The DTB Podcast, Presented by Bless Your Heart Nonprofit Corporation · The DTB Podcast

S3E1 - South Lafourche Levee District

·54 min·3 clips

During Ida, crews could not open doors normally because the wind was that strong.

Brendan opens season three by welcoming listeners back and encouraging new subscribers to catch up on earlier episodes. He points out that the show has already covered public officials, local business owners, social issues, hurricanes, and familiar community faces, along with some newer voices. The first conversation of the season turns to the South Lafourche Levee District, which oversees maintenance of the levee that has protected South Lafourche for many years. Brendan brings in Wendell Kirol, the former general manager and a 42-year veteran of the district. He also welcomes Nicholas Matherne, the new general manager stepping into the work ahead. As usual, he begins with family and personal background before moving into the heavier subjects. That setup keeps the conversation rooted in people before it shifts to institutions. The guests and host talk about how much of levee work is not crisis work at all. Most of it is routine attention, watching levels and making sure the system stays ready. Kirol says the district looks at the water constantly, because the only time they cannot work on improving the levee is during a hurricane. The contrast with crisis work comes through clearly: the public may notice the emergency moments, but the daily labor is what makes those moments survivable. Matherne explains that he and Kirol had already been talking about a possible handoff before Ida. He and his wife stayed at home through the storm at first, with the house boarded up and built above the expected flood elevation. Wind damage changed the picture. The next day, with no power and no water, they took friends up on an offer and evacuated to Lafayette. They stayed there for about a week and a half before utilities came back. That story sits beside the district conversation and makes the responsibility feel personal. The episode keeps returning to the same plain truth: keeping people safe down the bayou is constant work. It ends with thanks to the guests, the producers, the board members, and reminders to donate and follow the show.

As heard by us

A steady look at the levee district's work, the leadership handoff, and the constant watch on the water.

Brendan Mathurne opens season three with a straightforward look at the South Lafourche Levee District and the people keeping it running. Wendell Kirol, a 42-year veteran and former general manager, and Nicholas Matherne, the new general manager, give the episode its focus: one…

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Why you'd press play

You want the handoff behind South Lafourche's levee protection.

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