Florida Business Minds

Naturally curious and an early adopter of the internet and more recently artificial intelligence, Axia Public Relations CEO Jason Mudd has built a national PR powerhouse from Jacksonville. In this episode, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon connects with Mudd for industry insight that benefits business owners and fellow PR teams.

Several key factors combine to make 2025 potentially a big year for mergers & acquisitions. In this episode, Orlando Business Journal Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao invites Align Business Advisory Services Founder & CEO Dena Jalbert to share why. She also expands on the importance of technology and AI in building business valuations, and offers advice for upcoming leaders.

With consumer confidence waning and recession fears rising in national surveys, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez calls on Carlos Fernandez-Guzman, President and CEO of Pacific National Bank for insight and perspective. The banking and business turnaround veteran shares his contrarian take on tariffs, and outlines steps business owners should take to diversify their banking relationships.

Just over a month after the Tampa Bay start-up debuted its first Super Bowl commercial, Co-Founder Garrett Waggoner is gauging the success. The hybrid hydration company with its innovative bottle design allows users to control how much flavor they add to their water. TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites Waggoner to share an update on the company's growth and future plans.

As the first alumnus to serve as Jacksonville University President in the school's 85 year history, Tim Cost has a unique perspective and approach. After a successful, high profile career in the corporate world, he's brought a business-focused agenda to JU, and it's paying off. In this episode, he shares an update and outlook with JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon.

The biggest misconception about the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando? That it's only for Hispanic business owners and entrepreneurs. President & CEO Pedro Turushina joins OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao to share why he and his team are supporting all businesses across the region, and at the same time offering support for their Hispanic members.

Currently serving the dual role of President/CEO of Broward Health and Interim CEO of Memorial Healthcare, few have a pulse on the healthcare market as strong as Shane Strum. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites one of the busiest executives in the business to share what's happening, plus the collaboration between Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare, and the possibili...

Real estate is in the Feldman family DNA. Larry's father owned strip centers and he, in turn, taught his son Mack the ins & outs of the business with a few of his own unique leasing strategies while playing Monopoly. In this episode, TBBJ Real Estate Editor Ashley Gurbal Kritzer invites the Feldman Equities leaders to share their story, and explain what makes St. Petersburg so special.

With a growing focus on our communities, City Year is well positioned to make an impact- both in Jacksonville and across our state. In this download, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon invites City Year Jacksonville Executive Director Allishia Bauman to share how her team is making a difference.

In a mecca where theme parks attract millions annually, it's often forgotten that the arts also play a major role in Orlando. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao invites Cole NeSmith, Founder & CEO of Creative City Project, to share what's happening behind-the-scenes.

Jaime Sturgis and his team were born & raised in South Florida, so they know the neighborhoods and have a crystal ball when it comes to picking the next hot zip codes. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites Sturgis to share a few of his secrets and offer an outlook for 2025.

Like many entrepreneurs, Lauren Wittenberg Weiner had to figure things out on the fly when she entered the male-dominated field of military contracting. In this episode, she shares her story with TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner and previews her new book "Unruly".

His family came to America as Vietnamese refugees, and now Quang Pham epitomizes the American Dream. The first Vietnamese American to earn naval aviator's wings, Pham parlayed his leadership skills in the pharmaceutical industry. In this episode, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon welcomes Pham back to the podcast for an update on Cadrenal's groundbreaking tecarfarin drug.

Florida's growth continues and that means more & more traffic across the state, particularly in Central Florida, at the crossroads of the Sunshine State. In our season-opening episode, Orlando Business Journal Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao connects with Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) leader Michelle Maikisch to learn what her and her team are doing to keep people and business...

South Florida Business Journal Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez opens the year with an inspiring conversation. EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 National Overall Winner Christopher Barnett joins the podcast to share his entrepreneurial journey. Barnett is the Founder & Chairman of ABA Centers, CurativeAI and ICBD Holdings, the parent company to his portfolio of ventures.

These days, there's no shortage of negative influence on our next generation of leaders. Locally and across Florida, the Boys & Girls Clubs provide much more than just fun and games. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites Freddy Williams, President of the Tampa Bay and Suncoast Boys & Girls Clubs, to share his story and the positive influence the clubs are having in the...

It's a festive time of year, and with that in mind Jacksonville Business Journal Editor-in-Chief James Cannon calls on Robyn Lamp, who takes over as Executive Director at the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival. Lamp reflects on her career which includes performing at Carnegie Hall, and her transition to the business side of the arts.

Known for theme parks & tourism, Orlando is also growing its reputation as a mecca for major sporting events. In this download, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao connects with Greater Orlando Sports Commission President & CEO Jason Siegel, who shares the team effort behind the success, and what the future holds for more big events.

With the holiday season upon us, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez welcomes United Way Miami President and CEO Symeria Hudson to share her organization's impact, the needs of many across the area, and challenges in the year ahead.

Traffic congestion is relative, but that's no consolation for Florida residents who are adjusting to a pandemic-influx of new residents and now, the post-pandemic surge in return-to-office traffic. In this timely download, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner calls on Greg Slater, CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority, for his insight and past experience in traffic-clogged Maryland.

Higher interest rates killed many projects and stalled others, slowing Florida's fast-paced growth for the past two years. In this download, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon invites BHRS Companies Founder Brandon Hurd to share why he's cautiously optimistic about the year ahead, and where he sees opportunity for growth.

No stranger to the Orlando-area, Justin Williams returns from Atlanta to lead Winter Park's award-winning boutique hotel, The Alfond Inn. In this engaging episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao features Williams, who in addition to leading The Alfond Inn, is active in the community as a mentor to the next generation of leaders.

Founded in 2014, the eMerge Americas global tech conference set the stage for what has become a fast-growing tech scene. Is South Florida, and on a larger scale the Sunshine State, set to become the next Silicon Valley? And what's the outlook for 2025 and beyond? In this episode, eMerge Co-Founder, CEO & President Melissa Medina joins SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez to share her vision...

Lynnette Clinton is thrilled to be back as the Chief Information Officer at BayCare Health System, in spite of the circumstances. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites Clinton to share her career journey, and why she returned to lead the IT team at BayCare.

When hurricanes roll through Florida, the Gatorland team isn't worried about their gators and crocs escaping. They're actually more concerned about renegade reptiles attempting to get into the park- that's how good life is at Gatorland. In this entertaining episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao chats with Gatorland CEO Mark McHugh, who shares the success of this family busines...