The Jim Engster Show

Former LSU Hospitals head Dr. Fred Cerise discusses health care challenges facing the state and the LSU hospital system...and the disagreement over accepting the federal Medicaid expansion included in the Affordable Care act.

A visit with New Orleans composer and saxophonist Brad Walker.

Jim talks with Jacquie Stalls and Eric Dexter, of Forum 35, who is hosting a panel discussion on same sex marriage (moderated by Jim) this Wednesday night.

Former U.S. Representative Charlie Melancon talks about what he's been doing since leaving Congress in 2010, and what's going on now in the nation's capital.

Bogalusa Senator Ben Nevers (D) discusses the state's reluctance to accept the Medicaid expansion included in the federal Affordable Care Act, an his proposed legislation to accept the Medicaid money. 

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Jeffrey Marks and his friend, Olympic track &  field Gold Medalist  Carl Lewis, talk about sports & achievement...and about their support for organ donation.

A visit with noted composer Robert Kyr, who will perform his work "Waging Peace" this Sunday at the Broadmoor Baptist Church.

Jim talks with Haughton state Representative  Henry Burns about his bill allowing concealed carry gun permits holders to take their weapons into restaurants that serve liquor.

Advocate entertainment writer John Wirt drops by to discuss the passing of country music legend George Jones, and the purchase of the Advocate by John Georges.

Kevin Kane, President of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, talks about Governor's Jindal's position on Medicaid expansion.

Spencer Watts, the new head of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library System.

From the state Department of Environmental Quality, Michael Vince who talks about ozone levels and air quality in the Capital area.

A chat with Henry Bradsher, former Associated Press Southeast Asia Bureau Chief, who has retired in Baton Rouge. 

Ornithologist David Sibley, who'll be addressing the Baton Rouge Audubon Society.

New Orleans jazz singer Phillip Manuel discusses his career and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Government watchdog and political blogger C.B. Forgotston (Forgotston.com) and Jim discuss goings on in the 2013 State Legislature.

Global thinker Dr. Keshore Mahbubani, with the University of Singapore, on his book, "The Global Convergence: Asia, The West And the Logic Of One World"

Jim talks with acclaimed food critic Michael Pollan about his book, "Cooked: A Natural History Of Transformation".

Dr. Jeffrey Keller, with the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, talks about Alzheimers and dementia research.

Local blues music producer and aficionado Johnny Pallazzotto on the upcoming Slim Harpo Music Awards

Author Marcus Cox on his book, "Segregated Soldiers"

Erin Monroe Wesley, C.O.O. of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, discusses her group's legislative agenda for this year and other matters.

Local businessman Steve Myers and Paul Naquin, a resident concerned about occupants of some of Myers' rental properties in his neighborhood. Myers recently won a court case on the matter and they'll talk with Jim about it.

Jim talks with Chris Nelson, with the Gulf Seafood Marketing Coalition, about the state of his industry--three years after the BP oil spill.

Journalist and political blogger Tom Aswell, of "Louisiana Voice", talks about his ongoing battle with Jindal Administration department heads over transparency.

Author Victoria Sweet discusses her latest book, "God's Hotel"