Florida Matters

3.3 (9)
NEWS
UPDATED WEEKLY

Florida Matters is WUSF's weekly current affairs show that explores the events, ideas, politics and issues that matter to Floridians.

1D AGO

How Floridians feel about the state budget and what it means for Tampa Bay

Florida’s legislative session went way longer than planned, as lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis argued over proposed tax cuts. DeSantis signed the budget — more than $115 billion — and a slate of new laws took effect on July 1. State government reporters Meghan Bowman and Douglas Soule with the "Your Florida" team discuss what got vetoed, what survived and what it means for Tampa Bay.

28 min
JUL 2

How the Chitlin Circuit influenced American pop music

On this episode of "Florida Matters," you’ll learn about The Chitlin Circuit, how it shaped the sound of jazz, blues, and rock, and how it paved the way for the music industry we see today.We revisit a conversation brought to you last February about the network of clubs that Black performers toured in the segregated South. Coming up- you’ll hear how the artists who performed on the circuit shaped the sound of blues, rock n roll, jazz and pop that came after. And how contemporary artists are paying homage to those performers. If you watched the Grammys this year, you probably caught Beyonce’s acceptance speech, when, at long last she landed the album of the year. Beyonce said she hoped to keep pushing forward and opening doors. And her album- Cowboy Carter, which won the Grammy for best country album- is also a door to the past. The album tour, Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin Circuit tour, evoked the network of clubs and venues that Black musicians and performers toured during segregation last Century. And she references the circuit in the track Ya Ya.Joining the conversation on Florida Matters: Dr Michelle Scott, professor of History at University of Maryland Baltimore County, and Dr Nashid Madyun, executive director Florida Humanities.Scott was also part of a panel discussion presented by WUSF and Arts Axis Florida earlier this year about the Chitlin Circuit in Tampa.If you want to learn more about this chapter in Tampa’s history- check out jazz on arts axis florida. There’s a video of the panel moderated by NPR TV critic Eric Deggans which also included pioneering attorney, civil rights activist and former State Senator Arthenia Joyner. It’s a fascinating conversation. And you’ll find performances, oral histories, photos and much more.

28 min
JUN 25

Finding the joy in Tampa Bay's arts and culture scene

Tampa Bay has a world renowned arts scene. Chances are you’ve caught an exhibition at the Dali museum in St. Petersburg- or taken in some of the dazzling, larger than life art at the SHINE mural festival. But did you know Tampa is also the birthplace of death metal? On this episode you’ll hear from WUSF reporters who’ve been spotlighting the arts and culture of Tampa Bay. If you feel like there’s something missing from your morning routine, Lily Belcher has a story about a cafe where you can watch kittens rough and tumble as you sip your cappuccino.Walk around the streets of St. Petersburg- and you’ll see murals- lots of them. Visit St. Pete Clearwater says more than 600 adorn walls throughout the city. A new gallery exhibition mashes up murals with another icon of the city’s arts scene: the museum devoted to surrealist artist Salvador Dali. Sue Giles Wantuck shares details about the ‘Outside In’ exhibit, and why mural artists are happy to pour hours and hours into creating enormous, complex works of art, even when they know their art won’t last forever. And Daylina Miller breaks down Tampa’s unique connection with extreme metal. They explain why the original site of Morrisound Recording was honored with a historic marker, and why metalheads right here in theplace it all began are some of the nicest people you’ll meet, even if the music’s a bit aggressive.

28 min
JUN 18

The steamy world of Romance Novels

When you hear the term ‘romance novel', does it conjure up images of Fabio’s flying hair- or maybe some bodice ripping? You can still find that between the covers of a romance novel, but there’s so much more. You’re just as likely to read about a baseball diamond as a bodice in the new universe of romance fiction. One thing these novels all have in common? Two people making a connection. On this episode, local novelist Alicia Thompson, author of novels like ‘With Love from Cold World’, ‘The Art of Catching Feelings,’ ‘Love in a time of Serial Killers and others, and Steamy Lit bookstore owner and convention founder Melissa Saavedra talk about the growing audience for Romance fiction, breaking stereotypes and what keeps readers hooked on the genre.

28 min
JUN 11

Off the beaten path in Florida with Gabrielle Calise

There’s a lot more mystery and magic to this state than "Florida Man" headlines suggest. Take a drive around the Tampa Bay area and you may wonder about the story behind the UFO perched atop a strip club, Weeki Wachee’s mermaid show or Tampa’s obsession with pirates. Gabrielle Calise, a culture writer who reports on offbeat Florida, nostalgia and music for the Tampa Bay Times, is an expert guide to all things wild and wonderful about the state. Calise is the editor of “Florida, a Hyper-local Guide to the Flora, Fauna and Fantasy of the Most Far-out State in America," and she joins "Florida Matters" to share some of the stories behind the spectacle. Gasparilla, the festival built around the mythical pirate Jose Gaspar, dates back to 1904 and is now part of the city’s DNA. “Being the mayor of Tampa means that you're gonna participate and have to fight a bunch of pirates and give up the key to the city. No other place really has a tradition quite like that,” Calise said.Other highlights from Calise’s conversation on "Florida Matters" include tips on where to spot manatees around Tampa Bay and where to see a mermaid show (Weeki Wachee), of course). There’s also insights into Tampa’s take on a Cuban sandwich and Floridians’ attitudes to hurricane prep.

28 min
JUN 10

Florida Matters Podcast Extra: remembering Gwen Henderson

The Tampa City Council announced Tuesday morning that Henderson died at her home of natural causes overnight. Henderson was an educator and bookstore owner. And in this episode, we’re revisiting Florida Matters host Matthew Peddie's conversation with Henderson last year at Black English, the store in Tampa Heights that she ran with her daughter, Ariel. When they sat down to chat, the bookstore had been open for just a few months. And Henderson was not even a year into her role as a councilwoman. They talked about her entry to politics after a long career as an educator, and pushing back with her bookstore as the state of Florida changed its Black History curriculum and pulled books from library shelves and school classrooms.

30 min
JUN 7

Florida Matters podcast extra: highlights from our series on hurricane recovery and resilience

In the lead up to the start of hurricane season, Florida Matters took a closer look at stories of recovery- from homeowners, business leaders and community members. In this episode you’ll hear highlights from the series: how businesses are rebuilding and how local governments are trying to prevent the flooding that swamped neighborhoods across our region last year. You’ll also hear tips on managing your mental health and dealing with the anxiety that comes with natural disasters. And community leaders and some of your neighbors from around Tampa Bay share their insights about building community resilience before, during and after a storm.

52 min
JUN 5

Florida Matters Podcast Extra: Tampa Bay's David Jolly sets his sights on the governor's mansion

David Jolly represented Florida's 13th congressional district, in Pinellas County, from 2014 to 2017. He left the Republican party in 2018 and has spent the past few years advocating for more options for voters dissatisfied with the major political parties. In April, he registered as a Democrat. Jolly was born in Dunedin and grew up in Dade City. His father was a Baptist preacher. He represented Florida's 13th congressional district, in Pinellas County, from 2014 to 2017. Jolly tells Florida Matters host Matthew Peddie that his party affiliation has changed- and so have his politics- including his views on abortion. When he ran for congress in 2014, he was pro life. Now, he wants to see abortion rights returned to what they were before the US Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade in 2022. He says Florida is facing an affordability crisis and he thinks voters will be looking for a change when they head to the ballot box in 2026.

21 min

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3.3

out of 5

9 Ratings

Volume too low

Feb 23

bettadenu1

I enjoy the episodes but would listen to it a lot more if the volume was raised. I typically can only listen to this podcast with headphones in and my volume turned all the way up. In the car it’s almost impossible to hear the speakers clearly. Other than that, good content pertaining to FL politics.
Needs to take on issues at a higher level if it is going to stay a weekly

10/15/2023

aihpcfl

Ok source of news and info particular to Florida. Unexceptional. I get why other reviewers comment on the podcast being behind the news, though I don’t think it is that bad. The podcast does get into the larger issues which are not really time sensitive.
OK but the content is very Tampa heavy

03/02/2023

Biggest of the big Bobs

It says it’s about Florida in general but the content is very Tampa region heavy.
SLOW

05/15/2023

Oymcneil

either the podcaster is 2-3 days behind the news or the podcaster is 2-3 days slow on posting the podcast to the public?