Townie Talks

Brendan O’Connor might as well be called Mr. Orlando. This guy is my bestie and a true champion for our town. As Editor-in-Chief of Bungalower, he strives to connect people with causes and shares his passion for art and nature with a kind heart and a generous spirit. Listen in to the tale of his Canadian childhood and a couple of times when we get pretty honest with each other.

Avery Smith is smart and talented and full of easy-going natural humor. In this episode we talk about the computer stuff he does, the things we don’t drink, and how important nature is to us. Listen in to this episode to zen out a little. Or maybe get fired up. Who knows?

Diana Griffith is a powerhouse voice for women in Orlando. Her interviews on her own podcast, Orlando Lady Boss, are some of the best I’ve listened to. She’s caring and funny and loves this city and you can tell just how much as we chat about life, love, loss, and finding a path to what moves you.

Jill Rhodus is the jam. She also makes jam. Smiling Goat Jam. Probably the best jam I’ve ever had. If you don’t know Smiling Goat Jams, look her up. She’s started making shrubs and they’re my favorite sober-time drink. Jill is a native, like me, and we get to know each other better and swap stories of growing up Floridian in this episode of Townie Talks.

Rick Kilby knows A LOT of Florida history and Orlando history in particular. We interrupt the writing of his second book with questions about who he is, what his office would look like, how he finds inspiration, and the best way to procrastinate.

Seth Daniels is clever, skilled, and genuinely a good dude. His work as Freehand Goods is some of the finest leatherwork around, but he has a nose for more than just leather. The way he describes a scent is like no one I’ve met. In this episode of Townie Talks, we get off topic a little and I find out exactly what aftershave is for.

Todd Deery leads the charge when developing post-graduate gaming talent downtown at UCF’s FIEA - Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy. He loves the smell of fresh-cut grass, would eradicate mosquitos and ban HSN if he were dictator, and would never again turn on a blender while fixing it. In this episode of Townie Talks, meet Todd Deery

Naomi Bourassa is all about care. Health and healing are how she directs her efforts toward one of the largest problems in our Central Florida community, human trafficking. She is generous, patient, kind, and a really good listener. (Something she’s been working on, actually.) Find out more about Naomi in this episode of Townie Talks.

Chris Carr is an entrepreneur, artist, and traveler. He and his wife live here in Orlando and his gallery at FAVO is one you shouldn’t miss. He is a puddle reflection photographer, constantly on the lookout for natural reflections in rainwater. We share our doubts, our hopes, why people should travel, and why he needs rain to do what he does. Listen in to learn more about Chris Carr in this episode of Townie Talks.

Barbara Lezcano is a mojo maker with a bushel of energy. She is a powerhouse in our community, connecting people with the love that she brings to the table. Her Sweet Babs’ Sauces are second to none and an all natural addition to every single meal. Meet Barbara in this episode of Townie Talks.

Dana Nichols is Momlando. As passionate about this city as she is about her family….well, almost. She’s on a mission to bring ease into exploring Orlando for families and to bring moms together in positive refreshing ways. Listen in as we share her personal olympic sport, her favorite pieces of clothing, and her thoughts on technology today.

Jordan Eichenblatt is one tough cookie. The camera loves this guy and the energy he shares with our city is palpable. He is a positive force for sharing the best of Orlando's vittles on his show, Brunch Bros, with co-host John Rawlins. Listen in as we talk about hitting an all time low, rising back up, and moving and shaking all over this City Beautiful.

Tiffany Lano is a maker. She has committed to making her own clothes and now is committed to forging a new path in life. While I want to turn her dog Henri into a multi-million-dollar superstar pet, she has other plans. Or does she? Listen in as we talk about changing careers, traveling, toilet-papering houses, and making everyone take driving lessons.

Kristine Thomas is a tornado of wellness inspiration. Her recipes are simple, healthy, and uber delicious. Give her two minutes to talk about innovation in the world of nutrition and she’ll blow your mind. We talk about being optimists, discovering value in others, and the beauty of VHS movies.

This woman is one with a heart for dogs, and a life full of community connection. She's the PR pro behind the Orange County Public Library System. She has been in and of Orlando for years and is one of the most fun goat yoga partners I've ever had. We talk dog training, losing the ones we love, the perfect room, and the power of being a good listener.

A person who knows the power of putting on a stylish event, Dana Marie Roquemore has a great eye for design and a heart for connecting people. The founder of The Dinner Party Project, she brings Orlandoans and visitors together over something we can all agree on, delicious food. We talk about her full name, her love of ice cream and what happens when you have RBF.

The host of Mondayvation Talks on Studio17TV, Kelda Senior is a woman like no other. She is a strategic communicator, public information officer, lover of community, and passionate about getting to the point. In this episode we talk about what she would NEVER do again, how she would spend all her free time if she never slept, and the scent that defines her childhood.

Ryan Rivas is Publisher of Burrow Press and his passion for sharing local authors and building literary community in Orlando is unparalleled. His new podcast, Out of Print, is on Studio17TV. We talk about some weird stuff.

Owner of Aces Wild Casino Parties, Comellas puts the fun in fundraising. An entrepreneur and educator, Edgar uses the flexibility of his schedule to share a passion for conservation. The theme we picked up? Adventure!

Clark Orr and Brittany Reagan are creative entrepreneurs who took their partnership to a new level. They created Hellcats Inc and combined their ideas and tastes into a product line of patches, pins, posters, ephemera, and candles.