Welcome to Florida

Invasive Burmese pythons continue swallowing the Everglades while the state wastes money on concentration camps.

Ma Barker and one of her sons engaged federal agents in an hours-long gunfight near Ocala in the 1930s. Wayne Hughes is a tour guide at the Ma Barker House and tells us the story.

"Welcome to Florida" patrons receive exclusive access to your Florida Conservation Newsletter, a weekly roundup of the top conservation stories from around the state.

A species of moth thought to be extinct was rediscovered by researches in Florida.

Florida's role in the American Revolution is little known or discussed. That is our topic for this episode with historian David Head.

"Welcome to Florida" patrons receive our weekly "Florida Conservation Newsletter" for only $5 per month.

Our friend Jason Garcia from "Seeking Rents" takes a first look at everything wrong with the legislature and governor's proposed property tax break.

Florida Keys historian Brad Bertelli joins us on this episode to talk about the old wrecking industry that made Key West one of the wealthiest cities in America at the turn of the 19th century.

"Welcome to Florida" patrons receive exclusive access to our weekly Florida Conservation Newsletter for only $5 per month.

The state is about to miss a critical deadline by which it was supposed to have cleaned up water flowing out of the Big Sugar plantations into the Everglades.

Join Craig, Chadd and Jason Garcia from the "Seeking Rents" podcast for their next live, in-person event June 12th at Happy Medium Books Cafe in the Riverside neighborhood of Jacksonville. The event is free and begins at 6:30. RSVP if you can.

Our guest for this episode is photographer and food writer Chip Weiner. Chip went across Tampa looking for the best devil crab. What is devil...

Seafood dealers, commercial fisherman, and conservationists came together to stop the governor's reckless plan to extend the recreational red snapper fishing season.

Independent local journalism is a pillar of democracy. American democracy has evaporated in conjunction with a rapid decline of local media sources in the past 25 years. One of those local media sources in Florida, The Gabber newspaper in south Pinellas County, needs your help to continue its 60-year tradition of local news.

Join Craig Pittman, Chadd Charland, and Jason Garcia from the "Seeking Rents" podcast and Substack newsletter for our next in-person event...

Florida didn't always used to be this way. Unregulated development. Runaway sprawl. Developers controlling the state. What happened?

Chadd Charland is running for State House in District 15 (all of Nassau and parts of Duval counties).

"Welcome to Florida's" next live event comes Friday, June 12th, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM at Happy Medium Bookstore Cafe in Jacksonville! It's a free event. Come out and say "hello."

Joining us today are Bob Kealing and Rev. Billy C. Wirtz to discuss the Chitlin' Circuit in Florida. The Chitlin' Circuit was a network of Black live music establishments...

What should be done with the site when the Everglades concentration camp closes?

Chadd Charland is running for State House in District 15 (Nassau and parts of Duval counties).

Diego Waisman spent years visiting and photographing South Florida's mobile home parks. He produced a book from the experience titled "Sunset Colonies: A Visual Elegy to South Florida's Mobile Home Communities." He shares with us what he found.

Jason Garcia hosts the "Seeking Rents" podcast and writes the "Seeking Rents" Substack newsletter. Both investigate government corruption in Florida. Both are essential for Floridians interested in state government and politics.

This episode was recorded at Tombolo Books in St. Pete in advance of our first co-hosted live event.

Martin County wants to prevent a slaughterhouse from being built there. The state says it doesn't have a say in the matter. Another example of state overreach crushing home rule.

Chadd Charland is running for State House in District 15 (Nassau and parts of Duval County) on a platform of equity, the environment, and public education.

See "Welcome to Florida" and Jason Garcia from the "Seeking Rents" Substack and podcast in person!

Jamie Holmes is an author and historian. His latest book provides fresh insights into the Seminole War: "The Free and the Dead...

Join "Welcome to Florida" along with Jason Garcia from "Seeking Rents" for our first in-person event. May 7 we'll be at Tombolo Books in St. Pete and May 9, we'll be at Austin's Coffee in Winter Park. Full details and RSVP here!

Chadd Charland is running for Florida State House in District 15 (Nassau and parts of Duval counties). Follow his campaign.

The Suwanee River has been named one of America's "10 Most Endangered Rivers."

Freelance writer Mike Kane joins us on this episode to discuss his summer trip to the Everglades and the first martyr of...

Join Craig, Chadd, and Jason Garcia from "Seeking Rents" Thursday, May 7, from 7:00-8:30 PM at Tombolo Books in St. Pete and on Saturday, May 9, from 3:00-5:00 PM at Austin's Coffee in Winter Park for our FIRST EVER LIVE PODCAST meet-and-greets!

Chadd Charland is running for State House in District 15. Learn more.

Our guests this episode are archaeologists and anthropologists Uzi Baram and Kat Napora. Uzi has joined the show previously to talk about the Angola community. Today we're talking about the manchineel tree, the deadliest tree in the world. 

BIG NEWS! 

"Welcome to Florida" is hosting our first ever in-person events along with Jason Garcia from "Seeking Rents!"

Thursday, May 7, from 7:00-8:30 PM at Tombolo Books in St. Pete.

Saturday, May 9, from 3:00-5:00 PM at Austin's Coffee in Winter Park.

PLEASE come out and say "hi" if you're in the area.

MORE BIG NEWS!

Chadd Scott is running for State House in District 15. Chadd Scott is a name he's used on radio for 30-plus years; he'll be running under his legal name: Chadd Charland.

T...

Not satisfied with simply being a dictator, Donald Trump allowed for the convening of the Endangered Species Committee "God Squad" at the behest of Secretary of War Crimes Pete Hegseth. Hegseth has declared a phony-baloney "national security emergency" that he says should preempt off-shore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from Endangered Species Act regulations. The regime's "God Squad," a cabal of villains with oil and gas backgrounds, not surprisingly, agreed.

Make plans to join us in person in St. Petersburg May 7 and Orlando May 9. More details to follow.

This episode centers on Florida's...

Craig found a villainous Floridian who thinks his interest in building a home is more important than the survival of Florida scrub jays.

Our topic this episode is guavas. Joining us in guava farmer and historian Jorge J. Zaldivar.

"Welcome to Florida" patrons receive exclusive access to our weekly Florida Conservation Newsletter for only $5 per month.

The state legislature passed laws preventing Florida municipalities from pursuing clean energy.

Mobster Charlie Wall ran Tampa in the 20s and 30s. Author and journalist Paul Wilborn researched Wall's life for a fictionalized version of it he wrote titled " The Everlasting Life of Charlie Wall."

"Welcome to Florida" patrons receive exclusive access to our weekly conservation newsletter for only $5 per month.

Florida U.S. Representative Cory Mills is one of the most unscrupulous politicians and businesspeople in the state, or nation.

Colonial history in what is now Florida typically revolves around the Spanish, but for a period between the 1760s and 1780s, the English occupied the state. Andrew Turnbull tried establishing a British-style plantation in the New Smyrna Beach area with disastrous results. Greg Holbrook, Executive Director at the New Smyrna Museum of History, tells us all about it.

The Florida State Legislature continues breaking state law and disobeying the will of the people by defunding the Florida Forever land conservation buying program.

Our guest for this episode is geologist and author Hilary Flower who has written a new book about Everglades Snail Kites, "The Kite and the Snail: An Endangered Bird, its Unlikely Prey, and a Story of Hope in a Changing World."

"Welcome to Florida" patrons receive our weekly Florida Conservation Newsletter for only $5 per month.

Fifteen miles south of Tallahassee, one of Florida's most magnificent springs can be found: Wakulla Springs. Kellie Keys is a professor in the Communications Department at Florida State University working with FSU researchers at Wakulla Springs to help tell the story about what they're learning.

Big Sugar is leaning on the legislature to make it so people can't badmouth their product.

Big ag is leaning on the legislature to make it ok to graze cows on state land including state parks.

An unscrupulous business owner and lax Department of Environmental "Protection" contributed to a catastrophic fire in Dunnellon. 

If you've ever been to Lakeland, perhaps you've seen the Lake Morton swans. Steve Platt works for the City of Lakeland and it's his job to take care of the swans as "swanfather."

"Welcome to Florida" patrons receive e...

Spring Training has marked the end of winter in Florida for more than 100 years. Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, Mike Schmidt, Greg Maddux, and today's stars have begun their legendary seasons and careers in places like Sarasota, Dunedin, Vero Beach, and Clearwater.

On this episode, longtime southwest Florida newspaperman Glenn Miller, who's attended spring training games since the 1960s and covered the games since the 1980s, joins us to discuss Spring Training's history and characters in Florida. Pinch hitting for regular co-host Chadd Scott is his wife, sports reporter, podcaster...

Florida continues to promote unfettered growth without paying attention to the water demands of all those new people and businesses. 

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge in Vero Beach was the first site in a program that now features nearly 600 locations. Paul Tritiak was the former refuge manager at Pelican Island and tells us how the refuge came to be.

"Welcome to Florida" patrons receive our weekly Florida Conservation Newsletter for only $5 per month.

The Florida State Legislature continues its rich tradition of doing the bidding of powerful corporate interests, this time - not for the first time - Mosaic mining company.

Carrie Sue Ayvar is a professional storyteller who embodies Dr. Anna Darrow, the 2nd ever female doctor in Florida, in programs around the state. Darrow was referred to as the Swamp Doctor for her work with residents in the Everglades in early 20th century Florida.

Ayvar is one of dozens of speakers available through the Florida Humanities that are happy to speak to your local community group...

Immigration and Customs Enforcement goons are murdering American citizens in Minneapolis, running concentration camps around the country - including Florida - and increasing their terror campaign in and around Orlando. The mission of ICE is to abuse Brown people, strike fear into their communities, and retrench white supremacy. 

Anthropologist and Puerto Rican/Hattian American Simone Delerme spent time studying the Latino community around Orlando, it's remarkable growth over the past 40 years, and how those residents are fitting into and remaking the area. Her book, "Latino Orlando," reveals her findings.

"Welcome to Florida" patrons receive exclusive a...

Craig has identified what he believes to be the single worst piece of proposed legislation for the upcoming session of the Florida State Legislature. Chadd's vote goes to the "Blue Ribbon Project" scheme.

Abbott Kahler is an author and investigative reporter. Her September of 2025 "Vanity Fair" article revealed the true identity - the Florida identity - behind an author who had stayed anonymous for more than 40 years. The anonymous author penned a how-to manual for contract murder that ended up being used for a triple murder and at the center of an important First Amendment court case.<...

The people of Palm Beach County are fighting a proposed data center.

Learn more about data centers by subscribing to our weekly "Florida Conservation Newsletter."

Clarence Earl Gideon was tried and found guilty of burglary in 1961 in a circuit court near Panama City. He was poor, and despite asking for legal counsel, was denied that request. At the time, Florida was one of 13 states that did not guarantee legal counsel for all defendants in state court proceedings regardless of their ability to pay. The right was guaranteed in federal court.

Gideon petitioned the...

Craig wraps up 2025 with his weirdest Florida headlines of the year.

Our patrons at Patreon have exclusive access to an interview Craig did with the co-curator of "It's Florida, Man," on HBO.

Our guest this episode is Jessica Pate from the Florida Manta Project who tells us all about one of our most remarkable endangered marine species: manta rays.

In the upcoming legislative session, Florida politicians will be considering a bill which would give the biggest Florida land developers and land developments the least oversight and opportunity for public input.

Jason Garcia's fantastic "Seeking Rents" podcast episode about the scheme.

This week's episode focuses on who Craig considers to be the ultimate Florida man: James Weldon Johnson. Johnson wrote the lyrics to "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the Black National Anthem. Joining us to discuss Johnson is Florida State College of Jacksonville English professor, author, and historian Tim Gilmore.

Drawing down the Rodman Reservoir proves how a free-flowing Ocklawaha River would benefit Florida.

Free the Ocklawaha!

Amazingly, a distinct species of whale lives year-round in the Gulf of Mexico that until the last decade was largely a mystery to biologists: the Rice's whale. Former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientist and Rice's whale expert Laura Engleby joins us to discuss this critically endangered species.

Pensacola Gulf Coast Whale Festival.

"Welcome to Florida" patrons receive our weekly Florida Conservation Newsletter for only $5 per month.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is proud to acknowledge that it didn't follow science when recommending a black bear hunt.

Our guest this episode is documentary filmmaker Rob Hoovis. In November of 2025, he premiered "Outlaws of the Everglades," a film detailing the marijuana smuggling pipeline from Central America and the Caribbean that flowed through the 10,000 Islands area of rural southwestern Florida during the 1970s and 80s.

Our "Florida Black History" YouTube channel has been updated with our past episodes on Fort Mose, Harry and Harriette Moore, and Reconstruction and Freedmen in the state.<...

With the gubernatorial election less than a year away, now is the time to ask the crowded field of candidates about their positions on conservation and the environment.

Three episodes ago, we discussed the impact America's lead-up to World War II had on Florida, bringing hundreds of thousands of servicemen and dozens of military installations to the state. That was the 1930s. In this episode with Florida author and historian Gary Mormino, we discussed what else was going on across the state during the 1930s - the heart of the Great Depression.

If the Jeffrey...

Residents in Crystal River are worried about a sand mine disrupting their drinking water and springs.

The smalltooth sawfish is one of the most unusual looking animals in the animal kingdom. Tonya Wiley has been studying the species for more than 25 years, most recently with her Havenworth Coastal Conservation organization. Tonya joins us to discuss this endangered species, how it has hung on in Florida while being wiped out elsewhere, and the latest threat to its survival.

If you see a sawfish, call 844-472-9347 (1-844-4SAWFISH).

"Welcome to Florida" patrons receive...

Folks in the Panhandle are upset about a scheme to swap 200 acres of National Forest land to build a county recreation area.

Our guest this episode is Patrick Manteiga, second generation owner, publisher, and columnist at the Tampa-based La Gaceta newspaper. La Gaceta is the state's - and the nation's - only trilingual newspaper.

Filling in for Chadd Scott his episode is Florida author, podcaster, and newspaper publisher Cathy Salustri.

The local Audubon Society chapter and residents in Sarasota took on the country's largest homebuilder - and WON!

Florida was an essential training and support location for military operations during World War II. Anthony D. Atwood is a military historian who authored "State of War: A History of World War II in Florida." He joins us to discuss how Florida shaped the War and how the War shaped Florida.

For only $5 per month, you can support "Welcome to Florida" by becoming a monthly patron. Patrons receive exclusive access to our weekly Florida Conservation Newsletter.

Former unelected shadow president and super-villain Elon Musk wants to close public beaches and pollute an estuary near Cape Kennedy on the Space Coast so he can play astronaut.

Pulitzer Prize winning author Gilbert King is back on the show to talk about his latest book, and podcast, both focused on an outrageous miscarriage of justice in Lakeland: "Bone Valley: A True Story of Injustice and Redemption in the Heart of Florida."

It's Halloween and "Welcome to Florida's" favorite spooky co-host, Cathy Salustri, is back, filling in for Chadd Scott. Cathy is a Halloween FANATIC and author of "It Came from Florida: The Best of Florida's Worst B-Movies."

Cathy hosts her own Florida podcast, "The Florida Spectacular."

Fort Mose roughly 1 mile north of St. Augustine has the distinction of being the first free Black settlement in what is now America. Despite that august history, the site remains little known inside or outside of Florida. 

Kathleen Deagan and Jane Landers have spent the last 40-plus years attempting to uncover and promote the history at Fort Mose. Their book, "Fort Mose: Colonial America's Black Fortress of Freedom," combines history and archaeology to provide as accurate an account of the Fort as exists.

Lake Okeechobee is the most polluted lake in the United States as a result of the governor's inaction on cleaning up the state's water.

Jonathan Dickinson only spent about a year in Florida, stranded here after a shipwreck on his way to Philadelphia from Jamaica, but his name lives on with the Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County. Joining us to detail Dickinson's life and time in Florida is Jason Daniels, editor of "Jonathan Dickinson's Journal or God's Protecting Providence, an Early American Castaway Narrative."

A scam of epic proportions has been perpetrated by the governor upon the people of Florida. Land conservation used an excuse to pay off political bribes.

Robert Rauschenberg is arguably the most influential American artist of the 20th century. He moved from New York to Captiva Island in 1970 and would spend the rest of his life there, more than 30 years. 2025 is the centennial of Rauschenberg's birth year with celebrations being held around the world. 

 Jade Dellinger is Director at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at Florida Southwestern State College in Fort Myers and joins us to di...

In little Arcadia in southwest Florida in the 1980s, two tragedies became national news: the exoneration of a Black father wrongfully convicted in 1968 for the death of his seven children, and three little white boys being ostracized from the community after contracting the AIDS virus through blood transfusions. 

Jason Vuic grew up in nearby Ponta Gorda and remembers following these events closely as they unfolded. He dug back into the stories, and the story of Arcadia, in his newly released book for fall of 2025, "A Town Without Pity: AIDS, Race, and Resistance in Florida's Deep South."

This episode centers on music icon and Winter Haven native Gram Parsons. Parsons career took off in California, but his life began in Florida.

Bob Kealing, author of "Calling Me Home: Gram Parsons and the Roots of Country Rock" joins us to discuss. Catch Bob October 9, 2025, at Florida Southern College in Lakeland for a lecture about Elvis' time in Florida.

Gram Parsons' Derry Down music venue.