Guests:

• Shaun Michael Colón, filmmaker, Age of Audio

• Badr Milligan, co-founder of Jax Podcasters United

• Letisha Bereola, director of podcasting at WJCT Public Media

Life sentence

If you’ve ever wondered what gives certain sentences their undeniable punch — from Sam Jackson’s iconic “I’ve had it ...” diatribe from Snakes On A Plane to memorable Yoda-isms from the Star Wars franchise — there’s a book for that. This Is a Book of Sentence Diagrams: A Journey Through the Sharpest, Strangest, and Most Stirring Lines Ever Constructed offers a curated, illustrated journey through the land of the unabashed word nerd, breaking down our introduction to Mellville’s whale, Kafka’s cockroach and Mom’s go-to demurral (“Because I said so”). We meet the author and learn how he discovered the power of symbolic language.

Guest: Man Martin, author, This is a Book of Sentence Diagrams

Into the light

It’s the background of everywhere you look, fills the entire universe and makes up the static hiss on the in-between channels of old TV sets. While you can’t see it with the naked eye, the afterglow left behind thousands of years after the Big Bang is considered the oldest light in the universe. We discuss how scientists have accurately mapped out the Cosmic Microwave Background and how it helps experts timeline the history of the universe.

Guest: Eddie Whisler, director of planetarium and outreach, Museum of Science & History

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Monique O. Madan, senior investigative journalist and founder of the “Two Can Be True” newsletter

Women's Giving Alliance

A collective giving initiative celebrates 25 years of philanthropy to support the needs of women and girls in Northeast Florida. Since 2001, the Women’s Giving Alliance has awarded $10 million in grants to more than 80 nonprofit organizations in the area. To commemorate this milestone, Delores Barr Weaver, an alliance co-founder, has offered a $150,000 match for donations through September. This is part of a larger strategic effort to address violence against women and girls by supporting organizations that share in this mission through mental health, safety, education and empowerment efforts. Duval County alone sees almost 5,000 cases of domestic violence per year, though research indicates many incidents don’t get reported.

Guests:

• Sabeen Perwaiz, president, Women's Giving Alliance

• Isaiah M. Oliver, president, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

Amplifying Avondale

A celebration of one of Jacksonville's most historic neighborhoods set to a soundtrack of Jill Scott and Mary J. Blige. The local band Groove Coalition performs classic soul and R&B at the upcoming Amplified Avondale event. Held the last Friday of every month, the event was created in 2022 to foster community and generate foot traffic for merchants on St. Johns Avenue. Stores and restaurants keep their doors open late for visitors, as multiple local bands perform along a community art walk that includes vendors from nearby neighborhood Murray Hill Farmer’s Market. We sit down with the event’s founder, aka the “Mayor of Avondale,” as well as a featured musician to discuss what’s planned, how the event has grown and how it might evolve in the future. Amplified Avondale is held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. May 29 on St. Johns Avenue.

Guests:

• Ron Rothberg, founder, Amplified Avondale

• Tommy Bridgewater, musician, Groove Coalition

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• Congestion, confusion and contusions complicate Jacksonville’s inaugural Ironman.

• The NAACP calls on college athletes to boycott eight Southern states, including Florida, for voting rights rollbacks.

• Yet another subpoena expands the JEA investigation sparked by City Council President Kevin Carrico’s errant email.

• A sworn statement contradicts a Deegan administration official’s claim that he was unaware of a city illegal gun registry.

Guests:

• Nate Monroe, executive editor at the Florida Trib

• Anthony Austin, anchor at First Coast News

• Will Brown, race and poverty reporter at Jacksonville Today

• David Bauerlein, metro reporter at the Florida Times-Union

The Merci seat

An open mic poetry collective with hip-hop roots promises a night of rhythm and creativity from local poets and artists. Described by organizers as one of Jacksonville’s few events devoted to incubating and fostering dynamic, performance-based poetry, Poetically Mic’d welcomes writers of all levels to share their work on stage in a welcoming atmosphere. Poetically Mic’d is founded by local rapper and community organizer Merci, hosting events ranging from poetry battles, artist showcases and other live performances. He says the movement “is dedicated to blending the power of poetry with hip-hop and dynamic lyricism to elevate Northeast Florida’s cultural scene.” A Poetry Open Mic is 7 to 11 p.m. May 31 at 9570 Regency Square Blvd.

Guest: Merci, rapper, founder and director of Poetically Mic’d

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Guest: Helena Atalla Parola, director of the city’s Planning Department

Jacksonville Jazz Fest 

With a lineup that ranges from P-Funk and esperanza spalding to Nile Rodgers and CHIC, the Jacksonville Jazz Fest showcases a vast expanse of musical styles, including some not traditionally thought of as jazz. We talk to acclaimed saxophonist and host of the WJCT 89.9 FM jazz program Bop City Daniel Stark about past Jazz Fest greats like Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Marcus Roberts, as well as what he’s most looking forward to this year (hint: Ghost-Note and John Lumpkin & The Covenant are on the shortlist). We also discuss what the annual event contributes to the local jazz scene, and whether more can be done to integrate the moment into a larger musical movement.

Guest: Daniel Stark, host of Bop City on WJCT 89.9 FM, executive director of Friday Musicale 

Charismatic megafauna pics

Right whales are on the move north after a successful calving season, and an exhibit celebrating the endangered mammals is also on a journey. The Right Whales of Amelia Island exhibit is on display at the Beaches Museum through Aug. 23, part of a tour that began in Fernandina Beach and ends up at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium later this year. We talk to a local whale ambassador about why this was a bumper year for baby whales and what this season means for the creature’s long-term health and survival.

Guest: Krissi Barr, Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• The World Health Organization has declared an Ebola outbreak in parts of Congo and Uganda a global health emergency, driven by a Bundibugyo strain with no approved vaccine yet. Dr. Joe explains how Ebola really spreads, why it is much harder to catch than COVID, and why everyday risk in the U.S. remains low right now.
• New research on microplastics finds tiny plastic particles in human blood, lungs, and even brain tissue, raising questions about their effects on mood and thinking. Dr. Joe talks about how these particles might disrupt hormones, inflammation, and neurotransmitters tied to anxiety and depression—and practical steps that can modestly cut exposure.
• Colon cancer is now the leading cancer killer among people under 50, and doctors increasingly suspect a damaged gut microbiome is part of the reason. Dr. Joe walks through when to start screening, symptoms younger adults should never ignore, and how fiber, movement, and fewer ultra‑processed foods may help lower the risk.
• A new imaging study shows that ultra‑processed foods are linked to more fat streaked through people’s muscles—even in those who are slim and active. Dr. Joe explains what “fatty muscle” means for everyday strength and heart disease risk, and why whole foods matter even if the scale looks fine.

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Guest: Bob Kealing, journalist and author of Calling Me Home: Gram Parsons and the Roots of Country Rock

Paw-Paw potion

He’s been called one of “Florida’s earliest and more successful snake-oil salesmen” and “America’s most colorful medical huckster,” but his signature elixir continues to captivate customers. Munyon’s Paw-Paw liqueur has been reanimated by two entrepreneurs and beverage industry veterans, who dug into the checkered but colorful history of Dr. James M. Munyon, a turn of the (last) century wellness guru and self-made millionaire (though never a doctor). Their new aperitif kindles the taste and ambiance of earlier times, without the original product’s secret ingredient: THC. We talk to the reporter who recently profiled the product and its creators in Flamingo Magazine.

Guest: Steve Dollar, freelance journalist, artistic director of the Tallahassee Film Festival

8th wonder 

A storied after-school and summer program receives the largest grant in its 35-year history. The $250,000 gift from the Ponte Vedra Beach-based philanthropy the Warren and Augusta Hume Foundation will allow Sanctuary on 8th Street to upgrade its facilities and expand its offerings. Established in 1992, the 8th St. program has grown from a dozen participants in after-school and summer camp programs to hundreds of kids over the years. The facility, which caters to children ages 5 to 17 in the Eastside/Springfield area, plans to use the funds to create a "sensory, development and play" space and launch a new summer nourishment program. We talk to its executive director about what else the nonprofit needs and how the community can help.

Guests:

• Rick Cartlidge Jr., executive director, Sanctuary on 8th Street

• Emani Walker, program coach, Sanctuary on 8th Street

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: David Epstein, journalist, author of Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better

Body heat

A new research lab at the University of North Florida will test the long and short term health effects of extreme weather on athletes, laborers and members of the military. The new Perry Weather Heat Lab held its grand opening Monday at The Korey Stringer Institute’s UNF satellite location. The Connecticut-based institute is named for the Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle, who collapsed and died 25 years ago of exertional heatstroke during the team's training camp. Established in 2010, the institute focuses on “research, education, advocacy, and consultation to maximize performance, optimize safety, and prevent sudden death.” We discuss how the work of the lab could translate into specific remedies in an ever-warming planet.

Guests:

• Michael Szymanski, director, Perry Weather Heat Lab and assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of North Florida

• Gabrielle Brewer, associate director, Perry Weather Heat Lab and post-doctoral associate the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of North Florida

DIY jellyfish terrarium 

As more people search for ways to unplug, a Jacksonville entrepreneur is blending creativity and connection. What began as a personal mental health outlet has evolved into a creative series centered on wellness and community for LaRoLé Studio owner Amber Lettsome. Her Sip & Grow botanical workshops offer immersive hands-on experiences designed to help adults create and unwind. Lettsome shares the inspiration behind the events and the upcoming jellyfish terrarium class May 20 at Juice Wine Bar.

Guest: Amber Lettsome, founder and creative director, LaRoLé Studio

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guests:

• Teri Sopp, assistant public defender, criminal defense attorney

• Lisa Varon, reference law librarian, adjunct professor of law, Jacksonville University College of Law

Trauma informed response

From the moment trauma strikes, be it a gunshot, a car crash or a stroke, a system of first responders clicks into motion, which, if successful, shuttles a patient from the precipice of death to physical stability and, eventually , recovery. The path from wreckage to rehab can involve dozens of EMTs, ER nurses and trauma surgeons, all of whom experience the stress and reward of working the space between life and death. We talk to two veteran trauma first responders about how they manage their daily exposure to things most would hope to never see, and how they pass that experience to others entering the field.

Guests:

• Dr. Shilpa Amin, chair of emergency medicine at HCA Florida Memorial Hospital

• Dr. Bradley Elias, medical director of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department 

Batter up

A new baseball league aims to get talented players off the bench and back in the game. The Jacksonville Competitive Baseball League was established to hone player skills and spotlight athletes who may have been overlooked due to injury, finances or lack of exposure. The 2026 season is underway and runs through July 12.

Guests:

• Jonathan Vazquez, founder, Jacksonville Competitive Baseball League

• John Peters, manager, The Muffin Freaks

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• Civil rights attorney Ben Crump picks up two new clients over concerns about law enforcement response in Duval and Clay counties.

• The city gives Winn-Dixie $12 million to keep it in Jacksonville, even as residents of Brentwood and Green Cove Springs fight to keep the grocer in their communities.

• Florida’s attorney general targets the city, the NFL and AI chatbots as his first election looms.

Guests:

• Obi Umunna, attorney and political consultant

• Mike Mendenhall, associate editor and City Hall reporter at Jacksonville Today

• Sylvia Perry, editor of the Jacksonville Free Press

• Frank Powers, former assignment manager at WJXT News4Jax

Musical minds

Music and mental health come together in Stronger Than Stigma’s fourth Concert + Conversation. The event is a fundraiser for the advocacy organization, but also a rare fusion of entertainment and candid explorations of mental health challenges. Staged at Blue Jay Listening Room in Jacksonville Beach, the event features live music by Rambler Kane and Three Leg Cat, followed by a moderated panel discussion on the musicians’ own experiences, and the interplay between artistry and psychological well-being. Tickets for the “concert-meets-couch” event benefit the local organization.

Guests:

• Gabrielle Magid, founder and CEO of Stronger Than Stigma

• Rambler Kane, singer/songwriter

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Chris Hand, local government expert, attorney and co-author with the late Sen. Bob Graham of America, the Owner's Manual

IVF access

Individuals and couples trying to conceive face a slew of challenges, from the sheer cost of in vitro fertilization to the physical and emotional toll of hormone treatments and the anxiety of repeated treatments and uncertain outcomes. But living through the experience has birthed a new kind of process-midwife known as an infertility doula. We meet a local practitioner who says sharing the knowledge she gleaned in her own fertility experience gives clients comfort and confidence in what can be both a life-changing and a life-giving process.

Guests:

• Alexandra Hamrick, founder, The Infertility Doula
• Marisa Coloñ, full-spectrum doula, student midwife

Tri hard

From the streets of Downtown Jacksonville to the waters of the St. Johns River, the toughest triathletes brace for this weekend's competition. We meet a competitor, a coach and the organizer of the inaugural Jacksonville Ironman. The ultimate endurance race features a 2.4-mile river swim, a 112-mile bike loop that runs from the city center to the Beaches, and 26.2-mile run through Downtown. Among those competing in the contest is first-time Ironman contender and Jacksonville City Council member Raul Arias. The swim, which runs from Metro Park to just west of the Cummer Museum, is viewable by spectators along the Northbank Riverwalk. The running course wends through Lavilla and Riverside before ending in Riverfront Park. The race is expected to affect traffic in both Duval and St. Johns counties, but the only road that will be closed entirely is the Nocatee Parkway Flyover between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Guests:  

• Skye Johnson, 5x Ironman participant, coach and owner of Tri with Skye

• Emily Rogers, first time Ironman participant

• Ryan Lobato, communications manager, The IRONMAN Group

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• As headlines swirl about a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, Dr. Joe explains why this rodent-linked virus is very different from COVID, how the Andes strain spreads, and why public health tools like quarantine and contact tracing keep overall risk low for the general public.
• Guidelines highlighted this week warn that two modern bathroom habits—low-fiber diets and scrolling on your phone while sitting on the toilet—are fueling hemorrhoids, which affect at least half of adults by age 50. Dr. Joe talks about when bleeding or discomfort should prompt a visit to the doctor, and why it is time to cap toilet time and put the phone down.
• New research on “covert consciousness” suggests some patients diagnosed as vegetative may still be processing commands and language, even when they show no obvious signs of awareness. Dr. Joe walks through what brain scans are revealing, how this complicates conversations about prognosis, and why families need both hope and clarity when a loved one is in a prolonged coma.
• An 80-year study from Rush University finds that lifelong cognitive enrichment—being read to as a child, visiting museums, reading and playing games later in life—can lower Alzheimer’s risk by about 38 percent. Dr. Joe explains how active, focused learning seems to protect brain health over decades, and why it is worth building these habits for both kids and adults.

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Guests:

• Taylor White, junior, Fleming Island High School

• Jalicia Lewis, community outreach and engagement lead, Jacksonville Climate Coalition

• Gabriel James, founder of Pathway America charter at Flagler College

Free dental care

Two weeks ago we told you about Florida’s emergency dentistry crisis. On Wednesday, we preview a two-day event designed to help as many as 1,800 locals in need of free dental care. Sponsored by the Florida Dental Association Foundation, the 11th Florida Mission of Mercy event will be Friday and Saturday at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, along with a special Veterans’ First initiative on Thursday. (Veterans can pre-register by visiting www.flamom.org and clicking the red “Veterans’ Dental Event” button.) The event offers free cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, pediatric dentistry and root canals. The event is ticketed: After checking in on-site, patients are given a specific appointment time and asked to return for care. Appointments are given on a first-come, first-served basis, so early arrival is encouraged. Doors open at 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Guest: Dr. Tom Brown, dentist and co-chair of the 2026 Florida Mission of Mercy

Emancipation Celebration 

When President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, it applied to Florida as well as nine other states that seceded from the Union. The policy was known to those living in Union-controlled areas, including St. Augustine and Jacksonville. But for parts of the state still governed by the Confederacy, the formal proclamation wasn’t announced until more than two years later, on May 20, 1865. And it would be another month before word reached the final formally enslaved areas of the nation in Texas — a day now celebrated as the federal holiday of Juneteenth. A local celebration of Emancipation Day was started in 1913 by humanitarian and philanthropist Eartha M.M. White and revived in 2021 by Jacksonville City Council member and Clara White Mission CEO Ju’Coby Pittman. This year’s event will be from 5-9 p.m. Sunday at Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park, and features live performances by STR8UP Band, Mal Jones, DJ Cook, Alisha Merine and Kiyurah Davis, as well as presentations by local historians, food vendors and a celebratory setting.

Guests:

• Carla Mechele Jones, Vibrant Places Collective facilitator

• Yollie Copeland, founder and tour guide, Explore Jax Core

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan

Musical chairs

More comfortable seats and improved acoustics are two of the biggest changes promised in a summertime overhaul of Jacoby Symphony Hall. The orchestra’s home is slated for a makeover beginning June 8, with completion set to conclude ahead of the 2026/27 season in September. The project will also include new carpeting and an updated speaker system for non-classical programming like the Pops Series and Symphonic Night at the Movies performances. We talk to the Symphony’s chief executive about how the project is being funded and how the changes will affect guests and performers alike.

Guest: Steven B. Libman, president and CEO of the Jacksonville Symphony

'Gathering Turquoise'

An acclaimed Americana performer who’s graced stages from Florida to his home state of Illinois for decades celebrates the release of his debut studio album this month. A mix of country, blues, folk and rock 'n’ roll, Gathering Turquoise was recorded at Retrophonics Recording Studio in St. Augustine and was produced in part by Cara Murphy, owner of Blue Jay Listening Room in Jacksonville Beach. Fittingly, that’s also where Patrick Hagerman’s album release show will be held May 23. With a sound that’s been compared to Guy Clark and John Prine, Hagerman is known for both emotionally evocative and sagely comic lyrics, as in his songs Hell on Purpose and Walmart Melatonin. In a recent social media post, Hagerman said, “After 30 years of songs, miles, late nights, heartbreak, hope, new love and chasing something real … it’s finally here.”

Guest: Patrick Hagerman, singer-songwriter

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guests:

• Adonnica Toler, museum director, Eartha M. M. White Historical Museum and Gardens

• Tim Gilmore, author, educator and historian at JaxPsychoGeo

Truth vs. trolls

Fighting misinformation online takes if not a village, then at least a small digital army. That’s the idea behind Climate Truth Tellers, an initiative of the Sierra Club that works to combat deceptive, alarmist or simply mistaken claims about climate change on social media. The strategy aims to both flood the zone with helpful, fact-based posts and to offer counter programming to the often dystopian drumbeat of online exchanges. We talk to the program’s regional manager about tactics to take on the trolls, and her recent appearance on the Climate Connections shortcast.

Guest: Jennifer McCharen, regional digital manager, Sierra Club

Encores and Evolution

An upcoming production by Bold City Opera offers a chance to both reminisce about past performances and fund future ones. The nonprofit resident chamber opera company holds its inaugural fundraiser cabaret, showcasing signature performances from its first three years of immersive opera experiences. Founded in late 2022 by locally based soprano Christine Alfano and conductor Brandon Smith, BCO has hosted free outreach performances and is known for pushing traditional operatic boundaries. Encores and Evolution includes a two-act concert, as well as popular arias, duets and ensemble pieces featuring a mix of regional and local performers. The cabaret show begins at 7 p.m. May 16 in Taliaferro Hall at St. John’s Cathedral in Downtown Jacksonville.

Guests:

• Brandon Smith, Bold City Opera executive artistic director, co-founder and pianist

• Christine Alfano, co-founder of Bold City Opera and featured cabaret vocalist

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• An influential group of business executives asks the City Council to lay off on its JEA investigation — and the council rejects the request.

• The surprising results of a community poll show support for a vision of the Skyway that doesn’t involve mass transit.

• A local woman plans to file suit over her court-ordered C-section. 

• The city’s DOGE committee finds no evidence of fraud or conflicts of interest after a $40,000, six-month probe.

Guests:

• David Bauerlein, metro reporter at the Florida Times-Union

• Riley Phillips, reporter at First Coast News

• Jack Webb, attorney and former Jacksonville City Council president

Justice Jam

For nearly 50 years, a nonprofit law firm has provided free civil legal aid to North and Central Florida residents, focusing specifically on those who are low-income, disabled, elderly or military service veterans. The group provides services in 17 counties ranging from housing and family law to pursuing disability and VA payments. But the group’s mission hinges on community support. An upcoming fundraiser featuring live music and cocktails aims to help the group raise $30,000 to fund its services. The 3rd Annual Justice Jam will take place at 6 p.m. May 14 at Brick and Beam in Springfield.

Guests:

• LaTonya Lipscomb Smith, heirs property project manager, Three Rivers Legal Services Inc.

• Kevin Rabin, litigation director, Three Rivers Legal Services Inc.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guests: 

• David Jaffee, professor of sociology at the University of North Florida, director of the UNF Jax Rental Housing Project

• Katie Renzi, project manager, Jax Rental Housing Project

Ride of a lifetime

A journey of a thousand miles begins … in Jacksonville. Later this month, veterans embark on an adaptive cycling ride in honor of the nation’s 250th birthday. Some 80 athletes begin a two-week journey to the 9/11 memorial in New York City, with patriotic pitstops along the way, including Gettysburg, the Liberty Bell, Arlington National Cemetery and the White House. The peloton will be divided into four groups of 20 for the relay ride, some on traditional bikes, others using hand cycles or recumbent bikes. We talk to the ride’s sponsor, Wounded Warrior Project, as well as a paralympic triathlete and participant, about the value of physical activity and group endeavors when it comes to overcoming service-related trauma.

Guests:

• Meghan Wagner, director of physical health and wellness, Wounded Warrior Project

• Kelly Elmlinger, Army veteran and paralympic triathlete

Learning with dyslexia

After participating in a national roundtable discussion on students with dyslexia hosted by doctor and U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, Jacksonville pediatrician and advocate Dr. Chanley Dudley joins us to discuss how the city is meeting the challenge of educating children equally and appropriately. Dudley also serves on the board for the city’s primary school for dyslexic kids, the DePaul School of Northeast Florida, which is undergoing a major expansion. We ask her about goals for the new campus and the launch of the Florida Dyslexia Literacy Center.

Guest:

• Dr. Chanley Dudley, parent, pediatrician and board chair at the DePaul School of Northeast Florida & Florida Dyslexia Literacy Center

• Amber Oliveira, head of school, DePaul School of Northeast Florida

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• President Trump has signed an executive order sending 50 million dollars into psychedelic treatments for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, and telling regulators to fast‑track a “magic mushroom”–based drug. Dr. Joe highlights what early studies show for tough‑to‑treat cases—and why these drugs still pose heart risks and need to be paired with guided therapy rather than used alone.
• Researchers at Mayo Clinic have created an AI tool called REDMod that can flag early signs of pancreatic cancer on routine CT scans roughly 475 days before usual diagnosis. Dr. Joe explains why catching this cancer earlier could be lifesaving, and how tools like this might first be used for people at highest risk.
• A small study suggests that sleeping with stacked pillows can raise eye pressure in people with glaucoma by changing neck position and blood flow. Dr. Joe talks about what this could mean if you already have glaucoma, why most people don’t need to toss their pillows, and the regular eye pressure checks he wants everyone to keep on their radar.

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Guest: Nichole Manna, investigative reporter at the Florida Trib

Bonsai of relief

If all you know about bonsai trees is what you learned from Mr. Miyagi, there is much to learn, grasshopper. We talk to a bonsai expert and a master gardener ahead of Riverside Avondale Preservation's annual home garden tour. We also get expert advice about how to manage your existing plants during the ongoing drought and related water restrictions. RAP's 6th Annual Garden Tour is a major community fundraiser, offering a peek into some of the region’s most painstakingly landscaped places, from the “Bromelia Boutique” on Oak Street to the chemical-free, Florida-friendly environs of “Nature’s Friend” on Pine Street. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and has become a pre-Mother’s Day tradition for many.

Guests:

• Stephanie Means, Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program coordinator at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

• Mike Groeschel, owner, SkyDog Family Bonsai

Leaving a scar

Florida State College at Jacksonville’s literary magazine, The Experience, will host a poetry night at Happy Medium Books Café on Wednesday to celebrate the release of Vol 58: Tales of a Scarred Land! The book showcases some of the work in the school’s 39th Art and Design Student Show and runs the gamut from photography to poetry, short stories and experimental work. The event includes a free copy of the compendium, along with student performances. Organizers encourage participants to indulge their creative side by wearing “fantasy-like” attire to complement the wide-ranging work of FSCJ students.

Guest: Jenn Chase, humanities and English professor, Florida State College at Jacksonville

Wild Amelia Nature Festival

A 10-day festival across Amelia Island and Nassau County celebrates the region’s unique ecosystem with music, environmental displays, live animal exhibits, a kids market and a sand sculpture contest to help the community appreciate and learn how to better protect the area’s natural spaces. Scheduled to coincide with the annual opening of the beaches celebration, the 17th annual Wild Amelia Nature Eco/Expo Festival will be held from May 8–17 at Main Beach Park. The event is also a tribute to local environmentalists Jodi and Ray Hetchka, founders of the festival, owners of Kayak Amelia and longtime champions of the natural world.

Guest: Lynda Bell, executive director, Keep Nassau Beautiful

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Dr. Nick Taylor, state specialized extension agent, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Center for Land Use Efficiency

Pepper pot

A new cookbook celebrates “the pepper of St. Augustine,” framed by the Minorcan cuisine that holds the fiery capsicum dear. Illustrated by visual artist Gayle Prevatt, the “Datil Taste Good” cookbook is itself peppered with familiar local names of the original Minorcan immigrants (Pacetti, Masters, Manucy) and features no fewer than five recipes for Minorcan clam chowder and two kinds of “Bottled Hell” datil sauce. We discuss how the pepper became synonymous with St. Augustine, its mysterious origin story and why it remains largely confined to its Northeast Florida home turf.

Guests:

• Magen Altice, executive director, St. Augustine Historical Society

• Nicole Diehm, head librarian and curator, St. Augustine Historical Society

Carry on

For more than 30 years The National Association of Letter Carriers has hosted an annual food drive collecting nearly 2 billion pounds of goods for food banks across the United States. The Stamp Out Hunger campaign is the largest food drive in the nation, with postal workers in 10,000 cities participating. We talk to the branch leader of the local letter carriers union about the event and why the need becomes especially keen as school winds down for the summer. Residents who wish to donate can leave nonperishable food items in a bag by their mailbox on Saturday.

Guest: Jim Thigpenn, president, North Florida Letter Carriers, Branch 53

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guests:

• Florida Rep. Christine Hunschofsky (D-Parkland), incoming House Democratic leader-designate

• State Republican Party Chair Evan Power

• Rick Mullaney, executive director of the Haskell Public Policy Institute at Jacksonville University

Psychedelics, tick season and longevity science

In our monthly House Call with Dr. Joe Sirven, we discuss how political pressure is putting psychedelics on the fast track, a surging tick season (and attendant conspiracy theories) and a suspected outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship that has left three passengers dead. 

Guest: Dr. Joe Sirven, Mayo Clinic neurologist and host of WJCT’s What’s Health Got To Do With It?

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• Two major decisions, from the U.S. Supreme Court and the Florida State Capitol, are reshaping minority political representation for years to come.

• Florida’s attorney general initiates yet another Jacksonville investigation — this time into JEA. 

• A memorial to the victims of the Dollar General mass shooting is destroyed by vandals.

Guests:

• Sylvia Perry, editor of the Jacksonville Free Press

• Brenda Priestly Jackson, former Jacksonville City Council member, former Duval County School Board member

• John Daigle, political consultant, former City Hall reporter

• A.G. Gancarski, reporter at Florida Politics, columnist for Jacksonville Today

This Week in Music History

Public media is well known for providing context for news developments, but the work doesn’t end with the headlines. Context matters for music, too, as it shapes and is shaped by the culture, politics and society from which it emanates. Music guru and Electro Lounge host David Luckin turns his focus and editing skills to creating a sonic landscape that showcases iconic songs inside a temporal milieu. The project, This Week in Music History, is an hourlong spinoff of his popular daily segment, Today in Music History. It launches at 7 p.m. Sunday and airs weekly in that time slot going forward. We talk to Luckin about the inspiration for the project and why he wanted to explore, as he says, “history you can feel.”

Guest: David Luckin, host, Electro Lounge, WJCT Public Media station manager

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Guests:

• Stacey Balaam, Sporting Club Jacksonville women's soccer head coach

• Georgia Brown, Sporting JAX defender

• Paige Kenton, Sporting JAX forward

Outsider art

A Jacksonville-based artist with a global, even universal vision, is the focus of a new exhibition at MOCA Jacksonville. Outside Looking In: The Paintings of Amer Kobaslija features works showcasing his life and travels, from his childhood in war-torn Bosnia to his series Florida Diaries to his portrayal of the devastation from the 2011 tsunami in Japan, One Hundred Views of Kesennuma. Throughout his work, Kobaslija offers colorful, even whimsical views of damaged and denuded landscapes, whether by natural forces or man-made devastation, including rampant development and climate change. The exhibit opens Thursday and runs through Sept. 20.

Guests:

• Amer Kobaslija, visual artist, associate professor of studio art at the University of Central Florida

• Amber Sesnick, director of marketing, arts University of North Florida and MOCA Jacksonville

Arts awards

Celebrating the people and organizations pushing Jacksonville’s cultural and creative ecosystem forward is the focus of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville’s annual art awards. The 49th Annual awards ceremony is also the group’s largest fundraiser, with 92 cents of every dollar raised returned to local arts and culture. The event promises a “multilevel experience” with a theme of “Neon Noir” to celebrate those who light the way for the rest of the community. The event will be at 6:30 p.m. May 9 at Decca Live. Tickets are required.

Guest:

• Diana Donovan, executive director, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville

• Darren Dailey, president and artistic director, Jacksonville Children's Chorus

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• A small early-phase trial in people with glioblastoma suggests very high intravenous doses of vitamin B3 (niacin), added to standard care, may help “reawaken” tired immune cells and briefly slow tumor growth. Dr. Joe explains why this is an intriguing lab signal—but still an experimental hospital treatment, not a reason to start megadosing over-the-counter vitamins.
• A new report in the journal Transfusion finds more patients asking hospitals for blood only from unvaccinated donors since COVID shots rolled out, even though blood centers don’t track or label donations by vaccination status. Dr. Joe walks through how these requests can delay life-saving transfusions, why there is no evidence vaccinated blood is harmful, and how to think about risk when you actually need blood.
• A large neurology study following nearly 93,000 adults for about 11 years links eating more plant foods—especially whole grains, vegetables, and nuts—to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, while “junk” plant-based diets high in fries and refined grains were tied to higher risk. Dr. Joe talks about why quality matters more than the “plant-based” label and how to move toward a more brain-friendly, plant-forward pattern without going fully vegetarian or vegan.

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Guest: Dr. Frank Catalanotto, founder of Floridians for Dental Access, former dean at the University of Florida College of Dentistry

Stepping up

After enduring what she describes as an early life defined by abuse, Desiree Jones turned her experience into a path forward for others. The founder of Step-by-Step 4 Help Foundation is now a licensed therapist and offers mental health counseling, mentorship, skills training and housing stability assistance to disadvantaged individuals in the city’s urban core. The group was recently recognized in LISC Jacksonville’s Community Development Awards. We discuss what the award means for the foundation and how its work epitomizes the grassroots strategies promoted by LISC.

Guests:

• Desiree Jones, founder and president, Step-by-Step 4 Help Foundation

• Dr. Irvin DePedro Cohen, executive director of LISC Jacksonville

To the moon and back

April was a busy month for space exploration, as NASA’s Artemis II completed a successful 10-day voyage around the moon, becoming the first crewed flight of the space agency’s Orion spacecraft. It’s also a busy time for stargazers. Currently, the Leo Triplet, a constellation made up of three interacting galaxies, is overhead. We break down the science of how these galaxies produce so-called “rogue stars” and discuss what we’ve learned from the first crewed space flight beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17.

Guest: Eddie Whisler, director of planetarium and outreach, Museum of Science & History

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Guest:

• Josh Marks, environmental attorney, president of Georgians for the Okefenokee

• Mackenzi Hallmark, chair, Georgia Student Swamp Coalition

Maximizing meadows

Make your own meadow. A new step-by-step guide explores the environmental effects of transforming turfgrass lawnscapes into biodiverse habitats. The Florida Meadow Manual recognizes a growing desire by homeowners and landscapers for an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional, monoculture lawns. From plant selection and site preparation to long-term maintenance tips and design principals, the book provides instructions for, and the ecological rationale behind, creating even small, yard-sized meadows. We sit down with the book’s authors to discuss why Florida climate works for these particular landscapes and why meadows are a growing strategy for those seeking low-maintenance and affordable solutions.

Guests:

• Gage Daniel J. LaPierre, post-doctoral research associate at University of Florida and co-author, The Florida Meadow Manual 

• Isabella Guttuso Browne, landscape designer and coordinator at UF Center for Landscape Conservation and co-author, The Florida Meadow Manual

Artistic APtitude

An exhibit of student artwork showcases “risk-taking, problem-solving and deep reflection,” according to organizers of Global Leadership Academy High School’s annual AP Art Portfolio Exhibition. Presented at Downtown Vision Inc., the show features 2- and 3D art and design pieces by the Advanced Placement students, demonstrating both technical ability and creative thinking. The exhibition’s opening reception is from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday at DVI’s headquarters, 29 W. Duval St. Admission is free.

Guests:

• Amanda Holloway, AP art instructor at Global Leadership Academy High School

• Tikabaya Thornton and Victoria “Vika” Kurochkin, featured student artists

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Guest: Lynn Skapyak Harlin, educator, editor and poet

Change of scenery

Nearly 40 years after its founding, the legacy of Scenic Jacksonville is visible both in what we see and what we don’t. The organization founded by attorney and civic champion Bill Brinton worked to pass two key citizen amendments to the city’s governing charter. The Billboard Charter Amendment prohibited new billboards countywide and led to the removal of more than 1,600 signs to date. The Tree Protection Amendment required replanting or replacing trees removed for development and established guidelines for protecting the area’s most significant “specimen” trees. We sit down with the new leader of the longstanding group to find out how they’re planning for the future in a changing political and environmental landscape.

Guest: Litsa Dawkins, executive director, Scenic Jax

Out of silence

A four-generation journey through systemic abuse ends on stage 150 years later, when a playwright finds her voice and tells her story. Silence Unraveled tells the history of Bobbie O’Connor’s great-grandmother Emma Jane, grandmother Trudie and mother Willie Audrey, before working its way down to the author. Along the way, it touches on difficult topics often muted by silence, including physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence and loss. We talk to O’Connor about what it means to confront familial misogyny and, hopefully, destroy the template.

Guest: Bobbie O'Connor, playwright, performer and social justice advocate

Fare thee well

An annual grassroots event created to connect the public with free health and wellness resources kicks off next weekend. Wellfest, founded in 2019, serves as a space for the community to learn about healthier lifestyles through mental, nutritional and physical education and outreach. This year’s event features local businesses, a coffee crawl, collaborative yoga, a clothing swap, live music and more. Partnering with Here Tomorrow, a local mental health provider, the event also offers suicide prevention information and resources. The 8th Annual Beaches Wellfest will be May 2 at Johansen Park in Atlantic Beach. The event is free and open to the public.

Guests:

• Tracy Marko, president of Meraki Wellness and director of WellFest

• Mary Mullahey, health educator and coffee crawl director

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• Extended drought, with a rainfall deficit of 25 inches, kindles conditions for widespread and dangerous wildfires. 

• The timing of a campaign video release creates political headaches for Mayor Donna Deegan.

• City officials put a nearly $4,000 price tag on a request for public records related to the JEA investigation. 

• Attorney General James Uthmeier investigates an AI chatbot’s role in last year’s mass shooting at FSU.

Guests:

• Robert Brown, news director, WJXT News4Jax

• Frank Powers, former assignment manager at News4Jax

• Randy DeFoor, attorney and former Jacksonville City Council member

• Jake Stofan, state and local government reporter at Action News Jax

Band aid

A local high school is headed to Washington, D.C., after being invited to perform in the National Memorial Day Parade. The Sandalwood High School Band is still working to raise funds for the trip and is asking the community for help to make the opportunity a reality. The event is expected to feature 5,000 participants from all 50 states, including dozens of high school bands. We ask the band’s director what it means for students and the First Coast to be recognized on a national stage.

Guests:

• Samantha Maltagliati, band director, Sandalwood High School

• Adelina Millian, saxophone, Sandalwood High School Band

• Sophia Peugnet, Sandalwood band president and drum major

• Jeremiah Gadson, Sandalwood band percussion captain

Great fire gathering

Ongoing wildfires across the First Coast and Southern Georgia are a stark reminder of the very real devastation caused by giant infernos — like the one that destroyed almost the entire city of Jacksonville in 1901. This year marks the 125th anniversary of that dark time, but the first of what’s anticipated to be annual events recalls not just the widespread destruction, but the citywide rebirth that followed. We talk to the head of the Jacksonville History Center about the inaugural Great Fire Gathering and how the fundraiser aims to help the group prepare for the future as it commemorates the past.

Guest: Alan Bliss, CEO, Jacksonville History Center

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Guest: Chris Hand, local government expert, attorney and co-author with the late Sen. Bob Graham of America, the Owner's Manual

Open secret

A secret no more, the lives of a group of Flagler County resident writers are the focus of a new collaborative publication. We meet three of the 24 contributing authors behind The Secret Lives of Flagler County Wives, and discuss how a nascent Facebook group evolved into their new “tell-all” book. The tongue-in-cheek title belies a real camaraderie built among coastal Florida transplants who aligned to share very different stories and life trajectories.

Guests:  

• Judy Cherry, contributor, The Secret Lives of Flagler County Wives

• Rachelle Edrozo Paulk, contributor, The Secret Lives of Flagler County Wives

• Jessica Anderson Fagonde, contributor, The Secret Lives of Flagler County Wives

Strides for Pride

The move to greater LGBTQ equality and visibility gets a push at the 15th Annual Strides for Pride 5K. The fundraiser benefits the work of the Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority Youth Network, or JASMYN, a local LGBTQIA+ youth organization focused on supporting teens and young adults aged 13-29. The organization celebrated three decades of youth advocacy in 2024, and while it has been in a period of leadership transition, the group hired new CEO Ashley Coleman in February.

Guest: Issis Alvarez, JASMYN board chair

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• A new analysis from the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center finds adults who have never been married have higher cancer rates than those who were married at some point, including divorced and widowed people. Dr. Joe explains why this isn’t exactly “get married or get cancer”.
• A large Finnish study in JAMA Psychiatry followed nearly 14,000 children with ADHD into young adulthood and found no higher risk of serious psychotic disorders in those treated long-term with stimulant meds like Ritalin and Concerta. Dr. Joe walks through why untreated ADHD carries its own risks, and how to weigh a small medication risk against the bigger dangers of leaving symptoms unaddressed.
• Demand for estrogen patches has surged since the FDA updated guidance on modern hormone therapy and removed an old black box warning, leading to shortages just as more women seek relief from hot flashes, sleep problems, and mood changes. Dr. Joe offers discusses why this is the moment to lean on your pharmacist. 

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Guests:  

• Adrienne Arnone, cat activist and volunteer based in St. Johns County

• Katelyn Smith, shelter operations coordinator, Clay County Animal Shelter

• Noah Hertz, St. Johns County reporter, Jacksonville Today

On the rise

After her departure from City Hall, we sit down with the mayor’s former Hispanic outreach coordinator to talk about her new role managing the emerging Phoenix Arts and Innovation District. The mixed-use Springfield property aims to become a destination for creative minds, cutting edge businesses and culinary excellence, including hundreds of new Downtown housing units. We talk to its new general manager about her professional transition back to the private sector while working to transform the former industrial parcel into a thriving arts district.

Guest: Yanira “Yaya” Cardona, general manager, Phoenix Arts and Innovation District

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Guest: Fred Jones, urban planner at Haskell, Downtown Development Review Board member

Tracking maternal deaths

A committee created within the Florida Department of Health to monitor cases in which mothers die during and after pregnancy went virtually dark after the appointment of Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who oversees the department. According to a new report by the Florida Trib, the data lag also tracks with post-Dobbs Florida, where abortions are effectively prohibited after six weeks, frequently before a pregnancy is detected. We talk to the reporter behind the investigation about the increasingly secretive work of Florida’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee at a time when other states with near-total abortion bans have seen an increase in maternal mortality rates.

Guest: Kate Payne, state government reporter, the Florida Trib

The Pillowman

The writer behind Oscar-nominated films In Bruges, Three Billboards and Banshees of Inisherin is also the author of a deeply dark comedy taking stage in Jacksonville. The Pillowman, which opens this weekend at Lumen Repertory Theatre, tells the story of a writer of gruesome fairy tales, who is interrogated over his stories' resemblance to several child murders. A black comedy spiked with allusions to Kafka and The Brothers Grimm, the play is also an exploration of totalitarianism and the cost of censorship. We discuss the psychological thriller with the play’s director and the theater's artistic director.

Guests:

• Joshua Andrews, director, The Pillowman

• Brian Niece, artistic director, Lumen Repertory Theatre

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Guest: Lisa Rinaman, St. Johns Riverkeeper

100 years of Atlantic Beach

From land barons and railroad tycoons to the arrival of the military and the modern era, Atlantic Beach has reached its centennial milestone. A hundred years after the coastal city’s founding, the Beaches Museum offers a retrospective that runs through August. Atlantic Beach 100 includes a speakers series ranging from former mayors and architectural historians to local archivists and authors. The commemoration includes stories and photographs tracking the city’s evolution from remote wilderness to upscale beach town and vacation destination. We ask a director and historian at the Beaches Museum about ways to get involved.

Guests:

• Chris Hoffman, mayor of Jacksonville Beach, Beaches Museum executive director

• Johnny Woodhouse, historian and guide, Beaches Museum

Jax Poetry Fest

Complexity, connection and catharsis take center stage during Jax Poetry Fest, a monthlong celebration coinciding with National Poetry Month. Though April is half over, there are still plenty of events lined up, from readings and workshops to slams, exhibits and contests. We talk to a participant organizer about the power of poetry as a tool for helping children and adolescents reflect, explore and grow.

Guest: Aniah Heaven Washington, program director and poetry facilitator, Hope at Hand

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Among our topics this week:

• The governor summons lawmakers back to Tallahassee and piles more on their plate.

• Prosecutors widen the scope of their JEA investigation to include the utility’s senior officials and its former lobbying group, Ballard Partners.

• Public records show the size of the city’s University of Florida graduate campus could be more modest than what many are hoping. 

• A Putnam County commissioner refuses to back down from racist comments about people of Arab descent.

Guests:

• Nate Monroe, executive editor at the Florida Trib

• Obi Umunna, attorney and political consultant

• Christina Burgess, reporter at First Coast News

• David Bauerlein, metro reporter at the Florida Times-Union

Invited to the Cookout

A Downtown block party transforms James Weldon Johnson Park into a collective cookout, showcasing the unique flavors and diverse histories of Jacksonville’s many neighborhoods. The free event features live music, dancing, celebrations of community identity and, of course, food. From a karaoke sing-off and mini golf to a performance by The Katz Downstairs, the cookout aims to engage Jacksonville residents of all ages — and everyone’s invited. The Cookout starts at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Guests:

• Jereme Raickett, event producer, The CookOut

• Sarah Daugherty, United Way of Northeast Florida

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Guests:

• Liz Vartkessian, death penalty mitigation specialist, author, The Deserving: What the Lives of the Condemned Reveal About American Justice

• Teri Sopp, assistant public defender, death penalty qualified defense attorney

Here Tomorrow

A new podcast series highlights the mental health challenges facing first responders, veterans and active-duty military members. As a retired police sergeant and former SWAT team supervisor, host Brannon Hicks has more than passing familiarity with first responder trauma. As a suicide survivor shaped by the deaths of his son and fellow officers, Hicks has made it his mission to combat the stigma through storytelling. Clearing the MindField launches this week and features conversations with law enforcement officials and combat veterans who speak candidly about their trauma and recovery.

Guest: Brannon Hicks, podcast host, military and first responder program manager for Here Tomorrow

Preparing for the worst

From severe weather workshops to hands-on safety demonstrations, Jax Ready Fest is an annual free community event centered on preparing Jacksonville residents for a range of potential disasters. Held for the first time in 2024, the event seeks to empower families and individuals with knowledge and resources for staying safe. This year’s event includes more than 40 partnering agencies and offers interactive experiences ranging from emergency 911 calls to water safety training. We ask the emergency preparedness division’s deputy chief about the value of advance planning, especially as hurricane season approaches.

Guest: James Schaudel, deputy chief of emergency preparedness, city of Jacksonville

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• Allergists say climate change is stretching and intensifying pollen seasons, leaving many people feeling like their allergies get worse every year. Dr. Joe talks about why “pre-treating” before peak symptoms hit can matter more than what you take once you’re already miserable, and when it’s time to move beyond home care and see a doctor.
• A new study in JAMA Network Open finds that young adults who cut social media for just one week saw measurable drops in anxiety, depression, and insomnia—even though their overall screen time barely changed. Dr. Joe explains which patients are most likely to benefit from a social media detox, and how anyone can use simple “phone on/phone off” windows to protect their attention.
• NASA astronaut Mike Fincke recently revealed he suddenly couldn’t speak for about 20 minutes while aboard the International Space Station, prompting the agency’s first-ever medical evacuation from orbit. Dr. Joe reflects on what this unexplained episode says about the limits of our current diagnostics, and how much we still don’t know about what spaceflight does to the brain.

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Guests:

• Ed Booth, pilot, board-certified aviation attorney

• Opio Lumumba Sokoni, author, activist

Breaking the silence

As Florida eliminates the phrase “climate change” from state law and the Legislature bans local government “net-zero” policies, it seems increasingly difficult to have discussions about a changing climate that aren’t colored by politics. Local environmental nonprofits and faith leaders hope to remove that lens, hosting a “nothing-but-the-facts” discussion on the varied impacts many are already beginning to experience on the First Coast. The discussion features an overview of the science behind more extreme or frequent weather occurrences, and outlines ways to protect yourself, your property and your loved ones. Breaking the Silence: Talking Climate Change in Jacksonville will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at St. John’s Cathedral in Jacksonville. The event is free and open to the public.

Guests:

• Rev. Mark Anderson, St. John’s Cathedral

• Kathleen Biggins, president and founder, C-Change Conversations

Big Sister of the Year

Mentorship didn’t come to Ally Capriotti early. It started with a service learning class during her senior year at Jacksonville University. But the impactful experience quickly turned into a commitment, one she wanted to continue after graduation. Capriotti connected with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida and through it met her “little sister” Abby, who she’s now known for nine years. For her work, Capriotti was recently named 2026 Big Sister of the Year by the Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida.

Guest: Ally Capriotti, 2026 Big Sister of the Year, Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida

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Guest: Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan

Fletcher High filmmaker

Since making her professional debut at Jacksonville’s Alhambra Theatre at age 7, Tatum Matthews has expanded her work to include film and television. Now 17 and a junior at Fletcher High School, Matthews has claimed starring roles in the CW’s The Waltons specials, played the lead in the sci-fi thriller The Artifice Girl, and was honored as a “rising star” by the city of Jacksonville’s Film & Television Office. For her latest project, an indie short called Would You Rather, she wears several hats: writing, directing and starring in the drama. The story explores the complexities of adolescence, friendship and trauma, with Jacksonville as its backdrop. The film premiered in 2025 at the Oscar-qualifying Calgary International Film Festival and is set to screen at the Beverly Hills International Film Festival on April 17. We ask Matthews about the filmmaking process, what inspired the film’s narrative and what it means to represent her home town at the international level.

Guests:

• Tatum Matthews, writer, director and actor, Would You Rather

• Franklin Ritch, executive producer and editor, Would You Rather

• Britt McTammany, executive producer, cinematographer, Would You Rather

James and the Giant Peach

A modern spin on a Roald Dahl classic takes off later this week in St. Augustine. The Flagler College Theatre Department’s James and the Giant Peach features an all-female cast and a “truck-style” performance, in which costume and lighting changes as well as scene transitions are done in full view of the audience. We ask the director and star of the production about the enduring appeal of the childhood tale and the promise of happiness beyond a bleak present. The show runs through April 19 at Lewis Auditorium on the Flagler College campus.

Guests:

• Kip Taisey, Flagler College musical theatre director and director of James and the Giant Peach

• Amberly Rodriguez, Flagler College student, actor playing James

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Guests:

• Spencer Fletcher, owner of Oneida Bungalow Court
• Tim Gilmore, author, educator and historian at JaxPsychoGeo

Exit interview

Nearly eight years after he took the top job at WJCT Public Media, President and CEO David McGowan bids the station farewell. His departure comes at a dynamic time in journalism in general, and public media in particular. We ask McGowan about his tenure at the station, including how he charted a course through the COVID pandemic and why he prioritized the local digital journalism initiative Jacksonville Today. We also get an update on how the station is responding to the funding changes that followed a cessation of all state and federal funding.

Guest: David McGowan, president and CEO of WJCT Public Media

Charter school

Jacksonville University President Tim Cost started a tradition in 2012, turning the annual Charter Day commemoration of the school’s founding into a campuswide day of service. Since then, volunteers have spent 36,000 hours volunteering with established nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity, the Humane Society and the Ronald McDonald House, as well as with groups supporting veterans, the environment, cancer patients and youth. As Cost prepares to transition to the role of chancellor on July 1, he joins us to discuss what’s planned for the school's 14th annual Charter Day of Service.

Guests:

• Jacksonville University President Tim Cost 
• Jack Kukis, Jacksonville University graduating senior 

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• Is Jacksonville getting “fleeced” in its new stadium deal? The Washington Post editorial board thinks so.

• JEA is being investigated for a hostile work environment. Is the City Council contributing to the problem?

• Duval County Public Schools absorbs two recent school bus crashes, as well as redoubled efforts to ban books. 

• A year after he died from "catastrophic injuries” suffered in an altercation with jail guards, Charles Faggart’s family sues the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for information about his death.

Guests:

• Jim Piggott, former City Hall reporter at News4Jax

• John Daigle, political consultant, former reporter

• Megan Mallicoat, education reporter at Jacksonville Today

• Trinity Webster-Bass, investigative journalism fellow at the Florida Trib

Late in life love

A post-funeral hookup leads to a second chance at love in a Florida retirement community. We preview the local staging of Morning After Grace with its creator, award-winning playwright Carey Crim, along with the star of the Alhambra Theatre’s production, Kevin Anderson, who plays the lead role of Angus. Anderson, a familiar face in the world of TV and film, is perhaps best known for his role opposite Julia Roberts in Sleeping With the Enemy. The comedy opens Thursday and runs through May 10.

Guests:

• Carey Crim, playwright, Morning After Grace

• Kevin Anderson, actor playing Angus in Morning After Grace

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Judy Bense, a lifelong anthropologist and founder of the Florida Public Archaeology Network, distills her vast knowledge of “America's oldest colony” in her latest book, Early Spanish Florida. Lushly illustrated and packed with information, the book specifically targets lay readers with an interest in the state’s 250-year period of Spanish colonization. Bense deftly explores both the conflicts engendered by the brutal efforts to subjugate and enslave the state’s indigenous residents, and the vital history that remains through archaeological excavations around the state and region.

Guest: Judith A. Bense, anthropologist, author of Early Spanish Florida: Unearthing the History of America’s Oldest Colony

Farewell, Intuition

Did you hit that communal bottle of tequila circulating at the Guided By Voices show? Zone to the drone of Mdou Moctar's guitar? Or just enjoy a cold Jon Boat Ale on a broiling Jax weekend? We’re reliving the memories of a Jacksonville institution, Intuition Ale Works, ahead of the iconic brewery's final day on April 24.

Guest:  Ben Davis, founder of Intuition Ale Works

Cream cheese wars

Food writer Hanna Raskin opened up a can of whipped cream cheese on readers in her recent broadside on the evolving practices of bagel preparation. Wrapped around a review of Jacksonville’s first iteration of the influencer-ensnaring bagel chain, PopUp Bagels, Raskin boldly tackles the question of what constitutes “too much” cream cheese, to what is (in our minds) a contestable conclusion. Raskin is the publisher behind The Food Section, a James Beard award-winning newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. She joins us to discuss acceptable bagel/cream cheese ratios and other matters of culinary import.

Guest: Hanna Raskin, food writer at Jacksonville Today

Financial literacy summit

Between the possibility of college debt, a volatile economy and a job market that seems destined for major AI disruption, the future can be a scary place for teens on the verge of adulting. For those feeling anxious, the Rotary Club of Jacksonville offers some stability in the form of financial preparation. The club’s second annual financial literacy summit schools 11th and 12th graders in a daylong program that covers saving, investing, debt management and career planning. The summit will be held April 17 at Ribault High School, and transportation to and from the event is provided at Raines, Riverside, First Coast and Andrew Jackson high schools.

Guest: Bill Laird, certified financial adviser, financial literacy summit volunteer with the Rotary Club of Jacksonville

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• A newly FDA-cleared blood test can pick up Alzheimer’s-related proteins with over 90 percent accuracy in people who already have memory issues, offering a cheaper, easier alternative to spinal taps and specialized brain scans. Dr. Joe explains where this test can truly help in the clinic right now—and why it is not ready as a general “screening” for everyone.
• New research from the University of Colorado finds that people with chronic low back pain process everyday sounds more intensely, with brain scans showing extra activity in both hearing and emotion centers. Dr. Joe talks about what this reveals about how chronic pain rewires the nervous system and why effective treatment often needs more than just a single pill or procedure.
• Matcha has become a go-to for people who feel too wired on coffee, with many claiming it delivers a smoother kind of alertness. Dr. Joe breaks down how its caffeine content compares with coffee and regular green tea, what’s actually known about compounds like L-theanine, and how much of that “gentler buzz” might simply come down to dose and personal tolerance.

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On April 20, Florida will become one of 22 states to limit what federal food assistance dollars will buy. Among the new items on ban: soda, energy drinks, candy and prepared desserts. The view from under the MAHA umbrella is mostly positive, with supporters praising it as a necessary shift away from unhealthy and ultra-processed foods known to accelerate or even cause illness. But some food access advocates worry the change creates additional stigma for SNAP recipients and will lead to confusion and higher prices while making life more difficult for those already unable to afford small indulgences. We break down both perspectives and discuss how the changes will be felt on the First Coast.

Guests:

• Gina Plata-Nino, SNAP director at the Food Research & Action Center

• Chloe Kuhn, director, Riverside Arts Market, and marketing director, Riverside Avondale Preservation

Moment in Time

A new exhibit at the Cummer Museum dials back the clock to a pre-digital era of photography, where all photos were precious and, today, offer rare portals to a bygone era. Moment in Time, A Legacy of Photographs is composed of 115 photos dating back the invention of the medium in the 1830s and includes artists who defined the craft, ranging from Ansel Adams and Henri Cartier-Bresson to Julia Margaret Cameron, Walker Evans, Paul Strand and Helen Levitt. We discuss the images in the Bank of America photo collection as well as the ongoing exhibit, Art in Bloom, which showcases contemporary and legacy works on a floral theme.

Guest: Holly Keris, J. Wayne & Delores Barr Weaver chief curator, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

Body Awareness at The 5 & Dime

Seeing and being seen are the themes at the core of this dark comedy. Set during "Body Awareness” Week on a Vermont college campus, the titular play follows the arrival of a controversial photographer known for his nude portraits of women. The play continually redirects the audience’s “gaze” and ultimately challenges the characters’ perception of art, family and identity. The local staging at The 5 & Dime opens Friday and runs through April 18, with a community conversation on April 12 that includes a panel on neurodiversity.

Guests:  

• AJ Heekin, director, Body Awareness at The 5 & Dime

• Cynthia Riegler, actor playing Phyllis

• Erin Barnes, actor playing Joyce

• Tyler Lewis Wardle, actor playing Jared

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Dr. Joe Sirven, Mayo Clinic neurologist and host of WJCT’s What’s Health Got To Do With It?

Stopping the cycle of child abuse

The line between a crisis and child abuse or neglect is often vanishingly thin, and it is often drawn where there is family education, resources or just a moment of respite. For the past 30 years, the Exchange Club Family Center has offered free, supportive, in-home services for families who are at risk or just need a little help. The group will have its annual child abuse prevention and awards luncheon on April 16, hosted by abuse survivor and motivational speaker Derek Clark.

Guest: Sue Watson, executive director, Exchange Club Family Center

By My Neighbor Day

WJCT’s annual community celebration, Be My Neighbor Day, brings together kids, grownups, friends and community partners for a free, fun-filled festival on April 11. The event features crafts for kids, beloved PBS characters like Daniel Tiger and a chance to meet the people behind the scenes at WJCT Public Media. The day is built around activities aimed at teaching kids how to find and be “helpers” in their own neighborhood and includes a face-painting station and food trucks. Entry into WJCT’s Studio A is timed, so registration is required.

Guest: Circe LeNoble, director of grants management and community events, WJCT Public Media

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Joshua Hicks, affordable housing director for the city of Jacksonville

Duval literacy report

A new report examines the current state of early literacy efforts across Duval County and ways to strengthen these outcomes, specifically for children from birth through third grade. The report, commissioned by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, found promising progress, but also systematic shortfalls within Duval County’s early literacy system. According to the report, 57% of American adults have literacy skills below that of a sixth grader, with Duval County’s literacy rates mirroring national trends. We ask the group’s president what the findings mean for the future of Duval’s literacy landscape.

Guest: Rachael Tutwiler Fortune, president of Jacksonville Public Education Fund

Bookstore crawl

Supporting writers and local bookstores in Jacksonville. The nonprofit Women Writing for (a) Change, Jacksonville is hosting a three-part community writing series at different bookstores this month, inviting writers with any experience level to join. Organizers say the event asks attendees to slow down and appreciate the practice of writing while fostering deeper connections with others in the community. The Bookstore Crawl will visit Happy Medium Books Cafe, The Next Chapter Bookstore and Cafe Resistance, stopping at one shop each week during three Saturdays this month. The events are free and open to the public — under one condition: You must love books, love writing and love the community.

Guests:

• Jennifer Wolfe, founder and executive director, Women Writing for (a) Change, Jacksonville

• Olivia Vo, workshop facilitator and board member, Women Writing for (a) Change, Jacksonville

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• President Trump reportedly fires Attorney General Pam Bondi over her handling of the Epstein files.

• Florida’s so-called “SAVE Act” is challenged in court minutes after being signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

• The Jacksonville Transportation Authority furloughs 80 senior staff and increases fares for Connexion Plus service for people with disabilities amid a $14.2 million budget deficit.

• Crosswalks, speed cameras and traffic gardens: Local schools add new safety features after student traffic deaths.

• The NFL responds to criticism from Florida’s attorney general over the league’s minority hiring guidelines.

• The Jacksonville Jaguars select Orlando as their home away from home for the 2027 season, drawing a mixed reaction from fans.

Guests:

• Will Brown, reporter at Jacksonville Today

• Nikesha Williams, former TV producer, author of The Seven Daughters of Dupree

• Jack Webb, attorney and former City Council president

• Frank Powers, former assignment manager at News4Jax

Through her lens

Born in Ecuador and raised in Jacksonville, visual artist and marine scientist Anna Tripp grew fond of the challenge to capture an entire story with a single photograph. The daughter of a portrait artist, Tripp was inspired by her mother’s early interest in cameras and soon found herself capturing images of local wildlife and their unique habitats, playing with natural light to spotlight her subjects. Tripp’s work is featured in a new exhibit at Southlight Gallery in Downtown Jacksonville showcasing her exploration of South Africa. We ask Tripp about her travels and how her background in marine science inspires her photographic themes.

Guest: Anna Tripp, visual artist

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Dr. Sunil Joshi, allergist, immunologist and president, Family Allergy and Asthma Consultants, and chief health officer, city of Jacksonville

Future of Florida’s Black history museum

The future home of Florida’s Black history museum is uncertain, again. St. Johns County was selected as the preferred location for the planned Florida Museum of Black History. The area is home to rich civil rights history, and officials pointed to easy access to historical sites like Fort Mose and the first sanctioned free Black settlement as to why it would make a good fit. But, for the second year in a row, a bill that would have codified St. Johns County as the museum’s definitive home failed to make it to the governor’s desk before the end of the legislative session. We hear where the project stands and why local officials are still hopeful it’ll get done.

Guest: Noah Hertz, St. Johns County reporter, Jacksonville Today

The next generation

From humble beginnings in Savannah, Georgia, to now a worldwide movement, the Girl Scouts have been helping young girls build confidence and life skills for more than 100 years. The local chapter, Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, has been operating in Northeast Florida for 37 years. With membership hitting new lows in recent years, we hear from two Girl Scouts about what keeps them involved in the generational practice. We also preview an upcoming Women of Distinction event recognizing Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole and Mayor Donna Deegan as honorees. The event, which features a brunch and silent auction, will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Garden Club of Jacksonville.

Guests:

• Wendy Dordel, CEO, Girl Scouts of Gateway Council

• Sofia, Girl Scout

• Isabella, Girl Scout

Historic home tour

Have you ever wanted to wander through historic homes in Jacksonville? An upcoming tour welcomes visitors into some of the most cherished private residences in Riverside and Avondale. Some of the featured properties include a 1934 Tudor Revival, a 1909 bungalow, a 1922 Mediterranean Revival and many more. The 52nd Annual Home Tour presented by The Historic Collective will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 11 and 12. Tickets are required, and the event raises funds for the Riverside Avondale Preservation.

Guest: Shannon Blankinship, executive director of Riverside Avondale Preservation

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• A Washington Post column highlights five once-routine drugs, including daily aspirin for prevention, Benadryl for sleep, and codeine cough syrup, that newer guidance says may do more harm than good. Dr. Joe talks about why some familiar medicines are falling out of favor, and how to decide what really still deserves a place on your shelf.
• UnitedHealthcare plans to add nationwide doula coverage to all employer-sponsored plans, building on Medicaid moves in more than 40 states. Dr. Joe explores how trained non-medical birth companions can change the experience and outcomes of pregnancy, especially for Black moms.
• Costco is making headlines for partnering with telehealth and fertility specialists to offer members steep discounts on IVF, egg freezing, and key fertility drugs. Dr. Joe walks through how this could make treatment more accessible, and what to consider when something as personal as family-building starts to look more like a retail offering.

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Guest: Helen Zoe Veit, author of Picky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History and associate professor of history, Michigan State University

Tour de Farm

Slow Food First Coast will host the return of its popular Tour de Farm, offering residents and visitors a unique opportunity to explore working farms, meet local growers and experience the region’s agricultural heritage across St. Johns County. The tour comes at a time when Florida farmers are struggling the most. After a recent cold snap caused an estimated $3 billion in agricultural losses for the state, we hear about the impacts to local growers and how local farmers are adapting. The tour will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 12.

Guests: Prissy Fletcher, agricultural liaison and grants and policy analyst, St. Johns County Office of Intergovernmental Affairs

Discovering purpose

What is my purpose? It’s a question everyone may think at some point in their lives, but it’s also the topic of a new workbook written by the leader of Rethreaded, a local nonprofit that helps survivors of human trafficking. The book is designed to help people better understand themselves, providing space for personal responses, while also sharing the author’s personal anecdotes from her life. The book will be featured at the first annual Rethreaded Process Conference: Purpose Edition on at 9 a.m. April 18 at the group’s main building, 515 E 9th St.

Guest: Kristen Keen, founder and CEO, Rethreaded

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guests:

• Dr. Christine Cauffield, CEO, LSF Health Systems

• Sara Brochu, assistant director of UNF MedNexus

• Chelsea Caudill, social work student, University of North Florida

The real Richard Castle

He’s the man behind the popular pen name “Richard Castle.” New York Times best-selling author Tom Straw spent years working in radio and television before taking a leap to writing crime novels. He began his career writing for television, including Night Court, where he earned nominations from the Writer’s Guild of America and Primetime Emmy Awards. Secretly writing under the name of the male lead in the hit-show “Castle,” Straw is the mind behind the "Nikki Heat" series, a crime-thriller spanning 10 novels. He’s the latest author to be featured in a yearly author series hosted by The University of North Florida’s English Department to honor the memory of a former writing instructor. We ask Straw about his latest spy thriller, hear what inspired his wide-ranging career and get a preview of what he’s working on now. The event is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at UNF’s John E. Mathews Jr. Computer Science Building.

Guests:

• Tom Straw, screenwriter and New York Times best-selling author of the "Nikki Heat Series"

• Michael Wiley, author and English professor, UNF

Mandarin Art Festival

An Easter tradition spanning decades in Mandarin makes its return this weekend. The Mandarin Art Festival, organized by the Mandarin Community Club, features local artists and small businesses, vendors, a children’s art showcase and bake sale. The festival, founded in 1968 by Judge Ed Westberry and a group of local artists, is the longest running event of its kind in Northeast Florida. Organizers say the festival is a vital source of funding for the club’s preservation, education and beautification work in the Mandarin community. We ask the organizer and a featured artist about what to expect from this year’s event and ask about the importance of featuring and supporting local artists. The event is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Mandarin Community Club.

Guests:

• Susie Scott, chair, Mandarin Art Festival

• Carolyn Veros, St. Augustine-based painter and featured artist, Mandarin Art Festival

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest:

• Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland

• Lanelle Phillmon, president of the League of Women Voters of Jacksonville’s First Coast

Finger Mullet Film Festival

Puppetry, experimental film and the great outdoors are a favorite focus of award-winning indie filmmaker and Flagler College art professor Patrick Moser. So it’s no surprise that the film festival he founded is steeped in eccentricity and creative energy. We ask him why he wanted to make a local home for screening short, contemporary and foreign films that range from silent and surreal student projects to stop-motion animation by elementary students. This year's Finger Mullet Film Festival features films by students in China, Croatia, England, Iran, Israel, Norway and Portugal and is held from 5 to 10 p.m. April 10 at the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum in St. Augustine.

Guest:

• Patrick Moser, Flagler College art professor, founder of the Finger Mullet Film Festival

• Julie Dickover, director, Crisp-Ellert Art Museum

Core friends

The Volunteer Life Saving Corps is as much a part of Jacksonville Beach life as salt air and surfing. For more than 100 years, the corps has patrolled and protected the shoreline in their iconic, banded blue swimsuits, recording more than 1,400 rescues, 25,000 first aid cases and more than 1.3 million volunteer hours. The corps historically covered the coast during the hours and seasons when guards with Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue were not on duty. A new initiative called Friends of the Corps aims to keep the tradition alive through fundraising and advocacy.

Guest: Ryan Karish, captain of the Volunteer Life Saving Corps

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.