Rick Outzen's Podcast

On Dec. 7, 2017, I interviewed Lara Trump, the day before President Donald Trump returned to Pensacola for a Make America Great Again rally.

Escambia County Commissioner Mike Kohler is considering running for Congress.

Rick talks with Sena Maddison, Lissa Dees, Chip Simmons, Greg Harris, and Larrison Campbell.

The Pensacola Ice Flyers host their annual Star Wars Night on Saturday. Owner Greg Harris has the details.

Constituent & Parking Services Director Lissa Dees discusses the new website, ParkPensacola.com, and improvements to downtown city parking.

This summer, Larrison Campbell released a follow-up podcast about the aftermath of her investigation into her grandmother's murder and the impact of the podcast on her relationships with her family and her hometown. She discusses with Rick the challenges of investigating such a personal story.

The Escambia County Sheriff's Office and its Foundation announced the development of a Law Enforcement Memorial Plaza to honor fallen deputies. Sheriff Chips Simmons shares the details.

Rick talks with Sena Maddison, Eric Gilmore, Dan McFaul, Kevin Scott, D.C. Reeves, Mike Boettcher, and Darien Schaefer.  

Visit Pensacola CEO Darien Schaefer discusses the tremendous year the tourism industry had for FY 2024, setting several new records. 

UWF English Department Chair Dr. Kevin Scott discusses how the university prepares its students for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) age.  

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves talks about the poor condition of the old Baptist campus and the Strive to Thrive plan.

Rick talks with Sena Maddison, Eric Gilmore, Ray Palmer, Fred LeBlanc, Jennifer Knisbell, Steven Portnoy, Walker Wilson, and Troy Rafferty.

The SEC Soccer Tournament Championship Game will be played at Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park where Texas and South Carolina will compete for the championship title.  Join in the fun on Championship game day, Nov. 10, at the free FAN FEST from 11:30 a.m. until the start of the championship game. There will be music, food trucks and fun activities for all ages.

A three-part event, featuring New York's Sing Harlem choir and celebrating the cultural impact of gospel music, is coming to Foo Foo Fest this fall. WSRE PBS will present the Joyful Noise! Gospel Celebration from Friday through Sunday, Nov. 8–10, with three distinct events in downtown Pensacola. The main event will be a regional gospel music competition from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Pensacola High School auditorium. In addition to featured performances by Sing Harlem, Solomon Bozeman and the Sounds of the Gulf Coast, the dance troupe Soulful Movement: Spirit of Excellence and the Dixon After Hours Performing Arts Academy, local music groups and choirs will sing for top honors. The Saturday afternoon event will be bookended by a private student workshop at Dixon School of Arts and Sciences on Friday, Nov. 8, and a Sunday gospel brunch at Lily Hall on Nov. 10.

We interviewed our 4,000th guest on the radio show today. We started on Aug. 9, 2021. I don't think any other 90-minute show has done as many interviews.  My original goal was to do 1,000 every year. We've averaged 1201 per year. The 4,000th guest was Troy Rafferty, who talks about his firm, Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa, and his commitment to justice.

Cowboy Mouth plays tomorrow at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Drummer Fred LeBlanc talks about the band, its music and putting on a helluva show.

Rick talks with Sena Maddison, Patrick Reevul, Leslie Perino, Rodney Bolling, Mary Zaledonis, Becca Gray, and Brad Garrett.

The Pensacola Habitat for Humanity Pride Build was a historic undertaking, bringing members and supporters of the LGBTQIA+ community together to build unity, hope, safety and togetherness, as well as construct a home for a Pensacola Habitat for Humanity homebuyer. Becca Gray shares the details.

The United Way of West Florida is proud to announce the approval of Mini-Grant awards for 12 local nonprofits, each receiving up to $5,000, for a total of $49,839. The United Way of West Florida Board of Directors has approved these one-time grants, demonstrating a commitment to increasing the capacity of the small nonprofit community. Mary Zaledonis has the details. 

Gulf Breeze Will Do awarded $46,548 to local organizations. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, GBWD has distributed nearly $500,000 since its inception.

Jennifer Brahier won the District 1 council seat by three votes four years ago. This year, she won a second term by 1,197 votes.

Rick talks with Sena Maddison, Walker Wilson, Cat Outzen, Ray Palmer, Katie Bosso, Samantha Breedlove, Therese McKenzie, and Geoffrey Skelley.

Escambia County is excited to host the SEC Soccer Tournament at the Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park Nov. 3-10, marking the county's third consecutive year hosting the tournament. During the week-long event, the top 12 women's soccer teams will compete for the championship title. "We are incredibly proud to once again host the SEC tournament, and we look forward to welcoming the teams and fans to Escambia County," Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. "This is an exciting event not only for District 5 and Escambia County, but for all of Northwest Florida. I appreciate the continued partnership with Pensacola Sports and the SEC, along with the countless staff members and volunteers who work behind the scenes to make an event like this possible."Visit the SEC website to learn more about the tournament, view the game schedule, and purchase tickets. SEC has also released the official bracket for the 2024 SEC Soccer Tournament, which is now available here.

Tomorrow, the University of Alabama-Birmingham will play its UAB Champions for Our Children game. ESPN Game Day will feature the program with each UAB player representing the name of a seriously ill child served by Children's Harbor on his jersey. Children's Harbor CEO Cat Outzen has the details.

Rick talks with Sena Maddison, Kate MacFall, Keith Wasdin, Lindsey Cannon, Steven Barry and Jim Ryan.

Commissioner Steve Barry visits while greeting voters at the polls.

Kate MacFaul, state director of the Humane Society, explains why Amendment 2 is unnecessary and could have negative consequences. 

The Escambia Children's Trust staff and the program committee have recommended that the full board consider a micro-grant program. CARE (Community, Access, Resilience and Empowerment) grants will be available to provide nonprofits with an opportunity to seek funding for existing programs, advocacy efforts, or events and activities that support the children and families in Escambia County. The grants will be up to $50,000 and are only available for one time. Lindsey Cannon shares the details.

The last item on the ballot for Escambia County voters is a CONTINUATION OF ONE-HALF CENT SALES SURTAX TO FINANCE EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES FOR 10 YEARS.  Since 1997, the Escambia County School Board has levied a one-half cent sales surtax to fund new construction, renovations and additions to existing schools, land acquisition and make improvements to schools. The voters have approved each 10-year renewal because of the belief sales taxes are a better funding source than property taxes.  Keith Wasdin, who heads facilities planning for the school district, discusses the need for the tax to be renewed.

Rick talks with Sena Maddison, Kim Powers, Chip Simmons, Greg Harris, Will Kennedy, and Nathaniel Rakish.

Will Kennedy discusses the UWF Argo football team's four-game winning streak.

Rick talks with Sena Maddison, Eric Gilmore, Robert Bender, Shawn Salamida and Steve Roberts.

Last week, we discussed Home Base Florida partnering with the Lakeview Center to provide free mental health care to eligible military veterans, service members and their families. Lakeview Center president Shawn Salamida shared more details.

Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender shares over 43,000 voters over the first seven days of early voting. Escambia County already has a 30% turnout.

A broad area of low pressure is likely to develop over the southwestern Caribbean Sea in a few days. Escambia County Public Safety Eric Gilmore has the latest info.

Rick talks with Sena Maddison, Walker Wilson, Chief Sky Horse Helms, Cailin Feagles, Brad Garrett, Geoffrey Kelley, and Guillermo Francia.

Creek Fest 2024 is a two-day celebration of Native American culture and traditions occurring Nov. 23 and Nov. 24. Now in its 34th year, Creek Fest is a major event, drawing over 4,000 attendees from the Florida Panhandle and South Alabama. Chief "Dan" Sky Horse Helms has the details.

Rick talks with Sena Maddison, Jim Ryan, Brad Garrett, Greg Harris and Michael Reynolds.

Dr. Michael Reynolds, chair of the UWF Mechanical Engineering Department, discusses the impact of the WAVE program at the Port of Pensacola.

Team owner Greg Harris shares the highlights of the Oct. 19 season opener and previews this Saturday's game versus Birmingham at the Pensacola Bay Center. 

Rick talks with Will Kennedy, Robert Bender, Rick Byars, Angie Ishee, Mark Diana, Tom Dahlbrog. and Ed Meadows.

The Wright Institute for Global and Population Health, housed in UWF's Usha Kundu, MD College of Health, will sponsor the National Institutes of Health's All of Us Journey, a traveling educational exhibit that raises awareness about the All of Us Research Program from Oct. 22-25. 

Tom Dahlborg will speak at the Wesley Abbey Building of First United Methodist Church on Monday, October 28, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Wesley Abbey is the white building on the corner of Wright and Palafox. Click this link to register for free.

Pensacola State College president Dr. Ed Meadows talks about the A&P Aviation Mechanics program starting in January.

FloridaWest's Rick Byars discusses the Haas Center study of light industrial uses at OLF-8. 

Magdalene's is hosting a free Human Trafficking Conference to open dialogue about sexual exploitation and to equip teens and the people who love them on how to spot it, stop it and break free.. Angie Ishee has the details.

Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender reports Escambia County had over 8,000 people vote yesterday.

Will Kennedy discusses the 35-6 victory over Chowan and this Saturday's home game against Shorter.

Rick talks with Sena Maddison, Robert Bender, Mike Dobuski, Tim Kinsella, Steven Portnoy, and Betsy Hart.

City administrator Tim Kinsella discusses his first three weeks on the job.

Home Base is a national non-profit started by the Boston Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital in 2009.  Its mission is to heal the invisible wounds of war by providing service members and their families with first-class physical and emotional support, all at no cost to the patient/participant.  Betsy Hart, a military spouse and Northwest Florida native, is bringing this program to Pensacola with Lakeview's help.  She shares the details.