It's Where I Am with Zandra Polard

Kevin Krall 0:00
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Unknown Speaker 0:52
Good morning, Las Vegas, zon triple RT with it's where I am. today. We're talking about social connection and the importance of that social connection with your friends family. Because it's important for your mental health status. Okay, so I invited a wonderful, amazing friend of mine since I've been here in Las Vegas. Sweet Lou.

Unknown Speaker 1:22
Good morning.

Unknown Speaker 1:23
Good morning. So you look Alan's how are you?

Unknown Speaker 1:26
I am truly wonderful, truly wonderful. Hey, Sweet

Unknown Speaker 1:29
Lou came through.

Unknown Speaker 1:33
Here I am. Yes, here I am. Well, I said I liked that. Good.

Unknown Speaker 1:38
So you know, do you remember when we first met?

Unknown Speaker 1:43
Remind me. Okay, so we met two years older.

Unknown Speaker 1:48
When we met at a social gathering at a club, a friend of ours has a club that she runs. Right. Okay. Okay. And you wanted my attention? For some reason? I don't know. Okay. I'm like, Who is this guy? And one of our mutual lady friend says, You don't know Sweet Lou? And I said, No, I do not know. So apparently, you are beloved in the city of Las Vegas. And other cities and others in the city. But no cities. Hey, I saw you out a few times. And sure, I was really surprised to see people running up to take a picture with the

Unknown Speaker 2:40
magnificent, it's, it's so I am in the business of loving people. And you love me? Absolutely. Absolutely. And so, again, especially experiencing some of the things that we just experienced recently with the last two years, you know, what the COVID and all those things. And so significantly, you know, getting back to the normalcy of we haven't to embrace each other. And this is weird, because I was just sharing the conversation yesterday when I was taught business. And it was always look a person in the eye and give them a firm handshake, right? And so I was taught that, you know, look a person in the eye for a handshake. But of course, when COVID hit, then now we don't even shake hands, right? Everybody's pounding, like given the power with the elbow to elbow right with the elbow. And so naturally is like some of the traditions that we were accustomed to, due to certain atrocities has changed the way that we actually gravitate to each other. Right. And so naturally, I'm always gravitating to people with my energy. And when you don't know me, I'm figuring something wrong with you. Because we lose this came through Ryan, you don't know why he Well, that's what happened. And you don't know. Right? I

Unknown Speaker 4:12
take note then. Right?

Unknown Speaker 4:14
I know now, so even now, you know, even here, you know, I'm saying I'm blessed. And I'm grateful to be here. Yeah, but what took you so long to get me here? Man love. I mean, I know the show is amazing. You begin one up and everything is hard. And this, by

Unknown Speaker 4:30
the way, I got to answer this. Okay. So I got to take it back to when we first met. Okay, okay. Then we got to know each other. Okay. So are you out and about quite a bit. We're having a great time for fraks So then, Lou COVID Abbott. COVID happen. Okay,

Unknown Speaker 4:50
fine. In fact,

Unknown Speaker 4:52
I got on this show. 91.5 Okay. And I was getting booked up If the show was once a month, now is every week oh, it is every Saturday, and congratulations,

Unknown Speaker 5:07
and congratulations, and congratulations. I'm gonna give you what I call it in studio standing in studio standing Oh, congratulations. Now

Unknown Speaker 5:17
do you remember also that I was doing some radio with you? And I wouldn't talk? I would not speak in that studio. I was passing notes to the person who was speaking, but I would not talk.

Unknown Speaker 5:31
And so again, I agree. I agree. Now that you refresh my memory. Okay. So ultimately, that's why I was at what my what my feeling. So I'm glad that you reminded yourself based. I'm glad. I'm glad that you reminded yourself and you happen to be here with this therapeutic process this morning. Because again, based on the fact when you started ready. Oh, yeah. I was there when you didn't say nothing. That thing. And so why did it take so long to bring me on? And that's why we stay focused. Still talking about Sweet Lou came through this morning. So again, you brought that up? You're absolutely right. extremely shy. Yes. extremely shy. extremely shy. On Radio? Yes. And initially wouldn't say anything, nothing. Okay, I hear you. Okay, I'll make it. And now you have truly blown up where you say everything.

Unknown Speaker 6:45
Yes, but I do owe that to you. Because you did introduce me to radio. So I have this success. So I want to say thank you, you are

Unknown Speaker 7:00
so welcomes, You are so welcome. And you have been phenomenal. Thank you have been phenomenal. Because again, just, uh, you know, we lost, like you said, the COVID switched up how everybody moves. Right. And so there was a lot of detachments, you know, I'm saying because, again, we couldn't go out, you couldn't be social. And so ultimately, now we're watching everybody's movement on zum zum. Yes, some form of social media and social media platforms, right. And even when COVID started to subside, then still people were reluctant, right to still move around. But I know that you were still moving around, and he was in these fancy gowns. And these fans

Unknown Speaker 7:46
are still being invited, please.

Unknown Speaker 7:47
I'm just just giving you my observation. Because my observation, you know, I'm saying using these fancy gowns, and being presented at these amazing events, and all these things. And so I'm saying okay, now she's become the real

Unknown Speaker 8:01
deal.

Unknown Speaker 8:04
Oprah of Las Vegas, mini Oprah of Las Vegas. aspiring to be yes. Zondra she's become the mini Oprah of this community. And so again, and then, of course, listening to some of the caliber of people that you was actually bringing on your show, and you were interviewing and being engaged. And of course, looking at some of the publications in the community seeing that was advertisement on you.

Unknown Speaker 8:33
Oh, okay. Well, you know, you kind of don't notice, you know, really, no, you don't like when you're busy. And you have people actually calling you to come on your show, publicist and, you know, high profile people pleasers. Yeah. It's like, you know, everything just kind of gets smashed together, you get really busy. And then, you know, you don't make those connections with friends, like you should, or the you know, you got to put it on pause for a minute so that you can grow in another area.

Unknown Speaker 9:07
So let me take over this interview. Let me just take over this interview. I know this is your showing, you know, okay, let me take over the interview. Okay. You know, I, this is what I just do, this is a sprint, because we just come in and I just steal the show still on the show. So I'm interviewing her. So listen. So based on everything that you have just stated, and the transitions that you gave, about your changes. Today, how do you feel about who you now are in radio, and what that means to you delivering your messages to the community? And when people now see you and the feedback that they give you?

Unknown Speaker 9:51
Well, it feels amazing. Yeah, changed. Okay, because it's, it's a great feeling when people recognize your hard work. Oh, Okay, write the things that you put into place when it's recognized as a validation. Right? So I feel great. And I appreciate all your kind words. No, these

Unknown Speaker 10:12
are these are real words. These are real words. You don't say, These make me blush. Now, no, you don't have to blush off the blood. These are real words. And so again, you know, we're validating, or giving you your flowers. Why are you still here? And so not all because again, as you indicated, which I truly forgotten about the intro of how we started this? Wow, it's so silly. If I didn't even remember that until you just gave me, you know, my praise. Thank you. But I forgot about it. So you'd like no. So I'm thinking now watching you move. And being in the physical with you now. Because like I said, we had been disconnected because of COVID. And lives change and those kinds of things. And so people are talking about your show, and people are being interviewed by you. And like I said, publicly, you've been in some amazing places as a celebrity. No way. Yes, way. Yes, way. You know, I

Unknown Speaker 11:07
did a little movie. Which comes out April 21. called back to Vegas, see? Yes, way. Yeah, I'm a featured extra. So, gotta look real hard for me. But I'm in there. I was invited to be there. But that's

Unknown Speaker 11:22
what you are. So again, as I say, I'm interviewing you. Because remember, back in the day, I mean, motion pictures is pretty much your forte. Or no,

Unknown Speaker 11:32
because you remember, I cannot do like a double take. I can only do take one. I can't do take two. I cannot do the same thing twice. Remember that,

Unknown Speaker 11:47
I remember that. I remember that. I remember that. But again, it was an easy transition for you based on your history. And I remember some conversations that we've had in the past, and your relationships with some tremendous up and coming celebrities at their time. Now there are mega celebrities that used to hang out with and

Unknown Speaker 12:10
I'm still waiting to get on this show some of them. And of course,

Unknown Speaker 12:14
my God, the comic comedian, Anthony Anderson, Anthony Hart. No, Anthony, of course, you know, most jobs, he's in Vegas, and you guys are communicating. And you guys are hanging out. And just being connected with Anthony, of course.

Unknown Speaker 12:32
Well, I've known him since I was 17 years old. So we've been friends for a long time, like all my huge milestones, there's always going to be a phone call, you know, talking about, you know, what we've done or what I've done. Right. So

Unknown Speaker 12:48
in contrast to what he has done, and what you guys have done, like you said, since she was 17. And then of course, the other comic that does Chris

Unknown Speaker 12:57
Spencer, Chris Spencer, who he's actually his directorial debut. The movie back to Vegas, like I said, comes out April 21. Only in theaters. So please go see it.

Unknown Speaker 13:10
And so again with Chris, phenomenal writer, phenomenal writer, you know, saying great comic but phenomenal writer. You don't stand being a part of all of the comedy sitcoms and things like that, that we cherish. Dear friends of yours. There's a picture that I saw with you. him of course, Jada Pinkett? Yes. Back in the day. And T Shambo. Tisha Campbell. Yes. Back in the day. A bad that was back in the day with you. Yeah. Yeah. Was all hanging out in the clouds. Yeah.

Unknown Speaker 13:42
Good times.

Unknown Speaker 13:43
That's what I'm talking about. Yeah, good time. So that's what I said, when I referenced the fact that you've always been attached to the motion picture business. I've added I truly say that. You're in the company of Yes. They are in the company of you. And you are in the company of them. So again, here you are. It was synonymous of you been here based on your history of where you come from? Well, thank you and your humility. Because again, is very, very, very, very, very rare, especially in lose Vegas. Yeah, that you meet people with the humility of such as yourself based on the relationships and the places that you've been, and the people that you've met, and the places that you're going. Oh,

Unknown Speaker 14:44
thank you.

Unknown Speaker 14:48
Well, you did so you can reverse it. You can put it back on your net. Thank you. I just want to get that synopsis of my brief interview of Zondra. All right, all right.

Unknown Speaker 14:57
So now you Okay, When I met you, he would tell me about a documentary you were doing. And then I saw a little clip. What's going on with that documentary about Las Vegas? So I'm talking about, yes. What's up with that?

Unknown Speaker 15:13
So we're actually still working with the documentary. Okay.

Unknown Speaker 15:19
Time for me to be in it, there is time

Unknown Speaker 15:21
for you to be in it, there is time there is time for you to be in it. There is time you'd have been as a matter of fact, it's funny that you inquired about that I was actually on the phone yesterday. Because again, things happen close to COVID. And those kinds of things, right? Finances, you know, there's money, but then there needs to be more money. And so naturally, right now, we're actually trying to finish up the documentary, as we speak. So initially, it's supposed to be June, when it's supposed to be done. And so that, we have a couple of more individuals that we need to capture. Okay, of course, like yourself and a few other individuals, that needs to be a part of this amazing, production is going to be amazing production. And we just sold so so satisfied with everybody who has come to the table, because again, there's been such a gross transition, of getting certain people involved in because we've had to track certain people as it relates to this production. And so again, with I tried to identify and, and capture some of the people who I definitely needed in the documentary, some people were no longer here that we wanted to actually interview and speak with and get get the background based on their contribution of what it's all about. So naturally, now, the momentum is picking back up. The momentum is picking back up. So hopefully, in between now, and like I said, yesterday, I was on the phone call yesterday. We're now revving things back up, because again, it's in the documentary. And we'll come back, we'll talk about it again, and give the name of all that but right now we're behind the deadline. And so naturally, we tried to conclude it by June.

Unknown Speaker 17:18
Nice. Yes. Nice. Yes. So how often are you? You know, filming? Are you doing it? Like on the

Unknown Speaker 17:26
weekends? So no. So initially, up until the last up until the last three months, the last three months? We were actually filming? Roughly? Four to five days a week. Oh, wow. Yeah. 45 days. This week Production lists. Yeah, four to four to five days a week. Six to eight hours a day. Okay, six to eight hours a day full production for camera crew. Baba, baba, baba, boss, your bank, your bank? Your production, literally.

Unknown Speaker 17:57
So what other things are you involved in? So you have the documentary? You host on your show? Correct? On a different station? Correct. And then you also are a businessman. I know you have a restaurant, correct?

Unknown Speaker 18:13
Yes. So we're so excited. Getting ready to celebrate our first anniversary. Okay. In May. Okay, Sin City, of course, seafood downtown, located on third in Bonneville. Okay, we'll be celebrating our first year, it seemed like it's been 10 years, you know, saying naturally, it's been like, amazing.

Unknown Speaker 18:34
Well, they say if you make it the first year in a restaurant business, especially

Unknown Speaker 18:38
in the restaurant business, especially in the restaurant business, so it's been a lot of highs and lows, curves, you know, turns it's been, you know, any like anything else, it's a roller coaster ride, you know, if I could preface that it's a roller coaster ride. And so again, you know, shout out to Kathy, cash, my partner. And we're, like I said, May we'll be we put together this anniversary for the community actually come out and celebrate with us our first year. You know, and again, being in that part of downtown, catering to that demographics and giving them something different because ultimately, there was nothing in that vicinity. Especially with the high rise of jewel, the jewel high rise above. Oh, you know, there's 400 tenants up top. Right. Okay. Right above. Yeah, yes. You know, 400 tenants up top. And so again, that was a greens and proteins on the other end. But naturally, other than going to downtown or casino, which is a couple of blocks up the street, there was nothing that was immediately that could actually cater to the demographics right above, right. So basically, you

Unknown Speaker 19:57
couldn't get no food nearby. Actually, you

Unknown Speaker 19:58
couldn't get any food nearby. You know, I'm saying, and previously, ironically enough, that particular location right before COVID It was a leaf LIFO. You know, it was like, it was a Thai place. Oh, it was a Thai place. Yes, it was a Thai restaurant. Of course, you know, right next door to classic Jew, which shout out to them black home. And so when we would hang out there, we would actually, I would actually go next door, because they had great Thai food. And so how we was able to catapult Sin City. They didn't come back after COVID Go. Okay. Yeah. And so as you know, cause the ambiance and decor and everything was pretty much what it is. And so we just actually just came in and complimented some things, you know, what the TVs and those kinds of things just to live a little bit of our flair. But ultimately, all of that stuff was already there.

Unknown Speaker 20:57
I liked the fact that you have some nice music playing you have like a DJ in there. Yes. So I think that's a really nice time.

Unknown Speaker 21:03
And again, like I said, ambiance, atmosphere. Again, you know, we I mean, we as black owned, it is black, because you are black. Yeah, it was black. It is black gone. However, again, you're in, you know, in based on Vegas, and of course, some of the history of some things, but that's not what we emphasize the fact the emphasis is on, we want everybody to understand that you are just as well an owner, and with that mentality, you're going to treat it accordingly. Because we want to give you the perception that it's yours to okay, you know, that is yours to do

Unknown Speaker 21:44
now you have some good cafes

Unknown Speaker 21:52
I need to bring my coupon in.

Unknown Speaker 21:55
So again, it Thank you. Well, you know, the lobster tails, of course. Oh, there's

Unknown Speaker 22:01
lobster tail. Yes,

Unknown Speaker 22:02
we know that it was it was in we've always Yeah, we've always had some amazing bass,

Unknown Speaker 22:07
the catfish because it was Good Friday. It was good. Bang. Well, every

Unknown Speaker 22:10
everybody loves the catfish. Everybody loves and of course, there are so many venues in Vegas that does catfish, you know, I'm saying but there's a twist as well, that was a twist to it. Because again, you go get kaphas here he but there's a twist that the chef makes with the batter of the cat fish and then the way that we actually deep fried the lobster tails

Unknown Speaker 22:45
you went to Grambling right? Yes, yes. Orleans for the first time. Yes. That food is amazing. So I know you know some good food. Absolutely.

Unknown Speaker 22:55
Oh, absolutely. down in New Orleans. Yes. Yes. And so

Unknown Speaker 23:00
yes, food in the world are what it is. Okay. It is it is

Unknown Speaker 23:03
it is some of the best food in the world. And of course you was there for Mardi Gras. Yes. You live for Mardi Gras and shout out

Unknown Speaker 23:10
to Dr. Lawrence Jackson. Who was there. In the Zulu parade.

Unknown Speaker 23:16
Yes. So yeah, in that magnificent. Yes, magnificently. I actually went to my first Zulu parade in like 1986 Okay, when I was at Graham and actually they stole the coconuts. I don't know if they still

Unknown Speaker 23:28
Why are you laughing? I'm laughing because they don't have the real coconuts anymore. I think too many people was getting hit upside the head or so

Unknown Speaker 23:35
I'm getting concussions. Yeah, yeah.

Unknown Speaker 23:39
The fake coconut. Oh, okay.

Unknown Speaker 23:41
So, so again, you know, just after just being in an environment, because even the even the Mardi Gras and then you go to the Bayou Classic, you know, that's what Grambling plays southern. In New Orleans. It's a traditional, you know, HBCU football game, okay. And so the atmosphere of being at a Mardi Gras, and then the atmosphere of being at a at the Bayou Classic, and just been in that culture, and then of course, being a gremlin night Gremlin student. So this was just like regular behavior, reckless behavior. And then it's to the point where like, the Mardi Gras would be like, so enormous. Yeah, and amazing. Yes. And of course, especially when you're talking about the Zulu.

Unknown Speaker 24:26
Oh, yeah. You know, someone I knew from New Orleans. Ah, she asked me what was the Zulu parade. And I was she

Unknown Speaker 24:36
was from New Orleans.

Unknown Speaker 24:37
She was from New Orleans, really was not a culture.

Unknown Speaker 24:41
I was getting ready to say, okay, okay, so that was what I saw again. And so again, I'm glad you said that because I was going to mention that so distinctively. So the Mardi Gras. The parade is a huge event that goes on for a week and I'm gonna talk about and I'm gonna give a card interest about operate. So the parade is a is a huge event that goes on for weeks and New Orleans, right? However, the Zulu parade

Unknown Speaker 25:10
as on Fat Tuesday is on fat. So the last day of Monte Cristo and so

Unknown Speaker 25:14
again, if you're not connected with the Mellon nation of understanding, then you would be asking the question, right, what is that?

Unknown Speaker 25:27
And so do you see the importance of social connection, this, whether it's the Grambling game, whether it's the trade, whether it's just sitting with a friend, right? Offer some cocktails, or coffee. It's important for us to connect with other human beings.

Unknown Speaker 25:49
And let me say this, let me just add to that, because I was sharing this comparison analogy with somebody a few weeks ago about the MLK parade that we that we have here. Okay, so the MLK parade that we have here, he's in

Unknown Speaker 26:06
radio, but his phone is still on. Yeah.

Unknown Speaker 26:12
So the maybe I just so the MLK parade the Mongols came parade is now the largest parade in the state of Nevada. Oh, is now the largest parade in the state of Nevada. Nice, but historically, being a native grown up here. The biggest parade used to be the hell Dorado parade. Oh, you never heard of it? No. Is

Unknown Speaker 26:37
it an old Henderson? No,

Unknown Speaker 26:40
no to hell Dorado it was in Las Vegas. Okay, so when we were growing up, when we were growing up, there was no MLK parade. When I was a kid. Okay, so the biggest parade in Vegas was the HAL Dorado Parade, which was centered around cowboys. Because Vegas is a cowboy. It was a cowboy cease to be yes, it was a cowboy city. So every year we will go out to the Hill Dorado go to the Hill Dorado which was held over in front of the old Convention Center, which is now the big Las Vegas Convention Center. So you could go to the Eldorado go down there go to Las Vegas, they you know, the horses and everything. And etc, etc. This is crazy. Oh,

Unknown Speaker 27:27
I want to thank you for stopping by, you know, when you came in and everybody was pulling you, you were in a whole nother studio. So thank you for coming by. Thank you for coming through my friend Sweet Lou. And I will see you here next Saturday 7:30am. It's where I am. And you can also find me on Apple, Spotify, Google platforms, and see you next week. Thank you. Bye bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai