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Welcome to FloridaEpisode 236: David Kirby and Florida PoetsCraig Pittman has a wish list of gifts he hopes Santa brings Florida's environment.Our guest this episode is poet, essayist, and professor of English at Florida State University David Kirby. His latest anthology of poems is titled "The Winter Dance Party." In the episode, Craig quoted an Elizabeth Bishop poem you can read here.Thank you to all of our patrons at Patreon.com/WelcomeToFlorida. For $5 a month "Welcome to Florida" patrons receive exclusive access to bonus episodes, including our recent "Florida Holiday Traditions" episode, and Chadd Scott's weekly Florida conservation newsletter.2024-12-2441 min
SeenBehind the Seen with Chadd ScottIn the first episode of Behind the Seen, Carrie chats with Chadd Scott, a writer at the intersection of art and travel. He’s interested in the art that happens outside of major cities and making sure that we know as much about what’s happening in say, New Mexico, as we do London’s Bond Street.
From Carrie:
"Chadd and I both care deeply about making the art world more inclusive and accessible to everyone, from first-time gallery-goers to seasoned collectors. But why does it so often feel like an exclusive club, and what are we...2024-11-0543 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 228: Robert the DollRon DeSantis thinks the Florida economy would suffer from fighting climate change; Craig Pittman knows the Florida economy won't exist if we don't.Cathy Salustri, host of the "Florida Spectacular" podcast and Florida author - and two-time former "Welcome to Florida" guest - fills in for Chadd Scott on this episode focusing on Robert the Doll. Author, historian, and Florida Keys ghost tour host David Sloan joins to discuss the haunted doll.HauntedKeyWest.com2024-10-2936 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 209: John James Audubon in FloridaOne of the worst bills to pass out of the Florida legislature in the most recent session was supported completely on lies. Everyone has heard of birder and artist John James Audubon, namesake of the Audubon Foundation. Audubon came to Florida twice while researching his epic "Birds of America." Our guest today, Kenn Kaufman, is one of America's great birders and author of “The Birds That Audubon Missed: Discovery and Desire in the American Wilderness.”Start you adventures birding around Florida with the Great Florida Birding Trail.Thanks again to all of our patr...2024-06-1837 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 207: Bob GrahamBeach renourishment: ecological necessity or government handout to the wealthiest of Florida's property owners?Former Florida governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham passed away in the spring of 2024 at the age of 87. Joining us on this episode to discuss Graham's life and legacy is S.V. Date, author of "Quiet Passion: A Biography of Bob Graham."Thanks again to all of our patrons on Patreon. For just $5 a month you can help support the show and receive bonus episodes. A new bonus episode was just published related to co-host Chadd Scott's recent visit to M...2024-06-0444 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 197: OrlandoThe Florida legislature has appropriated $25 million to study a problem it already knows the causes of and solutions for.Everyone knows Orlando for Disney, even though the theme park isn't inside the city limits, but there's a lot more to the Magic City than rides and tourists. Scott Maxwell has been writing for the Orlando Sentinel since 1998 and joins us to discuss the myths and realities of Orlando.2024-03-2638 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 175: Jimmy Buffett's Key WestValerie Vande Panne fills in again for Chadd Scott on this episode and she and Craig start off by discussing a limited-run TV series put out by Conservation Florida about the state's environmental problems called "Protect Our Paradise." Find Valerie and follow her work on her Substack page.This episode's guest is William McKeen, author of "Mile Marker Zero: The Moveable Feast of Key West," which details the cultural, anti-establishment peak of the city in the 1970s which featured an upstart musician, Jimmy Buffett."Welcome to Florida," as always, is presented by Windstorm...2023-10-2441 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 174: Univision & Telemundo's Florida rootsValerie Vande Panne filled in for Chadd Scott on this episode of "Welcome to Florida." She and Craig began by discussing his latest Florida Phoenix column on airboats.Keep up with Valerie on Substack.This episode's guest is Craig Allen, author of "Univision, Telemundo, and the Rise of Spanish-Language Television in the United States." Both networks were headquartered mere miles from each other in Miami for decades."Welcome to Florida," as always, is presented by Windstorm Products.2023-10-1744 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 142: The Beatles in Florida (1964)Advocates for Florida Springs had to take the state Department of Environmental Protection to court for the terrible job its been doing protecting the state's drinking water from polluters.This week's guest Bob Kealing has joined us before to talk about Tupperware and Elvis. His latest book, "Good Day Sunshine State: How the Beatles Rocked Florida" takes us back to 1964 and the group's monumental visit to Florida and its various intersections with history.Chadd Scott's latest "My Favorite Florida" columns include Ron Jon Surf Shop and Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge.2023-03-0734 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 141: Nikki FriedFlorida's State Attorney General is a villainous political hatchet queen.As Agriculture Commissioner, Nikki Fried was the last Democrat elected to a statewide office in Florida. We discuss the role of the state Agriculture Department from concealed carry firearm permits to state forests, invasive species, gasoline and Big Sugar. Fried was elected on February 25, 2023, as chair of the state Democratic Party.Thanks to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota for hosting Chadd Scott to record this episode of the podcast. 2023-02-2853 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 140: PensacolaThis episode begins in Eatonville, home of Zora Neale Hurston, where, not surprisingly, developers are up to no good.Our guest is lifelong Pensacola resident and longtime Pensacola newspaper reporter and editor Carl Wernicke. We discuss Pensacola's past, present and future, Matt Gaetz, what he loves about Pensacola, and how the city is, and isn't, changing. Craig's from Pensacola as well!This week's episode is sponsored by WindstormProducts.com, the world's largest online retailer of hurricane hardware, as well as a retailer of the Quick Dam flood barrier, a fantastically helpful product if your home...2023-02-2149 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 135: '72 Miami Dolphins (NFL's only unbeaten team)The governor is touting his environmental record again, to which Craig Pittman cries foul. Follow Chadd Scott's travel writing at "My Favorite Florida."Our guest this week is Marshall Jon Fisher, author of "Seventeen and Oh: Miami, 1972 and the NFL's Only Perfect Season." Fisher was a 9-year-old living in Miami in 1972 following the Dolphins success week-by-week with his father and brother. He recalls the games, and looks at the societal backdrop of Miami and America at this time which included Nixon's presidential re-election and the early phases of Watergate along with the late stages of t...2023-01-1735 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 82: Florida's state parksThis week's episode begins with a multi-hundred million dollar theft committed by the Florida state legislature.Our guest is recently retired director of the Florida State Parks Eric Draper. Craig Pittman recently featured Draper in his Florida Phoenix column and the threat climate change presents the parks. We discuss our favorite parks, other challenges facing the system and how the parks are funded.If you're interested in helping out at a state park in your area, there are numerous "friends" groups you can contact. The Florida State Parks Foundation is another citizen-run organization dedicated to...2022-01-1851 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 80: Architect Frank Lloyd Wright in LakelandThis week's episode begins with a hippo, and Craig's recent column on the outgoing head of Florida's State Parks. Our guest is Jack Coffey who leads the tours and educational programming for Florida Southern College's Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center in Lakeland. How did the famed architect end up in Central Florida? Let's find out.2022-01-0440 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 79: DolphinsThis week's episode begins with our annual holiday tradition: Craig Pittman's favorite wacky headlines from the year gone by across Florida. Our guest this week is dolphin researcher Randy Wells who works for the Chicago Zoological Society out of offices in Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota. Randy has been studying dolphins in and around Sarasota for over 50 years! Craig and Randy go way back as he has written about Randy's work previously. "Welcome to Florida" is presented by Visit Sarasota. For ecotours and dolphin watching out on Sarasota Bay, head to visitsarasota.com and check...2021-12-2844 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 78: Oranges!This week's episode begins with foolishness from the governor in the state's efforts to combat climate change where he's more concerned about "left wing stuff." Our guest this week is Erin Thursby, author of "Florida Oranges: A Colorful History." From the Spanish colonizers through the Harriet Beecher Stowe, the Ku Klux Klan, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Bing Crosby and citrus greening, we discuss the enormous impact oranges have had on Florida.2021-12-2149 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 77: Florida's Sunshine LawThis week's episode begins with Craig Pittman telling us how the CIA took over Sanibel Island!Our guest this week is Pamela Marsh, executive director of the First Amendment Foundation in Tallahassee, a non-profit group working to secure and enforce open government in the state of Florida. Our topic this week is the state's Sunshine Law which requires official government meetings be open to the public.In the episode, we mention a story from Madeira Beach you can read more about here, and a story from Sebastian you can read more about here....2021-12-1451 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 76: Voting Rights with Desmond MeadeThis week's episode begins with discussion on a potentially unprecedented effort to sustain manatee populations through Florida's winter months.Our guest is civil rights activist Desmond Meade. Meade spearheaded the effort to restore voting rights to felons in Florida, an effort which resulted in the passage of Amendment 4 in 2018, restoring voting rights to some 1.5 million Florida residents. Meade is the author of "Let My People Vote: My Battle to Restore the Civil Rights of Returning Citizens." He has been the subject of a documentary. He serves as executive director for the...2021-12-0737 minWelcome to FloridaBONUS EPISODE: Welcome to Sarasota! (Winter Preview)Nate Sweetman from VisitSarasota.com rejoins us to discuss the top winter and holiday events and activities to enjoy in Sarasota County.We discussed:St. Armond's CircleVan Wezel Performing Arts HallSelby GardensThe RinglingThe Celery FieldsMLB Spring TrainingSarasota's architectural historySarasota Trolly Tours2021-11-3027 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 75: Pensacola PunkhouseIf you thought the "Roads to Ruin" were dead, think again. This week's episode begins with Craig's fabulous column from the Florida Phoenix which alerts us to how the Florida Department of Transportation, at the behest of developers and the road construction industry, wants to force another unwanted, unneeded, expensive turnpike extension in north Florida. As background to this story, an explanation of how roads can be racist.This week's guest is Scott Satterwhite, author of "A Punkhouse in the Deep South: An Oral History of 309." Satterwhite, who now teaches at the University of West Florida, didn't...2021-11-2353 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 74: ButterfliesThis week's episode begins by discussing how Florida's lack of a clean energy plan is costing the state federal infrastructure dollars.Our guest is Dr. Jaret Daniels who leads the lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) research efforts at the University of Florida. Daniels' team can be found working at the world's most prestigious lepidoptera research facility in the world, the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity inside the Florida Museum of Natural History on the UF campus in Gainesville. The McGuire Center houses 12 million butterfly and moth specimens from around the world. We discuss collapsing monarch p...2021-11-1658 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 73: Florida novelist Tim DorseyThis week's episode begins with a conversation about a state law little-known to the public that further stacks the deck against conservation and sustainable growth in Florida in favor of developers. Meet Bert Harris.Our guest this week is Florida author Tim Dorsey. Tim will soon have his 25th novel in a series of wacky crime thrillers about a Florida-obsessed serial killer, Serge A. Storms, that use outlandish humor to pass along tidbits about the state's history and culture. Tim will be appearing at this year's Miami Book Fair.2021-11-0947 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 72: Florida legal thrillers with James GrippandoThis week's episode begins with cowboy Craig telling us about a recent trip to a Florida ranch he took as well as introducing us to a new Florida acronym: earwig. This week's guest is part of the annual Miami Book Fair, author James Grippando whose written almost 30 novels, 17 of which focus on the adventures Miami criminal defense lawyer Jack Swyteck. Grippando is a practicing attorney and professor at the University of Miami."Welcome to Florida" is presented by VisitSarasota.com. From camping at Miakka River State Park to beach combing along Longboat or Siesta Keys...2021-11-0240 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 71: Perversion of Justice - the Jeffrey Epstein storyThis week's episode begins with some Florida myth-busting from Craig Pittman.Our guest is author and Miami Herald investigative reporter Julie Brown. Brown's book "Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story" helped bring some measure of accountability to Palm Beach resident Jeffrey Epstein following his years' long, worldwide sex trafficking ring which saw him rape dozens of underage girls.Brown continues to report on the case and ongoing legal proceedings for the Herald. Find her writing and insights on Twitter at @jkbjournalist.2021-10-2643 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 70: Disney WorldWith Halloween around the corner, we begin with a truly scary story: Giant African Land Snails.Our guest this week is Richard Foglesong, author of the definitive history on Disney coming to Florida, "Married to the Mouse: Walt Disney World and Orlando."If Disney World isn't your particular cup of tea, how about Sarasota? With one of Florida's largest and oldest state parks, a pair of wonderful art museums, leading research facilities open to the public for botany and marine life, plus shopping, dining and fabulous hotels - AND THE BEACH - VisitSarasota.com will...2021-10-1951 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 69: Celebration, Disney and Florida's Housing CrisisThis week's episode begins with more reasons to support the removal of Kirkpatrick Dam and a return to a free-flowing Ocklawaha River.Time is running out for you to voice your opinion to the St. John's Water Management District in favor of removing the dam and supporting the river. The comment period closes October 22, 2021. CLICK THIS LINK TO SUPPORT THE RIVER.Our guest this week is Andrew Ross who's followed up his 1999 book about Celebration, Florida, "The Celebration Chronicles: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Property Value in Disney's New Town," with a look at...2021-10-1249 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 68: Free the Ocklawaha!This week's episode begins with Craig taking us to South Florida where Ron DeSantis has contradicted himself on the subject of Everglades restoration.Our guest this week is Jennifer Carr, president of Florida Defenders of the Environment, and granddaughter of Marjorie Harris Carr and Archie Carr, two of Florida's greatest conservationists. Marjorie stopped the Cross Florida Barge Canal while Archie was a powerful advocate for sea turtles.Jennifer joins us to discuss the movement to remove the Kirkpatrick Dam and free the Ocklawaha River, an effort her grandmother led for many years. Now is a...2021-10-0540 minWelcome to FloridaBONUS EPISODE: Welcome to Sarasota! (Fall Preview)During this BONUS EPISODE of "Welcome to Florida" we learn all about the various activities available to visitors of Sarasota this fall from arts markets and eco-tours, to dining, art exhibitions and water sports. One of Florida's largest state parks, great apple pie, and the state's only Amish community welcome guests to Sarasota County for outdoor recreation, shopping, history, culture and more.You can learn about what Sarasota area has to offer by visiting its tourism website.2021-09-3027 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 67: Iguana Invasion!This week's episode begins with good news on the conservation front and increasing numbers of a once critically endangered Florida butterfly.Our guest this week is Tom Portuallo, founder and CEO of Iguana Control. Tom has spent more than a decade removing invasive iguana from South Florida homes and yards.The best action you can take for Florida today is raising your voice in support of removing the Kirkpatrick Dam and allowing the Ocklawaha River to again flow freely, restoring thousands of acres of critical plant, animal and fish habitat in northeast Florida. The St...2021-09-2839 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 66: Craig Pittman 'The State You're In'This week's episode is devoted to Craig Pittman's new non-fiction book, "The State You're In: Florida Men, Florida Women, and other Wildlife."Joining Chadd Scott this week to talk to Craig about the book is environmental journalist and author of The Sound of the Sea: Seashells and the Fate of the Oceans. Also: Mirage; Blue Revolution; and Rain: A Natural and Cultural History, long-listed for the National Book Award. Cynthia was our guest on "Welcome to Florida" episode #55 all about her seashell book.2021-09-2143 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 65: Sinkholes!These week's episode begins with an update on efforts to save the Florida Reef - North America's only coral reef - and how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has habitually damaged the resource.Our topic this week is sinkholes and we're joined by USF researcher Philip van Beynan to learn all about them.2021-09-1433 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 64: Gopher tortoiseThis week's episode begins with a familiar topic: the dangers of phosphate mining in Florida.Our guest is gopher tortoise biologist George Heinrich. If you'd like to do more to support gopher tortoise, look into the Gopher Tortoise Council. 2021-09-0744 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 63: Sea TurtlesThis week's episode begins with a recent conversation Craig had with a former Florida governor. Our guest is Dr. Kate Mansfield who runs the UCF Marine Turtle Research Group. We discuss the five species of sea turtles found nesting in Florida.In Florida, if you find a dead or stranded sea turtle, here's the number to call for the Fish and Wildlife Commission hotline: 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922).Coastal Connections was the sea turtle experience group in Vero Beach we mentioned. You can learn more about Coastal Connections by listening to...2021-08-3149 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 62: Thomas Edison and Henry Ford winter estates in Ft. MyersThis week's episode begins along the Tamiami Trail and a discussion of Craig's latest Florida Phoenix story.Our guest today is Holly Shaffer who's going to tell us all about the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford winter estates in Fort Myers.2021-08-2434 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 61: The Florida ManateeThis week's episode is all about the Florida Manatee. We start the show discussing how Craig came to write his second book, "Manatee Insanity," and are then joined by Florida Manatee researcher, Bob Bonde, who along with his wife, Cathy Beck, studied the animals for 40 years. Bob co-authored the most authoritative book on the subject of Florida Manatee, "The Florida Manatee: Biology and Conservation," which was updated with a second edition in the summer of 2021.2021-08-1748 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 60: The Cuban Sandwich controversyThis week's episode begins with a discussion of Craig's latest Florida Phoenix column investigation the damage the state's latest red tide outbreak has had on seagrass. Our guest is Andrew Huse, author of "From Saloons to Steak Houses: A History of Tampa," and an upcoming title about the history of the Cuban Sandwich. Andrew's recommendations for a great Cuban sandwich: The Boozy Pig in Tampa and Sanguich in Miami.2021-08-1042 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 59: Florida's freshwater springsThis week's episode begins with some budgetary chicanery linked to the Florida Wildlife Corridor that could mean more trouble to the state's diminishing wetlands. Our guest is filmmaker Oscar Corral who's new documentary, "The Fellowship of the Springs," examines Florida's best in the world freshwater springs resource and the various threats they face. Visit the film's website to find out when you can watch it on your local PBS station.2021-08-0343 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 58: Orlando boy band scam artist Lou PearlmanThis week's episode begins with a tale of governmental treachery - at the behest of developers - from Santa Rosa County. Our guest is Helen Hartley, the former business reporter at the St. Petersburg Times. She uncovered a massive insurance and investment scam orchestrated by Lou Pearlman in the mid-2000s. Pearlman was the driving force behind the development of boy bands Backstreet Boys and NSYNC which, for a brief period, turned Orlando into one of the music industry's hotbeds.2021-07-2753 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 57: Brownie Wise and Tupperware's move to FloridaThis week's episode begins with Craig's latest article for the Washington Post looking at the history of Seminole oversight of gaming in Florida. With a new gambling compact agreed to between the tribe and the state, the Seminole are expect to reap an even greater financial windfall due to the introduction of sports gambling in Florida.Our guest this week is Florida author Bob Kealing. Bob wrote a book all about one of Florida's most underappreciated entrepreneurs, Brownie Wise, who in the 1950s helped the Tupperware company build an empire by staging in-home Tupperware sales parties. Tupperware...2021-07-2042 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 56: The Florida Wildlife Corridor with Carlton Ward Jr.Turkey hunting, off road vehicles and drones in the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge? Maybe.This week's guest, Carlton Ward Jr., has been instrumental in casting a vision for the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The Florida Wildlife Corridor imagines a contiguous linkage of undeveloped land from the Everglades to the Okefenokee Swamp. As a nature photographer, Carlton helped promote the idea by traversing the entire route and sharing his stories with politicians and in the media. In late June 2021, as a result of his efforts and those of many others, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act was signed into...2021-07-1349 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 55: Seashells!This week's episode begins with Craig Pittman and his wife encountering red tide near their home in St. Petersburg.Our guest is Cynthia Barnett, author of the newly published book, "The Sound of the Sea: Seashells and the Fate of the Oceans." Cynthia has written numerous books about Florida's freshwater, but dives into the salt for the first time here. She is also an environmental journalism professor at the University of Florida living in Gainesville. 2021-07-0650 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 54: The Swamp Peddlers (Florida's land giant communities)This week's episode begins with Craig's investigation of the MURDER of a Florida river.Our guest for this episode is Punta Gorda native Jason Vuic, author of the recently released book, "Swamp Peddlers: How Lot Sellers, Land Scammers, and Retirees Built Modern Florida and Transformed the American Dream." Jason tells a Florida origin story of sorts about how land speculation, unethical developers and lack of regulation wrought upon the state the numerous environmental disasters we're currently facing. Why is Florida so screwed up? This book has A LOT of the answers. Find it at your l...2021-06-2950 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 53: Betty Osceola and the Miccosukee TribeThis episode marks the one year anniversary of the "Welcome to Florida" podcast. Craig Pittman and Chadd Scott look back at the first 52 episodes, highlighting some of the most memorable. All previous episodes, and the "Preview" episode which explains how "Welcome to Florida" came to be can be found in the archives.This week's guest is Miccosukee tribal elder Betty Osceola. Osceola works as an environmental advocate on behalf of her tribe and the Everglades and owns Buffalo Tiger Airboat Tours in the Glades. You can find Betty Osceola on Facebook as well as her Walk For...2021-06-2250 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 52: Red TideThis week's episode begins with good news for conservationists in Florida from a most unlikely place: the Florida state legislature.Craig also updates on a scary development regarding Florida's coral reef.Our guest this week is Dr. Cynthia Heil, Director of the Red Tide Institute at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota.In the episode, Heil mentions resources available for Florida residents and tourists regarding the health of our beaches including:visitbeaches.org (updated twice daily with current beach conditions)myfwc.com/redtidestatus (current sample/cell concentrations of Karenia)2021-06-1549 minWelcome to FloridaBONUS EPISODE: Indian River County!With the Indian River Lagoon - North America's most biodiverse estuary - two National Wildlife Refuges and miles of critical sea turtle habitat along the Atlantic Ocean, Indian River County boasts remarkable natural beauty, even for Florida.This bonus episode of "Welcome to Florida" focuses on Indian River County's ecotourism opportunities from sea turtle and manatee experiences, to hiking, biking, kayaking, birdwatching and much more.Our guests are Barbara Schlitt Ford, Executive Director of the Environmental Learning Center in Vero Beach, and Kendra Cope, founder of Coastal Connections.We'll learn about what there...2021-06-1038 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 51: John D. MacDonald (America's first environmental novelist)This week's episode begins with Craig throwing his hat in the ring for a new job! Don't worry about him leaving the podcast, the chances of him landing this job are low.Our guest is Calvin Branche, a leading historian on Florida author John D. MacDonald whose 21 Travis McGee novels captivated readers for decades. His novels have been turned into successful movies including "A Flash of Green" and "Cape Fear." MacDonald is also likely America's first environmental novelist, incorporating conservation themes into his work as far back as the 1960s."Welcome to Florida" is presented...2021-06-0846 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 50: The Cabbage Palm (Florida's state tree)This week's episode begins by discussing a puzzling decision by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to recommend opening a fishing season on goliath grouper.Our guest is Jono Miller, author of "The Palmetto Book: Histories and Mysteries of the Cabbage Palm." The Cabbage Palm is Florida's state tree and essential to understanding its history. What makes this tree unique? How has it influenced Florida history? What does it have to do with Elvis and gangsters? We get the lowdown from Jono who you can find online, here.At the end of the episode...2021-06-0141 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 49: Florida ranching and cattlemenThis week's episode features Buck Island Ranch manager Gene Lollis. Buck Island Ranch is unlike any cattle ranch you've heard of. Buck Island Ranch is working in part to protect the environment and wildlife.Take a look for yourself.Ranching and agriculture are both major causes of and solutions for climate change, biodiversity collapse, clean water and clean air. If you'd like to learn more about this connection, regenerative agriculture and our national food production system, listen to "The Doctor's Farmacy Podcast" with Dr. Mark Hyman. Want to buy more sustainably and ethically r...2021-05-2537 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 48: Florida in the MoviesThis week's episode begins with Craig's latest "Washington Post" article where he writes about Miami making history in hiring the nation's first Chief Heat Officer.Our guests are Susan Fernandez and Bob Ingalls, authors of "Sunshine in the Dark: Florida in the Movies." We'll trace Florida's history in film from the silent area when Jacksonville was Hollywood, all the way through 2016's "Moonlight" which won the Academy Award for best picture.We'd like to welcome Eco-Pathways as our latest sponsor. Eco-Pathways is a Florida company that designs and constructs beach walkovers, boardwalks, trail bridges, docks...2021-05-1840 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 47: Florida's ancient inhabitants + AngolaThis week's episode begins with a takedown of the Florida Legislature (both parties), Ron DeSantis and Agriculture Secretary Nikki Fried, all of who bowed down to BIG SUGAR in allowing them to continue poisoning residents of western Palm County through pre-harvest sugar cane field burning.Our guest is New College of Florida anthropologist and archaeologist Uzi Baram. We discuss Florida's surprisingly robust history of ancient inhabitants along with the emerging researching shining more light on the maroons of Angola and Florida's connection to the Underground Railroad.If you find these conversations interesting, our previous episodes...2021-05-1158 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 46: Florida's worst idea (the Everglades Jetport)This week's episode begins with Craig's concerns Florida could be facing another "Summer of Slime" due to blue green algae and red tide (cow tide) outbreaks. We also talk about corruption in the state legislature and the death - mostly - of M-CORES (Roads to Ruin).Our guest is author Mike Grunwald who wrote "The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida and the Politics of Paradise." Our conversation focuses on the worst idea ever in Florida: the Everglades Jetport.If these topics interest you, be sure to listen to back episodes on the Floridan Aquifer, the Gulf...2021-05-0452 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 45: Marjorie Kinnan RawlingsThis week's episode started with BIG news from the Everglades and a look at a VERY important Florida woman whose job it will be to protect the state's environment. Our guest is author Ann McCutchan who has written a new biography of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, a Florida transplant and author of "The Yearling." The book is titled "The Life She Wished to Lead" and details Rawlings' time spent in Cross Creek, Florida.This week's show also mentioned Bok Tower Gardens conservation efforts, Craig's book "The Scent of Scandal," and Marie Selby Gardens."Welcome...2021-04-2747 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 44: Key WestThis week's episode begins with discussion of Craig's latest Florida Phoenix column and the "solution" for what to do with all of the toxic waste from the Piney Point phosphorus plant.Our guest is Nancy Klingener, Florida Keys reporter for WLRN - South Florida's Public Radio - and a 30 year Key West resident. We dig into the history, culture and weirdness that is Key West with stops along the way talking about Conchs, Earnest Hemmingway, Bum Farto, Jimmy Buffett, cats, chickens and Fantasy Fest.Consider Amelia Island for your next long weekend or family vacation...2021-04-2049 minWelcome to FloridaEpisode 43: Florida's state climatologistThis week's episode begins with Craig's ongoing reporting of the environmental disaster at the Piney Point phosphate plant where hundreds of millions of gallons of toxic wastewater has been diverted into the Tampa Bay estuary to avoid a collapse of the gypsum stack there. Craig has reported on this coming apocalypse for decades, highlighting how the Florida Department of Environmental "Protection's" history of favoring industry over the environment and its lack of serious regulation put us here.This week's guest is Florida's state climatologist David Zierden. We talk about our state's climate, how it's changing, what can...2021-04-1355 min