Mark Bologna - Beyond Bourbon St.: An Insiders Guide to New Orleans

Mark Bologna is a husband, father of twin ten-year-old girls, a runner, host of the Beyond Bourbon Street podcast, and a New Orleanian. Mark grew up in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans, near Lake Pontchartrain. His family owned Teddys Grill, a neighborhood restaurant known for slow-cooked roast beef po-boys, stewed chicken, and red beans and rice. The Beyond Bourbon Street podcast was launched in December 2015 and is published biweekly. Mark takes you along as he explores the people, places, music, history, and culture that make New Orleans unique.

Writing a book is hard. I knew that going in, but it turned out to be even harder thanks to a global pandemic combined with my lack of writing experience.

Thank you to my wife, Marie. Youve been there every step of the way to encourage me, and to keep the children at bay so I could spend the time needed to get to the finish line. Your love and friendship mean the world to me. The last 25 years have been a wonderful, crazy, unpredictable journey. There is no one else I would want by my side. I love you more than you know.

To my twin daughters, Sophia and Olivia. You supported me throughout, first by asking why I was writing a book then by offering a steady stream of content ideas (sadly, Harper the cat did not merit her own section despite your lobbying). Olivia, your hugs and encouragement were more important than you could know. Sophia, your setting of daily word goals made a real difference. You were quite the task master! Love you two to Pluto and back.

To my parents, Jan and Vincent Bologna. First, thanks for having me! Your never-ending love and constant words of encouragement have been so important. Mom, I appreciate the constant ideas and the gentle constructive criticism of the podcast that was so instrumental to the creation of this book.

My mother-in-law, Beata Willison. Youve been such an enthusiastic supporter and found a way to help me along even when I doubted myself. Thank you.

My brother, Matthew, my sister, Natasha, and their spouses, Kate and Mike. The calls and notes of encouragement meant so much. Natasha, your ideas and checking in on the progress made a difference.

Scott Willison, my brother-in-law. Thanks for the support and the friendship.

To my extended family, including aunts, uncles, and cousins. The joy of a large family is having plenty of people to check in and offer words of support!

A special word to my deceased grandmother, Dorothy Vicknair. Youve been gone for a long time, but I inherited your curiosity about this place we call home. I wish you and Paw Paw were here to see this book get published. Ill leave a copy for you on the steps of your tomb.

To my friend and literary agent, Sally Ekus. You cautioned me against writing a book, then whole-heartedly encouraged and pushed me when the time was right. Youve served not only as my agent but, more importantly, as my friend and chief cheerleader.

To my editor, Amy Lyons, for taking a chance on me. Youve put up with my silly questions, my steady requests for extensions, and my general ignorance of the process as a first-time author. All throughout youve remained committed to me and this book. Im thrilled we found each other and hope you are still talking to me by the time this book is released!

To my friends Chris and Jennifer Marshall. Youre such an important part of our lives. From naming the podcast (Jenn) to reading pieces of the draft (Chris), your love and support have made this possible.

Dave Leonard, youve been one of my closest friends for nearly 20 years. Youve offered not only support but a genuine interest in the project. Thanks for encouraging me even when I wanted to quit.

Camp and Kay Morrison, youre the best neighbors ever. You were both so supportive of this book. I appreciate the steady flow of suggestions, the checking in on the progress, and the willingness to entertain our kids when I needed space to write.

Elizabeth Pearce, your experience as an author, a business owner, and my friend and accountability partner played an important role in this book. Thanks for answering my repeated questions.

James Cullen and Susan Whelan, I met you both through the wacky world of social media, but youve become close friends. Your honesty and pushing of me throughout this project have been instrumental. Jamess photography work can be seen throughout this book

To my therapist, Dr. Allyson Bennett. Mental health is so important and yet still so stigmatized in our world. Our weekly sessions kept me on track and, most importantly, healthy. You told me when to push and when the book was good enough to hand over. I will forever be thankful to you.

The Beyond Bourbon Street podcast began as an idea in 2014 at an event called Podcast Movement. It was there I was introduced to my first mentor in the world of podcasting, Lou Mongello. Lou is host of the wildly popular Disney-focused podcast WDW Radio. From the moment he heard my idea, his eyes lit up, he offered to help in any way possible, and he has been a constant source of knowledge and support every day since. Along the way, I met Michael ONeal, my longtime business coach. Mike is always reinventing himself, but his own podcast, The Solopreneur Hour, proved a valuable model.

The previously mentioned Lou Mongello hosts an annual event called Momentum. Through it Ive made friends who have been supportive of all that I do, and especially of this book. Thanks to Fred Abeli, David Recchione, Jesse McCollough, Pete Bush, Tim Bigonia, Lisa DiNoto Glasser, Kristin Fuhrmann Simmons, Michelle Burdo Zimmerman, Jen Hoffman, Lauren Gaggioli, and everyone else who is a part of that community. Jen, our long talks and honest discussions about the ups and downs of business and life are pure energy for my soul.

And finally, thanks to the thousands of people who listen to Beyond Bourbon Street every other week. Ive gotten to know many of you through Facebook and through your texts and emails, as well as your direct support via Patreon. I do this for you.

JAMES CULLEN

JAMES CULLEN

When someone decides to visit a place like New Orleans, there is something special about being able to refer to a bookto mark it up, to immerse yourself in it, and to make the destination your own.

I have lived most of my life in this city and can tell visitors what is most important at Mardi Gras (answer: a place to pee) and where to find it (answer: churches along the parade route are often open and allow visitors free access to restrooms; schools also open up and offer a clean restroom in exchange for a nominal fee).

I can explain how to avoid the crowds at Jazz Fest, where to get out of the sun, and which stages are the best for their interests. I could go on, but the point is I have a depth of knowledge not often found in those other guides.

I do not intend this guide to be a complete list of everything. Instead, it will be curated to save you from being overwhelmed.

I want this guide to be a reference, as if you were getting information from your friend who is a local. I want the writing to be simple, fun, and engaging. I want most people to be able to read the text without reading glasses, and to easily find what they need when they need it.