The Engage and Spark Podcast

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage videocast, Julia Cormier, Commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, provides an overview of the Office of Multimodal Commerce, highlighting strategic programs, funding priorities, and infrastructure initiatives across aviation, rail, trucking, ports, and waterways to enhance transportation efficiency and drive economic growth statewide.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage podcast, Dr. Libbie Sonnier, Chief Executive Officer of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, and Dr. Paula Polito, owner and director of Beary Cherry Tree Child Development Center, discuss early childhood education funding in Louisiana leading up to the upcoming 2025 legislative session.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage videocast, Richard Nelson, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue, discusses tax reform in Louisiana leading up to the Fiscal Legislative Session.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage videocast, Dr. Cade Brumley, Louisiana State Superintendent of Education, shares insights on the state’s academic progress, updates on education standards revisions, and key developments within Louisiana’s education system.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage videocast, Colleen Jarrott & Logan Burke discuss the recent developments in Carbon Capture & Storage in Louisiana.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage videocast, Melinda Deslatte discusses the rewriting of the Revenue and Tax portion of Louisiana's Constitution.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage videocast, Susie Schowen, Secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Development, discusses the challenges presented in Louisiana's workforce.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage videocast, Kathy Kliebert discusses the different ways of aging in Louisiana.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage videocast, we discuss the streamlined sales tax with Craig Johnson.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage videocast, we discuss the history of Louisiana's history of educations reforms with Barry Erwin.

Join host, Julie Stokes, on discussing tax reform on sales tax and the overal reconstruction issues with panelists: Jaye Calhoun, Jason DeCuir, Dannie Garrett and Jan Mollier.

Join host, Julie Stokes, on discussing tax reform on sales tax and the overal reconstruction issues with panelists: Jaye Calhoun, Jason DeCuir, Dannie Garrett and Jan Mollier.

Listen to Julie Stokes interview with Newell Normand on WWL Radio on her cancer advocacy work in the 2022 Louisiana Legislative Session.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage videocast we discuss the critical workforce shortages Louisiana is facing in its healthcare industry. Our panelists include: 

• Tina Holland, President of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University 
• Wendi Palermo, Chief Education and Training Officer for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System 
•  Dr. Missy Sparks, Vice President of Talent Management and Workforce Development at Ochsner Health

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage videocast we discuss hospitality labor shortages due to COVID-19 and natural disasters with Louisiana Restaurant Association President and CEO, Stan Harris.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage podcast we discuss funding for Early Care and Education in Louisiana. Our guests are Commissioner Jay Dardenne, who serves as Louisiana’s commissioner of administration. In this capacity, he serves as the state’s chief operating officer. And Dr. Libbie Sonnier, Executive Director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, who leverages 20 years of professional experience supporting young children and their families.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage podcast we will discuss Louisiana’s budget with Commissioner Jay Dardenne. Jay Dardenne is Louisiana’s commissioner of administration. In this capacity, he serves as the state’s chief operating officer.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage videocast we discuss how to be a good advocate. Our guests are Cassie Alsfeld, President of Shoreline Strategies, LLC, and Katie Corkern, Executive Director of the Rural Mental Health Alliance.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage podcast we discuss healthcare access issues relating to various provider types as well as other healthcare issues such as healthcare workforce shortages, telehealth and long-term care. Our guests are Kathy Kliebert, former Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, and Traci Thompson, who has over 16 years of experience working as a regulatory and transactional healthcare lawyer.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Quick Take we catch up with Karen Stubbs Church, the Assistant Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Health who is in charge of the Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health. We discuss highlights from the last legislative session for behavioral health and the new crisis system.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's videocast we speak with Robert Travis Scott, the outgoing President of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana or PAR, as well as Steven Procopio, incoming President of PAR. We discuss early childhood education funding, redistricting, tax reform and what big changes are on the horizon.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's podcast we hold a discussion with Senator Kirk Talbot on where we are headed in the upcoming 2022 legislative session with long term care.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's podcast we hold a one of a kind debate on Constitutional Amendments #1, 2 and 4 on the November 13 ballot. This robust discussion covers all points of view from all sides of the political spectrum.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Quick Take we catch up with Dr. Shawn Wilson, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), to get an update on several new funding streams for Louisiana’s infrastructure needs.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Quick Take we catch up with Veneeth Iyengar, Executive Director of Broadband Development and Connectivity for the State of Louisiana, on how the state is doing in its quest to provide statewide broadband.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Quick Take we catch up with Dr. Monty Sullivan, President of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, on the MJ Foster Promise Program that recently passed this legislative session that recently adjourned.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Quick Take we catch up with Libbie Sonnier, Executive Director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, on what was achieved for Early Childhood Care and Education in the legislative session that recently adjourned.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Quick Take we catch up with Jason Decuir on the tax reform developments that occurred this past legislative session.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage Videocast we speak with Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor, Billy Nungesser on bipartisanship and the state of Tourism in Louisiana after COVID-19.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage podcast we cover the state of infrastructure in Louisiana including what is needed, what to expect from the 2021 legislative session and exciting news about a new passenger train between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Our guests are Michael Hecht, President & CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. and John Spain, Executive Vice President of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.

This episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage Videocast features a panel discussion on how women’s career paths have been impacted and how COVID might still have an effect on women in the workplace several years down the road. Our panelists include Libbie Sonnier, Executive Director of Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, Ava DeJoie Cates, Secretary of Louisiana Workforce Commission, and Missy Sparks, VP of Talent Management at Ochsner Health System.  A special thank you to the National Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah and the Jewish Endowment of Louisiana for putting on this presentation along with Ellevate Louisiana.

In this episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage podcast we explore broadband and connectivity issues in the state with Veneeth Iyengar, the first incoming Executive Director of Broadband Development and Connectivity for the State of Louisiana. Veneeth and Julie Stokes discuss access, affordability and more.

This episode of Ellevate Louisiana's Engage podcast is an interview with Governor John Bel Edwards previously recorded at our Legislative Leadership Conference. Julie Stokes and Governor Edwards discuss his legislative priorities leading into the upcoming legislative session.

In this episode of Ellevate’s Engage podcast we discuss Tax Reform with Rep. Stuart Bishop, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Joining Rep. Bishop in the interview are several members of a committee that were called together to develop Tax reform legislation for this important fiscal session including Rep. Beau Beaullieu, Rep. Phillip Devillier and Rep. Barry Ivey.

In this episode of Ellevate’s Engage Videocast we discuss Louisiana's Budget and Fiscal Session with Rep. Jerome Zeringue, Chairman of Appropriations. Julie Stokes and Rep. Zeringue discuss the American Rescue Plan Act, the Governor's Executive Budget and more.

In this episode of Ellevate’s Engage podcast we discuss tax reform with Sen. Bret Allain, Chairman of Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee. Julie Stokes and Sen. Allain discuss his comprehensive tax reform package, the franchise tax, centralized sales tax collection and more.

In this episode of Ellevate’s Engage Videocast we explore the state of Louisiana's coastline and its restoration. Julie Stokes speaks with Chip Kline, Chairman of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) Board and the Director of Coastal Activities for the State of Louisiana. Julie and Chip discuss Louisiana's land loss, CPRA's master plan, upcoming projects and more!

In this episode of Ellevate’s Engage Videocast we explore the state of Louisiana's infrastructure. Julie Stokes speaks with Dr. Shawn Wilson, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Julie and Dr. Wilson discuss project updates across the state, funding transportation and more!

In this episode of Ellevate’s Engage Videocast we wrap up our conversation on the state of Louisiana's workforce and economy. Julie Stokes speaks with Michael Williamson, who serves as President and CEO of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana. Julie and Michael discuss the ALICE project, the effects of Covid-19 on ALICE households and more!

In this episode of the Engage videocast, we wrap up our conversation on the states finances. Julie Stokes speaks with Greg Albrecht and Chris Keaton with the Louisiana Legislative Fiscal Office on budget expectations, the Revenue Estimating Conference and more!

In this episode of the Engage videocast, we continue to explore issues related to Louisiana's workforce and economy. Julie Stokes speaks with Ava DeJoie, Secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Julie and Secretary DeJoie discuss equal pay, minimum wage and more!

In this episode of Ellevate’s Engage Videocast we switch gears to the state of Louisiana's workforce and economy. Julie Stokes speaks with Don Pierson, who serves as Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development. Julie and Secretary Pierson discuss creating greater economic opportunity for Louisiana residents, recent economic development wins, Resilient Louisiana Commission and more!

This week’s podcast is a little longer than usual, but it is a virtual treasure trove of valuable insight into Louisiana. It is an in-depth discussion with the Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson about the history of the state’s finances leading up to the moment that we find ourselves in, the various ideas of tax reform swirling around a very reform-minded legislature as session is about to begin, and some of the impediments to making any real meaningful change, especially in the age of COVID.  I think you will find it well worth the time, even though you might want to listen over to two sessions!

In this episode of Ellevate’s Engage Videocast we continue to explore the state of Louisiana's budget and finances. Julie Stokes speaks with Jason DeCuir, who is Co-owner and Partner with Advantous Consulting, LLC, a leading tax services firm in Louisiana. Julie and Jason discuss key tax reform issues in the state and more!

In this episode of Ellevate’s Engage podcast we explore the state of Louisiana's budget and finances. Julie Stokes speaks with Commissioner Jay Dardenne about the budget planning process, the affects of COVID-19 and oil, budget surpluses and more!

In this episode of Ellevate’s Engage Videocast we explore the state of the Healthcare System in Louisiana. Julie Stokes speaks with Dr. Courtney Phillips, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, about COVID-19, Medicaid expansion, maternal mortality and more!

On this episode of the Engage videocast Julie Stokes speaks with Dr. Rebekah Gee and Kathy Kliebert, the last two people to serve as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, formerly known as the Department of Health and Hospitals. Julie, Dr. Gee and Ms. Stokes discuss the state of healthcare in Louisiana including Medicaid expansion, Louisiana's response to COVID-19 and more!

Welcome to the Stokes Flame Videocast with host Julie Stokes! On our first episode we feature Dr. Marc Matrana, Director of the Ochsner Precision Cancer Therapies Program, the only dedicated early phase clinical trials program for cancer patients between Houston and Birmingham. In our videocast, Julie and Dr. Matrana discuss Precision Medicine and the latest legislative success with SB 204.

In this episode of Ellevate’s Engage Videocast we explore the state of the Mental Healthcare System in Louisiana. Julie Stokes speaks with Karen Stubbs who heads up the Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health as an Assistant Secretary in the Louisiana Department of Health. Julie and Karen discuss accessing mental health services, the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health landscape in the state and more!

Welcome to the Spark podcast presented by Flame Consulting! On this episode, host Julie Stokes introduces our viewers to YouNight, a sisterhood of support for women who have had or are currently battling any type of cancer.