It's Happenin' In the Haven

In Episode 11 - Scream Test we hear from Ginger Cook , a co-producer and Unit Production Manager for the full-length thriller film, Scream Test, which filmed almost entirely in Winter Haven this spring. Ginger shares information about the film and what their experience has been like recording with Dolphin Image Studios and in Winter Haven. We also learn about the nonprofit  Heart for Winter H...

In Episode 10 - Leading through Civil Service we hear from County Commissioner Dr. Martha Santiago about her journey to Polk County, her life in public education and why she decided to run for County Commission. We also learn more about city and county leadership program with Leadership Polk Director Talitha Bean, Leadership Polk Alumnus Orathai Northern and Polk Vision Director Kim Long. This pod...

Episode 9 Little Jumbo is a truly uplifting and motivating episode about hard work, the reality of realizing your dreams and finding the "why" in your life's work. We interview Fred Koehler , nationally-recognized children's book author and illustrator, who in an inspiring and funny interview explains how he went from doodling in a coffee shop to being a published author. It's just the story we ne...

On Episode 8 - Do You Believe in Magic we speak with the dynamic Shelly Wilkes who worked her way up through the Orlando Magic to be named the President of their professional developmental G-League team, the Lakeland Magic. We also get an important briefing from Kim Long, Executive Director of Polk Vision, on the 2020 Census which will officially kick off on April 1. Learn why getting accurate acc...

On Episode 7- Downtown Is Our Stage we speak with Anita Strang, President of Main Street Winter Haven, about how she got involved in downtown and all of the amazing things happening on the "stage" that is our community's core! We also hear from Lori Rice and Chris Hazelwood, co-chairs of this year's Relay for Life benefiting the American Cancer Society and cancer research during our "giving back"...

On Episode 6 - There's No Business Like Show Business we hear from Dan Chesnicka, producing director for Theatre Winter Haven. We also get a lesson in primaries and caucuses from Polk State Government adjunct professor Ed Smith and we get to know our Chamber VP of Member Services, Amanda Jo Nicholson and why she made the leap to Winter Haven from across the pond. So many best in class people packe...

On Episode 5 – Unclear Path, we speak to Artie Renee Pobjecky with Pobjecky & Pobjecky, LLP Global Immigration Firm and the Chamber's 2019-2020 Board Chair about her journey to Winter Haven, the period of uncertainly in her life and career and what businesses and individuals need to know about current immigration policies. We also celebrate Heart Month with some advice from Shelly Moore, Polk...

On Episode 4 - Soar Eagles, we hear from the dynamic President of Polk State College, Dr. Angela Garcia Falconetti, about her career path to Polk State's presidency and what having Polk State and its dedicated faculty, staff and students in our community does to lift us all up. Then we walk ye plank with some pirate talk from Chloe Boehm, PR Manager from LEGOLAND Florida on what's to come in 2020,...

Episode 3 – "Say Cheese" includes stories of espionage, acupuncture and dog fighting. Featuring interviews with Mike Potthast and his video team, Joel Faubert and Rick Maldonado, from Potthast Studios, Dr. Mitsie Vargas with Orchid Springs Animal Hospital and Lisa Baker with the Humane Society of Polk County. This podcast is sponsored by Dolphin Image Studios, the Fred Simons Insurance Agency...

On Episode 2 - "Fueling Connections" we hear from Greg Littleton, President of Citizens Bank & Trust and his team members Bonnie Parker and Chad Tagtow about their journeys to community banking and what it's like working for a company that has been family owned for 100 YEARS! We also hear from the enchanting and inspiring sisters behind Amonie Jo's Coffee and we have our moment of zen learning...

In our inaugural Episode 1 - "Head and Heart" we interview Winter Haven Mayor Brad Dantzler who talks about what it was like to grow up in Winter Haven, why he ran for office and what is in store/excites him about Winter Haven's future. We also have a few short segments including a history segment by Bob Gernert, the director of the Museum of Winter Haven History, a "How I Got Here" story from Ale...

Welcome to It's Happenin' In the Haven! This podcast is presented by the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Dolphin Image Studios! Through our partnership with   Dolphin Image Studios and our podcast sponsors, we are thrilled to be bringing something new to Winter Haven in 2020. On each episode of It's Happenin' In the Haven , we have the privilege to speak to t...