Sarasota Stories

It is hard to relate to physical or emotional problems unless you've experienced them firsthand. Consider someone with a head injury or Parkinson's disease that is embarrassed to be in public because their speech or even swallowing reflex makes them stand out in a bad way. My guest today is an incredibly caring and enthusiastic Speech-Language Pathologist who helps people with these problems to ge...

"The Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) engages the hearts, hands, and minds of the community to help animals." This of course is their task in normal times but what about when disaster hits like the recent hurricane that devastated so many areas of Southern Florida? Today I'm very pleased to welcome Marketing Coordinator, Alissa Jackson of the Sarasota Country Humane Society. In this episod...

Let's face it, we're all sending messages about ourselves in public. Of course, we're also constantly developing opinions and making decisions about others as well from what people say, how they carry themselves, and what they wear. What if you're a woman who recently started a business, became an executive, or simply wants to upgrade your image to send a more confident and professional message to...

Many people only think of The Salvation Army. at Christmas time when you see (and hear) their volunteers outside department stores with a red bucket ringing a bell for donations. But this organization is much, much more ... For nearly 160 years The Salvation Army has often been, for many the difference between despair and hope. And what most people don't know is Natural disaster response is one th...

To many, it seems impossible that in The Greater Sarasota Area there are those who go hungry. But it is true and even more so now when you have a Cat-4 hurricane devastate the southern part of our county. Fortunately, one local organization is working virtually not-stop to help those most affected by Ian's destructive forces and providing food for thousands. This episode was recorded one week afte...

If you live in Florida for any length of time, there are two words you really don't want to hear and that is -- Red Tide. Red Tide kills our marine life, disrupts our tourism industry, and is literally a stinker of a problem. Most everyone knows it's been around for centuries but is there anything that can be done to at least reduce its impact on our ecology and our economy? Fortunately, one world...

It never ceases to amaze me the hidden "gems" doing great work right here in the Greater Sarasota Area. As you'll hear even a small manufacturing company in Osprey can have a major impact on the lives of its employees and our community by the way they conduct their business. My guest today is Jeneth D’Alonzo CEO of Diversified Material Specialist Inc better known as DMSI. Originally from the Phili...

It may seem strange to think that someone would join both a yacht club and a boat club at that same time. But that's exactly what I did back in 2015. While I'm no longer a yacht club member I continue to enjoy getting out on the water via what I consider the best deal around. I'm very pleased to welcome Nick Thomas , Director of Club Operations at Freedom Boat Club . In today's episode, Nick will...

One of the truly wonderful additions to the Sarasota Area in recent memory is Nathan Benderson Park. The park is known for its fishing and is ideal for recreational kayaking, canoeing, sailing, remote-control sailboats, and other non-gas-powered vessels plus many, many community events, fairs, and festivals. Even more, it's known nationally and internationally as a world-class destination for rowi...

The internet is both wonderful and horrible. On the one hand, it's the bastion of free speech. But on the other hand, anyone can verbally trash someone else without retribution or consequences. So what do you do when your online reputation has been soiled unfairly or you made mistakes that seem to never go away even after you paid the price to correct them? As the saying goes -- the internet never...

If there's anything I've learned in the seven years I've lived in this wonderful town it's that people here LOVE their cats and dogs. Cats in particular are popular in the US with over 85 million in American households. Unfortunately, there's a large homeless cat problem too. But one organization is doing great work to place local cats in loving homes. My guest today is Payton Davis , Communicatio...

The booming Sarasota economy is a reflection of many things such as baby boomers retiring, and a wonderful climate with less congestion than larger, nearby cities. But with the great influx of new residents and businesses comes a challenge for the local Chamber of Commerce as they strive to respond to the increased demands of their growing and increasingly diverse membership. In today's episodes,...

Hello Sarasota! Since launching in early February of this year I have interviewed over 60 people. It has been wonderful meeting some of the most remarkable and accomplished people I've ever come into contact with. I'm having a lot of fun and hope you have enjoyed listening to their stories as much as I have had in airing them. To switch things up a bit, in this episode I do a review of the top 10...

Most Floridians have heard of the invasive Burmese python ravaging the Everglades' wildlife. And most have also heard of the Pacific Lionfish eating much of our native fish in the Florida Keys. But what about the invasive plants creating havoc on our ecology? One local nursery is fighting the good fight to replace invading species with native plants that help heal rather than harm our environment....

Stories of the lowly janitor eventually rising to become President are typically stories of myth. However, it does happen. As you'll hear today , my guest did indeed work his way up from the very bottom of the airport industry to the top over a brilliantly-managed 45-year career. I am very pleased to welcome Rick Piccolo, President/CEO of this year's Florida Airport of the Year which of course, is...

With such a strong Seniors base here in Sarasota we sometimes forget that there are many families just starting out in life. We also can forget that there are many families struggling to make ends meet financially while raising young children. However, for almost 30 years one organization has worked tirelessly not only to teach young children educational and social skills but also to help parents...

Old Florida. We miss it. Remember the roadside farm stands where you could drink your fill of freshly squeezed orange juice for a quarter? Remember the expansive citrus groves, the homemade fudge, marmalades, and Lemonade? A stop at a local farm for all these things was always a treat. Sadly many of these farms have long since become industrial parks and family neighborhoods. But one amazing coupl...

It seems there are as many financial firms in the Greater Sarasota Area as there are convenience stores. So how do to separate yourself when you're young, smart, and have a passion for helping people plan for a successful retirement? My guest today is Charles Bryant , Founder of Lone Star Wealth Management . After a successful university career at nearby Eckerd College, Charles found he had a natu...

I'm definitely pro-man. After all, I am one. But I often think that many women have a superpower to balance work and family that I know I could never do. Imagine, you have three children all under six, plus you lead the top business association in the fastest-growing community in the United States -- that's a person I want to get to know! And today you get to know her too! I'm delighted to welcome...

I read the Business Observer daily email to find out who is doing great work in the Gulf Coast which of course includes the Greater Sarasota Area. For me, I've found several guests from these emails including today's guest. I'm very pleased to welcome Mark Gordon , Managing Editor from the Business Observer . In this episode, you'll learn ... One thing most people don’t know about Mark As editor h...

Remember the 2000 Presidential Election between George Bush and Al Gore? It was incredibly controversial on many levels. Adding to that controversy was Florida's vote counting mess with "hanging chads" and questions of the overall vote integrity. So what about Sarasota County's election process today? Are the officials on top of things? I encourage you to listen in because I think after today's ep...

It is safe to say that hope springs eternal for every young music artist wanting success in the hyper-competitive entertainment world. But if initial recordings are any indication, my bet is that Sarasota's own may have a real music future that many of us will hear about for years to come. My guest today was a real pleasure to have on the show. Enthusiastic, a great speaking voice with an even bet...

Many seasoned "corporate guys" are recruited to lead small startups because they have the experience, vision, and leadership to get the job done. My guest today is one of those people and is doing some fascinating work in the organic marijuana and gardening space right here in Sarasota. I am very pleased to introduce Scott Allshouse, President & CEO of Sarasota Green Group . Scott will share w...

I often run into people who say Sarasota has an incredible artistic talent for such a small city. Today's episode is a prime example of that statement for a rising actor. With big roles in two features like the joyous romantic comedy, “Ask Me To Dance” and the tense thriller, “Trauma Therapy: Psychosis,” she is poised to finally accomplish her childhood dreams of making it big in the movie bu...

I’ve always been a big believer in the local Chamber of Commerce.  For a few dollars a day any entrepreneur, business owner, manager, or executive can get access to hundreds of potential clients plus contacts hard to find on your own. To me, it's the best deal around. In today's episode, you hear from one dynamic woman leading the largest Chamber of Commerce on the Suncoast with not one, but...