Frenchie Podcast

In this episode of the Frenchie Podcast, we explore the remarkable transformation of Cajun French from a language discouraged in Louisiana classrooms during the 1920s to a valuable military asset during World War II. Featuring rare archival audio discovered at the Center for Louisiana Studies, listeners will hear an extraordinary conversation between two legendary Ca...

Of all the hundreds of interviews I’ve done with WWII veterans over the many years, this one ranks at the very top of the “truly remarkable” category. John Mestayer was a soft-spoken fellow, kind and courteous, and led an infantry platoon into combat in France with the 95th Infantry Division. He was the only WW2 veteran in my hometown who wore an eye patch—a wartime injury th...

This episode brings to life wartime letters written by young Cajun soldiers just days after the Normandy landings of 1944. Through their words, we hear how French-speaking GIs connected with civilians, found pride in their heritage, and forged bonds across war-torn France. Featuring preserved family letters from the Broussard brothers of Breaux Bridge, reflections from their ...