St. Pete X St. Petersburg Group

On this special 100th episode of SPx, Neil Brown, President of the Poynter Institute, joins Joe for an in depth conversation about the current state of journalism. Brown believes that journalism is thriving despite challenges and highlights the need to move away from a negative narrative. They discuss objectivity in journalism, the impact of the internet on information dissemination and the importance of transparency and neutrality. Brown also details the acquisition of PolitiFact by Poynter, the purchase of the Tampa Tribune and the ownership structure of the Tampa Bay Times. The conversation underscores the evolving landscape of journalism and the role of innovative approaches in serving communities.

In this episode of SPX, host Joe Hamilton chats with the multifaceted actress and teacher Eugenie Bondurant. Known for her roles in films like "Fear of Rain", "The Hunger Games" and her upcoming appearance in "Summer Camp," Bondurant takes us on a journey through her vibrant career. From her unique upbringing in New Orleans to her foray into the world of fashion and finance, Eugenie shares personal anecdotes that highlight her passion for creativity. We look at the evolution of her acting career, her experiences with character development on set, and her dedication to fostering a community of actors through her Station 12 Studio. Throughout the conversation we overlay the business of acting - from branding to the Screen Actors Guild, and Eugenie shares her rules of engagement for aspring actors. 

In this epside of SPx, Joe welcomes Sean Schrader, a young, dynamic community leader who recently completed his MBA from the University of South Florida. Schrader shares his journey from local neighborhood meetings to working with U.S. Congressman Charlie Crist, emphasizing the importance of local advocacy, community involvement, and civil discourse. He discusses his future ambitions, including a potential stint abroad to gain global experience and his aspiration to become a JAG officer, aiming to continue his service to the community and the country.

In this episode we welcome renowned author, sports historian and St Petersburg resident Peter Golenbock. With a seasoned eye on the game and a pen that has chronicled baseball's most pivotal moments, Peter brings a unique perspective on how the sport has evolved amidst today's fast-paced, technologically driven world. We also dig into the current debate around the pending Rays stadium deal and more. 

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a U.S. Naval officer veteran, Mark Mahaffey joined his father’s business in 1969. Today, he is Chairman of the Board of The Mahaffey Companies, one of the largest family-owned real estate companies in Florida. St. Petersburg’s Mahaffey Theater bears his family’s name. In this edition of SPx, Mahaffey discusses his amazing life journey, as chronicled in his 2023 memoir “The Pathfinder.” In the book, subtitled “Finding the Right Path,” Mahaffey recognizes the defining moments that were the tailwinds to his considerable success.

Ken LaRoe is the founder of Climate First Bank, which is his third bank. After the very successful sale of Florida Choice Bank, his first, LaRoe and his wife Cindy rented a small RV to travel the country. For that trip LaRoe's brother gave him a copy of Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard's book, Let My People Go Surfing. It proved to be a transformational read. In this episode of SPx we explore that transition into values based banking as well as entrepreneurial banking as a whole.