Bigger Pie Forum Podcast

In this first episode of our latest series, BPF sits down with Jon Maynard and Allen Kurr of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation to discuss their version of economic development, growth from the inside out or the bottom up approach.

BPF continues the conversation with State Auditor Shad White as he discusses fraud abuses of MS unemployment benefits under the 2020 stimulus, the challenges facing PERS, as well as the upside and downside surprises over the last three years as State Auditor.

BPF sits down with State Auditor Shad White to take an in-depth look at the mission and operation of the auditor's office.

BPF turns off of Porter Avenue and heads for the corner of Washington Avenue and Government Street — the heart of downtown Ocean Springs, where the local shops, art galleries, restaurants, bars and music bring the town to life. It's here that we sit down with three successful entrepreneurs — Adrea Maxwell of Seaside Fitness, Chris Collier of The Office Bar & Lounge and Kenny Williams of Mosaic and The Beer House — to hear their stories and perspectives on why Ocean Springs has become such a hotspot.

BPF continues the conversation with Ted and Roxy Condrey of The Roost Boutique Hotel. In this episode we discuss the community feel of Ocean Springs and how Ted and Roxy balance keeping that charming small town feel with the growth of their properties. We also dive into the highlights throughout the year in Ocean Springs with its art shows and other annual festivals — all under the street-lined oak canopy in the downtown area.

BPF travels to the unique and cultured community of Ocean Springs, Mississippi known for its arts and festivals. Ocean Springs is a hotspot with over 200 independent shops, galleries, restaurants and nightlife. The community captivates visitors with its small town charm and streets lined with an oak tree canopy. In this episode, BPF sits down with the owners of The Roost Boutique Hotel, Ted and Roxy to hear their success story and how they fell in love with Ocean Springs and made it their permanent home.

BPF continues the discussion with Douglas Carswell on America's exceptionalism, his decision to move to the U.S. and why Mississippi specifically.

BPF has a fascinating conversation with Douglas Carswell on his extraordinary life journey and accomplishments. Listen in as he compels us Americans to cherish and protect what we have — it's like nothing else in the world.

BPF continues its conversation with Mississippi Justice Institute (MJI) Director Aaron Rice and client Butch Slaughter, a physical therapist who is challenging Mississippi's regulations that are preventing him from opening his own home health agency. Listen to the backstory on Certificates of Need, the need for regulatory reform and how they stymie not only competition, but access to health care, lower costs and a higher level of service for the people of Mississippi.

BPF sits down with Mississippi Justice Institute (MJI) Director Aaron Rice and client Butch Slaughter, a practicing physical therapist in the Metro Jackson area. Butch hopes to start a home health agency (HHA), offering services to patients in their own home. However, Mississippi's current regulations prevent him from doing just that. Listen to Butch's story and how MJI hopes to help him cut through the red tape.

Tim Kalich, Editor and Publisher of the Greenwood Commonwealth Newspaper and Kelley Williams, Chairman of Bigger Pie Forum sit down to discuss the small town community of Greenwood and the role of the newspaper and the revitalization of downtown spurred on largely by Viking Range, a great home-town success story.

Tim Kalich, Editor and Publisher of the Greenwood Commonwealth Newspaper and Kelley Williams, Chairman of Bigger Pie Forum sit down to discuss the small town community of Greenwood and the role of the newspaper and the revitalization of downtown spurred on largely by Viking Range, a great home-town success story.

Listen as Ashby talks with his good friend and WWII veteran Dr. Caver about his life and what it was like transitioning back into civilian life after the war.

In this episode, Steve tells us how his career challenges and struggles led him to make a turn and come home to his Mississippi Delta roots.

Listen in as Ashby talks with Steve Azar, a songwriter, musician, and the Music and Culture Ambassador for Mississippi. A native of the Mississippi Delta, he shares the story of how growing up in Mississippi so deeply influenced his artistic career.

BPF continues its dialogue with Jeff Good as he discusses teaming up with Jackson area leaders to form a workforce development café called the Refill Café. The young adult staff is enrolled in a 10-week work training program to help develop skills needed for entering the workforce.

BPF continues its conversation with Jeff Good to talk about 3rd party delivery services, customer service and how Mangia Bene continues to grow its business, as well as diversify.

BPF talks with Jeff Good on his start in the restaurant business here in Jackson, MS with partner Chef Dan Blumenthal. Jeff talks about upscale dining, farm-to-table, the Jackson market and how they're still making it happen through the highs and lows.

BPF continues its important and well-timed conversation with Dr. Sidney Bondurant to discuss the challenges DAB has faced breaking into the marketplace.

Bigger Pie Forum has a timely conversation with the folks at DAB Hand Sanitizer. This MS company discusses its sanitizing technology that keeps on working for hours, acting as a protective glove.

BPF interviews Donna Harris and Aaron Rice of MJI to discuss her program being shut down by the MS State Department of Health. In this episode we take time focus on the legal aspect of this case.

Episode 1 - BPF interviews Donna Harris and Aaron Rice of MJI to discuss her program being shut down by the MS State Department of Health

BPF continues its conversation with Aaron Rice of MJI and eyebrow threading entrepreneur Dipa Bhattarai. In this episode we discuss the major mismatch between the minor risks and the amount of training hours required to accomplish the common sense sanitation measures for public health and how surrounding states have handled the same issue.

BPF's new podcast series is with Aaron Rice of The Mississippi Justice Institute and Dipa Bhattarai, an eyebrow threading entrepreneur. The Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology has shut down Ms. Bhattarai's two store locations stating that eyebrow threaders are required to have an esthetician's license to practice eyebrow threading in the state of Mississippi. This would require Ms. Bhattarai to spend hundreds of hours learning extraneous cosmetology methods. Here is Dipa's story.

The Junior Cadet Corps (JCC) is a middle school program designed to inspire these young people to set a course for success. This episode discusses the program's curriculum which is based on citizenship, leadership and character development.

The Junior Cadet Corps (JCC) is a middle school program designed to inspire these young people to set a course for success. This episode focuses on the program's goals and plans to mentor its cadets in navigating middle school and entering high school with valuable life skills and abilities to problem solve and resolve conflict.

The Junior Cadet Corps (JCC) is a middle school program designed to inspire these young people to set a course for success. The program gives students a sense of self-reliance and motivation to complete their education, establish jobs and careers and to be successful, productive citizens.

BPF continues its conversation with Mississippi's Agricultural Commissioner to discuss the support of our local farmers.

Mississippi's new Agriculture Commissioner, Andy Gipson, sits down with BPF to discuss Mississippi's small farmers and the Genuine Mississippi Program. (GenuineMS.com) — Now more than ever people want to know where their food comes from and know they're buying fresh healthy food for their families. Mississippians are willing to pay a premium to be able to buy local and support their farmers and communities. The Genuine Mississippi Program provides a list of members who produce fresh locally sourced foods.

BPF concludes its discussion with Ben Simmons of Nature's Gourmet Farm — producers of Mississippi raised 100% grass fed to finish beef, pastured pork, chicken and eggs without hormones, antibiotics, chemicals or GMO products. In this episode, BPF extends its talks with Ben on Mississippi regulatory issues and how Ben accomplishes his mission and passion of producing real farm food.

BPF is continuing its discussion with Ben Simmons of Nature's Gourmet Farm — producers of Mississippi raised 100% grass fed to finish beef, pastured pork, chicken and eggs without hormones, antibiotics, chemicals or GMO products. In this episode, BPF talks with Ben on the challenges and regulatory issues he faces as a small farmer.

BPF continues its conversation with Ben Simmons of Nature's Gourmet Farm to talk about their customer base and why Nature Gourmet Farm checks all of their boxes for real farm food — clean eating and Mississippi raised.

Bigger Pie visits with Ben Simmons on his family farm — Nature's Gourmet Farm. They have a passion for producing real farm food — Mississippi raised 100% grass fed to finish beef, pastured pork, chicken and eggs without hormones, antibiotics, chemicals or GMO products.

Talking farm to table and what it takes to make it happen here in Mississippi with Flora Butcher owner -- Chef David Raines

Talking farm to table and what it takes to make it happen here in Mississippi with Flora Butcher owner -- Chef David Raines

Talking beer and breweries with Lucky Town Founder and President of the Mississippi Brewers Guild — Lucas Simmons.

Talking beer and breweries with Lucky Town Founder and President of the Mississippi Brewers Guild — Lucas Simmons.

BPF is continuing our discussion on the growing impact of the craft economy. In this series, we sat down with Mark Henderson of Lazy Magnolia Brewery - Mississippi's oldest brewery, even though it's only been in business since 2005

BPF is continuing our discussion on the growing impact of the craft economy. In this series, we sat down with Mark Henderson of Lazy Magnolia Brewery - Mississippi's oldest brewery, even though it's only been in business since 2005.

BPF continues talking with Mark Henderson of Lazy Magnolia Brewery on the hurdles he's faced as an entrepreneur and how his entrepreneurial spirit demands his commitment.

BPF is continuing our discussion on the growing impact of the craft economy. In this series, we sat down with Mark Henderson of Lazy Magnolia Brewery - Mississippi's oldest brewery, even though it's only been in business since 2005.

The Challenges of a Small Business in Mississippi - What are the challenges and lessons of a craft start-up in Mississippi?

The Distillery Business & Cathead's Business Plan - How does Cathead take on highly-capitalized, well-entrenched, mega-brand competitors?

Origins of Cathead Distillery - An innovative feature of the 21st century has been the emergence of the craft economy which is reinventing industries that have been around for centuries. To learn more about it, we visited Cathead Distillery.

JROTC students are prepared for a life of leadership. These students reflect on their personal experiences with JROTC and how the program helped prepare them for their chosen careers.

JROTC instructors' main goal is to help students finish high school and gaining acceptance into a four year college or university. They accomplish this by instilling life skills - motivating the students to become better citizens.

JROTC produces exceptional results by providing mentorship, experience and exposure to students. JROTC's curriculum focuses on leadership skills and character development.