Coffee Talk With The Cajun Mamas

• Crawfish Houses and French Words: A Conversation with Tanya Ardoin

  Send us a textCrawfish, culture, and keeping the Cajun flame alive—author Tanya Ardoin is on a mission to preserve our French-speaking heritage through delightful children's books that charm readers of all ages.The catalyst for Tanya's journey into authorship came from profound personal loss. "When I lost my mom, my biggest regret was I didn't record her voice speaking French," she shares candidly. This realization sparked a determination to document her aging family members' voices and stories before they disappeared. What began as recordings of her grandfather teaching French to her little cousin blossomed into the Crawville book series that's capturing hearts across Acadiana.Each book cleverly introduces just one French word per page, making language learning accessible for young readers while including translations and phonetic spellings for parents. The characters themselves—Claudi the little girl and her Pawpaw as a crawfish—are lovingly based on Tanya's cousin Audie and her late grandfather. Beyond mere storytelling, these books serve as cultural touchstones, filled with authentic details from Corelle dishware to traditional "palettes" (floor bedding). Tanya has expanded her offerings to include companion coloring books in both children's and adult versions so families can learn together.As a member of what she calls "the lost generation" of Cajun French speakers—those whose parents were punished for speaking French in school and thus didn't teach their children—Tanya's work represents a heartfelt attempt to reconnect younger generations with their heritage. Her upcoming third book will feature Cajun cooking with Pawpaw, doubling as both storybook and cookbook because, as she explains, "every book has to have a purpose."Want to join the Cajun cultural revival? Visit TanyaArdoin.com to explore her books and learning materials, and don't miss the Grand Revé Acadien celebration in Church Point on October 18th—a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the language, music, and traditions that make our community so special. https://cajunmamas.com/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@CajunMamasSarahttps://www.facebook.com/lllippyladyhttps://www.instagram.com/lllippylady/#https://www.tiktok.com/@lllippyladyKoahttps://www.facebook.com/kgmelanconhttps://www.tiktok.com/@koa.melanconhttps://www.instagram.com/k_melancon/

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• Back to School Struggles: Finding Grace in the Routine

  Send us a textEver watched your child struggle with back-to-school transitions and felt that tug on your heart? You're not alone. The September routine shift affects everyone in the family, and finding balance amid homework, activities, and life's demands takes more than just good planning—it takes grace.In this heartwarming conversation, we explore the emotional landscape of back-to-school season from a mother's perspective. Whether you're navigating homeschool flexibility or traditional school schedules, we discuss how children's routines impact the entire family dynamic. Remember when teachers used to say, "We won't be comfortable until October"? That wisdom applies to our children too as they adjust to new environments, expectations, and workloads.The after-school crunch presents perhaps the greatest challenge for families today. By the time kids get home, have a snack, and settle in, it's often approaching 4:30. Add homework, activities, dinner, and bedtime routines, and parents find themselves wondering: where does actual living happen in between? We share candid thoughts about this normalized chaos and offer encouragement for finding small moments of connection.We also celebrate the beautiful ways children absorb faith lessons in everyday moments, like a three-year-old who now says "Help me Jesus" whenever facing a challenge. These unplanned teaching opportunities often become the most powerful spiritual foundations in our children's lives.Perhaps most importantly, we highlight the invaluable role of community support during the school year. The neighbor who offers homework help, the grandparent who handles pickup, or the friend who steps in during busy seasons—these "village" members make the difference between surviving and thriving. Their contributions deserve our recognition and gratitude.Join us for this authentic, encouraging conversation about navigating back-to-school season with faith, community, and a healthy dose of reality. Remember, you're doing better than you think, mama! https://cajunmamas.com/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@CajunMamasSarahttps://www.facebook.com/lllippyladyhttps://www.instagram.com/lllippylady/#https://www.tiktok.com/@lllippyladyKoahttps://www.facebook.com/kgmelanconhttps://www.tiktok.com/@koa.melanconhttps://www.instagram.com/k_melancon/

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• Nostalgic Musical Memories: A 90s Game Show Adventure

  Send us a textRemember those 90s hits that defined your childhood and teenage years? The Cajun Mamas sure do! In this laugh-out-loud game show episode, these Southern podcasters put their musical memories to the test, attempting to finish lyrics from iconic 90s pop and country songs.From Britney Spears to Garth Brooks, TLC to Celine Dion, the hosts demonstrate their lyrical knowledge (or hilariously lack thereof) while reminiscing about the soundtrack of their youth. You'll find yourself singing along as they tackle hits from Ace of Base, the Spice Girls, and Alan Jackson, complete with impromptu performances and debates about whether certain lyrics were ever correctly understood.One particular highlight involves the revelation that a friend had spent years thinking Alanis Morissette was singing about a "cross-eyed bear" rather than "the cross I bear" – a confession that will have you thinking about all the lyrics you might have been singing wrong for decades! The friendly competition creates an atmosphere that feels like sitting around the kitchen table with old friends, sharing memories tied to the music that shaped a generation.Throughout the show, the hosts inject their trademark Southern charm and wit, transforming what could be a simple game into a nostalgic journey that reminds us how deeply music becomes intertwined with our life stories. Whether it's recalling dancing to "Summer Girls" by LFO or belting out Celine Dion's power ballads as children, their authentic reactions and personal anecdotes create instant connection with listeners.Want more game show fun from the Cajun Mamas? Let them know in the comments what musical era or game format you'd like to hear next! And don't forget to check out their sponsor Blue Plate Mayonnaise – the official mayonnaise of Louisiana Po' Boys since 1927 and the secret ingredient in every Southern sandwich worth eating. https://cajunmamas.com/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@CajunMamasSarahttps://www.facebook.com/lllippyladyhttps://www.instagram.com/lllippylady/#https://www.tiktok.com/@lllippyladyKoahttps://www.facebook.com/kgmelanconhttps://www.tiktok.com/@koa.melanconhttps://www.instagram.com/k_melancon/

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• The Art of Faith: Emily Pitre's Journey

  Send us a textWhat happens when a pandemic hobby transforms into a divine calling? In this heartwarming conversation with Emily S. Pitre of Emily S P Art, we discover the beautiful intersection of motherhood, faith, and creative entrepreneurship.Emily shares how a simple watercolor kit from the children's aisle at Michael's and unexpected free time during COVID lockdowns led to creating Catholic-inspired art that now appears in over 90 stores across the country. With disarming honesty, she recounts her journey from full-time pediatric occupational therapist to faith-driven artist, including the miraculous confirmation she received through a novena to St. Therese that involved nine specific roses appearing exactly when needed.As a mother to an almost three-year-old and a fresh two-month-old, Emily creates with purpose—designing products that are both beautiful and practical for Catholic families. Her watercolor saints adorn everything from mugs to "Mass bags," helping children and adults alike recognize that saints were regular people just like us. "We're all just trying to get to heaven, provide for our families, and be regular people," Emily reflects, capturing the accessible spirituality that makes her work resonate with so many.The conversation delves into the vulnerability of following unexpected callings and finding community among like-minded creatives. Emily's story reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful ministry happens outside traditional roles—whether through art that sparks conversations about faith or gentle nudges that lead teenagers back to confession.Explore Emily's beautiful work at https://emilyspitreart.com/https://www.instagram.com/emilyspitre_arthttps://www.facebook.com/emilyspitreart https://cajunmamas.com/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@CajunMamasSarahttps://www.facebook.com/lllippyladyhttps://www.instagram.com/lllippylady/#https://www.tiktok.com/@lllippyladyKoahttps://www.facebook.com/kgmelanconhttps://www.tiktok.com/@koa.melanconhttps://www.instagram.com/k_melancon/

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• How Well Do These Cajun Mamas Really Know Each Other?

  Send us a textTwo friends take a playful deep dive into their friendship while competing for Blue Plate Mayonnaise bragging rights on this laugh-out-loud episode. When Sara's sister Lainey dons her official bow tie and transforms into gameshow host extraordinaire, the Cajun Mamas find themselves facing the ultimate friendship test: how well do they really know each other?The competition begins with seemingly simple questions about favorite restaurants and TV shows, quickly revealing both surprising connections and hilarious misunderstandings. "Friends or The Office?" becomes an unexpected challenge when Sara and Koa realize they've been overthinking their answers by trying to predict each other's responses.As the game shifts to "who's more likely" questions, listeners get genuine insights into their friendship dynamic - including Sara's competitive nature that Koa admits "took some getting used to" and their different approaches to food and punctuality. The most revealing moment comes during a discussion of Sarah's favorite relaxation method, where both friends perfectly describe her ritual of watching true crime shows while cuddling with her "tickle head" - a comfort blanket with decorative trim that she's maintained versions of since childhood.Things get particularly animated during the "silliest argument" segment, where Sara confesses to once conceptualizing an entire jarred roux business that Koa talked her down from: "I spent a million dollars in my mind that day!" Their gentle ribbing and inside jokes create an atmosphere that makes listeners feel like they're eavesdropping on a heart-warming coffee date between lifelong friends.Throughout it all, the episode showcases Blue Plate Mayonnaise - a Louisiana tradition since 1927 - whose egg-yolk-only recipe creates the perfect tangy base for authentic Cajun cooking from potato salad to po'boys. The competition may have ended in a tie, but the real winner is anyone looking for a genuine, laughter-filled conversation about friendship, Louisiana food culture, and what your mayonnaise preferences reveal about your personality.Ready for more Cajun Mama conversations? Subscribe now and join us next week for another cup of coffee talk that feels just like chatting with old friends. https://cajunmamas.com/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@CajunMamasSarahttps://www.facebook.com/lllippyladyhttps://www.instagram.com/lllippylady/#https://www.tiktok.com/@lllippyladyKoahttps://www.facebook.com/kgmelanconhttps://www.tiktok.com/@koa.melanconhttps://www.instagram.com/k_melancon/

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