ElevatePolk Podcast

Dr. Timothy Regan, Lakeland Regional Health's Chief Medical Officer joins us to discuss the importance of keeping up with your scheduled visits and tests despite the pandemic and Patrick Phillips, Lakeland Regional Health's Senior Vice President of Business Development and Chief Strategy Officer offers some tips that both businesses and consumers can use to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection....

Whether your hair is a bit fluffy, your roots are impossible to hide or your toes look like a velociraptor, most of us are greatly in need of some personal care. As Governor DeSantis modifies his order and allows hair and nail salons to reopen, there is bound to be a flood of shaggy patrons rushing back to their favorite salons. Those working in the salon and beauty industry are also eager to get...

Just as Polk County begins to reopen, $126 million in unexpected relief funding arrives from Washington.  Reopening our businesses and taking small steps to returning to normal might be  too much for some and too slow for others, nevertheless Polk is marching forward to brighter times and with a few extra dollars to spend in the process. Find out how the County Commission intends to distribute the...

A look back at the funniest moments of the last 22 episodes. We dare you not to laugh.  The "Lakelandist" Joe Cruz shares some of his favorite headlines. What's the deal with Chrissanne's marbles? Craig Hosking signature tropical style. Joe Tedder, our very own Zacchaeus! Sheriff Judd chooses a motorcycle over high school football. Bob Donahay's "Geraldo hair." Steve Scruggs' family were not trave...

As talk of reopening our economy grows louder, so have opinions over whether or not it's the right time and if it will be done the right way. During these difficult times, emotions are running high but there are so many examples of generosity, innovation and survival going on around us. We can only hope that when we return back to "normal" that the "new normal" might involve a greater appreciation...

When things are tough, it helps to turn to those who are always there to support you. This week, we  talk with Brad Sundgren, a  long time supporter of the show. Brad shares some funny stories and some insight on how we can all get through this together. We discuss the need to focus on getting back to normal and when we might expect to see that happen. 

These are tough times for our local community and our country overall. But while there is so much uncertainty and stress, there are extraordinary things happening right here in our area. We share countless examples of individuals and businesses who are innovating and how there are big things and small things alike that can make our present situation much more positive and rewarding. We are all in...

The son of an immigrant entrepreneur, Jae Choe grew up in a family martial arts business. He's since opened his own martial arts studio, Karate Beyond, in Lakeland. Jae share with us the evolution of his business and his vision for our community in the years to come. We talk philosophy, raising children and answer the age old question; "should Rob have become a dentist and is he willing to try yog...

Alis shares with us some memorable stops on his journey to Lakeland, a journey paved with service to community and country. As CRA Manager for the City of Lakeland, Alis brings a unique passion to an agency tasked with making Lakeland a more vibrant, modern city for all its citizens. Alis shares some insight on CRA projects as well as what is on the horizon as Lakeland continues to grow and thrive...

Government can be messy, it can be full of challenges and those challenges only grow larger as our world changes with social media and the twenty-four hour news cycle. Tom Phillips, Director of the Citrus Connection, is no stranger to the minefield of public policy. His pursuits of "big, hairy, audacious goals" has taught him many lessons about how best to communicate with the public he serves. To...

The Lakeland Economic Development Council has worked to improve the local economy, create jobs and cultivate new opportunities for the City of Lakeland and its citizens.  But as any organization looking to raise the bar and tackle big challenges, their bold ideas occasionally ruffle feathers or even cause outright panic.  The fate of the Cleveland Heights golf course was one such issue that caused...

In the wake of community outrage over an idea pitched by the Lakeland Economic Development Council that included the possibility of developing the land that is currently the Cleveland Heights municipal golf course, we decided to start the conversation with the man in charge of it all. Bob Donahay, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Lakeland shares his insight into the history of the...

Criminal justice reform is a hot topic these days. The truth is that most of what we see on cable news isn't the whole story and often doesn't translate into what we see and hear in our own community.  So we wanted to talk about this controversial subject with the number one law man  in our county, Sheriff Grady Judd. Sheriff Judd shares with us the other side of the proposed changes to our crimin...

Whether its politics, taxes, schools, diversity or the litany of other conversational land mines most of us tiptoe around in our daily lives, simply ignoring these conversations is merely a temporary solution. We think we are doing the world a favor, avoiding conflict for the sake of keeping the peace. But in reality, the issues don’t resolve themselves and kicking the conversational can down the...

He's our Zacchaeus and while he might not be the tallest tax collector out there, Joe Tedder has raised the bar for tax collectors around the country. In his nearly twenty-five year tenure as the tax collector for Polk County, Joe Tedder has made efficiency and customer service a priority.  As if that process wasn't difficult enough, changes in technology and in the way we conduct business provide...

Former Lakeland Mayor and Lakeland's longest serving public official and his lovely wife Linda Bagley Wiggs join us in studio to talk about some of their greatest legacies: the #LoveLakeland movement and the City Maker award. Throughout their service to the Lakeland community, the Wiggs' focus was on preserving the best attributes of Lakeland while simultaneously seeking out opportunities to grow...

This is, by all measures, the best time to be alive in the history of mankind.  Yet many folks find themselves miserable with many things, including where they live. We are often creatures of habit and when things change around us we often feel apprehensive or even upset.  When the parking lot where you learned how to drive is razed to build a new office building, you might feel sad. If your commu...

Before revealing his identity, Joe Cruz managed to create a whirlwind of enjoyment throughout Polk County and all in just over one month’s time.  The Lakelandist, Cruz’s blog and the pseudonym for his comedic writing, poked fun at the quirks that we all know and love about the place we call home. Nothing was off limits but everything was in good fun. Joe shares with us what led him to start the in...

Investing in your community, we talk a lot about it but what does it mean? It means different things to different people but for Jennifer Batts, her husband Joel and their co-founders, it means risking time, money and effort in order to bring a unique new concept from Boulder, Colorado to a growing area of Lakeland. The Yard on Mass  is the latest business to breathe new life into a long-ignored p...

Coach Renee Lopez is a highly successful soccer coach and has coached college athletes for the past fourteen years at every level. Renee spent years dealing with the challenges of recruitment and coordinating athletic scholarships at colleges and universities around the nation. Renee, a resident of Polk County, took those years of unique experience and turned it into a consulting and speaking busi...

It's a brand new year and everyone is talking about their "resolution" for 2020. Are you vowing to eat right, exercise more, quit smoking or some other promise you've probably made to yourself year after year?   Why are New Year's resolutions so difficult to achieve?  One reason is that most of us approach the resolution making process all wrong. We discuss the classic pitfalls most people make an...

Are you afraid of failure? Few things are more prohibitive to success than fear.  Rob and Chrissanne discuss their path in life and in business, including key examples of failure and success.  The fear of failure is not hard to comprehend. However, success brings with it its own set of challenges and creates a new type of fear in those lucky enough to taste it, even a little bit. We get real open...

Whether you were born here or moved to Polk at some point in your life, there is no denying the long standing sentiment that many people feel that they are stuck in Polk County.  Maybe it's the small town mentality, the longing for bigger and better things.  Maybe it's the limited job prospects and earnings potential compared to surrounding metropolitan areas.  Whatever it is, those who celebrate...

The terms "diversity" and "inclusivity" are interchangeable to most people. However, there are important differences. In 2019, the term "diversity" likely evokes strong emotions in most people. Whether your view it as a good thing or a bad thing, it's important to understand the context and what it means. A strong community builds draws from an array of opinions, backgrounds and strengths- but not...

At a time when people are more connected than ever before, studies show that Americans are more lonely than ever and many have not made a new friend in several years. We discuss the importance of a balanced approach between online and real life interaction. Such balance is important for happiness and success of individuals AND communities alike.