The Sunshine Economy

Follow The Sunshine Economy
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

The Sunshine Economy, takes a fresh look at the key industries transforming South Florida into a regional powerhouse. From investments in health care, storm preparedness, international trade, real estate and technology based start-ups, tune in to learn more about one of the worlds most vibrant and diverse economies.

Tom Hudson


    • May 23, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 44m AVG DURATION
    • 135 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from The Sunshine Economy with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Sunshine Economy

    A 'perfect storm' of problems plagues Florida's home insurance market

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2022 48:58


    The home insurance market is broken with companies collapsing or leaving — raising costs and risks for homeowners.

    Florida's home and condo property insurance market 'is collapsing – a mess beyond proportions'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2022 50:14


    Property insurance rates are skyrocketing and Florida lawmakers promise action.

    How Disney and DeSantis clashed over power and policy, and what it means for business and politics in Florida

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2022 49:00


    The battle between Gov. DeSantis and Disney CEO Bob Chapek is a rare public display of big business and hard knuckle politics.

    'If we don't open, mom can't go to work' — the pandemic puts a priority on child care

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2022 49:00


    The child care industry is pivotal for parents being able to work and for children's early learning. It struggles to compete for workers.

    BONUS: Why a veteran climate activist thinks Russia's war in Ukraine may be a turning point for fossil fuels

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2022 10:34


    The Russian war in Ukraine has brought focus — again — to sources of energy. Climate activist Bill McKibben talks about how he hopes the war will reshape the developed world's relationship with fossil fuels.

    How two generations are fighting climate change by focusing on finance and age

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2022 48:58


    Delaney Reynolds and Bill McKibben are from different generations and live on opposite ends of the East Coast. Both have committed themselves toward fighting climate change and rallying politicians and people, while increasingly focusing on finance.

    How a banker, baker and cleaner survived, then thrived during the pandemic, and new challenges they face

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2022 49:00


    WLRN has been following three businesses for more than a year as the regional economy recovers from COVID-19.

    The South Florida economy experiences 'a different kind of surge' while sentiment wanes

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2022 24:52


    The unemployment rate has plunged while the inflation rate has soared, hurting consumer confidence.

    One couple's small business journey during the pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2022 49:00


    COVID-19 cost them one business, but Jamila and Akino West used their pandemic pivot to reinvest and reinvent their entrepreneurial ambitions.

    Russia's war in Ukraine and its impact on countries with close ties to South Florida.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2022 49:00


    War has broken out in Eastern Europe. Russia's invasion of Ukraine is felt here with higher gasoline prices, but it also impacts countries with close ties to South Florida.

    How four South Florida small businesses survived two years of COVID-19 and are growing again

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2022 49:00


    First it was the virus, now small firms are dealing with new challenges like inflation and finding workers.

    How two bills would rewrite the relationship between businesses and local governments in Florida

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2022 27:49


    The latest Tallahassee Takeover podcast from WLRN News explores the building friction over business and local rules. The battle over booze in Miami Beach may be its first test.

    The newest cruise ship operator at PortMiami says 'we're being singled out as an industry'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2022 49:00


    Virgin Voyages hopes to stand out in the cruise ship business with its rock-and-roll attitude and adults-only cruises even as the CDC still advises travelers to avoid cruising because of COVID.

    The South Florida housing market has 'too few roofs to rent or own'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2022 49:00


    The escalating unaffordability of housing for local workers threatens competitiveness and quality of life, and worries housing experts.

    The storm in Florida's home insurance market is not weather-related. It's fraud and litigiousness

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2022 48:59


    After years of shrinking, the state taxpayer-backed property insurance company Citizens has been growing as private insurers lose money in Florida.

    How a South Florida insurer is dealing with the cost of COVID care, at-home tests, and Obamacare

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2022 44:04


    The second year of COVID-19 could cost $50 million for health insurance company AvMed.

    From parking lots to ghost kitchens – how Reef Technology is changing the restaurant business and regulations

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2022 48:59


    A Miami company has attracted big investors and is reshaping the restaurant industry.

    Teddy bears, bedroom sets and brand new cars — what's fueling inflation for South Florida companies?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2021 49:00


    How inflation is affecting South Florida businesses from furniture to food, new cars to even Tonka toy trucks.

    Florida's special session: About protections from 'federal overreach' or 'vehicle for misinformation'?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2021 49:01


    Florida Republican lawmakers said employees need protections against being fired for not getting vaccinated. Democrats called it political theater casting doubt on COVID-19 vaccines.

    Costs and considerations for home health care of aging loved ones in Florida

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2021 48:59


    The demand for home health care has increased even while the supply of workers has been squeezed thanks to how most of the care is paid for.

    The cruise line boss who is challenging Florida's vaccine passport ban

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2021 49:00


    Norwegian Cruise Line requires all its passengers and crew to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and has been fighting in court to continue its mandate.

    Expert says lack of earning and the 'right kind of housing' keeps Florida in an affordable housing crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2021 49:00


    Parts of Florida consistently rank as some of the most unaffordable places to live with the combination of low incomes and high housing costs.

    Where are Florida's workers and how are industries responding?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2021 49:01


    Thousands of people have dropped out of the job market even as the economy continues rebounding. From hotels to health care, companies are looking to hire.

    Facing the cost and challenges of caregiving in South Florida

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2021 49:27


    COVID-19 has highlighted how older Americans are cared for, the special vulnerabilities they face, and the challenges families have to confront when making caregiving decisions.

    Why does a Miami mask maker have millions of them waiting for buyers?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2021 48:59


    Medical products maker Demetech moved into masks early during the pandemic, but now is left holding millions of them.

    There's a long way to go, but the South Florida economy and COVID-19 outlook are improving

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2021 22:05


    The South Florida economy has been growing, but it remains far from its pre-pandemic condition. Meantime, the virus continues spreading.

    A $1 Billion Deal Brings New Player To South Florida Hospital Market

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2021 49:00


    A billion-dollar deal for five South Florida hospitals brings a new operator to the region. Steward Health Care is the largest physician-owned hospital network in the country and bought several facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

    Related Group's Next Generation Talks South Florida Real Estate After Surfside, And During COVID

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2021 48:59


    Jorge Pérez built Related Group into one of the leading condominium and apartment developers in the region, reshaping the South Florida skyline — especially along the waterfront. Now his two oldest sons have taken over the day-to-day running of the company after the Surfside collapse and during a pandemic.

    Vaccines And Vacancies: Navigating Pandemic Protocols In The Workplace

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2021 48:59


    The job market is strong in South Florida. Offices are reopening and COVID-19 vaccines are available. So what pandemic policies are companies putting in place?

    'Are We Ready? We're Ready' – PortMiami Director On The Return Of Cruising

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2021 49:00


    It’s a multi-billion dollar question for the South Florida economy — when will cruise ships set sail again with passengers? PortMiami's boss says: "We're ready."

    How A Baker, Banker And Cleaner Are Growing Their Local Businesses — And Looking For Help

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2021 49:00


    For months the Sunshine Economy has been following three businesswomen navigating the pandemic economy. The baker, banker, and cleaner have been growing in their optimism even as each of them have had trouble finding new employees.

    From Moment to Movement: The Technology Industry In The Sunshine Economy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2021 48:59


    In 2015, the Sunshine Economy asked a group of Miami technology leaders to imagine what the industry could look like in 2030. Six years, a global pandemic and one viral tweet later, the five people are even more convinced that Miami’s tech movement has arrived now.

    Raising The Curtain For South Florida Arts Economy And Workers

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2021 49:00


    COVID-19 shut down South Florida’s arts economy. Performances, concerts and productions came to a stop for artists and behind-the-scene workers. But, slowly, the curtain is rising again.

    Florida and France: Travel, Climate Change, Caribbean and Space

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2021 48:59


    "Florida is a very important place for French investors," said France's Ambassador to the U.S. Philippe Étienne, during a visit for the launch of a French crew member from Kennedy Space Center to the International Space Station.

    When Will Cruise Ships Sail Again In The Sunshine Economy? 'Sooner Than Many People May Think' Says Royal Caribbean Int'l CEO

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2021 49:00


    It has been more than a year since a cruise ship sailed from the U.S. with paying passengers. So when does Royal Caribbean International hope to be able to shove off from South Florida ports?

    The Sunshine Economy: Why A South Florida Bank Was A Big Lender Of COVID-19 Rescue Money

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2021 49:01


    City National Bank of Florida was one of the most prolific lenders of government rescue money during the pandemic.

    The Sunshine Economy: A Look Back At The COVID-19 Year In Florida

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2021 49:00


    One year after the pandemic took hold of the economy, shutting down the hospitality industry and costing thousands of jobs, these business owners are fighting their way back. And in some cases, the future looks brighter now.

    The Tug-of-War Over Public Education in Florida

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2021 48:59


    The state government pushed local school districts to reopen classrooms last fall sooner than elected school board members thought was safe. Some see it as the state standing up for parent choice, while others interpreted it as the state undermining local decision-making.

    'The Cost Of Not Acting': How Ineffective Virtual Learning Could Shrink Students' Lifetime Earnings

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2021 49:00


    More than a million public school students in Florida are going to school through a screen. That may cost them and the U.S. economy in the decades to come.

    South Florida Public School Leaders Warn: 'Missing' Students Could Lead To 'Draconian' Budget Cuts

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2021 48:33


    During this special Class of COVID-19 edition of The Sunshine Economy, superintendents of South Florida school districts detail how they're trying to find thousands of students who aren't going to school — and what the consequences will be if they don't.

    Class of COVID-19: The Pandemic and Public Higher Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2021 49:43


    With the state facing a budget crunch thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, what has been the impact of the virus on the finances of local colleges and universities? Can schools keep tuition in check?

    After Two Pandemic Postponements, Opening A Restaurant During A Recession And A Reckoning

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2021 48:59


    Star chef Marcus Samuelsson was determined to open a new restaurant in South Florida, even during a recession.

    Missing Passengers, Moving Cargo. How PortMiami Is Trading Through The Pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2021 49:02


    Millions of cruise ship passengers have been missing from PortMiami during the pandemic, but parts of the port are busier than ever.

    The Sunshine Economy: Cuban Currency Unification

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2021 49:00


    After more than 25 years, Cuba is doing away with its dual currency system and getting rid of the Cuban Convertible Peso. What does the change mean for Cubans and for Cuban-Americans trying to help family and friends on the island?

    The Sunshine Economy: The Business Of Testing COVID-19 Vaccine And Volunteers

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2020 49:00


    The global search for COVID-19 vaccines has included South Florida as drug companies use clinical research companies here to find, manage, and follow local volunteers.

    The Sunshine Economy: Competing In The Global Mask Market From Miami

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2020 48:59


    COVID-19 vaccines may be coming, but there remains big demand for personal protective equipment like masks, especially N95 masks. South Florida manufacturer Demetech has pivoted during the pandemic to compete in the global mask market.

    The Sunshine Economy: How a Baker, Banker and Bartender are Navigating the Pandemic Economy

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2020 48:59


    Since September, the Sunshine Economy has been following how a baker, banker and bartender have been finding their way through the pandemic economy for themselves and their businesses.

    Feeding The Sunshine Economy In South Florida

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2020 49:00


    For months, since the pandemic started, South Florida has been ranked one of the most food insecure areas of the country. About a half million people report sometimes or often not having enough to eat, and most of them report losing income, according to U.S. Census Bureau surveys.

    The Sunshine Economy: Federal COVID-19 Stimulus and Local Governments

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2020 49:02


    The clock has been ticking for months on whether or not Congress will find a compromise on another round of federal government stimulus spending, and whether or not local governments could see some direct help.

    The Sunshine Economy: A New Normal

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 49:00


    As the battle against COVID-19 wears on, what’s the new normal? How could the pandemic reshape work and wages? How could it influence health care and the tourism industry?

    The Sunshine Economy: Civility and Commerce

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2020 48:59


    The political rhetoric this election is red hot and often downright rude. But is there a business cost from incivility? Research shows rudeness is contagious. What is the effect on commerce?

    Claim The Sunshine Economy

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel