Sean of the South: Heartfelt Stories From the Front Porch

10/05/24 • 50 min

In this episode of Fred Hunter's Alabama, Fred swaps stories with Sean Dietrich, a columnist, humorist, multi-instrumentalist, and stand-up storyteller known for his commentary on life in the American South. Best known as "Sean of the South," Dietrich shares personal and heartfelt stories of his youth, family, Southern traditions, and life as a writer and performer. His work has appeared in Newsweek, Southern Living, Reader's Digest, and Garden and Gun, and his column appears weekly in newspapers throughout the U.S. He has authored eighteen books and over four thousand columns. Sean makes appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, and his work has been featured on the Today Show.

Previous Episode

Colleen Duffley: Creating Amazing Experiences at Andiamo Lodge

When I sat down to chat with Colleen Duffley of Andiamo Lodge, I knew we were in for a special conversation. Colleen, with her vibrant energy and captivating stories, is the kind of person who thrives on adventure. And now the town of Mentone is a new chapter in her fascinating story.

Colleen discovered Mentone in an unconventional way — on a bicycle. Back in the early ’90s, she was training for the Olympic trials and would ride from Birmingham to Mentone. “We’d get a cold drink at the market and then ride back to Birmingham. The landscape here was so similar to the terrain in Barcelona, where I was preparing for the Olympics,” she recalls. That’s how Mentone first landed on her radar. As life circled back, it felt only natural to return to this magical place.

Fast forward a few years, and Colleen and her husband, Steve — better known to some as “Crabby Steve” from his restaurant on the Florida coast — were on another bike ride when they stumbled upon what would become Andiamo Lodge. “We were on our bikes, riding through town, and saw this dilapidated old lodge with a ‘for sale’ sign. I was still working as a commercial photographer, but during the pandemic, everything slowed down, and we just thought, ‘Why not?’” she shares with a grin.

That spontaneous decision turned into a beautiful project — an experiential retreat where guests come not just to rest but to create, learn, and connect with their surroundings. “We wanted Andiamo Lodge to be more than a place to sleep. We want people to leave with memories and new skills, whether it’s cooking with a James Beard chef or attending a writing workshop,” Colleen explains. The word “Andiamo” means “let’s go” in Italian, and it perfectly captures the spirit of her lodge: let’s go create, let’s go explore, let’s go experience.

Speaking of experiences, Andiamo Lodge is gearing up for some exciting fall events. Heather Webber, the talented author, will return to Mentone in early October for a dinner inspired by her latest book, A Certain Kind of Starlight. As if that’s not enough, Colleen has also convinced her long-time friend India Hicks, goddaughter to King Charles, to make a stop at Mentone during her book tour for Lady Pamela, a deeply personal account of her mother’s life as Queen Elizabeth’s lady-in-waiting. “India’s schedule is tight, and she’s only making a few stops, so we feel incredibly lucky to host her,” Colleen says with excitement.

Those attending these events can expect more than just a meet-and-greet. “It’s intimate,” Colleen emphasizes. “Our dinners are for 12 people, max. You get to sit down with these incredible individuals and ask them anything — how they got where they are, what inspires them. It’s like the best dinner party you’ve ever attended.”

With Andiamo Lodge, Colleen is curating a blend of creativity, culinary mastery, and personal connection, all tucked away in the mountains of Mentone. Her ability to bring in world-class talent while keeping the experience personal and deeply connected to Alabama is nothing short of remarkable. As we wrapped up, Colleen invited everyone to come see for themselves. “You can go to a hotel anywhere, but here, you’ll leave with stories, memories, and new friends.”

Andiamo — let’s go!

Next Episode

Kathleen Phillips: Grits and Gouda

When we set out to capture the essence of Alabama’s rich culture and traditions on our first podcast road trip for Fred Hunter’s Alabama, we knew there was no better stop than Kathleen Phillips’ kitchen in Gardendale. While some might not recognize her name right away, say “the Grits and Gouda lady,” and you’ll see a spark of recognition. Kathleen has built a culinary legacy with her blog, Grits and Gouda, where Southern comfort meets a pinch of gourmet.

Kathleen’s journey is as flavorful as her recipes—beginning in Arkansas, where her roots were firmly planted, to her move to Alabama in 1989 for a dream job with Southern Living’s Oxmoor House. Kathleen’s passion for food and storytelling blossomed during her decade in the test kitchen at Oxmoor, where she became known for her knack for crafting recipes that felt both elevated and accessible.

As we talked, Kathleen shared how her life took a new turn when she became a freelance food stylist and caterer to accommodate the needs of her growing family. It wasn’t long before her culinary creativity led her to author her first cookbook, Magic Cakes, and eventually launch her now-famous blog.

The name Grits and Gouda is a perfect metaphor for Kathleen’s style—grounded in the comforting simplicity of Southern traditions but always with a touch of something unexpected. Her recipes all feature shortcuts, designed for busy families who despite busy schedules still want to gather around the dinner table—even on the most hectic days.

We talked about those family dinners, a tradition Kathleen is passionate about preserving. She described the importance of sitting down together as a family, a practice she sees as an anchor of fellowship and connection. Kathleen’s recipes, as she puts it, are a way to make those moments easier to create, even when life is pulling you in all directions.

Her commitment to community shines beyond her blog. Kathleen works closely with local farmers through Sweet Grown Alabama and visits pecan groves, peanut farms, and vegetable gardens to connect her recipes to the people and places that make Alabama’s food culture so special.

Before we wrapped up, Kathleen promised to join us for a future episode, where she’ll cook one of her signature shortcut recipes in her kitchen—complete with rotisserie chicken as the star ingredient. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love this journey.

Kathleen Phillips, the heart behind Grits and Gouda, isn’t just sharing recipes. She’s sharing a way of life, one that celebrates the warmth of Southern hospitality, the importance of family traditions, and the richness of Alabama’s culinary landscape.

Read all about Kathleen’s culinary adventures on Facebook and at her website.