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Louisiana Legends: The Series

This intimate LPB series brings viewers face-to-face with the extraordinary 2024 Louisiana Legends who have shaped our state’s rich cultural and political landscape.Through in-depth, one-on-one conversations, hosts, Robyn Merrick and Victor Howell draw out the personal stories behind the public legacies of some of the state's most influential figures. From the sidelines of Tiger Stadium to the halls of the Supreme Court, from the governor's mansion to the MLB, each episode offers unprecedented access to the wisdom, struggles, and triumphs of Louisiana's living legends.

2024
SAM NADER
JOHN BEL & DONNA EDWARDS
BERNETTE JOSHUA JOHNSON
TODD WALKER

Sam Nader

Veteran Louisiana sportscaster Victor Howell sits down with Sam Nader, the behind-the-scenes legend who has served LSU football for over four decades as Director of Football Operations. Nader shares captivating stories spanning multiple championship eras, from working alongside iconic coaches Charles McClendon and Nick Saban to the recent national championship with Ed Orgeron. With characteristic humility, he discusses his pivotal role in recruiting Louisiana's top talent, building the program's strong family culture, and navigating the dramatic evolution of college football. Nader offers viewers unprecedented insight into LSU's rise to national prominence while reflecting on his lifelong commitment to developing young men both on and off the field.

WATCH LOUISIANA LEGENDS: SAM NADER

The Edwards Legacy - Service Beyond Politics

In this special joint interview, former Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and former First Lady Donna Edwards share their remarkable journey of public service with host Robyn Merrick. The couple discusses their complementary approaches to leadership—from John Bel's groundbreaking work on criminal justice reform and Medicaid expansion to Donna's tireless advocacy for foster children and human trafficking survivors through the Louisiana First Foundation. Together, they reflect on the challenges of governing a state facing economic hardships and natural disasters, the personal sacrifices of public life, and how their shared faith and rural Louisiana roots guided their policy decisions. This intimate conversation offers viewers a rare glimpse into both the political and personal dimensions of one of Louisiana's most consequential first families.

WATCH LOUISIANA LEGENDS: THE EDWARDS LEGACY

Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson - Breaking Barriers of Justice

Robyn Merrick interviews Bernette Joshua Johnson, the trailblazing jurist who became Louisiana's first African American Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court. Chief Justice Johnson reflects on her remarkable journey from the civil rights movement to the state's highest court, including her early legal career with the Legal Aid Society and her historic appointment to the Orleans Parish Civil District Court. With wisdom and candor, she discusses the challenges she faced as a Black woman in the legal profession, her landmark decisions promoting equal justice, and her commitment to reforming Louisiana's criminal justice system. Johnson shares personal insights about her New Orleans upbringing and how it fueled her lifelong dedication to ensuring that the law serves all Louisiana citizens equally.

WATCH LOUISIANA LEGENDS: BERNETTE JOSHUA JOHNSON

Todd Walker - Louisiana's Major League Legacy

In this intimate one-on-one interview with Victor Howell, former MLB second baseman Todd Walker reflects on his journey from Bossier City to the big leagues. Walker discusses his standout career at LSU where he helped lead the Tigers to the 1993 College World Series championship, earning the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award. He shares insights from his 12-season Major League career spanning eight teams, including the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, and Boston Red Sox. Walker opens up about his Louisiana roots, his post-baseball life as a businessman and baseball analyst, and his enduring connection to his home state.

WATCH LOUISIANA LEGENDS: TODD WALKER
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