Sarasota SpeaX

Former Sarasota Rapper, SOTA’s Finest Brandon Nadal, joins the show this week to talk about his past, and his new future as an Expediter, who is documenting his career (and journey) on YouTube.  Along with his dog, and co-star, Bubba Joe, Brandon dives into the world of expedited shipping.  Brandon goes into the challenges, and benefits, of touring the country-side as an expediter. You can check o...

This week, we have the CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Jennifer Rominiecki, on the show.  Selby Gardens truly is a unique and wonderful experience in the heart of Sarasota that combines, the arts, wonderful food, and of course, the amazing plant life that is there for you and your family to experience first-hand.  Selby is also the home of the best scientifically documented collection of orc...

On this episode of the podcast, the boys sit down with Fernando Vega, CEO of CryoXL, located in Sarasota.  CryoXL is like a med spa, that focuses on performance over aesthetics.  However, their clientele come in for both reasons.  During the discussion, you’ll learn about the benefits of IV therapy, cryotherapy (and why Fernando refers to it as the Han Solo Effect), and much more. The guys get int...

This week, the Sarasota SpeaX crew is sitting down with Florida Director for Innovative Advertising, and political strategist, Jamie Miller, for an in-depth discussion about the city we love so much.  We jump into the plans for the new Bay Park which will open to the public, located where the current parking lot of the Van Wezel is.  We also revisit a topic that has been on everyone’s minds these...

This week, the boys are sitting down with Christine Nordstrom of Five-O Donut Co!  If you haven’t tried one of their “Arrestingly Good Donuts”, you have 6 locations to choose from, with a seventh not too far in the future.  We’re talking about Christine’s career in the food industry, the highs and lows.  We also learn a bit more about the donut business, and why it’s so difficult to succeed in thi...

On this week’s show, Sarasota is speaking with the inventor and founder of iTarget Pro, Mr. Joe Crouch.  Joe shares with us his past, which including a life of pursuing sex, drugs, and rock and roll, and how a divine intervention led him away from the lifestyle he was living, towards God, and eventually out west to pursue a new path out in California. During his time in Hollywood, he worked a care...

This week, we are fortunate to sit down with the current mayor of Sarasota, Mr. Kyle Battie.  We mix it up a bit by diving into Kyle’s backstory as a professional in the hospitality industry, a model, and even a host of a TV show on ABC7 before he entered the world of politics.  The guys discuss some of the challenges and opportunities that face our community, and how the mayor sees Sarasota conti...

If you’re not hungry at the time you’re listening to this, you will be by the time your finish.  That’s because we’re sitting down with Natalia Levey, professional restaurateur, chef, author and owner of HI Hospitality Group, home of so many delicious dining establishments in the Sarasota area.  We get into Natalia’s background, and how she made her way to Sarasota, by way of New York…by way of ov...

This week, the boys sit down with local restaurant and bar owner, local entrepreneur, and a pillar of the Sarasota community, Mike Evanoff.  We dive into how Mike made his way down here from New Hampshire, and how working his first job for his father ended up leading into a career of local businesses that have benefited Sarasota.  In turn, Mike has made it his mission to help give back to the comm...

If you’re in the Sarasota area, and have ever purchased a beer from a grocery store or retailer, had a cold one poured from a local bar or restaurant, purchased a bottled water or energy drink, odds are, it came from Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.  This week, we are joined by President and Equity Manager/Owner of Gold Coast Distributing.  She is also the 4th generation of the organization leadersh...

This week, we host Ian Prukner, successful entrepreneur, author, keynote speaker (including a Ted Talk), husband and father.  While Ian is on a mission to help others unlock their potential, he didn’t always have the success he now enjoys.  You’ll hear about his humble beginnings working in the church…along with several jobs just to pay the bills.  He also dives a bit into his backstory as a first...

This episode of Sarasota SpeaX features professional Chiropractor, and founder of Sarasota Spine and Sports Performance, Dr. Rob Jones.  Dr. Rob came to Florida via Lawrence, Kansas, by way of Canada.  In this discussion, we dive into Dr. Rob’s career of building a successful practice in Kansas, working with the University of Kansas Athletics, a variety of collegiate, amateur, and professional ath...

On this episode, the Sarasota SpeaX crew sits down with Brandon Gomes, star of the MTV reality series, Siesta Key.  We discuss how the opportunity of a lifetime landed in his lap, after years of pursuing other options in NYC.  We also get into Brandon’s business, Siesta G, and how he sees his cannabis business growing beyond his hometown. We also get into some of the other opportunities that the M...

This week, we sit down for an in-depth discussion with this phenomenal husband and wife duo that has built their own insurance brokerage in downtown Sarasota.  We get into their backstory, how they ended up in the insurance industry, and what it’s like to build a business as a husband and wife team.  Dees Insurance has been a leader in marketing the education side of insurance to their customers,...

It began with the awareness of a problem, numerous manatees dying for some unknown reason.  That research led Dominic Marino, his brother Vince, and Matt DeMasi to realize the problem was much deeper than originally thought.  The waterways that we have come to enjoy and love in SW Florida were suffering from an issue that could, in-part, be dealt with by incorporating one of nature’s natural water...

James Wilkoszewski, Co-Founder and COO of Pilgrim Ammunition could very well be the most interesting man in the world.  Perhaps it’s the beard, the Australian accent, his background, or possibly a combination of all three, along with few other details here and there.  James has quite fascinating story on his past, and just how he ended up in Sarasota Florida, after growing up from Down Under. He s...

This week, we sit down with Chris Broby Hansen, Co-Founder of VayCay Global, a Florida-based company focused on wellness and lifestyle products.  During our conversation, we dive into Chris’ background in the medical sales industry, his personal recovery from addiction, and how he ended up starting VayCay. The discussion around CBD and Cannabis products is a hot topic, and Chris shares the benefit...

This is by far one of the most interesting conversations we’ve ever had.  Dovydas dropped by the studio for an in-depth discussion about his career, what brought him to Sarasota, how he developed his unique style, and what he’s up to now. Many of you may know him from his performances on St. Armands Circle.  Others know him from his massive following on his YouTube Channel @dovydasmusic.  This was...

This week’s episode features Grant Talkie, former Porsche Sprint Challenge Gold Class Champion, turned entrepreneur.  Grant is the owner of Professional Lift Solutions, a company that builds custom lifts for both commercial and residential properties…though racing will always be in his blood. On the episode, we dive into Grant’s business, and how he recently made it into the Inc 5000 as one of the...

We welcome Sarasota Realtor and Managing Partner of the Sopranos Social Club, Stephanie Soffer to the podcast.  While real estate is her primary focus, we spend much of our conversation discussing the Sopranos Social Club, a unique Wine Bar where you can partake in wine tastings, rent lockers to store your own wine, and even purchase wines directly.  The space is only open to wine tastings and for...

From the moment Mackenzie walked into our studio, she was an absolute ball of energy and enthusiasm.  While MTV’s Teen Mom star is often told “she looks taller on TV”, don’t let her size fool you.  She brought the enthusiasm to the show, and we couldn’t have been more grateful. In this episode, Mackenzie peels back the curtain during her time being filmed by the MTV Reality series, 16 & Pregna...

Insurance Claim and Personal Injury Attorney, Tom Cherichello goes above and beyond for his clients! He has made a great impact on the community in the Sarasota area, which also comes with some priceless stories! Tom shares his backstory on what brought him to the Sarasota area. A chance encounter (with a future Sarasota SpeaX guest) ended up being a life altering experience which changed the cour...

This is definitely one of the more comprehensive episodes of Sarasota SpeaX to date.  We sit down for an incredible interview with Dr. Gary Kompothecras, the man who made a name for himself with 1-800-Ask-Gary, the accident helpline which informed accident victims of their rights, and the opportunity to speak to a doctor and/or attorney. We talk about Gary’s background, and what eventually brought...

Our guest this week is professional restauranteur, George Wood, owner of Georgie’s Garden Café and Bar George in the University Town Center district, in Sarasota.  You’ll learn more about how George voluntarily dropped out of high school to pursue a career in professional golf, and how that ultimately led him down the path of becoming a successful owner of several restaurants and bars, at just the...

There’s just something to someone who’s very well dressed…and Donald Carlson may just be one of the sharpest dressed entrepreneurs in all of Florida.  After all, it’s his business, and led him to found Tweeds Custom Suits & Accessories in Sarasota.  Don took the concept of custom suits, added a bit of ingenuity, and transformed the way people purchase custom suits and attire.  By understanding...