Taking Flight: Delia Taylor on Louisiana’s First New Airport in Nearly 40 Years

Local Leaders: The Podcast! Small Business Podcast in Livingston Parish

Local Leaders:The Podcast interviews TOP business owners in Livingston Parish Louisiana and surrounding areas. Hosted by Jim Chapman Local Leaders the Podcast provides a platform for family owned business owners to tell their individual journey into business ownership.
Local Leaders is widely recognized as the top business podcast in the State of Louisiana and rated in the top 10 nationally!
In 2020 Local Leaders made Podcast magazine's Hot 50 chart twice and in 2021 was a finalist for the People's choice Podcast award for Best Business Podcast rating Local Leaders in the Top 10 Globally!

Recent Episodes

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Taking Flight: Delia Taylor on Louisiana’s First New Airport in Nearly 40 Years
224
May 3, 2026

Taking Flight: Delia Taylor on Louisiana’s First New Airport in Nearly 40 Years

Local Leaders The Podcast #224 In this episode, Jim Chapman sits down with Delia Taylor , Chairwoman of the Livingston Parish Airport District, for an in-depth look at the Livingston Executive Airport — Louisiana’s first new airfield in nearly 40 years. Delia walks us through the current construction progress, the state-of-the-art 4,200-foot runway and supporting facilities designed for corporate jets, private pilots, and emergency services, and how the airport will connect Livingston Parish to
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Living IN Parish | Local Leaders The Podcast #223
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April 5, 2026

Living IN Parish | Local Leaders The Podcast #223

In this episode, Jim Chapman sits down with Lizzie Baudoin as she discusses Living IN Parish Magazine. This new addition to Livingston Parish will cover the lifestyle and culture that makes Livingston Parish such a unique place to live, work and play! You can learn more about Living IN Parish Magazine by visiting: https://www.livinginparishmagazine.com Timestamps: 01:36 Meet Lizzie and Her Vision 02:47 The Birth of Living in Parish 06:37 Influences and Inspiration 11:14 Challenges of Launching
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Judge Blair Downing Edwards | Local Leaders The Podcast #222
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March 26, 2026

Judge Blair Downing Edwards | Local Leaders The Podcast #222

In this powerful episode, Jim Chapman sits down with Judge Blair Downing Edwards as she discusses her decision to run for the Louisiana Supreme Court. Joining Jim on this episode is also Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff Taylor who provides his insight (and a full endorsement) of Judge Edwards who has been legendary in both her start as a Juvenile Court Judge to her current status on Louisiana’s First Circuit Court of Appeals. You can learn more about Judge Edwards and her candidacy at https://jud
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Mentorship, Balance, Working ON Your Business & the Butterfly Effect | Local Leaders The Podcast #221
221
March 9, 2026

Mentorship, Balance, Working ON Your Business & the Butterfly Effect | Local Leaders The Podcast #221

In this powerful episode, Jim Chapman sits down with Gus LeBaron — a true-blue tradesman turned empire builder — for a raw conversation about how he built his construction business from an unknown start-up to an empire. Gus opens up about his gritty early challenges, the mentors who changed his trajectory, and the hard-won lessons that took him from working IN the trenches to building his thriving business (KOS Drywall & Painting). He breaks down his lessons learned from how to actually find b
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Louisiana Senator Rick Edmonds RETURNS | Local Leaders The Podcast #220
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March 6, 2026

Louisiana Senator Rick Edmonds RETURNS | Local Leaders The Podcast #220

In this episode, Jim Chapman sits down with Senator Rick Edmonds, the 6th District Senator in Louisiana, who has announced is intention to run for U.S. Congress in Louisiana’s 5th district for a SECOND interview. Senator Edmond’s discusses his early life in Shreveport, highlighting the family values that shaped him and his journey from ministry to politics, spurred by a desire for greater representation after being inspired by Phil Robertson's story. Edmonds shares his thoughts on the specific
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Louisiana Senator Rick Edmonds | Local Leaders The Podcast #219
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Jan. 29, 2026

Louisiana Senator Rick Edmonds | Local Leaders The Podcast #219

In this episode, Jim Chapman sits down with Senator Rick Edmonds, the 6th District Senator in Louisiana, who has announced is intention to run for U.S. Congress in Louisiana’s 5th district. Senator Edmond’s discusses his early life in Shreveport, highlighting the family values that shaped him and his journey from ministry to politics, spurred by a desire for greater representation after being inspired by Phil Robertson's story. Edmonds shares his impactful tenure as chairman of the Senate Educat
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Recent Blog Posts

Assessor Jeff Taylor Announces 26th Year of Parish-Wide School Supply Program
July 7, 2026

Assessor Jeff Taylor Announces 26th Year of Parish-Wide School Supply Program

Assessor Jeff Taylor Announces 26th Year  of Parish-Wide School Supply ProgramLIVINGSTON, La.–Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff Taylor announced that he and local volunteers will once again provide school supplies to needy families in Liv…
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Beyond AC Repair: Cool Kings' Expanded Services for Total Home Comfort
Oct. 28, 2025

Beyond AC Repair: Cool Kings' Expanded Services for Total Home Comfort

When the summer heat hits, a functioning air conditioner is essential. But what happens when your HVAC needs go beyond a simple AC repair? Cool Kings Heating and Air is more than just your go-to for fixing a broken AC unit. They're dedicated to prov…
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Attorney General’s Office & College Athletes Share Anti-Vaping Message with DSJH Students
Oct. 28, 2025

Attorney General’s Office & College Athletes Share Anti-Vaping Message with DSJH Students

DENHAM SPRINGS, La. – Sixth graders at Denham Springs Junior High recently heard lots of good information on why they should not vape, thanks to a visit to their campus by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Outreach Team and two …
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About the Host

Jim Chapman Profile Photo
Jim Chapman

Creator and Host

Jim Chapman is the award winning Creator and Host of Local Leaders the Podcast.
Jim founded Local Leaders the Podcast for (2) specific reasons.
His desire to channel his passion and love for family owned business into a positive cause was the first and to enable small businesses to compete with large businesses on a local platform was the second.

Every Business owner has a Story and he created Local Leaders: The Podcast as a way to tell it in a unique format and the businesses he has featured have seen amazing results!
Jim is also founder of several companies including Envision Podcast Production, Envision Podcast Studio Rentals and The Louisiana Podcast Association.
Jim is a native of Baton Rouge Louisiana and has resided in Denham Springs, Louisiana his entire adult life.
He has been married to his wife Wendi for 25 years and together they have raised 3 children.

Jim has received numerous awards for his podcasting efforts including being recognized as a finalist for a Peoples Choice Podcast award for Best Business Podcast in 2021 and 2022.

In 2021 Jim Chapman was honored as the Ambassador of the Year for the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce and
In 2022 Local Leaders: The Podcast was honored to be selected Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year.

Sponsors

Landscape King
Level Dumpsters ( C Level and company )