Shows
The Polk ExperienceCompetitive Show Skiing for Dummies -- A Preview of the 2022 IWWF World Water Ski Show TournamentNot long ago, every theme park in Central Florida - and most in the nation - had their own water ski show complete with pyramids, jumps, stunts and more.
Today, while the theme park shows are mostly history, clubs around the world keep the sport alive.
When the best show water skiers in the world gather in Winter Haven, Florida from Oct. 19-23 to compete as both teams and individuals in the 2022 IWWF World Water Ski Show Tournament, things will be a little different.
Long time water ski broadcaster Mark Jackson and Joel Sh...2022-10-1034 min
The Polk ExperienceMargaret Parry and the Pope LegacyDick Pope Sr.'s niece, Margaret Parry, joins Shauna Pasanen and Jack Cormier to talk about the birth of Cypress Gardens, growing up in the gardens - from spending time with Miss Americas to the Shah of Iran - and finally, what she thinks is the legacy of the Popes.
2022-09-1317 minThe Polk ExperienceAll my rowdy friends...kick off season 3Today, we kick off season with a visit from Neal Duncan and Ryan Buckley.
Topics included Ken Riley and the NFL Hall of Fame, Pete Rose, and the upcoming IWWF World Water Ski Show Tournament, to be held on Lake Silver in Winter Haven Oct. 18 to 23.
For more information on the World Water Ski Show Tournament, visit worldwaterskishow.com.
For more on Central Florida’s Sweetest Spot, Polk County, visit www.visitcentralflorida.org.
2022-08-0540 minThe Polk ExperienceDr. Jennifer Stoll on the power of Sports TourismIndustry expert Dr. Jennifer Stoll, the executive director of the Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission, joins us to discuss not only the powerful impact of sports on a community, how the growth of travel teams is good for the tourism industry, and how to improve this segment going forward.
2022-06-2337 min
The Polk ExperienceRemembering Norm BennPolk County and Florida Southern sports legend Norm Benn recently passed.
Having spent a lot of time with Norm up to his enshrinement in the Polk County Sports Hall of Fame, we felt that re-releasing what might be his last interview was the least we could do.
Quick witted with a sharp sense of humor, Norm will be missed.
2022-04-1240 minThe Polk ExperienceHaines City’s dynamic duo helps shape the northeast corner of Polk CountyDespite what you saw on television, parks and recreation is serious business.
In Haines City, Terrell Griffin and Ryan Ritchie use a mix of attractors and activities to not only infuse their city with visitors, but to shape the future of Polk's northeast corridor.
2022-04-0150 minThe Polk ExperiencePolk County legend Scot ”The Rocketman” Ellis comes in for a landingPerhaps the greatest water ski jumper of his generation, Polk County legend Scot "The Rocketman" Ellis is calling it a career. Find out how a globe-spanning career started in Lakeland with .49 cent tacos and his plans for the future.
2022-02-1630 minThe Polk ExperienceWomen, Softball and Sport, with THE Spring Games CEO, Alison StrangeAlison Strange, CEO of THE Spring Games, joins Kevin Smith and Jack Cormier to discuss the upcoming event in Polk County, the long last influence of sports tourism on a community and how the past two years have changed the game for events in general.
2022-02-041h 08The Polk ExperienceThat’s a fiveheadOn this roundup episode, we discuss if the Rays should come to Polk County, upcoming sports events including RussMatt and PFX, and the recent Major League Baseball Hall of Fame winners and losers.
2022-01-2855 minThe Polk ExperienceA preview of the Central Florida Classic STOL CompetitionIf you like planes - especially takeoffs and landings - this is the event for you.
STOL stands for Short Takeoff and Landing, and its the hottest aviation competition category going.
Joining us is Anitra Goddard of the National Stol Series to talk about the Central Florida Classic STOL Competition going on in Lakeland Dec. 3 and 4 as part of the Sun N Fun Holiday Fly-In and Car Show.
2021-12-0212 minThe Polk ExperienceJosh Hicks takes us on a tour of Davenport‘s newest community centerGrowing by leaps and bounds, Davenport needed a community center.
Josh Hicks has been there since the doors opened and shares the town's vision for their future.
2021-11-2423 min
The Polk ExperienceArtist and entrepreneur, Lakeland‘s Gillian FazioBoth artist and entrepreneur, Gillian Fazio has paved her own way to success. Her murals can be found throughout Central Florida and even on the Central Florida Visitor Information Center in Davenport. Listen in to how, just four years out of college, she's created her own career path.
2021-11-1942 min
The Polk ExperienceAmada Anderson of Winter Haven Food ToursWith more than 30 restaurants in a two mile radius of downtown, Amada Anderson knew that Central Florida's Winter Haven was the perfect spot for a food tour.
We talk food, her YouTube channel and more on this episode of the Polk Experience.
2021-10-2935 min
The Polk ExperienceAn RV park so nice that Margaritaville came knockingIt started as a blueberry farm.
It became an RV resort
And in just a few months, Cabana Club will finish its transformation into Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins in Auburndale. The hospitality brand, named after the Jimmy Buffett beach bum classic, is known around the world.
Less known are the Cabana Cabins. More tiny house than rustic abode, these charming overnight options allow we who don’t RV to enjoy this amenity package destination.
Giving us our tour today are Alexa Russo and Beth Wiley, their marketing department’s dy...2021-10-1321 min
The Polk ExperienceLakeland Originals: Gene Engle and The Orange CupThe Orange Cup has been one of the premier powerboat races in the Southeast for nearly 90 years. For nearly all of those years, a member of the Engle family has been at the helm. Today we talk to Orange Cup Race Director Gene Engle about the fastest sport on water, powerboats that go nearly 150 mph, and the future of the Orange Cup -- to be held this year Oct. 16-17, 2021.
2021-10-0444 minThe Polk ExperienceA day trip to BartowHere's something a little different -- a proposed day trip to Bartow.
We visit the Cookie Jar, Rafal Natural, the LB Brown House and the Netflix-featured, Wonder House.
2021-09-1509 min
The Polk ExperienceLakeland‘s RP Funding Center hosts the world‘s largest box lacrosse event Sept. 17-19Box lacrosse -- a six-man sport played on a court the size of a hockey rink -- might be the fastest growing discipline in the game. The Interstate Box Lacrosse Association is brining the top 17 teams in the nation to the RP Funding Center in Lakeland from Sept. 17-19 to determine its champion.
We talk to Brandon Scharaga of the IBLA to learn more about the sport and what to expect this weekend.
2021-09-1319 minThe Polk ExperienceA golf guy and a baseball guy walk into a podcast...Meet Alex Dry and Gerald Richardson, two new members of the Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing team.
Gerald comes to use from First Tee Lakeland, where he used golf as an outreach to area youth.
Alex Dry comes to use from IMG in Bradenton and has an extensive background in the sport and business of baseball.
2021-08-0531 minThe Polk ExperienceMarried living Florida Southern College legends who shaped women's sports, Norm and Kathy BennWe start the second season of The Polk Experience with two living Florida Southern College legends, Norm and Kathy Benn.
Mrs. Benn spent 48 years at Florida Southern as a faculty member in the school’s physical education department and was instrumental in organizing the school’s women’s athletic program. She was their first coach in women’s basketball, volleyball and tennis.
Mr. Benn was the head women’s basketball coach from 1985-97. He led the Lady Moccasins to five SSC regular season titles, six SSC Tournament titles, and the team’s only South Region Championship...2021-07-2742 minThe Polk ExperienceUnion Academy graduate and NFL great Dr. Sam SilasWanting to test his skills against all comers, Sam Silas left Union Academy for Southern Illinois and, eventually, an eight year NFL career -- and then a career in academia.
He's a 2020 Polk County Sports Hall of Fame inductee and one of the greatest scholar athletes ever from Polk County.
2021-05-2857 minThe Polk ExperienceThe Fire host an opening round of the NAIA Baseball National Championship with Adrian Dinkel and Nick BottariWith the SEU Fire Baseball hosting the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round Lakeland Bracket at the Chain of Lakes Complex in Winter Haven, we sit down with Adrian Dinkel, the head coach of the Fire, and slugging first baseman Nick Bottari. A special thank you to co-host Donnie Smith, the director of athletic communications for the Fire.
2021-05-1424 minThe Polk ExperienceMo Triner on her softball journey from USF to the pros and coaching at Florida SouthernMeet Mo Triner, the softball head coach for Florida Southern College.
A legend in the sport, she is a former professional player and USF Sports Hall of Fame member. She talks to us about growing up in Gibsonton, her journey through professional sports and her return to coaching at Florida Southern.
2021-04-0931 min
The Polk ExperienceTigers scribe Lynn Henning talks Lakeland, baseball and a career in the Motor CityWith a career that started with Kirk Gibson and continues through Tarik Skubal, few journalists have had as storied careers in a single city as Lynn Henning has had in Detroit. He shares with us his favorite memories of covering sports in one of America's greatest sport cities and the special connection between Detroit and Lakeland.
2021-03-1057 minThe Polk ExperienceDancing with Deric C. Feacher, the City Manager of Haines CityRenaissance man Deric C. Feacher is more than just the City Manager of Haines City. A Polk County native, he’s also a musician, a forward thinker and one heck of a dancer. He joins us to talk about multiculturalism, the power of sports and tourism, the art of city management and the future of our own City of Angels.
2021-02-1939 minThe Polk ExperiencePCTSM's Year in ReviewIn this episode we interview PCTSM Director Mark Jackson as well as manager's Kris Keprios, Neal Duncan, Marc Zimmerman and Justin Laferriere about the hurdles faced during this last year. We discus the economics of tourism, tourism and sports tourism during a pandemic, and how the Polk County tourism industry is already walking down the road to recovery.
2021-02-081h 35The Polk ExperienceUSA Softball Women's National Team members Cat Osterman and Valerie AriotoUSA Softball Women's National Team members Cat Osterman and Valerie Arioto join Neal and Kevin to talk about the team's recent training session at Florida Southern College, the bumps along the Road to the Tokyo Olympics thanks to COVID and life after softball.
2021-01-2628 minThe Polk ExperienceCF Wheels of Steel brings the best in custom motorcycles to the RP Funding CenterCentral Florida Wheels of Steel brings the best in custom motorcycles to the RP Funding Center for a one-of-a-kind indoor event.
We speak with Wheels of Steel Chairman Lt. Tony Allaire of the Polk County Sheriff's Office and co-chair Jason Hallman, owner of Cycle Stop USA, about the event that benefits the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County.
2020-11-3046 minThe Polk ExperienceDan Chesnicka talks Theatre Winter Haven, Disney and the genius behind Hitch CrittersHow does a business major from UMass Amherst wind up running Theatre Winter Haven?
Come along with us as we learn about Dan's journey from college diver to Disney whiz kid to garage inventor and, finally, taking the helm of one of nationally acclaimed Theatre Winter Haven.
2020-11-2052 minThe Polk ExperienceWhat does the RP Funding Center mean to Lakeland?We talk with Tony Camarillo, the director of Lakeland's RP Funding Center, about how the coronavirus has affected Central Florida's multipurpose entertainment complex and what we can expect in the near future.
2020-10-2340 minThe Polk ExperienceIn the future, Rob Sitz will teach the master class on pandemics and RussMatt baseballIn the span of 24 hours, the Coronavirus pandemic shut down the United States.
For Rob Sitz, the president of RussMatt Baseball, it meant pivoting during one of the nation's largest collegiate baseball tournaments.
Rob also shared his journey from being a player and, later, the pitching coach at Rollins College to being part of the multifaceted company, DS Sport Ventures.
2020-09-1446 minThe Polk ExperienceStepping into the Fire with Clay Roberts and Donnie SmithWithout a doubt, the fastest growing sport in Polk County is soccer. The man at the helm of two pro teams, as well as the Southeastern University men’s program, is Florida Southern grad Clay Roberts. We speak to him, and SEU Sports Information Director Donnie Smith, about sports in the Coronavirus era, the upcoming season and one of the best fan bases in Central Florida.
2020-08-2140 minThe Polk ExperienceCapturing History -- LB Brown House and Historic PughsvilleWe take a detour from our usual podcasts to capture some Polk County history.
LB Brown went from slave to prominent businessman. The home he built in Bartow, Florida, stands today as a memorial to the human spirit, thanks to the contributions of Clifton Lewis.
Just minutes away in Winter Haven is the historic town of Pughsville. Russell Burney strives to keep the memory of his hometown alive for future generations. We talk Pughsville, Winter Haven, Cypress Gardens and the Boston Red Sox.
2020-08-1037 minThe Polk ExperienceA conversation with Geert D'hollander and Erica Smith from Bok Tower GardensBok Tower Gardens is the jewel of Polk County, and at its core is the tower's carillon, surely the largest instrument in the state. Today we chat with world renowned musician and composer Geert D'hollander, Bok's carillon, as well as Erica Smith, the marketing and business development director about carillons, the history and legacy of Bok, and Patricia from Scotland.
2020-07-3148 minThe Polk ExperienceRemembering NFL, Florida A&M and Union Academy legend Ken RileyNFL and Florida A&M great Ken Riley, whose 65 interceptions is fifth on the all-time list, recently passed away at his home in Bartow.
In the first segment, we speak with his brother-in-law, Elijah Armstrong, and his lifelong friend, Bartow City Commissioner Leo Longworth, about Ken's legacy.
Longtime NFL sports writer Pat Zier joins us in the second segment to talk about Riley's NFL career, his demeanor on the field, and why he has yet to have a bust in Canton, Ohio.
2020-06-1936 minThe Polk ExperienceCrazy Fish, Harry's Old Place and OvationsFirst, we visit with the owners of Crazy Fish in Lake Wales and Harry's Old Place in Winter Haven, Dwayne McQuillen and Matt Brock, two of the best eateries in the area, to discuss fish, friends, asking Tom Brady to dinner and COVID-19.
After that, we chat with Joel Rodriguez, one half of the Ovations ownership team. With restaurants in Davenport, Winter Haven and Lakeland, the community-minded Rodriguez brothers have mixed their love of family with their love of upscale barbecue.
2020-06-0546 minThe Polk ExperienceAn interview with Drew Watson, the athletic director for Southeastern UniversityDrew Watson may have come to Southeastern University in Lakeland to be the NAIA college's head women's basketball coach, but in less than a decade has turned the school into a perennial national powerhouse. Interviewed by sports tourism innovator Kevin Smith, CSEE and journalism veteran Jack Cormier, Drew offers his insights on coaching, the future of sports and college life in the age of COVID-19, and shares his favorite moments at the helm of the SEU Fire.
2020-05-2248 min