Wakulla WaveMakers with Brian English - celebrating those who are making waves in Wakulla County, Florida

Brian English
  • 5.0 (5)
  • DOCUMENTARY

Wakulla County is in the Big Bend of Florida, located between the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and Florida's capital city of Tallahassee.

  1. From Wakulla to Malawi With John and Mollie Wells

    11/25/2025

    From Wakulla to Malawi With John and Mollie Wells

    Join us for a powerful interview as we bridge the gap between Wakulla County and the "Warm Heart of Africa." Missionaries John and Mollie Wells share their journey of planting churches in Malawi since 2021, focusing on the Yao people. You will also hear the incredible testimony of Benson Banda, a Yao local who found Christ and now risks everything to share that same hope with his tribe. This episode explores the stark differences between American abundance and Malawian necessity, the reality of religious persecution, and the call for every Christian to live a life of intentional evangelism. Main Highlights from the Interview: -- The Yao people are considered "unreached," meaning they lack access to the Gospel and have no cultural context for the message of Jesus. -- Life in Malawi involves significant infrastructure challenges, including frequent shortages of water, electricity, and fuel. -- "Farming God’s Way" is a ministry tool used to teach improved agricultural techniques while simultaneously sharing the Gospel with local farmers. -- New believers in Muslim communities often face severe persecution, including being beaten or cast out by their own biological families. -- The church becomes a vital "spiritual family" and a place of security for those who have lost their earthly homes due to their faith. -- A challenge to American Christians to recognize that God often calls us to be uncomfortable to fulfill His purposes. Scriptures for Further Study -- Matthew 28:19-20 -- Romans 10:14-15 -- Acts 1:8 -- Matthew 5:10-12 Interview recorded Nov. 20, 2025.

    22 min
  2. Work Ethic, Community, and Courage: A Conversation with Clay and Angie Bozeman

    10/26/2025

    Work Ethic, Community, and Courage: A Conversation with Clay and Angie Bozeman

    Join Brian English on Wakulla WaveMakers as he interviews one of the community's finest couples, Clay and Angie Bozeman. This duo, successful in business and dedicated to local service, shares invaluable lessons on work, life, and family. Clay, a lifelong contractor and now owner of GMC Metal Roofing Supply, discusses the strong work ethic instilled by his father and grandfather, and the key to true success: knowing what to do with the money you earn. Angie, the current President of the Wakulla Rotary Club, details their impactful projects, including scholarships, road cleanups, and funding a hydroponics system for the high school. They also give honest insight into the challenges of parenting and business, emphasizing the need for direction, goal-setting, and remaining "coachable" throughout life. Main Points Covered: -- A strong work ethic and passion are keys to success in any endeavor. -- Financial wisdom—knowing what to do with money—is critical for long-term success. -- Community involvement, particularly through the Rotary Club, focuses on making a long-lasting impact, not just an immediate one. -- Effective leadership in business involves managing different personalities, motivating employees, and creating an environment where people thrive. -- Advice for young adults includes setting goals, finding a direction quickly, and being willing to pivot without viewing change as failure. -- The importance of remaining "coachable" and accepting constructive feedback to continually improve. -- The most courageous thing a person can do is often starting a family, due to the immense responsibility.

    27 min
  3. Lindy's Legacy: Work Ethic, Community, and Faith with Jerome and Terri Robinson

    09/30/2025

    Lindy's Legacy: Work Ethic, Community, and Faith with Jerome and Terri Robinson

    Jerome and Terri Robinson, the recently retired owners of Lindy's Chicken, sit down with Brian English on the Wakulla WaveMakers radio show and podcast to chronicle their 29-year journey in Crawfordville, Florida. They open up about the sacrifices and dedication required to run a beloved local business, emphasizing that their commitment extended far beyond serving food. For decades, they operated as mentors, community sponsors, and even counselors, making a profound impact on the lives of countless young people who got their first job at Lindy's. This interview is a moving testament to the power of small business, personal character, and faith in building a lasting legacy. The Robinsons share insights on: -- The Start and Sacrifice: Terri reveals a primary reason for opening Lindy's in 1996 was to have the flexibility to be present for their two young children, prioritizing family life while building a business. -- Mentoring the Next Generation: They discuss the challenges of finding employees with a strong work ethic but celebrate the enduring connection they have with former "kids" who attribute some of their life success to lessons learned at the restaurant. -- Community Commitment: Jerome and Terri consistently gave back to the community, notably by sponsoring the local Cougars sports teams every year they were in business. -- Faith Through Financial Crisis: They share the inspiring story of how, through reliance on God, their years during the COVID-19 pandemic — when they were forced to switch to take-out only — turned out to be their best years financially. -- The Lindy's Experience: While Jerome believed in the great product, customers ultimately came for the character, kindness, and personal connection offered by the Robinsons. -- A Loving Farewell: They describe the emotional, high-volume closing days as the Wakulla community showed up in overwhelming support to say goodbye and get their "last fix."

    32 min
  4. The First Follower: A Study in Leadership and Community With Steve Sanabria

    09/02/2025

    The First Follower: A Study in Leadership and Community With Steve Sanabria

    Lessons on Leadership and Service from a Lifelong Doer In this deeply insightful episode, Brian English interviews Steve Sanabria, a transplant to Wakulla County who quickly became a pillar of the community. Steve shares his fascinating life story, from his roots as a Florida native to his career successes and his passion for servant leadership. He challenges conventional ideas about leadership and offers a powerful perspective on how to help create the world you want to live in. This conversation is a masterclass in living a purpose-driven life through dedicated action and collaborative community work. Main Points from this conversation include: -- The "First Follower" Philosophy: Steve says that leadership is often overrated and that the true power lies in being the first follower. A leader's vision only becomes a movement when someone else steps up to support it, giving permission for others to follow. -- Creating Your Own World: Steve emphasizes that you are responsible for making your own community better. He believes in being a "doer" and rolling up your sleeves to get things done, rather than just being an "idea guy." -- The Power of Non-Threatening Communication: Drawing from a career mentor's advice, Steve highlights the importance of presenting ideas and facts in a gentle, non-threatening manner to encourage collaboration and avoid closed doors. -- Work as a Value-Add: Steve's core advice for young people is the necessity of work, but not just "busy work." He stresses the importance of engaging in work that adds genuine value to your life and the lives of those around you. -- The Swiss Army Knife Approach to Skills: Steve shares his personal philosophy of being a "Swiss army knife," having multiple skills that may not be perfect, but are always ready and willing to get the job done.

    45 min
  5. Scott Klees: Head Football Coach at Wakulla High School

    08/12/2025

    Scott Klees: Head Football Coach at Wakulla High School

    In this special episode, host Brian English welcomes back Wakulla High School Head Football Coach Scott Klees to the Wakulla WaveMakers podcast. With the new football season on the horizon, Coach Klees offers an inside look at the team’s preparation, highlighting the hard work of his players and coaching staff. He provides a breakdown of the team's key positions, including a strong quarterback room led by his son, Owen, and a promising young core of receivers and linebackers. The conversation goes beyond the field as Coach Klees reflects on his recent induction into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He attributes this honor not to himself, but to the collective effort of his players, assistant coaches, and the entire Wakulla community. English and Klees also share heartfelt stories about the importance of family, with Coach Klees praising his wife, Nicole, as the "backbone" of their family and an invaluable supporter of the football program. The interview touches on Klees's personal journey, from his upbringing in a sports-focused family to his early coaching experiences at a small private school, including a humorous anecdote about coaching girls' softball. He also shares his philosophy on leadership, emphasizing the need to delegate and trust in the Lord during difficult times. He offers powerful advice to young families on prioritizing faith and family over distractions like social media, and on teaching valuable life lessons that extend far beyond the football field.

    28 min
  6. Donny Bennett: Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Wakulla County, FL

    04/22/2025

    Donny Bennett: Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Wakulla County, FL

    Donny Bennett's life was changed by Jesus Christ in 2014 and since then he has been working to help change the lives of others, incuding through his work with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as well as through his own ministry called Battle 14. You can read more about Wakulla FCA on their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/wakullafca

    26 min
  7. Donnie Sparkman: Wakulla County Property Appraiser

    04/15/2025

    Donnie Sparkman: Wakulla County Property Appraiser

    Donnie Sparkman has served multiple terms as the Wakulla County Property Appraiser, and is also a veteran of the war in Viet Nam. You can read more about the property appraiser here: https://mywakullapa.com/wakulla-county-property-appraiser/

    26 min
  8. Frank Messersmith: President of the Wakulla County Chamber of Commerce

    02/25/2025

    Frank Messersmith: President of the Wakulla County Chamber of Commerce

    Frank Messersmith is a former Florida legislator and current president of the Wakulla Chamber of Commerce. Brian English asks Frank about people who influenced him toward success, and what wisdom he would pass along to others. You can read more about Frank here: https://www.tsc.fl.edu/media/divisions/alumni-amp-friends/hall-of-fame/Frank-Messersmith.pdf

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Wakulla County is in the Big Bend of Florida, located between the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and Florida's capital city of Tallahassee.

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