Out To Lunch

Brad Pitt’s Make It Right rebuilding effort in the 9th Ward was a beacon in the darkness after Hurricane Katrina and is still building houses today.

Taylor Royle, Communications Director of Make It Right, joins Peter on Out to Lunch, along with Peter Couhig, the President and CEO of Resource Environmental Solutions, who is working to save us from the next big hurricane.

Living on the brink of annual annihilation has bred a number of fascinating businesses founded by exceptional people who are inspired by the spirit of our city.

Peter's guests address the philosophical Cartesian conundrum, "I Tweet therefore I am." If your business is not on Twitter or Facebook, do you really exist?

Megan Hardgroder is the founder of Conversations, focused on using social media to make small businesses effective online.

Will Scott is the founder of Search Influence, the largest online marketing firm on the Gulf Coast, working with over 1,000 local businesses.

Jason Nicosia founded Connect for a Cause, which allows you to make a networking connection with someone you would like to meet by winning an auction to have lunch with them. Your winning bid goes to a charity.

Michael Angle is the founder of Giftmeo, which brings people together online to chip in and give a gift to a friend or loved one.

Cool Fruit Sensations is a new local juice venture making a splash. Elmer's, makers of Heavenly Hash and Gold Brick, is New Orleans' Easter favorite and one of the oldest candy companies in the U.S.

This week on Out to Lunch, we explore the places where home and business intersect. First, New Orleanian Kay Morrison. Kay was a success in corporate America when she and her husband realized they needed an extra partner — an occasional wife — to do all the at-home stuff Kay wasn’t at home to do. Kay founded The Occasional Wife to become that occasional wife for others.

Mackie Shilstone isn't only New Orleans' health and fitness guru, he's a worldwide sports phenomenon. Mackie talks about working with superstar athletes — like Serena Williams, whom he recently helped recapture Wimbledon — and his own will to win.

New Orleans has a long history of being home to artists, including Degas and John James Audubon. Peter's guests on this week's Out to Lunch are artist John Fleming, and arts administrator Mia Volkemmer.

Mia Volkemmer is the Art Market Manager for the Arts Council of New Orleans — a private non-profit organization, also designated as the city’s official arts agency. The Art Market is the monthly gathering of local artists in Palmer Park.