Fluent in Floridian

Central Florida's arts scene is booming and Orlando Shakes Executive Director Cheryl Collins is reinventing the stage for a new generation through immersive environments, interactive staging and accessible pricing. In this episode, Collins joins SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway to discuss how that forward-looking vision took root, tracing Orlando Shakes' journey from a 1989 Lake Eola festiv...

Football season is back! But we've got a different game on our minds… With Orlando City SC Co-Founder Kay Rawlins retiring this year after nearly 15 years with the club, we're re-releasing her fan-favorite episode.  Tune in to hear Kay and SMPR President Heidi Otway as they reflect on her historic legacy in Florida sports and the true "Believe" spirit she brought to the Sunshine State.

What happens when girls are given the extra support and resources they need to flourish? Yessica Cancel knows. As CEO of Pace Center for Girls, Cancel brings more than two decades of experience in education and nonprofit work. In this episode, she joins SMPR President Heidi Otway to discuss the importance of pairing academics with comprehensive mental health support and the impact of giving young...

With 176 state parks across Florida, your next adventure might be closer than you think. In this episode, SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway and Florida State Parks Foundation Board President Matt Caldwell discuss what makes the Sunshine State's public lands so extraordinary. Listen to hear about Florida's crystal-clear springs, best-kept-secret spots and how to keep these natural treasures a...

Behind every hurricane forecast is a team making predictions that can impact millions of lives. As the current director of NOAA's National Hurricane Center, Michael Brennan's career has been defined by one mission: helping people make better decisions before, during and after a hurricane. From forecasting major storms such as Irma, Michael and Matthew to directly influencing emergency planning and...

What does it take to build trust between law enforcement and one of Central Florida's fastest-growing communities? From improving language access and creating new reporting pathways as an Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Liaison, Orange County Deputy Sheriff Thomas Lin offers a meaningful look at what supporting the communities through law enforcement can look like in practice. In this e...

Innovation doesn't happen by accident. It takes vision, partnership and leaders who know how to bring people together around a shared future. That's what Paul Sohl, CEO of the Florida High Tech Corridor, is doing as he helps connect education and research across one of the state's most dynamic regions. In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway speaks with Paul about his path from Rear Admiral in...

Water is one of Florida's most precious natural resources, sustaining our communities, ecosystems and economy. As population growth and development increase, protecting water quality has never mattered more. Syed Shah, CEO of Eco World Water, points to a solution: wastewater reuse. In this episode, Shah joins SMPR President Heidi Otway to discuss his love for the Sunshine State, why water sustaina...

Tampa Bay is growing rapidly, but rising housing costs are making it harder for working families to stay in the city they call home. That's why Mike Sutton, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside, is helping families achieve homeownership through zero-interest mortgages with the support of partners and volunteers. In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway sits down with Mik...

Martha McGill, president of Nemours Children's Health Hospital, shares Nemours' bold push to become Florida's top-ranked children's health system. From expanding core clinical programs to developing sharply talented care teams, Martha is leading the mission to invest in the well-being of kids across the state.  In this episode, she joins SMPR President Heidi Otway to share her journey from bedside...

With the longest coastline in the continental U.S. and 825 miles of warm beaches, Florida has a lot of shoreline to protect. That's where Pepper Uchino comes in. As president of the Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association, he leads the state's only organization devoted entirely to safeguarding the coastlines that make Florida so special. And with beach and waterfront activities among the mo...

How is Palm Beach County reshaping mental health care? On this episode of Fluent in Floridian, Health Care District CEO Darcy J. Davis and Dr. Courtney Phillips share how passion and innovation are changing the game - from crisis response to long-term care. Together, they're building a model that not only treats mental health challenges but also restores dignity and saves lives.

From a childhood spent playing with snakes to leading some of Florida's most innovative wildlife programs, Keith Winsten shares his journey in conservation and immersive animal experiences.  As executive director of the Brevard Zoo, which welcomes over 500,000 visitors annually, he helps rehabilitate sea turtles and manatees, restore habitats and create exciting adventures for visitors. In this ep...

Talethia Edwards is shaping the future of neighborhoods throughout Florida's Big Bend region. As executive director of Good News Outreach, she works to connect residents with critical resources that help communities flourish.  In this episode, Talethia talks with SMPR President Heidi Otway about her path from Miami to the state capital, and why she believes investing and advocating for people is t...

Cybercrime is rising, and Danny Jenkins is one of Florida's first lines of defense. As co-founder and CEO of ThreatLocker, Danny leads a global cybersecurity company headquartered right here in Florida, protecting more than 50,000 businesses from digital threats that grow more sophisticated each day.  In this episode, Danny shares his journey with SMPR President Heidi Otway from the UK to the Suns...

What does it really take to build hope, support and lasting change in the mental health space? Carali McLean, executive director of NAMI Florida, has some ideas. In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway sits down with Carali, a lifelong advocate whose journey from Pinellas County to statewide leadership is rooted in a core belief: asking for help is a strength. They discuss her early work in cl...

Traci Deen has dedicated her career to advocating for Florida, first as a public defender and now as the CEO of Conservation Florida, a nonprofit focused on preserving the state's water, land and wildlife. With over 34 million acres of land, Florida's ecosystems are central to the state's identity. But now, more than ever, they need our protection. In this episode, Traci sits down with SMPR Presid...

In this episode, SMPR President and Partner Heidi Otway sits down with James Woolley, a lifelong film enthusiast and executive director of the Miami Film Festival. He shares his journey from studying film management to gaining global festival experience and now curating a lineup that celebrates Miami's rich culture. James shares that film festivals are more than just watching movies. They offer a...

In this inspiring episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway sits down with Tiffany Greene, a proud FAMU alumna and trailblazing ESPN play-by-play commentator. As a Tampa native, Tiffany shares how her father's influence and her passion for storytelling led her from FAMU's broadcast journalism program to making history as the first African American woman to call NCAA football on a major network. From her...

One of Florida's most successful early learning models can be found where you may least expect it – a rural, multicultural community in South Florida with a population of 34,000 people. Immokalee is home to Guadalupe Center, where educators are breaking the poverty cycle and shaping childrens' futures through innovative educational programs. In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway chats with G...

Florida may be best known for its beaches and tourism, but it is also a manufacturing powerhouse. In this episode, seasoned manufacturing expert and FloridaMakes CEO Kevin Carr joins SMPR President Heidi Otway to chat about this growing industry. The word "manufacturing" is often associated primarily with cars, but it encompasses everything around you, from chocolate and medical devices to cheesec...

In this special homecoming episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway is joined by Jennifer Conoley, former SMPR intern and now president and CEO of Florida's Great Northwest.  Jennifer shares her journey from studying Public Relations at Florida State University to becoming a self-taught economic developer, driven by her passion for creating diverse, high-wage jobs.  Tune in to learn about Jennifer's vi...

SMPR Founder and CEO April Salter sits down with legendary sports broadcaster Gene Deckerhoff. Deckerhoff shares highlights of his decades-long career, calling electrifying Florida State Seminoles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers games and memorable moments with icons such as Coach Bobby Bowden and Burt Reynolds. Deckerhoff also shares insights into the evolving media landscape, the challenges of breaking...

SMPR founder and CEO April Salter chats with Dick Batchelor, founder of Dick Batchelor Management Group. Dick shares his journey from citrus farming and activism during the Vietnam War to becoming one of the youngest members of the Florida House of Representatives.  He also gives listeners a glimpse into his latest book, Building Bridges in Toxic Political Times: A Road Map for Community Leaders,...

Children aren't just our future – they're also our present. That's why SMPR President Heidi Otway sat down to talk with Children's Forum President and CEO Erin Smeltzer, an advocate for quality early childhood education for young students across the country. Inspired by her mother's impact as the first female first responder in her county, Erin knew she wanted to make a life-long difference in her...