Panhandle Pulse

What does it take to build a business from a single tire shop into a company that grows to 1,300 locations across 32 states ? In this episode of Panhandle Pulse , Chuck sits down with entrepreneur and business leader Joe Tomarchio to uncover the timeless leadership principles that helped him build, scale, and eventually sell one of the nation's most successful automotive service businesses. J...

Welcome back to the Panhandle Pulse! This week, host Chuck Asbury sits down with native Floridian, combat veteran, and grit-infused fiction author Jared Maxwell for an unfiltered look at what it truly means to stare down chaos—and live to write about it. Growing up with parents in the entertainment industry, Jared always had a knack for storytelling. But before he ever picked up a pen professional...

What does it take to turn a childhood dream into a thriving craft brewery? In this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Chris and Josh, the founders of Lawless Coast Brewing Company in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, to discuss their incredible journey from home brewing enthusiasts to brewery owners on Florida's Emerald Coast. The conversation begins with the origins of Law...

In this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with John Frankman, former U.S. Army Green Beret, veteran advocate, and Republican candidate for Florida's 1st Congressional District. John shares his journey from military service and Special Forces training to entering the political arena after being affected by the military COVID-19 vaccine mandate. He discusses the challenges...

In this episode of the Panhandle Pulse Podcast, host Chuck Asbury welcomes entrepreneur and wellness lifestyle coach Jody Morgan for an inspiring conversation about gut health, functional medicine, clean living, and holistic wellness. Jody shares her personal journey after her daughter’s health crisis led her to discover root-cause healing, lifestyle changes, supplements, and nutrition strategies...

In this episode of Panhandle Pulse , host Chuck Asbury sits down with Buzz Conroy, founder of North Bay Cigars. Buzz shares his journey from his very first cigar after a concert to mastering the Cuban rolling technique and building a thriving live cigar rolling business across the Florida Panhandle. Learn how boutique cigars are crafted, why live cigar rolling has become a standout experience for...

Palm Folly Founder Meaghan Easterhouse on Building a Craft Hard Seltzer Brand on Florida’s Emerald Coast | Panhandle Pulse Podcast Podcast Description: In this episode of Panhandle Pulse , Chuck sits down with Meaghan Easterhouse, founder of Palm Folly, a fast-growing craft hard seltzer brand born on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Meaghan shares her unconventional journey from military upbringing and gl...

In this episode of Panhandle Pulse , Chuck Asbury sits down with Tony Carder, a seasoned entrepreneur who previously built and sold one of the top pest control companies in Georgia before starting a new venture, TruNorth Pest Control, right here in Florida. Tony dives into what really fueled his success—not just smart business decisions, but a strong emphasis on relationships, exceptional customer...

What does the future of Florida look like? In this episode of Panhandle Pulse, Chuck Asbury sits down with Paul Renner—former Speaker of the Florida House, Navy veteran, and current GOP candidate for governor—to break it all down. Renner shares his background growing up in Jacksonville, his 20-year military career, and the leadership lessons he learned serving in both the Gulf War and Afghanistan....

In this episode of Pan Handle Pulse , host Chuck Asbury sits down with storyteller, marketer, and creator Kerri Parker—the voice behind Hwy 331—to explore how powerful storytelling can shape and uplift a community. Kerri shares her unique journey from corporate marketing with iconic South Walton brands to building a grassroots media platform that bridges the gap between the north and south sides o...

In this powerful episode of Panhandle Pulse, Derek Asher opens up about his raw journey from a troubled past in California—marked by jail time, addiction, and setbacks—to rebuilding his life through faith, resilience, and creativity. Now a barber and entrepreneur on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Derek shares how skateboarding shaped his mindset, how he turned a viral haircut into community impact, and wha...

In this episode of Panhandle Pulse , host Chuck Asbury sits down with local real estate broker Ron Hefner to talk about what makes Florida’s Emerald Coast one of the most desirable places to live in the country. From the white-sand beaches of Santa Rosa Beach , 30A , and Destin , to the growing communities around the bay, Ron shares firsthand insight into the real estate market, lifestyle, and the...

In this episode of Panhandle Pulse , host Chuck Asbury sits down with Pastor Charles Wilson of The Chapel at Crosspoint in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida for an inspiring conversation about faith, leadership, and community impact in the Florida Panhandle. Pastor Wilson shares the incredible story of how a struggling church with just eight members transformed into a thriving congregation that now suppor...

Thinking about leaving your 9-5 job to become a business owner? In this episode of the Panhandle Pulse , Chuck Asbury sits down with business acquisition expert Matt Uhler to break down how entrepreneurs can successfully buy established businesses instead of starting from scratch. With more than 28 years of experience and involvement in 800+ business transactions , Matt shares real-world insights...

In this powerful episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with “The Dyslexia Professor” Russell Van Brocklen to unpack the real science behind dyslexia and why traditional school systems are failing bright students. From his own journey with a first-grade reading level to developing a results-driven method that helped students jump from the 4th percentile to the 65th percentile, Rus...

In this episode of PanHandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with local anesthetist Corey Fernandez of Destin Surgical Center. Corey shares his journey from growing up in Freeport to training at Florida State, the University of Florida, and Nova Southeastern, eventually returning home to serve the community. They discuss healthcare access challenges in Northwest Florida, physician turnover, pop...

Kevin O’Neill, Master Captain and owner of Destiny Water Adventures, joins Panhandle Pulse  with host Chuck Asbury, to share his incredible journey from a laid-off Detroit plumber to one of the Emerald Coast’s most successful water sports entrepreneurs. In this episode, Kevin breaks down how he got his captain’s license, moved from Key West to North Florida, navigated strict water sports regulatio...

In this episode, host Chuck Asbury sits down with author and speaker Judson Stone to discuss his journey from Maine to Florida, his passion for history and writing, and the importance of preserving family stories. Judson reflects on his work as a substitute teacher, his involvement in local organizations, and building meaningful community connections in the Panhandle. The conversation also touches...

On this episode of Panhandle Pulse , host Chuck Asbury sits down with Kelly Todd, President of Forensic Strategy Solutions, to discuss real-world fraud risks facing small businesses. From forensic accounting insights to practical fraud prevention tips, this honest conversation covers trust, accountability, red flags, and how business owners can protect themselves in today’s digital and AI-driven w...

In this episode of Panhandle Pulse , host Chuck Asbury sits down with Owen Girard , Florida Panhandle Field Representative for Turning Point USA , to discuss faith, politics, and the future of Gen Z leadership in Northwest Florida. Born and raised in Tallahassee , Owen shares his personal journey from growing up on the political left to finding purpose through faith, conservative values, and commu...

In this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Dr. Marc McKinley, a nephrologist (kidney doctor)serving Panama City and Panama City Beach, Florida. Dr. McKinley shares his journey from private practice in Cleveland, Ohio to the Florida Panhandle—and why moving here in late 2020 became one of the best decisions for his family and career. We cover practical, real-world kidney h...

In this episode of Pan Handle Pulse , host Chuck Asbury sits down with Stephanie Sylvestre, co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Avatar Buddy, for a deep and honest conversation about the human side of artificial intelligence. Stephanie shares her unexpected journey into tech—from economics and government work to building AI-powered digital mentors—and explains how Avatar Buddy creates “spiri...

Chief Meteorologist Chris Smith, founder of PanhandleWeather.com, joins Panhandle Pulse to discuss the future of weather forecasting in Northwest Florida. Chris shares his journey from local TV news to launching an independent, digital-first weather platform focused on accurate, local forecasts without the noise.  The episode explores entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and why building a communi...

In this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Ed Gutentag, a veteran Hollywood cinematographer and storyteller now based in Panama City, Florida. Ed shares an incredible journey spanning decades in film, from working on iconic productions like Titanic and War of the Worlds to interviewing legends such as Harrison Ford, Robin Williams, and even spending time with the Dalai La...

In this episode of Panhandle Pulse , host Chuck Asbury sits down with Matthew Fornaro , a seasoned Florida business law attorney with over 20 years of experience helping entrepreneurs, startups, and small to mid-sized businesses succeed. Matthew shares practical legal guidance for Florida small business owners , including how to choose the right business structure (LLC, S-Corp, partnership), why c...