Freedom to Rise

Ernest Hooper fills in for Bronwyn to talk with Tampa Bay Partnership CEO Bemetra Simmons about two new reports on housing and regional competitiveness. They discuss the region’s housing affordability gap, the need for more workforce housing, and why stronger regional collaboration is key to Tampa Bay’s future. Plus, Hooper highlights United Way Suncoast’s Coaching United program and its impact on...

United Way Suncoast Chief Communications Officer Ernest Hooper guest hosts to discuss the 2026 ALICE report with Turning Points Executive Director Kathleen Cramer and United Way Suncoast’s Doug Griesenauer. They explain that ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households often earn above the federal poverty line but still can’t afford basics as costs outpace wages, leaving many one...

Bronwyn welcomes back United Way Suncoast Disaster Resiliency Officer Heather Koester to the Freedom to Rise podcast as the 2026 Hurricane season is upon us. They discuss 2025 recovery work after hurricanes Helene and Milton and United Way’s leadership in strengthening COAD and long-term recovery coordination. They also discuss the Verizon-sponsored Beyond the Storm business continuity/COOP worksh...

Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse.  joins Bronwyn on the Freedom to Rise Podcast to discuss rapid growth, housing affordability, and why mixed-income housing near jobs, schools, and transit is essential to reduce the infrastructure strain. 

United Way Suncoast CEO Jessica Muroff describes her six years leading this organization as one of the greatest honors of her life. On this special episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, host Bronwyn Beightol reviews Jessica's most significant accomplishments during her tenure, and why United Way Suncoast will always hold a special place in her heart. She leaves the organization on Jan. 9 to...

In this episode, the Freedom to Rise Podcast explores how United Way Suncoast is reshaping the future of giving through Go United, a new digital platform built to connect donors more deeply with the causes they care about. Bronwyn is joined by United Way Suncoast Chief of Staff Heather Navratil and Rev Star Consulting Product Manager Priya Rudas about how this innovative portal bridges technology...

In this episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast , Bronwyn chats with Jose Garcia, CEO of Rebuilding Together Greater Florida discussing disaster recovery, affordable housing preservation, and their partnership with United Way Suncoast to create workforce and training opportunities.  For over 25 years, Garcia has led efforts to repair homes and restore hope, expanding the organization from one to si...

Bronwyn invites Congresswoman Kathy Castor to the Freedom to Rise podcast to explore the urgent challenges shaping our communities today. With nearly two decades of service in Congress, Rep. Castor shares insights on combating climate change, strengthening disaster resiliency, and creating opportunities for good-paying jobs. She also addresses the rising concerns around healthcare access, veteran...

The federal government will stop issuing paper checks for most benefit payments beginning in September. This change could create real challenges for unbanked individuals who rely on check-cashing outlets.  On this episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast , we explore how the Bank On Suncoast program, a collaborative initiative led by United Way Suncoast and regional partners, is helping ensure every...

Hurricane season officially begins June 1st; and if you're feeling almost prepared, you're not alone. In this special episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast, we’re leaning into hurricane preparedness and the power of community partnerships.  Thanks to a grant from Verizon through United Way Worldwide, we're amplifying our efforts during National Hurricane Preparedness Month to ensur...

When we delve into the topic of affordable and workforce housing in this state, issues pop up like dollar weed on a Florida lawn. What can be done to address an issue that weighs on our economy and weakens our labor force? On this episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, we talk to Kody Glazer, the Florida Housing Coalition's Chief Legal and Policy Director, about this pressing state issue.

In this episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast , host Bronwyn Beightol welcomes Molly Grant, Executive Director of the Association of Early Learning Coalitions, and Madeleine Thakur, President and CEO of The Children’s Movement of Florida. Together, they explore Florida’s new 2024 tax credit designed to incentivize employer-supported childcare—whether through on-site facilities or partnerships wit...

In this episode of Freedom to Rise , we dive into the data that shapes Tampa Bay’s future. Each year, the Tampa Bay Partnership and the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business, with support from the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and United Way Suncoast, release the Regional Competitiveness Report and Tampa Bay eInsights. These reports provide key insights into economic trends, a...

In this episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast, Bronwyn discusses key disaster recovery questions with Brady Penn, a FEMA External Affairs Officer working clsesly with the relief efforts from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. With over $1.8 billion in housing and public assistance granted to Florida communities hit by the recent storms, FEMA is offering critical support; but the application process ca...

A  significant number of the communities in our area live without the conveniences and advantages banking accounts offer. Bronwyn invites Mark Smith, Financial Stability Manager and Bank On lead for United Way Suncoast and Patrick Eichholtz Community Development manager for First Horizon Bank in a discussion about what it means to be unbanked or underbanked and why economic inclusion is a focal po...

The new 2024 ALICE Report illuminates the plight of families living paycheck to paycheck, and highlights the fact that the household survival budget for a family of four in Pinellas County now ranks as the highest in the state. On this episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, we delve into the results of the new ALICE report and explore how we're weaving together our education and financial st...

In framing the findings of its latest Regional Competitiveness Report, the Tampa Bay Partnership used the term The Allure of Sunshine. The report highlights the fact that for Tampa Bay to maximize its potential, it has to go beyond warm weather and scenic vistas and address the drivers behind workforce and affordability trends. On this episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, we speak with the part...

United Way Worldwide Senior Director of State Policy and Advocacy, often asks United Way advocates "to find the person in each of the representatives" they meet and set aside partisan differences. It’s key, she said, to removing the invisible walls trapping the community members United Way strives to serve. On this episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, we talk about advocacy and how Un...

Some present a rosy picture of the Florida economy, but on the latest episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, we delve deeper into the data and explain why all is not well for the state's ALICE families. Florida Trend associate editor Mike Brassfield and United Way Suncoast Data Analysis Director Aaron Neal join United Way Suncoast Chief Impact Officer Bronwyn Beightol to give a true picture...

In our region, only a handful of philanthropic organizations have thrived over the course of decades, marching with time and evolving to keep pace. At United Way Suncoast, we're proud to be in that group and eager to celebrate our success as we move into our second century of service.  Here to tell us more about the centennial celebration is our very own CEO Jessica Muroff.  Chief Impact Offi...

The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners recently voted to slash its funding for Suncoast 2-1-1, a vital service that provides a 24/7 path to support for community members in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto. What's the potential impact of losing that funding? Heart of Florida United Way 2-1-1 vice president Catherine Rea and Glasser/Schoenbaum executive director Charlene Altenhain join United...

All politics is local, but much can be done on the Federal level to affect us here on the Suncoast. Congresswoman Laurel Lee joins the Freedom to Rise Podcast as a lifelong public servant who has experience as a federal prosecutor, a circuit judge, and Florida’s Secretary of State - and is already making an impact for Florida’s 15th Congressional District.  Congresswoman Lee discusses her experien...

All across the Suncoast region, early learning educators and parents find themselves dealing with a crisis within a crisis: children acting out the emotional trauma of their lives, disrupting learning and creating an issue that results in parents losing their jobs. It’s a trauma that often begins in the home, and the pandemic has only served to exacerbate the issue. United Way Suncoast has partner...

In this episode of the  Freedom to Rise Podcast, Bronwyn welcomes  St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, a distinguished public servant with over 20 years of experience. Mayor Welch made history by becoming the first commissioner to represent County Commission District 7 in St. Petersburg, and he's the second African American commissioner in the history of Pinellas County. Mayor Welch assumed the r...

Metropolitan Ministries' latest effort can be summed up in two words: Come Together. MetMin's NeighborHope Project focuses on zip codes disproportionately suffering from childhood poverty. The Florida Chamber's Prosperity Project identified the zip codes and MetMin has identified ways to help, including collaborating with United Way Suncoast and other organizations. Listen up as the...