For the first time since July 2021, the critically acclaimed Tampa Politiainment Podcast is back! With another general election in the books, the gang returns to its’ roots sticking with local first. Ernest interviews former Dishonorable Mention Associate Producer, podcast guest, and newly elected Pinellas County School Board Member Katie Blaxberg. She discusses her reaction to the outcome, her decision to run for the school board after working with Chris, and what it means to “make school board...
Nov 18, 2024•55 min•Season 2Ep. 1
We're back! After a slightly longer hiatus than expected Ernest, Becca, and Chris come together in person for the first time in over a year for a "just three of us" edition of Dishonorable Mention.* 0:12: We open with Governor Desantis requesting former President Trump to not start a rally in Sarasota so close to the tragedy of Surfside. Thoughts? Is Desantis taking the lead over Trump as the 2024 Republican favorite? 18:22: For Ron DeSantis to make a run at president, does he need to win re-ele...
Jul 02, 2021•46 min
History rarely repeats itself, but its echoes never go away. We revisit a previous podcast that discusses a Twitter battle between co-host and State Representative Chris Latvala and Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz in which Gaetz tweeted negatively on a meeting between civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton and Chris. The viral dispute raged on after Chris pointed out a dubious game created by Gaetz in Tallahassee. Join us as we look back at this conversation that rings true perhaps now more t...
Apr 08, 2021•18 min
0:12: We open discussing President Biden’s first month in office. 14:28: Session resumes in Tallahassee, what forthcoming bills are we looking at? 25:12: We pivot to the pandemic and Florida’s covid response and current situation under Ron DeSantis, the Govenor’s call to fly the flag at half-staff for Rush Limbaugh’s death, and his future political endeavors. 51:52: Classic polititainment! 56:22: Becca asks where has the empathy gone? 1:01:38: This week’s Floridaman story, shout-outs, and wrap-u...
Feb 26, 2021•1 hr 10 min
0:12: Ernest and Karla are on assignment so we welcome Katie Blaxberg to the pod! Let’s talk about the inauguration and how reaching across the aisle and being bi-partisan is important to successful public service. 24:34: Let’s discuss some state and local news. 38:15: This week’s #Floridaman Story, shout-outs, and wrap-up! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 24, 2021•48 min
0:12 It’s been a week after the insurrection on the nation’s capitol. The hosts discuss their outlook over the fallout. 19:57: What does the future hold for the GOP? 29:33: Tampa Sports Authority VP of Events and COO of the Super Bowl Host Committee Claire Lessinger joins the pod! We talk a reimagined Super Bowl, what makes Tampa a great place to host events, and the Forever 55 initiative. 48:54: This week’s Floridaman story, shout-outs, and wrap-up! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...
Jan 15, 2021•1 hr 9 min
0:12: The AJC's Washington correspondent Tia Mitchell joins the pod! We start with our initial reactions on what happened at the Nation’s Capitol. 5:14: Tia explains her story being in the House Chamber when the rioters breached the Capitol, keeping the journalism hat on during a crisis, DC police, and the affect of the riot on the senate and house vote. 25:27: Tia talks about the historic victories in Georgia. 28:46: We talk about the certification vote from a Florida perspective and is the 25t...
Jan 08, 2021•1 hr 9 min
0:00: We discuss our 15 most intriguing people of Tampa in 2020. 33:22: We discuss our 15 most intriguing people nationally in 2020. 1:03:47: We close with some quick reflections on 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 30, 2020•1 hr 11 min
0:12: We welcome TB Times Political Editor Steve Contorno to the pod where we’ve got Georgia on our minds! We discuss Stacey Abrams, Georgia shifting blue, and the Senate run-offs. What has the Democratic Party done successfully in Georgia that hasn’t worked in Florida? 15:21: What do we foresee the relationship between Governor Desantis and President-Elect Biden? 19:45: What’s the possibility of Ivanka Trump running for the U.S. Senate in 2022? Who might we see emerge on the Democratic side? 28...
Dec 17, 2020•1 hr 11 min
0:12: We open by discussing Speaker Chris Sprowls’ speech on what he hopes to accomplish in the 2021 session and if the legislature should meet for a special session. 16:33: We turn to national news and President Trump’s continual calls of election fraud, Rudy Guiliani’s role, and more. 24:23: The hosts discuss USF’s future plans on the College of Education’s undergraduate program. and how President Curall has done so far. 42:32: We switch gears to classic polititainment! Thoughts on classic hol...
Nov 20, 2020•1 hr 15 min
0:12: Jessa Moore from Jessa Moore Media joins the pod! We discuss President Trump refusing to concede the presidency amid allegations of election fraud and what this means. 22:26: The hosts discuss why the down-ballot Deomcrats weren’t as successful as down-ballot Republicans. 27:13: Is Governor Ron Desantis embracing a herd immunity approach to the COVID-19 pandemic? 42:11: Some classic polititainment! What has everyone been streaming? 47:23: The #1 song on our guest’s fourteenth birthday, thi...
Nov 12, 2020•55 min
truly this divided as a nation? Also congrats to Chris on re-election! 30:49: Democrats didn’t fare well in Florida, but the Amendment to raise the minimum wage passed. What’s the correlation? What’s next for the Democratic Party of Florida? 43:17: Are we at the point where polling has lost its influence? And how has tone in communication affected the election? 50:20: Where is the nation President Trump wins re-election? Where is the nation if Biden wins? 58:44: We talk about some of the local a...
Nov 06, 2020•1 hr 19 min
0:00: We welcome Tampa Bay Times Tallahassee Correspondent Kirby Wilson to the pod! He explains the six proposed constitutional amendments on this year's ballot in Florida. 34:50: Floridaman story! The #1 song on our guest's 14th birthday! Shout-outs! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 23, 2020•45 min
0:12: The hosts discuss Amy Coney Barrett's SCOTUS nomination hearings, what we think will happen, and what this means for both parties going forward. 20:12: President Trump has been campaigning in Florida this week. Is the I-4 corridor even more important than usual come election day? Plus some classic polititainment! 38:43: The hosts discuss University of Florida head football coach Dan Mullen's comments on inviting a full stadium of fans to their home games. How do we feel about full events a...
Oct 14, 2020•56 min
0:12: The hosts discuss the first debate between President Trump and Vice President Biden. 17:29: The hosts react on Trump’s lack of denouncing white supremacy during the debate and race relations in the U.S. 39:46: Governor Desantis opens the state back up with no mandatory restrictions. The hosts discuss. 46:57: THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING ARE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS. 51:25: We pivot to some classic polititainment, this week's Floridaman story, and shout-outs! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy ...
Oct 02, 2020•1 hr 16 min
0:00: The hosts open by talking about the death of Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the subsequent debates of bringing another Supreme Court justice nomination to the senate prior to the presidential election. The hosts also debate if we are truly a divided nation. 33:56: The hosts debate on Michael Bloomberg assisting in paying former felons' fines so they can vote in the election and if it should be allowed. 48:42: Some classic polititainment! We talk about Halloween costumes and ...
Sep 25, 2020•1 hr 4 min
Chris Latvala is back and we couldn't be happier! 0:00 Chris talks about his last two weeks with Covid-19. 10:28: Why is this virus so politicized? 20:57: We discuss free speech and the media. Should there be consequences for your speech? 32:47: We’re getting closer to #ElectionDay2020 - how do you plan on voting this year? What are good unbiased resources to learn about local and state candidates? 39:32: Floridama! Shout-outs! Wrap-up! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...
Sep 18, 2020•1 hr 1 min
0:12: It’s move-in time across the country for Colleges and Universities, our hosts discuss what will happen with students living on (and off) campus in the middle of the covid-19 pandemic. 6:24: It’s #PrimarySZN in Florida and the votes are in. Our hosts discuss what happened on Tuesday and particular races to keep an eye on come November. 21:43: Takeaways from the Democratic National Convention so far. 33:03: This week’s Floridaman story, shout-outs, and wrap-up! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...
Aug 20, 2020•43 min
**We experienced some technical issues with Becca’s audio** 0:00: Ed Narain joins the pod! We open discussing Joe Biden’s selection of Senator Kamala Harris as his VP candidate. 24:14: Maya Rudolph benefits from the selection for sure! Who should play our hosts in a biography of their lives and more polititainment! 29:58: The hosts discuss the latest news of college football conferences canceling fall sports. Is it safe to play college football in a pandemic? We also discuss the movements starte...
Aug 13, 2020•1 hr 3 min
1:02: It’s friend of the pod, newly re-elected Mayor of Largo Woody Brown’s birthday! And we discuss other local political news. 10:03: We discuss elections and divulge into some old fashioned polititainment. 20:54: Cyn Epler joins the pod! We discuss a story about a flight attendant, her versatile work at Macdill and beyond, and reality TV! 58:36: Crazy story time, you don’t want to miss this one. 1:03:03: After a tough story to follow we bring you this week’s Floridaman story and the #1 song o...
Aug 06, 2020•1 hr 23 min
0:00: Why are so many people posting invalid conspiracy theories in today’s society? 9:59: Baseball is back! But for how long? Is an outbreak in the Marlins clubhouse going to jeopardize the MLB season? 18:34: The hosts discuss the latest campaign adds from President Trump. 33:11: We discuss the upcoming election, give Karla a shout-out, and talk about Kanye West. 54:09: Emmy nominations! Hurricanes! The Floridaman Story and shout-outs! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...
Jul 30, 2020•1 hr 9 min
0:00: We open talking about education and the delayed start time of in-person classes. 14:04: Tommy Tuberville wins his primary over Jeff Sessions. War Eagle? Will football allegiances dictate the election in Alabama? And middletro! 23:41: AOC had a verbal confrontation with a fellow congressman. Is this unprofessional? 32:49: We welcome Chief Media Officer for Merkley and Partners Adam Arnegger to the pod! We discuss the handling of COVID-19 in NY, how the pandemic will affect sports, the evolu...
Jul 23, 2020•1 hr 30 min
0:06:The hosts open by talking about what’s happened the past week in their lives. Plus, DIY and scrapbooking?! 16:37:Why do we need a mask mandate? Why can’t people just wear a mask? The hosts discuss some folks’ differing opinions and how we got here. 26:44: The dishonorables partake in some classic polititainment! 41:53: This week’s Floridaman story, and it’s a doozie. 56:24: Shout-outs, wrap-up, and shake your bushy tail! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 16, 2020•1 hr 7 min
0:00: We open talking about what we love, some classic polititainment! 8:32: Long time friend UCFKent joins the pod! We talk politics, Disney challenges, and his friendship with Chris. 34:03: Is a messy car a dealbreaker for a prospective date? And other inquiries about early dating. 47:01: Our favorite game - we tell Kent the #1 song on his fourteenth birthday and Kent’s experiences at the parks upon reopening. 59:08: We give you this week’s Floridaman story (presented by Karla), shout-outs, an...
Jul 09, 2020•1 hr 6 min
0:00: We open discussing survivors of sexual assault and rape from the USF Greek System telling their stories on Twitter over the last week. How has this systematically persisted for decades, what can be done legislatively, and what can we do to fix the system so the victims can be heard? 31:24: With the spike of covid-19 cases, are we taking this pandemic seriously? 41:08: We discuss our thoughts on President Trump’s recent twitter activity and allegations. 47:11: Ernest talks about the BET Awa...
Jul 02, 2020•1 hr 13 min
0:00: We open with some old fashioned polititainment! 6:58: Is it possible to go too far in looking at history through the lens of today? We talk about the removal of certain statues and symbols across the nation. 11:27: Florida man and overall great guy Steve Schale joins the pod! This is his second time joining the dishonorables! We ask him what it’s like working with the Unite the Country PAC, what do we think happens in November, who is QB1 for the Jags, and much more. 41:18: This week’s Flo...
Jun 25, 2020•54 min
We welcome Debbie Lundberg to the pod! Debbie streps in for Becca who is on assignment. 1:58: Positive Covid-19 cases have significantly increased, did we try to restart the economy too soon? Why is wearing a mask perceived as a partisan decision? 13:06: Should Florida be inviting the RNC, and professional sport leagues with rising covid-19 cases? 20:26: We talk about the tragic death of Rayshard Brooks by police officers in Atlanta. Was lethal force necessary or does this prove more systematic ...
Jun 18, 2020•1 hr 6 min
0:12: We talk about the lasting affect of George Floyd, Black Lives Matter, and the protests that followed to police reform and systematic change. 18:32: Do we still have hope that we are on the precipice of real change? 20:12: Political Anchor and Reporter for WFLA Evan Donovan joins the pod! We ask Evan’s perspective on the protests and if he believes true change is on the horizon. 27:02: How concerned are you that these protests will contribute to a second spike of COVID-19 cases amid a pande...
Jun 11, 2020•1 hr 2 min
0:37: We talk about the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the acts that followed the next seven days across the nation. 11:29: The audio recording cut out momentarily, so we continue with Karla and Ernest’s thoughts. 20:58: We welcome special guest Dr. Will Tyson to the pod! Dr. Tyson is an associate professor in the department of sociology at the University of South Florida.* 41:27: Our favorite game, the #1 song on Will’s 14th birthday, this week’s Floridaman story, and shout-out...
Jun 04, 2020•1 hr
0:10: The hosts discuss current events. Broadway Musicals, future episode ideas, is Trump actually taking Hydroxycloriquine, and Michael Jackson v Prince! 15:40: Are COVID-19 numbers being altered in Florida? 24:39: Drs. Yael and Paul Leiber join the pod! Chief Scientist, Data & Social Science Dr. Paul Leiber tells you what a chief scientist does during COVID-19 and why it's more important now than ever to understand what the data is saying. 41:32: School Psychologist Dr. Yael Leiber talks h...
May 21, 2020•1 hr 3 min
