Doug MacCash
Journalist who covers New Orleans art and culture for NOLA.com and The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate; author of Mardi Gras Beads (LSU Press, 2022), researching the history, manufacture, and cultural meaning of Mardi Gras throws.
Best podcasts with Doug MacCash
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Nov 17, 2025 • 39min
Doug MacCash, "Mardi Gras Beads" (Louisiana UP, 2022)
Doug MacCash, a journalist for NOLA.com, dives deep into the fascinating world of Mardi Gras beads, exploring their rich history and cultural significance in New Orleans. He reveals surprising origins of bead-throwing, details the economic scale of the throws industry, and shares quirky anecdotes about beads found in oysters and legal battles over novelty designs. MacCash also discusses modern challenges, like environmentally friendly beads and the global production landscape, while reflecting on his personal connections to Mardi Gras rituals.
Nov 17, 2025 • 39min
Doug MacCash, "Mardi Gras Beads" (Louisiana UP, 2022)
Doug MacCash, a seasoned New Orleans arts journalist, shares insights from his book on Mardi Gras beads. He explores the fascinating history of these vibrant tokens, tracing their origins to the 1870s and discussing their evolution from glass to modern plastic. MacCash reveals quirky anecdotes, such as the strange journey of radioactive glass beads, and the geopolitical implications tied to their production. He also reflects on family traditions around Mardi Gras and the emotional resurgence of parades after the pandemic, highlighting the cultural significance of this cherished celebration.
