How I Got Here with Dave Fiore | Tallahassee's Podcast

Host Dave Fiore sits down with Jim Hunt, founder of Serve Strong and a familiar presence in Tallahassee's business and civic community for nearly three decades. Jim will tell you he is a relationship person first. The job titles just kind of followed.  Jim grew up a military kid, moving every four or five years before his family settled in Melbourne Beach. He came to FSU planning on law school and...

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 21 guest Mike Goldstein. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think "here" will be for you in three to five years? Mike and Dave listen to his answer from 2020, and he thoughtfully shares how his predictions compare to life today. If you have not alrea...

Host Dave Fiore sits down with Nicole Everett, creator and host of "Conversations with Nicole" — a Tallahassee-based show on YouTube that started as a series of weekly lunches with photos posted on Facebook. It grew into a platform with a Roku channel, a local TV run and an audience that has followed her through every evolution. Nicole has spent most of her adult life in rooms where people needed...

Host Dave Fiore sits down with Jon Jopling, owner of Real Talk 93.3, Tallahassee's only locally owned FM radio station. Jon has had a lot of different jobs – jazz musician, instrument repair tech, wedding band owner and radio salesman. None of them were part of a plan, and somehow they all connect. He grew up in Miami, met his future wife in band at 14, and earned a jazz performance degree at FSU....

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 19 Guest Skip Foster. Skip shares about the origins of Red Tape Florida, his unchanged thoughts about growth in this community and creating a new lane advocating for opinions he views as underrepresented.  If you have not already, please also listen to Skip's original episode. It will put some context to...

Host Dave Fiore talks with Tasha Pizarro, owner of Momma P's Ice Cream — Tallahassee's only old-school neighborhood ice cream truck. But as Tasha will tell you, she's about a lot more than ice cream. Her mission is simple: bring joy, create memories and build real relationships in the community she serves.  Tasha grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota, raised by a single mom and shaped by early lesso...

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Bill Schack, founder of Inclusion Café and Academy, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering people with intellectual disabilities through job and life skills training. Bill grew up in New Jersey, where early responsibility and exposure to both hard work and opportunity helped form his values. After coming to Florida State University, he built a 20-year career in the restaur...

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Lashawn Gordon, executive director of United Partners for Human Services. Lashawn grew up in Pensacola as a big sister to four boys with lots of responsibility but also support from extended family and a caring community. She saw that education and work could also lead to other opportunities, which she took full advantage of. She came to Tallahassee to finish her underg...

Host Dave Fiore speaks with David Clark, owner of Allegiant Strategies Group and MyGovGuide. The Tallahassee-area native is a former military officer and entrepreneur with a passion for leadership and making the most of every opportunity. David began his career answering phones at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, saw opportunities to make himself invaluable and eventually was na...

Host Dave Fiore talks with Sky Nobles, a Tallahassee native, entrepreneur and the creative mind behind Fizz & Foam and Sky Pop Balloons. Sky grew up immersed in books and storytelling, a love that led her to study editing, writing and media at Florida State University and eventually to a career in public relations. Sky's path has been fueled by curiosity and connection. After experiencing agency l...

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Mark Mustian, attorney, author and founder of the Word of South Festival of Literature and Music. Mark grew up in Tallahassee, learned discipline in the Leon High School band and was elected student body president. At the beginning of his career, Mark said he had three life goals: be an attorney, teach and write a book. While he would eventually accomplish all three, he...

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 17 Guest Tom Derzypolski. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think "here" will be for you in three to five years? Tom and Dave listen to his answer from 2020, and he thoughtfully shares how his predictions compare to life today. If you have not alrea...

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Debra Harris, founder of Making Miracles Haven, a provider of faith-based housing for mothers experiencing homelessness. Debra's journey includes years of physical and emotional abuse as a child and adult, having been let down by almost everyone she ever trusted or depended on. As a young mom, she worked to provide a better life for her children and break the cycles of...

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Dan Campbell, owner of Wash Around the Clock. Dan's journey into the laundry business began in Jacksonville as the youngest of five brothers. After exceling in multiple sports, including being a state champion discus thrower, Dan was invited to walk-on at Florida State and play football for legendary coach Bobby Bowden. His time on the FSU campus included being part of...

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Sally Bradshaw, owner of Midtown Reader, Tallahassee's neighborhood independent bookstore. Sally is a Mississippi native who fell in love with books and grassroots politics at an early age. The latter would guide a career that included running gubernatorial and presidential campaigns, serving as political director for the Republican Party of Florida and returning to The...

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 16 Guest Talethia Edwards. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think "here" will be for you in three to five years? Talethia and Dave listen to her answer from 2020, and she thoughtfully shares how her predictions compare to life today. Spoiler alert:...

Host Dave Fiore talks with Matt Thompson, co-founder of For the Table Hospitality, which includes the brands Charlie Park, Social Catering, Township, Social Kitchen and Madison Social—the heart and soul of College Town. Matt's path from collecting baseball cards as a kid near Orlando to a restaurant entrepreneur has taken a number of unexpected turns. Matt came to Tallahassee on a trombone perform...

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 15 Guest Rachel Pienta. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think "here" will be for you in three to five years? Rachel and Dave listen to her answer from 2020, and she thoughtfully shares how her predictions compare to life today. Spoiler alert: Thin...

Host Dave Fiore returned to Access Tallahassee's Young Professionals Summit for a live recording of the podcast featuring three successful women entrepreneurs representing the local brewing scene. Dave spoke with:  Shannon Smith from Ground Ops Roastery and Bakehouse; Michaela Teasley from Tally Kombucha; and Alison Denny from Amicus Brewing Ventures. Guests shared their unique journeys and the ob...

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 13 Guest Keith Bowers. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think "here" will be for you in three to five years? Keith and Dave listen to his answer from 2020, and he thoughtfully shares how his predictions compare to life today. Spoiler alert: Things...

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Darius (Doc D) Baker, music producer and founder of Tallahassee Nights Live. Doc has been launching music careers since middle school, producing up-and-coming artists and creating a platform for local entertainers of all experience levels to hone their craft in front of grateful and enthusiastic audiences around the world. The Havana native is a married father of four b...

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 12 Guest Elizabeth Emmanuel. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think "here" will be for you in three to five years? Elizabeth and Dave listen to her answer from 2020, and she thoughtfully shares how her predictions compare to life today. Spoiler ale...

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Carrie Zimmerman, co-founder and former CEO of The Zimmerman Agency. Carrie is a native Tallahassean whose family has been in the Capital City for more than 100 years. She grew up in a competitive, sports-oriented environment, but it was rolling on the mats of the Tallahassee Tumbling Tots that sparked a passion that would lead to exploring gymnastics, training full-tim...

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 9 guest Danny Shrine. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think "here" will be for you in three to five years? Danny and Dave listen to his answer from 2019, and he thoughtfully shares how his predictions compare to life today. Spoiler alert: Things r...

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Emily Saras, CEO and data scientist with Knowli Data Science. The self-described overachiever with a nerd persona loved field hockey in high school and was her class valedictorian in her hometown of Hopedale, Massachusetts. Emily entered prestigious Wellesley College with plans to be a doctor, only to make a significant pivot to study anthropology and opera singing. Wan...