Welcome to Florida

Developers run Florida and the state legislature wants to keep it that way, even if municipalities would like less construction to safeguard themselves from hurricanes.Julian Dimock photographed Southwest Florida in the early 20th century. His photographs depict Seminole Indians, African American laborers on Marco Island, and the areas remarkable ecology. Jerald T. Milanich has authored multiple books on Dimock's time in Florida and photographs and joins us on this episode."Welcome to Florida" patrons receive our weekly Florida Conservation Newsletter for only $5 per month. Thanks to all who support our efforts.

The people of Florida once again united against their governor and state agencies to protect the environment. "Welcome to Florida" Episode 1 was about alligators. Episode 257 is about crocodiles. Joining us in Frank "The Croc Doc" Mazzotti.Show patrons receive exclusive access to our weekly "Florida Conservation Newsletter." For only $5 per month, you'll be updated on the most important stories impacting the environment around the state.

In Florida conservation, the old axiom holds true: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.Our topic for this episode is the Lake Wales Ridge. Our guest is Hillary Swain, Executive Director & CEO, and Senior Research Biologist at Archbold Biological Station."Welcome to Florida" patrons receive exclusive access to our weekly "Florida Conservation Newsletter" for only $5 per month.Check out our "Florida Black History" YouTube channel!

Anyone inspired by our previous episode with painter Christopher Still to go out and see some art can do so at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville where a fantastic show reassembling the first Modern art exhibition ever presented in Florida can be seen through November 23, 2025.Our guest is Ken Meyer, executive director at the Avian Research and Conservation Institute. He's been studying Florida's swallow-tailed kites since the 1990s.Help swallow-tail kites and all Florida birds by incorporating native plants into your yard. Find support from the Florida Native Plant Society and Florida Association of Native Nurseries. Find swallow-tail kites at sites on the Great Florida Birding Trail and with the ebird app.

The Florida legislature, the best legislature corporate money can buy, has done the bidding of phosphate giant Mosaic, endangering public safety and making the polluting company less accountable for the harm it creates.Florida artist Christopher Still is best known for his Florida history mural cycle at the State House in Tallahassee. An exhibition of his paintings can be seen at the Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum in a permanent display."Welcome to Florida" patrons receive exclusive access to our "Florida Conservation Newsletter" each week for only $5. The newsletter rounds up the top conservation headlines from around the state.Don't forget the "Welcome to Florida" Florida Black History YouTube channel where all the content is free.

A federal judge ruled that the State of Florida and its Department of Environmental “Protection” violated the Endangered Species Act resulting in the mass manatee die-off of 2021. This occurred primarily in the Indian River Lagoon. Before Daytona Beach, auto racing's capital was one beach north, Ormond Beach. Ormond Beach Councilman Harold Briley is a student of this history and shares it with us.Listen to our previous episode on the birth of NASCAR in Daytona Beach.Learn more in the book "Beach Racers: Daytona Beach Before NASCAR" by Dick Punnett."Welcome to Florida" patrons receive exclusive access to our "Florida Conservation Newsletter" every week for just $5 per month.Check out our Florida Black History YouTube channel with edited versions of our podcast interviews related to Black History.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Rodney Barreto appears to have lied under oath during his senate confirmation hearing about a proposed development project he attempted.Our guest this episode is Kristina Agard from the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center in Key West.  Since opening in 2007, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary's Eco-Discovery Center has provided visitors and locals an opportunity to explore the sanctuary without getting their feet wet. Thanks to all of our patrons at www.patreon.com/WelcometoFlorida who support the podcast for $5 per month and receive exclusive access to our weekly "Florida Conservation Newsletter."Check out the new "Welcome to Florida" Florida Black History YouTube channel with edited episodes from our archives related to Black History in Florida.

The Florida legislature is spending valuable time this session attempting to enact a law preventing chemtrails and human manipulation of the weather, something that doesn't exist except in the mind of loony right-wingers. Something that does exist in Florida is black bears. Arix Zalace is a long-time Panhandle resident and Co-Founder, Director & Board Member at The Paper Bear nonprofit which has produced a feature film of the same name. The movie is a love letter to the biodiversity of the Florida Panhandle as told through the story of a black bear. The film debuts at the upcoming Florida Film Festival.Zalace also advocates on behalf of black bears in Florida, attempting to educate the public and politicians. Florida wildlife officials continue to have a crazed obsession with a bear hunt in state, and it looks like this December will be the start.Remember to visit the new "Welcome to Florida" Florida Black History channel on YouTube. Every week we send a "Florida Conservation Newsletter" exclusively to "Welcome to Florida" patrons at patreaon.com/welcometoflorida. The newsletter is a recap of the top conservation and environmental headlines from around the state, and those around the nation impacting Florida.

A proposed home development in Alachua County threatens the Floridan Aquifer. John Quarterman is the Suwannee Riverkeeper working with a group of concerned citizens in north central Florida and south central Georgia to protect a vast, interconnected basin of waterways flowing into the Suwanee River and ultimately to the Gulf of Mexico.Check out our new "Florida Black History" YouTube channel with interviews from previous episodes related to Black History subjects in Florida.Every Saturday morning, "Welcome to Florida" patrons receive our "Florida Conservation Newsletter," a roundup of environmental news and headlines from around the state. Only $5 per month for exclusive access.And don't forget Craig's latest book, "Welcome to Florida: True Tales from America's Most Interesting State."

A peanut farmer wants to swindle choice gopher tortoise land out of state conservation protection under the guise of a land swap, and Florida officials seem open to the idea. Voice your opposition. Craig's seventh book, "Welcome to Florida: True Tales from America's Most Interesting State" is now available. His former colleague at the "Tampa Bay Times," Colette Bancroft, and the paper's one-time book reviewer, joins us to discuss. Pick up Craig's book at your local, independent book store if you can.Thanks to all of our new patrons who are supporting "Welcome to Florida" for $5 per month at patreon.com/welcometoFlorida. Patrons receive our weekly "Florida Conservation Newsletter."

Craig highlights the WORST bill working its way through the legislature this session. It's a "Christmas wish list" for developers and polluting industries.Fernandina Beach vs. Rayonier.Find you state senator and call him/her to oppose SB 1118.Jason Garcia's GREAT newsletter and podcast about Florida politics.Our guest this episode is Mark Mustian, founder of Word of South literary festival in Tallahassee. It take place every April and is mostly free to attend.Thanks to all of our $5 per month patrons at www.patreon.com/welcometoflorida. Patrons receive exclusive access to our weekly Florida Conservation Newsletter.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials are again pursuing a black bear hunt for the state. Citizens don't want it, and the last one was a disaster. Read Craig's column and send your comment to state officials in opposition.The Palace Saloon in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island is Florida's oldest bar. Thea Seagraves from the Amelia Island Museum of History joins us to discuss.Every week, "Welcome to Florida" patrons receive exclusive access to our "Florida Conservation Newsletter." For only $5 per month, you too can receive our roundup of the most important environmental news headlines from across Florida and the national stories impacting our state.

Craig wants America's most hated man, unelected shadow president Elon Musk, to keep his hands off our National Parks. (Resistance Rangers)Longleaf pine once covered an area of over 90 million acres from Virginia to Texas along the Southeastern coast and well inland. Today, only about 5% of that original habitat remains. Karl Etters works at Tall Timbers Plantation in Tallahassee, an organization committed to the use of fire ecology in land management. We discuss the history and biology of the longleaf pine, restoration efforts, and where to see longleaf pine today in Florida."Welcome to Florida" patrons receive exclusive access to our weekly "Florida Conservation Newsletter." For only $5 per month, you'll stay updated on the biggest environmental headlines around the state and nation.Made in Spain Whether you're an expat chasing the dream, a traveller inspired by European elegance...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Alcoholic, womanizing, Islamophobe U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is also a climate denier. He has instructed the armed forces to ignore climate impacts and has demanded the Pentagon cut funding on military installations aimed at combating the effects of climate change, including at bases in Florida.The Montrose Fossil Site roughly 45 minutes south of Gainesville in Levy County has become one of the most globally significant paleontological digs in the world. Jonathan Bloch runs the site for the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He joins us on this episode to discuss the site's discovery, what it has revealed, and how to volunteer there.Become a patron of "Welcome to Florida" and for just $5 per month you can support the show and receive exclusive access to our weekly "Florida Conservation Newsletter."

A combination of increasing and increasingly devastating hurricanes along with skyrocketing property insurance prices have resulted in an amazing demographic event in Florida.Our guest this week is Michael Sipos from the Florida Sea Grant who joins us to talk about mullet. Make it a point one year to attend the Seminole Tribal Fair & Pow Wow held each late January at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood. While you're in the area, take a Tigertail airboat tour.Each week "Welcome to Florida" patrons receive exclusive access to our "Florida Conservation Newsletter" which highlights the biggest conservation stories around Florida and those on the national level impacting the state. Just $5 a month to receive. 

Donald Trump's threatened tariffs would be another nail in the coffin for Florida's citrus industry.Greg Asbed from the Coalition of Immokalee Workers joins us on this episode to discuss the history of working conditions for agriculture workers, especially tomato pickers, in southwest Florida. The CIW was instrumental to enacting one of the most effective programs to improve working conditions for agriculture workers in U.S. history, the Fair Food Program. If you're interested in working conditions for agricultural workers in Florida, the limited edition "Big Sugar" podcast is essential listening revealing the historic and ongoing abuses of workers by Florida sugar companies. The weekly "Seeking Rents" podcast examines corporate power and influence run amok in Florida and our politicians' complicity with corporate power to the detriment of citizens.

Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to open the eastern Gulf of Mexico to oil drilling, potentially endangering Florida's beaches and economy from the spills that inevitably follow drilling.In 1960, Cuban parents began sending their children, unaccompanied, to Miami on Pan-Am flights to get them out of the country and away from Fidel Castro. This program was called "Operation Pedro Pan" - Peter Pan. Yvonne Conde was one of the Pedro Pan child immigrants from Cuba and has written a book about her personal experience, as well as the experiences of more than 200 other Pedro Pan children she interviewed.If you want to stay updated on the biggest news stories related to conservation and the environment in Florida you can do so by subscribing to our "Florida Conservation Newsletter" available for just $5 per month at our Patreon page.

The federal government in the closing days of the Biden Administration failed to secure a protection for critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. Stories like this can be found in our weekly "Florida Conservation Newsletter" exclusively available to "Welcome to Florida" patrons at www.patreon.com/welcometoflorida. Marineland opened south of St. Augustine on the Atlantic Ocean in 1938 as a movie studio and roadside tourist attraction. In the decades since, it has seen its mission evolve from strictly entertainment to marine mammal conservation, primarily focused on dolphins. Now named Marineland Dolphin Adventure, the facility focuses on in-water experiences with dolphins for guests. Anyone interested in the park's history can also visit the Marineland History Museum in downtown St. Augustine, located at The Oldest House Complex. Our guest for this episode is Marineland historian Terran McGinnis.

Ron DeSantis wants the state to assume responsibility of Everglades restoration from the federal government. Terrible idea for the Everglades.Our guest this episode is Susan Anderson, outgoing executive director of the Apalachicola Riverkeeper. Susan grew up on the river and shares what makes it special and the numerous threats it faces."Welcome to Florida" patrons receive exclusive access to our weekly Florida Conservation Newsletter for only $5 per month. Visit www.patreon.com/WelcometoFlorida to sign up and be in the know about the most important conservation and environmental topics from around the state.

The Cape Sable seaside sparrow is one of the most endangered birds in the continental United States, numbering only 2,000 or so individuals, all living in the Everglades. Conflicting water management aims in South Florida pitting Big Sugar against the environment is resulting in the state taking drastic measures to pursue survival of the species.In 1960, African American equal rights activists in Tampa followed suit along with those in other cities around the South, staging sit-ins at segregated lunch counters in department stores like Woolworth's. Joining us to discuss this little known aspect of Florida history are Steven Lawson, an historian of the Civil Rights Movement and the former chair of the History Department at USF, and Karla Hartley, Producing Artistic Director of Stageworks Theatre, which will be performing a play based on the sit-ins, "When the Righteous Triumph," March 6-9, 2025, at the Straz Performing Arts Center in Tampa. Our previous episode about oysters featured a documentarian working on a film about oyster bed restoration. That documentary is now available on PBS stations and streaming.Help support "Welcome to Florida" by becoming a $5 a month patron at www.patreon.com/welcometoflorida. Patrons receive exclusive access to our weekly Florida conservation newsletter highlighting the top environmental stories around the state.

Buyer beware when it comes to a new organization promoting itself as a gopher tortoise conservation solution.Miami's Criteria Recording Studios has produced a staggering volume of hit music from James Brown's "I Feel Good" to Eric Clapton's "Layla," Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours," the Eagles' "Hotel California," Jimmy Buffett's "Margarittaville," and on, and on, and on. Trevor Fletcher grew up at Criteria Recording Studios - literally - and is now the music production company's vice president. He joins us to detail a story few know about how Miami changed music.Don't miss our weekly Florida conservation newsletter at www.patreon.com/welcometoflorida. For $5 per month, patrons have exclusive access to a look at the most important environmental news from around the state.

Craig takes a look back at the most amusing and unusual Florida news stories from 2024.Fred Rogers studied in the Music Department at Rollins College in Winter Park before going on to host "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" on PBS. Fred Rogers' nephew, Daniel Crozier, teaches in the Music Department at Rollins and shares stories of his uncle and how the famous TV personality got to Winter Park.Our Florida conservation newsletter is a concise, weekly look at the top environmental stories from around the state. It's available exclusively to our patrons at www.patreon.com/welcometoflorida for just $5 per month.

Craig Pittman has a wish list of gifts he hopes Santa brings Florida's environment.Our guest this episode is poet, essayist, and professor of English at Florida State University David Kirby. His latest anthology of poems is titled "The Winter Dance Party."  In the episode, Craig quoted an Elizabeth Bishop poem you can read here.Thank you to all of our patrons at Patreon.com/WelcomeToFlorida. For $5 a month "Welcome to Florida" patrons receive exclusive access to bonus episodes, including our recent "Florida Holiday Traditions" episode, and Chadd Scott's weekly Florida conservation newsletter.

In Port St. Joe, a 62-year-old woman was handcuffed, arrested, and spent a night in jail as part of a politically motivated attack on local residents investigating damage done to a wetland by the city.The St. Johns River is Florida's longest, flowing south to north along the eastern half of the state. Lisa Rinaman is the St. Johns Riverkeeper, an advocate for the river, and joins us to discuss its importance to the state.Free the Ocklawaha.St. Johns Riverkeeper household river friendly actions.Florida's statewide waterkeepers network.

What should Florida and its residents be doing to prepare for the next hurricane season?The Orange Blossom Trail was a popular tourism promotion in mid-century Florida to bring newly middle-class Americans with their cars from the Midwest and Northeast to the middle part of the state traversing along U.S. Route 441 running 400-plus miles from the state line with Georgia to Miami. Photographer Joshua Lutz became fascinated with the Trail on a visit to Florida and produced a photographic essay book about what he saw on and near its route, particularly in the Orlando metro area.

Add little Milton in the Panhandle as another Florida town that threw out its pro-development, pro-industry city council in what can now be called a statewide trend.Famous 20th century "Beat" author Jack Kerouac spent the final years of his life in Orlando and St. Pete. Bob Kealing shares this history in his book, "Jack Kerouac: Where the Road Ends." Kerouac is best known for his novel, "On the Road."Visit the Jack Kerouac house in Orlando.

Based on his first-term record as the most anti-nature president in American history, Craig sees the Florida environment as a big loser of Donald Trump's second term in office.In 1983, contemporary artists Christo and Jean-Claude created a massive installation of pink fabric in Biscayne Bay titled 'Surrounded Islands.' The couple's foundation recently donated archival items related to the project to the NSU Art Museum in Fort Lauderdale which will stage an exhibition of the materials beginning in February of 2025. NSU Art Museum Director and Chief Curator Bonnie Clearwater gives us the details.

Timber company Rayonier wants to develop a toxic bioethanol producing plant near downtown Fernandina Beach. Explosions at these plants are not uncommon. A local group, No Ethanol Fernandina, is fighting the effort.Miccosukee Indian John Tigertail leads airboat tours of the Everglades just like his father and grandfather did.Information on the 2024 Miccosukee Indian Arts and Crafts Festival December 26-29 in Miami. Information on the 2025 Seminole Tribal Fair & Pow Wow January 29-February 3.

Craig and I open this episode discussing a return to the White House of the worst environmental president in history.Our guest is David Morton, author of "Motion Picture Paradise: A History of Florida's Film and Television Industry." Florida was an epicenter of film and television production in the early 20th century, and again in the 50s and 60s, but politics has often derailed efforts in the state to create an East Coast Hollywood.

Florida's politicians are bought and paid for by polluting industries: Big Sugar, Big Ag (agriculture), cattle ranchers, gas and oil, developers, phosphate mining.Kristen Hare traveled across the state researching her book "Hotels, Motels, and Inns of Florida." On this episode, she shares her favorite historic lodgings. If you'd like to receive an historic hotel postcard from Kristen, email her at oldfloridahotels at Gmail.com.

Ron DeSantis thinks the Florida economy would suffer from fighting climate change; Craig Pittman knows the Florida economy won't exist if we don't.Cathy Salustri, host of the "Florida Spectacular" podcast and Florida author - and two-time former "Welcome to Florida" guest - fills in for Chadd Scott on this episode focusing on Robert the Doll. Author, historian, and Florida Keys ghost tour host David Sloan joins to discuss the haunted doll.HauntedKeyWest.com

Back-to-back hurricanes this October have Craig thinking about 2004 when four major hurricanes battered the state in a six week period. What was learned from those catastrophes 20 years ago? Nothing.Our guest this episode is Florida author Leslie Kemp Poole's whose recently published book, "Tracing Florida Journeys: Explorers, Travelers, and Landscapes Then and Now" follows in the footsteps of famous visitors to Florida, including "Red Badge of Courage" author Stephen Crane. His trip here in 1898 was not a pleasant one. 

VOTE "NO" ON AMENDMENT 2, the so-called "Right to Hunt and Fish."Big Cypress National Preserve in south Florida celebrates its 50th anniversary as the nation's first National Preserve on October 11, 2024. The Preserve will be hosting a variety of events through the end of the year in recognition of the milestone. Lisa Andrews is the education and outreach coordinator at Big Cypress and joins us to discuss what makes it a unique place.

We start by explaining how climate change and increased development have made hurricanes in Florida stronger and more destructive.Theodore Pratt isn't a name most folks will know, but he was a highly acclaimed and prolific mid-century Florida author who is largely responsible for sustaining the legacy of the Barefoot Mailmen. Taylor Hagood is a professor at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton where Pratt's archive is housed. Hagood had a biography of Pratt published in summer of 2024.

Florida's so-called "law and order" governor isn't concerned about law or order when it comes to the state's freshwater springs. The best way to stay informed on news related to our springs is via the Florida Springs Council.We've previously featured Marjorie Kinnan Rawling's "The Yearling" book in an episode, this episode will center on the movie adaptation which starred Gregory Peck and won a pair of Academy Awards. Our guest is documentary filmmaker and Cross Creek local Donna Green-Townsend who produced a documentary on the making of "The Yearling." Visit Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park.

Another secretive, shady deal attempted between a private developer and the state government on supposedly protected public land has been exposed by the media. Harry Truman spent a remarkable amount of time during his presidency at his Little White House in Key West. The home is open to the public for tours. Clinton Curry, Director of Operations in Key West for Historic Tours America, which operates the home, joins us this episode. 

A secret meeting about water policy convened by a Florida congressman allowed polluting industries and state officials to scheme behind closed doors without the public or press allowed in.This episode takes us to Florida's most remote location, the Dry Tortugas. Ian Wilson-Navarro spent a month there photographing and fishing, and recalls the experience in a new book out this fall, "Dry Tortugas: Stronghold of Nature."

Craig recently turned a story in to "Flamingo" magazine about Miami's Criteria Recording Studios, one of the 20th century's most influential hit makers.Our guest this episode is social media personality, humorist, and Florida Man OMGitsWicks. Follow him on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Don't believe Ron DeSantis' lies when he says he had no advance knowledge of plans to bring golf courses and hotels into Florida's state parks.Our guest this week is Florida author Cathy Salustri. She joined us all the way back on Episode 5 to discuss her first Florida book, "Backroads of Paradise," and she's back to discuss her latest book, "Florida Spectacular: Extraordinary Places and Exceptional Lives."  We focus on her chapter about Polly Parker.

Craig's column on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's plan to build golf courses and hotels in the state parks. Story update. Another episode, more politicians lining up with developers to destroy protected natural areas against the wishes of citizens.Our guest is Florida food, travel, and lifestyle writer Carrie Hornaker who took a trip scalloping off New Port Ritchey and wrote about the adventure for Flamingo magazine. Scallops are in trouble across Florida, but remain abundant enough in select locations to allow for a harvesting season.

Florida's estuaries are warming faster than the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean.Doug Alderson kayaked down the Kissimmee River twice, once in 2007 and again in 2024. He wrote about those experiences as well as the river's historic importance to Florida, it's channelizing in the 1960s, and restoration efforts to renaturalize it beginning in the 1990s, in his book "New Dawn for the Kissimmee River: Orlando to Okeechobee by Kayak."More information on:Kayaking in KissimmeeFlorida's designated paddling trailsFlorida Paddling Trails AssociationThe failed community of Destiny, FL

When is protected land not really protected? When it's in Florida.A.E. "Bean" Backus (1906-1990) is one of Florida's most esteemed artists. While best known today in connection to the Florida Highwaymen, Backus was an exceptional artist in his own right.J. Marshall Adams, executive director at the A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery in Fort Pierce joins us to talk about Backus' life and legacy.

Encouraging news for the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow, the most endangered bird species on mainland America. A pair of notorious Florida villains have died. Norma Padgett Upshaw who falsely accused "The Groveland Four" of rape, and William Calley, Jr. a U.S. Army officer convicted for his role in 1968's My Lai Massacre in Vietnam. Our guest today is Erica Smith from Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. Here's more information about its native plant conservation and research efforts.

The right wing's gameplan for a second Trump administration is laid out in a 900-plus page document called "Project 2025." One of its aims is to privatize weather reports. Craig explains how this terrifying document would impact Floridians.Our guest this episode is Lynn Smallwood McMillin, owner and operator of the Smallwood Store in Chokoloskee since 1990. She is the granddaughter of the store's original owner, Ted Smallwood, who began operating the business out of his home there in 1906.

This episode begins by discussing Craig's most recent "Flamingo" magazine article about the Florida State Park system.Our guest is Lauren Ali, Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail coordinator. The Trail is a project of the FWC - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The New College of Florida has been purged of its academic integrity and set up as an incubator of right wing ideology by Ron DeSantis, now, the school's president has destroyed an environmental preserve to construct ball fields.Michael Adno is a freelance writer and photographer from Sarasota. He recently visited the Apalachicola State Forest in the Panhandle to investigate worm grunting.

What Donald Trump didn't say about climate change during the presidential debate spoke volumes. During the debate, Trump said, "During my four years, I had the best environmental numbers ever." The exact opposite is true. Trump was the most anti-environmental president in U.S. history, rolling back 100+ environmental protections. The built environment and "vibe" of Miami Beach are defined by Art Deco, an architectural style popular during the 1920s and 30s. Daniel Ciraldo is executive director at the Miami Design Preservation League and tells us how Art Deco came to Miami Beach, how it has been protected, and the threats it faces.Birds of a Feather Talk TogetherA podcast all about birds. Two bird experts, John Bates and Shannon Hackett, educate...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Solar energy is heating up in Florida no thanks to state government.Harry Crews grew up dirt poor in south Georgia during the Great Depression before moving to Florida, enrolling at UF, and then becoming a famous writer of novels, essays, reported pieces, and screenplays. He also taught creative writing at the University of Florida for three decades. Ted Geltner met Crews while working at "The Gainesville Sun" and wrote "Blood, Sweat, and Marrow: A Biography of Harry Crews." He joins us to discuss the legend of Harry Crews.

Eco-criminal Ron DeSantis continues working against Florida's environment.They exist only in Miami: ventanitas. You'll find the "little windows" attached to Cuban restaurants. Customers can order food and coffee out of them, sometimes, 24-hours a day. This episode's guest Daniela Perez is a Miami native who wrote a book on the subject, "Ventanitas: A Window into Miami's Coffee Culture."Two of the ventanitas mentioned in the episode are at Versailles and Mary's Coin Laundry.Thanks to all our patrons for helping support the show at Patreon.com. We have a new bonus episode for you about Craig's next book project.Birds of a Feather Talk TogetherA podcast all about birds. Two bird experts, John Bates and Shannon Hackett, educate...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

One of the worst bills to pass out of the Florida legislature in the most recent session was supported completely on lies. Everyone has heard of birder and artist John James Audubon, namesake of the Audubon Foundation. Audubon came to Florida twice while researching his epic "Birds of America." Our guest today, Kenn Kaufman, is one of America's great birders and author of “The Birds That Audubon Missed: Discovery and Desire in the American Wilderness.”Start you adventures birding around Florida with the Great Florida Birding Trail.Thanks again to all of our patrons at Patreon.com. For just $5 per month, you can help support production of the show and receive BONUS episodes. Two new bonus episodes published recently about Chadd Scott's May trip to Miami, and news regarding Craig Pittman's next book.

Florida congressman Matt Gaetz wants to bomb endangered whales in the Gulf of Mexico.One of Florida's great hidden gem cultural and tourist attractions is Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach. As beautiful as the gardens are today, the history of Japanese immigration to Florida and the garden's founding are equally interesting. Curator of education at Morikami Wendy Lo joins us to discuss.