TalkVisual305: Homestead FL & The Stories Behind the Success

Demmetrius Knowles & Julio Guzman
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TalkVisual305 brings you real conversations with the people shaping Homestead and South Miami-Dade. We talk to mayors, business owners, civic leaders, and changemakers — straight talk on the issues, ideas, and stories driving our community forward. Hosted by Julio Guzman and Demmetrius Knowles, each episode digs past the headlines to the real decisions, setbacks, and turning points that shaped a career or a community. Our goal: leave a trail of clues for the next generation. Real lessons from real people who've actually lived it.

  1. Sep 18

    Holistic Dentistry @ Florida City Dental with Karla "Kuki" Castillo

    In this episode of TalkVisual305, Julio Guzman and Demmetrius Knowles sit down with Karla “Kuki” Castillo of Florida City Dental to discuss her journey in the dental industry, the growth of the practice, and the evolving connection between oral health and overall wellness. Kuki shares how she became involved in dentistry, what brought her to South Dade, and how Florida City Dental has grown over the years to better serve families throughout Homestead, Florida City, and the surrounding community. A major focus of the conversation is holistic dentistry, an approach that looks beyond just treating teeth and considers how oral health can be connected to a patient’s overall health and well-being. Kuki explains how Florida City Dental is incorporating a more comprehensive and whole-patient approach to care, while also embracing advancements such as digital dentistry, laser technology, orthodontics, restorative treatments, and other modern techniques. We also talk about entrepreneurship, building a strong team, growing a local business, and what it takes to create a practice that patients can trust for the long term. Florida City Dental 📍 786 S Homestead Blvd, Homestead, FL 33034 📞 305-242-5777 🌐 FloridaCityDental.com 📱 Instagram: @flcitydental Real Talk. Real Leaders. Real South Dade. Follow and subscribe to TalkVisual305 for more conversations with the people, businesses, and leaders shaping our community. #TalkVisual305 #FloridaCityDental #KukiCastillo #HolisticDentistry #OralHealth #WholeBodyHealth #Dentistry #SouthDade #HomesteadFL #FloridaCityFL #MiamiDade #BusinessSpotlight #LocalBusiness #Entrepreneurship #SupportLocal

  2. Sep 18

    Homestead Police Chief: Mario Knapp on Leadership & the Future of Homestead

    What does it take to lead a police department in a rapidly growing city? On this episode of TalkVisual305, Julio Guzman and Demmetrius Knowles sit down with Homestead Police Chief Mario Knapp for a candid conversation about his journey through more than three decades in law enforcement and his transition from a 27-year career with Miami-Dade Police to leading the Homestead Police Department. Chief Knapp shares his approach to leadership, what he found when he arrived at HPD, the changes underway within the department, and his vision of moving beyond simply responding to crime toward a more proactive approach to public safety. The conversation also explores community trust, transparency, Homestead’s rapid growth, the challenges facing law enforcement today, and how HPD is preparing for the city Homestead is becoming. Get to know the man behind the badge and his vision for the future of public safety in Homestead.

  3. Sep 18

    New Podcast Studio, Harris Field Updates & What’s Happening in Homestead

    This week on Talk Visual 305, Julio Guzman and Demmetrius Knowles go catch up on what’s happening behind the scenes and around the City of Homestead. We kick things off by talking about our new podcast studio setup and the continued growth of TalkVisual305. We also take a moment to thank the sponsors and supporters who help make the show possible. From there, we dive into several local updates, including the new Spay & Neuter Mobile Unit at Harris Field, the latest on the Harris Field stadium improvements proposal, and other insights and developments affecting the Homestead community. No guest this week — just two local voices sharing perspective on the projects, changes, and conversations shaping our city and South Dade. Real Talk. Real Leaders. Real South Dade. Subscribe, follow, and stay connected at TalkVisual305.com.

  4. Sep 18

    From the Dominican Republic to the Cockpit: Eddy Rodriguez’s Journey to Becoming a Pilot

    In this episode of TalkVisual305, we have a bilingual conversation with Eddy Rodriguez about his journey from the Dominican Republic to Homestead and the different paths he has taken to build a life and career in the United States. Eddy shares how his passion for aviation began as a child, what it took to earn his pilot’s license in the Dominican Republic, and the challenges of continuing that aviation journey after coming to the U.S. He also talks about his experience in the trucking industry, including the process of becoming a truck driver, the realities and challenges drivers face on the road, changes in the industry, and some of the problems drivers should be aware of when dealing with certain companies. Throughout the conversation, Eddy discusses persistence, overcoming obstacles, and the importance of continuing to move forward even when the path is difficult. Hosted by Demmetrius Knowles and Julio Guzman. Subscribe to TalkVisual305 for more bilingual conversations with the people, entrepreneurs, professionals, and community members shaping South Florida.

  5. Sep 18

    How Chefs on the Run Put Homestead on South Florida’s Culinary Map

    In this episode of TalkVisual305, Julio Guzman and Demmetrius Knowles sit down with Chef Jodrick Ujaque, the award-winning chef and creative force behind Chefs on the Run Gastro Pub in Homestead, Florida. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in a family of butchers, Chef Jodrick learned to cook at an early age. After gaining experience at well-known restaurants such as Café Tu Tu Tango and Ortanique, he took a chance in 2011 and opened Chefs on the Run—the first Caribbean-American gastropub of its kind in South Florida. Chef Jodrick shares the challenges of opening a restaurant in a small market, the inspiration behind his bold Puerto Rican and Caribbean-American cuisine, and how Chefs on the Run became one of Homestead’s most recognized restaurants. We also discuss his 13 years of participation in the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, appearances on “Bites with Belkys,” “Delicioso,” “A la Carta,” and “Check, Please!,” and his historic participation in Paradise Farms’ “Dinner in Paradise.” Chef Jodrick also explains why chef-owned and family-owned restaurants will continue to thrive, what aspiring chefs should know before attending culinary school, and why creating a memorable dining experience will never go out of style. Subscribe to TalkVisual305 for more conversations with the business owners, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and personalities shaping Homestead and South Dade. Restaurant Location - 10 E Mowry Dr, Homestead, FL 33030 Phone - (305) 245-0085 Menu Visit - chefsontheruninhomestead.com Instagram - @chefsontherun #ChefsOnTheRun #TalkVisual305 #HomesteadFlorida #ChefJodrick #PuertoRicanFood #SouthFloridaFood #MiamiRestaurants #Gastropub #SupportLocalRestaurants

  6. Aug 13

    How Chefs on the Run Put Homestead on South Florida’s Culinary Map

    In this episode of TalkVisual305, Julio Guzman and Demmetrius Knowles sit down with Chef Jodrick Ujaque, the award-winning chef and creative force behind Chefs on the Run Gastro Pub in Homestead, Florida. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in a family of butchers, Chef Jodrick learned to cook at an early age. After gaining experience at well-known restaurants such as Café Tu Tu Tango and Ortanique, he took a chance in 2011 and opened Chefs on the Run—the first Caribbean-American gastropub of its kind in South Florida. Chef Jodrick shares the challenges of opening a restaurant in a small market, the inspiration behind his bold Puerto Rican and Caribbean-American cuisine, and how Chefs on the Run became one of Homestead’s most recognized restaurants. We also discuss his 13 years of participation in the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, appearances on “Bites with Belkys,” “Delicioso,” “A la Carta,” and “Check, Please!,” and his historic participation in Paradise Farms’ “Dinner in Paradise.” Chef Jodrick also explains why chef-owned and family-owned restaurants will continue to thrive, what aspiring chefs should know before attending culinary school, and why creating a memorable dining experience will never go out of style. Subscribe to TalkVisual305 for more conversations with the business owners, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and personalities shaping Homestead and South Dade. Restaurant Location - 10 E Mowry Dr, Homestead, FL 33030 Phone - (305) 245-0085 Menu Visit - chefsontheruninhomestead.com Instagram - @chefsontherun #ChefsOnTheRun #TalkVisual305 #HomesteadFlorida #ChefJodrick #PuertoRicanFood #SouthFloridaFood #MiamiRestaurants #Gastropub #SupportLocalRestaurants

  7. Aug 13

    Homestead MMA Professional to Educator and Championship Wrestling Coach | Chino Duran

    In this episode of TalkVisual305, Julio Guzman and Demmetrius Knowles sit down with Gamaliel “Chino” Duran, educator, wrestling coach, and founder of DBlueprint Combat Academy and Wrestling Club. Chino shares his journey from immigrating to South Florida in the 1980s and growing up in Homestead to becoming a three-time GMAC Girls Wrestling Coach of the Year. He discusses how his experiences living at the South Dade Center of the Homestead Housing Authority helped shape his work ethic, leadership, and commitment to serving young people in the community. We also discuss the growth of girls wrestling, the influence of legendary coach Victor Balmeceda, the challenges of building a combat-sports program, and the opportunities wrestling and MMA can create for the next generation. Learn how DBlueprint is helping athletes develop from beginners into serious competitors while building confidence, discipline, and character. Subscribe to TalkVisual305 for more conversations with the people shaping Homestead and South Miami-Dade.

  8. Aug 13

    Haitian TPS, Homestead Infrastructure Upgrades & New Leadership Role at Homestead Housing Authority

    In today’s episode of TalkVisual305, Julio Guzman and Demmetrius Knowles sit down for a timely conversation about three important issues affecting the Homestead and South Miami-Dade community. We discuss the Temporary Protected Status situation impacting Haitian families, the major infrastructure improvements underway near Krome Avenue and Flagler Avenue, and what those upgrades could mean for local residents, businesses, traffic, and future development. Julio also shares a personal announcement about being elected Chair of the Homestead Housing Authority Board of Commissioners and discusses the responsibility of helping establish policy, vision, and priorities for affordable housing in the community. Join us for an honest conversation about immigration, infrastructure, housing, leadership, and the future of Homestead. Topics discussed: • Temporary Protected Status for Haitians • Krome Avenue and Flagler Avenue infrastructure upgrades • Homestead Housing Authority leadership announcement • Affordable housing and community development • The future of Homestead and South Miami-Dade Subscribe to TalkVisual305 for conversations with the people, leaders, and organizations shaping our community.

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TalkVisual305 brings you real conversations with the people shaping Homestead and South Miami-Dade. We talk to mayors, business owners, civic leaders, and changemakers — straight talk on the issues, ideas, and stories driving our community forward. Hosted by Julio Guzman and Demmetrius Knowles, each episode digs past the headlines to the real decisions, setbacks, and turning points that shaped a career or a community. Our goal: leave a trail of clues for the next generation. Real lessons from real people who've actually lived it.

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