Shows
The SummaryThe Summary: Philanthropy in Florida’s SuncoastNestled along the Gulf, the Suncoast is more than just beaches and sunshine; it’s a powerhouse of giving, with organizations dedicated to uplifting communities, protecting natural treasures, and transforming lives.
From the Gulf Coast Community Foundation to the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, these institutions fuel education, health, and economic growth. The Flanzer Trust and United Way Suncoast are tackling social challenges head-on, while the NPCA fights to preserve the region’s breathtaking national parks. The Suncoast Foundation for Handicapped Children provides critical support for individuals with disabilities, and the Surfrider Foundation keeps our waters clean and beaches open to all...2025-03-0530 minThe SummaryThe Summary: Philanthropy in Florida’s SuncoastNestled along the Gulf, the Suncoast is more than just beaches and sunshine; it’s a powerhouse of giving, with organizations dedicated to uplifting communities, protecting natural treasures, and transforming lives.
From the Gulf Coast Community Foundation to the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, these institutions fuel education, health, and economic growth. The Flanzer Trust and United Way Suncoast are tackling social challenges head-on, while the NPCA fights to preserve the region’s breathtaking national parks. The Suncoast Foundation for Handicapped Children provides critical support for individuals with disabilities, and the Surfrider Foundation keeps our waters clean and beaches open to all...2025-03-0530 min
Freedom to RiseBank On SuncoastA significant number of the communities in our area live without the conveniences and advantages banking accounts offer. Bronwyn invites Mark Smith, Financial Stability Manager and Bank On lead for United Way Suncoast and Patrick Eichholtz Community Development manager for First Horizon Bank in a discussion about what it means to be unbanked or underbanked and why economic inclusion is a focal point for United Way Suncoast. More information can be found at https://unitedwaysuncoast.org/what-we-do/income/bank-on-suncoast/2024-09-1844 minFreedom to RiseThe State of the Florida Economy with Florida Trend's Mike Brassfield & United Way Suncoast's Aaron NealSome present a rosy picture of the Florida economy, but on the latest episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, we delve deeper into the data and explain why all is not well for the state's ALICE families. Florida Trend associate editor Mike Brassfield and United Way Suncoast Data Analysis Director Aaron Neal join United Way Suncoast Chief Impact Officer Bronwyn Beightol to give a true picture of the highs and lows of the state economy. Listen in.2024-02-0523 minFreedom to RiseThe Impact of Suncoast 2-1-1The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners recently voted to slash its funding for Suncoast 2-1-1, a vital service that provides a 24/7 path to support for community members in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto. What's the potential impact of losing that funding? Heart of Florida United Way 2-1-1 vice president Catherine Rea and Glasser/Schoenbaum executive director Charlene Altenhain join United Way Suncoast's Bronwyn Beightol to discuss the life-saving work of Suncoast 2-1-1, and how it's been a cornerstone in the community for more than 30 years.2023-10-1629 minFreedom to RiseFlorida Center for Early Childhood CEO Kristie SkoglundAll across the Suncoast region, early learning educators and parents find themselves dealing with a crisis within a crisis: children acting out the emotional trauma of their lives, disrupting learning and creating an issue that results in parents losing their jobs. It’s a trauma that often begins in the home, and the pandemic has only served to exacerbate the issue. United Way Suncoast has partnered with the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation and Florida Center for Early Learning to take on this issue. Listen in as United Way Suncoast CEO Bronwyn Beightol and Florida Center CEO Kristie Skoglund ex...2023-09-1129 minFreedom to RiseThe ALICE ReportThe number of Florida and Suncoast Region families living paycheck-to-paycheck continues to rise during the first two years of COVID-19, and the loss of pandemic relief programs, may create even more barriers. The 2023 ALICE Report from UWS reveals that over 40% of region households are affected. Bronwyn invites United Way Suncoast Vice Presidents of Community Impact Doug Griesengrauer and Andrea Doggett to the Freedom to Rise Podcast to discuss who, or what is ALICE, and why it’s important. 2023-05-0830 min
Suncoast Culture ClubAudrey Landers, American Actress, Singer, and Sarasota Resident, Joins the ClubMany know her as Afton Cooper, JR Ewing’s mistress on the hit 1980's television show Dallas, others may know her from her role as Val Clarke in the film version of A Chorus Line, others will recognize her from her many appearances on shows such as Happy Days, the Dukes of Hazaard, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Battlestar Galactica and many others. In 1996, she created the children’s television series The Huggabug Club, has her own fashion line, often guest hosts on the ABC-7 Suncoast View program, has performed as the feature artist for the Sarasota Pops Orch...2023-04-1036 min
Suncoast Culture ClubScott Keys, Musical Theatre Director and Educator, Joins the ClubHe was the theater teacher and director at Booker's Visual and Performing Arts High School for 22 years, has directed shows at nearly every theatre house on the Suncoast, has won so many awards, we don't have room to list them here, and now he is working on a brand new project called On the Roof featuring the music of Carole King and James Taylor to open at the Venice Theatre in January.Join Amanda Schlachter and Robyn Bell on this week's Suncoast Culture Club podcast as they interview the incomparable Scott Keys in a quest to find his s...2022-12-121h 01Suncoast Culture ClubEddie Weaver, Cast Member of Florida Studio Theatre's "The 70s: More Than a Decade," Joins the ClubEddie Weaver hails from Atlanta, was an acting apprentice for Florida Studio Theatre last year, and is now one of the four stars of FST's cabaret "The 70s: More Than a Decade," showing now through February 12 at the John C. Court Cabaret.Take a listen to Eddie's journey to the Suncoast, his dream to run his own theatre company in his hometown, and the best place in Sarasota to get pies, pasta, and chicken!All that and more on this week's episode of the Suncoast Culture Club Podcast.Come along and join the club!2022-11-2045 minSuncoast Culture ClubUrbanite Theatre Presents Matt Schatz's Play "The Burdens," Now Through December 4Actors Morgan Lavenstein and Jake Fallon join the Suncoast Culture Club Podcast to talk about their lives, journey to the Suncoast, and this crazy, wacky, dark, raucous family comedy about a brother and sister who are launching a plot to kill their 100-year old grandfather, but only dialogue through the miscommunication laden platforms of text and email.Urbanite Theatre's production of "The Burdens" is running now through December 4. Get your tickets and experience this one-of-a-kind presentation.• Urbanite Theatre Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube• Morgan Lavenstein Facebook & Instagram• Jake Fallon...2022-11-1449 min
Suncoast Culture ClubJoy McIntyre, Retired Opera Singer, Teacher, and Suncoast Arts Volunteer, Joins the ClubThe first 20 years of her career was spent performing leading roles in more than 30 opera houses across Europe. Her second 20 years was spent teaching voice at Utah State University and Boston University. Her next 20 years has been spent on the Suncoast where Joy McIntyre volunteers for countless arts organizations including the Artist Series Concerts, Suncoast Music Scholarship, Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning (past-president), Sarasota Concert Association (past-president), and Sarasota Music Archive (vice-president). Joy brings joy to all those who work and perform alongside her. On this podcast episode, listen to her fabulous life stories, from Brunnehilde to Casey...2022-10-1738 min
Suncoast Culture ClubJay Handelman, Arts Editor and Theatre Critic for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Joins the ClubWho has the coolest job in town? Why, it would most certainly be Jay Handelman, the arts editor and theatre critic for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune , his employer since 1984. Jay joins the club to talk about his career at the paper, the many changes he has witnessed in the arts scene on the Suncoast, and how to walk that tightrope when a performance doesn't quite hit the mark for him.All that and more on this episode of the Suncoast Culture Club Podcast. Come along and join the club!• Jay Handelman Facebook & Instagram & Twitter2022-10-0541 min
Bigger Bolder Brighter PodcastEP #1: The Suncoast Blinds StoryIn this episode, Ben Crotteau tells the story of Suncoast Blinds and gives a glimpse into future episodes.To learn more:Call: 239.495.6558Website: Suncoastblinds.com2022-09-2210 minFreedom to RiseBoys & Girls ClubsA May report from the Florida Department of Education revealed that third-grade reading scores dropped or remained stagnant in four of the five counties serviced by United Way Suncoast. It’s a clear indication that COVID-19 education disruptions have impacted student performance. It’s also a signal that out of school reading programs remain critical to elevating performance and dealing with post-pandemic problems. On this episode of the Freedom to Rise podcast, we speak with Bill Sadlo, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota/DeSoto; Dawn Stanhope, Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee; and Bernadette Denison, literacy coordinator at the...2022-07-1828 min
Suncoast Culture ClubUrbanite Theatre Presents Gracie Gardner's Play "Athena," Now Through July 10Actors Lea Sevola and Emma Giorgio, along with director Summer Dawn Wallace, join the Suncoast Culture Club Podcast to talk about their lives, journey to Urbanite, and this amazing story of two strong young ladies who start as fencing foes and end up wanting something for each other...something more than they want for themselves.Urbanite Theatre's production of "Athena" is running now through July 10. Get your tickets and watch these wonderful actors bring the story to life.• Urbanite Theatre Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube• Summer Dawn Wallace Website & Face...2022-06-2432 min