The Money Market Podcast

Grab your helmet and your headphones because this week the "Money" Market Podcast is kicking things off with bowl season energy! Host Owen LaFave sits down with Blake Guthrie, Director of Community Partnerships for the ReliaQuest Bowl held at Raymond James Stadium. They deep dive into how this iconic Tampa Bay tradition scores big for our local economy – from team selections and TV deals to commun...

What if we've been treating healthcare all wrong? Dr. Chris Slininger, owner of Cerebral Chiropractic Center of Tampa Bay, joins Owen on the "Money" Market Podcast to discuss what it looks like to turn an entire system on its head. He's not just focused on managing pain but on a mission to revolutionize the baseline health of an entire city. From calling out quick fixes to how subsidies can fuel b...

St. Petersburg is on fire and not just with construction cranes on every corner. We're back in this Bay boomtown on "Money" Market with host Owen LaFave as he sits down with Mike Swesey, President & CEO of St. Pete Economic Development Corporation, to talk about why businesses are flocking to this coastal city. With more than 30 years of experience driving growth, Mike shares how the EDC is puttin...

What if the key to thriving in business, health, and life wasn't working harder but training smarter? In today's episode of the "Money" Market Podcast, Owen LaFave and Jim Godin of EXOS uncover how the same science used to train NFL stars can transform the way executives, parents, and professionals perform every day. From hydration hacks to mental resilience, recovery strategies to avoiding burnou...

What if your business could bottle memories? That's exactly what Dennis and Misty Akers set out to do when they launched The Candle Pour, Tampa's first pour-your-own candle bar. In this lively episode of "Money" Market, host Owen LaFave dives into how the husband-and-wife duo turned their leap from corporate life into a thriving, "Amazon-proof" experience that's as much about connection as it is a...

On this episode of "Money" Market, Owen LaFave talks with acclaimed Tampa Bay photographer Andy Glogower, whose striking wildlife and landscape images have a way of stopping people mid-scroll. His talent has earned him a multitude of awards and recognitions, including the title of Nature Photographer of the Year, a spot in the Top 10 Photographers by the Florida Professional Photographers, and rep...

This week on "Money" Market, the tables are turned as host Owen finds himself in the hot seat — interviewed by none other than his wife (and previous Money Market Podcast guest), Jessica Muroff, who also happens to be the CEO of United Way Suncoast. Listeners get a rare behind-the-mic look at Owen's journey from almost-med-student to respected banking leader and podcast voice. Jessica dives into t...

What makes St. Pete–Clearwater one of the world's most resilient and desirable destinations? In this episode of "Money" Market, host Owen LaFave sits down with Brian Lowack, President & CEO of Visit St. Pete–Clearwater, to discuss how the region is attracting visitors from across the globe. They cover everything from international travel trends and new direct flights to Latin America, to reboundin...

What if artificial intelligence could make your doctor's visit shorter, your bills cheaper, and your care more personal? In this episode of Money Market, host Owen LaFave chats with Florida Blue's West Florida Market President, Phil Lee, to explore how AI is reshaping the healthcare experience from the inside out. Together, they unpack how automation is freeing up doctors and nurses to spend more...

What if we told you philanthropy has one of the best returns on investment out there? In this episode of Money Market, host Owen LaFave sits down with Kristen McCall, President of AdventHealth Foundation West Florida, to explore how generosity isn't just good for the soul—it's good business, too. Kristen shares her journey from sorority VP of Philanthropy to leading 11 foundations and a 23-person...

Chris has always had a passion for animals. This passion manifested itself into a lifelong career of caring for animals at one of the world's finest zoos - ZooTampa at Lowry Park. From humble beginnings working as a primate intern to his rise as the Chief Zoological Officer, Chris has developed a sophisticated team of zoo professionals that passionately care for around 1000 animals. In fiscal year...

Is a recession looming? How will tariffs impact business? Where is the market headed? Are we doomed? Patrick Luce and Jeremy Bess have surprising answers. Both are senior economists at Stantec and have been a tag team duo ever since they graduated from University of Tampa with their B.A. and USF with their masters. Equal parts fun and informative, this lively episode is sure to be anything but nor...

Working as a policy analyst for the federal government spanning three different presidents is a successful endeavor. Building a successful 100 million dollar business and selling it is even more impressive, especially since it was never meant to be a serious job. Now, Lauren Weiner has compiled what made her successful in her new book Unruly: Deconstruct the Rules, Defy the Norms, and Define Your...

Neil Kiefer is the CEO of HMC Hospitality Group and one of the six founders of The Original Hooters® in Clearwater, Florida. While Hooters of America has flown away from its roots, Kiefer and his team have consistently implemented the game plan that made them successful in the first place. The corporate-owned Hooters® (HOA) has not only filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, they've also shut down sever...

Mike Boylan of Mike's Weather Page is a content creator and weather enthusiast most Floridians know and have come to trust during storm season. He joins host Owen LaFave to tell the story of how an "average guy with no agenda" went from creating a simple website in the early 2000s to becoming an unexpected social media sensation. Mike shares how his low-hype, no-click-bait approach to weather has...

Andrea Gonzmart Williams, the fifth-generation caretaker of the Columbia Restaurant Group and Tampa's 2024 Hispanic Woman of the Year, joins Owen LaFave to tell the inspiring story of an establishment that needs no introduction if you're a local. Founded in 1905, the Columbia Restaurant survived historical events like the Great Depression, Prohibition, and the Spanish Flu and has expanded to inclu...

Craig Richard, President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council (EDC), joins Owen LaFave to discuss Tampa Bay's strength as the fourth most diverse economy in the United States, a reality that helped it recover quickly from the COVID-19 pandemic. The EDC's mission is to build a thriving local economy that attracts and retains businesses from a variety of industries. To accomplish th...

Bridgette Bello, CEO and Publisher of Tampa Bay Business & Wealth (TBBW) magazine, joins Owen Lafave for an honest conversation about taking risks in storytelling and in business. Bridgette has had a dynamic career as a media entrepreneur, which began with journalism studies at the University of Florida, continued with stints in radio and newspaper publishing, and eventually landed her on the busi...

Stephanie Lieb, a business attorney based in Tampa at Trenam Law, sits down with host Owen LaFave to explore all aspects of bankruptcy. The conversation starts by examining the sharp rise in bankruptcy filings in recent years, especially among small businesses in Florida, as well as the reasons behind this significant increase. Stephanie highlights how industries like freight, logistics, and resta...

Greg Celestan, CEO of Celestar Corporation, joins Owen LaFave for a fascinating conversation on the latest trends in the intelligence industry. Spoiler: It isn't everything you see in spy movies. Greg explains that intelligence work is often slow, complex, and not nearly as glamorous or action-packed as media portrayals, since real operatives are meant to blend in and avoid attention. The intellig...

Bill Eshenbaugh, a veteran land broker in Tampa Bay known as "The Dirt Dog," speaks with host Owen LaFave about the thousands of acres of land he's sold over his 40+-year career, resulting in his induction into multiple industry halls of fame. Bill shares the origins of his nickname, based on his tenacity and extensive experience selling distressed properties. The conversation turns to trends in t...

Alison Barlow, Executive Director of the St. Petersburg Innovation District, joins Owen LaFave to answer the common questions: What exactly is this district and why does it exist? The Innovation District is a geographical area along the waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg that brings together anchor institutions like USF, John Hopkins All Children's Hospital, and Bayfront Health to foster collab...

Whit Blanton, executive director of Forward Pinellas, joins Owen LaFave for an in-depth conversation on all things transportation in Tampa Bay. Forward Pinellas is a unique organization in Florida, combining transportation and land use planning to coordinate efforts across 24 municipalities–each with its own specific needs. As Pinellas County continues to grow and closes in on a population of 1 mi...

Brian Butler, President and CEO of Vistra Communications, lets host Owen LaFave in on a little secret: how the skill of active listening can benefit leaders in any business, and why it's at the core of his own business–a strategic communications agency. After retiring from the US Army as a decorated career officer, Brian put his leadership skills to good use in the private sector. Learn how Brian...

Jake Holehouse, CEO of HH Insurance Group, joins host Owen LaFave for a deep dive into a topic relevant to every Floridian: the cost of insurance in our wonderful but weather-prone state. Yes, Florida has experienced insurance challenges in recent years–especially when it comes to property, auto, flood, and marine insurance–but as Jake says, "It doesn't have to be expensive in Florida." This infor...