Shreveport Bossier Local Lens

Welcome to Shreveport Bossier Local Lens, the podcast dedicated to sharing the stories of the people making a difference in the Shreveport-Bossier community. Hosted by Jeremy Sutton, each episode dives deep into inspiring conversations with local leaders, creators, and change makers who bring unique perspectives and positive impact to our area. From initiatives that uplift neighborhoods to businesses that shape the local economy, we capture the heart and soul of Shreveport-Bossier, one story at a time.

Shreveport Bossier Local Lens is a business podcast hosted by Jeremy Sutton, with 83 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Jeremy Sutton hosts Shreveport Bossier Local Lens, a business show with 83 episodes published.

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  Shreveport Bossier Local Lens

  83 More Options, Better Protection: Victoria Balke on Insurance, Entrepreneurship, and Building Relationships

  Sep 9, 202638 min

  In this episode of Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens , Jeremy Sutton sits down with Victoria Balke of Goosehead Insurance to talk about entrepreneurship, family, networking, and the importance of having the right insurance coverage. After welcoming a new baby, Victoria began reevaluating how she wanted to spend her time and structure her career. That led her to move from working with a single insurance company to becoming an independent insurance agent with access to a much larger selection of carriers. For Victoria, this gave her the ability to shop multiple companies, compare options, and help clients protect themselves without automatically sacrificing coverage or raising deductibles. Jeremy and Victoria also discuss the realities of starting a business, the value of a supportive spouse, and why local relationships still matter in an increasingly transactional and technology-driven world. In This Episode Jeremy and Victoria discuss: How becoming a mother changed Victoria's priorities Why she wanted greater flexibility and control over her schedule Moving from a captive insurance company to an independent model How Victoria unexpectedly found her career in insurance Why family support is essential for many entrepreneurs Building a business after moving to Shreveport-Bossier How networking helped Victoria establish herself in the community Why referrals should be based on trust Why supporting local businesses matters Keeping client relationships personal and accessible Connect With Victoria Victoria Balke Goosehead Insurance Phone: 318-621-1122 Email: victoria.balky@goosehead.com Social media: Search Victoria Balke or Louisiana Insurance Gal Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens Hosted by Jeremy Sutton Conversations with local business owners, leaders, and community members making a difference throughout Shreveport-Bossier.

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  Shreveport Bossier Local Lens

  82 Beyond the Prescription: Heidi Cram's Vision for a Better Pharmacy Experience

  Sep 4, 202639 min

  What if your pharmacist actually knew you, understood your medications, and had enough time to help you make better decisions about your health? Apotheworx In this episode of Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens , Jeremy Sutton sits down with Dr. Heidi Cram , pharmacist and founder of Apotheworx , an independent pharmacy in downtown Shreveport. After more than 20 years in pharmacy and patient care, Heidi saw how difficult the traditional pharmacy system had become for both patients and pharmacists. Long lines, rising medication costs, insurance complications, limited time with the pharmacist, and overwhelmed pharmacy staff were making it harder to provide the personal care patients deserved. Heidi decided to build something different. Apotheworx was created to bring pharmacy back to its roots: personal relationships, clear communication, accessible care, and a pharmacist who has time to listen. Jeremy and Heidi discuss what inspired her to open Apotheworx, the challenges of starting an independent pharmacy, and how its membership-based model allows her to provide a more personal level of service. In This Episode Jeremy and Heidi discuss: Heidi's background and more than 20 years of pharmacy experience How her father's career as a local pharmacist influenced her What inspired her to leave the traditional pharmacy environment Why the current pharmacy system can be frustrating for patients The role insurance companies and middlemen play in medication pricing How Apotheworx offers transparent prescription prices What a concierge or membership-based pharmacy actually means The value of having direct access to your pharmacist Why medication consultations can help patients better understand their health Prescription delivery, automatic refills, and personalized support How an independent pharmacy can work alongside physicians and other healthcare providers The challenges and rewards of opening a new business in downtown Shreveport Heidi's vision for creating a pharmacy that feels more like family More Than Filling Prescriptions A pharmacist can offer much more than a bottle of medication. Pharmacists can help patients understand: Why they are taking a medication How and when it should be taken Possible side effects or medication interactions Whether a less expensive option may be available How their medications fit into their overall health plan What questions they may need to ask their physician The problem is that traditional pharmacy environments do not always give pharmacists enough time to have these conversations. At Apotheworx, Heidi is working to restore that relationship by giving patients greater access to a pharmacist who knows their history, answers their questions, and helps them navigate an increasingly complicated healthcare system. The Apotheworx Difference Apotheworx is an independent, patient-focused pharmacy offering services such as: Transparent medication pricing Prescription pickup and delivery Automatic prescription refills Direct access to a pharmacist Personalized health and medication consultations Immunizations Pet medications Ongoing support through a membership-based model Instead of treating pharmacy care as a quick transaction, Heidi wants patients to feel known, supported, and confident about the medications they take. A New Approach to Local Healthcare This episode is also a story about entrepreneurship, courage, and betting on a better way of doing things. Heidi recognized a problem within her profession and decided to create the kind of pharmacy she believed patients and pharmacists both needed. Her work is a reminder that healthcare can still be local, personal, and relationship-driven. Sometimes better healthcare begins with something simple: Having enough time to listen. Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens Hosted by Jeremy Sutton Conversations with the people, businesses, and organizations making a positive difference in the Shreveport-Bossier community.

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  Shreveport Bossier Local Lens

  81 On The BRIGHT Side: Finding The Good in Shreveport-Bossier with Felicia Sullivan

  Aug 28, 202633 min

  What if the problem isn't that there's nothing good happening in Shreveport-Bossier, but that we don't hear enough about it? In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Felicia Sullivan , creator of On the Bright Side , a free weekly newsletter built around the positive things happening throughout the Shreveport-Bossier community. Every Monday morning, Felicia highlights local events, nonprofits, small businesses, volunteer opportunities, live music, and stories about everyday people making a difference. In This Episode Jeremy and Felicia talk about: Why Felicia created On the Bright Side The problem with constantly consuming negative news Why Shreveport-Bossier has more happening than many people realize How to find local volunteer opportunities The incredible work being done by local nonprofits Why small acts of service can have a major impact Finding positive stories that would otherwise never be told How getting involved changed Felicia's own perception of Shreveport-Bossier Why positive storytelling matters for community pride Moving from complaining about your community to helping improve it Why you don't have to do something huge to make a difference Felicia's plans for Bright Side Impact , connecting small businesses and nonprofits through volunteer projects The Story That Says It All One of Felicia's favorite stories isn't about a major organization or a huge donation. It's about a man she met through one of her physical therapy patients. After suffering a serious accident years earlier that left him paralyzed, he worked his way back to walking. Today, he uses that experience to help elderly people in his neighborhood. He simply goes to their homes, gets them outside, and walks with them. Nobody would know his name from the news.There probably won't be a big ceremony honoring him, but he's making his neighborhood better. And that's exactly the kind of story On the Bright Side exists to tell. Stop Being a Spectator One of the biggest themes of this conversation is that improving a community can't always be somebody else's responsibility. There are nonprofits that need volunteers.There are neighbors who need help.There are local businesses worth supporting.There are churches and community organizations looking for people willing to serve. You don't have to fix everything. Find one place where you can contribute and start there. As Jeremy and Felicia put it near the end of the conversation: Go walk your neighbor. Sometimes making your community better really can be that simple. About On the Bright Side On The Bright Side Newsletter On the Bright Side is a free weekly newsletter focused on the positive people, organizations, events and opportunities throughout Shreveport-Bossier. It arrives every Monday morning and helps locals discover what's happening, where they can volunteer, and who is doing good work throughout the community. If you've ever said, "There's nothing to do here" or "I don't know how to get involved," On the Bright Side might change your mind. Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens Hosted by Jeremy Sutton Conversations with the people who are building, serving and making a difference in Shreveport-Bossier.

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  Shreveport Bossier Local Lens

  80 From The Air Force to Financial Planning with Mindy Rodriguez

  Aug 27, 202634 min

  What does serving in the Air Force, living around the world, working in oil and gas, and building a career in financial services have in common? For Mindy Rodriguez , each experience helped shape the way she works with people today. In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Mindy, a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Shreveport, to talk about her unconventional path into financial planning, why relationships matter just as much as numbers, and what people should really be thinking about when it comes to retirement and their financial future. Mindy shares how joining the Air Force at 19 took her from Japan to England and Portugal, how she eventually found her way into financial services, and why she believes good financial planning isn't simply about trying to make the most money possible. It's about figuring out what you want your life to look like and building a financial plan that helps you get there. They also discuss retirement planning, 401(k)s, taxes, investment risk, planning for life's unexpected events, and why sometimes a financial advisor's job is actually to tell a client: You've saved enough. Go enjoy some of it. In This Episode Jeremy and Mindy talk about: Why Mindy joined the Air Force at just 19 years old Living and serving overseas in Japan, England, and Portugal How military service influenced the way she approaches work and relationships Her transition from oil and gas into financial services Why she ultimately chose Edward Jones Why relationships remain important even in the age of AI What a financial planner actually does beyond managing investments Understanding your 401(k) and employer-sponsored retirement plan What happens to your retirement account when you leave a job How financial planning can help determine how much investment risk you actually need Planning for retirement, education expenses, taxes and unexpected life events Why it's never a bad idea to start asking questions about your financial future Why Mindy doesn't believe every potential client is necessarily the right fit A Big Takeaway Financial planning shouldn't begin with: "How much money can I make?" It should begin with: "What do I want my life to look like?" How do you want to live in retirement? What experiences do you want to have? What do you want to leave your children or grandchildren? How much risk do you actually need to take to accomplish those things? Once those questions are answered, the investments become part of a much bigger plan. And sometimes good financial planning isn't about saving more. About Mindy Rodriguez Contact Mindy Mindy Rodriguez is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Shreveport. Her background includes 12 years in the United States Air Force, administrative leadership, work in the oil and gas industry, and more than a decade in financial services. Today, she focuses heavily on relationships, retirement planning and helping clients build financial strategies around the lives they actually want to live. When Should You Consider Talking to a Financial Advisor? According to Mindy, it may be time to have that conversation when you're: Planning for retirement Already retired and want your money to last Planning for a child's or grandchild's education Evaluating your 401(k) or other retirement accounts Leaving a job and deciding what to do with an employer-sponsored retirement plan Preparing financially for unexpected events Looking for opportunities to manage taxes more efficiently Ready to create a comprehensive plan instead of managing each financial decision separately You don't necessarily have to wait until you've accumulated a large amount of money. Sometimes the most valuable conversation happens while you're still building toward your goals. Final Thought One theme runs through Mindy's entire story: People matter. Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens Hosted by Jeremy Sutton

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  Shreveport Bossier Local Lens

  79 How The Committee of 100 Are Helping Shape the Future of Shreveport-Bossier City with Jeffrey Goodman

  Jun 3, 202636 min

  In this episode of the Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens Podcast , Jeremy Sutton sits down with Jeffrey Goodman , CEO of the Committee of 100, for a conversation about leadership, community engagement, economic development, and why the future of Shreveport-Bossier depends on people who are willing to show up and get involved. Jeffrey shares his journey from leading community initiatives at the YMCA to stepping into his new role as the first full-time CEO of the Committee of 100. Along the way, he discusses the importance of collaboration over competition, the value of community partnerships, and how small actions can create lasting change. The conversation explores: Jeffrey's transition from the YMCA to the Committee of 100 Lessons learned from living in St. Louis, Europe, and Los Angeles before returning home Why an abundance mindset beats a scarcity mindset every time The importance of local leadership and community partnerships Hidden gems and organizations making a difference across Northwest Louisiana The Committee of 100's vision for revitalizing the Airport-to-Downtown corridor How improving first impressions can impact economic development Why Shreveport-Bossier history should be taught in local schools The importance of getting into the right rooms and surrounding yourself with people who challenge you Leadership lessons from filmmaking, entrepreneurship, and community service Why "I don't know" can be one of the most powerful phrases a leader can say The simple challenge Jeffrey leaves for everyone: Show Up Key Quote "How do communities get better? They get better because people show up, roll up their sleeves, partner together, and do the work." About Jeffrey Goodman Jeffrey Goodman serves as the CEO of the Committee of 100, a leadership organization made up of many of the region's top business leaders who work together to advance economic development and improve quality of life across Northwest Louisiana. Prior to joining the Committee of 100, Jeffrey spent seven years with the YMCA where he became known for his community engagement efforts, podcasts, and collaborative leadership style. Connect with The Committee of One Hundred https://committeeofonehundred.org Connect with Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens Hosted by Jeremy Sutton, PT, DPT The Shreveport-Bossier Local Lens Podcast highlights the people, businesses, nonprofits, and leaders making a positive impact throughout Northwest Louisiana. jeremy@healthysbc.com

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