Florida Spectacular

Send us your Florida questions! Meet William McKeen, who shows us the bookish history of Key West in his book, Mile Marker Zero. He's written a bunch of other stuff, too:  Everybody Had an Ocean, a nonfiction narrative; Asshole: A Memoir, a blog; Homegrown in Florida , an anthology; Outlaw Journalist , a biography; Highway 61 , a memoir; and Rock and Roll is Here to Stay , an anthology. He li...

Send us your Florida questions! When the Florida bug bites you, you'll know. Andrew Furman, this week's guest on The Florida Spectacular, knows. Andrew Furman wrote the novel Jewfish  (Little Curlew Press, 2020.) He teaches at Florida Atlantic University's Creative Writing MFA program, and his nonfiction work, Bitten: My Unexpected Love Affair with Florida talks about falling in lov...

Send us your Florida questions! Tyler Gillespie joins the podcast this week to talk about his new book, The Thing About Florida (UPF, April 2021), growing up in Florida as a gay Christian, and other Florida stories (including how lucky he feels to be Floridian.) To learn more about Tyler's book and his upcoming speaking events, visit his website . Support the show Question or comment? Email u...

Send us your Florida questions! Scott Deitche talks about the Tampa mafia and some of the key players. He also talks about what made the mafia in Florida a bit different than in the rest of the country. Join Scott on the Tampa Mafia Tours at tampamafia.com . scottdeitche.com facebook.com/Scott-M-Deitche-Author-211094778568 twitter.com/Scottyyz instagram.com/scottdeitche/ Support the show Question...

Send us your Florida questions! Mary Szaroleta, director of OLLI at Eckerd, joins the podcast to talk about the Explore Florida program at Eckerd, which is open to anyone, as well as her favorite Florida places, and what it's like being the daughter of a Weeki Wachee mermaid.  Learn more about OLLI at Eckerd's Explore Florida program and their all-access Zoom pass at eckerd.edu/olli . If...

Send us your Florida questions! Today, Amanda Hagood talks about Cli-Fi, which stands for Climate Fiction. She talks about why these books are gaining momentum, and offers some examples you have to add to your nightstand. Links from the podcast: Orange World and Other Stories , by Karen Russell Florida , by Lauren Groff Mr. Eternity , by Aron Thier Support the show Question or comment? Email us at...

Send us your Florida questions! Today, Florida writer Nikesha Williams joins us to talk about how her fiction writing career morphed into a full-time publishing career. Her press focuses on "publishing great writers who weave compelling narratives that intrigue, foster great conversation and debate, and urge people to action" much like Nikesha's first book, Four Women, did.  At the...

Send us your Florida questions! Jon Kile talks about RVing through Florida with his kids and wife, and how his travels in a Dodge Ram turned Florida travel into a way of life for his family.  dontmakemeturnthisvanaround.com The Grandfather Clock by Jon Kile VEDS Fort De Soto Campground Chassahowitzka River Campground Suwannee River State Park Campground John Pennekamp State Park Bahia Honda State...

Send us your Florida questions! This week we talk to Jono Miller, who has written a delightful book about the cabbage palm. Join us as we talk about mob stories and cabbage palms, conquistadors and cabbage palms, and the war between the states (no, not that one) to get the cabbage palm as the official tree. You can pre-order Jono's book from the University Press of Florida .  Support the show...

Send us your Florida questions! This week, Early Florida scholar Dr. Thomas Hallock joins the podcast to talk about getting "the story about the story" and how travelers can see Florida like its first Euro-Explorers did.  Read Tom's blog about exploring Florida here , and pre-order his book here . Support the show Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com . Subsc...

Send us your Florida questions! Dave Scheidecker, the historic archaeologist for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, joins the podcast this week to talk about what his work with the Tribe involves, myths surrounding the Tribe, and how Florida itself helped the Seminoles remain unconquered.  We look forward to having Dave back on the podcast to talk more about Polly Parker, Egmont Key's concentrati...

Send us your Florida questions! Today we welcome Brad Bertelli, curator of the Keys History and Discovery Center in Islamorada, Florida. This Keys historian talks about piracy in the Florida Keys – or lack thereof, we touch on the only ghost island in the Keys, and tell you about a forthcoming book about the Skunk Ape (#Believe.) Links from the podcast:  fb.com/FloridaKeysHistoryAndDiscoveryFounda...

Send us your Florida questions! Florida author Craig Pittman joins Cathy to talk about his unique view on what makes Florida special. Find out what Hog and Hominy Road, a phoenix, and Cobragator have to do with making Florida spectacular. Links we mentioned: Craig's newsletter . "Welcome to Florida" podcast . The Florida Phoenix Craig's books: Cat Tale Oh, Florida! The Scent of...

Send us your Florida questions! Florida author Cathy Salustri introduces you to the "Florida Spectacular" podcast. Find Cathy on line at: http://greatfloridaroadtrip.com/. Support the show Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com . Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter , and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com . Keep up with Rick a...