Soul Sessions Podcast | Visit Jackson

Soul Sessions, Visit Jackson's podcast is a look at the people, places and events of Jackson, Mississippi.

The show is hosted by Visit Jackson’s Director of Destination Storytelling, Paul Wolf, with Visit Jackson Director of External Affairs, Partnerships and Alliances, Yolanda Clay-Moore occasionally hosting conversations.

Uncover the stories of Jackson's changemakers, bringing them to life in short, easy-to-digest episodes that reveal what makes this city truly special.

Launched officially in February 2020, Soul Sessions explores the heart of Jackson's culture through engaging conversations, dropping twice a month on various podcast platforms. Tune in and immerse yourself in the soulful essence of this incredible city.

Season 4

Soul Sessions Podcast: Kane Ditto + Mike Williams — JXN Planetarium

In this episode, Mayor Kane Ditto and Mike Williams discuss the history of the JXN Planetarium, the new design, and the challenges and triumphs of fundraising.

Soul Sessions Podcast: David Long for Jackson Friends of the Library

In this episode, we talk to David Long, the president of the Jackson Friends of the Library who discusses the importance of promoting libraries and literacy in the city of Jackson.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Walt Grayson

In this episode of Soul Sessions, Yolanda Clay-Moore interviews Walt Grayson, a veteran television and radio personality in Mississippi and Grand Marshal of this year's Hal's St. Paddy's Parade.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Jackson Food & Wine

In this episode of Soul Sessions, we’ve put together an episode featuring The Local Palate’s Amanda FitzGerald, Chef Nick Wallace and Chef Cat Cora. After a successful event, it's worth listening back…

Soul Sessions Podcast: Mark Geil and Shon Perryman

In this episode of Soul Sessions, we explore a collaborative project between Visit Jackson and Jackson State University's art department, a rebranding of local restaurants that provides real-world experience for art students.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Cat Cora

In this episode, our guest is none other than Jackson, Mississippi native and Iron Chef, Cat Cora. Cora returns home on March 2 - and says she can't wait - and talks…

Soul Sessions Podcast: Nick Wallace

In this episode, Chef Nick Wallace discusses the upcoming Jackson Food & Wine Festival and the importance of celebrating Jackson, Mississippi.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Amanda Fitzgerald

In this episode of Soul Sessions, Amanda FitzGerald of The Local Palate talks about the upcoming JXN Food and Wine Festival.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Keith Ferguson

In this episode of Soul Sessions, Keith Ferguson discusses WellsFest CARES, a fundraising effort that supports musicians with their life needs.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Damien Cavicchi

In this episode of Soul Sessions, Hal & Mal's and Campbell's Bakery Chef Damien Cavicchi discusses his love for storytelling through food and how he draws inspiration from his travels and the…

Season 3

Soul Sessions Podcast: Brad “Kamikaze” Franklin

Today, we're talking to Brad Kamikaze Franklin, the founder of Jackson Indie Music Week, a seven-day music festival that celebrates independent music in Jackson, Mississippi.

Soul Sessions Podcast: MS Museum of Art’s Kaegan Sparks

Kaegan Sparks, the new curator at the Mississippi Museum of Art, talks to us about the significance of their latest exhibition - the final stop on a multi-state tour that focuses on…

Soul Sessions Podcast: Chief Añu Amen-Rá

On this Native American Heritage Day, we talk with Chief Anu Amen-Rá, the Sartorial Tobacconist, and season four host of Dirty Napkins.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Tyler Alford & Eudora’s

Eudora's Mississippi Brasserie operating partner, Tyler Alford, explores the origins of his unapologetically fine dining establishment.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Dr. Ebony Lumumba

Today, Yolanda Clay-Moore is in conversation with Jackson's First Lady and Jackson State University English professor, Dr. Ebony Lumumba.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Dr. Clay Hays and the Museum Trail

Today on our show, Dr. Clay Hays, President of Jackson Heart Clinic and Vice Chair of the Jackson Heart Foundation was one of the people instrumental in bringing about the Museum Trail…

Soul Sessions Podcast: Chris Goodwin

Today, we’re talking with Chris Goodwin, the special projects manager for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Robert Langford (Operation Shoestring & WellsFest)

Today we're talking WellsFest, the annual family friendly, alcohol-free event, with food, kids' fun, and a full day of local music.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Mississippi Science Fest

Today on this special edition of the show, we talk to Andrea Patterson about the Mississippi Science Fest weekend, September 14 through 16.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Ryan Parker & Mississippi Film Society

Today, we're talking with Ryan Parker, a Jackson-based publicist and promoter for TV and film.

Soul Sessions Podcast: De Shannon Williams and Food Truck Friday at Smith Park

Today, De Shannon Williams is one of the owners of Smokey's Meal on Wheels food truck, and she's an organizer of Food Truck Fridays, which have returned to Smith Park in downtown…

Soul Sessions Podcast: Ellen Daniels & the MS Book Festival

Today on Soul Sessions, Mississippi Book Festival Director Ellen Daniels talks about the shape of the 2023 festival, her favorite authors and why she says community plays a huge role in Mississippi's…

Soul Sessions Podcast: Jesse Thompson and the Jackson Music Awards

Today on Soul Sessions, Jesse Thompson shares with us his legacy - three award shows and even more to come, and he says he's ready to give it another 50 years.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Stephen Brown

Today on Soul Sessions, Stephen Brown, aka 5th Child, talks making music in Jackson, and how a pandemic eyesore has turned into a mission in his North Jackson neighborhood.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Pulito Osteria

Today on Soul Sessions, we're talking with Chef Chaz Lindsay and General Manager Jonathan Webb of Pulito Osteria at the Belhaven Town Center.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Pam Junior & Juneteenth 2023

Today on Soul Sessions, we'll revisit a conversation I had last summer with Two Mississippi Museums director Pamela D.C. Junior to learn more of about the significance of Juneteenth - plus get…

Soul Sessions Podcast: Mona Nicholas & USAIBC

Today on Soul Sessions, we hear from USAIBC Executive Director, Mona Nicholas, who's joining us to talk about the two-week ballet competition, held here every four years in the City With Soul.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Mississippi Makers Fest

Today on Soul Sessions, we're talking to Tori Rice, the organizer for the Mississippi Makers Fest, their second annual all-day event putting Mississippi on full display.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Dr. Nashlie Sephus

Today on Soul Sessions, we visit with the founder of the Bean Path, applied science manager for Amazon artificial intelligence, and founder of the Jxn Tech District, tech evangelist, Dr. Nashlie Sephus.

Soul Sessions Podcast: JSU Coach TC Taylor

Today on Soul Sessions, we update a conversation with the 22nd head coach of the Jackson State University Tigers, TC Taylor.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Emily Pote

Today on Soul Sessions, we're taking you to Belhaven Town Center and one of the most unique retailers this city has ever seen.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Abram Orlansky & Jewish Cinema Mississippi

Today on Soul Sessions, we chat with president of the Beth Israel Congregation and Co-Chair of Jewish Cinema Mississippi, Abram Orlansky.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Kam Ridley

Mississippi Humanities Council Communications Director Kam Ridley is our guest.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Keena Graham

It's been almost 60 years since civil rights leader Medgar Evers was gunned down in his Jackson driveway.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Chef Rashanna Newsome and Ebony Jones

Rashanna Newsome and Ebony Jones: ring any bells? What about Manship and Aplos? All right, now we're cooking.

Season 2

Soul Sessions Podcast: Mary Rooks

On today's show, Mary Rooks is a mom of four who once had her sights set on being a geologist in Alaska.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Garrad Lee & Priced to Move

On today's show, Garrad Lee is one of the organizers of Priced to Move, happening this weekend at Fertile Ground Beer Company in Belhaven.

Soul Sessions Podcast: David Lewis & Capital City Lights

On today's show is Deputy Director of Human and Cultural Services for the City of Jackson, David Lewis.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Tim Walker & the Belhaven Singing Christmas Tree

On today's show, Tim Walker, Director of Choral Arts, here to talk about the 90th Annual Belhaven University Singing Christmas Tree.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Jim Beaugez

On this episode, content marketer and freelance music writer Jim Beaugez is here.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Christina Spann

On today's show, she's the community liaison for the Jackson Bicentennial Celebration, a podcast host, and gal about town - Christina Spann.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Conner Reeves for Fertile Ground Beer Co.

On today's show, Conner Reeves is one of the founding partners of Fertile Ground Beer Company, a tap room and brewery located at the Belhaven Town Center in Jackson's Belhaven neighborhood.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Kim Lewis for ‘Coming Home With Pride’

On today's show, Kim Lewis is the destination development manager for Visit Jackson and a board member of Mississippi Capital City Pride.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Rev. Chris Cumbest and Kathy Clem Talk WellsFest

On today's show the Reverend Chris Cumbest, pastor at Wells United Methodist Church, and Kathy Clem, the Executive Director of the Good Samaritan Center, talk to us about WellsFest, the annual family…

Soul Sessions Podcast: MS Science Fest’s Andrea Patterson

On today's show, Andrea Patterson is here to tell us about the Mississippi Science Fest coming up September 17.

Soul Sessions Podcast: JSU’s Terrance Jones

On today's show, Terrence Jones is the assistant athletic director of external operations and stadium management for Jackson State University.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Gray Welch’s Poppy Pies

On this episode, Gray Welch is the owner of Poppy Pies, a popup oven fired pizza venture specializing in Neapolitan style crust and creative flavor combinations.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Ellen Daniels

On this episode, Ellen Rodgers Daniels is the Executive Director of the Mississippi Book Festival, happening August 20.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Carla Hall

On this special episode, Chef Carla Hall is best known as the co-host of Emmy award-winning series “The Chew” and her appearances on Bravo’s Top Chef and Top Chef All-Stars.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Michael Morris

On today’s show, Director of Public Engagement from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Michael Morris.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Fabian Nelson

On today’s show, Fabian Nelson is a real estate broker, a dad and a board member of Capital City Pride, advocating for the LGBTQ+ community in Jackson.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Pamela DC Junior

On today’s show, we visit with the Director of the Two Mississippi Museums, Pamela DC Junior.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Patrick Harkins

On today’s show, we speak with Patrick Harkins, a musician and owner of instrument and lesson shop and venue Fondren Guitars in Jackson’s Fondren neighborhood.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Dr. Robby Luckett

On this episode, we hear from Dr. Robby Luckett, professor for the Department of History, Director for the Margaret Walker Center, and the Director of the COFO Civil Rights Education Center at…

Soul Sessions Podcast: Ryan Dennis

On today's episode, Chief Curator and artistic Director for the Center for Art and Public Exchange at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, Ryan Dennis.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Chuck Nix

On today's episode, we talk with sommelier and wine manager for BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar in Highland Village, Chuck Nix.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Tamie Germany

On today's episode, Tamie Germany, co-owner of the Mississippi Raiders professional arena football team.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Malcolm White

On today's episode, Malcolm White is the visionary and cultural provocateur behind Hal & Mal's restaurant and the Hal's St. Paddy's Parade founded alongside his late brother, Harold White.

Soul Sessions Podcast: Dr. Jerrick Rose

On today's episode is pediatric dentist and restaurateur, Dr. Jerrick Rose. When COVID-19 closed his dental practice temporarily in 2020, Dr. Rose took out his notes from years of travel and inspiration…

Soul Sessions Podcast: Gwen Harmon

Museum veteran Gwen Harmon is “new” to Jackson, but she’s not new to the Civil Rights story.

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