My Story – The Soul Behind the Journey

By Cody “The Traveling Cajun” Portie

I was born and raised DTR — down the road — in Plaquemines Parish, as far south as you can go in Louisiana before the road runs out into the Gulf. My roots are Cajun, strong and deep, and so is my love for front porch talks, slow mornings, and good old-fashioned connection.

Life’s been full of highs and heartbreaks. I lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. And just a few months before that storm hit, I lost the most important man in my life — my daddy, Edward Barb Portie Jr. That season wrecked me. But even through the pain, I held tight to the values he raised me on faith, family, kindness, and grit.

I followed in his footsteps and spent over 20 years in law enforcement, serving the same community he served for 30 years — up until the day he passed in his sleep. After losing him, I started drinking heavy. Not every day, but when I did, I didn’t know how to stop. I lost a house, a couple vehicles, filed bankruptcy, went through a divorce, and left a career that once defined me.

But then… God started stirring something new in me.
I met an amazing woman online, but I knew I couldn’t give her or anyone my best if I didn’t get right with myself first. So, I stepped away, hit the reset button, and leaned into what I was truly called to do — heal, grow, and help others do the same.

On October 1st, 2022, I got sober. That one decision cracked my heart wide open. I started waking up to life really feeling it again. I started listening to God more, being present and dreaming again. Big dreams. Kingdom dreams. Dreams that didn’t just fill my pockets they filled my spirit.

That’s when Down the Road with Old School Bonds was born.

This ain’t just a website it’s a movement.
A digital front porch.
A safe place for raw stories, hard-won wisdom, and those soul-shaking moments that make you pause, breathe, and feel something real.

Here, you’ll find blog posts just like the ones I’ve shared on Facebook some deep, some light, all straight from the heart. You’ll hear from locals with powerful stories, see slices of Cajun life, and dive into reflections on mindset, faith, sobriety, and soul work.

I believe in:

The power of front porch talks

Grounding your feet to the earth

Lifting others with simple acts of kindness

A faith that walks, not just talks

And Old School Bonds — the kind built on trust, time, truth, and shared struggle

So, whether you’re just passin’ through or walkin’ this road beside me welcome.

Let’s ride.