Photo by David Simpson
Christine Balfa
In musician, artist, and Cajun culture aficionado Christine Balfa’s first episode of her new podcast, hshe unveils the true impetus behind her venture about a half hour into a conversation with her sister, Nelda Balfa.
“I think there are so many interesting people I meet every day that I want to learn more about,” she says to her sibling. “And so, it was something that—if I’m interested in that, maybe other people might want to hear these stories or these themes.”
The podcast is a project Balfa, a renowned musician and native Louisiana French speaker, has wanted to undertake for more than a decade. Known throughout Acadiana for her efforts to center and celebrate Cajun culture, she is the founder of musical group Balfa Toujours and Cajun band Bonsoir, Catin. Her interests have also led her to establish and head the nonprofit organization Louisiana Folk Roots. She is the youngest daughter of famed Cajun musician Dewey Balfa, who spent his life popularizing and performing music from the genre. Her goal with this new podcast is to highlight the stories of “musicians, artists, small business owners, [culture] bearers, and everyday heroes.”
“This podcast is a celebration of the human spirit,” Balfa said in a press release announcing the project. “It’s about honoring those who stay true to themselves—people who inspire us, challenge norms, and keep culture alive through how they live and love.”
Nelda Balfa, a Louisiana music icon in her own right, takes center stage in the first episode, which was released June 1. For more than an hour, the sisters delve into the many and sundry details of growing up in a rural area, the challenges of being daughters with ambition in a musical family, the legacy of beloved and powerful parents, and the tragedies that have formed them along the way. The experience is supremely unhurried, a warm and convivial audio setting, filled with laughter, tears, pet names, and (of course) a smattering of Cajun French. The format is such that listeners can imagine they are overhearing a personal conversation the next table over at a cozy restaurant deep in the heart of Cajun country.
“This podcast is a celebration of the human spirit. It’s about honoring those who stay true to themselves—people who inspire us, challenge norms, and keep culture alive through how they live and love.” —Christine Balfa
Although the atmosphere is intimate and friendly, Christine does not shy away from the difficult questions. At one point she urges Nelda to sit with the struggle of being a female musician who was not allowed to go to bars or big dances to perform, like the male members of the family.
“You have so much talent, and so much that I feel like you didn’t get to do,” Christine says at one point, her voice breaking. “I wonder how much of that is timing?” Nelda pushes back, gently, reminding her she has four wonderful children and a life she remains proud of. “I don’t have too . . . too much, like, regret.”
Then, in one of the most emotional sections of the podcast, Nelda discusses the harrowing experience of losing their brother, Joe, to a car accident. Through her tears, Christine comforts her sister and thanks her for telling a story that had been shrouded in silence for much of her life.
“I think one of the gifts our family has is we’re very vulnerable,” she says. “We’re not scared to talk about things that were very painful.”
New episodes will drop on a biweekly schedule. Learn more at christinebalfa.com/podcast.
