://www.whistlemonsta.com/ [https://www.whistlemonsta.com/] Intro/Outro Music: "Greatest Place on Earth" Performed by: Ivan Neville, Trombone Shorty, Ben Jaffe, Charlie Gabriel, and Whistle Monsta *Used by permission Thank you to our sponsors: NOLA Motorsports - https://nolamotor.com/ [https://nolamotor.com/] Scandalous Chocolates - https://www.scandalouschocolates.com/ [https://www.scandalouschocolates.com/] Frenchy Live - https://www.frenchylive.com [https://www.frenchylive.com] Trenasse - https://trenasse.com/ [https://trenasse.com/] ChefWillAvelar, MawiTortillas, NewOrleansFood, NOLA, EmerilLagasse, NOLAEats, LatinFood, NewOrleansRestaurants, GraceKing, 504, OnlyGoodVibesNewsNetwork, WhistleMonsta

Ben Collier - Ben's Burgers and Cyborg Saint

In New Orleans, food and Saints football is a passion and a lifestyle. And nobody lives it harder than Ben Collier. On this episode of the Only Good Vibes News Network, host Leroy "Whistle Monsta" Mitchell sits down with Ben Collier - better known to Saints Nation as Cyborg Saint, one of the most recognizable superfans in the entire NFL. But there's way more to Ben than the costume. He's also the owner of Ben's Burgers, the beloved chargrilled burger joint at 2008 Clearview Parkway in Metairie.  Ben's superfan alter-ego, Cyborg Saint, was born on Halloween night 2010, when Ben got tickets to a game, decided to show up in costume, and never looked back. As a kid he always made his own costumes - cutting car floor mats into pads, building a black and gold superhero suit from scratch. What started as one night of fun turned into a full superfan identity, with Ben earning season tickets, suiting up for every home game, and joining a krewe of superfans who travel together and even attend the Superfan Hall of Fame in Ohio every summer.  Off the field, Ben built Ben's Burgers into its own thing - chargrilled burgers, chicken sandwiches, smoked sausage, chili cheese fries, shakes, and a homemade hickory smoked BBQ sauce and fry sauce that people come back for again and again. His signature sandwich? The Big Ben.  This is a conversation about fandom, entrepreneurship, community, and what it means to go all in on the things you love - in the greatest place on earth. Who Dat! Subscribe for weekly inspiring interviews, community stories, and positive news. Connect with Ben "Cyborg Saint" Collier: Website - https://bensburgers.devournow.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bensburgersnola/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@sqadron2386 Whistle Monsta: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/badasswhistla/# Website - https://www.whistlemonsta.com/ Intro/Outro Music: "Greatest Place on Earth" Performed by: Ivan Neville, Trombone Shorty, Ben Jaffe, Charlie Gabriel, and Whistle Monsta *Used by permission Thank you to our sponsors: NOLA Motorsports - https://nolamotor.com/ Scandalous Chocolates - https://www.scandalouschocolates.com/ Frenchy Live - https://www.frenchylive.com Trenasse - https://trenasse.com/ bensburgers, eatatbens, cyborgsaint, bencollier, NewOrleansArt, NOLA, NewOrleans, 504, LouisianaArtist, CartoonRealism, PunkRockAudubon, LouisianaWetlands, BayouLife, NewOrleansArtist, JazzFest, OnlyGoodVibesNewsNetwork, WhistleMonsta, GoodVibes, NOLACreatives, LouisianaArt, OilPainting, SouthLouisiana

Michael Guidry - Punk Rock Audubon

On this episode, host Leroy "Whistle Monsta" Mitchell welcomes Michael Guidry — New Orleans oil painter, Louisiana marsh devotee, and the artist critics have called "the punk rock Audubon." Trained at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts and LSU, Guidry builds richly layered compositions on wood, burlap, canvas, and aluminum — inspired by time spent at his fishing camp in the South Louisiana salt marsh. From albino alligators to bayou wildlife to the myths and memories of personal experience in the natural world, his work is bold, vibrant, and distinctly New Orleans. A fascinating conversation about art, life, and seeing the world a little differently. See his work at mguidrystudio.com. Connect with Michael Guidry: Website - https://mguidrystudio.com/ [https://mguidrystudio.com/] Whistle Monsta: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/badasswhistla/# [https://www.instagram.com/badasswhistla/] Website - https://www.whistlemonsta.com/ [https://www.whistlemonsta.com/] Intro/Outro Music: "Greatest Place on Earth" Performed by: Ivan Neville, Trombone Shorty, Ben Jaffe, Charlie Gabriel, and Whistle Monsta *Used by permission Thank you to our sponsors: NOLA Motorsports - https://nolamotor.com/ [https://nolamotor.com/] Scandalous Chocolates - https://www.scandalouschocolates.com/ [https://www.scandalouschocolates.com/] Frenchy Live - https://www.frenchylive.com [https://www.frenchylive.com] Trenasse - https://trenasse.com/ [https://trenasse.com/] MichaelGuidry, NewOrleansArt, NOLA, NewOrleans, 504, LouisianaArtist, CartoonRealism, PunkRockAudubon, LouisianaWetlands, BayouLife, NewOrleansArtist, JazzFest, OnlyGoodVibesNewsNetwork, WhistleMonsta, GoodVibes, NOLACreatives, LouisianaArt, OilPainting, SouthLouisiana

Saints Punter Thomas Morstead

Former Saints punter, Thomas Morstead, came through the FanCave and we had a real, honest conversation about anything and everything. Thomas is just a genuinely good dude. I'm proud to call him a friend, and New Orleans should be proud that he still calls this city home and continues to give back to the community. Don't miss this one. No politics. No negativity. Just good vibes. Who dat. Subscribe for weekly inspiring interviews, community stories, and positive news. Connect with Thomas Morstead: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thomasmorstead/ [https://www.instagram.com/thomasmorstead/] Whistle Monsta: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/badasswhistla/# [https://www.instagram.com/badasswhistla/] Website - https://www.whistlemonsta.com/ [https://www.whistlemonsta.com/] Intro/Outro Music: "Greatest Place on Earth" Performed by: Ivan Neville, Trombone Shorty, Ben Jaffe, Charlie Gabriel, and Whistle Monsta *Used by permission Thank you to our sponsors: NOLA Motorsports - https://nolamotor.com/ [https://nolamotor.com/] Scandalous Chocolates - https://www.scandalouschocolates.com/ [https://www.scandalouschocolates.com/] Frenchy Live - https://www.frenchylive.com [https://www.frenchylive.com] Trenasse - https://trenasse.com/ [https://trenasse.com/]  @txfblife  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC9uIdqWDXBB-W-Pb9fxguVg]  @HTownHighSchoolSports  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCWqAORYR5tbG_9bleDcpcRg]  @NewOrleansSaints  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCwuddf1JrodMlc5fYpVlrQA]  @49ers  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCeIOarQkwmGhimim9cDUTng]  @dbrees9  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC7tYxwYt4Ftqf7F0xpKJ-dA]  @FlemingsSteakhouse  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCG-EHXeMOhkbSv34apIolAA]  @scandalouschocolates9586  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCnHSqQ4csBD7rkOYwZmfLWA]  @SnowLikeJon  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCXi4SIemQnMacpvarDqikZw]  @SAINTSSHOW  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCUaNrIt4i9YExZkrqZn2A-w]  @Saintsfan  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC6RBXQeIq7YSpHe9HIxAbPw]  @whodatsnation  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCxMxhpuQD5pTO1k1OLIDUBg]  @DeuceWindhamNFL  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCqjDMw-dI6b1Sbflrn8QkNg]  @WhoDat4Life  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCNmEyiZsLbRthYfIDQTHaIw]  @WhoDatEditz  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCWOI2dqRx8dfJuXHLKX7_OA]  @saintsnewstoday  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCHKkGJaBDcmxdb4_ULkB_xQ]  @WWLsports  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCflOtVcOUytlLKglADe5LPw]  @wwltv  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCJCreS7pODbA6XYRsI5fdLg]  @FOX8NOLA  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC3ijTadOgOLbGWGC1rRy9lA]  @NOF  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCO3-HuPUXFliHV_u-qc33bQ]  @JazzAndHeritage  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCBJZgyM8XjRb_sRb2yy2eug]  @fqfest  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCGqSZjH5RiZYsB71XsMcFNw]  @SMUFB  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC_jQQC6fFxfaiMaL97pKbTA]  @MiamiDolphins  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCHUSfEzpSRkUUsRkk_aJwDw]  @nyjets  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCROj9vBjc4ZW3AL4cd_BjHg]  @AtlantaFalcons  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCzjCfV3LHyarKbdb-2ScGZg]

RicRACK NOLA - Sewing, Sustainability & Community with Jena Housman, Shel Roumillat & Julie Lodato

New Orleans has always been a city that creates. RicRACK makes sure that creativity never goes to waste. On Episode 70 of the Only Good Vibes News Network, host Leroy "Whistle Monsta" Mitchell sits down with Jena Housman (Board Treasurer), Shel Roumillat (Creative Reuse Store Manager), and Julie Lodato (Project Management & Marketing) from RicRACK — a New Orleans-based 501(c)3 nonprofit that's been transforming textile waste into opportunity for 15 years. Founded by costume designer and wardrobe veteran Allison Parker, RicRACK was born out of a simple but powerful idea: connect the mountains of donated fabric and clothing from Louisiana's booming film and television industry with a mission to teach the city how to sew. The result is one of New Orleans' most unique nonprofits — part creative reuse shop, part community sewing studio, part sustainability movement. In this episode: * RicRACK's new home at 321 Burgundy Street in the French Quarter and their expanded sewing studio * The Earth Day Remakers Market — featuring 17+ vendors transforming reclaimed materials into new creations * The Designer Reuse Challenge — New Orleans' top designers given mystery ribbon donations and challenged to create something extraordinary * Give NOLA Day — May 5th (Early giving starts April 28th!) and why your donation makes a difference * Classes for ages 8 and up: Sewing 101, corset making, kite making, bucket hats, crochet, embroidery and more * Last year RicRACK taught 470 youth and adults — and they're just getting started * How to donate fabric, clothing, and even sewing machines Subscribe for weekly inspiring interviews, community stories, and positive news. ricRACK: https://www.ricracknola.com/ [https://www.ricracknola.com/]  @ricRACK  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC5FNJMdqrSmnTJ5o8M_XXjg] Whistle Monsta: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/badasswhistla/# [https://www.instagram.com/badasswhistla/] Website - https://www.whistlemonsta.com/ [https://www.whistlemonsta.com/] Intro/Outro Music: "Greatest Place on Earth" Performed by: Ivan Neville, Trombone Shorty, Ben Jaffe, Charlie Gabriel, and Whistle Monsta *Used by permission  @ivanneville  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC-yzAKQOf8H2JFlsn7YwuGg]  @TromboneShorty  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC1DegAgTezNs-ySbH4Xr8Rw] Thank you to our sponsors: NOLA Motorsports https://nolamotor.com/ [https://nolamotor.com/] Scandalous Chocolates https://www.scandalouschocolates.com/ [https://www.scandalouschocolates.com/] Frenchy Live https://www.frenchylive.com [https://www.frenchylive.com] Trenasse https://trenasse.com/ [https://trenasse.com/]   NewOrleans, NOLA, Sustainability, RicRACKNOLA, GiveNOLADay, NOLANonprofit, TextileRecycling, LearnToSew, SewingCommunity, CreativeReuse, OnlyGoodVibesNewsNetwork, WhistleMonsta