Top of Mind Florida

BRIAN CROWLEY & MICHAEL WILLIAMS
  • 5.0 (2)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Top of Mind Florida – From trending headlines to big ideas, join veteran journalists Brian Crowley and Michael Williams as they dive into the stories, characters, and chaos that make the Sunshine State shine. Together, we unpack the serious and the silly, the caretakers and the characters — the stories that make our state one of a kind. This is Top of Mind Florida — Headlines, hard questions and a dose of humor, every week wherever you get your podcasts.

  1. 2D AGO

    Turn Down the Heat in Florida Politics and Beyond

    Turn down the heat in Florida politics and beyond. Join Brian Crowley and Michael Williams every Sunday at 9:00 AM EST for the analysis you’ve been missing since our broadcast TV days. In this episode, we dive into a potentially big budget gap facing Florida lawmakers and the surprising bipartisan support for school vaccine mandates. We also take a hard look at the "profound anxiety" in American politics following recent violence in Minneapolis and the shooting of a VA nurse by ICE agents. Plus, is a "Wind-Only" insurance model the key to solving Florida's affordability crisis? #FloridaPolitics #TopOfMind #FLBudget #InsuranceCrisis WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TopOfMindFlorida 🎧 PREFER TO LISTEN ON THE GO? Subscribe to the audio-only version of "Top of Mind Florida" on your favorite platform: ▶️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/top-of-mind-florida/id1818339119 ▶️ RSS Feed / All Platforms: https://rss.com/podcasts/top-of-mind-florida/

    30 min

  2. FEB 15

    Florida Elections 2026: What's Changing in Tallahassee with Wendy Sartory Link

    Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link joins hosts Michael Williams and Brian Crowley to break down critical voting legislation moving through the 2026 Florida Legislative Session. Link discusses three major bills under consideration: documented proof of citizenship requirements, vote verification procedures, and mandates for pen-to-paper voting that could eliminate popular Express Vote machines. She explains why Florida has become the national gold standard for election administration and addresses ongoing attacks on mail-in voting despite its security and popularity among Florida voters. The conversation explores signature verification processes, the benefits of pre-certification audits, and why hand counting ballots isn't the solution critics claim. Link also reveals that Palm Beach County has reached a historic milestone with 35% of active voters now registered as no party affiliation, raising questions about the future of Florida's political landscape. With March municipal elections approaching, Link provides crucial deadlines and encourages voters to witness the transparent election process firsthand at the new Palm Beach County elections facility. Guest: Wendy Sartory Link, Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Hosts: Brian Crowley & Michael Williams Production: Ko-Mar Productions New episodes every Sunday at 9 AM on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.

    27 min

  3. FEB 8

    Florida Democracy Crisis: Holly Baltz on When Local News Dies, So Do Races

    Holly Baltz, editor and reporter at Stet News and former Palm Beach Post investigative editor, joins Michael Williams and Brian Crowley to examine the possible connection between disappearing local news coverage and the too frequent disappearance of competitive democracy in Florida. With 50 plus unopposed races in Palm Beach County alone the conversation reveals how the absence of accountability journalism leaves voters uninformed and discourages candidates from running. Holly discusses her transition from decades at the Post to nonprofit journalism, the challenges facing credible reporting in the social media age, and why Stet News represents a sustainable model for community coverage. The discussion covers media business failures, the toxicity driving people from public service, innovative programs like Community Voices training high school students to cover city government, and a sobering reality: hundreds of Florida cities operate with zero news coverage and no one watching how tax dollars are spent. Essential listening for anyone concerned about informed citizenship, government transparency, and the future of local accountability in Florida. New episodes every Sunday at 9 AM.

    30 min

  4. FEB 1

    Florida's Property Tax War: Hard Questions & Your Money

    The 2026 Florida Legislative session is well underway, and the sparks are already flying. Michael Williams and Brian Crowley dive into the heated debate over eliminating property taxes—a move Peter Schorsch calls "dangerously revolutionary" and a "legislative assault" on local police and fire services. We also look at the massive $45 million fundraising lead in the GOP gubernatorial primary and the bizarre historical connection between Faye Dunaway and a tiny Florida town called Two Egg. 🎧 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE Subscribe to "Top of Mind Florida" on your favorite platform: ▶️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/top-of-mind-florida/id1818339119 ▶️ RSS Feed / All Platforms: https://rss.com/podcasts/top-of-mind-florida/ 📺 WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TopOfMindFlorida

    23 min

  5. JAN 25

    Will Florida Abolish Property Taxes? One Senator Sounds the Alarm

    The 2026 Florida Legislative Session is here, and the biggest fight on the table is the future of property taxes. While some leaders push for total elimination, others warn of a massive funding gap for vital local needs. Florida Senate Minority Leader Lori Berman joins Michael Williams and Brian Crowley to explain why "tax relief" might come with a catch. In this episode: Property Tax Reality Check: Why "zeroing out" your bill could end local services.Florida DOGE: The push to audit state land buys and voucher programs.The 2026 Affordability Agenda: Targeted help for seniors and first-time buyers.Foster Care Reform: A personal bill to give kids in the system a sense of dignity.🎧 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE Subscribe to "Top of Mind Florida" on your favorite platform: ▶️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/top-of-mind-florida/id1818339119 ▶️ RSS Feed / All Platforms: https://rss.com/podcasts/top-of-mind-florida/ 📺 WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TopOfMindFlorida

    32 min

  6. JAN 18

    Your Taxes Your Money The Florida Fight

    Your Taxes Your Money The Florida Fight Florida House Representative Toby Overdorf, a Treasure Coast Republican joins the podcast to discuss the 2026 legislative session's biggest priorities. We break down the proposed constitutional amendments for property tax relief, the potential for Byron Donalds to succeed Ron DeSantis as Governor, and why Florida might be looking toward small modular nuclear reactors to power its AI future. Plus, a look at the return of cursive writing and the bill to finally eliminate yellow registration stickers on license plates. 🎧 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE Subscribe to "Top of Mind Florida" on your favorite platform: ▶️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/top-of-mind-florida/id1818339119 ▶️ RSS Feed / All Platforms: https://rss.com/podcasts/top-of-mind-florida/ 📺 WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TopOfMindFlorida

    28 min

  7. JAN 11

    Immigration Attorney Reveals Florida's Deportation Reality

    Immigration Attorney Reveals Florida's Deportation Reality Immigration attorney Richard Hujber spent his first years working for the federal government before shifting to private practice defending clients facing deportation. In this revealing conversation with Brian Crowley and Michael Williams, Hujber discusses the current state of immigration enforcement in Florida, the impact of workplace raids and detention quotas, and the human stories behind the headlines. He explains why some long-term residents with American children face removal while recent arrivals received work permits, the controversy surrounding facilities like "Alligator Alcatraz," and how the system affects Florida's economy. Hujber offers a unique perspective from both sides of the immigration debate, arguing for case-by-case evaluation rather than sweeping enforcement actions. Brian and Michael provide analysis on the political implications heading into the 2026 midterms. Keywords: Florida immigration enforcement, immigration attorney perspective, deportation policy, Alligator Alcatraz detention, immigration reform solutions, Florida workforce impact 🎧 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE Subscribe to "Top of Mind Florida" on your favorite platform: ▶️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/top-of-mind-florida/id1818339119 ▶️ RSS Feed / All Platforms: https://rss.com/podcasts/top-of-mind-florida/ 📺 WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TopOfMindFlorida

    30 min

  8. JAN 4

    Pocketbooks and Predictions 2026: Florida Governor's Race Heats Up

    Pocketbooks and Predictions 2026 shape Florida's political landscape as Brian Crowley and Michael Williams analyze the governor's race, Trump's influence, property tax reform battles, and economic challenges facing voters. Byron Donalds leads with Trump's backing and $30 million, but will it hold. Democrats face a million-voter registration gap while younger generations worry about AI replacing jobs and student loan debt. From redistricting fights to the mockingbird versus flamingo debate, this episode covers the serious and the silly in Florida politics. 00:00 - Happy New Year and Brian's Birthday Celebration 0:50 - New 9 AM Sunday Time Slot Announcement 1:57 - Byron Donalds: The $30M Front-Runner with Trump's Endorsement 2:38 - Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins: Struggling for DeSantis Support 3:16 - Paul Renner: The "Issues Guy" Takes Aim at Affordability 4:05 - James Fishback: 31-Year-Old Provocateur Enters Race 5:32 - Front-Runners Who Faded: The Jeb Bush Warning 7:42 - Where is Ron DeSantis? Silent on Succession 8:16 - The DeSantis-Trump War and Susie Wiles Factor 10:57 - Democratic Challengers: Dave Jolly and Jerry Demings 12:31 - The Million-Voter Registration Deficit Problem 14:29 - Building From the Bottom Up: Democratic Party Challenges 16:45 - Why Podcasts Matter More Than Traditional Media 18:11 - Affordability Crisis: The Driving Issue of 2026 20:04 - AI and the Future Economy: Who Gets It? 22:21 - Property Tax Battle: DeSantis vs. Legislature 24:40 - Redistricting 2026: Florida's Crown Jewel Status 27:07 - Flamingo vs. Mockingbird: The Legislature's "Hot" Issue 28:26 - Wrapping Up: Major to Mundane in Florida Politics 📺 WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TopOfMindFlorida 🎧 PREFER TO LISTEN ON THE GO? Don't miss an episode while you drive or workout. Subscribe to the audio-only version of "Top of Mind Florida" on your favorite platform: ▶️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/top-of-mind-florida/id1818339119 ▶️ RSS Feed / All Platforms: https://rss.com/podcasts/top-of-mind-florida/

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to Top of Mind Florida – From trending headlines to big ideas, join veteran journalists Brian Crowley and Michael Williams as they dive into the stories, characters, and chaos that make the Sunshine State shine. Together, we unpack the serious and the silly, the caretakers and the characters — the stories that make our state one of a kind. This is Top of Mind Florida — Headlines, hard questions and a dose of humor, every week wherever you get your podcasts.

Information

  • Creator
    BRIAN CROWLEY & MICHAEL WILLIAMS
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © BRIAN CROWLEY & MICHAEL WILLIAMS
  • Show Website
    Top of Mind Florida