Shows
Extracurricular with Stephanie Vanos and Eddie GellerHow Influence Really Works: A Conversation With A (Sometimes) LobbyistEddie and Steph open the episode chatting about the entry into their video era. They then welcome local senior policy advisor, Rachael Kobb from Central Florida Public Affairs, to the pod. Rachael works with some of Orlando's great leaders, and she shares how she worked her way up from a secretary at Orlando Health to representing many clients in Orange County in a wide variety of ways (13:55). She talks about a lobbyist's relationship with elected officials and the implications of term limits (20:15), and shares what a day in her life looks like (23:10). We discuss the power dynamics in Tallahassee...2025-07-2850 minExtracurricular with Stephanie Vanos and Eddie GellerA Mid-Season Progress Report On The Work Of An OCPS Board MemberIn front of the camera lens for the first time during this show, Eddie and Steph open the pod talking about their week including their takes on the Netflix show, Adolescence (spoiler alert at 15:30-22:00). They get into the podcast and Steph shares her mid-season/mid-year progress report as a new School Board Member (22:00). They discuss highlights from the first few months (25:07) and Steph shares her perspectives on what she has learned (30:50). They then discuss her areas of focus in the upcoming school year and her hope for parents (34:28). Finally, Eddie admits he’s been influenced and shares his ne...2025-07-2149 minExtracurricular with Stephanie Vanos and Eddie GellerWhy Authentic Candidates Matter More Than Ever: A Conversation With One Of Florida’s Most Successful Political ConsultantsThis week’s conversation brings aboard the founder of Statecraft Media, Chris Mitchell. Chris is a consultant and insider—words we successfully put in his mouth—who begins by telling what, exactly, a political consultant really does (10:55). But beyond that, Chris lays out how to be a successful candidate and why authenticity is such a huge part of that. Afterward, Chris gave us some unfiltered takes on the early front runner for the Democratic nominee for Florida’s governor, David Jolly, and why it’s emblematic of a state party in disarray (32:25). Then, Steph and Chris then find their own groove...2025-07-141h 22Extracurricular with Stephanie Vanos and Eddie GellerSen. Carlos Guillermo Smith Explains Why Being Denied Entry To "Alligator Alcatraz" Was UnlawfulEddie and Steph welcome FL Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith mere days after making national headlines when he and a handful of other Democratic lawmakers were denied entry to Florida's immigrant detention camp, "Alligator Alcatraz." Sen. Smith walks us through the myriad ways that this camp is a dangerous grift and what happened when he showed up at the camp (8:55). Afterwards, we take a brighter turn as Sen. Smith explains how he—a lawmaker in the minority—got his anaphylaxis bill passed and turned into law (33:50). Finally, what is the TDT and why is Orange County uniquely hamstrung when it come...2025-07-071h 04Extracurricular with Stephanie Vanos and Eddie GellerThe Students Have Spoken: Mamdani, Censorship, AI, Class Rank, and MoreHope Adelson and Brady Warren Graham are two bright, young OCPS high schoolers who joined Steph and Eddie to discuss a wide rage of topics. They shared their excitement over Zohan Mamdani’s win in NYC and what Democrats need to replicate (15:45). We then delved into education issues, including what it’s like to lose a teacher, censorship, and the impact of taxpayer-funded vouchers (26:24). Hope and Brady also shared their divergent takes on AI in schools (50:51) and whether or not we should be eliminating class rank (1:08:37). Oh, and Eddie drops an F-bomb if you want to cover your ears (50:15)!
2025-06-301h 20Extracurricular with Stephanie Vanos and Eddie GellerRep. Anna V. Eskamani on the Unseen Dysfunction in Florida Politics, What the Democratic Party Needs Next, and How She Finds Comfort in ChaosThe podcast welcomes an old friend but new podcast guest: Rep. Dr. Anna V. Eskamani (8:35). Anna gives us a debrief on this most recent legislative session--with an additional focus on education and a massive expansion of charter schools (27:07). Then, Anna talks about using her platform to do the most good (34:52). Finally, we round out by digging into what keeps Anna going during her downtime (41:35) and how she’s thinking about her run for mayor in 2027(54:14).
Anna Eskamani on Instagram: @annaforflorida
Stephanie on Instagram: @votevanos
Eddie on Instagram: @gellered
Shoot us an...2025-06-2359 minExtracurricular with Stephanie Vanos and Eddie Geller“It’s about governance through fear." Steph Explains How The State Board Of Education Used Intimidation To Impose Book Bans Across FloridaSteph and Eddie start off by talking about their experience at the No Kings Protest—plus Steph has some notes on video formatting. After, Steph explains exactly what happened at the Florida State Board of Education and what it means for Florida (10:15). Finally, Steph walks through the disappointment and fear that overtook the latest OCPS board meeting and how it led to books being pulled off library shelves (26:45).
2025-06-1642 min
Democracy and EducationConfronting Extremism in FloridaFlorida is the birthplace of Moms for Liberty. It is also the state where the governor has spent millions of dollars to elect extremist members of school boards around the state who have banned books, fired superintendents, and in general wreaked havoc on local school systems.In the face of that, communities around the state have come together to elect pro-public education school board members.In this episode, Karin Chenoweth talks with three who won in 2024.· Stephanie Vanos, who defeated a Moms for Liberty candidate in Orange County...2025-06-0949 minExtracurricular with Stephanie Vanos and Eddie Geller“I’m very worried about the midterms.” Sean Shaw on 2026, the duties of a DNC member and what he’s hearing at the barbershop.Steph and Eddie begin by discussing two equally dramatic events: obtaining a Switch 2 this week and the recent Florida Board of Education meeting. They then welcome former member of the FL House of Representatives, Sean Shaw, and talk about David Jolly's entry into the race for Governor (7:25), the controversy at the DNC involving David Hogg (35:20), and how Sean predicted Trump's win based on barbershop banter (43:35).
2025-06-0955 minExtracurricular with Stephanie Vanos and Eddie GellerLet's Be Skeptical About Charter Schools! Plus, The 10 Commandments In Classrooms. And The Newest Debate Among DemsCongrats OCPS grads! Steph gushes about the graduations she's had the privilege to attend, then we investigate whether Eddie is getting enough protein and the latest on the FL budget process. Next, we get a 101 on charter schools from Steph and why not is all as rosy as it appears (12:22). Then, Texas is on the march to bring the Christian Nationalism into the classroom (27:05), and finally, we delve into the age-old question: Abundance or Anti-Corruption? (34:50)
2025-06-0250 minExtracurricular with Stephanie Vanos and Eddie Geller"The Largest Upward Transfer of Wealth in American History" — A deeper dive into Trump's B*g B**utiful B*llWe have a new name: Extracurricular! After doing a bit of a debrief on their week, Steph and Eddie dive back into Trump's B*g B**utiful B*ll and go over some of the truly wretched details (9:05). Then they talk a bit about the frustrations of communicating as a Democrat (21:35) before leaving to go see the new Mission: Impossible movie.
2025-05-2732 minExtracurricular with Stephanie Vanos and Eddie GellerThe Secret To Running A Successful County Party In Florida with Samuel Vilchez SantiagoOur first guest! Steph and Eddie sit down with the Chair of the Orange County Democratic Party, Samuel Vilchez Santiago, to discuss the secret sauce of Orange County (7:45). Samuel also goes into detail about how the Democratic Party needs to embrace immigrants in the age of Trump if they want to win elections (38:03).
Sam's Instagram: @samuelvilchezsantiago
Steph's Instagram: @VoteVanos
Eddie's Instagram: @gellered
Sam in Teen Vogue: "Democrats Have Lost Ground With Immigrants. Under Trump, They Need to Fight for Them"
2025-05-1949 minExtracurricular with Stephanie Vanos and Eddie GellerHow We Can Save Medicaid, Wondering If The U.S. Has Given Up on Children’s Learning, and What Is The Vibes Pocket?Steph and Eddie recount a busy weekend and explain what a “Vibes Pocket” is. But much more importantly, they explain the plan to gut Medicaid, how it impacts our schools, and what we can do to stop it (13:38). Then they dig into a provocative article from the New York Times entitled, “Has America Given Up on Children’s Learning?"(22:57) Lastly, they dig into Dr. Oz and the MAHA movement (32:32).
Take action on Medicaid: ocasiocortez.com/savemedicaid
Follow Steph on Instagram: @VoteVanos
Follow Eddie on Instagram: @gellered
2025-05-1242 minExtracurricular with Stephanie Vanos and Eddie GellerCounting Down The Top (or Bottom!) Three Bills From Florida’s Legislative Session.Stephanie digs into some recent news about teacher layoffs (3:13) and then gives a quick update on the funding fight for AP, IB, CTE, AICE, and Dual Enrollment classes (6:37). Afterwards, Eddie and Steph count down their top (or bottom?) three bills from this most recent Florida legislative session (9:54). Lastly, Eddie and Steph debate the merits of political ambition and whether that’s a good thing, a bad thing, or just a thing (28:28).
2025-05-0735 minExtracurricular with Stephanie Vanos and Eddie GellerWhat It's Like When A Book Ban Gets to the School Board. Plus, Florida Funding Cuts and Trump's Sagging Poll Numbers.On our inaugural episode, Steph walks through the first time a book challenge made it to the Orange County School Board (7:23), then we discuss the funding challenges facing Florida schools coming down from the Florida legislature (21:17) and finally how we should interpret Trump's sinking poll numbers (26:28).
2025-04-2936 min
GLOW CREStephanie Wiggins on Confidence as a SuperpowerGLOW CRE hosts Pharrah Jackson and Pamela van Os chat with Stephanie Wiggins, Managing Director and Head of Agency production at PGIM. Stephanie shares what inspires her about the "new generation" coming up in CRE industry, and what motivates her to do TODAY what could be done tomorrow. You don't want to miss Episode 3 of GLOW CRE!Reach out to your hosts Pharrah Jackson (pharrah.jackson@greyco.com) and Pamela van Os (pamela.vanos@greyco.com) with feedback or suggestions on the GLOW CRE podcast.Learn more about the GLOW CRE podcast, sponsored by Greystone.2023-05-0325 min