The Community Podcast

There are some amazing events happening in Orlando this week! Here are a few: Go Magic! Saturday, April 19 Free Earth Day Family DayArt & History Museums of Maitland10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Central Florida Earth DayLake Eola Park10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Plant Nerd FestThornton Park (E. Washington Street from Summerlin Ave to Hyer… Continue reading The Community Calendar for April 16, 2025

There are some amazing events happening in Orlando this week! Here are a few: Science & Wine Giveaway Thursday, April 10 Dock & DineThe Great Southern Box Company Food Hall & Bar6:30 – 10 p.m. Friday, April 11 Orlando Collected Preview NightOrange County Regional History Center7 – 9 p.m. Saturday, April 12 Orlando Kite FestivalOCPS… Continue reading The Community Calendar for Apr...

Here are the Orlando events we discuss in this episode: Thursday, April 3 Spring is in the Air – Art Exhibition Opening ReceptionQuantum Leap Winery6 – 8 p.m. April 4 – 5 Monthly Art StrollFaith Arts Village Orlando April 4 – 6 Spring Book SaleOrlando Public Library April 5 – 6 Spring Fiesta in the… Continue reading The Community Calendar for April 2, 2025

Here are the Orlando events we discuss on this episode: Friday, March 28 Bike to Work DayLuminary Green Park; 437 N. Terry Avenue7 – 10 a.m. Saturday, March 29 The Great Duck DerbyMead Botanical Garden10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Women in the Arts ExpoOrlando Public Library2 – 4 p.m. Sunday, March 30 Community Taste &… Continue reading The Community Calendar for March 26, 2025

The events we discussed on this episode! Thursday, March 20 Access for AllOrlando Museum of Art10 a.m. – 8 p.m.https://omart.org/events/access_for_all_oma/ Dog Day at the DerbyMennello Museum of American Art6 – 7:30 p.m.https://www.mennellomuseum.org/Events/Dog-Day-at-the-Derby Sensing: A Chocolate Tasting and Yoga ExperienceMennello Museum of American Art6 – 7:30 p.m.https://www.mennellomuseum.or...

The events we discussed in this episode: March 11 – 17St. Patrick’s Day WeekThe Castle Irish Pub Thursday, March 13Pop-Up PoetryThe Monroe11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Friday, March 14Milky Way – St . Paddy’s Bar + Bites CrawlThe Milk District6 – 10 p.m. Saturday, March 15Florida Coffee Culture Birthday BashEast End Market7 – 10:30 p.m.… Continue reading The Community Calendar for March 12...

Thursday, June 13 Food and Livability Lesson – Summer Session McQuigg Urban Farm 5:30  – 7:30 p.m. 2nd Thursday Wine & Art Walk Thornton Park District 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Low Slow and Deep Yoga College Park Gallery 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 14 But I’m a Cheerleader Film & Sketch Joybird Books 8 – 10… Continue reading What’s happening in Orlando – June 15 weekend

In this episode, Logan Lamphere joins Tommy and Nick as the three discuss the 4Roots Farm Campus, some community favorite businesses in the Dover Shores Shopping Center and Florida-friendly landscaping. Tommy also updates listeners on the latest news from city council including a 20-story building approved for the North Quarter. 

Debbie, Tommy and Nick toast to 33 years of The Community Paper. Nick gives us a Packing District and pickleball update and talks about the “warehouse district” between College Park and OBT. Tommy gives us an update on the Under-i project and development on North Orange Avenue that could bridge the north quarter with the… Continue reading Episode 34

Tommy, Debbie and Nick reminisce on back-to-school memories, share resources to learn more about the candidates vying for the newly formed Florida House Districts 40 and 42 and talk about some cool new spots that opened in north downtown.

Tommy and Nick sit down with Nora Brooker, owner of Nora’s Sugar Shack in Ivanhoe Village. Nora talks about what brought her to Florida, taking the dive of opening the Sugar Shack, increasing events at Nora’s and more.

North downtown contributor Monika Knotts is the special guest on this episode to talk about the history of Mills 50 and Orlando’s booming wrestling scene. Nick talks about the Legacy Life Project, a unique and meaningful way to tell a loved one’s story. Nick and Monika also discuss their joint story on vintage fashion trends… Continue reading Episode 31

Local realtor Rob Kurzreiter is the special guest on this episode of The Community Podcast, where he breaks down the crazy real estate market. Rob talks with Debbie and Nick about interest rates, rent increases and the up-and-coming areas of Central Florida.

The Parramore District is the newest Main Street district in the City of Orlando, branching off from the City District and becoming its own district this February. Executive director Natasha Gaye comes on The Community Podcast to discuss her plans for the district and explains the mission of historic preservation and economic development in Main… Continue reading Episode 29

Tommy, Debbie and Nick break down the hot news from the June edition, including an in-depth look at the pizza ovens of Edgewater Drive, A La Cart’s expansion into the SoDo District and other new business openings. Nick also explains the plans to convert the Ambassador Hotel into affordable housing and Tommy updates listeners on… Continue reading Episode 28

The Community Podcast is brought to you by the Community Paper. Join publisher Debbie Gunter and managing editor Tommy Cardinal as they discuss what’s happening around downtown Orlando and College Park.

Tommy heads to the WMFE studios to get to know local NPR station’s newly appointed president and general manager, Judith Smelser. The two talk about their paths to journalism, wine, road trips and what Smelser’s new role on the other side of the newsroom looks like.

In this episode, Debbie, Tommy and Nick discuss what events from the Community Calendar they’re looking forward to in March, the formation of the Parramore District, how the Packing District development is repurposing old buildings, the redrawing of commissioner district maps and the latest from city council including the latest on the Edgewater Drive redesign. 

In this episode, Nick tells us about the new YMCA being built in the Packing District, Logan discusses the FDOT’s plans to reconnect the Griffin Park Housing Project to the Parramore neighborhood, Debbie breaks down the crazy real estate market, and Tommy tells us what city council is up to.

Debbie and Nick interview author and longtime Orlando resident Joanie Schirm about her latest book, Steadfast Ink: The Journey Within. This is the third book she has written about her father’s experiences escaping the Nazis in Czechoslovakia, working at a hospital in China where he met his wife, and eventually moving to Central Florida with… Continue reading Episode 23

In this episode, Tommy, Debbie, and Nick discuss the deals made to move the newest mixed-use apartment project in Ivanhoe Village forward, the science behind juice diets, and the planned renovations for the Wells’ Built Museum. They also discuss their new year’s resolutions and changes to The Community Paper being implemented in 2022.

A look back at the most interesting stories of 2021.

Debbie, Tommy and Nick discuss the start of the holiday season and some of the iconic holiday decorations in downtown Orlando. The three also discuss what the future holds for the historic OUC building in Ivanhoe Village, the redesigns of Albert and Dartmouth Parks in College Park, how to help J. Henry’s after the iconic… Continue reading Episode 20

In this episode of The Community Podcast, Tommy and Nick take a trip to a new concept in the Milk District, the Milkhouse, a shared space which houses Foxtail Coffee, Ravenous Pig Brewing Company, Bagel Bruno, Cichetti, The Courtesy Bar and Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream all in one space.

Debbie, Tommy and Nick break down the latest news from downtown and College Park. They discuss what’s coming in phase II of the Creative Village development, the philanthropic benefit of events returning, the Holocaust Center’s Take Action Institute, and the time Debbie got a standing ovation at karaoke on a cruise ship.