Florida Spectacular
164 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsTake a weekly trip across Florida with authors Cathy Salustri and Rick Kilby and discover a side of Florida you never knew existed. From the scallops in Panhandle bays to the Hemingway cats in Key West, every week's a Florida adventure.
Twice each month, Florida Keys historian Brad Bertelli joins Cathy for premium episodes available to subscribers focused exclusively on the Keys.
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Episodes
Episode 149: Top Tiki Bars and Experiences in Florida
April 18, 2024 21:00 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MBCathy and Rick talk about their favorite Tiki bars and events in Florida. Links We Mentioned The Donn of Tiki film Tiki hotels in Daytona Beach Tiki Bars Bahi Hut in Sarasota The Wreck Bar in Fort Lauderdale (Rick's post) Mai Kai in Fort Lauderdale (Rick's post) Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach Suffering Bastard in Sanford Trader Sam's Grog Grotto at Walt Disney World Bar Tiki on Clearwater Beach Tiki Events in Florida Tiki-a-Go-Go The Hukilau (Rick's post) Support the sh...
🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 8: Please Don't Feed the Deer: Everything You Want To Know About Key Deer
April 11, 2024 11:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBSubscriber-only episode Florida Key Deer are the smallest of the white-tailed deer subspecies, and you can only find them in the Florida Keys. Brad and Cathy talk about the oft-debated origins of these tiny creatures, the legend of the cryptid key deer (aka Conch Republic Border Guards), and how and where to see — and photograph Key Deer — responsibly. Links We Mentioned National Key Deer Refuge No Name Pub Fearsome Creatures of Florida (we suggest the Kindle edition, as it contains ani...
Episode 148: Florida New Deal Art, Post Offices, and State Parks
April 10, 2024 15:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MBRick and Cathy welcome Keri Watson, author of Florida's New Deal: Parks and Post Office Murals. Her book takes people on an armchair tour of Florida post offices with New Deal art. It explores Florida's first 10 state park (nine of which still exist as state parks today.) Links We Mentioned Get Keri's book Living New Deal Diane Craig's thesis on George Snow-Hill USPS Murals Image: Progress of Industry (1934) by Charles W. Ward, at the Clarkson S. Fisher Federal Building and United Stat...
Episode 147: Let's Get Small: Check Out These Small Florida Towns
April 06, 2024 14:00 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MBRick and Cathy talk about what there is to do at some of their favorite small towns in Florida, and why you should visit. Take a listen, load up the car, and let's go! Links We Mentioned Safety Harbor Resort & Spa | Spa Resort in Tampa Bay, FL Welaka, Florida | Quiet Old Town on the St. Johns River Stegbone's Fish Camp and Resort Green Cove Springs Matlacha Gulfport Support the show Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad ...
🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 7: Purple Isles: Legend, Lore, and Truth
March 28, 2024 11:00 - 23 minutes - 16.4 MBSubscriber-only episode Islamorada means "purple island." After all, Isla (island) and morada (purple), right? Think again. Brad explains why that's not how this part of the Florida Keys got its name. He takes Cathy — and listeners — on an armchair journey on why the "morada" in the name dates back to William Krome and Flagler's railroad and means "island home" rather than "purple islands." Take a listen to find out why. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys ...
Episode 146: Matlacha, Pine Island, and a Different Kind of Paradise
March 27, 2024 16:00 - 49 minutes - 34.1 MBRick and Cathy talk about mangos, Matlacha, and a different type of Florida paradise. Pine Island and Matlacha don't have high rises, chain hotels, or franchises. This small island haven has plenty of small pleasures on offer, especially for people seeking a less-traditional type of paradise. Things To Do in Matlacha The Perfect Cup Tarpon Lodge (lodging and dining alike) Randell Research Center Leoma Lovegrove galleries Bokeelia Art Gallery MangoMania Links We Mentioned Randy Wayne...
Episode 145: Traveling the World to Come Home to Florida
March 22, 2024 15:00 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBOn this week's podcast, Jenny DeWitt talks about why she left Florida, where she traveled when she did, and why she came back. Links we mentioned: Eau Gallie Arts District. Backwater restaurant. Downtown Creedo. Green Gables, Melbourne, FL Lil Bit of Life, Mount Dora, FL Grow Lake County - Local Farm & Food Map Architecture SRQ - Home of Architecture Sarasota MOD Weekend Townie Tourist (2016-2020) Slow Travel Society Guide to Orlando (2021) Find Jennifer online at: https://cultur...
🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 6: The Florida Keys Eco Trail
March 14, 2024 11:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MBSubscriber-only episode Everyone loves the Florida Keys — but not everyone has discovered the sheer magnificence of the wilder and more natural parts of the island chain. The Florida Keys tourism board wants to change that; they created an an app that lets anyone earn points (and swag) for checking out an eco trail that runs from Key Largo to Key West. Ashley Serrate joins Brad and Cathy to talk about why the Fla-Keys.com created the Eco Experience Pass, how it works, and some of the mor...
Episode 144: Lighthouses, Florida Parks, and the Dry Tortugas
March 14, 2024 02:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MBMeet Shilpi Rawat, who left Mumbai for a life in Florida. As a new Floridian, she planned a Florida lighthouse road trip. Learn about her experiences from the panhandle to the Dry Tortugas, the time she swam with a barracuda (not on purpose), and hear about some of her favorite lighthouses. Links We Mentioned About Dooder and the Lighthouse short film (and trailer) List of Florida lighthouses Check out Shilpi's travel photos here and here. Support the show Support the podcast! For $5/m...
Episode 143: Florida Journeys, Nibbling Cockroaches, and John Muir
March 07, 2024 16:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBLeslie Kemp Poole, author of Tracing Florida Journeys: Explorers, Travelers, and Landscapes Then and Now, comes on the podcast to talk about recreating Florida journeys made by famous Floridians and Florida-fans such as John Muir, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. She gives life to these journeys — take a listen! Leslie's books Watch Leslie follow Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings' journey Book cover courtesy of Leslie Kemp Poole/University Press of Florida. Support the show S...
🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 5: Snorkeling the Florida Keys
February 29, 2024 12:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MBSubscriber-only episode Looking for places to snorkel in the Florida Keys? Brad's the expert. He explains not only how snorkeling ignited his interest in Florida Keys and Monroe County history, but where anyone can snorkel in the Florida Keys. Brad's Florida Keys snorkeling spots Bahia Honda State Park Looe Key Key West Marine Park (you can walk/swim to this one) Garden Key and Dry Tortugas Links We Mentioned At Robbie's: Sundance Watersports often goes to Alligator Light reef Your...
Episode 142: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Citrus, and Writing in the Woods
February 28, 2024 16:00 - 35 minutes - 24.4 MBCathy and Rick talk about how nature influences their writing, Cathy's camping experience at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park, Rick's upcoming keynote at the MKR annual conference, and where to find wild citrus. Links We Mentioned Matheson Museum, with the anniversary exhibit Rick designed Squarehouse Pizza in Gainesville (Formerly Satch Squared, partly owned by Satchel's Pizza) Rawlings Society and annual conference in May Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park and it...
Episode 141: Pirates, Bureaucracy, and Gasparilla
February 21, 2024 16:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MBPeople love pirate lore — but what did it mean to be a pirate in Florida? According to Cathy, a lot more bureaucracy than you'd think. Rick and Cathy talk about pirates, real and imagined, and make a few Florida detours along the way. Links We Mentioned Legend of Jose Gaspar Sir Francis Drake and privateer Robert Searle Florida Pirate Festivals Pirates in St. Augustine A history of pirates in Florida Sir Frances Drake in St. Augustine Support the show Support the podcast! For $5/mon...
🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 4: Land Sharks, Pirates, and Newspapers
February 15, 2024 12:00 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MBSubscriber-only episode Did the Florida Keys have pirates? Brad and Cathy debate. Brad unearthed an 1829 Keys newspaper and talks about an article warning of land sharks and advertising a house for rent for $20 a month in Key West. They also chat about the San Carlos, the Key West Firehouse Museum, and Carysfort Reef. Links We Mentioned Key West Firehouse Museum San Carlos Institute Carysfort Reef National Marine Sanctuary The U.S.S. Schooner Alligator and Alligator Key Support the ...
Episode 140: Explore Cross Creek (A Hidden Campground, Historic Paddle) and What Is Real Florida?
February 14, 2024 17:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MBMarjorie Kinnan Rawlings made Cross Creek famous through her writing, and if you want to experience Florida as she did, there's no better place. From free-range venison starters at a Cross Creek restaurant to paddling the same creeks she did, immerse yourself in the world of Cross Creek. Here's how! Spoiler alert: Cathy gives away the ending of The Yearling at the start of the podcast, because she says everyone knows. Rick disagrees, so if you don't know the story, consider yourself warned...
Episode 139: Florida Springs, Politics, and the Profanity Manatee
February 08, 2024 02:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBRyan Smart, the executive director of the Florida Springs Council, joins the podcast to talk about threats facing springs, some recent victories for Florida's environment, and how people can support the work that protects Florida springs. Image of the Profanity Manatee courtesy of Florida Springs Council; used with permission. Links We Mentioned Manatee Profanity t-shirt and other merch that supports Florida Springs Council Become a sustaining member Ditch the plastic water bottles for ...
🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 3: Bahia Honda and Long Key State Park
February 01, 2024 12:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBSubscriber-only episode Brad and Cathy take a deep dive into two of the best Florida State Parks in the Florida Keys: Bahia Honda and Long Key. Links We Mentioned Florida Keys Eco-Experience Trail app for exploring the Florida Keys. Bahia Honda State Park Long Key State Park Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at ...
Episode 138: Fort Mose, Black History Matters, and Florida's Underground Railroad
January 31, 2024 16:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MBToday's guest, Charles Ellis, who serves as the Fort Mose Historical Society president, talks about the reconstruction of the Fort, what’s happening in February, and Florida's place on the Underground Railroad. Links We Mentioned Fort Mose State Park Flight to Freedom Fort Mose Historical Society Jazz and Blues at Fort Mose Support Fort Mose and Black History in Florida Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail What is a "ring shout"? How To Be an Anti-Racist Middle grade offering from Zora N...
Episode 137: Hidden Sarasota, Things to Do You Might Not Know About
January 24, 2024 16:00 - 38 minutes - 26.6 MBIf you want to explore Sarasota, Rick and Cathy have plenty of favorites. Places to Eat Owen's Fish Camp Yoder's of Pinecraft and The Gabber Newspaper's feature on Yoder's Bali Hut Tiki Hut Outdoors and Nature Experiences Myakka River State Park Warm Mineral Springs Selby Botanical Gardens Mote Marine Aquarium (kayaking and the February Farm to Fillet) Venice Beach and Shark's Teeth Roadside Attraction: Sarasota Jungle Gardens Arts Ringling Sarasota School of Architecture Ur...
🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 2: The Most Beautiful Drive in America, State Road 4A
January 18, 2024 12:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MBSubscriber-only episode Flying into Key West is super-convenient, but people who fly into Key West miss one of the best parts of the Florida Keys: The Overseas Highway, which connects mainland Florida with the Florida Keys. The road didn't always look the way it does today, however. Brad and Cathy explain it all. Florida Keys Extras No Name Pub on No Name Key used to be a brothel The Pineapple Express? Yup, pineapples in the Florida Keys! The Seven-Mile Bridge in True Lies A pictorial...
Episode 136: Where to See Manatee in Florida
January 17, 2024 14:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MBIt's January! It's cold! It's the best time to see manatee! Where can you see them? Rick and Cathy name their favorite spots (see the links) and talk about whether manatee resemble sea potatoes or zaftig mermaids, manatee flatulence, and manatee nipples (when an animal has armpit nipples, you have to mention it.) Links We Mentioned Is it a manatee or a mermaid? How smart are manatee? The year almost 800 manatee died Panther attacks? Where to See Manatee Crystal River Blue Spring S...
Episode 135: Florida Trails: Hiking Shoes, Stepping on Snakes, and Sloughs
January 10, 2024 20:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MBA reader question about hiking shoes leads to a discussion about best places to hike in Florida. The Florida Madcaps' Chelsea Stevens joins to talk about hiking and water shoes, that time she stepped on a copperhead, and her favorite hikes. Links We Mentioned FloridaHikes.com Shoes for Hiking Florida Trails Altra shoes What are shoe gaiters and do you want them? Fit2Run Track Shack Astral hiking shoes Hikes in Central Florida Little Big Econ State Forest Chelsea's favorite Centra...
🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 1: Florida State Parks We Love in the Upper Keys
January 04, 2024 12:00 - 36 minutes - 25 MBSubscriber-only episode Florida does an amazing job with state parks, and perhaps this is best showcased in the Florida Keys. In the inaugural episode, take a tour of some of Brad and Cathy's favorite state parks in the Upper Keys. State Parks to Visit in the Florida Keys • Dagny Johnson Key Largo Botanical State Park for hiking and the chance of seeing the endangered woodrat. • Windley Key Fossil Reef State Park for the hiking and the history (they have ranger-led tours) • Indian Key ...
Episode 134: Into the Woods: Swamp Hikes, Snakes, and Stories
January 03, 2024 16:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBTake a hike in the swamp! Cathy and Rick talk about hiking in Florida swamps, venomous snakes, and other things you might find as you experience Florida's wilderness. Also, Cathy talks about the time she got lost in the swamp and almost stepped on a venomous snake. Pictured is the juvenile cottonmouth from Cathy's hike in Big Cypress. No, it's not a Magic Eye; look closely and you'll see him. Or her. Cathy didn't want to check. Links We Mentioned Clyde Butcher's swamp walk Wild hog Rang...
Episode 133: Mermaids, Manatee, and Many, Many Paddling Trips
December 27, 2023 18:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MBRick and Cathy talk about Florida places they want to visit in 2024. Unsurprisingly, many of the trips involve kayaking. Quick Travel Guide to St. Augustine Meehan's Irish Pub Osteen's Casa de Sueños Quick Travel Guide to West Volusia Heritage Corridor Cassadaga DeLand Memorial Hospital Museum Main Street DeLand Hontoon Island The Forgotten Mermaids: Jacques Quick Guide to Paddling Ocala National Forest Juniper Run Juniper Springs (Campsite info) Salt Springs Recreation Area Black Water...
Episode 132: Sanford, Arcadia, and the Disney Wilderness Preserve: Florida Places to Visit in 2024
December 20, 2023 16:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBRick and Cathy talk about places they want to visit–or revisit—in 2024. Below, find guides to two not-often-visited places in Florida. Visit Sanford Visitor's Guide December's St. Lucia Festival Celery Soup—a folk life play Hollerbach's German Restaurant Pico Hotel (similar to the Tampa Bay Hotel, now University of Tampa) Henry's Depot Folk Artist Alyne Harris at Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Maya Books Suffering Bastard Visit Arcadia, Sebring, and Lake Placid Arcadia antiques Arcadi...
Episode 131: Once Upon a Time in Florida
December 13, 2023 16:00 - 36 minutes - 25.4 MBJacki Levine joins Rick and Cathy today to talk about Once Upon a Time in Florida, a gorgeous coffee table book celebrating 50 years of essays about Florida. Jacki edited the book, which includes essays from Stetson Kennedy, Michael Gannon, and Rick Kilby. Links We Mentioned Once Upon a Time in Florida (with discount code XM23) for sale Review of Once Upon a Time in Florida Find a talk about the book in your neighborhood. Florida books Jacki gifts to people: Florida's Healing Waters b...
Episode 130: Reverse Snowbirding, Hidden Springs in the Florida Keys, and Fairy Grottos
December 07, 2023 16:00 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MBThis week, the "Florida Spectacular" welcomes back a familiar voice — Brad Bertelli, an early and super-popular guest. Cathy, Rick and Brad talk about where to find hidden springs in the Florida Keys, an old manuscript that mentions a "fairy grotto" by Robbies, and how people are "reverse snowbirding" north of Florida. Links We Mentioned Robbie's Last Local Support the show Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cat...
Episode 129: Tim Dorsey, Serge Storms, and the Florida Book Gift Guide
November 29, 2023 16:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MBThis week, Florida Spectacular hosts Cathy and Rick celebrate the work of Tim Dorsey. Dorsey created the lovable serial killer Serge Storms, who served vengeance with a side of history... or perhaps history with a side of vengeance. From there, they talk about Florida books for everyone on your holiday shopping list. Links we Mentioned Florida books for every reader Tim Dorsey books in order A History of Florida Through Black Eyes by Marvin Dunn We Come for Good A People's History of ...
Episode 128: Two Thanksgivings and No Pilgrims: Florida's First Thanksgivings
November 22, 2023 18:00 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MBIf you thought the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving in the present-day United States in Plymouth, well, you've been lied to. Cathy and Rick talk about the first and second Thanksgivings, both of which happened in Florida, and why the 16th-century French Huguenot Thanksgiving — celebrated in what is now Jacksonville — may be the only of the first three that didn't celebrate the darkest parts of our national origin story. Links We Mentioned The French first Thanksgiving in North A...
Episode 127: Thanksgiving, Florida Ledger Art, and Comic Books
November 16, 2023 16:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MBThis week, Cathy calls BS on Turkey Day and scholar Jeremy Carnes helps us understand the connection between art created by American Indians imprisoned at Fort Marion and the art produced by contemporary indigenous people. The trio also offers their perspective on how they attempt to respectfully observe the fourth Thursday in November. Ever heard of Ledger art? Links We Mentioned Ledger Art and Comics: The Talk Away from Home exhibit about Indian boarding schools Betty Mae Tiger Jumper...
Episode 126: Beach, Please: Beach Renourishment is Evil, Rick's Imaginary House on the Sand, and Favorite Beaches
November 08, 2023 17:00 - 49 minutes - 34 MBRick and Cathy talk about the evils of beach renourishment — not only why it's a no-win situation, but how great Florida beaches could look without renourishment. It's a controversial take — especially for beach property owners. Links We Mentioned Fort De Soto Canaveral National Seashore St. George Island State Park Anastasia Island Anna Maria Island public beach Washington Oaks State Park Army Corps will not renourish Pinellas Beaches Indian Shores Tiki Garden Beach Support the s...
Episode 125: Pee-wee Herman, Panther Puppetry, and the Big Potato
November 01, 2023 16:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBThis week's episode welcomes Floridian David Jordan, a puppet master (not his real title, but we love to use that phrase) who wrangled the puppets on Pee-wee's Playhouse. Hear him talk about his puppetry with efforts to save the whooping crane and the Florida panther, his work with the Henson family, and his Central Florida charity, the Big Potato. Links We Mentioned Pee-wee's Playhouse Pee-wee's Christmas Special David Jordan Billy Baloney Panther and Crane Heather Henson Kermit's S...
Episode 124: Scares in the Sunshine: Robert the Doll, Ghost Tours, and Haunted Florida
October 25, 2023 17:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBFor the final podcast of October, Rick and Cathy tell ghost stories and a few "wait, was that a ghost?" stories. Join the fun and let yourself get scared (or not so scared!) with the Florida Spectacular podcast this week! Links We Mentioned The Blair Witch Project Robert the Doll Robert the Doll by David Sloan Robert the Doll Key West Ghost Tour of Fort Martello Hernando Historical Museum Ghost Tour May-Stringer House in Brooksville Imagination Skyway podcast about Disney's Haunted M...
Episode 123: Florida Scary - Real Things To Fear in the Sunshine State
October 18, 2023 16:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MBForget ghosts and ghouls, this week Rick and Cathy talk about Florida things that should scare you — like baby gators (a protective mom is near), coyotes (hide your cats!), and killer manatee (OK, that one isn't a thing.) They end on a Florida B-movie note (because happy scary season!) and talk about, of course, snakes (they're more scared of you than, but don't push it!). Links We Mentioned Frogs Slotherhouse Rick's post on Reptile World in St. Cloud Yearling special with rattlesnake...
Episode 122: Creature from the Black Lagoon, Mermaids, and Florida Springs
October 11, 2023 20:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBQuick, name a B-movie made in Florida. Did you say Creature from the Black Lagoon? Cathy and Rick talk about the history of one of Florida's most enduring movies and the areas where Universal filmed it, its little-known connection to Citizen Kane, and why The Little Mermaid and Creature from the Black Lagoon tell essentially the same story. Links We Mentioned Creature from the Black Lagoon Shape of Water Fiji Mermaid Ningyo The Legend of Mami Wata Rick’s blog "Remembering Marineland” ...
Episode 121: Taking Back Florida Man: Men Who Made Florida Spectacular
October 04, 2023 22:00 - 40 minutes - 27.6 MBThis week Rick and Cathy talk about Florida Man — but not the weird ones; the men who make Florida spectacular. From Abiaka to Lawton Chiles, they celebrate these wonderful men. (And yes, there's at least one in the works about great Florida women, too.) Links We Mentioned Governor Bob Graham and his Workdays Governor Lawton Chiles and Walkin Lawton [VIDEO] — trail named for Chiles Nat Reed (and his book, Travels on the Green Highway) Guy Bradley and Officer Down Memorial Page and the ...
Episode 120: Who is Florida Man?
September 27, 2023 17:00 - 42 minutes - 29 MB"The rules are different here." Florida attracts all kinds, but often not the right types of people. This week Rick and Cathy talk about some notorious Florida men, starting with the earliest exploration narratives to more contemporary gentlemen (and they use that term loosely.) Links We Mentioned Governor Claude Kirk Governor Sidney Catts The biggest con man in Florida: Gregor MacGregor Jean Jacques LeMoyne (more plates here) Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues and Theodor de Bry's Images o...
Episode 119: Bird is the Word: Flamingo Flamboyances, Scrub Jays, and Birdwatching in the Sunshine State
September 13, 2023 17:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBBird is the word on today's episode of The Florida Spectacular! Hurricane Idalia brought more than storm surge to Florida — for the first time in a long time, flamingos stroll along our beaches. Although many people (including Cathy!) didn't realize this, flamingos are, indeed, Florida natives — or so says the FWC. Photo credit Beth Forys, for The Gabber Newspaper. Places to Bird in Florida Archbold Biological Station, Ding Darling, Disney Wilderness Preserve, Everglades National Park, F...
Episode 118: Jimmy Buffett, Tom Petty, and Florida Man Music: Music From the Sunshine State
September 07, 2023 12:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBWith Jimmy Buffett's death still sending waves of sadness through his immense fan community, Rick and Cathy turn to talk of Florida's music scene. Although Buffett wasn't a native Floridian, he spent his fair share of time in the Sunshine State — but he's far from the only great musician to make beautiful music in Florida. Join them as they talk about Tom Petty, Gamble Rogers, and other storied Florida musicians. Links We Mentioned Florida Folk Festival Southern Accents by Tom Petty and t...
Episode 117: Florida Films: Steve Martin, Cocoon, and Silent Films
August 31, 2023 11:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBThis week, Rick and Cathy welcome Joy Wallace Dickinson to talk about Florida's film history. From the silent film era, to the definitive film on aging gracefully (Cocoon), to more modern films, this episode's a walk down Florida's celluloid history. Find Joy’s old Florida mystery, Secrets of the Flamingo Cafe, on Amazon. Links We Mentioned Dave Barry's Big Trouble Why you can't watch Cocoon anywhere. Jacksonville’s Norman Studios Bouncing Baby, a 1916 silent comedy, that was filmed in...
Episode 116: It's Getting Hot Out Here: How To Help Cool Florida
August 09, 2023 16:00 - 40 minutes - 27.6 MBThere's no denying Florida's dealing with its hottest summer in... well, as long as we've measured such things. It's tempting to feel like individuals cannot make a difference, but that's not the case. This week's episode goes over simple things everyone can do to help cool Florida — and the planet. Links we mentioned The Plastic Project FDEP's letter to the EPA Diane Roberts' brilliant opinion piece from the Florida Phoenix Map of Wakulla cave system (largest on the planet) Proposed 1...
Episode 115: Back to School: Florida Schools, Claude Kirk, and Ron DeSantis
August 02, 2023 17:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MBFlorida education's making national news. This week, Cathy and Rick take a walk down memory lane to their own first days of school. They also talk about Florida school integration — which happened not that long ago — and how that created a ripple effect that still impacts where elementary school students attend school. Finally, they debate the merits of sending a child to a public Florida school knowing the state has revisionist history curriculum mandates. Links we mentioned School in...
Episode 114: You Have To Go North To Get South: Is Florida Part of the South?
July 26, 2023 16:00 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBEver heard the phrase, "you have to go north to get South"? That's not untrue. People often ask whether Florida is part of the South. The short answer: It's complicated. Yes... and no. Rick and Cathy talk about why that is, what they love about the South, and why it's such a complicated answer. Links We Mentioned Garden & Gun Magazine Burden of Southern History by C. Vann Woodward "Is Florida Part of the South?" Southern Storytellers on PBS The Liberal Rednecks and the Liberal Redneck Ma...
Episode 113: Staying Cool in the Florida Summer: Where To Go and What To Do
July 19, 2023 18:00 - 57 minutes - 39.7 MBWith unprecedented temps scorching the country, Florida may not seem like the place where you can stay cool in the summertime, but Cathy and Rick share how they stay cool, where they go, and what they do that make summertime in Florida delightful. Links We Mentioned North Florida Dry Air Caves at Florida Caverns State Park Apalachicola Chocolate & Coffee Company Up the Creek Raw Bar Boss Oyster — closed Kelly Park at Rock Springs John Gorrie Museum (He invented air conditioning!) No...
Episode 112: Craig Pittman and pythons invade the podcast!
July 12, 2023 19:00 - 45 minutes - 31.7 MBThis week, fellow Florida-phile Craig Pittman joins Rick and Cathy to talk about Florida's most current "it" exotic invasive: the Burmese python. As usual, the podcast slithers all over the place, so expect some talk about frogs and iguanas, too. More about Craig Craig Pittman is a native Floridian, an author, podcaster and an award-winning reporter. Born in Pensacola, he graduated from Troy State University in Alabama, where his muckraking work for the student paper prompted an agitated ...
Episode 111: Florida's Best Websites
July 05, 2023 16:00 - 46 minutes - 31.9 MBWhether you want to know about Florida travel, history, gardening, or food, Rick and Cathy have a short list of websites you should bookmark and use to make life in Florida even better. Links We Mentioned Authentic Florida Visit Florida Florida Memory Pinellas Memory Water Atlas Palmm collections IFAS/ Extension Fresh From Florida Florida: A History in Pictures Just for fun, or if you're in the Santa Fe area Rum138 Support the show Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get ...
Episode 110: What's on your Florida bookshelf?
June 28, 2023 16:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBCathy and Rick discuss their beloved Florida books — along with some they can do without. No matter what you love to read, there's something on this list for every Florida-phile. Books We Suggest Fireworks Every Night by Beth Raymer The Mango Opera by Tom Corcoran The Travis McGee Series by John D. MacDonald Tourist Season by Carl Hiaasen Stormy Weather by Carl Hiaasen Mostly Dead Things and With Teeth by Kristen Arnett Sinkhole, by Davida Breier Florida by Lauren Groff (check out t...
Episode 109: Just What Is The Florida Spectacular?
June 21, 2023 16:00 - 53 minutes - 37 MBAfter more than 100 episodes, Rick and Cathy talk about what the podcast is — and what it isn't. Links We Think You'll Like Facebook page for Rick’s books Florida nostalgia Facebook page More Florida nostalgia Rick’s blog The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise, by Michael Grunwald Image credit: Rick Kilby Support the show Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscrib...
Episode 108: Take a Florida B-Movie Road Trip
June 14, 2023 16:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MBFlorida's home to some truly horrible B movies. B movies so bad, they're amazing. Rick and Cathy take a road trip around the state, using some of the best of the worst films made in Florida as a guide. St. Cloud: 2,000 Maniacs Right next door to tourist-swollen Kissimmee, you'll find St. Cloud, where this delightfully bad film was made in 15 days. Stop by St. Cloud, an area with some fascinating history, and don't forget to eat at The Catfish Place. Watch the trailer. Green Cove Sprin...