Success in South Florida with Adam Rossen

Adam Rossen
  • 5.0 (28)
  • Business
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to the Success in South Florida Podcast with Adam Rossen. Join Adam each episode as he interviews entrepreneurs, leaders, and other movers and shakers in South Florida to find out how they're doing their part to enhance the local community. The podcast is full of personal stories, details of obstacles overcome, business triumphs and so much more. Your host is attorney Adam Rossen, the CEO & Founder of Rossen Law Firm. He was born and raised in South Florida and became an attorney because he believes in helping those in need and crafting lifelong relationships in the community. This podcast is an extension of that mission... More information at https://www.rossenlawfirm.com/ and if you need legal defense, schedule a free consultation here: https://www.rossenlawfirm.com/contact/

  1. Sep 24

    Sentenced to Life at 16: The Untold Story | The Case of Michael Rosado (EP. 70) Part 2

    He walked out of prison after 26 years with nothing but a pair of shoes. Part two of Michael Rosado's story picks up inside, where he became a mentor and leader to hundreds of other incarcerated men and follows the resentencing hearing that finally set him free.  Host Adam Rossen and Michael break down how a "dream team" of appellate attorneys built the mitigation case that changed everything, what a juvenile life without parole resentencing hearing actually looks like in a Florida courtroom, and what happens after release: no ID, no credit, no family, and a second chance to build a life from scratch.  A must-watch for anyone interested in criminal justice reform, prison reentry, or redemption stories. 00:00 - Cold open / recap  00:58 - Hearing about Miller v. Alabama and Graham v. Florida from the inside  01:41 - What a resentencing actually meant: still facing 34+ years  03:51 - Becoming a leader and mentoring hundreds in prison  06:34 - The men who turned their lives around after getting out  08:15 - Finding mercy: the turning point  09:47 - Building a real rehabilitation program from the inside  12:25 - Assembling the "dream team" of appellate attorneys  14:56 - Building the mitigation case that changed everything  20:06 - The first resentencing hearing, 2017  22:07 - Giving hope to other juvenile lifers  24:12 - What Michael tells clients: "Trust your attorney"  28:10 - Six months from an answer: the 25-year judiciary review  33:01 - Back in court: the second resentencing hearing  34:50 - "We did it. You're going home today."  37:00 - Walking out to nothing: no family, no ID, no money  41:05 - Starting Florida Prison Consultants  45:16 - Advice for anyone chasing a comeback  51:10 - The jacket that says "Free at Last" 🔥About Michael Rosado  Michael Rosado is a formerly incarcerated advocate who was resentenced and released after 26 years in the Florida prison system under the U.S. Supreme Court's Miller v. Alabama and Graham v. Florida rulings on juvenile life without parole. He is the founder of Florida Prison Consultants, where he works with attorneys and families to guide clients through the prison system, and hosts the Reformed Mindset podcast. He has spoken nationally for organizations including NDIA and APAI on criminal justice reform and juvenile sentencing, and is dedicated to helping other justice-impacted individuals and their families navigate incarceration and reentry. Connect with Michael ☎️ (352) 634-5045 🔗 https://flprisonconsultants.com/about ⭑.ᐟ Want to be a guest on the show? 📩 Send us an email at marketing@rossenlawfirm.com Connect with Adam on LinkedIn👋  https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamrossen/ Learn more about Adam & the Rossen Law Firm at https://www.rossenlawfirm.com/

  2. Sep 22

    Sentenced to Life at 16: The Untold Story | The Case of Michael Rosado (EP. 69) Part 1

    Sentenced to life in prison at 16 years old. Twenty-six years later, he walked free. This is the story of Michael Rosado, a juvenile life sentence case that turned around drastically.  In part one, Michael tells host Adam Rossen how a troubled childhood in Crystal River, Florida pulled him into a national gang at 14, what happened the night everything changed at 16, and what it's really like to go through a first-degree murder trial and mandatory life sentencing as a teenager.  If you're interested in juvenile justice reform, true crime, or stories of formerly incarcerated people rebuilding their lives, this episode is for you. 00:00 - Cold open  00:44 - Meet Michael Rosado, juvenile lifer released after 26 years  01:43 - Life after prison: Florida Prison Consultants & Reformed Mindset  02:49 - Growing up in Crystal River, Florida  03:37 - A troubled home and an undiagnosed mental illness  06:10 - Finding "family" in a gang at 14  08:31 - How Central Florida gang life pulled him in  15:34 - The night everything changed, at 16  17:28 - The shooting death and the criminal charges  19:07 - The only one who did real time  21:29 - Charged as an adult, held in solitary at 16  25:44 - Confessing to his attorney  27:24 - The plea deals: 75 years, then 50, then 40  29:44 - A 3-day first-degree murder trial  33:20 - Guilty on all counts: mandatory life sentence  37:33 - Sentencing day: 9 cop cars and headlines  40:05 - The last time he let himself cry, for 20 years  42:32 - First night in adult prison, too young to buy cigarettes  50:27 - Learning to read people after 26 years inside  55:37 - Denied on every appeal — until his son asked "when are you coming home?" 🔥About Michael Rosado  A former juvenile lifer freed after twenty-six years behind bars, Michael Rosado now fights for criminal justice reform following his release under landmark SCOTUS decisions like Miller v. Alabama and Graham v. Florida. He founded Florida Prison Consultants, where he works with attorneys and families to guide clients through the prison system, and he hosts the Reformed Mindset podcast. He has spoken nationally for organizations including NDIA and APAI on criminal justice reform and juvenile sentencing, and is dedicated to helping other justice-impacted individuals and their families navigate incarceration and reentry. Connect with Michael ☎️ (352) 634-5045 🔗 https://flprisonconsultants.com/about ⭑.ᐟ Want to be a guest on the show? 📩 Send us an email at marketing@rossenlawfirm.com Connect with Adam on LinkedIn👋  https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamrossen/ Learn more about Adam & the Rossen Law Firm at https://www.rossenlawfirm.com/

  3. 12/18/2025

    Future of Law School Leadership: Innovation & AI | The Honorable Tarlika Nuñez-Navarro (EP. 66)

    Meet the Honorable Tarlika Nuñez-Navarro, a former judge and the current Dean of St. Thomas University College of Law. Tarlika shares her journey from childhood spent among Florida ranches and tennis courts to the bench and the Dean's Office has shaped her approach to fearless leadership.   Host Adam Rossen sits down with Tarlika to explore how her background as a competitive athlete at IMG Academy informs her mission to train law students like elite competitors. Tarlika discusses her "outsider" status in academia and why she made the bold choice to leave a prestigious seat on the bench to tackle the challenges of modern legal education: from bar prep to the integration of AI.   Emphasizing the importance of maintaining work-life harmony, Tarlika shares her vision for St. Thomas Law, emphasizing the need for students to think critically and prepare for a legal landscape that is rapidly evolving through technology.   00:00 - Meet Dean Tarlika Nuñez-Navarro 02:30 - From a Florida ranch to IMG Academy 06:00 - Training law students like elite athletes 08:45 - The philosophy of "failing forward" 14:30 - Gap vs. Gain: Finding work-life harmony 23:00 - Why she left the bench for St. Thomas Law 42:30 - Embracing AI in the legal profession 53:00 - Advice for fearless success   🔥About the Honorable Tarlika Nuñez-Navarro Tarlika Nuñez-Navarro is the Dean of St. Thomas University College of Law and a former Circuit Court Judge for the Seventeenth and Ninth Judicial Circuits of Florida. With an extensive background as both a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney, she brings a practical, "real-world" perspective to legal education. Under her leadership, the school has significantly elevated its profile and rankings in legal academia by achieving record enrollment, and attaining the highest July bar passage rate in its history. She is recognized for her competitive spirit, focus on student mental health, and her commitment to making St. Thomas a premier institution for the next generation of trial lawyers.   🔗 https://www.stu.edu/law/faculty-staff/faculty/tarlika-nunez-navarro/ ✉️ tnuneznavarro@stu.edu   Want to be a guest on the show? 📩 Send us an email at marketing@rossenlawfirm.com   Connect with Adam on LinkedIn👋 https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamrossen/ Learn more about Adam & the Rossen Law Firm at https://www.rossenlawfirm.com/

    Future of Law School Leadership: Innovation & AI | The Honorable Tarlika Nuñez-Navarro (EP. 66)

  4. 12/04/2025

    Be The Leader You Know You Are | How Self-Leadership Changes Everything with Coach Hakim Lakhdar. (Ep.65)

    How do you define real freedom? For Florida's top transformational self-leadership coach Hakim Lakhdar, it starts with one powerfully simple idea: everything in your life is a choice; when you own those choices, you unlock a different level of peace, success, and purpose.   On this episode of Success in South Florida, Adam Rossen sits down with Hakim for one of the most eye-opening conversations of the year. Hakim shares his journey from growing up in Davie, Florida to working in executive education at Harvard Law School, to finally taking the leap into full-time coaching. Hakim's truest path is not guided by titles or expectations, but by a crystal-clear vision for the life he wanted for his family.   Hakim’s honesty about fatherhood, ambition, grief, identity, and self-awareness makes this episode incredibly relatable for anyone interested in understanding the power behind consistently practicing self-leadership.   🔥 About Hakim Lakhdar Hakim is a transformational self-leadership coach and founder of Lakhdar Coaching. Hakim helps high-performing professionals elevate their leadership through awareness, compassion, and intentional action; bringing over 20 years of experience in executive education and leadership development. His work focuses on self-leadership, values-driven decision-making, and designing a life aligned with purpose.   Connect with Hakim on LinkedIn 👋 https://www.linkedin.com/in/hakimlakhdar/   🔗 lakhdarcoaching.com/ ✉️ hakim@lakhdarcoaching.com 📅 https://calendly.com/lakhdarcoaching/30min   Want to be a guest on the show? ✉️ Send us an email at marketing@rossenlawfirm.com   Connect with Adam on LinkedIn👋 https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamrossen/   #SuccessInSouthFlorida #SouthFloridaPodcast #LeadershipCoaching #SelfLeadership Learn more about Adam & the Rossen Law Firm at https://www.rossenlawfirm.com/

    Be The Leader You Know You Are | How Self-Leadership Changes Everything with Coach Hakim Lakhdar. (Ep.65)

  5. 11/13/2025

    From "Suntan U" Sports Radio Jockey → Top Miami IRS Tax Attorney | Meet Steve Klitzner Esq. (Ep.64)

    What happens when a sports-obsessed kid from New Jersey comes to “Suntan U,” becomes a broadcast junkie, and then reinvents himself into one of Miami’s top IRS tax controversy lawyers? Join Adam as he sits down for another great conversation with colleague and friend Steve Klitzner.   Steve Klitzner, a Miami attorney who walked away from a successful personal injury practice to build a niche firm that knows IRS tax law better than the IRS itself. From college sports radio at the University of Miami to becoming a nationally recognized IRS problem-solver, Steve’s story is all about getting out of your comfort zone and taking action. Steve shares how you really can do whatever you want if you’re willing to actually take the steps.   Over the hour, Steve and Adam go deep into what it means to reinvent yourself professionally, how to grow faster by challenging your fears, and why both of them believe so strongly in mentorship, and building meaningful relationships. Steve shares why he loves rules, and why niching down into tax controversy has allowed him to help good people through some of the most stressful financial moments of their lives.   EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 🎙️ From Sports Radio to Law: How Steve went from Miami Hurricanes play-by-play announcer to tax controversy expert.🔥 Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone: Why most people avoid change — and why Steve ran toward it.📬 The Junk Mail That Changed His Life: The $6,800 risk that launched a whole new career.⚖️ Reinventing a Practice: Leaving PI after 13 years to build a niche IRS-defense firm from scratch.🏆 Teaching & Impact: How Steve now trains lawyers nationwide on IRS problem-solving.👥 Networking With Purpose: Why niche positioning makes referral groups like ProVisors work.💼 Flat Fees & Client Trust: Adam and Steve break down why value-based billing matters.    👤 Steve Klitzner is a Miami-based tax controversy lawyer whose practice focuses exclusively on solving IRS problems for individuals and businesses. He helps clients with audits, back taxes, unfiled returns, and other serious IRS collection issues—helping good people solve overwhelming tax issues. Today, he’s also a nationally recognized speaker who travels the country teaching other professionals how to handle IRS cases and build successful, niche practices of their own.   Learn more at FloridaTaxSolvers.com or email him at Steve@FloridaTaxSolvers.com.   📩 Want to be a guest on the show?  Reach out to us at marketing@rossenlawfirm.com.  Subscribe for more inspiring interviews with leaders shaping South Florida’s future.    #SuccessInSouthFlorida #IRSTaxLaw #TaxLawyer #Entrepreneurship #MiamiTaxLawyer #Podcast Learn more about Adam & the Rossen Law Firm at https://www.rossenlawfirm.com/

    From "Suntan U" Sports Radio Jockey → Top Miami IRS Tax Attorney | Meet Steve Klitzner Esq. (Ep.64)

  6. 11/03/2025

    From Gas Station Manager to the first Cuban-American Public Defender | Carlos J. Martinez (Ep.63)

    Adam Rossen sits down with Carlos J. Martinez, the elected Miami-Dade Public Defender (11th Judicial Circuit), to unpack an extraordinary journey—from immigrating to Miami without speaking English to leading one of the nation’s largest criminal defense offices. This episode is rich with purpose-driven leadership, community impact, and practical wisdom.   Growing up in Miami in the early 1970s, Carlos learned resilience the hard way—overcoming language barriers, bias, and limited means. A tough ESOL teacher removed the safety net on day one, forcing fluency and fueling confidence; soon he and his classmates swept the school spelling bee. Throughout the episode, Carlos shares how education, work ethic, and service shaped his calling in public defense. You’ll hear the powerful lesson his parents carried from Cuba: they lost property and liberty, but no one could take their education.   Carlos also opens up about blue-collar beginnings—cleaning churches with his father, managing Exxon stations as a teen, and taking the long route through Miami-Dade College, FIU, and law school. His story is a masterclass in people-first leadership, community service, and finding mission in your career. For anyone considering public interest work—or simply trying to lead with empathy—will find this episode both practical and inspiring.   🏆 Episode Highlights Education as Freedom: Why learning became Carlos' unbreakable driveESOL & Tough Love: The teacher who changed everythingResilience in Miami’s 1970s: Navigating a shifting city and cultureBlue-Collar to Courtroom: Work ethic that forged a leaderServing at Scale: Running a massive criminal defense organizationValues Alignment: Community impact over ego and “me first” culture  About the Guest Carlos J. Martinez is the first Hispanic elected Public Defender in the US, and is Miami-Dade County’s Public Defender (11th Circuit). He leads a mission-driven team providing high-quality representation while advancing reforms around fairness, dignity, and opportunity for justice-involved families across South Florida. https://carlosmartinez.miami/about-carlos/   📚Chapters 00:00 – “They took liberty, but not education” 00:31 – Intro: Carlos J. Martinez, Miami-Dade Public Defender 04:47 – Cuba → Miami: Learning English, ESOL immersion 06:18 – Bias, dignity, and an ally who stood up 10:13 – Spelling bee sweep & the power of hard work 21:33 – A pastor pays tuition: doors open at Immaculata LaSalle High School 27:22 – Education as the path forward 29:02 – Exxon, promotions, and the long road to public defense   Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out: marketing@rossenlawfirm.com Subscribe for more inspiring interviews with leaders shaping South Florida’s future.   #SuccessInSouthFlorida #Leadership #CriminalDefense #Podcast #PublicDefender Learn more about Adam & the Rossen Law Firm at https://www.rossenlawfirm.com/

    From Gas Station Manager to the first Cuban-American Public Defender | Carlos J. Martinez (Ep.63)

  7. 10/16/2025

    How an IBM Intern Becomes a Lawyer & Entrepreneur | Odelia Goldberg’s Self-Investment Playbook (Ep.62)

    Adam Rossen sits down with Odelia Goldberg, a Fort Lauderdale estate planning attorney whose career spans modeling, 18 years at IBM, and building a thriving law practice. This episode explores how emotional intelligence, disciplined systems, and fearless self-investment drive lasting success in business and life.   Odelia shares why she calls herself “a lover, not a fighter,” focusing on non-confrontational law, estate planning, uncontested probate, real estate transactions, and contracts. She explains how emotional intelligence helps lawyers navigate sensitive topics like death without overwhelming clients. Odelia also unpacks her unlikely path: from pageants and modeling to IBM project management, earning an MBA and law degree at night, then acquiring multiple firms from retiring attorneys, developing a repeatable, people-first model.   Tune in as we dive into her Fort Lauderdale law firm growth, why her favorite investment is herself, and how automations (like Salesforce-powered intake) and ownership of her office building created stability and scale. Odelia also recounts a bold run for New York State Senate and the lesson to “stay a six or seven” emotionally, never riding the highs too high or the lows too low. If you’re an entrepreneur or attorney, you’ll learn how to blend systems, EQ, and strategic risk to build a resilient practice.   🎯 Episode Highlights EQ in Law: Using emotional intelligence to discuss hard topics without triggering clientsCareer Pivots: Modeling → IBM PM → attorney & firm ownerDeal Model: Buying practices from retiring lawyers (and letting them keep practicing)Process Wins: Automating consults and templates for fewer errors, more speedOwner Mindset: Why Odelia invests in herself, her team, and her buildingLeadership Lesson: Stay steady—don’t chase the highs or sink with the lowsNext Move: Hiring an associate to scale sustainably  About the Guest Odelia Goldberg is the founding attorney at The Law Offices of Odelia Goldberg in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Her firm focuses on estate planning, uncontested probate, and real estate transactions with a client-centric, systems-driven approach. Learn more: ogoldberglaw.com.    Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out to: marketing@rossenlawfirm.com.  Subscribe for more inspiring interviews with leaders shaping South Florida’s future.   #SuccessInSouthFlorida #SouthFloridaPodcast #Entrepreneurship #CommunityLeadership #BusinessGrowth #EstatePlanning Learn more about Adam & the Rossen Law Firm at https://www.rossenlawfirm.com/

    How an IBM Intern Becomes a Lawyer & Entrepreneur | Odelia Goldberg’s Self-Investment Playbook (Ep.62)

  8. 10/02/2025

    The Power Behind 300 Letters | Amanda & Legend ♥ Because Incarceration is a Family Affair | (Ep.61)

    Adam sits down with Amanda and Legend Tarver, the dream team and founders of 300 Letters, a South Florida 501(c)3 nonprofit transforming lives and families impacted by incarceration. Their story is one of resilience, redemption, and rebuilding; turning yesterday’s tragedy into today’s triumph by treating incarceration as a family affair.   Amanda and Legend open up about their early struggles growing up in Miami, the hardships of incarceration, and how they turned some of the darkest moments of their lives into fuel for purpose-driven leadership. From writing over 300 letters to each other while separated by prison walls to building a thriving nonprofit from the ground up, they share the lessons learned about resilience, family, and the power of community.   Through their nonprofit 300 Letters, they are helping families in South Florida heal from the trauma of incarceration with therapy, coaching, childcare support, and community programs. Their message is simple yet urgent: no one is coming to save us, we must be the change we want to see.   If you’ve ever wondered how to transform adversity into impact, this episode will inspire you to rethink second chances, redefine success, and take action in your own community. Interested in getting involved with this amazing organization? Visit https://300letters.org/get-involved/   About 300 Letters: Amanda and Legend are the co-founders of 300 Letters, a Miami-based nonprofit that provides therapy, coaching, and community support for families impacted by incarceration.    Inspired by their own journey through the federal justice system—Amanda and Legend who were both incarcerated at the same time, leaving behind their eldest son and learning a new son was on the way 2 weeks into their sentence. But life continues after incarceration. They are now advocates, parents, and leaders building hope and resilience across South Florida. Learn more at 300letters.org.   300 Letters is focused on creating and maintaining the bond between recently released parents and their children. Their mission is to help families recover from the trauma of incarceration and yo treat incarceration as a family affair by providing emotional support, financial relief, resources and confidence to the families that have been impacted by the criminal justice system.     🎯 Episode Highlights:  ✅ How Amanda and Legend turned incarceration into a movement for healing  ✅ The power of writing “300 letters” to stay connected through prison walls  ✅ Breaking the cycle: treating incarceration as a family issue, not an individual one  ✅ The challenges of reintegration after prison and how they overcame shame & stigma  ✅ Building a nonprofit in South Florida from lived experience to lasting impact  ✅ Why second chances matter, and how 300 Letters empowers families to thrive     ⏱️ Chapters:  00:30 – Meet Amanda & Legend from 300 Letters  04:45 – Childhood, survival mode, and early struggles  13:00 – The federal indictment & prison time  20:00 – Family resilience and pregnancy behind bars  31:00 – Turning letters into a nonprofit mission  46:00 – Advocacy, funding challenges & community impact  56:00 – How you can support 300 Letters     Call to Action:  Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out at marketing@rossenlawfirm.com  👉 Subscribe for more inspiring stories from leaders shaping South Florida’s future!   #Podcast #Nonprofit #SouthFl Learn more about Adam & the Rossen Law Firm at https://www.rossenlawfirm.com/

    The Power Behind 300 Letters | Amanda & Legend ♥ Because Incarceration is a Family Affair | (Ep.61)
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About

Welcome to the Success in South Florida Podcast with Adam Rossen. Join Adam each episode as he interviews entrepreneurs, leaders, and other movers and shakers in South Florida to find out how they're doing their part to enhance the local community. The podcast is full of personal stories, details of obstacles overcome, business triumphs and so much more. Your host is attorney Adam Rossen, the CEO & Founder of Rossen Law Firm. He was born and raised in South Florida and became an attorney because he believes in helping those in need and crafting lifelong relationships in the community. This podcast is an extension of that mission... More information at https://www.rossenlawfirm.com/ and if you need legal defense, schedule a free consultation here: https://www.rossenlawfirm.com/contact/

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