Rap Sessions

WSLR 96.5 FM
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A new podcast from WSLR News focused on the ever-evolving world of Florida politics. Rap Sessions blends cultural discussion with current events to bring a unique perspective to the WSLR News landscape.

Episodes

  1. Oct 24

    Matthew Montavon

    In Episode 9 of Rap Sessions, host Ed James III sits down with Matthew Montavon, Democratic candidate for Florida’s 17th Congressional District. Before diving into policy, the conversation kicks off on a lighter note with a look into Montavon’s campaign soundtrack—from 1960s protest rock standards like Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead to how music shaped his early years in a big Indiana household. From there, Montavon shares the story behind "Montavon's Marathon"—his 85-mile walk across Lee, Charlotte, and Sarasota counties—and discusses his vision for Southwest Florida, including local infrastructure, affordable housing, environmental protection, veteran care, and his strategy for navigating partisan gerrymandering in District 17.

  2. Oct 22

    Jose Javier Rodriguez

    In this edition of Rap Sessions on WSLR 96.5 FM, show host, Ed James III, interviews Jose Javier Rodriguez, former Florida state senator, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor, and Democratic nominee for Florida Attorney General. The episode begins with a look at South Florida’s cultural influence and the intersection of art and advocacy, before shifting to critical issues facing Floridians. Topics include property insurance rate relief, utility regulation following the 2020 ghost candidate scandal, data center oversight, protecting local municipal home rule, and legal analysis regarding state executive oversight and the Hope Florida grand jury report.

  3. Oct 14

    Brian Bellamy

    Most of us were never taught how local government actually works. Brian Bellamy, co-founder of Poliscope (poliscope.vote), is changing that with a platform that decodes bills, meetings, campaign money, and what's on your ballot in plain English, with every record linked to its source. On this episode of Rap Sessions, Brian takes us back to his San Antonio roots and his days at Ringling College of Art and Design. We dig into his eclectic taste in music, from 90s grunge rock to his nostalgia for 2010s rap, and we talk about what inspired him to build Poliscope and where he sees the tech space heading next. Rap Sessions is hosted and produced by Ed James III and powered by WSLR 96.5 FM, Sarasota's grassroots radio station.

  4. Oct 7

    Kelly Kirschner

    Kelly Kirschner, Democratic nominee for Florida's 16th Congressional District, joins Rap Sessions to talk about his race against Republican Sydney Gruters, why he's running, his Georgetown days as Allen Iverson's suitemate and what's on his playlist. Powered by WSLR 96.5 FM News.

  5. Sep 18

    Jimmy Glover

    Jimmy Glover is a first-time Sarasota School Board candidate. He was the front-runner in a three-way election in August, and he will be up against GOP-backed Heidi Brandt in a runoff election this November for the seat currently held by Bridget Ziegler, who is not seeking reelection. Glover aims to end culture wars and help guide the school board away from political posturing and back towards ensuring students' safety, well-being and growth opportunities. Head to his website, electjimmyglover.com, for more information about his campaign.

  6. Aug 21

    Marcus Ferrell

    Marcus Ferrell is a political organizer and activist who’s worked on campaigns across the country, most notable serving as Director of African American Outreach for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign. While the Sanders campaign did not yield the outcome he hoped, his passion for change and outreach efforts in the community remained. In 2026, Marcus has become a social media standout, growing his platform with videos covering current events, with a focus on issues relevant to the Black community. His account, @Marcus4America, uses almost entirely AI generated content to promote his message. To Marcus, AI is a weapon being wielded against working class Americans, and he says he’s using it to fight back against racist narratives and disinformation. But if you fight fire with fire, does the world burn? Marcus spoke with us about his history of organizing, social media growth, ethics around artificial intelligence, and the potential progressive future of the Democratic party.

  7. Jul 30

    Desmond Meade

    Desmond Meade is a voting rights activist and the former Executive Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. A Florida native, Meade battled drug addiction and depression to become a globally recognized force for change in our state.In 2018, Meade led the successful effort to pass Amendment 4, a state ballot initiative that restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with previous felony convictions. In 2019, Time magazine named Meade as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and in 2021, he was awarded a MacArthur Genius Grant. In 2023, under Meade’s leadership, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.Meade is now up for his next challenge, running for the upcoming vacant governor’s office as Ron DeSantis' term ends.  Meade is an independent, running as an NPA, or No Party Affiliation candidate. At a time where politics is more polarized than ever, Meade told us believes he can bridge the gap between voters and unite Floridians over common sense issues, backed by his record of activism in the state.

  8. Jul 16

    Dr. Bill Woodson

    For our full archive and the latest in Florida politics, visit wslr.org.

  9. Jun 20

    FL Rep. Angie Nixon

    Angie Nixon is a State Representative from Florida’s District 13, formerly 14, author and union organizer from Jacksonville. She is a Democrat running to be Florida’s next United States Senator.  Nixon is an unabashed progressive; she says her politics focus on affordable housing, strong public schools, fair wages and quality healthcare.   Angie Nixon has made headlines with her bullhorn protest on the House floor against the Republican supermajority’s partisan redistricting maps. She was also briefly arrested during a sit-in outside of Governor Ron DeSantis’s office in Tallahassee. Representative Nixon joined us at WSLR to discuss her campaign for Senate and what sets her apart from her primary opponent, Democrat Alex Vindman, as well as the incumbent Republican Senator Ashley Moody, who was appointed by Donald Trump to replace Marco Rubio. What Nixon may lack in funds, she says she makes up for with fight and as she told us, she believes she is the only Democrat candidate who can win this race.  Nixon is running a grassroots campaign.  Her primary opponent Alex Vindman has raised large amounts of money, and recent polls show he is closing the gap with Ashley Moody.  While Vindman represents more of an establishment base, Nixon is attempting to steer the politics of the Democratic party to be more progressive in the wake of high-profile losses in the presidential, house and senate races in 2024.   Nixon told us that she wants increases to the state and federal minimum wage, calls for Medicare for all, free childcare and increased taxes on the billionaire, now trillionaire class.   She goes after Ashley Moody’s record as Florida Attorney General and Senator and restates her view that the Florida Democratic Party has already picked their preferred candidate ahead of the state primary election. For our full archive and the latest in Florida politics, visit wslr.org.

  • 9 Episodes

About

A new podcast from WSLR News focused on the ever-evolving world of Florida politics. Rap Sessions blends cultural discussion with current events to bring a unique perspective to the WSLR News landscape.

Information

  • Creator
    WSLR 96.5 FM
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 WSLR 96.5 FM
  • Show Website
    Rap Sessions