Wait Five Minutes

It's time for our Florida Creature Triple Feature, discussing the history and context of three hidden gems in Florida horror cinema: Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964) , Frogs (1972) , and Ghost Story (1981) . We talk about the changing genre through the 20th century, the various sub-genres that emerged, and the fascinating ways that Florida communities embraced the films created in their hometowns.   A...

This week, Stephen Stull of BizzaroLand Film Festival joins us to talk about our shared love of midnight movies, how to introduce someone to weirdo cinema, our favorite Halloween deep cuts, and the films forthcoming at BizarroLand this December. All of the music was originally composed.

The black vulture is one of Florida's most common animals, but their behavior and appearance remains shrouded in mystery. This week, we return to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, befriend one such black-winged creature, and learn all the unique qualities of our most Halloween bird. Learn more about the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey here! Visit our friends at A Petrified Forest this Hallowe...

Lewis Powell was not born in Florida, but his final resting place would bring him to the edge of the St. Johns River over a hundred years after he died. His actions nearly altered the course of American history. Read more about Seward and Powell right here. Thank you to Mary Jo Martin and the Geneva Historical & Geneological Society!   A number of free special effects were used in the creation...

Mary Roach, author of Replaceable You , returns to the show to talk about her adventures in the science of replacing body parts, the fascinating scientists leading the way in this unique field, and the strange secrets of the human anatomy. We also talk about her unique writing style, and the rules she breaks along the way. Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follow Ch...

In this month's letter, we explore the current state of the Atlantic hurricane season, the influence of the late actor Robert Redford, and chat with some of the staff behind our favorite local haunt, A Petrified Forest. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follow Chelsea on Instagram here!   All of the music was originally comp...

This week, in our August newsletter, we go over a few local headlines, from Orlando's crosswalks to the Everglades detention center. We also talk podcasts, newspapers, and plans for the rest of the year on Wait Five Minutes. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follow Chelsea on Instagram here!   Read more about the Orlando cro...

As the recount began for the Election of 2000, Florida would enter the national headlines. County by county, each vote was checked to confirm the correct totals. There were, however, a multitude of problems, including the infamous hanging chads (or dimpled or punctured chads) and even a South Florida riot. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible desig...

On Election Night, 2000, the final call came down to the decision of one state: Florida. What would follow would be the most infamous recount in American history. But to understand what came next, we need to go back to 1876, when Florida famously served as a turning point for yet another major American election. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible...

In May of 1966, all three networks were flirting with the Sunshine State. From individual episodes, to shows entirely set in Florida, to a weekly show live from Miami, television had a lot to learn from Florida. This week, we explore how these shows came to our state, and what message they'd send about life in Florida.  Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her in...

Scratched into the walls of the coquina structures, the Castillo de San Marcos holds messages from occupants long past. What the words mean, who drew them and why are questions we will never have answers to. Yet the carvings remain. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follow Chelsea on Instagram here!   Read about the 59th Unn...

This week, Jackson Oberlink from Florida For All joins us to discuss this past legislative session, a handful of bills focused on labor in Florida, and the future in Tallahassee as Governor DeSantis nears his final year in office. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follow Chelsea on Instagram here!   Check out more from Flori...

This week is the 150th anniversary of the founding of Orlando, and to celebrate, we're explores the stories of those who have shaped us, from the founding figures, to the community heroes, to the faithful guardians of our Lake Eola swans. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follow Chelsea on Instagram here!   Read more about W...

In 1879, the town of Orlando was dissolved, four years after it was formed. A year later, the train came to town. In the early years of the City Beautiful, the rich men who made decisions in Central Florida found themselves at odds, even as cities were formed and railroads were built.  Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follo...

This week, Rep. Anna V. Eskamani returns to the show to talk about the legislative session that just ended, the in-fighting within the Republican Party, her hopes for 2026, and her forthcoming campaign for Orlando mayor! See more from Rep. Eskamani right here! Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follow Chelsea on Instagram her...

In the 1950s, a man named Fred Rogers would attend Rollins College here in Orlando. In the years after, he would revolutionize children's television, and become a champion for public media in the United States. Contact your Senators to protect public media. Contact Rick Scott and Ashley Moody . Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follow Chelsea on Instagram here!   I...

Should the flamingo become Florida's State Bird? Is the flamboyant bird even native to the Sunshine State? This week, with guest Dr. Steven Whitfield of the Audubon Nature Institute , we talk about the changes in our understanding of the flamingo, and how it effects our shared future.  Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follo...

This week, we take a quick dive into the calendar, celebrate the champion Florida Panthers, and tell a quick tale about the importance of Pride Month.  Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follow Chelsea on Instagram here!   All of the music was originally composed.

For a century, Florida has had the same state bird. Many Floridians would like that to change. But the path to change is rife with politics and lobbyists, and a debate over which bird should take the crown.  Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follow Chelsea on Instagram here!   Thank you to Jackson Oberlink for bringing this...

For this week's bonus episode, we chat with Joshua Bailey, the filmmaker behind the documentary Stolen Kingdom about the urban explorers of Disney, a crucial stolen animatronic, the forgotten island, and how he brought this film to life. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follow Chelsea on Instagram here!   All of the music w...

In the 90's, Disney was on a historic winning streak. But when they tried to open a historical theme park just outside of the nation's capital, they found themselves in a fight they could never win. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follow Chelsea on Instagram here!   I do not own the rights to the clips used in this episode...

On Marco Island, behind glass, sits a small figurine of a wooden cat. Its origins, its creator, its purpose, even its inspiration are lost to time. The clues we have are fascinating - but lead to even more questions about this unusual feline. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follow Chelsea on Instagram here!   Thank you to...

This week, we catch up on headlines from the last month, discuss the glory of hockey in the Sunshine State, and check in for the Baby Owl Shower at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. Check out the Community Paper here in Orlando!   Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follow Chelsea on Instagram here!   All of the music was...

Around the turn of the century, Greek immigrants brought their remarkable ability to harvest sponges from the ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. The city of Tarpon Springs would flourish around their industry. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follow Chelsea on Instagram here!   Thank you to Eddie and Alex for their help with this...

I spent the whole ten days at the Florida Film Festival this year and interviewed a dozen filmmakers on their movies, their messages, and the task of making movies in the Sunshine State.  Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo!  Follow Chelsea on Instagram here!   Thank you to the filmmakers featured in this episode. Their movies,...