Legendary Florida author Randy Wayne White joins us for this episode to discuss how he came to Florida, making the transition from newspaper man to charter boat captain, and eventually on to becoming the New York Times bestselling writer of the Doc Ford series of novels. We'll also talk about his decision to ride out Hurricane Ian on Sanibel Island and the traumas he faced for that choice in the moment and after. For more information on how Sanibel Island became a favored enclave for ex-CIA...
Jan 09, 2024•49 min•Ep 186•Transcript available on Metacast Craig has a list of New Year's Resolutions to pass out around the state, starting with our idiot Department of Transportation secretary. Author Lu Vickers is our guest this episode. She joined us back on Episode 100 along with an original Weeki Wachee mermaid. This time, we're talking about Dick Pope, founder of Cypress Gardens . If you'd like to support the show as we enter our 5th season, you can do so by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/welcometoflorida for just $5 per mont...
Jan 02, 2024•36 min•Ep 185•Transcript available on Metacast When did "environmentalist" become a dirty word to Republicans ? Our guest for this episode is author Jack Davis. Davis has joined us twice before to discuss the recovery of the bald eagle and the Gulf of Mexico. Check the archive for those two outstanding shows. This time, we're discussing a Florida icon, a feminist icon, a conservation icon, and an Everglades icon: Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Douglas coined the term "river of grass" to describe the Everglades, founded th...
Dec 26, 2023•48 min•Ep 184•Transcript available on Metacast A pair of proposed mega-developments in southwest Florida would prevent the Florida panther from ever expanding its numbers if approved. Critical to an understanding of Florida history is its roots as a Spanish colony, not a British colony like Georgia and South Carolina. Kevin Kokomoor is an historian and the author of "La Florida: Catholics, Conquistadores, and other American Origin Stories" published in 2023. We discuss the Spanish origins of what is now Florida. Made in Spain Wheth...
Dec 19, 2023•58 min•Ep 183•Transcript available on Metacast Global Warming is causing the oceans to acidify creating an existential threat to the ocean food chain and the seafood industry and Florida politician's largely don't care . Hank Asher is the most important man you've never heard of. He's a Florida man who moved to the Sunshine State in the 70s. His life would intersect with the drug trade, the 2000 presidential election and 9/11, largely because of his work in the field of data mining. McKenzie Funk's 2023 book, "T...
Dec 12, 2023•49 min•Ep 182•Transcript available on Metacast We begin this episode with sad news and the passing of Florida author Tim Dorsey . Dorsey joined us on Episode 73. Did you know the longest private airstrip in America is in Florida? The Brian DePalma-directed 'Scarface' from 1983 starring Al Pacino as Cuban immigrant turned Miami cocaine kingpin Tony Montana alongside Michelle Pfeiffer celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2023. Marking the occasion, movie critic and film historian Nat Segaloff has written "Say Hello to My Little Fr...
Dec 05, 2023•39 min•Ep 181•Transcript available on Metacast "Welcome (back)to Florida" Jeff Bezos . We're getting wet on this episode and learning about the Atlantic Goliath Grouper . Our guest is marine scientist, researcher and conservationist Sarah Frias-Torres who spent 20 years in Florida studying this magnificent fish. Find her on Twitter and Instagram @GrouperDoc. In the episode, she mentioned a scientific paper, here is a link to that study . Made in Spain Whether you’re an expat chasing the dream, a traveller inspired by European ...
Nov 28, 2023•48 min•Ep 180•Transcript available on Metacast There is no love affair as strong as the one between the Florida legislature and developers. Politicos in Tallahassee just gave the industry another major gift . In 2018, Florida voters in overwhelming fashion put a stop to greyhound racing by voting for a constitutional amendment outlawing it. Carey M. Theil helped lead the grassroots effort to ban the "sport" which had murdered and abused hundreds of thousands of dogs in Florida over its 100 year history here. Theil has co-authored a...
Nov 21, 2023•43 min•Ep 179•Transcript available on Metacast We enjoy every episode of "Welcome to Florida," but enjoyed this one more than most. This story takes us to Fort George Island about midway between Jacksonville and Amelia Island by the St. John's River and Atlantic Ocean. This is the location of Kingsley Plantation, named for its owner Zephaniah Kingsley . His, however, is not the most interesting story to be told there, that story belongs to Anna Madgigine Jai . To learn more about Jai, Craig recommends the book "Anna Madgi...
Nov 14, 2023•50 min•Ep 178•Transcript available on Metacast Was it simple incompetence or something more sinister which cost Florida the chance to receive millions of dollars in federal funding to apply toward residential solar power. Our guest this week is Rebecca Renner who's new book "Gator Country: Deception, Danger, and Alligators in the Everglades" tells the story of an undercover Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sting to catch gator poachers . Rebecca will be featured in this year's Miami Book Fair . Thanks to ...
Nov 07, 2023•34 min•Ep 177•Transcript available on Metacast Manatees in Florida could be placed back on the Endangered Species List . One of the greatest miscarriages of justice in America occurred in Port St. Joe, Florida in the case of Freddie Lee Pitts and Wilbert Lee . The two Black men were convicted of a double homicide despite no physical evidence, no credible eyewitness, confessions forced via police torture, and a subsequent confession shortly after from the actual murderer. The pair were eventually pardoned after serving 12 years. Spearheading ...
Oct 31, 2023•48 min•Ep 176•Transcript available on Metacast Valerie 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 1970...
Oct 24, 2023•42 min•Ep 175•Transcript available on Metacast Valerie 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 presen...
Oct 17, 2023•45 min•Ep 174•Transcript available on Metacast Why reinstituting a bear hunt , which failed ignominiously in 2015, is not the solution for increased human-bear interaction in Florida. In this episode we discuss the ghost orchid with longtime Fakahatchee Strand Preserve park biologist Mike Owen . "Welcome to Florida," as always, is presented by Windstorm Products and windstormproducts.com the No. 1 online retailer of hurricane hardware. Made in Spain Whether you’re an expat chasing the dream, a traveller inspired by European eleganc...
Oct 10, 2023•49 min•Ep 173•Transcript available on Metacast Ron DeSantis wants MORE fossil fuels and fewer regulations on fossil fuel companies. The Florida Museum of Natural History on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville possesses one of the largest, most comprehensive and finest collections natural history in the world. Heather Dewar's gorgeous coffee table book, "All Things Beautiful: Wonders from the Collections of the Florida Museum of Natural History" celebrates the collections and shares the museum's history....
Oct 03, 2023•44 min•Ep 172•Transcript available on Metacast This episode begins by remembering a legend in Florida journalism . Had a development for the Big Bend area of Florida been proposed in recent years, it would have been approved, and the recent hurricane damage there would have been much worse. Our guest is Paul George from the History Miami Museum who tells us all about the founder of Miami Beach, Carl Fisher . The biography Craig mentioned is "Castles in the Sand" and the documentary we mentioned is "Mr. Miami Beach." Here&...
Sep 26, 2023•37 min•Ep 171•Transcript available on Metacast A closed meeting in Israel resulted in Ron DeSantis allowing a foreign company to disperse its supposed miracle cure for blue green algae in waters across the state without the product previously being tested for potential negative environmental or human health effects. Our guests this episode are Vickie Oldham, president and CEO of the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition and founder of the Newtown Alive trolley tours in Sarasota , and Brenda Watty, a member of the Marvelettes Motown gr...
Sep 19, 2023•37 min•Ep 170•Transcript available on Metacast This episode begins by paying our respects to Jimmy Buffett and his conservation work in Florida. Our guest is Florida Keys historian Brad Bertelli who tells us all about conch, the gastropod, conchs, the people, and the Conch Republic, better known as the Florida Keys. His Florida Keys history Facebook group is a wonderful resource and community for lovers of the Keys. "Welcome to Florida" is presented by WindstormProducts.com , the world's largest online retailer of hurricane ha...
Sep 12, 2023•41 min•Ep 169•Transcript available on Metacast Jacksonville used to stink. Literally. Bad. That was a result of paper mills. What turned Jacksonville around serves as a model for how the state can solve its toxic algae bloom crisis. The Castillo de San Marcos is one of the top tourist attractions in St. Augustine. The Spanish fort at one time served an important military purpose for Spain's colonial ambitions in North America. Our guest for this episode is a historian and researcher specializing in the Colonial period in the Southeast a...
Sep 05, 2023•40 min•Ep 168•Transcript available on Metacast We begin this episode with county commissioners in Manatee County favoring sprawl over wetlands. Our guest is University of Florida professor of insect systematics and taxonomy and firefly researcher Marc Branham who tells us all about these fascinating insects. "Welcome to Florida" is presented by Windstorm Products the leading online retailer of hurricane hardware at www.windstormproducts.com . Protect your home or business from the effects of hurricane wind damage with Windstorm Pro...
Aug 29, 2023•43 min•Ep 167•Transcript available on Metacast While the world burns and Florida scorches as a result of global warming driven by carbon emissions, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is working to prevent fossil fuel power plants from having to clean up their act . Former "Welcome to Florida" guest Diane Roberts wrote a wonderful column for the Florida Phoenix recently titled, "GOP Death Cult is holding Earth hostage to White Privilege." Roberts' article serves as a wonderful combination punch in conj...
Aug 22, 2023•47 min•Ep 166•Transcript available on Metacast This week's episode begins with Florida's connection to the Endangered Species Act . Our guest is Josh Liller, historian and collections manager at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse . Josh edited the Florida Lighthouse Trail book and is a member of the Florida Lighthouse Association , which you can join as well. We discuss the history of lighthouses and lighthouse keepers in Florida. Thanks for Windstorm Products for helping sponsor "Welcome to Florida." Use Windstorm Products hel...
Aug 15, 2023•40 min•Ep 165•Transcript available on Metacast We begin our episode with a Florida location we've not discussed previously: Alva . Our guest is JB Miller , a Mennonite who grew up in Pinecraft next to Sarasota in the 60s and 70s. A community of Mennonite and Amish farmers started coming to the area to farm in the 1930s and has persisted ever since. No longer farming, tourism is now the top draw. "Welcome to Florida" is presented by WindstormProducts.com , a Florida company and the world's largest online retailer of hurric...
Aug 08, 2023•36 min•Ep 164•Transcript available on Metacast We begin with a follow-up to last week's episode in which we talked to legendary Florida conservationist Jack Rudloe. Our guest this episode is author and historian Robert Bucellatto whose book "Rumrunners and Moonshiners of Old Florida" recalls the Prohibition era in Florida. If you'd like to personally support the production of "Welcome to Florida," you can do so by visiting patreon.com/welcometoflorida and for as little as $5 per month receive access to exclusive...
Aug 01, 2023•41 min•Ep 163•Transcript available on Metacast What is "environmental racism?" It goes on all over Florida (BIG SUGAR). Craig Pittman explains. Jack Rudloe has been observing marine life on the Gulf of Mexico around Panacea, FL since the 1950s. He's an author . An environmental activist . And founder of the Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory. We mention Jack's abuse at the hands of law enforcement; here's more information regarding local efforts to protect Wakulla Springs from development. Thank you PATRONS! For as litt...
Jul 25, 2023•54 min•Ep 162•Transcript available on Metacast Not only is climate change adversely impacting those of us on land, it's warming waters around Florida taking a toll on marine life. Our guest this episode is Kevin Sheilley, president and CEO of the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership. Ocala is "the Horse Capitol of the World." Kevin explains how the city earned that moniker, when Florida became a horse destination, and we discuss the jewel in Ocala's horse crown, the World Equestrian Center . World Equestrian Cente...
Jul 18, 2023•41 min•Ep 161•Transcript available on Metacast This week's episode begins with a look at the series of disastrous bills signed into law by Ron DeSantis that will imperil Florida's environment for decades to come, if not forever. Our guest this week is author Michael Tougias whose book "Above & Beyond: John F. Kennedy and America's Most Dangerous Cold War Spy Mission" centers around the Cuban Missile Crisis. His most recent book, "Extreme Survival," shares lessons learned from individuals who survived th...
Jul 11, 2023•38 min•Ep 160•Transcript available on Metacast We begin today's show with some shady developer dealings in Captiva . Florida is as well-known as a haven for retirees as anything. Helping people make that transition is the American Association of Retired Persons - AARP. Jeff Johnson is the state director for AARP Florida and he joins us to discuss AARP's work in Florida. Thanks again to Windstorm Products for supporting the podcast. Windstorm Products is a small Florida company that has grown into the largest online retailer of hurr...
Jul 04, 2023•44 min•Ep 159•Transcript available on Metacast We have hit the 3rd anniversary of the "Welcome to Florida" podcast and we want to thank you for listening. If you'd like to take your support of the show further, you can do so by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/welcometoflorida . For as little as $5 a month you'll help us continue producing the show and have access to exclusive bonus episodes. Our guest this week is Laura Goodhue, executive director of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates. We discuss t...
Jun 27, 2023•39 min•Ep 158•Transcript available on Metacast What's weird? A Florida city council suing its citizens over the topic of clean water. Eliot Kleinberg is the father of "weird Florida." In 1998, he published "Weird Florida," a compilation of Florida oddities which would eventually spawn the weird Florida and Florida man genres. Eliot joins us this week, his second appearance on the show . Thank you "Welcome to Florida" patrons! Another exclusive bonus episode of the show will be coming your way soon. If you&a...
Jun 20, 2023•39 min•Ep 157•Transcript available on Metacast 
