Gulf States Gumbo

Hip-hop and social-emotional learning at a New Orleans high school

On this week’s episode, we learn about an organization that uses hip-hop and a social-emotional learning curriculum to better connect with students. Jamila Sams created We Do It 4 The Culture five years ago. The organization went to New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School for its first-ever School Cypher Summit, and partnered with rising rap star La Reezy — who’s from New Orleans and a Sci High alumnus. This episode is hosted by Joseph King, who is also our social producer. The podcast is produced by Matt Bloom, Elise Catrion Gregg, Drew Hawkins, Orlando Flores Jr. and Ryan Vasquez. Nellie Beckett is our community engagement producer. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme. To get in touch with the team, email connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org [connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org]. And support our local station partners by donating to WWNO [https://wwno.secureallegiance.com/wwno/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WEB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=nTVTsCAcZKMVQycLjeawDdW0piuR9ZMb], MPB [https://www.pledgecart.org/home?campaign=EBABB0FB-5C8E-4F49-A51B-CB12FA1FE3C5&source=&_gl=1*p9nank*_gcl_au*Mjg5MDYzNTc1LjE3NDE3MTgyNDQ.*_ga*NTYzNzY4MTMxLjE3NDE3MTgyNDQ.*_ga_2FEM5FVN6S*MTc0NDIxMDk3MS43LjAuMTc0NDIxMDk3MS42MC4wLjA.], or WBHM [https://wbhm.secureallegiance.com/wbhm/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=BASIC&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=9dD3CJn2bYniQl%2byqVkEd4HJipnY8PNT].

How Jarvis DeBerry covers the Gulf South

On this week’s episode, we hear from veteran journalist Jarvis DeBerry on the latest news coming out of the Gulf South. DeBerry discusses the case of Calvin Duncan, and what it says about how Louisiana treats the people it has wronged, the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, and what it could mean for voting rights across the region, and whether the Gulf South is once again leading a national reversal — and what that pattern tells us about where we are as a country. This episode is hosted by Drew Hawkins. The podcast is produced by Matt Bloom, Elise Catrion Gregg, Orlando Flores Jr. and Ryan Vasquez. Joseph King is our social producer. Nellie Beckett is our community engagement producer. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme. To get in touch with the team, email connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org [connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org]. And support our local station partners by donating to WWNO [https://wwno.secureallegiance.com/wwno/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WEB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=nTVTsCAcZKMVQycLjeawDdW0piuR9ZMb], MPB [https://www.pledgecart.org/home?campaign=EBABB0FB-5C8E-4F49-A51B-CB12FA1FE3C5&source=&_gl=1*p9nank*_gcl_au*Mjg5MDYzNTc1LjE3NDE3MTgyNDQ.*_ga*NTYzNzY4MTMxLjE3NDE3MTgyNDQ.*_ga_2FEM5FVN6S*MTc0NDIxMDk3MS43LjAuMTc0NDIxMDk3MS42MC4wLjA.], or WBHM [https://wbhm.secureallegiance.com/wbhm/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=BASIC&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=9dD3CJn2bYniQl%2byqVkEd4HJipnY8PNT].

Talking 'Night Owl' with Mississippi's Aimee Nezhukumatathil

On this week’s episode, we celebrate both National Poetry Month (April) and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Nezhukumatathil, a professor at the University of Mississippi, is a poet, essayist and firefly guide for Mississippi State Parks. She talks with the Gulf States Newsroom’s Elise Catrion Gregg about her latest collection of poems, “Night Owl.” This episode is hosted by Elise Catrion Gregg. The podcast is produced by Matt Bloom, Drew Hawkins, Orlando Flores Jr. and Ryan Vasquez. Joseph King is our social producer. Nellie Beckett is our community engagement producer. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme. To get in touch with the team, email connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org [connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org]. And support our local station partners by donating to WWNO [https://wwno.secureallegiance.com/wwno/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WEB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=nTVTsCAcZKMVQycLjeawDdW0piuR9ZMb], MPB [https://www.pledgecart.org/home?campaign=EBABB0FB-5C8E-4F49-A51B-CB12FA1FE3C5&source=&_gl=1*p9nank*_gcl_au*Mjg5MDYzNTc1LjE3NDE3MTgyNDQ.*_ga*NTYzNzY4MTMxLjE3NDE3MTgyNDQ.*_ga_2FEM5FVN6S*MTc0NDIxMDk3MS43LjAuMTc0NDIxMDk3MS42MC4wLjA.], or WBHM [https://wbhm.secureallegiance.com/wbhm/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=BASIC&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=9dD3CJn2bYniQl%2byqVkEd4HJipnY8PNT].

How the war in Iran is impacting Mississippi Delta farmers

On this week’s episode, we take a look at how the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is affecting the Gulf South.  The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused the price of fuel and fertilizer to skyrocket [https://www.npr.org/2026/04/25/nx-s1-5795674/farmers-tariffs-iran-trump-mississippi]. Senior reporter Drew Hawkins took a trip through the Mississippi Delta to talk to farmers about how rising costs are pushing many to the brink.  This episode is hosted by Elise Catrion Gregg. The podcast is produced by Matt Bloom, Drew Hawkins, Orlando Flores Jr. and Ryan Vasquez. Joseph King is our social producer. Nellie Beckett is our community engagement producer. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme.  To get in touch with the team, email connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org [Connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org].  And support our local station partners by donating to  WWNO [https://wwno.secureallegiance.com/wwno/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WEB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=nTVTsCAcZKMVQycLjeawDdW0piuR9ZMb], WRKF [https://wkrf.donorsupport.co/page/P26S], MPB [https://www.pledgecart.org/home?campaign=EBABB0FB-5C8E-4F49-A51B-CB12FA1FE3C5&source=&_gl=1*p9nank*_gcl_au*Mjg5MDYzNTc1LjE3NDE3MTgyNDQ.*_ga*NTYzNzY4MTMxLjE3NDE3MTgyNDQ.*_ga_2FEM5FVN6S*MTc0NDIxMDk3MS43LjAuMTc0NDIxMDk3MS42MC4wLjA.], or WBHM [https://wbhm.secureallegiance.com/wbhm/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=BASIC&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=9dD3CJn2bYniQl%2byqVkEd4HJipnY8PNT].

The long road back to voting restoration in the Gulf South

On this week’s episode, we take a look at how Alabama stands as a possible model of voting restoration for Mississippi — and some of the challenges that Alabama residents say make it an imperfect system.  Community engagement reporter Elise Gregg discusses how even in states where voting restoration isn’t as complicated, practical considerations still bar people from civic life. She also breaks down what people in Alabama and Mississippi say would make the systems easier to navigate.  This episode is hosted by Joseph King, who is also our social producer. The podcast is produced by Matt Bloom, Elise Catrion Gregg, Drew Hawkins, Orlando Flores Jr. and Ryan Vasquez. Nellie Beckett is our community engagement producer. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme. To get in touch with the team, email connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org [Connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org]. And support our local station partners by donating to  WWNO [https://wwno.secureallegiance.com/wwno/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WEB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=nTVTsCAcZKMVQycLjeawDdW0piuR9ZMb], WRKF [https://wkrf.donorsupport.co/page/P26S], MPB [https://www.pledgecart.org/home?campaign=EBABB0FB-5C8E-4F49-A51B-CB12FA1FE3C5&source=&_gl=1*p9nank*_gcl_au*Mjg5MDYzNTc1LjE3NDE3MTgyNDQ.*_ga*NTYzNzY4MTMxLjE3NDE3MTgyNDQ.*_ga_2FEM5FVN6S*MTc0NDIxMDk3MS43LjAuMTc0NDIxMDk3MS42MC4wLjA.], or WBHM [https://wbhm.secureallegiance.com/wbhm/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=BASIC&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=9dD3CJn2bYniQl%2byqVkEd4HJipnY8PNT].