Now You're Talking with Marshall Ramsey

Joe Lee has a background in radio, television, and journalism and was a radio disc jockey and a television weatherman before becoming a full-time writer and publisher. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Dogwood Press, a small but traditional publishing house headquartered in Brandon, Mississippi, and he is the author of nine suspense novels set in northeast Mississippi and a pair of non-fiction books released earlier this year. He has over 1,000 non-fiction news and feature stories to his credit and has written for several Mississippi newspapers and magazines over the years. He lives in Brandon with his family. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re looking to see some cool stuff and learn about our state’s history, consider the Museum of the Mississippi Delta. Director Lisa Cookston joins us via Zoom today to talk about the museum, which at the crossroads of regional history and art. Located in Greenwood, the building houses visual reminders of the Delta’s military and agricultural history. Lisa is New Orleans-born but Greenwood-raised, and in addition to talking about the museum will fill us in on her story and why she’s so proud to call Mississippi home. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you say we kick off the month of December chatting about Christmas play? Arts educator and friend to many William “Peppy” Biddy is back in town to direct “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas” at New Stage theatre in Jackson. Peppy is a professor emeritus of Mississippi University for Women where he served 31 years and directed over 40 productions. During his tenure at “The W”, he received a plethora of honors including the Lowndes County Educator of the Year Award. His current project is Million Dollar Quartet Christmas, a festive and electrifying musical by Colin Escott, that will take the stage December 4 – 22. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is produced in loving memory of Maggie Hurley, Marshall's mother-in-law and dear friend, who passed the day before this show was recorded. If you haven’t heard by now, a massive music festival has decided to make our capitol city its host for the next few years. The 82nd National Folk Festival will take place in downtown Jackson, Mississippi November 7-9, 2025 but with a kickoff event having gone by and plenty of media coverage the hype is starting early. First presented in St. Louis in 1934, the National Folk Festival is the flagship event of the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) and celebrates the roots, richness, and variety of American culture. Here to tell us more is NCTA executive director Blaine Waide and Department Chair of English at Jackson State University, Dr. Ebony Lumumba. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s a new documentary soon to air on MPB Television and today’s guest wants to tell you about it. Renowned writer Eudora Welty is explored through intimate photographs and in charming interviews of family and friends set against the backdrop of Jackson, Mississippi. A film by Anthony Thaxton, Eudora is a revealing portrait of adventure, daring, humor, and love as we meet a writer we only thought we knew. Anthony is an accomplished artist in several mediums and has taken home a plethora of awards, including an Emmy that is no-doubt on display in his home in Raymond, Mississippi. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes you just need a friend, and that’s what today’s guest is to me and so many others. Corinth native Kenneth Williams joins us by phone today to tell some stories about where his life has taken him. He decided in 1977 it would be fun to run a marathon, and that decision has led to the completion of 75 marathons over the ensuing 46 years, many around the world. This includes 23 Boston Marathons, 22 consecutively, and he briefly ranked 3rd in the World Marathon Majors rankings for 80+ year old males. Kenneth is also a poster child for maintaining a family business and civic engagement. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A native Mississippian, Ross Walton became involved in digital humanities as a way of promoting the Hattiesburg music scene. He began publishing a monthly music podcast, The South Mississippi Music Sampler, in 2005. Wishing to learn more about the oral traditions of storytelling, he started as a volunteer with the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage that same year, taking over production of the Center’s award-winning weekly radio show, Mississippi Moments. He is now the editor and producer of a new World War 2 podcast that we’ll discuss today, Each episode in “Voices of Our People: WWII” features approximately an hour of in-depth analysis by top military historians combined with interviews in the the Center’s archives. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A proud native of the Mississippi Delta, author Nash Nunnery has peened newspaper and magazine articles for various publications over four decades, including the Clarion-Ledger, Jackson Daily News, Mississippi Business Journal, Clinton News, Mississippi Sports Magazine, Clinton Courier, Vicksburg Post and Rankin County News. He joined the Mississippi Development Authority as a project manager and after being laid off lived his childhood dream of being a groundskeeper for the Mississippi Braves in their final season. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Carpenter is Singer/Songwriter from Jackson, Ms. He moved to Nashville full time after being a part of several acts in Mississippi and quickly joined other artists and bands on the Nashville circuit. His First studio album “Chasing Me” debuted at #1 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts in 2021. Carpenter has amassed over 10 million streams and opened for acts such as Grammy Award Winner and Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Famer, Sheryl Crow. It’s also drive time here at MPB, and we’ll be telling you how you can make a difference during the show. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two men that Marshall has known for several years are in the house today to talk about a very cool event. What began as a small church-sponsored afternoon of music 40 years ago is now one of Jackson’s major fall festivals with top musical talent on two stages, food trucks, children's activities, arts and crafts vendors, and more. Since the festival began in 1984, WellsFest has raised more than $1.5 million for local non-profit agencies. Malcom White and Raphael Semmes are here to talk about the festival and this year's beneficiary: The WellsFest CARES Musicians Emergency Fund at the Community Foundation for Mississippi. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is no exaggeration to call Mike Duke the poster child for MPB’s mission of education and serving the community. Blind since birth, Mike attended the Mississippi School for the Blind and Mississippi State University, where he earned a degree in communications. He then worked as a commercial radio announcer for 12 years before joining Mississippi Public Broadcasting as director of the Radio Reading Service of Mississippi in 1988. Radio Reading Service of Mississippi features on-the-air readings of newspapers, books and magazines for persons who are unable to read the printed word. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bibliophiles rejoice, the annual Mississippi Book festival is here at last. One of the most anticipated state events, this celebration of literary achievement takes place at the capitol every year. Dozens of panelists from around the country will be talking about their books, including yours truly, so my producer Lacey will be asking me some questions about my new children’s book, Saving Sam. We’ll also be chatting with Book Festival director Ellen Daniels and artist Noah Saterstrom. Ellen Daniels served as the festival’s Literary Director from 2019 to 2021, when she then became the Executive Director. Ellen is a fanatic of all things art. In addition to her prior work as a gallery assistant at Fischer Galleries and her own fine art photography training, Ellen also brings more than a decade of experience at Lemuria Books to her leadership position. Noah was raised in Mississippi and educated at Scotland's Glasgow School of Art. His paintings are in public and private collections worldwide. His work has been covered in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and The New York Times. His exhibition "What Became of Dr. Smith" is on view at the Mississippi Museum of Art through Sept 22, 2024, and a book of that artwork will be the subject of his panel at the 2024 Mississippi Book Festival. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryan Parker is the Executive Director of the Mississippi Film Society, a non-profit that is working to bring unique film screening experiences, film-based educational programming, and a prison screening program to Mississippi. A Brookhaven native, Ryan has been working in the film industry as a producer and marketing/PR consultant for the last 12 years. He has already made his mark this month by providing unique experiences for his statesmen and we’re excited to learn what’s next. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He’s been an attorney for nearly five decades, but he’s also a pretty darn good author. That’s right, we have entertainment attorney and 2024 Mississippi Book festival panelist X.M. Frascogna in the house. Known by his friends and family as simply Mike, X.M. has specialized in entertainment and sports law since the early seventies. He has co-authored with his sons five books about football set in his home state of Mississippi, but we’re here to chat mostly about his first full-length non-fiction work, The Saints of St. Mary’s. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is Education Week here at MPB Think Radio and most of our shows are taking part in a very important theme- education and back-to-school topics. Who better to talk about this than the 2024 Mississippi Teacher of the Year, Shauna Waters. Currently teaching English at East Lauderdale High School in Collins, Shauna Waters has been a teacher since 2001. She has taught in Indiana University’s Intensive English program, and in the Comparative Cultures department of Aichi University in Japan. Her Teacher of the Year honor joins a shelf of other awards, including a Yale Educator Award in 2019. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apologies in advance if today’s episode makes you hungry- we have Newks’ CEO Chris Newcomb in the building. Based in Jackson, Mississippi, Newk’s Eatery is a fast-casual chain that operates and franchises just under 100 units in 16 states. Ever since it’s founding in 2004, Newk’s has been a go-to for sandwiches, soups, salads and pizza whether you live in Jackson, Atlanta, or Birmingham. Chris was inspired by his Dad to buy in to the food business and was a career college student in Oxford, Mississippi. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Vicksburg native and Ole Miss graduate, today’s guest uses incredible storytelling skills only the south can provide. Ellis Nassour has a background in Journalism and has been writing books about the history of Broadway musicals for decades. He is back home this week to sign copies and inform his statesmen of his newest book, Jesus Christ Superstar: Behind the Scenes of the Worldwide Musical Phenomenon. In this book Nassour shares little-known stories about the production of the record and show, a controversial re-telling of the biblical story of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus of Nazareth. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guests were recently recognized by the New York Times as some of the best pizza-makers in the United States. Leña (which translates to firewood) makes dough from scratch and brings it to life with traditional proofing practices. Located in the rural Mississippi Delta, this Cleveland staple provides pizza and bagels unlike anywhere else in the region. Today we’re talking to the masterminds behind the award-winning joint- Marisol Doyle was born and raised in Mexico and studied her art in Italy, and her husband Rory is an independent photojournalist who is capturing the complexities of the deep south when he’s not photographing bagels. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve worked in television in the state of Mississippi in any capacity, today’s guests are no stranger to you. Emmy award-winning television legends Walt Grayson and his daughter Keri Grayson Horne are joining us in the studio today to talk about what they know best- how storytelling and educational media can truly shape an entire state. Walt has spent over five decades working in the media industry and is currently with WJTV. He hosts and produces Mississippi Roads at MPB, where Keri has worked and served for over twenty years. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guests today know all about the importance of keeping it in the family. Connie Hollins and her son DeSanto Rollins will be the the guests of honor in a soon-to-come episode of Family Owned: A Legacy Leadership podcast, produced in partnership with Ole Miss and MPB. The owners of Rollins Funeral Home in Woodville, this entire family has been dedicated to serving grieving families in the state for several years. They join me today to tell the story of their family’s legacy and tell some inside baseball on what its like to run a business with your loved ones. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.