Growing Together: The Story Behind Building the Reform Pilates Brand
Bottled Up
In this episode of Bottled Up, Andrew Allen interviews studio owners Brandon Pike and Christina Pike. Christina shares her journey from nursing to running three Pilates studios on the Gulf Coast, beginning with nutrition coaching before expanding into fitness instruction. Brandon explains his role handling business operations and design, while Christina leads client relationships and classes. The conversation covers the studios’ growth, how they balance client experience with expanding capacity, and the importance of building a supportive, tight-knit instructor team. They also discuss...
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From Small Towns to Big Impact: The Story Behind CTR Response Agency
Bottled Up
In this episode of Bottled Up, host Andrew Allen chats with Clay Tyler and Ryan Meisch, co-founders of CTR Response, a digital ad agency in Southern Alabama. Ryan Meisch, originally from Illinois, shares how he moved from film school to advertising, driven by a desire for better career options. Clay Tyler talks about growing up in rural Alabama, his fascination with technology, and his journey into digital marketing. The two explain how they met, teamed up, and eventually launched CTR Response right before the pandemic hit. Together, they break down how digital advertising has changed, the...
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Lisa Engel: A Lifetime Prepped For The Jump To The Gulf Coast Winter Classic.
Bottled Up
In this episode of Bottled Up, Andrew Allen talks with Lisa Engel, Director of Sponsorship and Marketing for , about her journey into equestrian sports and event marketing. Lisa Engel shares how she went from growing up on a family farm in New Jersey to running major show jumping events across the Gulf Coast, including the . She explains what makes show jumping unique, the variety of events at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic, and how the community gets involved. They discuss her career pivots from corporate America to full-time horse show management, balancing family life, and the passion...
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Making Small Business Big News: Marketing Lessons from Brooke Million O'Donnell
Bottled Up
In this episode of Bottled Up, Andrew Allen sits down with Brooke Million O'Donnell, owner of , to discuss her journey in advertising, family business legacies, and the ever-changing world of marketing. Brooke shares how her grandmother founded Millimedia, her own unique career path (including time in the Virgin Islands), and her role helping both small and large companies boost their visibility. They talk about the shift from traditional to digital advertising, best practices for building a strong online presence, and how tools like AI are changing the industry. Brooke also offers advice to...
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Balancing Family, Business, and Pizza at Tony's Brick Oven Pizzeria with the Caldwells
Bottled Up
On this episode of Bottled Up, Andrew Allen sits down with Savannah Caldwell and Danny Caldwell, co-owners of in downtown Gulfport. They share their backgrounds in hospitality, how they became involved with Tony's, and what it's like to run a busy restaurant while juggling other careers and family life. The Caldwells talk about employee retention, creating a family-like atmosphere, upgrades to the restaurant, and starting their own food truck. They also discuss booking events at Tony's, what makes their space unique, and their passion for fostering great experiences for customers and staff....
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The Art Of The Jingle With Paul Loomis
Bottled Up
In this episode of Bottled Up, host Andrew Allen sits down with , founder of and partner at Luminous Sound Studios. Paul Loomis shares his journey from growing up in Washington, D.C., with a musical family to writing iconic jingles, such as "Stanley Steemer." He discusses his switch from dreaming of film composition to building a successful career in advertising music, working fast under tight deadlines, and creating memorable brand music for companies. Andrew Allen and Paul Loomis also discuss how jingles are crafted, the impact of AI on the industry, and offer advice for young musicians....
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Charity and Podcasting with Jourdan Derouen
Bottled Up
In this episode of Bottled Up, host Andrew Allen sits down with , owner of , host of his own podcast, and co-founder of Carter's Champions. Jourdan shares his story growing up on the Gulf Coast, how he got into podcasting, and his passion for community service. They dive into the origins of Carter's Champions and the annual , which raises money and awareness for cancer patients. This year, thanks to years of hard work, the event will provide free mammograms through Memorial Hospital. Jourdan also opens up about overcoming personal struggles, the power of failure, and why real connections...
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With David Lewis
Bottled Up
In this episode of Bottled Up, David Lewis, Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, shares his journey from growing up in Jackson to revitalizing the city’s cultural spaces and leading statewide arts initiatives. David talks about his early love for architecture and community, working on projects like the Welcome to Jackson mural and the renovation of the Mississippi Planetarium. He explains how public art can change city narratives, what it takes to fund creative projects in Mississippi, and how the coast has become a hub for vibrant arts. David also highlights opportunities...
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From Marketing to Philanthropy: Emily Sham's Community Journey With The Red Cross
Bottled Up
In this episode of Buttoned Up, Andrew Allen talks with Emily Sham, the regional philanthropy officer for the , and shares her journey from Madison, Mississippi, to the Gulf Coast. She discusses her background in marketing and event planning, her impactful work at , and her passion for community engagement. Emily details the Red Cross's diverse efforts, disaster relief, home fire response, blood drives, and military family support, emphasizing the need for local involvement and volunteerism. The conversation highlights the unique spirit of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and ways listeners can...
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Finding Your Voice and Special Olympics Mississippi with Monica Daniels
Bottled Up
In this episode of Bottled Up, host Andrew Allen chats with Monica Daniels, Executive Director of . Monica shares her personal journey into the nonprofit world, inspired by her daughter's experience with Magnolia Speech School. She explains how the Special Olympics empowers athletes with intellectual disabilities through competitive sports. She discusses the history of the Special Olympics, its focus on inclusion and unified teams, and highlights how athletes now compete at high levels with dedicated training and support. Monica also talks about the organization's year-round events, the...
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In this episode of Bottled Up, David Lewis, Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, shares his journey from growing up in Jackson to revitalizing the city’s cultural spaces and leading statewide arts initiatives. David talks about his early love for architecture and community, working on projects like the Welcome to Jackson mural and the renovation of the Mississippi Planetarium. He explains how public art can change city narratives, what it takes to fund creative projects in Mississippi, and how the coast has become a hub for vibrant arts. David also highlights opportunities for artists to get involved, apply for grants, and attend events like the Governor’s Arts Awards and National Folk Festival. It’s a conversation about intentional design, community impact, and celebrating Mississippi’s creative spirit.
3 Episode Key Takeaways
1. Public Art as a Catalyst for Community Change
David Lewis discusses how public art projects, like the Welcome to Jackson mural, can reshape a city's narrative and inspire civic pride. He shares how intentional, community-focused design and art can help change perceptions and energize cities that might otherwise seem stagnant, while also attracting and retaining creative talent.
2. The Mississippi Arts Commission's Role and Impact
As executive director, David Lewis explains that the Mississippi Arts Commission provides essential state and federal grant funding to support artists, arts organizations, and public art projects throughout Mississippi. Their work covers a wide range—visual arts, theater, music, cultural festivals—and aims to uplift creative communities from the coast to rural towns, enriching quality of life and boosting the state’s economic and tourism profile.
3. Celebrating Mississippi’s Artistic Uniqueness on a National and International Stage
David highlights how Mississippi’s unique cultural identity is being shared not just statewide, but internationally—such as the MSU School of Architecture’s exhibit at the Venice Biennale. He also mentions upcoming events like the Governor’s Arts Awards and the National Folk Festival coming to Jackson, emphasizing how Mississippi’s stories, spaces, and creativity have distinctive value and resonance both locally and abroad.
Show Overview
0:00 Exploring Art's Impact with David Lewis
3:10 Inspirational Art Teacher Influence
9:04 Architectural Education: Creativity and Advocacy
11:23 Returning Architectural Inspiration to Mississippi
15:52 Public Art Inspiring Civic Pride
18:49 Planetarium Renovation Vision and Strategy
21:56 Innovative Renovation and Revitalization
24:36 Mississippi Arts Funding and Support
29:52 Connecting with Mississippi's Creative Community
33:27 Southern American Novelty in Europe
35:07 Accessible Warmth of Southern Culture
39:02 Commendable Community Dedication
42:25 Supporting Mississippi's Creative Community