Making Modern New Orleans Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/making-modern-new-orleans Every drama deserves a good backstory. For New Orleans, this narrative takes place during the "long 1970s," a time when political transformation, cultural rebirth, and urban reimagining revived a fading port city. Hosted by historian Justin Nystrom and journalist Jack Davis, each episode of the Making Modern New Orleans podcast explores how the city we know came into being through first-hand accounts of the people who made them happen. 2024 Digital Humanities Studio, Loyola University New Orleans c7ae8390-6835-5da4-bb22-165e3ea4e6d4 no Justin Nystrom Trailer - Introducing Season 1 of Making Modern New Orleans en Wed, 23 Jul 2025 07:36:10 -0700 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 18:06:25 -0800 https://docstudio.org/2024/09/30/making-modern-new-orleans-podcast-season-1/ https://img.transistor.fm/DQqSYZsenLKKnv7wjRauh2yAo9ZkDh0mbioSMWQ33Vg/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzQyMzA5LzE2ODYx/NzEwMzgtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.jpg Making Modern New Orleans https://docstudio.org/2024/09/30/making-modern-new-orleans-podcast-season-1/ episodic Justin A Nystrom Every drama deserves a good backstory. For New Orleans, this narrative takes place during the "long 1970s," a time when political transformation, cultural rebirth, and urban reimagining revived a fading port city. Hosted by historian Justin Nystrom and journalist Jack Davis, each episode of the Making Modern New Orleans podcast explores how the city we know came into being through first-hand accounts of the people who made them happen. Every drama deserves a good backstory. New Orleans, 1970s, Urban History Digital Humanities Studio, Loyola University New Orleans No No Ella Brennan - Part 2 6 6 Ella Brennan - Part 2 full 4192c672-586e-4acb-9061-5c89605aef0d https://share.transistor.fm/s/72920eb1 In the second part of our episode with Ella Brennan, we explore the opening of Mr. B's Bistro in 1979 and what it said about the changing dining tastes of New Orleans as the '70s came to a close, the arrival of Emeril Lagasse and how his symbiotic relationship with Commander's Palace enabled both to flourish, and Ella's reflection on the stakes of building a tourism economy in New Orleans. 

]]> In the second part of our episode with Ella Brennan, we explore the opening of Mr. B's Bistro in 1979 and what it said about the changing dining tastes of New Orleans as the '70s came to a close, the arrival of Emeril Lagasse and how his symbiotic relationship with Commander's Palace enabled both to flourish, and Ella's reflection on the stakes of building a tourism economy in New Orleans. 

]]> Mon, 11 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0800 Justin A Nystrom Justin A Nystrom 2140 In the second part of our episode with Ella Brennan, we explore the opening of Mr. B's Bistro in 1979 and what it said about the changing dining tastes of New Orleans as the '70s came to a close, the arrival of Emeril Lagasse and how his symbiotic relationship with Commander's Palace enabled both to flourish, and Ella's reflection on the stakes of building a tourism economy in New Orleans. 

]]> Emeril Lagasse, Commander's Palace, tourism, restaurants No Justin Nystrom Jack Davis Ella Brennan - Part 1 5 5 Ella Brennan - Part 1 full 3289f33b-e69c-4c72-9e07-ad80f8a8ad47 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ca3911be Justin and Jack discuss their 2014 interview with Ella Brennan, matriarch of the storied restaurant family. In part one, Ella describes coming to Commander's Palace after the 1974 Brennan family split that sent them away from the Royal Street landmark and the enormous effort it took to transform the Garden District restaurant into the establishment that we would recognize today. She also talks about the changing culinary landscape of New Orleans and her relationship with the first chef to become famous while at Commander's Palace, Paul Prudhomme. Episode 1 of 2. 

]]> Justin and Jack discuss their 2014 interview with Ella Brennan, matriarch of the storied restaurant family. In part one, Ella describes coming to Commander's Palace after the 1974 Brennan family split that sent them away from the Royal Street landmark and the enormous effort it took to transform the Garden District restaurant into the establishment that we would recognize today. She also talks about the changing culinary landscape of New Orleans and her relationship with the first chef to become famous while at Commander's Palace, Paul Prudhomme. Episode 1 of 2. 

]]> Mon, 04 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0800 Justin A Nystrom Justin A Nystrom 2597 Justin and Jack discuss their 2014 interview with Ella Brennan, matriarch of the storied restaurant family. In part one, Ella describes coming to Commander's Palace after the 1974 Brennan family split that sent them away from the Royal Street landmark and the enormous effort it took to transform the Garden District restaurant into the establishment that we would recognize today. She also talks about the changing culinary landscape of New Orleans and her relationship with the first chef to become famous while at Commander's Palace, Paul Prudhomme. Episode 1 of 2. 

]]> Paul Prudhomme, New Orleans, Commander's Palace, Brennan's No Justin Nystrom Jack Davis Bonus Track - Charles Ferguson 4 4 Bonus Track - Charles Ferguson bonus 001bf268-15b0-432a-8110-33c5673a59b2 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9d8d1521 In this bonus track, Jack and Justin consider Charles Ferguson's observations about the decision to pursue convention business in New Orleans and the important legacy that it has had. 

]]> In this bonus track, Jack and Justin consider Charles Ferguson's observations about the decision to pursue convention business in New Orleans and the important legacy that it has had. 

]]> Mon, 28 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0700 Justin A Nystrom Justin A Nystrom 671 In this bonus track, Jack and Justin consider Charles Ferguson's observations about the decision to pursue convention business in New Orleans and the important legacy that it has had. 

]]> conventions, Lester Kabakoff, World's Fair No Justin Nystrom Jack Davis Charles Ferguson 4 4 Charles Ferguson full 636ddd3c-e8f3-43a9-9554-9f16ec193f59 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5bf1728a Jack and Justin discuss their interview with Charlie Ferguson - who was once Jack's boss back in the 1970s and early 1980s when they were both at the States-Item and after when that paper's team took over the Times-Picayune. Jack suggests that Ferguson had more of a positive impact on New Orleans journalism than anyone else in the latter half of the twentieth century, a record for which this episode makes a case. Ferguson began working in journalism when he was a copy boy in his father's office, and went on to become a reporter in the early 1960s for the New Orleans States-Item. At the age thirty-two he was made that paper's editor, a move that ushered in an era of aggressive reporting in an era when the city underwent profound change. We cover everything from the relationship between the paper and politics to the desegregation of Carnival, the emergence of food criticism in the city, and the impressive team of young journalists Ferguson assembled at the States-Item and later Times-Picayune. 

]]> Jack and Justin discuss their interview with Charlie Ferguson - who was once Jack's boss back in the 1970s and early 1980s when they were both at the States-Item and after when that paper's team took over the Times-Picayune. Jack suggests that Ferguson had more of a positive impact on New Orleans journalism than anyone else in the latter half of the twentieth century, a record for which this episode makes a case. Ferguson began working in journalism when he was a copy boy in his father's office, and went on to become a reporter in the early 1960s for the New Orleans States-Item. At the age thirty-two he was made that paper's editor, a move that ushered in an era of aggressive reporting in an era when the city underwent profound change. We cover everything from the relationship between the paper and politics to the desegregation of Carnival, the emergence of food criticism in the city, and the impressive team of young journalists Ferguson assembled at the States-Item and later Times-Picayune. 

]]> Mon, 28 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0700 Justin Nystrom Justin Nystrom 3618 Jack and Justin discuss their interview with Charlie Ferguson - who was once Jack's boss back in the 1970s and early 1980s when they were both at the States-Item and after when that paper's team took over the Times-Picayune. Jack suggests that Ferguson had more of a positive impact on New Orleans journalism than anyone else in the latter half of the twentieth century, a record for which this episode makes a case. Ferguson began working in journalism when he was a copy boy in his father's office, and went on to become a reporter in the early 1960s for the New Orleans States-Item. At the age thirty-two he was made that paper's editor, a move that ushered in an era of aggressive reporting in an era when the city underwent profound change. We cover everything from the relationship between the paper and politics to the desegregation of Carnival, the emergence of food criticism in the city, and the impressive team of young journalists Ferguson assembled at the States-Item and later Times-Picayune. 

]]> journalism, times-picayune, states-item, New Orleans, richard collin, newhouse, Ashton Phelps No Justin Nystrom Jack Davis Ben C. Toledano 3 3 Ben C. Toledano full 406d0c36-f67d-49b1-abd3-3f1ab7f3d6f7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9cfb95fe This week Jack and Justin talk about their 2013 interview with self-exiled New Orleanian and iconoclast, Ben C. Toledano. Whether you agree or disagree with his point of view, it would be difficult to find a more interesting or complicated individual than Toledano. Born to one of the city's old families, he grew over time to see the failings of what he would describe as an insulated and intellectually incurious elite. He was an early Republican at a time when the Democratic Party dominated Louisiana politics, a talented lawyer who was happier discussing literature, and someone who loved the city so much that he couldn't bear to live here anymore. In this episode Toledano talks about what he saw as the hypocrisy of the political establishment, his unprecedented challenge to Moon Landrieu in the 1970 mayoral election, the failings of the elite institutions like the Boston Club, and literary figures like his friend Walker Percy. 

]]> This week Jack and Justin talk about their 2013 interview with self-exiled New Orleanian and iconoclast, Ben C. Toledano. Whether you agree or disagree with his point of view, it would be difficult to find a more interesting or complicated individual than Toledano. Born to one of the city's old families, he grew over time to see the failings of what he would describe as an insulated and intellectually incurious elite. He was an early Republican at a time when the Democratic Party dominated Louisiana politics, a talented lawyer who was happier discussing literature, and someone who loved the city so much that he couldn't bear to live here anymore. In this episode Toledano talks about what he saw as the hypocrisy of the political establishment, his unprecedented challenge to Moon Landrieu in the 1970 mayoral election, the failings of the elite institutions like the Boston Club, and literary figures like his friend Walker Percy. 

]]> Mon, 21 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0700 Justin A Nystrom Justin A Nystrom 3276 This week Jack and Justin talk about their 2013 interview with self-exiled New Orleanian and iconoclast, Ben C. Toledano. Whether you agree or disagree with his point of view, it would be difficult to find a more interesting or complicated individual than Toledano. Born to one of the city's old families, he grew over time to see the failings of what he would describe as an insulated and intellectually incurious elite. He was an early Republican at a time when the Democratic Party dominated Louisiana politics, a talented lawyer who was happier discussing literature, and someone who loved the city so much that he couldn't bear to live here anymore. In this episode Toledano talks about what he saw as the hypocrisy of the political establishment, his unprecedented challenge to Moon Landrieu in the 1970 mayoral election, the failings of the elite institutions like the Boston Club, and literary figures like his friend Walker Percy. 

]]> Boston Club, Mardi Gras, Carnival, Walker Percy, Moon Landrieu, Jim Garrison, No Justin Nystrom Jack Davis Robert Tucker 2 2 Robert Tucker full cbad397d-94ce-4096-9d78-e877aabbcf12 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0371dbc5 In this episode, Jack and Justin discuss their interview with New Orleans political insider and businessman Robert Tucker. As a young army veteran and civil rights activist, Tucker joined the 1969 mayoral campaign of Maurice "Moon" Landrieu and eventually served as the city's first African American deputy mayor. Landrieu came to rely on Tucker when it came to navigating conflict and change in the 1970s including the dramatic days surrounding the Black Panther standoff in the Desire Housing Project and the tragic Mark Essex incident.  

]]> In this episode, Jack and Justin discuss their interview with New Orleans political insider and businessman Robert Tucker. As a young army veteran and civil rights activist, Tucker joined the 1969 mayoral campaign of Maurice "Moon" Landrieu and eventually served as the city's first African American deputy mayor. Landrieu came to rely on Tucker when it came to navigating conflict and change in the 1970s including the dramatic days surrounding the Black Panther standoff in the Desire Housing Project and the tragic Mark Essex incident.  

]]> Mon, 14 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0700 Justin A Nystrom Justin A Nystrom 3481 In this episode, Jack and Justin discuss their interview with New Orleans political insider and businessman Robert Tucker. As a young army veteran and civil rights activist, Tucker joined the 1969 mayoral campaign of Maurice "Moon" Landrieu and eventually served as the city's first African American deputy mayor. Landrieu came to rely on Tucker when it came to navigating conflict and change in the 1970s including the dramatic days surrounding the Black Panther standoff in the Desire Housing Project and the tragic Mark Essex incident.  

]]> New Orleans, 1970s, Urban History No Justin Nystrom Jack Davis Lolis Edward Elie 1 1 Lolis Edward Elie full 1db9bd18-5e72-4ba4-8f04-0e7cfaa84bf0 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f824de54 Jack and JustinCreators & Guests

interviewed noted civil rights attorney and political observer Lolis Edward Elie at his home on Henriette DeLille Street on November 16, 2012. Born in the neighborhood known today as the "Black Pearl" in 1930, Lolis Elie grew up doing all manner of odd jobs, from waiting tables and caddying at the nearby Audubon Park Golf Course to shining shoes at the corner of St. Charles and Broadway. By his own admission, he didn't set out to "become some Civil Rights attorney," that he "didn't want to spend the rest of my life shining shoes." In 1959, he became one of the earlier African American graduates of Loyola University New Orleans's Law School and went out immediately to set up a practice with Loyola classmate Nils Douglas and Robert Collins on what is today Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard. He played a pivotal role in the jurisprudence of desegregation and was a tireless civic advocate of equity for the people of New Orleans. Elie passed away in April 4, 2017. 

In this episode, Elie discusses his involvement with the desegregation of Canal Street, the perspectives of Civil Rights activists on the pivotal mayoral election of 1969-70, the disruption to Black New Orleans communities brought by Interstate 10 and Armstrong Park, the rediscovery of music and especially food culture in the 1970s, and his work with Rudy Lombard on the classic volume Creole Feast. 

]]> Jack and JustinCreators & Guests

interviewed noted civil rights attorney and political observer Lolis Edward Elie at his home on Henriette DeLille Street on November 16, 2012. Born in the neighborhood known today as the "Black Pearl" in 1930, Lolis Elie grew up doing all manner of odd jobs, from waiting tables and caddying at the nearby Audubon Park Golf Course to shining shoes at the corner of St. Charles and Broadway. By his own admission, he didn't set out to "become some Civil Rights attorney," that he "didn't want to spend the rest of my life shining shoes." In 1959, he became one of the earlier African American graduates of Loyola University New Orleans's Law School and went out immediately to set up a practice with Loyola classmate Nils Douglas and Robert Collins on what is today Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard. He played a pivotal role in the jurisprudence of desegregation and was a tireless civic advocate of equity for the people of New Orleans. Elie passed away in April 4, 2017. 

In this episode, Elie discusses his involvement with the desegregation of Canal Street, the perspectives of Civil Rights activists on the pivotal mayoral election of 1969-70, the disruption to Black New Orleans communities brought by Interstate 10 and Armstrong Park, the rediscovery of music and especially food culture in the 1970s, and his work with Rudy Lombard on the classic volume Creole Feast. 

]]> Mon, 07 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0700 Justin A Nystrom Justin A Nystrom 2269 Jack and JustinCreators & Guests

interviewed noted civil rights attorney and political observer Lolis Edward Elie at his home on Henriette DeLille Street on November 16, 2012. Born in the neighborhood known today as the "Black Pearl" in 1930, Lolis Elie grew up doing all manner of odd jobs, from waiting tables and caddying at the nearby Audubon Park Golf Course to shining shoes at the corner of St. Charles and Broadway. By his own admission, he didn't set out to "become some Civil Rights attorney," that he "didn't want to spend the rest of my life shining shoes." In 1959, he became one of the earlier African American graduates of Loyola University New Orleans's Law School and went out immediately to set up a practice with Loyola classmate Nils Douglas and Robert Collins on what is today Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard. He played a pivotal role in the jurisprudence of desegregation and was a tireless civic advocate of equity for the people of New Orleans. Elie passed away in April 4, 2017. 

In this episode, Elie discusses his involvement with the desegregation of Canal Street, the perspectives of Civil Rights activists on the pivotal mayoral election of 1969-70, the disruption to Black New Orleans communities brought by Interstate 10 and Armstrong Park, the rediscovery of music and especially food culture in the 1970s, and his work with Rudy Lombard on the classic volume Creole Feast. 

]]> Civil Rights, New Orleans, 1970s, Lolis Elie, Loyola University New Orleans, Moon Landrieu, Creole Feast, Rudy Lombard, Nathaniel Burton Yes Jack Davis Justin Nystrom Trailer - Introducing Season 1 of Making Modern New Orleans 1 1 Trailer - Introducing Season 1 of Making Modern New Orleans trailer faaaeb20-47b2-4d65-bc3e-36ca80a6803b https://share.transistor.fm/s/273dc471 Justin Nystrom introduces Season 1 of the new podcast Making Modern New Orleans, a production of the Digital Humanities Studio, Department of History, Loyola University New Orleans.  Episode 1 coming October 2024. 

]]> Justin Nystrom introduces Season 1 of the new podcast Making Modern New Orleans, a production of the Digital Humanities Studio, Department of History, Loyola University New Orleans.  Episode 1 coming October 2024. 

]]> Sun, 29 Sep 2024 17:42:21 -0700 Justin A Nystrom Justin A Nystrom 254 Justin Nystrom introduces Season 1 of the new podcast Making Modern New Orleans, a production of the Digital Humanities Studio, Department of History, Loyola University New Orleans.  Episode 1 coming October 2024. 

]]> New Orleans, 1970s, Urban History No Justin Nystrom