Between The Beaches Podcast

It's been a wild October and with Halloween closing in on us this seemed like the perfect time to collaborate with our friend in Glasgow, Mr. Àdhamh Ó Broin, to cover some of our heritage and a poem featuring a ghost story.  Join us this week for a special presentation of Robert Burns' classic Tam O' Shanter. To purchase a chance (or numerous chances) to win an original Brad Phares oil painting be...

Jeb Smith is a fifth generation farmer and current Florida Farm Bureau President. His family has deep roots in Hastings, Florida located in St. Johns County and a legacy of leadership locally and throughout Florida. In this episode, we discuss his family's legacy, early memories of St. Johns County, the challenges facing agriculture as our state's population swells, and his long history with Farm...

Commitments relative to my art work have held me captive the last 10 days or so. That means I haven't had time for interviews or much of anything else to be honest. Given those circumstances and the fact we're shifting from summer to fall here in Florida, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to view life's various transitions through the lens of some cowboy poetry. Hope y'all enjoy the readings.

This week we journey back to Florida's Indian River region in the early 1900's thanks to a quaint paperback publication titled "Oslo" which was written by Arnold Helseth. Aside from chronicling his ancestors' amazing American journey, it provides vivid and valuable insight into our Florida heritage, especially in present day southern Indian River County and Northern St. Lucie County.

Florida's 2023 tropical weather has ramped up as we find ourselves in the peak of hurricane season so the timing couldn't be more appropriate to reflect on our state's history with September storms. As clean up efforts from Idalia continue in North Florida, we take a look back at the disastrous 1926 Hurricane which forevermore changed Florida's trajectory financially and environmentally. This one...

This Labor Day weekend will find Okeechobee abuzz with both locals and our urban coastal neighbors eager to take in yet another rodeo experience in one of Florida's iconic arenas - one of the few remaining outdoor, uncovered, and privately owned venues. It's a piece of Florida history and a solid slice of Americana. The rodeo is the largest fundraiser for the non-profit Okeechobee County Cattlemen...

Our good friend Clint Raulerson joins us this week to reflect on his adventures and growth that stemmed from cowboying in Kansas along with his return to Florida and the new chapters that lie ahead. In the process, we cover the importance of sharing our heritage with the public at large and then close out the show with a few new pieces of cowboy poetry in memory of Bill O'Grady, a fellow cowboy an...

NOTE:  With archery season underway here in Florida for Zone A, it seemed like a great time to revisit this episode that was full of lively conversation and plenty of great perspective about wild Florida.  If you've heard it previously, we hope you enjoy it just as much or more the second time around, and if this is your first time hearing it we think you're going to find plenty of useful informat...

Garrett Stuart, or Captain Planet as he's better known to loyal followers both young and old, has a diverse background in science and conservation. That education coupled with his Lakota and Scots background combine to provide a truly unique perspective on how we live with and treat our natural world. Garrett believes strongly in the importance of balancing the lessons and wisdom from our past wit...

In this episode, we share an interview conducted by Tampa Bay History in 1981 with Jay B. Starkey, Sr., Jay Starkey, Jr., and Frank Starkey. Representing 3 generations of Florida ranchers, they reflect on the early days of Pasco and Pinellas counties and bemoan the rampant development that seemed to be plaguing them at that time some 40 plus years ago. It's a tale of loving the natural landscape a...

This week FCA executive vice president Jim Handley joins us to share a wealth of information about the Florida Cattlemen's Foundation, including it's history, an in-depth look at the many projects they've helped fund and bring to fruition, as well as some general history regarding FCA and his role there. We dig deep in our conversation for what amounts to a very informative discussion that you're...

There is little doubt by now that America's story is one of immigrants finding opportunities and a fresh start, and the Florida frontier was a microcosm of that bold experiment. Our journey this week begins during the Second Spanish Occupation of Florida as we hear the exploits of Rob and Robbie Sistrunk's ancestors as they first arrive at present day Amelia Island from Scotland and then journey w...

The Parlier family has been rooted in Central Florida for many years and they've established a solid reputation within Florida's alligator management system from their early days as nuisance trappers to becoming a vertically integrated farming and processing operation. Most recently, they've expanded their processing facility to include USDA inspected beef processing. Join us for this episode as w...

When Florida's citizens and tourists flock to coastal waters this weekend and over Independence Day early next week, they'll unwittingly be exposing themselves to human effluent. It can't be seen or touched, so nobody considers the problem or perils associated with it; however, the pathogenic bacteria, pharmaceuticals, and many other substances originating from septic tanks and other sub-standard...

At the height of the Spanish Empire, convoys of tall ships braved the seas hauling resources and treasure on transatlantic trade routes fraught with peril, especially during the summer months when hurricanes could develop without warning. In one of the worst maritime disasters ever recorded, the 1733 Hurricane descended upon part of Spain's West Indies Fleet led by the Capitana El Rubi Segundo rav...

Anyone who has ever skirted the west side of Miami trekking southward to Everglades National Park or the Florida Keys has undoubtedly heard about the infamous Robert Is Here fruit stand. Since their simple beginnings as a roadside produce stand in 1959, they've grown into a mainstay attraction in southeast Florida for thousands of fans. From locally grown produce and other farm fresh products to t...

Tucker Wise has taken various elements from his diverse background and combined them with his passion for Florida agriculture in order to use his voice as an instrument carrying the positive message of rural Florida to the metropolitan areas of our state. No pun intended, but Tucker is wise beyond his years and will be a valuable advocate for Old Florida for years to come.  Tune in to hear more of...

This week finds me booked with speaking engagements for public school programs, work on commissioned art, and getting our bloodhound puppies ready to leave for their new homes so for now please enjoy this enlightening interview which originally aired back in 2020.  ___________ Mr. J.C. Bass is a Korean War veteran, Silver Star recipient, lifelong cowman, and a true southern gentleman. Join us as h...

Florida's ranching community recently lost a great champion with the passing of Mrs. Imogene Yarborough of Geneva, Florida. She was a lifelong advocate for beef and the preservation of our cow culture heritage so it seemed only fitting to share some cowgirl poetry dedicated to her memory. The poem selections chosen each spoke to her attributes in one way or another so I hope y'all enjoy this episo...

Frederic Remington went down in history as a masterful artist, historian, and storyteller chronicling the lifestyle of the American cowboy. He is revered and beloved by many but that doesn't mean that he was without fault. In this episode, we examine and dissect his faulty assessment of Florida cowhunters and crackers in general.

Did you know that mechanical ice production first occurred in Florida? It all happened along the Gulf coast back in the mid 1800's thanks in large part to the pesky mosquitos and the diseases they transmit. Listen in to learn all the fascinating details behind this story and the invention of artificial ice.  It's overlooked Florida history that altered not only life in the Sunshine State, but life...

Adam Steele is passionate about cooking, Florida, and conservation even if it's not necessarily in that order. Adam is a man of many talents and well-versed in many subjects so it's no small wonder that we forged a quick friendship. As someone who moved to Florida and fell in love with her natural beauty for what it is versus trying to change it and someone who uses his culinary skills as an outre...

I recently turned up a copy of a newsletter from back in the mid 1980's, where my Granddaddy did an interview with the publication team from Cattlemen For Christ discussing his thoughts on the state of the beef industry at that time and where he thought it was headed in the future. As the ancient idiom from Ecclesiastes made clear, there is nothing new under the sun. Join us for a look at Granddad...

For our annual St. Patrick's Day episode, we reflect upon cattle as the supreme source of wealth in Ancient Ireland and some of the many ways that those cultural influences came to bear on Florida.

  Dropping a rebroadcast this week so we can revisit some heritage this week; hope y'all enjoy it...  Since our show is heavily focused on honoring our heritage and we're closing in on St. Patrick's Day, what better time than now to take a look at the origins of the Corned Beef and Cabbage meal? And while most of us knew that St. Patrick banished all the snakes from Ireland but did you know that h...