The Fiber

In this episode of The Fiber, Garret O’Leary and Steve Smith (CRO of LiveOak Fiber) sit down with Dr. Liz Robison—former Northwest Florida State College professor, U.S. Air Force nurse, and healthcare leader. Dr. Robison shares insights from her unique career path, from serving in the military to leading in healthcare settings—and how those experiences now shape her work at the intersection of tec...

In this episode, we sit down with Christopher Saul, publisher of Mid Bay News , for a behind-the-scenes look at local journalism on the Emerald Coast. Chris shares insights into the stories he’s covered, how he determines what’s newsworthy, and the ethical considerations that guide his reporting. From breaking news to responsible storytelling, this conversation dives into what it really means to s...

In this episode of The Fiber, Garret O’Leary sits down with a very special guest—LiveOak Fiber’s first-ever customer… his brother, Sean O’Leary. While it might sound planned, it actually came down to timing. Because of where LiveOak’s fiber network construction began and when service first became available, Sean’s home was among the first eligible for installation—making him the very first custome...

In this episode of the Fiber Podcast, Garret sits down with Jim Wells, owner of Papa's Smokehouse in Niceville Florida. Jim talks Garret through what motivated him to start Papa's Smokehouse, what makes the food they serve so delicious, why he loves the local community, and why he loves serving them. 

In this episode of The Fiber Podcast , Garret O’Leary sits down with Rob Strano , former professional golfer and owner of Strano Golf in Niceville, Florida. Rob spent 18 years competing professionally , including time on the PGA Tour and other professional tours , before transitioning into coaching and player development. Today, he runs Strano Golf, a premier golf academy where players of all skil...

In this episode of The Fiber Podcast , we’re introducing you to Raynette Palmer , LiveOak Fiber’s Community Engagement Manager for the Savannah market. Raynette shares her background, what community engagement really looks like day-to-day, and how LiveOak Fiber is connecting with local organizations, businesses, and neighborhoods throughout Savannah. From showing up at local events to building mea...

On this episode of The Fiber, Garret O’Leary sits down with Steve Smith, Chief Revenue Officer at LiveOak Fiber, for a candid conversation to close out 2025 and kick off 2026 with momentum. We break down: 💡 What LiveOak learned as a company in 2025 🚀 What customers and communities can look forward to in 2026 📍 How we’re planning for growth across our markets 🍽️ And yes… we definitely talk food...

In this episode of The Fiber , hosts Garret O’Leary and Steve Smith sit down with David Schmidt , Business Manager at BluePoint Financial and Fort Walton Beach City Council Member . David shares insight into the ongoing projects shaping Fort Walton Beach, how local leadership is driving growth, and what’s ahead for the city. He also talks about balancing his professional career with public service...

In this episode of The Fiber, hosts Garret O’Leary and Steve Smith sit down with Jennifer Conoley, President and CEO of Florida’s Great Northwest, to talk about economic development across the Florida Panhandle. Jennifer shares insights into how the organization drives growth, attracts new businesses, and supports the communities that make up Northwest Florida. From workforce development and infra...

In this episode, we sit down with Jayme Nabors and Brett Divine , hosts of Nicotine & Jetfuel and founders of Beach Weekend , for a high-energy conversation about building brands, fueling growth, and standing out in competitive industries. We cover:  ⚡ The story of LiveOak Fiber — how we got started and what sets us apart from the competition ⚡ Building a brand people actually connect with...

In this episode of The Fiber , hosts Garret O’Leary and Steve Smith talk with Nick Palumbo , Savannah City Council member and Executive Director of Start Up Savannah . We dive into Savannah’s thriving startup culture, why it’s an ideal city for launching a business, and the resources available to help entrepreneurs turn ideas into reality. Nick shares his insights on what it takes to succeed as an...

In this episode of The Fiber , hosts Garret O'Leary and Steve Smith sit down with Kevin and Lexi from Southern Soul Academy to talk about their inspiring program, Gis for Growth . This initiative gives underprivileged kids the opportunity to train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for free, helping them build confidence, discipline, and community through martial arts. Kevin and Lexi share how the progra...

In this episode of The Fiber , Garret O'Leary sits down with Jarret Johnson , former NFL linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers , and current owner of Black Rifle Coffee Company in Niceville, FL . Jarret opens up about his 12-year NFL career (2003–2015), what fueled his success on the field, and the challenges of transitioning to life after football. We also dive into his...

In this episode of The Fiber , Garret O'Leary sits down with local entrepreneur, business owner, and active duty military member Tevan Millette . Tevan shares his incredible journey—starting with his upbringing, the lessons he’s learned through military service, and how those lessons translated into building a successful civilian life filled with purpose-driven business ventures. Tune in for...

In this episode of The Fiber Podcast, Garret sits down with Savannah native Hughes Threlkeld, a senior golfer at the University of North Georgia, as he gears up for the Club Car Championship (April 4-7). We talk about his journey in golf, what it means to compete in a professional event, and his plans after graduation as he prepares to turn pro. Join us for a great conversation about golf, competi...

In this episode of The Fiber Podcast , we sit down with Bert Brantley, President and CEO of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce. Hosted by Garret O’Leary and LiveOak Fiber’s Chief Revenue Officer, Steve Smith, we dive into Savannah’s economic growth, upcoming projects, and how LiveOak Fiber is shaping the future of high-speed internet in the region. From major initiatives in the city to the impo...

In this episode of The Fiber , we sit down with TikTok sensation and social media influencer Justin “Danger” Nunley! A local to the Emerald Coast of Florida, Justin is known for his hilarious videos and signature comedic style. We talk about everything—his thoughts on the potential TikTok ban, what’s next now that he’s officially out of the military, and (as a LiveOak Fiber customer) how much he l...

In this episode of The Fiber , we sit down with three dedicated members of the Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast. They share their career journeys, the goals that drive the organization, and the meaningful services they provide to families in our community. Join us as we explore how the Early Learning Coalition is working to create a foundation for lifelong success and what they hope t...

In this episode of The Fiber , I sit down with Brad Hummel, Executive Director of the Firebox Initiative, to talk about the incredible journey of Southern Soul BBQ on Saint Simons Island, GA. Brad shares the story of how a devastating fire in 2010 rallied the community to help rebuild the award-winning restaurant and how this support inspired the creation of Firebox, a charitable initiative that h...

In this heartwarming episode of "The Fiber," host Garret O'Leary sits down with Nellie Bogar, founder of Youth Village, and her daughter Valerie Bogar, the organization's director. They dive into the impactful work Youth Village is doing in Fort Walton Beach, providing a safe and nurturing environment for children in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Nellie and Valerie share the...

In this special episode of "The Fiber" podcast, host Garret O’Leary sits down with Jody Craft, President and CEO of LiveOak Fiber, and Steve Smith, Chief Revenue Officer, to reflect on the journey and growth of LiveOak Fiber over the past 18 months. They discuss the challenges encountered and overcome during construction, the impact of new FCC regulations requiring ISPs to publish Intern...

In the latest episode of "The Fiber" podcast, host Garret sits down with Uriah Matthews, Executive Director of the Walton County Economic Development Alliance (WCEDA). Discover the history and strategic plan of the WCEDA, key initiatives driving the organization's success, and gain valuable insights into the dynamic growth and development of Walton County. Join us for an enlightenin...

In this episode of "The Fiber" podcast, Garret sits down with Scott McQuade, President and CEO of the Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). Scott shares his journey to leading the CVB, the goals of the organization, and how they attract visitors to the beautiful Golden Isles. Discover their strategies for balancing historical preservation with modernization, and what makes t...

Grab some snacks and get comfortable, because Garret had a great conversation with Emerald Coast local, Cole Randall. Cole is the founder and CEO of Precision Leadership and Project Manager at One Okaloosa EDC. In their conversation, Cole guides us through what led him to start Precision Leadership and how he aims to help develop the next generation of leaders. Cole also gives us a peek behind the...

In this episode of "The Fiber" podcast, join Garret as he sits down with Rebekah Manley, the holistic realtor revolutionizing the real estate landscape on the Emerald Coast of Florida. Discover Rebekah's journey into real estate, her deep-rooted passion for industry reform, and her innovative mission to promote sustainability and environmentalism in construction. Don't miss thi...