Unlocking Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is home to one of the country's rare cultural treasures, and this episode takes you inside it. In this episode of Unlocking Tampa Bay, hosts Bryan Burns and Molly Barbieri head to the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA) in Ybor City, one of only a handful of museums in the United States dedicated exclusively to photography. FMoPA Executive Curator Robin O'Dell guides us t...

Tampa Bay has a new voice leading one of its most treasured cultural institutions, and she's bringing a world-class perspective to a city with a story worth telling. In this episode of Unlocking Tampa Bay, hosts Bryan Burns and Molly Barbieri sit down with Audrey Chapuis, the new President and CEO of the Tampa Bay History Center, who stepped into the role in December 2025 after spending 11 yea...

For ten years, those iconic yellow boats gliding along the Hillsborough River have been one of Tampa Bay's most recognizable sights and one of its most beloved ways to experience the city. Pirate Water Taxi provides a front-row seat to Tampa's skyline, its history, its bridges, and its stories, all from the water.   In this episode of Unlocking Tampa Bay, hosts Bryan Burns and Molly Barbie...

Every March, something remarkable happens in the heart of downtown Tampa. The Hillsborough River turns green. It's the signature moment of the River O' Green Festival, Tampa Downtown Partnership's beloved St. Patrick's Day celebration that transforms downtown Tampa into a community gathering unlike any other. But how exactly do you turn a river green? And how do you do it safely? T...

The Florida State Fair is an annual tradition, bringing classic rides, live entertainment, agriculture, and family fun to Hillsborough County every February. But for many Fairgoers, the real headline act is the food, with over-the-top creations and unexpected flavor combinations that beg the question, who would actually eat that? We would. For the first time ever, Unlocking Tampa Bay hits the road...

What does it take to stage one of the largest and most beloved pirate festivals in the world? In this episode of  Unlocking Tampa Bay , hosts Bryan Burns and Molly Barbieri welcome Matt Moss of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla for a deep dive into the history, heart, and high seas spirit behind Tampa Bay’s most iconic celebration. Matt shares the origins of the Gasparilla Pirate Invasion and Parade o...

What makes Tampa Bay a destination for history, culture, and world-class craftsmanship? In this brand-new episode, hosts Bryan Burns and Molly Barbieri sit down with Holden Rasmussen, Company Historian at the J.C. Newman Cigar Company, for an inside look at one of the region’s most iconic attractions. Located in Ybor City’s historic El Reloj building, J.C. Newman is home to the last remaining larg...

What does it take to save one of Florida’s most beloved marine mammals, and how can visitors experience that mission up close? In this brand-new episode, hosts Bryan Burns and Molly Barbieri go behind the scenes with Molly Lippincott, Senior Curator of Florida and Marine Life at ZooTampa at Lowry Park, for a peek into the highly anticipated expansion of the Straz Family Manatee Rescue, opening spr...

Imagine soaring past planets, plunging beneath the sun’s fiery surface, or wandering through ancient marvels—all while staying right here in Tampa Bay. In this brand-new episode, hosts Bryan Burns and Molly Barbieri sit down with John Smith, President and CEO of MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry), to explore the newly reopened Digital Dome — now the second-largest planetarium in the country! Si...

If you could spend the night in any museum in Tampa Bay, which one would it be and why?  What would be the perfect day in Tampa Bay?  How would you describe Tampa Bay to someone who has never visited? Those are just a few of the imaginative prompts inside Kids Travel Talk, a new product that turns Tampa Bay into a playground for curiosity, connection, and conversation. In this episode of Unlocking...

What do shipping containers, street art, and Bundesliga soccer have in common? Tampa Bay local Dylan Perry.   In this episode of Unlocking Tampa Bay , we sit down with local artist Dylan Perry, who--through his partnership with Visit Tampa Bay--recently created murals at two of the most famous street art galleries in the world: the STRAAT Museum in Amsterdam and F.C. St. Pauli’s Millerntor Gallery...

The Tampa Bay Sun are in the playoffs and looking to add their own trophy to the Champa Bay case! In this episode of Unlocking Tampa Bay, we sit down with Sun captain Jordyn Listro to hear her thoughts on the team’s inaugural season, how fun it is to ride a water taxi to games, and her affection for the Heat Wave, as Sun supporters are affectionately known. A native of Toronto, Listro fell in love...

In this episode of Unlocking Tampa Bay, we chat with Jess Anderson, the Director of Business Development for Oxford Commons Hospitality Company. One of Oxford Commons’ new ventures involves the relocation of South Tampa institution Mad Dogs & Englishmen from its longtime digs on MacDill Avenue to its new home a mile down the street. The new location spans 6,000 square feet and is a modern take...

In this episode of  Unlocking Tampa Bay , we sit down with Tampa Bay Rays Chief Business Officer Bill Walsh to discuss what fans can expect this season as the Rays move across the bay to Tampa and temporarily call George M. Steinbrenner Field home for the 2025 season. We explore how the stadium is being transformed from the New York Yankees spring training facility to deliver an authentic Rays exp...

For nearly two decades, NYU Professor James D. Fernández and journalist-filmmaker Luis Argeo have worked to uncover the forgotten history of Spanish migration to the U.S. Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, thousands of Spaniards settled in Tampa, shaping the cigar industry, and building strong communities. Yet, their stories remained largely untold. In this episode, Fernández and Arge...

He’s the irrefutable king of Iron Gwazi having ridden the iconic roller coaster at Busch Gardens ® Tampa Bay over 10,000 times since it opened with no signs of slowing down. Meet Kalin Profitt, a born and bred Tampa Bay resident with an insatiable appetite for all things Busch Gardens and Iron Gwazi, billed as North America’s tallest and the world’s fastest and steepest hybrid coaster. In this epi...

In this episode of Unlocking Tampa Bay, we're joined by Will Seccombe, the Executive Producer of Undiscovered America TV, a show that unveils hidden wonders and untold stories one adventure at a time and is returning to Tampa for a second time after featuring the city in the show’s first season. Will brings his expertise in marketing and destination management – he was the former President & C...

Sion Walton-Guest started his professional career in corporate tax while dabbling on the side as an influencer before he went all in on content creation, quite literally quitting his day job and becoming a leading voice worldwide on social media for travelers. Walton-Guest recently visited Tampa as a part of a paid partnership with Visit Tampa Bay to highlight the best restaurants, neighborhoods,...

Sion Walton-Guest started his professional career in corporate tax while dabbling on the side as an influencer before he went all in on content creation, quite literally quitting his day job and becoming a leading voice worldwide on social media for travelers. Walton-Guest recently visited Tampa as a part of a paid partnership with Visit Tampa Bay to highlight the best restaurants, neighborhoods,...

She’s the chief of fun responsible for turning downtown Tampa into an entertainment hub .   Meet Ivy Lupco, the manager of public space, placemaking & programming at Tampa Downtown Partnership. On this episode of Unlocking Tampa Bay, we discuss how downtown has transformed from ghost town to boom town after business hours and Ivy’s role in activating this surge of activities in downtown after...

Have you started your holiday shopping? We have the perfect gift ideas for that hard-to-please person on your list. On this episode of  Unlocking Tampa Bay , we sit down with Wes Balch, the retail manager of the Unlock Tampa Bay Visitors Center, to uncover the secrets behind curating our collection of unique, locally-inspired merchandise. From Tampa-themed apparel and accessories to exclusive item...

Welcome back to another season of  Unlocking Tampa Bay ! In this episode, we sit down with Chef Joey Medellin, the Executive Chef of Tampa Bay’s premier dining cruise on the Hillsborough River. Hear about Chef Joey’s journey from self-taught chef to head of Craft Dining, where he brings family tradition and Florida flair to each dish. We dive into the unique challenges of preparing gourmet meals o...

In this episode of Unlocking Tampa Bay, we explore the sweet side of Tampa Bay with two beloved local dessert destinations! First, we sit down with Chill Bros. Scoop Shop, founded by the Chillura siblings. What started as a dream for the best local homemade ice cream became a reality in Ybor City. Max Chillura shares the story of turning their family passion into a community favorite. Next, we mee...

Discover how sports shape Tampa Bay's vibrant community and drive economic growth. Join us for a special Unlocking Tampa Bay episode featuring Christina Unkel, President and General Counsel of Tampa Bay Sun FC, and Rob Higgins, Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. Christina shares insights on the journey of Tampa Bay's first professional women's sports team and the Su...

Tampa Bay is celebrated as one of the most accessible destinations in the United States dedicated to creating an inclusive environment. Visit Tampa Bay is partnered with companies like Wheel the World, Enchroma, Ablevu, and more to create a welcoming experience for all visitors. In this episode, we sit down with Yoel Waisberg Avayu, Head of Business Development for Wheel the World, an accessible o...