Let's Talk Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is not the same sleepy beach town you remember, and this week we unpack why it suddenly feels like the city hit fast forward. I walk you through everything from the Florida Air and Sea Show roaring over the coastline to the Great American Beach Party on Las Olas, plus the big economic headline about a Fortune 500 logistics company eyeing a headquarters move to our backyard with 150...

I had a powerful conversation with Children’s Harbor Chief Development Officer, and Fort Lauderdale local, Vanessa Seltzer about what foster care really looks like in Broward County, far from the postcard beaches most of us picture when we think about South Florida. We talked about the thousands of kids in Florida’s foster care system, the teens who have bounced through 20 different placements bef...

Fort Lauderdale just experienced one of its most turbulent weeks in recent history. Spirit Airlines abruptly ceased operations on May 2nd after 34 years, eliminating roughly 29,000 annual flights from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and devastating about 17,000 jobs, most held by Broward County workers.  Within hours of the collapse, JetBlue announced an aggressive expansion, addin...

News Chapters 00:04 Welcome to Let's Talk Lauderdale 01:40 Spirit Airlines Faces Shutdown 03:50 The Water District Unveiled 04:32 Air Show Excitement Returns 05:41 New Restaurants on the Horizon SPIRIT AIRLINES ON THE BRINK (Source: https://www.local10.com/news/local/2026/05/01/spirit-airlines-flyers-employees-brace-for-potential-shutdown-i-wish-there-was-a-way-out/ | Published: May 1, 2026)  (Sou...

If you’ve ever looked at your jam‑packed closet and thought “too many clothes, nothing to wear,” this one is for you. In the studio with me is Fort Lauderdale luxury realtor and hanger founder Donna Zalter, who saw messy closets in million‑dollar South Florida properties and decided to tackle the problem starting with the hanger. We talk real estate cycles, e‑commerce reality, AI, and why All Hung...

South Florida is full of people with big ideas and side hustles, but turning that into a real business is where a lot of locals get tripped up. In this episode, I’m joined by Coral Springs and Parkland business attorney Matthew Fornaro to talk about what it actually looks like to start, grow and protect a business in Broward County, Palm Beach and Miami‑Dade. We get into the good, the bad and the...

Melanie lays out the vision for the fifth annual Artful Minds and how it has grown beyond a traditional gallery show. Every ticket, sponsorship, and piece of art sold sends funds back into NAMI Broward’s free programs for individuals and families here in Broward County. Brian shares how he always saw himself as an artist first, even while playing at UCLA and in the NFL.  He also gives us a peek in...

If you want to know where the energy is in Broward County right now, this episode connects the dots between policy, tourism, and the parties lighting up South Florida nights. === Chapters 00:12 Welcome & South Florida headlines setup 00:43 Port Everglades land deal & economic ripple effects 01:47 Tourism surge, hotel numbers & major 2026 travel event 03:20 Tortuga Music Festival on Fort Lauderdale...

This episode of Let’s Talk Lauderdale is straight South Florida: a little bit of real estate, a little bit of lifestyle, and a whole lot of “here’s how it really is.” I’m hanging out with Karen “You Need Sneed” Sneed, who came down for spring break 40‑plus years ago, never left, and has been helping people figure out where they belong in Broward County ever since. We start with how Fort Lauderdale...

Spring Break Feels Different This Year Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/fort-lauderdale-spring-break-2026-alcohol-ordinance-effects/ City Commission Greenlights Major Events and Youth Workforce Programs Source: https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/View.ashx? M=F&ID=15152192&GUID=19DCACA4-50FB-4B51-94A6-099C1ECDD5FE $2.18 Million Upgrade Coming to Carter Park Source: https://www.caribbeann...

Marv and Jen catch up after Super Bowl weekend with pizza naps, MVP debates, and a surprising shoutout to the kicker before diving into Broward’s newest upgrades. They walk listeners through the revamped Broward County Convention Center, new flyover, and a weekend packed with Emily’s Garden, Revolution Live’s all-female Early Birds Club, Pizza Fest, and a sneak peek at upcoming spots like Monster...

A major New River rail crossing proposal is getting called a “zombie project,” while Fort Lauderdale’s event calendar stays very much alive—think reggae legends, a Riverwalk takeover by thousands of dogs, and a guided downtown architecture walk. Plus, a feel-good workforce trend (reverse mentoring) and a spotlight on women trailblazers remind us why community connections still matter. Story recaps...

This episode is your casual guide to what’s happening in Fort Lauderdale right now, whether you’re into football, food, art, or just people-watching along the New River. Marv and Jen mix hyper-local insight with personal stories that make you feel like you’ve lived here for decades, even if you’re new to the 954. Why Listen Get real, local Super Bowl weekend ideas without the tourist‑trap feel. He...

For more on today’s stories, check out these links: Mayor Dean Trantalis’s proposal for the old federal courthouse and a potential AI-focused charter school, Habitat for Humanity of Broward’s 7th Annual CEO Build at BBI Village, and Baptist Health’s new $500 million Sunrise hospital project and groundbreaking coverage. Mayor's newsletter: New role for old courthouse -- downtown charter school? Sou...

Marv and Jen spotlight South Florida restaurants like Cote Miami, LARB Thai Nissan, Revelry in Pompano, Rosalia’s Kitchen in Miramar, and Archibald’s in Fort Lauderdale, plus the arrival of Filipino fast food chain Jollibee. They connect the dots between Yelp rankings, community reviews, high-rise development on Hollywood Beach, affordable housing policy, and the evolving professional job market....

NHS Management slashes hiring time with UKG Rapid Hire, reopening facility wings and generating $2.2 million in new annual revenue.  Read more: https://linkly.link/2ZI5a South Florida continues to post the strongest job market in Florida, adding nearly 4,000 jobs with Broward County leading the gains.  Read more: https://linkly.link/2ZI5x After backlash over inequitable venues, Broward schools rev...

Join Marv and Jen as they spotlight local eats, waterfront living, and Fort Lauderdale’s growth spurt. From a zero-violation Clean Plate Award seafood spot that supports returning citizens, to super yacht-oriented condo projects, Huizenga Park’s reopening, and Florida’s top ranking on U-Haul’s 2025 growth list, you’ll hear how the city is booming while residents fight to keep public spaces like be...

If you love Fort Lauderdale’s food, history, and neighborhood stories—but also care how tech, healthcare, and tourism shape daily life—this episode is a must-listen. Marv and Jen balance nostalgia with what’s next, from Lester’s and Jungle Queen to Omni, Huizenga Park and zero-trust. Hear Jen’s Disney 10K journey and how she ran in memory of her late husband for the Brain Tumor Society. Learn what...

If you live in or love Greater Fort Lauderdale, this New Year’s episode is your cheat sheet to what’s coming in 2026. Marv and Jen mix real local life—holiday chaos, hospital stays, TV binges, paddleboarding, and dog stories—with practical tips on where to walk, eat, sip, and hang out as the city changes. === Why Listen Hear how Huizenga Park is becoming Fort Lauderdale’s new outdoor living room,...

This is the episode for anyone wondering what Fort Lauderdale really feels like right now—busy ports, bigger buildings, hotter restaurants, and tougher choices about trees, courts, and parking. Marv and Jen blend neighborhood gossip with stats, stories, and plenty of laughs. Why listen: Hear local takes on top Chinese spots like Lotus Chinese Kitchen, Wing Loon, Wans, and Sun Rice, plus the $5 sus...

Dr. Deborah “Missy” Williams joins Let’s Talk Lauderdale to share the incredible, very-Florida story of Dania Beach’s wild vervet monkey colony living on 160 acres of mangroves between Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale airport. She explains their escape from a former biomedical facility, her creation of the Dania Beach Vervet Project and Monkey Sanctuary, and why these primates must be treated a...

Marv and Jen kick off this Let’s Talk Lauderdale episode with a candid debrief on Thanksgiving—who hosts, who travels, how long the prep really takes, and what it feels like when decades-old traditions start to shift. From there, the holiday theme rolls into Christmas trees, lights, inflatables, and the logistics (and risk) of getting on the roof in South Florida weather.​ Learn what makes the VIP...

Dive into South Florida’s top trending news, from Blue Martini’s bankruptcy to JetBlue’s expansion at FLL and real estate changes at the Galleria Mall, plus local foodie tips and holiday giving opportunities.​ Takeaways  Blue Martini bankruptcy’s impact on Galleria Mall nightlife JetBlue’s rapid route expansions at Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) New workforce housing, development, and...

Marv and Jen catch up after travel and discuss Fort Lauderdale’s major downtown investment, a hot debate over changing Broward County’s name, and surprising local stories — including the bankruptcy of the Ritz-Carlton condo association and an inspiring interview with 101-year-old swimmer Trudy Jacobs. The team shares insider info on development projects, trendy restaurants like Florida Room, must-...

Explore why Windows 10 end-of-life matters for your business security and compliance. Marv unpacks critical upgrade reasons, debunks common myths, and details the real costs of waiting to move to Windows 11.​ Learn the real costs of delaying your upgrade Hear how unpatched systems expose you to ransomware and hacking Discover why insurance and compliance hinge on staying current Get answers to: Ca...